D-Link EXO AC3000 (DIR-3060)

amazon D-Link EXO AC3000 (DIR-3060) reviews

If you’re not quite ready to get into Wi-Fi 6, there are still plenty of reliable wireless Mesh systems that offer solid 802.11ac performance. One such device, the D-Link EXO AC3000 Smart Tri-Band Router (model DIR-3060, $199.99), is a mid-range device packed with mesh technology, three Wi-Fi radios, powerful parental controls, and built-in McAfee protection against viruses and other malware. It’s simple to install and manage, and it scored well in our throughput performance tests.

Design and Features

The EXO AC3000 uses a black case that measures 2 x 8.5 x 7.7 inches and has six adjustable, non-removable antennas. The Router’s top has a gray mesh layer and LEDs that indicate power, internet connection, USB connection, and 2.4GHz and 5GHz band activity. The bottom has two holes for mounting the Router on the wall.

Surrounding are four gigabit LAN ports, one gigabit WAN (Internet) port, one USB 3.0 Type-A port, one USB 2.0 port, and the power and restart buttons. The front of the Router has a WPS button. Under the hood are a dual-core processor, 256MB of SDRAM, 128MB of flash memory, and 802.11ac circuitry that supports Wave 2 technology, including beamforming, MU-MIMO transmission, and automatic band control. That is a tri-band AC3000 Router that can achieve maximum data rates of up to 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, 866Mbps on one 5GHz band, and 1,733Mbps on the second 5GHz band.

EXO uses mesh technology to allow you to create a mesh network using compatible D-Link Routers and range extenders. As with most networks, you can roam seamlessly with one SSID, automatic optimization based on network traffic, and a simple application-based setup. It comes with a generous 5-year subscription to McAfee’s Secure Home Platform, protecting your network and customers from malicious content, phishing schemes, and viruses.

It also comes with McAfee’s powerful parental controls that allow you to set age-appropriate limits on website access, create access schedules, create profiles for each family member. Apply controls to all their linked devices and pause internet access for any user at the touch of a button. You will have to download a separate D-Fend mobile app to manage the McAfee gadgets, but once you do, you can access it through the D-Link Wi-Fi mobile app used to Configure and manage the Router. Additionally, this Router (like the DIR-2680 model) supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands for functions like turning on and off guest networks and blocking devices from joining your network.

The Wi-Fi Mobile App is used by other D-Link Routers, including the DIR-2680 and the Covr-2202 Mesh system. It will open the Devices screen showing the number of connected clients, internet connection status, internet speed test button, and the latest speed test results. Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to launch a dashboard with buttons that take you to settings including Wi-Fi, Internet, Guest Wi-Fi, Client, Schedule, Manage, Translate cloud service, and D-Fend.

You use the Wi-Fi button to edit your SSID and password and create an access schedule for each band. (You can also use the Schedule button for this.) Click the Internet button to configure connection types (static, DHCP, PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP) and VLAN settings. The Guest Wi-Fi node allows you to enable or disable the guest network, while the Client node displays a list of connected clients and their MAC and IP addresses.

The Manage button allows you to change your password and time zone settings, check the software version, and reset the Router. You will have to use the web control panel to configure QoS settings, view system settings, and advanced access options such as port forwarding, IPv4 and IPv6 settings, and dynamic DNS settings.

Settings and Performance

Install EXO AC3000 in a snap. If it’s your first D-Link Wi-Fi device, you’ll have to download the mobile app and create an account, then tap Install new device and follow the instructions to scan the QR code found on the Quick settings card. You will be instructed to power off the modem, connect the Router to the Router with the included Ethernet cable, then power on both. It will take about two minutes for the Router to connect, at which point you will be prompted to name your network and provide the Wi-Fi network and an administrative password. To complete the installation, register the device and enable D-Fend’s security features.

The Router delivers fast throughput scores in my testing. Its score of 162Mbps in the 2.4GHz proximity test (same room) is almost identical to the D-Link DIR-2680 and 60Mbps faster than the TP-Link Archer A20 and Asus RT-AC86U. At 30 feet away, EXO’s throughput was 91Mbps, beating all three routers mentioned above.

Throughput from the 5GHz band is also very good. The DIR-3060’s 556Mbps score on the short-distance test is just faster than the D-Link DIR-2680 and Asus router but beats the TP-Link’s 91Mbps. In my 30-foot 5GHz test, the EXO’s 368Mbps once again surpassed the DIR-2680 and RT-AC86U and was almost twice faster than the Archer A20.

To evaluate file transfer performance, we measure read and write speeds using a portable USB 3.0 drive and a 1.5 GB folder containing a mix of photo, video, music, and document files…

The EXO AC3000 is just average here; Its 38MBps write score was slightly faster than the D-Link DIR-2680 and Asus RT-AC86U but couldn’t match the 80Mbps of the TP-Link Archer A20. Similarly, its 37MBps read score can’t reach TP-Link’s 90MBps.

An attractive, expandable kit

Fast performance, ease of use, and a powerful feature set are all good reasons to consider the D-Link EXO AC3000 as your next Router. It’s easy to set up and can be managed through a thoughtfully designed mobile app, and mesh technology expands as needed allowing you to easily grow your network with little to no handling of SSID.

It also comes with McAfee’s Secure Home Platform, which protects your network from malware and offers solid parental controls. Overall, its file-transfer performance could be better, but the DIR-3060 is still an easy choice among Editors among mid-range routers.

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