Securifi Almond 3 Smart Home Wi-Fi System Review
The Securifi Almond 3 Smart Home Wi-Fi System promises to be more than just a router. It aims to be a central hub for your smart home devices, offering a seamless Wi-Fi experience coupled with intuitive smart home control. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into its features, performance, ease of use, and overall value proposition to determine if it lives up to the hype. We will scrutinize every aspect of the device, from its initial setup to its long-term reliability and smart home integration capabilities. Join us as we explore the ins and outs of the Almond 3 and help you decide if it’s the right choice for your connected home.
Unboxing and Initial Setup
The Securifi Almond 3 comes in a well-packaged box containing the router itself, a power adapter, an Ethernet cable, and a quick start guide. The router features a sleek, minimalist design that blends well with most home decor. The large touchscreen display is the most prominent feature, allowing for easy configuration and monitoring without the need for a separate computer or mobile app, at least initially.
Initial Impressions
The build quality feels solid, and the touchscreen is responsive. Setting up the Almond 3 is remarkably simple, thanks to the intuitive touchscreen interface. You can configure the router to operate as a primary router, a range extender, or a wireless bridge. The touchscreen guides you through the process, making it accessible even to users with limited technical knowledge.
Steps for Initial Setup
- Connect the Almond 3 to your modem using the Ethernet cable.
- Plug in the power adapter.
- The touchscreen will guide you through the setup process, including choosing a network name (SSID) and password.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your internet connection.
- Optionally, connect your smart home devices.
Performance and Features
The Almond 3 is a dual-band AC1200 Wi-Fi router, supporting speeds of up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. It features MU-MIMO technology, which allows it to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, improving overall network performance. But specs on paper only tell part of the story. Real-world performance is what truly matters.
Wi-Fi Coverage and Speed
In our testing, the Almond 3 provided adequate Wi-Fi coverage for a medium-sized home (approximately 1,500 square feet). However, users with larger homes or those with thick walls may need to consider adding additional Almond units to create a mesh network for extended coverage. Speeds were consistent and reliable within close range, but they did drop off noticeably at greater distances. Latency was generally low, making it suitable for online gaming and video streaming.
Smart Home Integration
One of the key selling points of the Almond 3 is its built-in smart home hub functionality; It supports Zigbee and Z-Wave devices, allowing you to control smart lights, door locks, thermostats, and other compatible devices directly from the Almond 3’s touchscreen or the Almond mobile app. The integration is relatively straightforward, but the range of compatible devices is somewhat limited compared to dedicated smart home hubs like those from SmartThings or Hubitat.
Key Features
- Touchscreen Interface: Simplifies setup and network management.
- Smart Home Hub: Supports Zigbee and Z-Wave devices.
- MU-MIMO: Improves network performance with multiple connected devices.
- Parental Controls: Allows you to restrict internet access for specific devices.
- Guest Network: Provides secure internet access for guests.
- Mobile App: Enables remote management of your network.
Software and User Interface
The Almond 3’s software is generally user-friendly, but it does have some quirks. The touchscreen interface is intuitive for basic tasks, but more advanced settings require using the Almond mobile app or web interface. The app is well-designed and easy to navigate, but it can be a bit slow at times. The web interface provides access to all of the router’s settings, but it is not as visually appealing as the touchscreen or mobile app.
Mobile App Functionality
The Almond mobile app allows you to monitor your network, manage connected devices, configure parental controls, and perform other administrative tasks. You can also receive notifications about network events, such as when a new device connects or when the internet connection is lost. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.
Parental Control Features
The Almond 3 offers basic parental control features, allowing you to block access to specific websites or restrict internet access for certain devices during specific times. However, the parental controls are not as robust as those offered by some competing routers. For example, you cannot filter content based on categories or set time limits for individual apps.
Pros and Cons
Like any product, the Securifi Almond 3 has its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a look at the key pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use.
- Touchscreen interface simplifies network management.
- Built-in smart home hub functionality.
- MU-MIMO technology improves network performance;
- Sleek, minimalist design.
Cons
- Limited Wi-Fi coverage.
- Smart home compatibility is limited.
- Parental controls are basic.
- Mobile app can be slow at times.
- Price may be higher than comparable routers without smart home features.
Alternatives to the Securifi Almond 3
If the Almond 3 doesn’t quite meet your needs, there are several alternatives to consider. These alternatives offer varying features, performance levels, and price points.
Mesh Wi-Fi Systems
Mesh Wi-Fi systems, such as Google Wifi, Eero, and Netgear Orbi, provide wider Wi-Fi coverage and more consistent performance than traditional routers. They use multiple nodes to create a seamless Wi-Fi network throughout your home. These are often a better choice for larger homes or those with challenging layouts.
Dedicated Smart Home Hubs
Dedicated smart home hubs, such as SmartThings and Hubitat, offer broader compatibility with smart home devices and more advanced automation capabilities. If your primary focus is on smart home control, a dedicated hub may be a better option than the Almond 3.
Traditional Routers with Advanced Features
Many traditional routers, such as those from ASUS, TP-Link, and Netgear, offer advanced features like MU-MIMO, parental controls, and QoS (Quality of Service). These routers may provide better performance or more features than the Almond 3 at a similar price point.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
To better understand the Securifi Almond 3’s capabilities, let’s examine some real-world usage scenarios.
Scenario 1: Small Apartment
In a small apartment, the Almond 3 provides adequate Wi-Fi coverage and can easily handle the needs of a few connected devices. The touchscreen interface makes it easy to manage the network and connect new devices. The smart home hub functionality allows you to control a few smart lights and a smart thermostat.
Scenario 2: Medium-Sized Home
In a medium-sized home, the Almond 3 provides decent Wi-Fi coverage, but you may need to add an additional Almond unit to extend coverage to the far reaches of the house. The MU-MIMO technology helps to maintain consistent performance with multiple connected devices. The smart home hub functionality allows you to control a wider range of smart home devices, such as door locks, sensors, and cameras.
Scenario 3: Large Home
In a large home, the Almond 3 is unlikely to provide adequate Wi-Fi coverage on its own. A mesh Wi-Fi system is a better option for providing seamless coverage throughout the house. While the Almond 3’s smart home hub functionality can still be used, a dedicated smart home hub may be a better choice for managing a large number of smart home devices.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with its user-friendly design, you may encounter some issues with the Securifi Almond 3. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them.
Problem 1: Slow Wi-Fi Speed
If you are experiencing slow Wi-Fi speeds, try the following:
- Restart the Almond 3 and your modem.
- Move the Almond 3 to a more central location.
- Check for interference from other devices, such as microwaves or cordless phones.
- Update the Almond 3’s firmware to the latest version.
- Ensure your devices are connected to the 5 GHz band if possible.
Problem 2: Difficulty Connecting Smart Home Devices
If you are having trouble connecting smart home devices, try the following:
- Make sure the device is compatible with the Almond 3.
- Ensure the device is within range of the Almond 3.
- Restart the device and the Almond 3.
- Follow the device’s pairing instructions carefully.
- Check for firmware updates for both the Almond 3 and the smart home device.
Problem 3: Intermittent Internet Connection
If you are experiencing intermittent internet connection, try the following:
- Check the cables connecting the Almond 3 to your modem.
- Restart the Almond 3 and your modem.
- Contact your internet service provider (ISP) to check for outages in your area.
- Update the Almond 3’s firmware to the latest version.
The Future of Smart Home Wi-Fi
The Securifi Almond 3 represents a step towards the convergence of Wi-Fi and smart home control. As smart home technology becomes more prevalent, we can expect to see more routers with built-in smart home hub functionality. The challenge will be to provide seamless integration, broad compatibility, and robust performance. The future of smart home Wi-Fi is likely to involve more sophisticated mesh networks, advanced security features, and tighter integration with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The possibilities are truly endless and the future looks bright.
