Synology RT6600AX Router Review: The Router That Refuses to Become Obsolete
Introduction
Today we’re taking a look the Synology RT6600ax, a router that’s been turning heads in the networking world for a few years now. If you’re familiar with Synology’s reputation for creating user friendly NAS devices, you’ll certainly be intrigued by their router offerings.
Priced at around AU$550, the RT6600ax isn’t targeting budget-conscious consumers. Synology is aiming the this router squarely at tech enthusiasts and professionals who want more than just basic connectivity.
Synology has packed this router with features that blur the line between consumer and enterprise-grade equipment, all wrapped up in their signature Synology Router Manager (SRM) interface.
While it’s not the newest kid on the block anymore, the Synology RT6600ax still holds its ground in a market that’s constantly evolving.
So, does it live up to the hype? Read on as we take a take a closer look into this flagship device from Synology.
Specifications
Before we dive into the unboxing, here are the key technical specifications:
- Wireless Standards: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Bands: Tri-band (2.4GHz + 5GHz + 5GHz)
- Maximum Theoretical Speed: 6600 Mbps combined (600 + 4800 + 1200 Mbps)
- CPU: 1.8GHz Quad-core
- Memory: 1GB DDR4
- Ports: 1 x WAN / 1× 2.5GbE WAN/LAN port, 3× 1GbE LAN ports, 1× USB 3.0
- Security Features: WPA3, SRM (Synology Router Manager)
- VPN Support: Server and client support for multiple protocols
- Special Features: Smart Connect, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, Beamforming, Airtime Fairness
- Dimensions: 175 × 175 × 285 mm (without antennas)
- Weight: 1.4 kg
Unboxing Experience
The RT6600ax comes in Synology’s characteristic simple package effectively highlighting the features of the product. The box itself exudes premium quality, with a clear product image and key specifications highlighted on the exterior.
Opening the box reveals careful packaging that protects the router during shipping.
Inside the box, you’ll find:
- The RT6600ax router itself
- Six antennas
- Power adapter and cable
- 1× RJ-45 Ethernet cable
- Quick installation guide
- Warranty information
Unlike some competitors who emphasize flashy presentation, Synology continues to keep things simple and focuses on what’s important.
Design and Build Quality
Synology’s RT6600ax defies the typical router design playbook. While many networking devices lean into aggressive gaming aesthetics with angular shapes and flashy RGB lighting, the Synology RT6600ax takes a different approach with a design that blends seamlessly into professional and home environments alike.
The router feels substantial without being overly heavy and certainly feels durable. Unlike some competitors that integrate metal chassis for a premium feel, Synology has focused on creating a solid, functional design.
The six detachable antennas offer users flexible positioning, allowing users to optimize Wi-Fi coverage based on their environment. There’s good ventilation on both the top and bottom of the router to keep it cool during demanding situations making the RT6600ax a thoughtfully designed unit that prioritizes performance and practicality over pure visual spectacle.
The front face of the router features Synology’s logo and subtle status LEDs that indicate power, internet connectivity, 2.4GHz activity, 5GHz activity, and WAN/LAN status. These LEDs can be disabled entirely with just the “status” LED turned on through the software interface – a thoughtful touch for those who place the router in bedrooms or living spaces.
On the back, you’ll find:
- WPS button
- Power button
- Reset pinhole
- DC power input
- 1x 1GbE WAN Port
- 1× 2.5GbE WAN/LAN port (configurable)
- 3× 1GbE LAN ports
- 1× USB 3.0 port
The 2.5GbE LAN/WAN port is a standout feature, allowing for multi gigabit throughput for either WAN connection or for a high bandwidth device on your network. This future proofs the router somewhat for multi-gig internet connections becoming more common in some markets. However having just the single 2.5GbE LAN connection can prove to be a limitation for environments that seek higher bandwidth requirements for multiple devices.
The sides of the RT6600AX features ventilation grills on all sides that help with passive cooling. During testing, the router remained cool to the touch even under heavy load, suggesting effective thermal management.
Setup Process
Setting up the RT6600ax is pretty straightforward. The setup process can be completed either via web browser or using Synology’s DS Router mobile app (available for both iOS and Android).
Setup Steps:
- Connect the router to power and your modem
- Connect to the default Wi-Fi network (credentials printed on the bottom of the router)
- Navigate to “router.synology.com” or use the mobile app
- Follow the setup wizard
The setup wizard walks you through the basics such as internet connection settings, WiFi configuration, and administrative account creation. The entire process will take around 10-15 minutes and is absolutely straightforward.
What sets the Synology experience apart is the Synology Router Manager (SRM) interface that appears after setup. Those familiar with Synology NAS devices will immediately recognize the familiar interface which is the brains behind all the hardware that makes the Synology RT6600AX stand out of the competition.
Synology Router Manager (SRM)
The SRM software represents one of the RT6600ax’s greatest strengths. Soon as the router is connected to the internet, it’ll scan and prompt for updates if available.
User Interface
SRM presents a desktop-like experience with:
- A Control Panel for system settings
- Network Center for connection management
- Wi-Fi Connect for wireless settings
- Package Center for adding additional functionality
- A comprehensive Help system
The interface is responsive, intuitive, and remarkably powerful. Even networking novices will find the basic functions easy to navigate, while power users can dive deep into advanced settings. If you’re considering a Synology router, the SRM software’s exceptional customization capabilities alone make a compelling case for purchase.
Network Management Features
Network management capabilities are extensive:
- Traffic Control: QoS implementation with application awareness
- VPN Plus: Robust VPN server functionality supporting multiple protocols
- Threat Prevention: Real-time monitoring and protection against network threats
- DNS/DHCP Management: Detailed control over addressing and name resolution
- VLAN Support: Up to 5 different networks with isolation
- Parental Controls: Time-based access restrictions and content filtering
The ability to create multiple networks and VLANs deserves special mention. The RT6600ax supports up to 5 separate networks, each with its own SSID, security settings, and access controls. This makes it ideal for segregating IoT devices, guest access, or creating a dedicated network for work-from-home scenarios.
We have setup a few network segments for IoT devices, NAS devices, a separate segment for VPN devices. This allows users to fully customize what devices can talk to each of the network segments which is easily configurable via firewall rules.
Performance
The RT6600ax is a tri-band router offering one 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands. The standout feature is support for the 5.9GHz spectrum (channels 169-177) in the second 5GHz band, newly available in many regions. This provides additional bandwidth in potentially less congested frequency space.
Wi-Fi Coverage – Mesh Network
In my 2,500 square foot two-story home, a single RT6600ax provided excellent coverage with no dead zones. Signal strength remained strong throughout the house, including traditionally challenging areas like the outer corners of the home.
For larger homes, the RT6600ax can function as part of a mesh system when paired with other compatible Synology routers. We paired the RT6600ax with a Synology WRX560 and both worked flawlessly. Setting up a mesh network is as simple as opening up the “Wi-Fi Connect” app and simply follow the prompts to add a new Wi-Fi access point.
Select the access point, give it a name as appropriate and hit next.
The new mesh device will go through a synchronization process which can take around 5 minutes to complete. The router prompts how you want to connect the mesh device’s backhaul which can be done either via Wired, wireless or both. If using wireless, the 2nd 5Ghz network is dedicated for the backhaul connectivity between devices.
Once the sync is complete, you’ll see the new mesh device with a green tick just like the main router. You’ll also notice wireless devices connected to the mesh device closest to the unit.
Speed Tests
With its 1.8GHz Quad-core CPU and 1GB memory the RT6600AX has enough grunt to handle the most demanding needs within a network. The router handles multiple device connections gracefully. In a stress test with 25+ connected devices (including 4K streaming, video conferencing, gaming, and general browsing), the network remained responsive with minimal latency increases.
The 2.5GbE port is a welcome addition, especially for those with multi-gig internet connections or NAS devices that can benefit from the additional bandwidth. In testing with a compatible 2.5GbE NAS, I achieved consistent file transfer speeds of around 280 MB/s, effectively saturating the connection.
The standard gigabit ports perform as expected, with consistent speeds near the theoretical maximum.
Wi-Fi Speed Test (Synology RT6600AX vs Synology WRX560)
The tests done below were not in an open environment hence results would be slightly lower than if they were in an open environment. Both routers were inside enclosures and had multiple walls in between the client devices representing real life scenarios for most users.
While Synology claims both these routers share similar signal coverage, in real life there seems to be slight variations. The tests were performed on the same machines with both routers next to each other.
iPerf 3 results for both routers turned out to be almost identical.
Advanced Features
Smart Connect
The RT6600ax offers Smart Connect technology, which presents a single SSID and automatically assigns connecting devices to the optimal band based on their capabilities, signal strength, and current network load. This worked well in practice, with devices seamlessly using the most appropriate band.
For those who prefer manual control, you can also configure each band with separate SSIDs. This is especially useful if you have devices that only work on 2.4Ghz band such as certain IoT devices in the market.
Security Features
Security receives significant attention in the RT6600ax:
- WPA3 encryption support
- Built-in threat prevention with real-time monitoring
- Customizable firewall rules
- Intrusion prevention system
- Malicious website filtering
Synology routers offer a feature called “Threat Prevention” as part of their security toolset. This is a protective mechanism that helps keep your network safe from various online threats. Further, it offers DoH for secure DNS lookup, Geo restricting traffic, Google Safe Browsing as part of it’s core security offering. These services can be easily enabled to keep your network environment as secure as possible.
Furthermore the databases that rely on these services can be updated regularly to keep of with the latest threats.
Threat Prevention
Synology’s Threat Prevention system delivers impressive real-time packet inspection capabilities, automatically blocking malicious traffic as it’s detected. However, be aware of its significant resource requirements. Our testing revealed considerable memory overhead, with system memory utilization consistently hovering around 80% with Threat Prevention active, compared to just 50% when disabled.
While the security benefits are substantial, carefully consider the performance implications when deploying this feature.
Safe Access (Parental Controls)
The parental control implementation is comprehensive, offering:
- Time scheduling for internet access
- Content filtering by category
- Application-specific controls
- User profiles with device grouping
- Usage reports and statistics
These features are more robust than those found in many competing routers, making the RT6600ax an excellent choice for families.
Each user profile can be setup to use web filters which are predefined or you can set your own. The filters offer broad categories as shown which you can decide to block or enable for the user.
Additionally Network Protection can guard devices on your local network by blocking intrusions, dangerous websites, malware, social engineering, unwanted software, potentially harmful applications, and phishing. The database, which includes the Threat Intelligence database and Google Safe Browsing, is updated regularly to ensure Internet security.
Overall Safe Access is a comprehensive solution that keeps evolving and a perfect addition for households with kids or for situations needing more granular control of devices.
VPN Capabilities
VPN functionality is another strong suit of the RT6600ax. The router can function as both a VPN server and client:
Server Protocols:
- OpenVPN
- L2TP/IPSec
- PPTP/SSTP
- SSL VPN
- Site to Site VPN
Client Protocols:
- OpenVPN
- L2TP/IPSec
- PPTP
The implementation is flexible, allowing for split tunneling, port forwarding through the VPN, and detailed access controls.
Security Update Policies: The Router Buying Criterion
Recent security issues with older D-Link routers and potential FCC bans on certain TP-Link models highlight a critical factor in router selection: the manufacturer’s commitment to security maintenance.
Synology stands out with a clearly defined security update policy and a proven track record of delivering. Their release cycle of 6 months or less for firmware updates ensures systems remain protected against critical vulnerabilities and emerging threats—a stark contrast to manufacturers who abandon support for older models.
This consistent update cadence (documented at Synology’s release notes page) should be a key consideration when investing in networking hardware that will safeguard your digital life for years to come. https://www.synology.com/en-global/releaseNote/SRM?model=RT6600ax
Conclusion
The RT6600ax represents a significant investment compared to entry-level Wi-Fi 6 routers. However, when evaluated against other premium networking solutions with similar feature sets, the value proposition becomes clearer.
What you’re paying for is not just hardware specifications but also the SRM software ecosystem and Synology’s reputation for ongoing support. For users who will take advantage of the advanced networking features, VLANs, security tools, and robust parental controls, the RT6600ax offers solid value despite the premium price.
The Synology RT6600ax stands as an impressive networking solution that delivers on its promises. It successfully combines high-performance Wi-Fi 6 hardware with an exceptionally polished software experience. The tri-band configuration with 5.9GHz support provides excellent throughput and capacity for modern connected homes, while the SRM platform offers enterprise grade features in an accessible package.
Is it for everyone? No. Those with simpler networking needs or smaller spaces might find more value in less expensive alternatives. However, for power users, tech enthusiasts, or those managing complex home networks with multiple devices and security requirements, the RT6600ax represents one of the most complete networking packages available which stands true to date even though the router is already a few years old since its initial release.
Pros:
- Outstanding software experience with SRM
- Excellent Wi-Fi 6 performance and coverage
- Comprehensive security features
- Robust parental controls
- 2.5GbE port for future-proofing
- Multiple VLAN support
Cons:
- Larger physical footprint
- Some advanced features have a learning curve
| PERFORMANCE | |
| FEATURES | |
| VALUE | |
| BUILD QUALITY | |
|
Average
|
|
