The Synology MR2200ac ($139.99 per node) is an AC2200 Wi-Fi router that can be used as a single unit or, when paired with one or more additional MR2200ac nodes, transformed into a mesh network. While not as pretty as other systems, the MR2200ac is loaded with user-friendly management features, including Synology's Safe Access parental controls and malware protection, dedicated wireless backhaul, and a host of basic and advanced settings. Although it delivers relatively fast throughput, it's not quite as speedy as the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus, our top choice for whole-home Wi-Fi systems.
Feature-Packed
The MR2200ac doesn't offer the sleek, low-profile aesthetics of the Asus Lyra, the Eero, and the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus mesh routers. The matte black enclosure stands upright and is 6.4 inches tall, 7.8 inches wide, and 2.5 inches deep.
There are LED indicators on the front that display system status and Wi-Fi signal strength, and around back are a WAN port, a single gigabit LAN port, a USB 3.0 port, power and reset buttons, Wi-Fi and WPS buttons, and a power jack.
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An AC2200 tri-band router, the MR2200ac can achieve maximum data rates of up to 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 867Mbps on each of the two 5GHz bands, one of which is used for backhaul. Each node offers coverage for up to 2,000 square feet, which matches the Deco M9 Plus. Under the hood are a quad-core CPU, 256MB of DDR3 RAM, and Wave 2 802.11ac circuitry with support for MU-MIMO data streaming, beamforming (direct-to-client signal transmissions), and Smart Connect (automatic band steering), although you can separate the bands if you chose to do so. The MR2200ac also uses mesh technology which allows you to create a seamless Wi-Fi system using additional MR2200ac routers as nodes.
You can access many of the router's settings using the Synology DS Router mobile app for iOS and Android devices, but you'll get more management options if you use the web, including advanced settings for things like IPv6, Static Routing, DHCP Reservation, and IPTV and VoIP settings. The console uses the Synology SRM (Synology Router Manager), a Windows-like desktop operating system similar to the DSM (DiskStation Manager) OS used to manage Synology NAS devices such as the DS119j and the DS1517+.
The console opens to a desktop view with tiles for Network Center, Wi-Fi Connect, Control Panel, Package Center, Safe Access, and SRM Help. In the Network Center you can see upload and download statistics, view device lists, monitor CPU and memory usage, configure Internet, Port Forwarding, and Local Network settings, and monitor real-time network traffic statistics for each connected client. Here you can also configure Firewall and DoS (Denial of Service) settings, and enable FTP, WebDAV, Mac File Services, and Windows File Services.
The Wi-Fi Connect menu lets you check wireless connectivity and health, select Wi-Fi channels, enable/disable Smart Connect, configure guest networking, add new nodes, and restart the router and nodes. Use the Control Panel to add users, change passwords, manage USB storage sharing and file services and configure email, push, and SMS notifications for when errors occur. Here you can also update firmware and backup router settings. The Package Center is where you go to download add-on applications such as Cloud Station, Radius Server, and Media Server.
Synology's Safe Access provides robust parental controls and malware protection. With it you can create user profiles and assign devices to each user. From there you can assign age-appropriate preset or custom web filters, set time quotas and access schedules, and place restrictions on things like You Tube, Bing, and Google searches. You can also monitor things like individual web surfing activates, inappropriate and dangerous attempts to access restricted sites, and time spent online. Safe Access also uses Google's Safe Browsing and a threat intelligence database to protect your network from intrusions, malware, phishing sites, and other unwanted applications.
Testing in Mesh Configuration
You can install the MR2200ac using the mobile app or the web console; either option is quick and easy. I started by connecting the router to my modem and to my desktop and powered it up. I typed http://router.synology.com in my browser address bar to launch the web console, hit Start, and created an administrator name and password. I then created a network name and password, selected Auto IP, and waited about 30 seconds for the router to connect to the internet.
I was then prompted to Start Managing or Add Wi-Fi Points. I chose the latter and followed the on-screen instructions to place the node in an appropriate location (not more than two rooms away from the router). I powered up the node, waited about 90 seconds for the LED to begin blinking blue, tapped Wi-Fi Points Ready, and within a few seconds the node was added to the system. I clicked Next and waited a little more than a minute for the software to apply my new settings, at which point setup was complete.
See How We Test Wireless Routers
I tested the MR2200ac in a mesh configuration with Smart Connect band steering enabled. The main router's score of 490Mbps on our close-proximity (same-room) test was a bit faster than the D-Link Covr 2202 and the Linksys MR8300, but not quite as fast as the TP-Deco M9 Plus. At a distance of 30 feet, the MR2200ac router was the fastest of the bunch with a score of 257Mbps.
The MR2200ac satellite node's score of 380Mbps on the close-proximity test was identical to that of the Linksys MR8300 node and just a tad slower than the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus and the D-Link Covr 2202 nodes. At 30 feet, the MR2200ac node garnered 280Mbps, outlasting the Linksys MR8300, but trailing the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus by just 17Mbps. The D-Link Covr 2202 led with a score of 340Mbps.
Solid Performance and Feature Set
The Synology MR2200ac is an excellent choice for users who want the simplicity of a whole-home Wi-Fi system without sacrificing the advanced management settings that you get with a traditional router. Its dedicated 5GHz backhaul band means more bandwidth for clients on the other two bands, and Synology's Safe Access provides protection against unwanted intrusions, phishing, and other malware. It also offers strong parental controls with customizable website filters, online time quotas, and individual client activity monitoring, and it's easy to install. You only get one LAN port, but that's not unusual for Wi-Fi system routers. Throughput performance is solid, but the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus is still one of the best-performing Wi-Fi systems we've seen, and it doubles as a home automation hub, which is why it remains our Editors' Choice.
The Synology MR2200ac is a tri-band router that can be used as a single unit, or paired with other nodes to form a mesh network. It's a solid performer and offers a host of advanced management and customization features.
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