D-Link DIR-X1560 Review

Quick Summary

The D-Link DIR-X1560 is an entry-level Wi-Fi 6 router from the EXO range, and it was the first Wi-Fi 6 model D-Link brought to India, in July 2020. It is a dual-band AX1500 router with four fixed antennas, four LAN ports and no USB port. That makes it a sensible fit for a small flat or house that wants the newer Wi-Fi standard without a big router. Its age is the catch: D-Link's own India page now lists it as end of sale, so shop stock is what is left. At around ₹5,100 it is fair value mainly because of the three-year warranty.

Design & Build Quality

The DIR-X1560 follows the usual home-router layout: a black body with four external antennas that cannot be removed. Fixed antennas keep the router simple to place, but you cannot swap them for stronger ones if the signal falls short in a bigger home.

At the back you get one WAN port for the broadband line and four LAN ports for wired devices. There is no USB port, so nothing like a hard drive or printer can be plugged in. WPS support helps with quick pairing of compatible devices. The antennas stand clear of the body, so it is better kept on an open shelf or table than inside a closed cabinet.

Wi-Fi Performance

The main feature is Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). D-Link rates the router at 1,200 Mbps plus 300 Mbps across its two bands, which is what the AX1500 label means. Those are maximum figures shared across all devices, and most home broadband plans in India sit well below them, so the label matters less than how the router copes with many devices at once.

That is where Wi-Fi 6 helps. OFDMA and MU-MIMO let the router serve several phones, laptops and TVs together instead of one after another, and D-Link says it supports up to four simultaneous streams. In a household where a video call, a streaming box and phone updates all run at the same time, this is a real, if modest, benefit. Older devices still connect because the router also supports the earlier Wi-Fi standards.

Coverage is the limit. With fixed antennas and no mesh support, this is a one-box solution. It should handle a flat or a single-floor home well, but it is not the router to pick for a large multi-storey house.

Connectivity & Ports

The wired side is simple. One WAN and four LAN ports cover a desktop, a set-top box, a smart TV and a printer or two. The WAN setup list is practical for Indian broadband: dynamic IP, static IP, PPPoE, L2TP and PPTP, which covers the common ways providers hand out a connection. Static IPv6 is supported too. The missing USB port means no simple file or printer sharing from the router itself.

Security & Controls

Security basics are in place: WPA3 and 128-bit wireless encryption, a guest network so visitors stay off your main devices, and QuickVPN support. The parental controls are profile-based, so each family member can have devices grouped under them with their own schedules, which is easier to manage than blocking devices one by one.

Features Assessment

The feature set is sensible but basic. You get the D-Link Wi-Fi app, parental-control profiles, a guest zone, voice-assistant compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant, and multicast support. What you do not get is mesh expansion, USB sharing or any extra tools for gamers. Everything on offer works in daily life, but nothing here is a reason on its own to choose this router over a newer rival.

Ease of Use

Setup and control run through the D-Link Wi-Fi app, which guides you step by step, and support chat is reachable from inside the app. WPS makes connecting compatible devices quick. A user manual is included in the box. For someone who has never configured a router, this is about as easy as it gets in this price range.

Value for Money

There is one version, sold at around ₹5,100 on the main Flipkart listing at the time of checking. That is not cheap for an AX1500 router: some rival AX1500 models from other brands sell for noticeably less, and a router that D-Link has retired is a weaker long-term bet. The points in its favour are the three-year warranty and D-Link's service network in India. Choose it only if those matter more to you than the lowest price.

Who Should Buy It?

Small-home users who want Wi-Fi 6 from a brand with local service, existing D-Link app users, and anyone replacing an old Wi-Fi 4 router in a flat. It also suits a home with many phones and smart devices on one broadband line.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Larger homes should look at a mesh system, since this router cannot be extended. If you need USB sharing, a faster-than-AX1500 router, or the lowest possible price, other models make more sense. Buyers who want a router that the maker still actively sells should also look elsewhere, because this one is listed as end of sale.