OVERALL
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
ALTERNATIVES

Trendnet TEW 656BRG Review | 77 Data compared

double-arrow
  • Avg. price: ~£25
  • Wi-Fi version: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • Wi-Fi speed: 150 Mbps
  • LAN port speeds: N/A
  • Wireless coverage: ?

Trendnet TEW 656BRG review. Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among routers and if it is worth buying.

4.7

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%

4.7

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Poor
4.7

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%

3.8

Wireless

20.0%

2.8

Ports

18.0%

5.6

Networking

14.0%

6.3

Security

12.0%

6.8

Hardware

10.0%

4.2

Management

Poor
?

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

  • 6.4
    Gaming

    Score components:

    33.0%

    1.0

    Wi-Fi speed

    28.0%

    9.0

    CPU clock speed

    22.0%

    9.0

    RAM capacity

    17.0%

    9.0

    Maximum connected devices

  • 5.6
    Travel

    Score components:

    40.0%

    10

    Weight

    30.0%

    1.0

    Wi-Fi speed

    20.0%

    6.0

    Cellular modem type

    10.0%

    1.0

    SIM slot

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £25

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 TEW-656BRG is an ultra-portable N150 wireless router designed to share a 3G or 3.75G mobile internet connection via its single USB 2.0 port. Key specifications include support for IEEE 802.11n/g/b standards with data rates up to 150Mbps, a lightweight 66g (2.3 oz) build, and a compact 93 x 65 x 19.5 mm frame. Its main advantages are the ability to be powered directly from a laptop’s USB ports, one-touch WPS connectivity, and a built-in hook for mounting on a laptop screen. However, it is limited to legacy Wi-Fi 4 technology on a single 2.4GHz band, lacks physical LAN ports for wired devices, and its internet speed is capped by older 3G mobile network standards.

Technical Specifications of router Trendnet TEW 656BRG

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

4.7
Trendnet TEW 656BRG has a technical score of 4.7 points, which is lower than that of 99% 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 TEW 656BRG 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%

4.7

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.3
Trendnet TEW 656BRG has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.3 points, which is lower than 98.5% 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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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

150 Mbps
Trendnet TEW 656BRG delivers 150 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 91.5% of routers and equal to 7% of routers.
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

20 MHz + 40 MHz
Trendnet TEW 656BRG supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz channel width options, which is fewer than 59.9% of routers and the same as 34.8% of routers.
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

WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
Trendnet TEW 656BRG supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 67.3% of routers and equal to 11.6% of routers.
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

yes
Trendnet TEW 656BRG includes DoS protection. 11% of routers include DoS protection.
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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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

?
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

no
Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not support VLAN tagging. 63% 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 TEW 656BRG 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

0
Trendnet TEW 656BRG has 0 LAN ports, which is fewer than 99.8% of routers and the same as 0.3% 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

N/A
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

0
Trendnet TEW 656BRG has 0 WAN ports, which is fewer than 99.3% of routers and the same as 0.7% 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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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
Trendnet TEW 656BRG uses Web UI for management, which is less advanced than 72.2% of routers and equal to 27.3% 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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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

4 GB
Trendnet TEW 656BRG has 4 GB of internal storage, which is more than 89.2% of routers and the same as 10.8% of routers.
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

?
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 TEW 656BRG has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.7% of routers and the same as 40.3% of routers.
Show more

Trendnet TEW 656BRG vs the average router

  • 6.35 W lower power consumption
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG uses less power than the average router (1.8 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 TEW 656BRG uses less power than the average router (1.8 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.1.75 W vs 8.1 W
  • Newer cellular modem
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG uses a 3G cellular modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    What it is: Identifies the mobile modem class built into the router, such as 4G LTE or 5G.
    When it matters: When the router depends on mobile broadband and network generation affects speed and coverage options.

    Importance: LOW

    Trendnet TEW 656BRG uses a 3G cellular modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).3G vs none (external modem required)
  • 3.6x cheaper
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG is cheaper than the average router (£25 vs £90).
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG is cheaper than the average router (£25 vs £90).£25 vs £90
  • Newer cellular modem
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG uses a 3G cellular modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
  • 6.35 W lower power consumption
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG uses less power than the average router (1.8 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.

Total
Overall
Ports
Hardware
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG 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.
  • 89.7% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (150 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
  • Narrower channel widths
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
  • No band steering
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG has fewer spatial streams than the average router (1 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
  • No VPN server support
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 67% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • No parental controls
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not offer parental controls, while the average router does. 99.7% of routers offer parental controls.
  • No VLAN tagging
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 62.8% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • No IPv6 support
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not support IPv6, while the average router does. 89.1% of routers support IPv6.
  • 4 fewer LAN ports
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG has fewer LAN ports than the average router (0 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
  • 1 fewer WAN ports
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG has fewer WAN ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 WAN ports.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
  • Less capable NAS services
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
  • No traffic monitoring
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not offer traffic monitoring, while the average router does. 82.6% of routers offer traffic monitoring.
  • Weaker management tools
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG uses the management interface Web UI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
  • No DLNA support
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 54.5% of routers support DLNA.
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 67% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG 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
  • 4 fewer LAN ports
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG has fewer LAN ports than the average router (0 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 TEW 656BRG has fewer LAN ports than the average router (0 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.0 vs 4
  • No VLAN tagging
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 62.8% of routers support 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

    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 62.8% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • 89.7% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (150 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
    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

    Trendnet TEW 656BRG has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (150 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.150 Mbps vs 1450 Mbps
  • No IPv6 support
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG 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 TEW 656BRG does not support IPv6, while the average router does. 89.1% of routers support IPv6.
  • No parental controls
    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not offer parental controls, while the average router does. 99.7% of routers offer parental controls.
    What it is: Provides tools to limit internet access by time, device, or content category.
    When it matters: When children use the network and you want easier control over access times and sites.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Trendnet TEW 656BRG does not offer parental controls, while the average router does. 99.7% of routers offer parental controls.
Total
Overall
Wireless
Security
Networking
Ports
Management
Hardware

Graphic comparison of Trendnet TEW 656BRG and other routers

Attribute category
Attribute
No results found

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Trendnet TEW 656BRG?

  • Extremely compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable for travel
  • Can be powered directly via a laptop's USB ports, removing the need for a power outlet
  • Features a built-in hanging hook to conveniently attach the router to a laptop screen
  • Broad compatibility with USB modems from major mobile providers for sharing 3G/3.75G connections
  • Includes useful advanced networking features like QoS, SPI intrusion protection, and URL filtering

What customers dislike about Trendnet TEW 656BRG?

  • Limited maximum Wi-Fi speed of only 150 Mbps, which is slow compared to modern standards
  • Lacks external antennas, which can result in weaker signal strength and reduced range
  • No support for newer Wi-Fi standards like Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6; restricted to Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • Missing modern security and management features such as DoS protection and parental controls
  • The product has been discontinued, which may impact long-term support and firmware updates

Video reviews

Best alternatives

d-link-dir-842
D-Link DIR 842

Routers

7.0
xiaomi-redmi-router-ac2100
Xiaomi Redmi Router AC2100

Routers

6.7
xiaomi-router-ax1500
Xiaomi Router AX1500

Routers

6.6
tp-link-archer-c50
TP-Link Archer C50

Routers

6.4
xiaomi-mesh-system-ac1200
Xiaomi Mesh System AC1200

Routers

6.4
asus-rt-n12-d1
ASUS RT N12 D1

Routers

6.3
mercusys-ac12
Mercusys AC12

Routers

6.2
xiaomi-mi-router-4a
Xiaomi Mi Router 4A

Routers

6.2
tenda-ac8
Tenda AC8

Routers

6.1
tenda-ac6-ac1200
Tenda AC6 AC1200

Routers

6.1
asus-rt-n10p
ASUS RT N10P

Routers

6.1
asus-rt-n10-c1
ASUS RT N10 C1

Routers

5.9

Compare Trendnet TEW 656BRG with other routers

VS
VS

Compare