Pros: It is easy to see why the Securifi Almond was a Kickstarter darling. Start with a full-featured router, add built-in apps, flavor with OpenWrt support for power users. Offering control of Z-Wave and ZigBee automation devices iced the cake. Unfortunately, reality turned out to be something less. Let’s here focus on what Securifi did right.

As advertised, setup is dead-simple. Connecting to an existing network, setting up as the primary router, or acting as a range extender – a few presses on the touchscreen and you’re done.

As far as router performance goes, the Almond+ is good but not great for its price range. Throughput remains good even when multiple devices are in use. I measured overall speeds that neared those of small business routers – better than the majority of consumer equipment. Wireless range was OK but not great. Competing, similarly priced routers from Asus and DLink gave at least 30% longer range in both 2.4 and 5GHz.

The Almond+ includes OpenWrt capability. If you are comfortable at tweaking the router options, this opens up capability to get excellent throughput. Just the thing if you run multiple HD streams through the router.

As far as connecting all your home automation stuff to the Almond+, all I can say is that it depends. Not all hardware is compatible or works reliably when controlled via the Almond+. Even slightly different models from the same vendor performed differently. I suggest researching your connected device options on Securifi’s forums and other sources before making a firm commitment.

If you do find working combinations, the Securifi app lets you control any connected device from your phone. This allows you to mix and match IoT hardware from different vendors and still use a single app to run everything. The Securifi Almond+ acts as a ZigBee/Z-Wave hub, eliminating network complexity and cost.

The Almond+ supports scheduling rules and triggers. Turn in the heat in the morning, water the yard, get a notification if the front door is opened when you're not home. Great when it works.

Cons: It is easy to see why the Securifi Almond was a Kickstarter darling. Start with a full-featured router, add built-in apps, flavor with OpenWrt support for power users. Offering control of Z-Wave and ZigBee automation devices iced the cake. Unfortunately, reality turned out to be something less. Let’s here focus on what Securifi did right.

As advertised, setup is dead-simple. Connecting to an existing network, setting up as the primary router, or acting as a range extender – a few presses on the touchscreen and you’re done.
As far as router performance goes, the Almond+ is good but not great for its price range. Throughput remains good even when multiple devices are in use. I measured overall speeds that neared those of small business routers – better than the majority of consumer equipment. Wireless range was OK but not great. Competing, similarly priced routers from Asus and DLink gave at least 30% longer range in both 2.4 and 5GHz.

The Almond+ includes OpenWrt capability. If you are comfortable at tweaking the router options, this opens up capability to get excellent throughput. Just the thing if you run multiple HD streams through the router.

As far as connecting all your home automation stuff to the Almond+, all I can say is that it depends. Not all hardware is compatible or works reliably when controlled via the Almond+. Even slightly different models from the same vendor performed differently. I suggest researching your connected device options on Securifi’s forums and other sources before making a firm commitment.

If you do find working combinations, the Securifi app lets you control any connected device from your phone. This allows you to mix and match IoT hardware from different vendors and still use a single app to run everything. Great when it works.

 
All too many features remain in “beta” or “available soon” status. When and if soon will come is an open question. The lack of any response to years of questions in the Securifi forums does not engender confidence.

If you use the Almond+ as a home automation controller, you quickly learn its limits. Most of the officially supported devices are no longer being sold. Relatively few newer wireless IoT devices are listed. Googling helps, but you’ll still find many options come down to taking your chances.

Devices that do work often are not fully compatible. For example, we have a range of Philips Hue products. Not all features are can be accessed through the Almond+ and if the connection is lost, the only way to restore functionality is to use a previously-paired Hue Hub and reset the bulb. If you neglected to perform this step before using with the Almond+ you can end up with a bricked lightbulb. Yes, that sounds silly to me as well.

Other devices work more reliably but the interface through the Securifi app is all too often clunky in comparison to using the device vendor’s app. GE products head the list here.

Running rules on the Almond+ also is hit-or-miss. Schedules tend to get lost and triggers may or may not actually happen. Again, using the vendor's own app may well work better.

Doing more than a basic setup is painful. You keep running into options that can only be configured from the touchscreen, and others that are only accessible from the web interface.

Other Thoughts: I am torn between really liking the Almond+ and hating it. For starters, if are not interested in connecting IoT/home automation devices to the Almond+, purchase a different router. You can find competing products that perform better for a lower price.

If, on the other hand, you either own or plan on purchasing IoT devices for your home, the Almond+ deserves consideration. You will need to do your research carefully as to whether the particular devices you use are compatible or not. You may still find that some compatible devices are just not worth the bother of using the Securifi app. Given the right combination of devices, and you do end up with a simplified interface.

The lasting impression I have of the Almond is of an outstanding product idea with most of the necessary hardware and software present. Putting the finishing touches on and going through test-debug cycles is always difficult and boring. The developers appear to have lost interest and shipped a beta-level product.

Pros: This is an impressive router very easy to set up using the lcd screen much easier than having to remote into from a computer to program and setup.

Can be mounted on the wall and or comes with a stand to have it stand at a 60 degree angle for great vying of the lcd screen.
Wi-Fi setup took 1 minute to setup SSID and passwords entered and go, it just works.

Its very smart and intuitive smooth operation lots of extra options for external sensors and or controllers.
Beta Clock app display works great and the weather app works as well.

The wired network ports work the way they should and the Wi-Fi is super-fast this router will be replacing my Linksys by Cisco and that’s doing something.

This router also has USB 3.0 ports for external device like printers, external Hard drives Etc.

I can’t wait to continue to play with all the extra options and external window and door sensors its a inexpensive security system that has no monthly fees add a camera system and wow you are state of the art surveillance and security from anywhere in the world.

The phone app works great also to control the router remotely it’s a really cool feature to have an app on my phone so I can check on my house and network.

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: I highly recommend this router for any home owner looking for an easy setup with some home security built in features so easy to use even mom can do it.

Pros: Installation:
Securifi boldly advertises 3 minutes for installation. I would say that is pretty close. Mom and pop should be able to handle the install.

Software:
The wireless interface is easy to navigate and the touchscreen wizard makes setup a breeze. 5 eggs for the interface. Not all of the features are accessible from the touchscreen interface, however, so if you want a few of the more advanced features such as the types of wireless security, wireless modes and MAC filtering, you will need to login through your PC. The IP to login (10.10.10.254) is in the user manual, however the password can only be found in the touchscreen interface of the wireless adapter under "Status" -> "Web Admin."

Speed:
My results from transferring a 1GB file to a PC hard-wired to the router 15-feet away through a wall:

Almond+ @ 2.4GHz (450Mbps max):
Using an 802.11n adapter (300Mbps Premiertek PL-18N) - 155s @ 52Mbps.
Using an 802.11ac adapter (300Mbps Buffalo AirStation AC866) - 760s @ 10.53Mbps.

Almond+ @ 5GHz (1300Mbps max):
Using an 802.11ac adapter (866Mbps Buffalo AirStation AC866) - 171s @ 47Mbps.

For comparison, here are some other routers I have tested:
Motorola NVG589 @ 2.4GHz (300Mbps max):
Using an 802.11n adapter (300Mbps Premiertek PL-18N) - 1390s @ 5.76Mbps.
Using an 802.11ac adapter (866Mbps Buffalo AirStation AC866) - 290s @ 27.59Mbps.

These routers were also tested, but they were 5 feet from the router and had line-of-site:
TRENDnet AC1750 @ 2.4GHz (450Mbps max):
Using an 802.11n adapter (300Mbps Premiertek PL-18N) - 79s @ 101Mbps.
Using an 802.11ac adapter (866Mbps Buffalo AirStation AC866) - 51s @ 157Mbps.

Buffalo AC1200 @ 2.4GHz (300Mbps max):
Using an 802.11n adapter (300Mbps Premiertek PL-18N) - 52s @ 158Mbps.
Using an 802.11ac adapter (866Mbps Buffalo AirStation AC866) - 42s @ 195Mbps.

Overall, the performance of the Almond+ is probably faster than the latest cable modem/DSL router that came from your ISP, but slower than a more well known brand designed for performance.

Features:
The Almond+ offers a range of remote controllable sensors. These range from dimmable LEDs, door monitors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, moisture sensors and anything that supports ZigBee technology. Unfortunately, I did not have any sensors on hand to test. The Android App seems extremely easy to set them up - for most, you simply plug them in and choose "Add from the list of options." You can get a list of many of the compatible sensors and how to set them up here:
https://wiki.securifi.com/index.php/List_of_compatible_sensors_-_Almond_2015

The Almond+ also seems to be much more reliable than some of its less expensive competitors that only control lights, etc.

The Almond+ can also function as a repeater and based on it's range performance, I am sure it would do an excellent job at extending the range of your wireless network.

2 x USB 3.0 ports are also a nice addition to add any NAS drives to your n

Cons: Physical:
The only complaint I had about the device was the touchscreen stays on and there is no way to turn it off. If you have the Almond+ in a room where you sleep, that could be a problem.

Other Thoughts: The Almond+ is the future. My prediction is the features of these routers will be standard on most routers within a few years. The Almond+ is the first to combine high speed wireless connectivity with wireless control of home appliances.

Overall the Almond+ is a cool new device with revolutionary new features, better than average speed, excellent range, limited warranty and a superb interface for controlling all your ZigBee WiFi controllable devices. It's biggest competitor is probably it's predecessor, which is saying alot. If the features or the range are what you are after and you don't plan to do any heavy streaming over your network, the Almond+ is an attractive router.

Note:
The Almond+ defaults to using an 80MHz wide channel on the 5GHz band (4 x 20MHz channels bonded). If you have neighbors, this will most likely overlap with their signal and slow down both of your networks. 802.11ac uses 'beamforming' techniques to map the wireless environment so it's critical to steer clear of inefficient signal paths. I used Acrylic Wi-Fi to view other wireless networks around me and change the channel to avoid interfering ones.

Pros: This router is brilliant. It's not often I get excited about messing with wireless networking but the Securifi Almond+ is a joy to set up, configure and use.

First of all the physical design is great. It can be wall mounted or stand on a flat surface. The touch screen is bright and super responsive. It even comes with a stylus but using a finger is more convenient. And the screen menu is ultra easy to navigate.

Out of the box setup took no time at all, just a few minutes to scroll through the on-screen wizard and presto, it's ready to go. This includes setting up the iOS app that lets you monitor and configure the router from anywhere.

The Securifi IP web interface is gorgeous, colorful and easy to use. Every setting imaginable is available for setting up routing, an access point, sensors, security... even creating rules for device behavior and Home automation at certain times during the day or for any day during the week. Advanced settings include a personal VPN, DMZ, Port forwarding, Routing, Device/Network statistics, graphs and more.

Cons: Rule creation is in beta. I guess that means updates to features are in the works.

Other Thoughts: For anyone looking for an all-encompassing Wireless router with incredible features, touch screen configuration, and a simple tool for home automation, the Securifi Almond+ is the way to go.

Pros: As a router, it does its job well without issue. Ethernet speeds reach the expected gigabit rates, and the wireless goes much further than my older Linksys EA6700 router. Setup was painless, and I was online pretty quickly after hooking it up.

Cons: There doesn't appear to be any real solution for direct-flashing of aftermarket firmware currently, which was a bit unexpected considering the OpenWRT core of this router (I was expecting there to just be official builds of it lying around). To be fair though, there's little reason I can find to do this aside from just wanting to run the nightly builds :p

Other Thoughts: My ISP is Comcast and my modem is a Motorola Surfboard. The Almond+ hooked right up to it and works without any extra configuration needed.

I find myself spending more time in the OpenWRT interface, which isn't a big deal in my case. The touchscreen interface is nice for quick settings, but I would recommend doing most of the base setup from the "pretty" web interface or the OpenWRT interface.

Pros: - Beautifully designed, meaning it really doesn't look like your typical router you want to hide in your closet.
- Contains USB 3.0 ports (pretty much standard now on new routers).
- Comes with stylus and has a storage spot for it.
- Touchscreen is very responsive, crisp - user interface is really simple, using the "blocks" layout for accessing various settings.
- Extremely easy to set up. Took me 5 minutes (maybe the second time through I would get to the advertised 3 minute setup time).
- Runs on well-established, solid, robust open-WRT firmware.

- Acts as a home automation hub. See "other thoughts" for my opinion about this feature.
- Has smartphone app, easy/simple to use and set up.
- Speaks standard Zigbee and z-wave home automation protocol, meaning it will work with many devices, including the new "smart" LED bulbs that are out. No need to change light switches or use an outlet dongle, to control lights.

This is a router my mom could set up (finally!). It steps you through an easy routine to get up and running; you can do this from either the touch-screen or your computer.

I tried to overload this router with streaming video, internet radio and running huge file transfers from my Linux server to various client machines - never stuttered, stalled or complained at all.

As far as a 'basic' router goes, it's decent.

The real value here, however, is the home automation functionality. All of this is present in a nice, small, attractive desktop device.

Cons: The biggest con with this router is that...it's just an "average" router. I did some speed comparisons with my Linksys EA8500 router in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz modes and the Linksys seems to be almost 2x faster when heavily loaded. Some published specs I've seen seem to support this.

So you are really paying for the home automation feature - which is fine, and although it's fairly basic right now (i.e. no complex events) the promise is there that newer versions of the software can be released to get more and more automation features in your hand (literally).

If you use this as a range extender or just as a point-of-presence for your home automation needs, but keep your "real" wireless router on your network, that might be a good, but expensive option.

Other Thoughts: This is an interesting device, and would be at home in the apartment of a person with disposable income that doesn't want or need to be on the leading edge of wireless router specs. Our young executive won't be hosting any video game parties, in other words.

The real value here is the home automation aspect, including the touch-screen interface. OK, that's great - but this market is going to become very difficult, very soon. Even now, I'm not sure that this unit is a clear winner over devices from Wink, Logitech or even the Echo offering from that other online place.

If you want something interesting to play around with now, and you need a basic router then this might be the ticket. I'm not sure I'd hinge my long term home automation plans on it, however.

Pros: Great Wifi, Easy Setup , Really liked the DIY HA approach that really works

Cons: Limited Manual Info

Pros: Incredibly easy to setup up. It really does take just a few minutes, and it’s “goof-proof”

Setup wizard walks you through setup in one of 3 modes: Traditional router+firewall+wifi, wifi access point only, or wifi signal repeater.

Easy wall-mount bracket or desk stand included. Looks great wall mounted right by the front door.

OpenWRT based, and they do give you access to most of the original interface, although it seems some settings are locked out if you set it to AP or repeater mode. How about custom startup commands and cron jobs. Yea, you could do some interesting things here if you really know your way around OpenWRT.

Pulls local temp from the internet somewhere and displays it on the screen constantly if you want. Cool feature, but I can’t imagine this would be good for the life of the screen. Can also display the time in the same way.

Securify support was top notch when I called in with my DoA unit. They recognized that I knew what I was talking about, and actually had me disassemble the unit to disconnect the screen ribbon cable for troubleshooting. After deciding that it was indeed a hardware failure, they advance shipped me a new unit AND paid for the return shipping. Also, I called in, got the hold music and hung up because I didn’t want to wait. They actually called me back a few minutes later, asked if I needed help. When the replacement unit arrived, they called me that night to ask if I needed any additional help and to make sure the replacement was working great. I also worked with one representative the entire time. He took ownership of the problem and made sure I was satisfied. Yea it sucks I got a DoA unit, but I’m kinda glad I got to see what kind of company is behind this product and report about it in this review.

The flexibility of this unit is really impressive. It could serve as any or all of the following roles:
router+firewall+switch+wifi
home automation hub
network file share (when connected to a USB hard drive) SMB or FTP
network print server
Remote access Ipsec VPN server (yea, they don’t mention this anywhere in the specs but it’s there)
DLNA media streaming hub
Torrent server with advanced scheduling and bandwidth control
4 port switch with enterprise level QoS control
Clock
Thermometer

I count 5 internal antenna. Not sure which ones are hooked to which radio. I have no problem covering my 3 story 1200 sqft home in both 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz bands.

Cons: wifi access point mode does not let you specify a static ip address on the lan interface. If you try to change it, the interface gets set back to dhcp after a few seconds. I’m guessing this is to prevent people who don’t know what they are doing from mis configuring the device. If you are a pro and want to force a static lan address and still use it as an access point, set it to router mode, leave the wan port unplugged, turn off dhcp, and create a static route like this:
Interface: lan
Target: 0.0.0.0
netmak: 0.0.0.0
gateway: <ip of main router>
So the unit can still reach the internet for remote access. Configure wireless settings normally.

Mobile app requires internet connectivity, even if you are on the same lan. You could open up a browser on your mobile device and use that to make changes, but it would be nice if the app would just detect that it is connected directly to the device. This also requires creating an almond account, which is pretty painless.

Home automation rules are very very rudimentary. It even has a big “beta” tag over the icon, so I’m hopeful they will let us do more with this in the future. Right now rule triggers can only be combined with “and” and not “or”. For example, if you want to add 10 window and door sensors, you have to make a new rule for each one of them. If you put them all in the same rule, then all 10 windows have to be open before the siren will play. Also, if you set a time delay (such as a 30 second delay before setting off the siren when walking in the front door) then there is no way to cancel it. So even though I walk in the front door, set the system to “home” mode which disables the rule, the siren will still go off after 30 seconds have passed. This is the ONLY thing about this router that leaves me truly disappointed. I’ve got my fingers crossed that they address these shortcomings when the feature moves out of beta. They could also mention that the home automation part is not done in their marketing. Website says “powerful rule creation”, when it’s more like “basic rule creation”.

First unit I received DoA. Support was great though as mentioned above.

Other Thoughts: Ok, so why buy this unit? If you just need a regular wifi router for your home, and you want to be able to configure it using an on-board touch screen, this is a good option, but you might be able to pull this off for less money looking somewhere else.

If you need a wifi router, in addition to taking a DIY approach to a smart home, this is a solid option.

If you are looking for a device that does all of the above in addition to being a media server, network file share, vpn server, etc, etc, then the buy in here makes a whole lot more sense. If you wanted to set up separate devices for all of these roles, you would spend a LOT more money.

You have the flexibility of an open source firmware for the techies like me, but then you also have this dumbed-down blocky interface for those who prefer that it just work with as little effort as possible.

While the limited automation rule functionality disappoints, it does still achieve what I want. I’m turning on/off lights based on motion in the room, smoke detector alerts my phone, windows opened will set off the alarm, etc. It’s great eye candy, and performs as good as any other high end wifi router that I’ve tested. You couldn’t really ask for more in one package. As long as you are using more than one of the major features, then it's’ also a great deal too. I'm giving it 5 eggs despite my issues with the automation rules because it's just that good, and because I'm hoping they address this shortcoming in the future.

Pros: The Almond+ is a rather unique piece of hardware, combining a feature-rich 802.11 router with a Z Wave and ZigBee (802.15) home automation capability, and a touchscreen, all packaged in an attractive, small footprint, reasonably energy efficient (15-18 watt) platform. If you want all of these features, this device offers a remarkably good value. It is also quite possibly the only router on the market that looks good enough to set on your bookshelf. The device can be administrated on the screen of the device itself and via browser, both with a very good user interface.

The touchscreen initially struck me as a gimmick, but a full-fuctionality on-device administration utility beats the heck out of staring at the blinkenlights for network troubleshooting. It also provides a point of access for connected automation devices. Several built-in applications let you use the screen to display something somewhat useful, like the outside temperature. The screen can be locked to prevent unauthorized management of the device.

Z Wave automation works and the programming functionality is elegantly implemented.

Cons: Other routers in this price class offer even better range, and even more robust features and better usability as a single-purpose piece of network hardware. The tolerances for the ethernet ports are exceedingly tight, meaning you need to really finesse some cables in, and the LED connectivity indicators are not visible unless you flip the device completely over. If you plug and unplug ethernet hardware often, using this device in concert with a switch would likely save you a great deal of headache. The touchscreen is too small at 3” by about 2” for much precision with fingertips, but the Securifi folks addressed this by including a small stylus that tucks into a pocket on the device itself. It works fine, albeit in the same manner as a circa 1999 Palm Pilot. While the wireless network range should satisfy most users, by the standards of routers at this price-point it is unremarkable, and other choices offer significantly better network projection.

The documentation on compatible automation devices and how to make them work is exceedingly sparse. These devices are also quite expensive. The automation administration tab is labeled "beta," which is highly unnerving, though it seems to be fully functional.

If all you’re after is a router, this device is extremely costly, and if you want absolute bleeding-edge speed and range, this device will not deliver.

Other Thoughts: I found the “three minute setup” claim to be exaggerated, but setup definitely was straightforward, and accomplished entirely on the device itself. It took me a few tries to realize that the device wouldn’t recognize my cable modem unless connected directly to it instead of through my UPS device. A strange quirk, but I can live with it. It also took me some effort to get all my patch cables seated. Otherwise, smooth sailing.

As a router, Almond+ is very good. Speeds are all within tolerances, though I did not get any “oh wow, that is faster!” surprises. Range on the 2.4ghz spectrum is a substantial improvement over my Netgear WNR3500. DLNA, VPN, and SMB functionality along with a pair of USB ports and good admin tools make this quite a feature-rich home router. The device can easily function as a repeater, making it a compelling choice if you are seeking both a wireless repeater and a home automation hub.

This bring us to the truly unique feature of this device, ZigBee and Z Wave. For the unfamiliar, Zigbee and Z Wave are both low power wireless transmission standards used for household deices. There are two distinct but overlapping functionalities that Zigbee and Z Wave give you: automation and remote control. Devices are paired with the hub (the Almond +), and then they may be controlled by the hub, or by other devices connected to the hub, such as a smartphone. This process is very straightforward. The first device I tried was a GE Wink lightbulb for an exterior light. I wound up having to get the bulb down off of my garage and bring it near the Almond+ to get it to pair, but once paired, control via the Almond+ or the Almond Android application is seamless. The range once paired is very good. I have positive control with a wall, 70’ of airspace, and steel shade between the bulb and the router.

Automation is accomplished via the browser interface for the Almond+. The system is very elegant and will bring a smile to the face of anyone with software development experience: if/then conditionals. You add a condition (e.g. “Time is between 5pm and 11pm”), set the operator (“THEN”), and then pick an action (“GarageLight ON”). There are also home and away modes that you can program using times or occupancy sensors, or activate manually via your phone, the Almond+, or an accessory keypad. The programming is not without some degree of learning curve, but it is straightforward enough.

Overall, I am pleased with this device. If you don’t mind the premium pricepoint and find home automation attractive, this is a fine choice, as long as you are not seeking the absolute bleeding edge in terms of speed or range. You definitely do trade some functionality for elegance here, as the LAN ports are hidden away and the absence of external antennas limit the range as compared to other top-end routers. But elegance is a good thing, and combining useful home automation with a very decent wireless router is a very elegant package, indeed.

Pros: Simple packaging, easy to open and unbox. Router is of a decent size, typical for most routers. Sits well on a desk or table well with provided desk stand and is unobtrusive. Design wise its sleek and elegant, doesn't have a bunch of antennas popping out.

Touch screen is well laid out and responsive. Responds well to the stylus though it may be a bit too cramped for fingers

USB 3.0 ports are included for shared network devices such as NAS, and printers.

Supports you standard 4x LAN ports which are Gigabit

Range is excellent, supports 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC 2.4/5 Ghz and maintains an adequate signal at all times. Supports speeds upto 1750 Mbps. Take note that the advertised speed is a combination of theoretical maximum data throughputs of the two different freqeuencies, 5 Ghz via Wireless AC (1300 Mbps) and 2.4 Ghz via Wireless N (450) Mbps.

Smartphone app is useful and easy to set up. Network security, statistics, and connected devices can all be accessed and managed via the app.

Setup was relatively simple; it was much easier using the touch screen compared to other routers. Took about 5 minutes to fully set up.

The device functions as a range extender which can be useful for households with larger square footage.

Home monitoring system is a nice feature for those who are looking to create a smart home.

Cons: Price may be a reason one would stay away from a router like this. Most routers with similar specs are cheaper

Touch screen is small, use of stylus is preferred over fingers

Other Thoughts: Overall this a fantastic router spec wise and the price is really the only major drawback. You can get away using other routers with similar specs at a cheaper cost. The touch screen, stylus, range extender and home monitoring are all nice but not necessary and really just add to the cost. If you are looking for a device that can do it all then the Almond+ is right for you.