We used the D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 for a week, here is our in-depth review of the router.
For a lot of consumers, D-Link is the go-to choice when it comes to network equipment. The brand boasts a vast catalogue spanning CCTV cameras, mobile hotspots, adapters, switches, mini UPS, and of course, WiFi routers. If you’re thinking about upgrading your home or office router, it is always a good idea to look at what D-Link’s next-gen products have to offer. The new EXO AX AX5400 router from D-Link supports WiFi 6 and offers a bunch of interesting features. Right now, this router is priced at Rs 11,000 for the Indian market. We’ve been testing it out for the last week to see if it’s worth the price tag. So, without further ado, let’s take a deep dive into our D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 router review.
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D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 Router review: Design
The D-Link DIR-X5460 WiFi router prioritises functionality over aesthetics when it comes to the design of the product. We don’t have any complaints here, you don’t buy a router for the looks. The DIR-X5460 has an all-plastic build, all the way from the body panels to the antennas.
Covering the width of the top section of the router is a large air vent. The front end of the device has LED indicators for power, internet connectivity, 2.4GHz and 5GHz band connectivity, and USB storage status. The AX5400 does not have any internal fans, so it is absolutely necessary for it to have large air vents. The bottom panel is all vents along with four feet that keep the device in place. The two mounts near the centre can be used to prop the router on a wall.
There are four antennas along the sides of the router, two on either side. You need to screw in the front two antennas while setting up the device. They can be found inside the package with the rest of the accessories. Two antennas protrude from the back panel, taking the total number of antennas to 6. At the back of the router, you will also find all the connection ports. These include 2 USB ports (USB 2.0 + USB 3.0), 4 Gigabit LAN ports, and 1 Gigabit WAN port. There’s also a power input port at the far right end of the panel along with the power button, a WPS security key, and the reset punch hole.
The overall design is much more extravagant than the average WiFi router provided by your Internet Service Provider. The only minor issue we have here is with the horizontal power adapter. It tends to hoard a lot of space when plugged into an extension board. This won’t be an issue if you’ll be plugging the adapter into a solitary wall outlet.
D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 Router review: Performance
D-Link has made it incredibly easy to set up the EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 router. Once you take it out of the box, you need to attach the two antennas and plug in the ethernet and power cables in their allotted ports at the back. Once that is done, you need to download the D-Link app on your smartphone and follow the on-screen instructions. You can find the default password and WPS pin of the router on the sticker at the bottom. The D-Link DIR-X5460 is capable of working in a mesh network, which means you can easily connect it to an extender or another router.
With the latest WiFi 6 technology on board, the D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-5460 router promises ultra-fast speeds with a wider network coverage than any previous-gen router. With OFDMA and two-way MU MIMO technology, the DIR-X5460 can communicate with multiple devices simultaneously and allocate the data flow accordingly. One of the better things about this WiFi router is that you don’t need to sign in to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz band networks separately. Once you’re connected to the main network, the router will automatically upgrade you to the 5GHz band when the device is in its vicinity.
The D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 can provide speeds of up to 4,800 Mbps on the 5Ghz band and 600 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. You can easily stream 4K videos on multiple devices connected to the network. Even with one device downloading heavy files, the speeds on other devices are mostly unaffected. We did not experience any hiccups or unnecessary stutter during our use. The router managed to provide exceptional coverage even in the distant corners of the house. The signal strength we received on the first floor was remarkable. The router even managed to reach some sections of the roof.
We suggest you spend some more time on the D-Link app or web interface after setting up the router. There are a lot of interesting features here that you may find useful. One of the better features is parental control, which allows you to block certain websites and filter content on the network. You don’t have to pay any additional costs for this service, which is a big plus in our book.
The router also comes with an integrated Ookla speed test, which can be accessed from the web interface. Since the router is the one conducting this speed test, it can apply these results to the QoS (Quality of Service) and prioritise the connection strength for different devices on the network. If there’s a dip in connection speed, the DIR-X5460 will automatically prioritise the active devices connected to the network.
If you’re using the D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 as a part of a mesh network in your office, you can choose to set it up in router mode or in extender mode. If you plan on using it as a home router, you can create different profiles for different users. You can also set up a different profile for guests. The guest profile can have a different password and restricted access to the wider network. Finally, you can also connect the DIR-X5460 to your Amazon Echo or Google Home device for voice control.
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Verdict
If you’re looking to upgrade from the free WiFi router provided by your ISP, the D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 is a brilliant choice. You will notice an immediate bump in speeds and signal strength. The range of features offered by this router is also commendable. However, the Rs 11,000 price tag is still something that would pinch a lot of users. Let’s be honest, an average does not want to splurge more than Rs 10k on a piece of equipment that their ISP already provides for free. But if the price is not a factor for you, the D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 will make a great addition to your home or office.
D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 router: Pros
Incredible speeds
Good coverage
Helpful features like parental controls, guest profile, voice control, and more.
D-Link EXO AX AX5400 DIR-X5460 router: Cons
Expensive
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