![]() ![]() There are none of the granular parental controls that you get with the Amped Ally ($43.99 at Amazon) (Opens in a new window) and Linksys Velop ($269.10 at Amazon) (Opens in a new window) which allow you to pause internet access, block websites, and filter content, nor are there any device-prioritization options. Other settings allow you to upgrade the firmware and restart the network, but that's about it. If you own a device that cannot connect to a Fastlanes channel (there's a list of devices on the Portal website (Opens in a new window)), use one of the three compatibility modes to find a channel combination that will work with your devices. Tapping the Portal icons takes you to a screen where you can access basic settings to rename the SSID, enable the web interface, separate the radio bands, and enable beamforming. It opens to a Home screen which displays an interactive network map with icons for Internet, each connected Portal router, connected guests, and connected devices. The mobile app lets you perform certain tasks from your mobile device, but its functionality is limited. Portal's Smartlanes is a type of band-steering technology that automatically chooses the least crowded radio band and channel to avoid network congestion. For users who live in crowded areas where there's lots of network traffic (think apartment buildings), Fastlanes offers a range of 5GHz channels that other routers can't access, which means less congestion and better throughput at peak times. Portal's Fastlanes technology allows the router to access frequencies within the 5GHz spectrum that are normally reserved for weather radar systems. (Opens in a new window) Read Our D-Link AC3150 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-885L/R) Review It uses mesh networking technology to communicate with its satellite node. The Portal is an AC2400 router capable of speeds of up to 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 1,733Mbps on the 5GHz band. The Portal supports the latest 802.11ac technologies, including beamforming, which sends Wi-Fi signals directly to clients rather than over a wide spectrum, and MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output) data streaming, which transmits data to compatible clients simultaneously rather than sequentially, allowing for faster all-around throughput speeds. Under the hood are 2.4GHz (3x3) and 5GHz (4x4) 802.11ac Wi-Fi radios, a Bluetooth radio (for connecting to your mobile device), and nine high-power antennas. Around back are four Gigabit Ethernet ports, a WAN port, two USB 2.0 ports, and a reset button. The low-profile design is similar to that of the Eero ($239.99 at Amazon) (Opens in a new window) and Amped Wireless Ally routers, but at 2.1 by 9.5 by 7.2 inches (HWD) it is significantly larger. Read our editorial mission (Opens in a new window) & see how we test (Opens in a new window). Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. The O in Portal is actually an LED indicator that glows red when the router has lost its internet connection, blue when it is connected to the internet, green when it is connected and the Fastlanes and Smartlanes features are operational, and blinks blue or green when the firmware is being updated. The router is housed inside a glossy white enclosure with the Portal logo stamped into the top. If you live in a smaller dwelling you can buy a single Portal, which covers up to 3,000 square feet, for $199.99. Ignition Design Labs sent us a two-piece Portal system that provides up to 6,000 square feet of wireless coverage. But if you live somewhere, like a big apartment building, with many competing wireless networks, it's worth considering. Although it delivered solid performance in our throughput testing, it doesn't offer the configurability or a top-notch companion app like you get with the Linksys Velop. As with other mesh systems such as Eero, Luma, and the Amped Wireless Ally Plus Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System, it offers a sleek, low-profile aesthetic, but its proprietary 5GHz technology, which helps with network congestion, is what sets it apart from the competition. The Portal Smart Gigabit WiFi Router ($378 for the 2-pack we tested) by Ignition Design Labs is yet another Wi-Fi system that uses mesh technology to provide whole-house wireless coverage with seamless roaming. Mobile app lacks many features of web app.How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac. ![]() How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.
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