Norton Core Wi-Fi router review: A snazzy-looking and speedy security router

Despite the fact that it looks like Spaceship Earth, the big geodesic sphere at Epcot in Disney World, the Norton Core is a fast AC2600 router with lots of high-end security features. It protects all the smart devices on your network from viruses and malicious content, including appliances, cameras and thermostats, which you normally can't install software on. You get one free year of advanced security services with Norton Core Security Plus, but have to pay $10 per month after that to keep the protection.

7.7

Norton Core Wi-Fi router

$65 at Amazon

The Good

It has anti-malware, parental controls and network prioritization for all your devices. The top speed on 2.4GHz and 5GHz was great, and it looks interesting enough that you may want to show it off.

The Bad

You can only access the router with an app. Its speed dropped off quickly as more obstacles were in the way. The Ethernet and USB ports on the router are hard to access.

The Bottom Line

For $200, you get a fast, unique-looking router with lots of extra security for all your connected devices. The first year is free, but you will have to pay to keep all the security features. For the price, it's still a good router that is easy to manage (via an app) for a medium-size home.

For $200, the range is a little disappointing but at short distances it has impressive top speeds. If you value high-end security, the Norton Core will do well in a medium-size home it you don't have a ton of devices.

It's the happiest Wi-Fi on earth

Router manufacturers are finally putting more thought into design. While the Norton Core is still a little odd-looking, I have to give the company credit for trying with the Core. The geodesic design comes in granite gray or titanium gold. One potential design flaw is that it lacks vents. While I had it plugged in for only an hour, I could feel it getting a little warm. This could cause issues in the long run if it overheats when lots of devices are connected or it's in direct sunlight.

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Its flat bottom is scooped out to provide enough space for three gigabit LAN ports, one gigabit WAN port, a DC power input, two USB 3.0 ports and a reset button. Norton tried to be too efficient here, because the ports are way too close together. The package includes an Ethernet cable that is extra-thin and fits well, but add in three more standard-size Ethernet cables and two USB cables and things get very crowded. Just connecting or disconnecting cables is a headache in the tiny space provided.

Maybe that's why the Norton Core is shaped like a ball -- because you're going to really want to chuck something across the room after minutes of trying to just plug or unplug a cable.

I highly recommend putting the router in a central location in your home away from other objects The design begs you to keep it out as a conversation piece. In testing, the range wasn't great, so the more obstacles in its way, the worse your signal will be at long distances.

Where Wi-Fi security dreams come true

Setup was easy. The Norton Core app is the only way to access your router, which is a plus for security but a minus for convenience and customization. Just download it and make sure you are close to the router. It says that setup can take up to 10 minutes, but the one I tested was ready in under five. You will need to create a Norton account, but that will give you access to a free 1-year subscription for unlimited devices to its Norton Core Security Plus service.

The app gives you access to lots of security features including in-depth parental controls, limited quality of service (QoS), real-time monitoring for malicious content and downloadable Norton security software for devices like PCs, phones and tablets . There's even a security score (from 0 to 500) that details specific aspects of your network to tell you how to make it more secure. This seems to be a bit of an arbitrary scale, but at least it gives you options of which things you can fix.

The app also includes standard router settings like changing your network passwords, adding a guest network and port forwarding. It's designed more for novice users who want to be hands off. It doesn't have built-in VPN though, which is odd for a security router. However, Norton said it will work fine with any devices that have VPN software on them.

Powerful security, but lacks some features

The Norton Core boasts powerful hardware in addition to its security software. Its AC2600 rating means 800 megabits per second (Mbps) on 2.4GHz and 1,733Mbps on 5GHz. All of its 4x4 antennas are internal, and each one uses four streams and beamforming to reach its top speeds. Its 1GB of RAM is the most I've seen in a router, as is its 4GB of flash memory.

The security is what's most important. One cool feature of the app is that you can set up a bunch of different types of push notifications. These include router/device status, firmware updates, settings changes and security alerts. These are very helpful for knowing exactly what is going on with your network. Parents will love the in-depth parental controls with real-time updates when a blocked or malicious site is accessed.

The network inspection options are nice, too. They tell the router how closely you want to monitor the data flowing to your network. You can choose Off, Default (recommended) or Advanced. The only issue you may run into is that if you choose Advanced, your network speed may suffer.

The Norton Core lacks a few standard features for a $200 router as well, like network storage, IPv6 and the ability to connect it to another router as an access point (AP) or extender. Norton did say, however, that you can connect other APs or routers to it in bridge mode to extend your network.

Top speed at close range

When it comes to top speed, the Norton Core performed very well on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. However, its range suffered as I tested it from farther away with more obstacles. You'll still get good speed, but other routers like the Asus RT-86U and the TP-Link C3150 V2 were much better at long range.

On 2.4GHz, the Norton was great in the same room, hitting a top speed of 168Mbps, but dropped all the way to 112Mbps from 50 feet and two rooms away.

On 5GHz, it hit 866Mbps from 7 feet, but dropped all the way to 151Mbps at long range. This is still fast enough, but a crowded network may give you problems.

Should you buy one?

If security is what you want, the Norton Core gives you lots of options to protect every device on your network. It doesn't look like a router, which is good, because hiding it in a closet will definitely weaken your Wi-Fi signal. It has great top speed and enough coverage for a medium-size home. You'll have to pay to keep the security features updated after the first year, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a fast router with this much security for under $200.