Zyxel’s $349 Armor G5 AX6000 (NBG7815) had me happily anticipating a smoother, faster, Wi-Fi and Ethernet experience for my local network, which is currently mired a couple of generations behind at N wireless. AX, of course, indicates 802.11ax Wi-Fi, aka WiFi 6, which is far more efficient than previous generations for servicing multiple clients as well as avoiding conflicts with other networks. It’s also faster. Nice.<\/p>\n

However, I was nonplussed at Zyxel’s choice to force users to connect their broadband to the Armor G5, then visit the company’s Web portal and create an account before the router can be configured. The procedure probably won’t bother most users but I see this as something that should be optional in my book. More on that later.<\/p>\n

Design and Features<\/h2>\n

The Armor G5 is a 9.8-inch wide, by 7.2-inch deep, by 2.6-inch high rectangle with its upper surface raised slightly in dome fashion. It’s black with a low-grade Sci-Fi saucer-ish look. There’s an RGB strip that runs front to back across the dome. As far as such things go, it’s quite tasteful. I kid. I like it.<\/p>\n

On the back, from left to right there’s the AC jack, a female Type-A, USB 3.1, Gen 2 (10Gbps) USB port, a 2.5GBps (also the WAN port), a 10Gbps port (both RJ-45), and four gigabit ports.<\/p>\n