ZyXEL Armor G5 router review

The Armor G5 is a cheap router. It supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) for faster wireless speeds. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. ZyXEL offers good customer support, including firmware updates, documentation, and technical assistance.

ZyXEL Armor G5 specifications

Body

If you plan to move or travel a lot and need to take your router with you, the size is important. It needs to be small to be easy to carry. The weight of router is not typically a critical factor for most home or office setups.

System

The Qualcomm Atheros IPQ8074A @ 2.2 GHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the Armor G5 router. You cannot expand the router's memory (1024 MB). When choosing a router, it is important to consider the RAM specifications. A larger flash memory allows for more space to store configuration backups. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The ZyXEL packages the Armor G5 router with 19 V / 2.1 A PSU.

Network

The router supports many networking standards. It ensures compatibility with different devices and systems. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The router also supports IPv6. This allows you to use the latest Internet Protocol. The router has Gigabit Ethernet ports. They allow for faster communication between devices on your local network.

A Gigabit WAN port is helpful. It is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds. This router also supports 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet on its WAN port. OpenVPN is popular for VPNs. This is because it is strong, flexible, and works on many devices.

Wireless

A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. The Armor G5 is compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. The 5GHz band provides faster data transfer speeds compared to the 2.4GHz band. This AX Wi-Fi router provides much faster data transfer rates. It is faster than older Wi-Fi standards. The top speed, 1200 + 4800 Mbps, is the highest data rate the router can reach. It's the theoretical limit in perfect conditions.

The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. The WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) is the latest Wi-Fi security protocol. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) provides an easy method. It connects devices to a Wi-Fi network.

Connectivity

The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. By connecting a USB printer to the Armor G5 router, you can make it accessible to all devices on your network. This router has a USB file server. It lets you connect external storage devices to your network. For example, you can connect USB flash drives or hard drives.

Administration

Changing the password often is a good security practice. It protects your network and devices from unauthorized access. Changing the default password improves your router's security. It reduces the risk of unauthorized individuals controlling your network.

Pros and Cons

Every router, including this ZyXEL one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.

ZyXEL Armor G5 photos

If there’s information about the ZyXEL Armor G5 that you would like to see on this site, then write to us.

Robert Miller

For over 15 years, I've immersed myself in the world of networking devices as a tech aficionado. I've dedicated myself to thoroughly testing and analyzing routers and other networking gear. I aim to provide thorough reviews. They will give you the knowledge needed to improve your network.