In this in-depth review of the ZBT MT3000 "Beryl AX," a compact WiFi 6 OpenWrt router, we explore its specifications, packaging, and meticulous hardware design through a comprehensive teardown.
After extended usage, the focus now shifts to the MT3000's WiFi 6 capabilities and its diverse functionalities, including repeater, NAS, and 4G hotspot modes. This router also features VPN client and server modes, support for the Tor network, and AdGuard Home. For an extensive examination of these features, I recommend consulting the ZBT security gateway review, as the hardware design is similar, barring wireless connectivity.
Initial Setup of the ZBT MT3000 Router
To initiate setup, connect an Ethernet cable to the router, allowing you to proceed to the second configuration step. Alternatively, you can set up via WiFi, where the MT3000 will be listed as ZBT-MT3000-XXX or ZBT-MT3000-462-5G.
To access the router's dashboard, simply enter the IP address 192.168.8.1 in your web browser and log in using the default username "admin" and the password found on the router's base.
ZBT MT3000 Administration Interface
The ZBT Admin Panel is consistent across all company routers. I adjusted the timezone settings and customized the SSIDs for both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, opting for more personalized passwords.
Testing Environment
For performance evaluation, I connected a Rock 5B SBC featuring WiFi 6 and 2.5GbE networking to the ZBT MT3000. A Xiaomi AX6000 router was used as a benchmark.
After upgrading all packages on the Rock 5B and rebooting, I began performance testing by checking available SSIDs through the terminal on the Rock 5B.
The observed connection rates revealed a 540 Mbps link rate on the Xiaomi router, while the ZBT MT3000 achieved 270 Mbps. However, these figures may not fully reflect the routers' capabilities.
WiFi 6 Performance Benchmarking with iperf3
To ensure an accurate test, only one router was active during performance evaluations. The initial download speed from the Xiaomi AX6000 to the Rock 5B was impressive, reaching up to 869 Mbps, while upload speeds were also commendable at 820 Mbps.
Subsequently, I attempted to connect to the ZBT MT3000 5GHz SSID, following the Radxa Wiki guidelines. However, I encountered connectivity issues, failing to acquire an IP address. A reboot resolved the issue, enabling successful connection to the MT3000.
On my first download speed test using iperf3, results were underwhelming, with an average bitrate of 342 Mbps. However, after multiple attempts, subsequent tests yielded impressive download speeds of 910 Mbps.
Miscellaneous Features and Usability
The ZBT MT3000 comes equipped with a toggle switch for convenient activation of features such as AdGuard Home, OpenVPN, WireGuard clients, and the Tor network.
Advanced users can access the OpenWrt LuCi interface for extensive configuration options, including switching the Gigabit Ethernet LAN port with the 2.5GbE WAN port.
The MT3000 functions effectively as a repeater, providing the ability to connect to other WiFi networks. Testing this feature outdoors revealed reliable performance, maintaining an acceptable speed at distances up to 110 meters.
Versatile Connectivity Options
By connecting a 4G LTE USB modem, I transformed the ZBT MT3000 into a WiFi hotspot, enhancing its utility with both WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 support. Initial connection attempts faced compatibility issues, but these were resolved through a reset in the Admin Panel.
Additionally, I successfully connected a USB hard drive, testing the NAS capabilities. The router recognized various file systems and facilitated efficient file transfers at speeds around 46 MB/s.
Cooling System and Fan Noise
Concerns about the router's fan noise surfaced among users. However, during extensive testing, the fan remained almost silent, only activating under significant load. The fan speed can be adjusted based on temperature thresholds, ensuring minimal disruption.
In conclusion, the ZBT MT3000 "Beryl AX" delivers robust WiFi 6 performance, versatile functionality, and user-friendly features, making it an excellent choice for both casual users and advanced networking enthusiasts.