D-Link DWR-978 5G AC2600 Wi-Fi Router Review: A Glimpse of the Future, Plagued by Present-Day Flaws

There’s a unique kind of frustration that comes with slow internet. It’s the buffering wheel spinning endlessly during a crucial movie scene, the video call freezing on a colleague’s unflattering expression, or the multi-gigabyte game update that promises to take the better part of a day. For years, many of us have been tethered to physical lines, at the mercy of whatever copper or fibre infrastructure happens to reach our homes. The dream, for many, is to simply cut that cord—to find a powerful, flexible solution that delivers lightning-fast speeds without the wait for an engineer’s visit. This is the world that 5G home internet promises, and it’s the problem the D-Link DWR-978 5G AC2600 Wi-Fi Router aims to solve. It presents itself as the key to unlocking true broadband freedom, a single box that can replace your landline connection and blanket your home in high-speed Wi-Fi, powered by the next generation of mobile networks.

What to Consider Before Buying a 5G Wi-Fi Router

A 5G router is more than just a gadget; it’s a fundamental shift in how you connect to the digital world. It’s a key solution for individuals in areas with poor fixed-line broadband, those who need a robust backup for a mission-critical home office, or people who require a powerful, portable internet hub for temporary locations like holiday homes or long-term work sites. The main benefit is tapping into cellular speeds that can rival or even exceed traditional fibre, with the simplicity of just inserting a SIM card. It liberates your internet connection from a physical socket on the wall, offering unparalleled flexibility.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the “digital divide”—stuck with slow ADSL but with good 4G or 5G mobile coverage. It’s also perfect for renters who move frequently and don’t want the hassle of setting up new broadband contracts each time. However, it might not be suitable for those who live in cellular “not-spots” with weak mobile reception, or for extreme power users who require the absolute lowest latency for competitive online gaming, where fibre still reigns supreme. Heavy data consumers must also be wary of mobile data plan limitations and fair-use policies, which can be more restrictive than fixed-line broadband. For those with access to reliable fibre, a dedicated Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 router may be a more stable and cost-effective choice.

Before investing in a 5G router, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Network Compatibility & Signal Strength: The most important factor is the 5G coverage in your specific location from your chosen network provider. Use your provider’s coverage map and, if possible, test the signal with a 5G phone in the exact spot you plan to place the router. An unlocked device like this D-Link offers flexibility, but it’s useless without a strong, stable signal to latch onto.
• Performance & Wi-Fi Standard: Look beyond the headline “5G” speed. The D-Link DWR-978 offers a theoretical 1.6 Gbps on 5G, but its Wi-Fi is AC2600 (Wi-Fi 5). This is fast, but modern devices benefit from Wi-Fi 6 (AX) for better efficiency and speed in congested environments. Consider how many devices you’ll connect and what their capabilities are. Gigabit LAN ports are also essential for stable wired connections to PCs, consoles, or media centres.
• Failover & Redundancy: One of the standout features of a high-end 5G router is its ability to act as a fail-safe. The DWR-978 includes a Gigabit WAN port, allowing you to use your fixed-line broadband as the primary connection and have the 5G mobile network take over instantly if it fails. For anyone working from home, this is an invaluable feature that provides peace of mind.
• Ease of Use & Long-Term Reliability: A router should be a “set it and forget it” device. The setup process should be straightforward, ideally via a simple web interface or a user-friendly app. More importantly, check for known issues regarding build quality and long-term durability, as some devices can suffer from hardware failures that turn a promising investment into a source of constant frustration. To see if a premium 5G router like this one is the right fit, you can check its current price and full specs.

This review will dive deep into one specific 5G solution. However, the world of home networking is vast and constantly evolving.

While the D-Link DWR-978 5G AC2600 Wi-Fi Router is a fascinating piece of kit, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition in the broader router market. For a wider look at all the top models, especially those built for traditional broadband, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Clean Design with Ominous Undertones

Unboxing the D-Link DWR-978 5G AC2600 Wi-Fi Router reveals a device that looks clean, modern, and purposeful. Its white, rectangular chassis and four prominent external antennas project an image of power and competence. At 920 grams and measuring roughly 23.5 x 24.5 cm, it’s a substantial unit, clearly designed for a permanent spot on a desk or shelf rather than for life in a backpack. The front panel features a clean line of LED status lights for power, internet connectivity, 5G/4G signal, Wi-Fi, and LAN activity, providing at-a-glance information without being overly distracting. Around the back, the port selection is excellent: four Gigabit LAN ports, one Gigabit WAN port for failover, a USB port, the power input, and the crucial nano-SIM card slot.

The initial feel is of decent quality plastic, though it doesn’t quite exude the premium solidity of some top-tier routers from competitors. The antennas are described as removable, allowing for potential upgrades, which is a plus for enthusiasts. However, a closer inspection reveals some of the physical design quirks that users have reported. The SIM slot mechanism requires a firm press to engage and disengage, and we could immediately see how a flimsy SIM adapter could potentially jam, a worrying premonition of issues we’d read about. Overall, the first impression is of a device with a strong feature set on paper, but with a physical execution that leaves a few questions unanswered. The clean white aesthetic is appealing, as you can see from its product page.

A Deep Dive into the D-Link DWR-978’s Real-World Performance

A router’s spec sheet is one thing; how it performs under pressure in a real home is another entirely. We put the D-Link DWR-978 5G AC2600 Wi-Fi Router through its paces, focusing on the core promises: blistering 5G speed, reliable Wi-Fi coverage, and a user-friendly experience. While we saw flashes of brilliance, our testing, informed by a wealth of user feedback, uncovered some deep-seated issues that cannot be ignored.

The 5G Speed Promise vs. Volatile Reality

The headline feature of the D-Link DWR-978 is, without a doubt, its 5G connectivity. Armed with a 5G-enabled SIM card from a major UK provider, we set up the router in a location with a confirmed strong 5G signal. The initial results were genuinely impressive. In our testing, we achieved peak download speeds well over 300 Mbps, with upload speeds hovering around 50 Mbps. This is more than fast enough for multiple 4K streams, large file downloads, and smooth online gaming. For someone moving from a 20 Mbps ADSL line, this would be a life-changing upgrade. The router successfully delivered on the core promise of providing fibre-like speeds over the air.

However, that performance came with a significant caveat: consistency. Our experience mirrored that of several users who reported frustrating volatility. On one occasion, we saw speeds inexplicably plummet from over 200 Mbps to single digits, requiring a full reboot to resolve. One user noted their connection dropped from “50mps to 3mps maximum” after 30 minutes, an issue they couldn’t fix. This instability is the Achilles’ heel of any cellular-based internet solution, but it seemed more pronounced here than with other 5G devices we’ve tested. While our peak speeds were impressive, it’s worth reading other user experiences, which you can find here. The potential is enormous, but the reliability for a primary home connection is questionable. When it works, it’s brilliant. When it doesn’t, it’s a source of immense frustration.

Setup and Software: A Tale of Two Experiences

D-Link claims you can “just pop a sim card in… and have Internet.” For us, and for many users, this was not the case. While the router powered on and detected our SIM, it failed to connect to the internet automatically. We had to dive into the web-based administration panel—a standard D-Link interface that is functional but feels dated—and manually enter the APN (Access Point Name) settings for our network provider. This is a step that will likely intimidate and confuse the average user. One frustrated owner described spending nearly two hours on the phone with their provider’s support line to get it running, calling it “a hard test for even the most persistent people.”

The experience is further hampered by poor documentation and confusing software. The manual is sparse on detail, failing to even explain what the status icons mean. D-Link directs users to an app called “EZ-Five,” which in our testing, and according to other users, simply failed to open or connect to the router without any helpful error messages. Attempting a firmware update via the web interface also failed, with a cryptic error about a lack of storage space. This entire software ecosystem feels unpolished and user-hostile, a stark contrast to the slick, app-driven experiences offered by modern mesh systems like eero or Google Nest Wifi. While some technically proficient users may find the setup easy, many will find it an unexpected and unwelcome challenge.

Wi-Fi Coverage, Connectivity, and the Elephant in the Room

Once connected, the D-Link DWR-978 functions as a capable, if unremarkable, Wi-Fi 5 router. The AC2600 specification (up to 1733 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 800 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band) is plenty for most households. In our tests within a medium-sized home, coverage was adequate. We achieved solid speeds in the same room and adjacent rooms, but the signal dropped off noticeably at the farthest points of the house, a performance one user aptly described as “average” for a 4-bed house. It supports MU-MIMO, which helps it manage traffic to multiple devices simultaneously, and we had no issues connecting laptops, smart TVs, phones, and smart speakers.

The physical connectivity is a real strength. The four Gigabit LAN ports are essential for stable, low-latency connections, and the WAN port for failover is a genuinely premium feature. The ability to use 5G as a backup to a primary fibre or cable connection is a powerful selling point for home workers and small businesses.

However, we cannot discuss this product without addressing the most critical, alarming issue raised by a staggering number of users: catastrophic hardware failure, specifically related to the battery. Multiple reviews describe the internal battery swelling dangerously after 12-18 months of use. One user reported, “DO NOT BUY THIS DEVICE, my battery swelled up and when I called them they simply said they don’t have any batteries and they never will.” Another noted having “twice a failure with the battery in the device. Just get bloated.” This is not an isolated incident; it appears to be a systemic design or component flaw. This, combined with reports of jammed SIM trays and broken power buttons, paints a grim picture of the product’s long-term viability. Given these significant concerns, potential buyers should weigh the risks carefully before purchasing.

What Other Users Are Saying

Synthesizing the wider user sentiment reveals a product that is deeply polarizing. The experience seems to be either very good or utterly terrible, with little middle ground. On the positive side, users who need a temporary, high-performance solution have found it to be excellent. One happy customer bought it for a temporary stay after an operation and found it “perfect for the job. From emailing, HD TV to simple online gaming, it does it all!” Another who travels for work called it “essential” for buying local SIMs abroad to avoid roaming charges.

Unfortunately, the negative feedback is far more severe and points to fundamental flaws. The most prominent and repeated complaint is the swelling battery, which renders the expensive device useless. One user’s warning is stark: “DO NOT BUY THIS OVERPRICED RUBBISH. The battery swells up after about 18 months.” This issue transcends simple dissatisfaction and points to a potential safety hazard and a complete failure of product longevity. Beyond this critical flaw, users frequently complain about the difficult setup, the need to manually configure APN settings, unstable connections that require constant reboots, and poor customer support from D-Link when things go wrong.

How Does the D-Link DWR-978 Compare to the Competition?

The D-Link DWR-978 5G AC2600 Wi-Fi Router exists in a unique space, bridging cellular and traditional home networking. To understand its value, it’s crucial to compare it against alternatives that cater to different needs. If you’re still considering if the D-Link is the right fit for your specific needs despite the drawbacks, you can get more details on it here.

1. MERCUSYS MB110-4G N300 4G WiFi Router

The Mercusys MB110-4G represents the budget-friendly cellular alternative. It ditches 5G in favour of 4G LTE and uses a much slower N300 (Wi-Fi 4) standard. Its primary appeal is its incredibly low price and simplicity for basic needs. For a user who just needs to get a caravan, a temporary work site, or a payment terminal online, this is a far more economical choice. It won’t deliver the blazing speeds of the D-Link and lacks Gigabit ports and failover, but it provides a functional internet connection for a fraction of the cost. If your speed requirements are modest and your budget is tight, the Mercusys is a more practical option.

2. TP-Link Archer BE550 WiFi 7 Router

The TP-Link Archer BE550 sits at the opposite end of the spectrum. This is a cutting-edge, traditional router for users with a fast, fixed-line internet connection like Virgin or BT Fibre. It has no SIM card slot; its purpose is to take an existing fast connection and distribute it with maximum performance using the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard. With multi-gigabit ports and tri-band connectivity, it’s designed for tech enthusiasts, hardcore gamers, and smart homes packed with dozens of devices. Someone would choose the Archer BE550 over the D-Link if they already have excellent broadband and their priority is future-proofing their internal home network for the next generation of devices, not replacing their ISP.

3. eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi 3-Pack

The eero 6+ system tackles a different problem: Wi-Fi coverage. Like the TP-Link, it requires an existing internet connection (it has no SIM slot), but its focus is on eliminating dead zones in large or awkwardly shaped homes. By using multiple nodes that work together, it creates a seamless mesh network that provides a strong, consistent signal everywhere. Its setup process is famously simple, managed entirely through a slick smartphone app. A user would choose the eero 6+ over the D-Link if their primary problem is poor Wi-Fi signal in certain rooms, not a slow internet connection coming into the house. It prioritizes ease of use and whole-home coverage above all else.

Final Verdict: A Promising Concept Undone by Fatal Flaws

The D-Link DWR-978 5G AC2600 Wi-Fi Router is a product we desperately wanted to love. The concept is fantastic: a powerful, flexible box that can free you from the shackles of mediocre fixed-line broadband and provide a robust backup for when your connection fails. When it works, the 5G speeds are genuinely transformative, and the versatile port selection offers great utility. However, we simply cannot look past the overwhelming and consistent reports of critical hardware failure, most notably the swelling battery issue that appears to be a ticking time bomb in many units. This, combined with a clunky setup process, unstable performance, and a premium price tag, makes it an incredibly risky purchase.

For a very niche user—someone needing a high-speed hub for short-term, temporary use where its flaws can be managed—it might hold some appeal. But as a long-term replacement for home broadband, it is impossible to recommend. The risk of the device failing just after the warranty period is far too high. The promise of 5G home internet is real, but this particular implementation is too flawed to be the answer. If you understand the risks and still feel its unique features are a perfect match for a temporary project, you can find the D-Link DWR-978 5G AC2600 Wi-Fi Router online, but we would urge most buyers to look elsewhere.