Everything you need to know about the TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K [A Review]

Is a mesh router system a guarantee for a fast, strong and reliable network? Let us find out by looking into the features of the TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K mesh router system and assess its performance levels and overall efficiency in your network.

Why should you purchase a mesh router system? Well, mesh routers have been designed to replace your older Wi-Fi router and other network devices lying around your household and, they are the best for delivering Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home. Mesh router systems such as the TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K consist of a main router that connects directly to your modem and an added satellite module that you can place around your house for full Wi-Fi coverage.

The two devices once installed, integrate to form a single wireless network and they share the same SSID and password. In short, if your connectivity problems are bigger than one room where you are unable to connect, let’s say an entire floor in your house with Wi-Fi dead spots, then a mesh router system would be a guarantee of consistent Wi-Fi throughout your home.

TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K Review and Breakdown

TRENDnet AC2200 WiFi Mesh Router System, TEW-830MDR2K,2 x AC2200 WiFi Mesh Routers, App-Based Setup, Expanded Home WiFi(Up to 4,000 Sq Ft. Home), Content Filtering w/Router Limits (Renewed)

• AC2200 MESH ROUTER SYSTEM: 2 x AC2200 WiFi Mesh Routers. Each router has 1 x Gigabit WAN Port, 1 x...
• WHY MESH? Designed to replace older WiFi routers, extenders, and signal boosters. Intelligent WiFi mesh...

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The TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K mesh router system comes with two identical satellite modules and it uses 802.11 ac Wi-Fi technology. It delivers throughput speeds of up to 2,200 Mbps to all your connected devices and it has been designed to replace your old Wi-Fi routers, signal boosters and extenders. Its intelligent mesh technology allows it to connect your Wi-Fi devices to the best mesh system with seamless roaming.

It has been designed to provide satisfactory Wi-Fi coverage over a rage of up to 4,000 square feet which makes it ideal for medium to big homes and businesses. Unfortunately, it only works well when your devices are closer to the mesh router but has middling performance once you are further from it as its performance is based on device prioritization due to its airtime fairness feature.

Aside from that, it is featured with beamforming and MU-MIMO technology for optimal peak performance and it comes with a USB 3.0 share port on each router. Additionally, its LAN/WAN offer IPv6 support which adds support for more devices, allows for better security and more efficient client connections on your network.

It is featured with Router Limit’s innovative tools which offer an enhanced user experience for content filtering capabilities and device-level scheduling. This way you are able to control and manage your internet in general. Through the TRENDnet Wi-Fi mesh app, you are able to easily install and configure the TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K mesh router system.

What we liked;

• Compact design and wall mountable capabilities
• Easy to configure and install
• TRENDnet app can work without internet or vendor account
• Solid close-range performance and throughput
• Has built-in parental control
• Wired backhaul support and bridge mode support

What we didn’t like;

• Poor long-range performance and throughput
• Mobile app only works locally but not remotely

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TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K Specifications

TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K Features

Design and Structure

The TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K comes with two identical nodes which are white in color and have a compact design which fits perfectly into your home space. You are supposed to use one node as a router and the other as a satellite so that you can successfully expand the Wi-Fi coverage in your home. Each node has its size dimensions at 4.96 x 4.96 x 2.36 inches and weighs about 2.79 pounds which keeps it sturdy once deployed.

Towards the top, each node has an LED indicator whose behavior helps you track the connectivity status of your mesh router system and your internet connection. The LED indicator produces a white glow when they are connected, a red light when there are connectivity failures and it flashes orange when your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Towards the back, you can find the QR code and its default Wi-Fi information that you would need when setting it up. In addition to that, each node is fitted with a gigabit LAN and WAN port alongside a USB 3.0 port.

Speed and Performance

The TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K is powered by a quad-core processor and it has tri-band functionality. It is capable of delivering throughput speeds of up to 2,200 Mbps to your connected devices which are distributed as 400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps on each of the two 5 GHz bands. However, the bandwidth speeds are subject to change based on the level of interference on your network. It provides you with the option of configuring one 5 GHz band to provide dedicated wireless backhaul or to allow the three frequency bands to share backhaul duties. Alternatively, you also have the option of using the LAN port for wired backhaul to enhance its performance.

In addition to that it uses 802.11 ac technology and its performance is optimized by direct signal beamforming, its support for MU-MIMO simultaneous data streaming and automatic band steering. Direct signal beamforming technology increases real-time performance of the TEW-830MDR2K mesh router by directing stronger Wi-Fi signals directly to your devices and the band steering technology alleviates network congestion as it automatically directs your wireless devices from the 2.4 GHz frequency band to the 5 GHz band.

MU-MIMO technology,on the other hand, allows multiple Wi-Fi devices on your network to concurrently receive multiple data streams hence the efficiency of your network. Also, it is has a smart Wi-Fi feature which is known as airtime fairness which calculates and determines which of your connected devices have priority over the others in your network. The devices that are faster and are closer to your TEW-830MDRK router often get higher priority than the slower and distant ones. This significantly reduces congestion on your network.

Range and Capacity

This particular TRENDnet mesh router extends Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home or business over a range of up to 4,000 square feet. Each node is capable of extending the Wi-Fi signal over a range of 2,000 square feet which in turn provides you with a stable and reliable network.

It is able to seamlessly hold a maximum of 40 Wi-Fi devices on its connection log and it has ample storage which is at 256MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash memory. This significantly allows you to expand your network with ease.

Security and Network Control

The TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K mesh router has Router Limit’s innovative tools which offer an enhanced user experience web content filtering capabilities and device-level scheduling that allow you to control your internet activity. Through the TRENDnet Wi-Fi mesh app, you are able to monitor and control your network. It further allows you create a guest network and to access parental controls that allow for a safe network for your kids.

Aside from that, its support for WPA and WPA 2 guarantees you a secure network and its added support for IPv6 further allows for better security in your network.

Who is it best suited for?

The TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K is ideal for medium to large homes and for small businesses majorly because it offers solid close-range throughput and performance.

Are there any alternatives to the TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K?

Yes. Among the alternative mesh routers to the TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K is the EnGenius ESR580, the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus and the NETGEAR Orbi.

Features of the alternative mesh routers

Final Verdict: Should you buy the TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K?

Yes. In as much as the TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K MESH router system has a few shortcomings when it comes to its long-range performance and throughput, it is simple to install and manage and it offers ample close-range throughput and performance for all the devices in your network.

FAQs

What is the importance of the support for IPv6 on my TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K?

IPv6 support simply allows for better security, adds support for more devices on your network and it also allows for more efficient client connections on your network.

What are the package contents of my TRENDnet TEW-830MDR2K?

In the package, you should expect to find 2 identical TEW-830MDR router nodes, a quick installation guide, 2 network cables which are 0.5 meters long, 2 power adapters and wall mount screws.