Synology RT6600ax vs Ubiquiti UDR: Solid Rivals

The Synology RT6600ax and Ubiquiti UDR (UniFi Dream Router) appear to have nothing in common. They have distinctive looks and belong to two approaches regarding home/(semi-)professional networking.

But I couldn’t help thinking of the latter while testing the former, which arrived later in the Wi-Fi 6 game — both were kind of late.

This Synology RT6600ax vs Ubiquiti UDR matchup will explain that sentiment and when though, and you might realize that the two turned out to have more common than they do in differences.

In any case, make sure you read their in-depth reviews for more.

Synology RT6600ax vs Ubiquiti UDR: The potentially common experience in two different Wi-Fi approaches

From the photo above, it’s safe to say you can’t mistake the Synology RT6600ax for the Ubiquiti UDR or vice versa. One looks like a smart speaker, while the other has the traditional design of a typical Wi-Fi router.

But they are different on the inside, two. Let’s check out their hardware specs.

Synology RT6600ax vs Ubiquiti UDR: Hardware specifications

Differences that make them a similar experience

From the table above, you’ll see that the UDR is of lesser Wi-Fi specs. It’s a Dual-band AX3000 router vs Tri-band 6600ax in the case of the RT6600ax.

Furthermore, the RT6600ax is the first router on the market to support the 5.9GHz portion of the 5GHz band, making it the first complete Wi-Fi 6 router.

But that’s the only area where the Synology is decidedly better.

(More) differences in hardware

On the network port front, the Synology has a 2.5Gps port, but the UDR uniquely supports PoE. Both are different in nature but are equally significant in applications.

The RT6600 has a USB port and can work as a mini NAS server when hosting an external drive. And in this case, it’s the next best thing after a real Synology NAS server.

On the other hand, the UDR, while having no USB port, comes with 128GB of internal storage and an SD card slot to host even more — it doesn’t need no USB, so to speak.

Most importantly, apart from a Wi-Fi access point (or extender), it’s also the native controller and the network video recorder (NVR) for a large selection of other hardware, including IP phones, security cameras, smart doorbells, etc.

Differnces in firmware

The Synology R6600ax runs Synology Router Manager (SRM) version 1.3, which is one of the best, if not the best, standard firmware for routers. SRM is Linux-based and functions similarly to a native operating system within its web user interface.

The OS allows for half a dozen add-on packages that add more functions and features to the router. Some of these packages have a mobile app of their own, making the RT6600ax the most versatile Wi-Fi router.

Regarding management, the RT6600ax doesn’t require a login account, and users can manage it remotely via Dynamic DNS. On top of that, the router also features Synology’s QuickConnect as an option.

The Ubiquiti UDR, on the other hand, runs Ubiquiti’s proprietary firmware that requires a login account to work, both via the UniFi mobile app and the web user interface.

Nonetheless, the firmware is enterprise-grade and has a unified approach to the UniFi ecosystem. As a result, if you have used an Unifi device before, you’ll be at home with the UDR.

Most importantly, no matter how many hardware units or types of hardware you choose to use with the UDR, you only need a single UniFi mobile app to control them all in one place.

And when you get hardware of the same family, things will just work. The firmware is very well-designed and proved to be very easy to use despite the complexity of the UniFi ecosystem.

Synology RT6600ax vs Ubiquiti UDR: Performances and ratings

Both the RT6600ax and UDR are excellent performers of their Wi-Fi specs. And the two also enjoy equally high ratings among all Wi-Fi 6 routers I’ve tested.

Pros

Fast and reliable Wi-Fi with the support for 5.9GHz UNII-4 spectrum, mesh-ready

Robust, comprehensive yet user-friendly SRM 1.3 firmware with excellent web interface and DS Router app

Lots of useful built-in settings and networking features, helpful add-on packages with accompanying mobile apps

Can work as a full-featured NAS server

Practical design, wall-mountable

Cons

No Link Aggregation, awkward Multi-Gig WAN, rigid default WAN port

Only client-based QoS, 5.9GHz clients are scarce

As a better-specced router, the Synology RT6600ax easily beats the Ubiquiti UDR in wireless throughputs. However, considering the UDR is the controller of many hardware types, Wi-Fi is just one of its many functions.

Pros

Built-in support for all of Ubiquiti’s business hardware segments (Network, Protect, Talk, and Access)

Reliable Wi-Fi performance, excellent range, mesh-ready

Tons of useful networking features, comprehensive web user interface, and mobile app

Compact and beautiful design, two PoE ports

Comparatively affordable, quiet operator

Cons

No Multi-Gig, Dual-WAN, or Link Aggregation; middling Wi-Fi specs and modest processing power

Security feature reduces Wi-Fi 6 speed, Power over Ethernet doesn’t support PoE+ or PoE++

Requires an account with UniFi, not wall-mountable, internal fan

Conclusion

The Synology RT66000ax and Ubiquiti UDR represent two different approaches to networking.

Synology is learning standard and open. It gives users more control over the hardware, especially in local and remote management.

Ubiquiti, on the other hand, is going fully proprietary. Users have less control over what hardware to use, but within the ecosystem, they just work.

Strictly in terms of (home) Wi-Fi routers, though, I’d pick the Synology RT6600ax over the Ubiquiti UDR. However, as networking hardware, I like both equally — the UDR can do much more than just a simple Wi-Fi broadcaster.

In any case, these two are excellent networking devices, well worth their costs, and possibly even more for suitable needs.

In any case, you only need one. If you get both, they will not play nice together in any meaningful way.

Hard to choose: More Wi-Fi router matchups