Compare D-Link Aquila Pro AI R95 vs Fritz!Box 5690 Pro

One reviewer reports a 10Gbps WAN port and presents it as future-ready for ultra-fast fiber service.

Multiple reviewers wanted 10GbE on a router this capable, especially because faster competitors can avoid the local-network bottleneck.

Matter is presented as helping lights, plugs, and cameras communicate more efficiently while reducing strain on the wider network.

Matter is the clearest smart-home weakness: several reviewers note that promised support was still unavailable, and one considers that a dealbreaker for a modern controller.

Multiple 2.5Gb connections keep the wired side modern and suitable for fast broadband, gaming systems, and storage.

Multi-gig capability exists, but reviewers consistently wish there were more fast Ethernet ports rather than concentrating higher speed on only the SFP/WAN side.

Connections remained consistent during testing, while MLO and heavy-use results showed a major improvement over older ISP equipment.

Most testing found stable, reliable connectivity and smooth streaming, although one client in one test did lose its connection.

MIMO-based operation helps the router stay stable with dozens of connected devices.

The Pro model’s 4×4 MIMO coverage across every band is presented as an advantage over the non-Pro version, particularly for buyers chasing stronger coverage and peak performance.

The R95 offers high-end performance at a competitive or mid-range price for its class, but its premium capacity is hard to justify in a lightly connected small home.

Value depends heavily on use case: it looks expensive as a simple router, but reviewers find the price much easier to justify when its modem, telephony, mesh and smart-home roles replace separate hardware.

QR-led onboarding and the Aquila app make initial setup quick and refreshingly straightforward.

Setup feedback is mixed by user type: basic installation can be fast and beginner-friendly, while advanced fibre, telephony and smart-home configuration demands more networking knowledge.

The 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and dedicated 6GHz arrangement earns praise for combining legacy-device support with high-end Wi-Fi 7 speed.

The full 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz arrangement is praised as a genuine premium implementation that improves capacity and gives newer devices more room to operate.

The 2.5Gb LAN ports are praised for delivering top-speed wired connections to demanding local devices.

Wired speed is the most repeated hardware complaint: four LAN ports are only gigabit and the faster port tops out at 2.5GbE, which limits high-end NAS and local transfers.

WPA3, Enhanced Open, and dedicated IoT zones create a security package reviewers describe as reassuring and broadly protective.

The router offers extensive configurable security tools, but one review notes the absence of active threat-protection features beyond auditing and configuration checks.

Nearby devices reached the full 150Mbps available from the test connection in both download and speed tests.

Near the router, results range from merely average for the class to fast and stable, so short-range speed is good but not the clearest reason to buy it.

A test signal passed through two thick brick walls and still reached the garden, outperforming the reviewer’s standard ISP hub.

The lower bands carry well through walls, but 6GHz still struggles with thick concrete; overall wall penetration is strong rather than physics-defying.

Smart lights, plugs, cameras, and other connected devices integrate smoothly and continue working during demanding household traffic.

Popular Zigbee products such as Philips Hue and IKEA devices generally work reliably, though some advanced functions can vary versus dedicated manufacturer hubs.

MLO is one of the clearest practical advantages: it lowers lag, strengthens reliability, and makes wireless gaming feel close to Ethernet.

MLO can deliver very high throughput and lower latency, but one test notes that the current two-band Wi-Fi 7 implementation limits theoretical peak speed and that many clients still cannot exploit it fully.

Continuous network analysis lets the router adjust settings proactively rather than waiting for the user to diagnose performance problems.

Monitoring tools are a strength, offering detailed traffic visibility while making it easier to identify high-usage devices and understand the network.

The R95 reached a previously troublesome back office and pushed through two thick brick walls into a garden.

Coverage is a recurring strength: reviewers report useful signal through multiple walls, across large homes and at distances where existing setups weakened.

Gaming lag was nearly absent, ping times improved, and MLO was credited with keeping interactive traffic highly responsive.

Wi-Fi 7 and VPN testing both point to low latency, with reviewers noting modest VPN overhead and noticeable improvements when newer wireless features are used.

From creating suitable networks to changing channels and optimizing settings, the R95 handles much of the tuning automatically.

Migration from another FRITZ!Box is a highlight, with settings transferring smoothly and with very little manual rework.

Three 2.5Gb LAN ports provide enough high-speed wired connections for devices such as a gaming PC and NAS.

The four extra gigabit LAN ports are genuinely useful for NAS boxes, adapters and other wired gear, even though their individual speeds are conservative.

The system can grow by linking additional AQUILA PRO AI routers into a broader mesh network.

The router is repeatedly framed as the center of a broader ecosystem, with mesh, smart-home, telephony and storage functions that can grow beyond basic routing.

Guest-network options are considered useful for family homes and are easy to reach through the app.

Guest Wi-Fi is well regarded, including isolated guest access and controls suited to homes, visitors and small offices.

Even in a difficult rear office, the R95 reached full broadband speed after the previous router could not provide a reliable signal.

One detailed home test found the router pulling ahead of rivals in distant rooms, making sustained speed away from the router a standout strength.

Mesh claims and real-world range testing both point to broad coverage, including difficult rooms and outdoor space.

Multi-room coverage is one of the strongest results, with performance holding up unusually well in bedrooms, dining rooms and other farther locations.

The winged shape is consistently described as striking, sleek, and closer to modern art than a conventional router.

The upright chassis is practical and understated to some reviewers, while others dislike the dated styling and glossy surface that attracts fingerprints and scratches.

The combined 2.4GHz/5GHz network immediately reached the full 150Mbps available in the office test.

The 2.4GHz band is viewed as solid for IoT and older devices, but it is also the one band that does not receive full Wi-Fi 7 support.

The dedicated 6GHz network immediately reached 150Mbps and maintained full speed throughout testing.

The 6GHz band delivers the highest throughput and excellent nearby speeds, but range drops faster with distance and barriers than on 5GHz.

The filtering tools are a weak point because unsuitable sites must be entered manually and there are no preset category filters.

Filtering supports specific sites, apps and usage profiles, but one reviewer criticizes the lack of category-based web filtering found on some competitors.

High-speed Ethernet ports are expected to provide lag-free, top-speed connections for gaming PCs, consoles, TVs, and NAS devices.

Despite the LAN-speed ceiling, actual NAS transfers were described as excellent and comparable with the reviewer’s existing system.

Across office tests and busy-home use, the R95 delivers fast, responsive wireless service that reviewers place among the product’s biggest strengths.

Across tests, wireless performance is consistently strong, with especially good breadth of coverage and standout Wi-Fi 7 results even when peak close-range speed is not always class-leading.

The legacy-device network, which includes 5GHz, delivered the full broadband rate both nearby and in the rear office.

5GHz performance is consistently strong, with reviewers finding excellent throughput and useful signal across larger homes and through brick walls.

Smart Mesh is described as providing stable connectivity across the home rather than merely extending a weak signal.

Reviewers describe the FRITZ! mesh ecosystem as powerful and easy to expand, with centralized management helping multiple nodes behave as one network.

Opinions split sharply: one reviewer found the controls basic and the filtering manual, while others called the family options useful or advanced.

Parental controls are broad and increasingly easy to manage, with schedules, time tickets and per-device profiles; category-based filtering is the main missing piece.

Smart-home devices continued running smoothly under load, while dedicated IoT zones and Matter-related efficiency strengthen connected-home use.

Zigbee and DECT ULE make the router a capable smart-home hub that can replace extra bridges, but compatibility is not universal and missing Matter reduces cross-platform reach.

Wi-Fi 7 is the heart of the R95’s appeal, delivering high capacity, low latency, and strong performance for compatible devices.

Wi-Fi 7 is a central strength and delivers clear performance gains, though 2.4GHz remains on Wi-Fi 6 and some reviewers note that not every client can exploit the newest features.

Its 9.5Gbps-class capacity is repeatedly described as exceptionally fast, easily covering gaming, streaming, and demanding household traffic.

Reviewers repeatedly describe very fast real-world Wi-Fi, including dramatic gains over older routers and a noticeable step up when using Wi-Fi 7-capable clients.

Compatible AQUILA PRO AI units are described as easy to connect into a larger mesh.

Repeater integration has become easier, with streamlined onboarding and less repeated credential entry when adding mesh nodes.

A 2.5Gb WAN port plus multiple 2.5Gb LAN ports gives the R95 a strong, current wired foundation.

A reviewer specifically calls out the absence of 5GbE as part of the wired-connectivity shortfall that keeps the router from being the best overall.

Reviewers connect the 320MHz channels directly to the R95’s impressive bandwidth and real-world responsiveness.

Ultra-wide channels are credited with turning the Wi-Fi 7 specification into performance users can actually notice.

The router cannot use its internet inputs in parallel, and one review specifically notes that this also prevents using both as a conventional fallback pair.

One review explicitly cites the brand’s reliability as part of the reason this router is easy to recommend for serious home networking.

The installation flow is app-based and simple, with reviewers highlighting the speed and clarity of getting online.

AVM’s long software-support history is repeatedly treated as a major ownership advantage and a reason the router should remain viable for years.

The guided setup is clearly structured and walks users through the important connection and wireless settings step by step.

The single USB port is useful and fast enough for storage expansion, but reviewers repeatedly note that one port feels limited on a premium Pro model.

WireGuard and IPSec support performs very well in testing, combining strong throughput with manageable latency and straightforward common setup paths.

There is no built-in wall-mounting option, a repeated disappointment for users who prefer to keep networking hardware off desks or shelves.

WPA3 encryption is repeatedly highlighted as an important source of confidence for home-network security.

One reviewer flags the lack of XGS-PON as a genuine future-proofing gap for users expecting faster next-generation fibre service.

Family access features are useful in some households, but the limited filtering system keeps them from feeling fully developed.

The Aquila app earns consistent praise for making network creation and first-time configuration painless.

The app is well designed for onboarding and offers a useful collection of family, guest, and network-reporting tools.

FRITZ!OS earns strong marks for depth, clarity and accessibility, although one reviewer finds the main dashboard text-heavy and more verbose than necessary.

Owners of Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 devices can still use the secondary 2.4GHz/5GHz network without giving up strong performance.

Alongside its Wi-Fi 7 network, the R95 is praised for accommodating older computers and mobile devices on legacy bands.

AI-supported network reports add useful visibility through the Aquila Pro AI app.

Concurrent smart devices, streams, calls, and games remained smooth, while OFDMA and related technologies kept many-client performance stable.

The AI Wi-Fi Optimiser continuously looks for less crowded channels, keeping interference management out of the user’s hands.

The AI Traffic Optimiser directs bandwidth where it is needed most, reducing the need for manual tuning.

Beamforming is cited alongside OFDMA and MU-MIMO as a reason the network remains stable with dozens of devices.

The R95 automatically chooses cleaner channels and can shift frequencies quietly when neighboring Wi-Fi causes interference.

Automatic interference detection and channel changes helped the R95 avoid neighboring-network congestion without requiring user intervention.

The Smart Mesh setup is presented as capable of removing dead spots and maintaining a stable connection throughout the home.

The router is built for device-heavy homes; reviewers praised its ability to handle demanding users, though that capacity can be excessive for a small flat.

Firewall controls are considered robust enough for families and small businesses, with advanced customization available for more technical users.

An early software build had several annoying bugs and inactive Zigbee functionality, showing that launch-period firmware was not fully mature.

FRITZ!OS updates are viewed positively for regular fixes, integrated delivery and continuous development over the product’s life.

Low latency, ample speed, and stable multi-device operation make the R95 especially strong for online gaming.

Thermal results are mixed across tests: one measured a very cool fanless chassis, while another noticed meaningful heat under load.

A dedicated WLAN button makes it easy to shut wireless access off quickly without opening the administration interface, a convenience one reviewer particularly liked.

Dedicated IoT zones give smart-home devices their own space and add a reassuring layer of separation.

Compatibility is strongest for European AON/GPON and DSL users; UK reviewers caution that direct fibre use may be limited by ISP practices, though Ethernet WAN provides a workaround.

The move to the R95 produced better ping behavior and almost completely eliminated the random dropouts previously affecting the household.

Adding compatible units is intended to create comprehensive coverage with no dead spots.

Multiple AQUILA PRO AI routers can be connected easily, giving the system room to grow with a larger home.

The integrated DSL and fibre options are repeatedly praised for letting users move from DSL to fibre without replacing the router again.

Separating IoT equipment from the main network is viewed as an effective way to integrate smart devices more securely.

Reviewers saw steady speeds, near-elimination of dropouts, and stable service even when the network extended across the home.

The signal extended into the garden after crossing two thick brick walls, a route the ISP-provided router usually failed to cover.

Power use is acceptable under heavy activity but less impressive at idle, where reviewers feel efficiency could be better.

Automatic QoS behavior intelligently prioritizes bandwidth for the traffic that needs it most.

The interface exposes a huge amount of control and can feel busy, but the simpler MyFRITZ! view gives less technical users a cleaner overview.

The front LEDs are clear and easy to interpret, giving at-a-glance confirmation of internet, wireless and telephony status.

Integrated DECT, analogue-phone and VoIP functions are repeatedly treated as a major differentiator, especially for small businesses that want routing and telephony in one box.

The AI Traffic Optimiser receives strong praise for directing bandwidth to the most important activity automatically.

FRITZ!NAS makes attached storage easy to share, including newer link-based uploads and multiple access methods for home or small-office files.

MLO and stable performance reduce interruptions and improve responsiveness during video calls.

Newer firmware adds automatic fallback to a mobile dongle or another FRITZ!Box, which materially improves resilience when the primary connection fails.

Most coverage praises the 2.5Gb WAN connection, while one source describes a 10Gbps WAN port as ready for future ultra-fast fiber.

Build quality is consistently strong, with solid plastics, protected rear ports and sturdy physical controls despite the glossy finish.

The vertical orientation reduces desk footprint, but the router is still physically wide and substantial, so reactions depend on where it will be placed.

Steam downloads reached the full available connection speed and stayed there consistently.

Long update support, fibre readiness and modern Wi-Fi give the router strong longevity, although missing XGS-PON and limited Ethernet speeds may matter to the most demanding users.

MU-MIMO is part of the technology mix credited with preserving performance in crowded, device-heavy networks.

Dozens of clients and mixed household workloads stayed stable, with reviewers reporting smooth service across screens, consoles, calls, and smart-home gear.

OFDMA contributes to stable service when many clients are active at the same time.

Homes full of streaming, gaming, calls, and smart devices ran smoothly without hiccups, making heavy simultaneous use a standout strength.