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Trendnet TDM C500 Review | 77 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£45
  • Wi-Fi version: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • Wi-Fi speed: N/A Mbps
  • LAN port speeds: 100 Mbps
  • Wireless coverage: N/A m²

Trendnet TDM C500 review. Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among routers and if it is worth buying.

5.3

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

5.3

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Good
5.3

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

26.0%

3.7

Wireless

20.0%

4.2

Ports

18.0%

6.8

Networking

14.0%

7.4

Security

12.0%

6.3

Hardware

10.0%

4.8

Management

Good
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.

When it matters: When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 6.0
    Gaming

    Score components:

    33.0%

    0.0

    Wi-Fi speed

    28.0%

    9.0

    CPU clock speed

    22.0%

    9.0

    RAM capacity

    17.0%

    9.0

    Maximum connected devices

  • 4.9
    Travel

    Score components:

    40.0%

    10

    Weight

    30.0%

    0.0

    Wi-Fi speed

    20.0%

    4.0

    Cellular modem type

    10.0%

    1.0

    SIM slot

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £45

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The TRENDnet TDM-C500 is a compact ADSL 2/2+ modem router supporting downstream speeds up to 24Mbps and featuring a single 10/100Mbps LAN port alongside a USB 2.0 port for alternative connectivity. Key characteristics include advanced security with a dual NAT and SPI firewall, QoS data prioritisation, and support for up to 8 PVCs and various ADSL standards (Annex A, L, M). Its main advantages are a lightweight, low-power design (4.3W), easy setup via a web-based wizard, and additional management options like SNMP and CLI. However, its primary drawbacks include being limited to a single Ethernet port and outdated Wi-Fi 4 technology with relatively low wireless speeds of approximately 100Mbps.

Technical Specifications of router Trendnet TDM C500

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

26.0%

?

Wireless

20.0%

?

Ports

18.0%

?

Networking

14.0%

?

Security

12.0%

?

Hardware

10.0%

?

Management

5.3
Trendnet TDM C500 has a technical score of 5.3 points, which is lower than that of 91.9% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.

When it matters: When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
1.0
Trendnet TDM C500 has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 71.1% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.3

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.7
Trendnet TDM C500 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.7 points, which is lower than 92.9% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Trendnet
Wi-Fi version
What it is: Identifies the Wi-Fi generation the router supports, such as Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E, or 7.
When it matters: When newer phones, laptops, and consoles need the latest Wi-Fi efficiency and speed features.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Trendnet TDM C500 uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is less advanced than 60.8% of routers and equal to 37.2% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
What it is: Lists which wireless frequency bands the router can use, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.
When it matters: When you need to balance range, speed, and congestion across different types of client devices.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

2.4 GHz
Trendnet TDM C500 supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are less versatile than 75.3% of routers and equal to 22.3% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >2700 Mbps

N/A
Channel widths supported
What it is: Lists the Wi-Fi channel widths the router can use, such as 20, 40, 80, or 160 MHz.
When it matters: When you want the option to trade peak speed against stability in crowded wireless environments.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz

N/A
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

Importance: HIGH

N/A
DoS protection
What it is: Provides defenses intended to reduce the impact of denial-of-service traffic against the router or network.
When it matters: When exposed services or remote access make resilience against traffic floods more important.

Importance: HIGH

?
SPI intrusion protection
What it is: Uses stateful packet inspection to track sessions and block suspicious unsolicited traffic more accurately.
When it matters: When the router needs a stronger first line of filtering on an internet-facing connection.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Trendnet TDM C500 includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 3.6% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
What it is: Lets the router allow or block devices based on their MAC addresses.
When it matters: When you want an extra device-level access rule beyond passwords and network names.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Trendnet TDM C500 supports MAC address filtering. 1% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
What it is: Allows the router to block or allow access based on website addresses or domain rules.
When it matters: When you need to restrict specific sites for children, guests, or work-policy reasons.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Trendnet TDM C500 supports URL filtering. 1.8% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
What it is: Support for the newer IPv6 internet addressing standard alongside the older IPv4 system.
When it matters: When your internet provider or network already uses IPv6, or you want the router to stay compatible as IPv6 use becomes more common.

Importance: HIGH

no
Trendnet TDM C500 does not support IPv6. 89.3% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
What it is: Supports routing protocols or dynamic route updates instead of relying only on static route entries.
When it matters: When the router sits in a more complex network with changing paths between multiple subnets.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Trendnet TDM C500 supports dynamic routing. 46.8% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
What it is: Allows the router to pass traffic between separate VLANs under controlled rules.
When it matters: When you need segmented networks to communicate selectively instead of staying fully isolated.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Trendnet TDM C500 does not support inter-VLAN routing. 22.2% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
What it is: Lets the router mark traffic with VLAN tags for segmented or ISP-specific network setups.
When it matters: When you separate guest, office, IoT, or ISP-required traffic into different network segments.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Trendnet TDM C500 supports VLAN tagging. 37.2% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
What it is: Provides quality-of-service controls that prioritize some traffic over less important traffic.
When it matters: When calls, gaming, and downloads compete and you want latency-sensitive traffic protected.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Trendnet TDM C500 includes QoS controls. 2.7% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 4 ports

1
Trendnet TDM C500 has 1 LAN ports, which is fewer than 95.3% of routers and the same as 4.2% of routers.
LAN port speeds
What it is: Lists the Ethernet speeds available on the router’s LAN ports, such as Gigabit or multi-gig.
When it matters: When wired transfers to NAS, desktops, or access points need more than basic Ethernet speeds.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 Gbps

100 Mbps
Trendnet TDM C500 offers 100 Mbps on its LAN ports, which is slower than 73.1% of routers and on par with 26.4% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
What it is: Shows how many separate WAN uplink ports the router provides for internet connections.
When it matters: When you use dual internet lines, backup WAN, or load balancing between multiple external links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 WAN port

1
Trendnet TDM C500 has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
What it is: Shows how many USB ports the router includes for storage, printers, or modem accessories.
When it matters: When you plan to share storage, attach a printer, or use USB-based network extras.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 1 USB port

1
Trendnet TDM C500 has 1 USB ports, which is more than 39.2% of routers and the same as 39.9% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
What it is: Power over Ethernet support, meaning the router can receive power, deliver it, or be part of a PoE-based installation.
When it matters: When you want cleaner installation with fewer separate power cables, especially in ceilings, walls, racks, or remote locations.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Trendnet TDM C500 does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
What it is: Shows how the router is configured and monitored, such as web UI, app, or command-line tools.
When it matters: When setup depth and day-to-day admin convenience are part of the buying decision.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, CLI
Trendnet TDM C500 uses Web UI, CLI for management, which is more advanced than 90.7% of routers and equal to 2% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI
Trendnet TDM C500 supports Web UI firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 69.5% of routers and equal to 29.7% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
What it is: Lets the router track bandwidth usage by device, app category, or time period.
When it matters: When you need to find which devices or activities are causing slowdowns or high data use.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Trendnet TDM C500 does not include traffic monitoring. 82.8% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
What it is: Lets the router create a separate wireless network for visitors or less-trusted devices.
When it matters: When guests need internet access without reaching private devices on the main network.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Trendnet TDM C500 offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
What it is: Supports a login or acceptance page that users must pass before getting internet access.
When it matters: When guest networks, rentals, cafes, or managed access points need a sign-in page.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Trendnet TDM C500 does not offer captive portal features. 23.9% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

Importance: HIGH

?
RAM capacity
What it is: The amount of working memory available for sessions, routing tables, and running router services.
When it matters: When many devices, VPN tunnels, or advanced features need the router to stay responsive under load.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=512 MB

?
Internal storage
What it is: The built-in storage available for logs, apps, shared files, or other local router functions.
When it matters: When the router runs extra services and needs space for logs, packages, or shared content.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8 GB

?
Hardware acceleration
What it is: Uses dedicated hardware paths to offload routing, NAT, encryption, or switching tasks from the main CPU.
When it matters: When heavy routing or security features would otherwise reduce throughput on the processor alone.

Importance: HIGH

no
Trendnet TDM C500 does not offer hardware acceleration. 81% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
What it is: Shows how many antennas are mounted externally on the router.
When it matters: When you want stronger adjustable coverage or plan to aim antennas for difficult room layouts.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 3 antennas

0
Trendnet TDM C500 has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.7% of routers and the same as 40.3% of routers.
Show more

Trendnet TDM C500 vs the average router

  • Better management tools
    Trendnet TDM C500 uses the management interface Web UI, CLI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    What it is: Shows how the router is configured and monitored, such as web UI, app, or command-line tools.
    When it matters: When setup depth and day-to-day admin convenience are part of the buying decision.

    Importance: HIGH

    Trendnet TDM C500 uses the management interface Web UI, CLI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.Web UI, CLI vs Web UI, App
  • More advanced integrated modem
    Trendnet TDM C500 uses a ADSL2+ integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    What it is: Identifies the built-in broadband modem standard, such as DOCSIS, ADSL, or VDSL.
    When it matters: When the router must connect directly to your ISP line without a separate modem box.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Trendnet TDM C500 uses a ADSL2+ integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).ADSL2+ vs none (external modem required)
  • 3.8 W lower power consumption
    Trendnet TDM C500 uses less power than the average router (4.3 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    What it is: The amount of electrical power the router draws during normal operation, usually measured in watts.
    When it matters: When the router stays on all day and you care about heat output and long-term electricity cost.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <6 W

    Trendnet TDM C500 uses less power than the average router (4.3 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.4.3 W vs 8.1 W
  • More advanced integrated modem
    Trendnet TDM C500 uses a ADSL2+ integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
  • Better management tools
    Trendnet TDM C500 uses the management interface Web UI, CLI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
  • 3.8 W lower power consumption
    Trendnet TDM C500 uses less power than the average router (4.3 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.

Total
Ports
Management
Hardware
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    Trendnet TDM C500 uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    Trendnet TDM C500 supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
  • No band steering
    Trendnet TDM C500 does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    Trendnet TDM C500 does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
  • No VPN server support
    Trendnet TDM C500 cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 67% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • No IPv6 support
    Trendnet TDM C500 does not support IPv6, while the average router does. 89.1% of routers support IPv6.
  • 3 fewer LAN ports
    Trendnet TDM C500 has fewer LAN ports than the average router (1 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
  • Slower LAN ports
    Trendnet TDM C500 has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Trendnet TDM C500 supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
  • Less capable NAS services
    Trendnet TDM C500 includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
  • No traffic monitoring
    Trendnet TDM C500 does not offer traffic monitoring, while the average router does. 82.6% of routers offer traffic monitoring.
  • No DLNA support
    Trendnet TDM C500 does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 54.5% of routers support DLNA.
  • No hardware acceleration
    Trendnet TDM C500 does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 80.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    Trendnet TDM C500 has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Trendnet TDM C500 supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
    When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

    Importance: HIGH

    Trendnet TDM C500 supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.Web UI vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • No VPN server support
    Trendnet TDM C500 cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 67% of routers can act as a VPN server.
    What it is: The ability to host the router’s own VPN server so you can connect back into your network securely from outside.
    When it matters: When you want secure remote access to your home or office network while you are away.

    Importance: HIGH

    Trendnet TDM C500 cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 67% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    Trendnet TDM C500 uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    What it is: Identifies the Wi-Fi generation the router supports, such as Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E, or 7.
    When it matters: When newer phones, laptops, and consoles need the latest Wi-Fi efficiency and speed features.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

    Trendnet TDM C500 uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    Trendnet TDM C500 supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    What it is: Lists which wireless frequency bands the router can use, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.
    When it matters: When you need to balance range, speed, and congestion across different types of client devices.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

    Trendnet TDM C500 supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • Slower LAN ports
    Trendnet TDM C500 has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    What it is: Lists the Ethernet speeds available on the router’s LAN ports, such as Gigabit or multi-gig.
    When it matters: When wired transfers to NAS, desktops, or access points need more than basic Ethernet speeds.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 1 Gbps

    Trendnet TDM C500 has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • 3 fewer LAN ports
    Trendnet TDM C500 has fewer LAN ports than the average router (1 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
    When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 4 ports

    Trendnet TDM C500 has fewer LAN ports than the average router (1 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.1 vs 4
  • No IPv6 support
    Trendnet TDM C500 does not support IPv6, while the average router does. 89.1% of routers support IPv6.
    What it is: Support for the newer IPv6 internet addressing standard alongside the older IPv4 system.
    When it matters: When your internet provider or network already uses IPv6, or you want the router to stay compatible as IPv6 use becomes more common.

    Importance: HIGH

    Trendnet TDM C500 does not support IPv6, while the average router does. 89.1% of routers support IPv6.
  • No hardware acceleration
    Trendnet TDM C500 does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 80.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
    What it is: Uses dedicated hardware paths to offload routing, NAT, encryption, or switching tasks from the main CPU.
    When it matters: When heavy routing or security features would otherwise reduce throughput on the processor alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    Trendnet TDM C500 does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 80.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
Total
Overall
Wireless
Security
Networking
Ports
Management
Hardware

Graphic comparison of Trendnet TDM C500 and other routers

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Trendnet TDM C500?

  • Simple step-by-step setup wizard makes installation easy for non-technical users
  • Comprehensive security features including a built-in SPI firewall and NAT protection
  • Compact and lightweight design compared to many other modem routers in its class
  • Energy-efficient with a relatively low operating power consumption of approximately 4.3W
  • Includes useful management controls like URL/domain blocking and MAC address filtering
  • Convenient physical features such as a dedicated on/off power button and status LEDs

What customers dislike about Trendnet TDM C500?

  • Limited wired connectivity with only a single LAN port, requiring an extra switch for more devices
  • Low maximum Wi-Fi speed (100 Mb/s) which is significantly slower than modern Wi-Fi 5 or 6 standards
  • Lacks external antennas, which typically results in shorter wireless range and lower stability
  • Does not support the newer IPv6 protocol, limiting long-term future-proofing
  • The browser-based management interface is often described as basic or 'primitive' compared to newer competitors

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