Wi-Fi router NETIS MW5240

The NETIS MW5240 Wi-Fi router is housed in a sleek, compact chassis that blends well into any home or office environment. Its matte-finish plastic case, with subtle ventilation grilles on the sides and bottom, ensures that internal components remain cool under continuous operation. Four large external antennas (each rated at 5 dBi gain) protrude from the top into adjustable hinge sockets, allowing you to aim them vertically or horizontally for optimal coverage. This flexibility is especially beneficial in multi-room apartments or houses where signal must traverse walls, doors, and floors.

Operating exclusively in the 2.4 GHz band, the MW5240 is designed for maximum compatibility with legacy and modern Wi-Fi devices. While dual-band routers are now common, 2.4 GHz remains indispensable for its longer range and superior wall-penetration abilities. Many IoT devices—smart bulbs, sensors, cameras—only support 2.4 GHz, making the MW5240 an ideal central hub for a smart home. With a maximum theoretical wireless speed of 300 Mbps, the router can handle high-definition video streaming (Full HD and even some 4K in optimal conditions), moderate online gaming, and simultaneous use by multiple family members or devices without significant lag or buffering.

On the wired side, NETIS MW5240 features four Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) LAN ports for connecting desktops, Smart TVs, game consoles, or networked storage devices. There is also one 100 Mbps WAN port to connect cable, DSL, or fiber modems. All ports support Auto MDI/MDIX, simplifying connection (no need for crossover cables). The router implements Quality of Service (QoS), enabling you to prioritize traffic—video conferencing, VoIP calls, gaming, or large downloads—so that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth even when multiple clients share the same network. LAN port LEDs indicate port activity and link speed, making it easy to diagnose if a connected device is not negotiating 100 Mbps correctly.

A standout feature of the MW5240 is its USB port, which supports both 3G and 4G USB modems. By simply plugging in a compatible mobile broadband dongle (from major carriers), the router can detect and switch to cellular Internet automatically when the primary WAN link (e.g., DSL or cable) is unavailable, providing failover or fully mobile-only operation. This makes it perfect for rural areas, cottages, or temporary setups where wired infrastructure is lacking. Additionally, you can connect a USB flash drive or external hard disk to enable network file sharing. The router can serve as a basic NAS (Network Attached Storage) via SMB (Samba) or FTP, giving everyone on the LAN quick access to shared documents, photos, or multimedia content without having a dedicated file server.

Setup and management are handled through an intuitive web-based interface. On initial power-up and connection of the WAN cable, the router automatically redirects any connected PC’s browser to the Quick Setup wizard. From there, you choose the Internet connection type—Dynamic IP (DHCP), Static IP, or PPPoE—enter your ISP credentials, and customize your LAN and Wi-Fi settings. The interface provides multilingual support (including English, Russian, and Uzbek), making configuration straightforward for non-technical users. Wireless security is enforced via WPA2-PSK with AES encryption; you can easily set a strong passphrase. Additional security options include MAC address filtering, disabling SSID broadcast, and creating a Guest Network with separate SSID and password, isolating guests from your primary LAN resources.

Advanced features include bandwidth control (allowing per-IP or per-MAC limits), Access Schedule (scheduling specific times when Wi-Fi is disabled or enabled), and firmware upgrade capabilities—manual upload or remote auto-update. There is also a built-in firewall supporting SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) to block unwanted inbound traffic. The router logs key events (connection status, DHCP allocations, system errors) and can send logs to an external syslog server for detailed analysis.

Physically, you can place the MW5240 on a desk, bookshelf, or mount it on a wall using the two keyhole slots on the back panel. The LEDs on the front panel indicate Power, WAN, LAN1–LAN4, WLAN, and USB activity. During normal operation, the Power LED is solid green. If there is no internet connection, the WAN LED turns yellow. LAN LEDs flicker when data is being transmitted or received. The USB LED lights up when a modem or storage device is detected.

In terms of power consumption, the router draws approximately 3–5 W during typical use, making it suitable for environments with limited power budgets (e.g., solar-powered cabins or small UPS). It operates reliably in ambient temperatures from 0 °C to +40 °C and tolerates humidity from 10 % to 90 % (non-condensing), permitting installation in attics, garages, or utility closets. However, to maximize longevity, keep it away from direct sunlight or sources of dust and moisture.

The package includes:

• NETIS MW5240 router with four detachable antennas,

• 9 V / 0.6 A power adapter,

• 1 m Ethernet patch cable (Cat 5e),

• Quick Start Guide (in English, Russian, and Uzbek),

• Warranty card and support information.

Overall, the NETIS MW5240 is an affordable, feature-rich router for home or small office use. Its strengths lie in:

• Reliable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi coverage up to 300 Mbps for typical household activities—HD video streaming, casual gaming, web browsing;

• Four 100 Mbps LAN ports and one 100 Mbps WAN port with Auto MDI/MDIX;

• USB port supporting 3G/4G modem failover and networked storage;

• Simple, multilingual web interface with WPA2 security, QoS, guest network, MAC filtering, and bandwidth control;

• Flexible placement options (desk or wall mount) and front LED indicators for real-time monitoring;

• Low power consumption and wide operating conditions (0 °C to +40 °C, 10 %–90 % humidity).

For users on a budget who require solid, stable Wi-Fi in the 2.4 GHz band, backup mobile broadband capability, and basic network storage without investing in high-end gear, the NETIS MW5240 is an excellent choice. It provides all the essential features for modern home connectivity, small-office networks, and remote locations, ensuring that your family or small business stays online and connected whenever and wherever needed.