D-link dir-x1560 Review

There has been a lot of chatter about the next 802.11ax version or the wifi 6. It will provide super speeds with big improvements with latency which is great for gamers. The D-link dir-x1560 is an entry-level wifi 6 router that will provide excellent performance and support multiple devices which is great news if you have a smart home.

There are a few wifi 6 capable routers that are in the market, the problem is they cost an arm and a leg. A wifi 6 device can support a large number of devices which is a great advantage if you have a house full of smart devices that need an internet connection to operate. However, the D-link dir-x1560 is an entry-level wifi 6 router that is at a very reasonable price and also packs very decent specs. The D-link dir-x1560 is a decent-looking compact router with decent wifi speeds and coverage, although you might experience some lackluster performance and buggy firmware.

D-link dir-x1560 review and breakdown

D-Link EXO WiFi 6 Router AX1500 MU-MIMO Voice Control Dual Band Gigabit Gaming Internet Network High Speed Performance WP3 (DIR-X1560-US), Black

• Exceptional Capacity: Connect more devices at faster speeds. Up to 4x greater capacity than 11ac, so more...
• Made for the Smart Home: Better performance in device-dense environments. Up to 4 simultaneous streams...

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The D-link dir-x1560 is a dual-band router that uses 802.11ax technology to deliver decent throughput performance on the 5 GHz band, but with a less than stellar performance on its 2.4 GHz band. It’s a small router with a traditional desktop router design that you can easily place on your shelf. If you want to create a mesh network, you can combine the D-link dir-x1560 with a d link mesh-enabled mesh extender that will allow you to use one SSID to roamseamlesslyand you can enable SmartConnect to allow you to configure your router to get the best available radio band. You also get to use Alexa and Google voice controls that will allow you to use your voice to do things like reboot your router, specify bandwidth for a particular device using the QoS settings or enable and disable guest networking.

You can manage the D-link dir-x1560 using a mobile app, but the web console will give you more control of your router. The user interface is more detailed and you can configure more settings. However, it’s lacking in high-end capabilities but it’s fairly easy to access and configure. Although it’s not as feature-rich as other high-end routers, it has all you need for a home network since it will allow you to configure the basic access controls and protect some the traffic like VoIP data which is important if you’re working from home. You can easily install the D-link dir-x1560 using the d-link mobile app on your phone that is more convenient or using the web console setup wizard that is well designed and intuitive.

The specs may be generous even though it’s a fairly priced router, but it’s missing some features like parental controls and malware protection. Some of the more advanced settings you can configure from the features tab include port forwarding, quick VPS settings, QoS, a firewall and even enable website filters. The settings tab will give you access to the network, wireless, internet, and cloud settings. The management tab can help you create access schedules, update the firmware, and view system logs and get a report on the usage statistics.

While the D-link dir-x1560 is not as feature-rich as the more expensive and muscled routers, it can hold its own even in its performance. It has mixed throughput performance scoring 80 Mbps at close range on the 2.4 GHz band and 38 Mbps at 30 feet. However, on the 5 GHz band, it scored much better results with 712 Mbps at close range and 207 Mbps at 30 feet. Although throughput isn’t the best way to measure the performance of your router because your router can transmit data packs rapidly, that can be hindered if you have a weak internet signal.

What we liked

• A very simple and easy to use interface
• Uses the wifi 6 802.11ax technology
• Delivers fast speeds and improved range
• Can be used with both Alexa and Google Assistant
• Can be used to create a seamless mesh network

What we didn’t like

• Doesn’t support malware protection
• Has no parental control
• Doesn’t have a multi-gig port

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D-link dir-x1560 specs

D-link dir-x1560 features

Design

The D-link dir-x1560 looks like a typical router with a rectangular chassis and 4 external non-removable antennas at the back that you can adjust to get a clear wifi signal. At the front are 4 LED indicators for power, internet, WPS, and radio bands. At the back are 4 gigabit Ethernet ports, a WAN port, and buttons for WPS, reset, and power. However, it doesn’t have a USB port, a multi-gig port, or a link aggregation that limits its connection capabilities. Overall, it has a quality build for a standard plastic frame. It’s lightweight and not so big so it doesn’t need a lot of space.

Hardware and performance

Under the hood of the D-link dir-x1560 is a powerful 1.5 GHz tri-core processor, 256 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory. This router has dual-band capabilities and it can deliver theoretical speeds of up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1200 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. This means that the 5 GHz band can handle heavy data traffic seamlessly, but there will be some lag in the 2.4 GHz band due to its low bandwidth speeds. And because it doesn’t have simultaneous dual-band capabilities, the data transmission on the 2.4 GHz band will be slow. However, to make it more efficient, you can enable Smart Connect that will allow you to choose the best available radio band for your connected devices.

As a wifi 6 router, it has 802.11ax support that comes with advanced technologies like MU-MIMO data streaming, beamforming, 1024-QAM, WPA3 encryption, OFDMA, and target wake time (TWT). This all means that you will get fast speeds with low latency for your wireless network. However, it lacks support for the 160 MHz channel bandwidth that you’ll get in other expensive wifi 6 routers, but it has an 80 MHz channel support.

Voice control

The D-link dir-x1560 will allow you to use Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control so you can use voice commands to have better control of your router. This is more convenient and time-saving.

You can also combine the D-link dir-x1560 with a d-link mesh-enabled range extender if you want to create a mesh network that will allow you to configure your router so you can choose the best radio band available and use a single SSID for seamless roaming by enabling Smart Connect.

Who is it best suited for?

The D-link dir-x1560 is an ideal router if you have a home with tons of devices that require a lot of bandwidth to perform different tasks. You will also benefit if you want a cheap wifi 6 network with a reasonably good 5 GHz throughput and 802.11ax technology to create a mesh network by adding d-link mesh extenders.

Are there alternatives to the D-link dir-x1560?

Yes, there are some alternative routes to the D-link dir-x1560 that can deliver great performance and speeds. These include Asus RT-AX56U, Tp-link Archer AX10, and Linksys MR7350.

Features of the alternative wifi 6 routers

verdict –  Should you get the D-link dir-x1560?

Yes, if you’re looking for an affordable wifi 6 routers that will deliver a whole lot for not very much. Performance-wise, the D-link dir-x1560 can deliver and you not only get to future-proof your devices with the help of the 802.11ax standard, but you can also look forward to a future firmware update that will deliver mesh connectivity. This makes the D-link dir-x1560 a great wifi 6 router to install in your home.

FAQ

How do I know my d-link router is working?

If your d-link router is disconnected, switch off your internet modem and not the router for 20 seconds, then switch it on again. Wait for 2 minutes then check the network status. If it indicates connected, then your internet is working.

Why is my d-link router flashing?

The flashing status lights at the front of your router is an indication that it’s operational. However, it doesn’t show if your router has been configured or not, so it might be best if you configured your wireless or internet connection.