We’re long past the days where it took a noisy, screeching modem to connect to the internet – even today, most kids would never have enjoyed the symphony of modulating analogue phone tones. Today, we have much faster internet speeds (ADSL2+, NBN, Satellite, Fibre) where the modem part of the equation (specifically the higher speed connections) is now managed via your service provider. Our job now is to ensure we have the right wireless router tomeet our household demands. The wireless market is flooded with devices and canbe difficult for those with basic needs to navigate.
We look at the Tenda AC10U as an entry level wireless router that could be perfect for the budget conscious families. Tenda have been around in China for almost 20 years but are relatively new to the Australian consumer market. Networking products isn’t anything new for them so let’s check how they went with the AC10U.
Specifications
The Tenda AC10U is made with ease-of-use in mind, and it’s compatible with any internet connection that can be plugged into its WAN port. Some of the AC10U’s key features include:
| Interface | 1 x USB 2.0 3 x GE LAN Ports 1 x GE WAN Port |
| Button | 1 x WiFi On/Off button 1 x Reset/WPS button |
| Power Supply | Power Input: 100-240V—50/60Hz Power Output: DC 12V==2A |
| Dimension | Package Box: 390*198*70mm（L*W*H) Device: 220*141.5*49mm（L*W*H) |
| Weight | Gross Weight: 810g Net Weight: 350g |
| Antenna | 4 x 5dBi External Dual Band Antennas |
| LED | 1 x WAN 1 x LAN 1 x Wi-Fi/WPS 1 x SYS |
| Standard&Protocol | Wireless Standards:IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5GHz IEEE 802.11n/g/b 2.4GHz Wired Standards:IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u |
| Frequency | 5GHz: Up to 867Mbps 2.4GHz: Up to 300Mbps |
| Wireless Security | WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA/WPA2 Wireless Security: Enable/Disable WPS Fast Encryption |
| WAN Connection Type | Dynamic IP/Static IP/PPPoE Connection Type Auto Detection Broadband Account and Password Migration |
| Basic Function | MU-MIMO SSID Broadcast and Hide Beamforming Signal Power Adjustment |
| Virtual Server | UPnP DMZ Port Forwarding |
| DHCP | DHCP Server and Client DHCP Client List DHCP Address Reservation |
| DDNS | DynDns, NO-IP, Oray.com, 3322.org, 88ip |
| VPN | PPTP Client PPTP Server L2TP Client |
| Firewall | Forbid UDP Flood Attack Forbid TCP Flood Attack Forbid ICMP Flood Attack Forbid WAN Ping from Internet PPTP Pass Through L2TP Pass Through IPSec Pass Through |
| Features | Smart Wi-Fi Schedule Smart Power Saving Smart LED On/Off |
| Other | FTP/Samba Bandwidth Control MAC Address Filter IP and MAC Address Binding IPTV Black/White List MAC Clone Static Routing System Log Network Time Backup/Restore Settings System Upgrade Online |
The Tenda AC10U router comes with extra features, like smart power saving to ensure that your connection remains environmentally friendly. It also offers features like a smart Wi-Fi schedule, bandwidth control, a system log and system backups – and your router’s firmware is kept up-to-date automatically via the online system upgrade system.
Ease-of-Use
The AC10U was extremely easy to configure. Plug in, power up, navigate to the routers web administration page and follow the wizard prompts.
The orange colour scheme was a little hard on our eyes, but we eventually got used to it. The administration pages were self-explanatory and easy to use. Took us around 5-7 mins to configure and be up and running.
Wireless Security –and Power!
A safe connection is as important as a fast one, and the Tenda AC10U comes with WPS Fast Encryption, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK and WPA/WPA2 – as well as a secure built-in firewall that can be turned on and off as you require. The Tenda AC10U is powerful, with 5GHz or 2.4GHz band connection through dual-band antennae.
Operating Temperature
It’s common for some routers and wireless devices to get hotter with operation, especially standing in one spot and when on for a while – as routers need to be. The Tenda AC10U has been tested in operating environments as high as 40 degrees Celsius – and has been stored in temperatures almost double this. This could be a good test for our hot summers.
Performance
1st Floor
Final Thoughts
The overall performance of the Tenda AC10U was as expected at this price point. Whilst it wasn’t at the same level as some of the D-Link and ASUS routers we have reviewed, they are targeting a very different market. That said, if you are not a heavy gamer or streaming 4K content all the time and on a tight budget, the Tenda AC10U is definitely a wireless router to consider.
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