Cudy P5 5G WiFi 6 Router Review Dual SIM Performance and Features

Description

Sleek Design and Build Quality

The Cudy P5 5G NR SA/NSA AX3000 WiFi 6 CPE Router immediately caught my attention with its compact and modern design. Measuring 19.69 x 19.69 x 11.02 inches and weighing just 2.42 pounds, it feels light yet sturdy. I found the detachable antennas to be a thoughtful touch, as they allow flexibility in setup and potential upgrades. The 4 x 5dBi cellular antennas and 2 x 5dBi WiFi antennas not only enhance the overall appearance but also boost signal strength, which I’ll get into later. Its minimalist black finish blends easily into any home or office environment, making it a seamless addition to my space without looking out of place.

Impressive Performance with WiFi 6 Technology

This router doesn’t just look good; it performs exceptionally well. Powered by the Qualcomm IPQ5018 WiFi 6 SoC and a 1 GHz Dual-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU, it delivers blazing-fast speeds. On the 5 GHz band, I experienced speeds up to 2402 Mbps, while the 2.4 GHz band offered up to 574 Mbps. Streaming HD videos while gaming on a different device simultaneously was a breeze, and I noticed minimal latency even with multiple users connected. The Qualcomm Snapdragon SDX62 5G NR modem pushed my 5G speeds to 2.5 Gbps, which is perfect for tasks that demand heavy bandwidth. Whether I was downloading large files or hosting virtual meetings, this router didn’t disappoint.

Dual SIM and WAN Failover Capabilities

One feature I found truly unique is the dual SIM functionality. The router supports two SIM slots, allowing me to switch between SIM 1 and SIM 2 or let the device auto-select the best one. This redundancy proved invaluable, especially during network hiccups. Additionally, the WAN failover feature ensures uninterrupted connectivity by automatically switching to a 3G/4G backup connection if the primary WAN link goes down. For someone like me, who relies heavily on a stable internet connection, this was a game-changer.

Advanced Customization and VPN Features

I was pleasantly surprised by the extensive VPN options available. This router supports PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPsec, and Zerotier VPNs, making it incredibly versatile for both personal and professional use. Setting up a secure and encrypted connection was straightforward, even for someone without advanced technical knowledge. It’s also compatible with over 20 DDNS providers, which made managing my remote cameras much simpler. These features make the router a solid choice for anyone concerned about online privacy and security.

Key Benefits

• High-speed 5G and WiFi 6 performance for seamless multitasking.
• Dual SIM slots and WAN failover ensure uninterrupted internet access.
• Detachable antennas allow customization and improved signal quality.

Areas for Improvement

Despite its strengths, I did notice a few shortcomings during my experience:

• The setup process could be more user-friendly for beginners.
• The web interface felt a bit dated compared to some competitors.
• The router can get slightly warm under heavy usage.

Competitive Options

While the Cudy P5 is impressive, I couldn’t help comparing it to similar models like the Netgear Nighthawk M5 and Huawei’s 5G CPE Pro 2. The Nighthawk offers a more intuitive user interface and a wider range of parental controls, which may appeal to families. However, it doesn’t support dual SIM functionality, which is a major selling point of the P5. Huawei’s 5G CPE Pro 2 is another solid competitor, boasting a sleek design and excellent speeds, but it lacks the detachable antenna feature, limiting customization. In terms of VPN options and advanced configurations, the Cudy P5 has a clear edge over both.

Price Performance

The router strikes a balance between cost-efficiency and high-end features. Compared to pricier competitors, this device offers similar, if not better, performance in several areas. The inclusion of dual SIM slots and advanced VPN configurations makes it a smart spending choice for anyone looking for reliability without breaking the bank. While it may not be the cheapest option on the market, its features justify the investment in my opinion.

Additional information