速度efy AC2100 (Model K7W) Smart WiFi Router Review

Nowadays, we almost take it for granted that internet will be available wherever we go. If you’re standing in line for coffee, for instance, you simply expect there to be free WiFi. This is also becoming increasingly true in our own homes. It used to be that the average family had one computer. Then, we all started getting laptops. Then came smartphones, followed soon after by streaming video services. By the time the Internet of Things (IoT) arrived, we were already connecting several devices per household. Now that our fridges, smoke detectors, and washing machines are going online, we need connectivity more than ever.

对于我们许多人来说，这意味着抛弃旧路由器并迎接新的新路由器。较旧的路由器可以提供出奇的能力速度。例如，一个10岁的路由器应该能够在没有任何麻烦的情况下处理高清流。旧路由器受苦的地方是他们需要支撑的设备数量。例如，智能洒水控制器不会使用大量的带宽。但是，如果您通过WiFi连接了六个不同的水分传感器，那将是很多额外的连接。如果您的路由器不能很好地任务，那么您将遇到麻烦。

解决方案是升级到支持最新AC2100协议的路由器。现在，我们将审查这样的路由器，即Speedefy AC2100（型号K7W）智能WiFi路由器。该路由器设计具有完整的AC2100盖，以及连接多个设备的4×4 MU-MIMO。但是它是否符合我们的期望？还是脸上落在脸上？为了找出答案，我们需要查看该路由器所提供的所有内容。我们将查看连接速度，设置过程和覆盖范围。我们还将讨论安全功能和应用程序控件。之后，我们将总结我们学到的知识，您可以成为法官。

Design and Installation

The first thing we noticed about the速度efy AC2100 (Model K7W)(10% Discount Code: MQFRC6V4)was its forward-looking, futuristic appearance. It’s constructed from white polymer, with grooves in the front panel that lend it a somewhat aggressive appearance. The top has a peaked shape, with panels sloping to the front and sides. The finish is mostly blank, but does sport a silver “Speedefy” logotype in the top right. In total, there are an impressive seven antennas attached, two on each side and three in the back. These can be pivoted any direction, so you can improve your coverage wherever it happens to be needed.

这是一个路由器，而不是调制解调器，需要连接到调制解调器才能获得Internet访问。安装快速且无痛，可以通过智能手机应用程序或您的浏览器完成。将路由器连接到调制解调器，遵循说明，一切都应该顺利进行。路由器通过以太网连接到您的调制解调器，背面有一个其他三个以太网端口。结果，您可以形成两个有线连接以及大量无线连接。这不仅可以轻松插入PC，还可以连接网络打印机或无线访问点。

If you do want an all-in-one modem and router combo, there are a few options on the market. TheNetgear Nighthawk CAX80is a powerful combination unit that’s built specifically for gaming. This means virtually zero latency, which is also ideal for streaming. That said, because it’s a combo unit, you’ll probably need to call your internet provider to have it set up.

速度和覆盖范围

The Model K7W has a maximum bandwidth of 2,100Mbps, or more than double Gigabit speeds. This is split between dual 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels. The 5GHz channel has a bandwidth of 1,733Mbps, and the 2.4Gbps is slower, at 300Mbps. The reason for the dual-band configuration is that the 5GHz channel is much faster, but also shorter-range. The 2.4Gbps channel, on the other hand, will always be slower, but can reach a lot further. By combining the two, a well-designed router can provide the best of both worlds. Even the slower channel is perfectly suitable for most purposes, although gaming performance definitely suffers at longer range.

In terms of WiFi coverage, you’re actually getting a bit less than we expected. In total, you can reach a maximum of around 2,500 square feet, depending on the layout of your home. Brick walls and other obstacles can shrink this, while performance is better in open areas. The antennas make a marginal difference at best. Pointing one directly at a particular device can sometimes work in an edge case, but that’s about it. That’s not to say that the coverage is terrible. Depending on your needs, it may be more than adequate. But if you need to cover a large home, you’ll need a bigger router or a range extender.

另一个潜在的解决方案是使用网格路由器。网状路由器，就像骑骑士AC3000, connect multiple routers together to form an overlapping “mesh” network. This allows you to cover very large areas, albeit at a higher cost, and with more complicated installation.

One way to improve your wireless performance is to wire in devices that are close enough for wiring. For one thing, this takes some bandwidth out of the air and frees it up for remote devices. For another thing, Ethernet connections are usually faster to begin with. We say “usually” because the Ethernet ports on the K7W don’t ever seem to deliver Gigabit speeds. 600 to 700Mbps is more the norm, which isn’t terrible, and is more than you’ll normally need. Still, this makes the router less future-proof than it otherwise would be. Then again, it’s also very affordable, so it’s not as if you’re investing a small fortune on a top-tier router.

K7W引擎盖下面,有一些额外的铁atures that make it ideal for smart homes. First off, it supports all versions of the 802.11 protocol, other than WiFi 6. This will allow you to take advantage of bleeding edge smart home devices that require multitasking. To further aid with multitasking, the router also has 4X4 Mu-MiMo support. In a nutshell, this means that at any given time, four devices can be uploading, and four can be downloading. By switching rapidly between tasks, you can connect far more devices than that.

为此，K7W拥有双核CPU，以实现快速处理。这意味着更少的缓冲，较少的滞后和接近零的潜伏期，用于游戏和流媒体。

App and Extras

There are two different ways of controlling the K7W. First, you can use the smartphone app, available for free on iOS and Android. The app will walk you through the process of setting up your router when you first configure it. After that, you can use the app to change your settings, such as your password and security options. As an alternative, you can use the Speedefy web interface. This requires you to connect the router directly to a PC via Ethernet in order to get it set up. Follow the instructions, and you’ll be able to connect to the web in no time.

K7W利用WPA2协议来加密网络。这是几乎所有制造商使用的网络加密的最新版本。到现在为止还挺好。但是，它是否超越了您的网络保护？实际上，有几个奖励安全功能。

To begin with, you’ll have a separate guest network with its own password. This network shares your home’s internet connection, and works just like any other WiFi network. However, it’s separate from your personal network, where all your devices are connected. Even if your guest network password is compromised, hackers won’t have access to your smart home devices.

In addition, the Speedefy K7W comes with a parental control suite to help keep your kids safe online. You can designate specific permissions for specific devices, so all family members have age-appropriate access. You can block specific websites and apps, and even limit the time of day specific devices can go online. No more worrying if your kids are staying up half the night chatting on social media.

If security is first and foremost in your mind, but you want to save a few bucks, there are other options. For instance, we’ve recently reviewed theRock Space AC2100。它具有与K7W相似的安全功能，并在网络上确保您和您的家人安全。但是，它也不那么快，因此您将无法连接尽可能多的设备。

Final Verdict

For most applications, the速度efy AC2100 (Model K7W)(10% Discount Code: MQFRC6V4)is one of the better routers on today’s market. To begin with, it’s very easy to setup. Unlike a lot of third-party routers, it doesn’t require you to install any firmware or complete any exotic steps. Everything is more or less plug and play, once you’ve set up your basic network profile. This makes it easy to install, even if you’re a relative novice. The option for both app and web controls is appreciated, as is the attractive physical design. We also liked the multiple antennas. Even though they’re only marginally effective, they’re a nice aesthetic touch on an already-slick router.

To be fair, the Speedefy K7W isn’t perfect. The Ethernet performance is a bit slow, and the range isn’t as wide as some other routers. That said, it’s blazing fast when you are in range, and can support a large number of devices. It’s suitable both for modern, IoT-rich homes as well as for people who do a lot of gaming or streaming. The CPUs and other internal features do a great job of pulling their load, and keeping lag to a minimum. When all is said and done, this router is going to make a lot of people happy.