To see product details, add this item to your cart.
Ships from: HenryAV Sold by: HenryAV
To see product details, add this item to your cart.
Ships from: qualictronic Sold by: qualictronic
- 2 VIDEOS
Image Unavailable
Color:
-
-
-
- To view this video download Flash Player
TP-Link AC5400 Wireless Wi-Fi Tri-Band Gigabit Router (Archer C5400)
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | TP-Link |
Model Name | TP-link AC5400 |
Special Feature | WPS |
Frequency Band Class | Tri-Band |
Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
Frequency | 5 GHz |
Recommended Uses For Product | Gaming |
Included Components | AC5400 Wireless Tri-Band MU-MIMO Gigabit Router (Archer C5400), Power supply unit, Ethernet Cable, Quick Installation Guide See more |
Connectivity Technology | WiFi |
About this item
- BATTLE TESTED Enjoy 4K video and play online games simultaneously with ultra fast 802.11ac Wave 2 MU MIMO WiFi
- LIGHTNING FAST WIFI AC5400 Tri Band with 4 Stream and NitroQAM technology delivers up to 5400Mbps Wi Fi speeds over one 2.4GHz (1000Mbps) and two 5GHz (2167Mbps) bands
- UNIQUE ANTI VIRUS TP Link HomeCare protects every single device on your network from the latest threats with powerful security, antivirus, and parental controls
- FASTER WIFI FOR EVERY DEVICE Multi user support from MU MIMO technology allows high speed connections without interruption with powerful 1.4GHz dual core CPU and 3 co processors
- VPN SERVER Set up a personal VPN server with an OpenVPN client to browse the web and access files without paid VPN subscriptions
- SMART ROUTER Works with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT. LEADING SUPPORT Industry leading 2 year warranty and unlimited 24/7 technical support
- Industry leading 2 year warranty and 24/7 technical support. Refer user manual for troubleshooting steps
Buy it with
Compare with similar items
This Item TP-Link AC5400 Wireless Wi-Fi Tri-Band Gigabit Router (Archer C5400) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | $289.01$289.01 | $349.00$349.00 | -10% $179.99$179.99 List: $199.99 | -27% $94.99$94.99 List: $129.99 | -10% $224.99$224.99 List: $249.99 | -22% $179.99$179.99 List: $229.99 |
Delivery | Get it Mar 27 - Apr 1 | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
WiFi signal | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
Tech Support | 2.7 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.4 |
User interface | 3.7 | 4.3 | — | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
Value for money | — | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.9 |
Easy to install | 4.3 | — | 4.3 | — | 4.6 | 4.1 |
Sold By | HenryAV | Skoodooh | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Reyee Direct |
connectivity tech | WiFi | Wi-Fi | ✅EDITORS‘ CHOICE | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | Ethernet, Wi-Fi |
number of ports | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
data transfer rate | 2167 megabits per second | 4804 megabits per second | 5400 megabits per second | 2976 megabits per second | 6579 megabits per second | 6000 megabits per second |
wireless standard | 802 11 ABGNAC | 802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 N, 802 11 G, 802 11 B | 802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 N, 802 11 G, 802 11 B | 802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 B, 802 11 G, 802 11 N | 802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 N, 802 11 G, 802 11 B | 802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 B, 802 11 N, 802 11 G |
frequency band class | tri band | tri band | tri band | dual band | tri band | dual band |
lan port bandwidth | 10/100 megabits per second | 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN Port,8× Gigabit LAN Ports | 10/100/1000 Mbps | 10/100/1000 Mbps | 10/100/1000 Mbps | 2500 Mbps |
Similar items that may ship from close to you
- TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router (Archer AXE75)- Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, ax Router for Gaming, VPN Router, OneMesh, WPA3Amazon's Choicein Computer Routers10% offBig Spring DealFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26
- TP-Link AX6600 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (Archer GX90)- Tri Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, High-Speed ax Router, Smart VPN Router for a Large Home10% offBig Spring DealFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26
- ASUS RT-AX88U PRO AX6000 Dual Band WiFi 6 Router, WPA3, Parental Control, Adaptive QoS, Port Forwarding, WAN aggregation, lifetime internet security and AiMesh support, Dual 2.5G PortFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26
- TP-Link AX6000 WiFi 6 Router(Archer AX6000) -802.11ax Wireless 8-Stream Gaming Router, 2.5G WAN, 8 Gigabit LAN Ports, MU-MIMO, 1.8GHz Quad-Core CPUFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26
- ASUS RT-AX3000 Ultra-Fast Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Router - Next Gen WiFi 6, Adaptive QoS, and AiProtection by Trend Micro | 1x WAN, 4x 1G LAN, 1x USB 3.0 - AiMesh Compatible28% offLimited time dealFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26
- TP-Link AX3000 WiFi 6 Router – 802.11ax Wireless Router, Gigabit, Dual Band Internet Router, VPN Router, OneMesh Compatible (Archer AX55)27% offBig Spring DealFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26
Product information
Product Dimensions | 9.06 x 9.06 x 1.69 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 5.06 pounds |
Manufacturer | TP-LINK USA |
ASIN | B01DXVK3KY |
Item model number | Archer C5400 |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #1,519 in Computer Routers |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | April 7, 2016 |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
What's in the box
Videos
Videos for this product
0:55
Click to play video
TP-Link Home Care
TP-Link
Product Description
AC5400 Wireless WiFi Tri-Band MU-MIMO Gigabit Router w/ VPN Server
Game Like You've Never Gamed Before
Faster Speed for More Devices
Archer C5400 delivers combined Tri-Band Wi-Fi speeds to 5334Mbps, letting you dedicate an entire band to gaming without slowing down your network. With Smart Connect, devices run even faster by assigning them to the best available channel to balance network demand. Signal Rate 5GHz Band1: Up to 2167Mbps, 5GHz Band2: Up to 2167Mbps and 2.4GHz: Up to 1000Mbps and Frequency is 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
NitroQAM and 4-Stream Support Maximum Wi-Fi Speed
The Archer C5400 gets a performance boosts of up to 25%, thanks to NitroQAM (1024-QAM) and 4-Stream. These advanced technologies allow the router’s 2.4GHz band and both of its 5GHz bands to provide industry-leading speeds of up to 1000Mbps and 2167Mbps, respectively. With NitroQAM and 4-Stream, you can game at the highest settings, free of lag.
Innovative Technology Empowers Home Entertainment
The router serves as a powerful entertainment hub for your home that is capable of supporting multiple simultaneous HD video streams, online gaming, and other online activities without slowing down. Superior range and coverage keeps your devices connected, near or far.
Maximized Range and Efficiency
Eight antennas with Beamforming technology detect the locations of your connected devices and concentrate wireless signal strength toward them. This makes all of your connections more efficient and stable, improving network performance, even in medium-sized offices and public cafes.
Lightning-Fast Wired Connections
Large File Sharing
- External hard drives can connect directly to the Archer C5400 via its USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, making it easy to share large files, photos, music and video across your network.
Smooth Gaming and Streaming
- To help your wired devices achieve peak performance for smooth gaming and streaming, the four Gigabit Ethernet ports operate 10x faster than standard Ethernet.
Easy Setup and Use
Set up the Archer C5400 in minutes thanks to its intuitive web interface and the powerful Tether app. Tether lets you manage network settings, including parental controls and media sharing preferences, from any Android or iOS device.
Other Added Features Include:
Guest Network
- Keep your main network secure by creating a separate network for guests and visitors.
Parental Controls
- Manage when and how connected devices can access the Internet.
VPN Server
- Setup a secure connection between your private networks to the Internet.
Advanced Security
From the manufacturer
Product Specifications:
-Up to 5400 Mbps AC Wi-Fi Speed
-Tri-Band 2.4 GHz (1000 Mbps) + 5 GHz (2167 Mbps) + 5GHz (2167 Mbps)
-1.4 GHz Dual-Core Processor + 3 Co-Processors
-1x 3.0 USB, 1x 2.0 USB
-4x Gigabit Ethernet Ports
-8x External Antennas
Incredible Wi-Fi Without Lag and Viruses
With a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, XStream architecture and Tri-Band technology, the powerful Archer C5400 delivers incredible performance and Wi-Fi speeds up to 5400 Mbps. The Wave 2 router includes HomeCareTM powered by Trend MicroTM, which provides antivirus, parental controls and bandwidth prioritization for your network, automatically protecting all your devices from hundreds of millions of cyber threats.
Fine-tuned MU-MIMO performance boosts overall speeds up to 25%.
|
|
|
|
---|---|---|---|
Intelligent Antenna Array for Ultimate RangeEight dual-band antennas send strong Wi-Fi across your home, letting you game on your mobile devices where you want, from your favorite spot on the couch to the comfort of your bed. With its powerful antennas, the Archer C5400 lets you take your gaming laptop to areas you never could, like your basement or the backyard, without having to worry about a weak Wi-Fi signal ruining the fun. |
HomeCare for Protecting Every DeviceTP-Link HomeCare powered by Trend Micro* comes with antivirus, parental controls and QoS. Automatically protects every Wi-Fi device in your home, including smart devices and gaming consoles, from viruses and hacking. Continuously guards against cyber threats. 3-in-1 solution: Wi-Fi, Antivirus and Parental Controls in one. *3-year subscription of TP-Link HomeCare powered by Trend Micro included. Deactivation will disable certain security features. |
Tri-Band and MU-MIMO for Handling Multiple DevicesWave 2 Tri-Band and MU-MIMO technology double throughput, allowing the Archer C5400 to handle multiple devices at once and boosting performance across each of its three Wi-Fi bands to create lightning-fast connections. With Tri-Band and MU-MIMO, you can ramp up your games to the most extreme settings while streaming live events at the highest resolution—all without slowing down your Wi-Fi. |
XStream Architecture for Powerful ProcessingThe Archer C5400’s advanced hardware delivers the best performance with every device in your home. Its XStream architecture includes a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor and three co-processors. While the co-processors handle each Wi-Fi band, the dual-core CPU takes care of everything else. The result is lag-free Wi-Fi for all your devices, including Xboxes, PlayStations and PCs. The router’s processing brainpower also keeps your Wi-Fi running smoothly when you’re downloading files at the same time you’re gaming. This allows everyone in your home to enjoy what they love most, whether that’s watching 4K movies, gaming, streaming music or all of the above. |
Archer A7 | Archer C5400 | |
---|---|---|
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars
79,779
|
4.0 out of 5 stars
1,921
|
Wireless Spec | AC1750 | AC5400 |
Wi-Fi Speed | Up to 1750Mbps | Up to 5334Mbps |
Wireless Range | Better | Best |
Ethernet Ports | 4x Gigabit | 4x Gigabit |
USB Ports | 1x USB 2.0 | 1x USB 3.0 + 1x USB 2.0 |
Antennas | 3x External + 3x Internal | 8x External |
Data Streams | NitroQAM (QAM-1024) and 4-stream | |
Works with Amazon Alexa | ✓ | ✓ |
MU-MIMO and VPN Server | ✓ |
Important information
Legal Disclaimer
<p>Maximum wireless transmission rates are the physical rates derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Range and coverage specifications along with the number of connected devices were defined according to test results under normal usage conditions. Actual wireless transmission rate, wireless coverage, and number of connected devices are not guaranteed, and will vary as a result of 1) environmental factors, including building materials, physical objects and obstacles, 2) network conditions, including local interference, volume and density of traffic, product location, network complexity, and network overhead and 3) client limitations, including rated performance, location, connection quality, and client condition. <br />MU-MIMO capability requires both the router and client devices to support MU-MIMO.<br />As compared to warranty duration and tech support services that other leading networking and consumer electronics companies provide.</p>
Looking for specific info?
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the ease of setup and range of the networking router. For example, they mention that it's very easy to configure, navigate, and understand. That said, some complain about the firmware update and reboots. Opinions are mixed on performance, connectivity, quality, and value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the setup of the WiFi router to be very easy. They mention that the interface is easy to access, navigate, and configure. The user interface comes in two forms, simple and advanced, making it easy for any user to understand. The router boots back up quickly, saves settings quickly, and the web interface is quick and responsive. Overall, customers say the product is easy and convenient to use, and provides excellent technical support.
"...The stellar performance, no-hassle setup, combined with Smart Connect offers a very, very compelling case...." Read more
"...Outstanding job from TPLINK.-Very easy setup with a great wizard assistance.-Good looking and simplified UI...." Read more
"...interface as well as an advanced interface, making it easy to setup for any consumer...." Read more
"...(installation is super easy)..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the range of the router. They mention that the signal strength was excellent throughout the house, and the 2.4GHz WiFi has good range. The device has awesome wireless performance across three bands, and it can be mounted on a wall. Customers also appreciate the reliable 5 GHz signal and zero signal drop.
"TP-Link AC3150 (Archer C-3150) router, just nailed it. Zero signal drop on 5ghz in 2900sqft indoor (full bar top speed same as wired)...." Read more
"...I'm after is reliability, smooth connects and disconnects, powerful wireless signal, and uptime without reboots...." Read more
"...The signal is very strong throughout my living area, even in a wifi crowded area...." Read more
"...This just means that this device gives way better range than my previous device...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the networking router. Some mention that it works well, has no slowdowns, and has incredible speed. Others say that it's poor quality devices that fail under normal operation, are buggy, and flimsy.
"...It’s actually really well done, and I haven’t noticed any slowdowns so far (I’m 5 days in and still haven’t had any issues)...." Read more
"...There is almost no latency (well my broadband is pretty decent also), no connection drops, no flicks flickers or flocks, I mean this router is solid..." Read more
"Worked great the first 4 months great range and speed, moved to a new house and installed with a TP-link modem and got rid of the $10 a month fee..." Read more
"...appears that their company builds poor quality devices that fail under normal operation and their policies are designed to get out of actually..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the connectivity of the router. Some mention that it has a great connection via N protocol from far away, with no connection drops. However, others say that the connectivity problem doesn't happen every time, and that the internet has been dropping intermittently. They also mention that the router has 3 separate channels on wifi, and is able to connect to baby monitors and the Nest thermostat.
"...Fast forward to today, the Internet has been dropping intermittently, and I spent several nights trying to figure out if something had broken...." Read more
"...is almost no latency (well my broadband is pretty decent also), no connection drops, no flicks flickers or flocks, I mean this router is solid rock..." Read more
"...Worked for about 2 months then the 2.4 channel quit working. On the phone and chat for most of one day with tech support. No help at all...." Read more
"...Random disconnects galore. Reboots. Factory resets. You name it. See my review on that router if you want to know more...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the router. Some mention they're happy with the performance, saying it's an excellent device with a powerful signal. However, others say that it stopped working and came with too many issues.
"...The 2.4Ghz network was more reliable and I was able to get coverage all over the place, however, it wasn’t providing speeds as fast as the 5Ghz..." Read more
"...say what happened, all the lights on the router are on just no signal would show up on my three computers, 3 iPhones and iPad...." Read more
"...-The range with 5ghz is amazing, I have always had issues with wifi routers due to well insulated walls and when the place gets crowded but this..." Read more
"...However it seems the hardware is designed to fail or otherwise has poor quality control. TP-Link claims to cover these under warranty for 2 years...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the networking router. Some mention it's expense to many but well worth the price, while others say that it was a huge disappointment, with an average design that borders on amateurish. They say that the router is difficult to set up and ultimately unsuccessful.
"So, this router is an excellent device for the price. It has specs that any comparable unit costs $120+ and its performance is as good if no better...." Read more
"...Leaving aside the astronomical price tag (one of the downsides of being a pioneer in electronics world, read Tesla), the Eero doesn’t work all the..." Read more
"...the quality or performance of other brands, but the TP-Link is a very good value...." Read more
"...the interface was extremely slow, dumbed down, and overall unusable as an access point.The good:1) Interface is great:*..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the firmware update of the networking router. They mention that it has too many problems with the current firmware and hardware. They also say that the firmware is a bit more limited than they would like. Customers also say the router does not automatically update its firmware and that the update won't brick the router.
"...Wanted me to install new firmware. Not an easy task. It wouldn't take the update. During this time the 5.0 channel quit working...." Read more
"...The Bad.1. The router FW hasn't been updated in more than a year and there are very obvious problems that need to be addressed...." Read more
"...all is good" but no no no - it turns out that the router needs to have its firmware updated to recognize the desktops which you must do when..." Read more
"...for a router that is over $200, the TP-Link has some glaring omissions in its firmware - the software that provides a router's features - it seems..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the reboots of the networking router. For example, they mention that it continuously reboots, loses configuration, and randomly resets. Some say that the firmware doesn't have the functionality to schedule auto reboot, and that they have to refresh webpages and reload videos.
"...Then I realized it's continually rebooting itself (won't actually fully load). It's now been almost 10 days since I first called support...." Read more
"...to anything on the web interface the router either locks up and requires a reboot or freezes for 5 minutes and turns off the WiFi radios...." Read more
"...-Good looking and simplified UI.-Doesn't require to whole device restart for every changes made in settings...." Read more
"...cannot be rebooted via the tether app nor the router gui, requires a physical reboot . I do not have any issues with the 5ghz bands...." Read more
Reviews with images
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
That had lasted about 6 months. Fast forward to today, the Internet has been dropping intermittently, and I spent several nights trying to figure out if something had broken.
After several unsuccessful calls to Comcast, with many of those calls ending with a nonchalant response, “Please reset your modem and try again in 15 minutes”.
I obediently performed a “power-cycle”, which is a technical jargon for switching an equipment, usually a modem, off and then on again. On my first attempt, I observed that the Internet had spiked to 100+Mbps on speedtest.net, which is more than what I had subscribed for. I was elated.
But that didn’t last long. 10 mins later, the Internet crawls back to a mere sub-1Mbps.
Exasperated, I would go back and try the “power-cycle” method again. And fail, yet again.
Finally, I had decided to take things into my own hands and attempt to solve the problem through trial and error.
I went through Amazon.com, and researched the top 3 most popular routes and modems.
Routers:
TP-Link C3150 Archer
TP-Link Archer C7 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router (AC1750)
Netgear Nighthawk AC1900
Eero
Google Wifi Mesh
Modems:
Arris Surfboard SB6141
Arris Surfboard SB6190
---
The routers were picked by number of ratings on Amazon, cost/features and brand. Brand reputation was critical to me because in the realm of technologies, in spite of what one might think otherwise, electronics are not commodities — some companies consistently produce better and more reliable products. I tend to believe that these reliable companies are able to churn out superior products and I want to stay with dependable brands.
Another added advantage here is if the product does break, and believe me, electronics will and do break over time, we can always send the customer rep an email to get things resolved.
The TP-Link Archer C7 is the best bang for buck in the list. It is significantly cheaper than the others in my list (about $90 as of this time of writing), and it has a ton of features that the average user might need. TheWirecutter.com even calls it best wifi router for most people (http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/). I liked the user interface, the simplicity of the product and also, it just plain works. However, it only has 3 external antennas and it just didn’t work for me (I live in a 3-story townhouse). The 5Ghz network provided upwards of 100+ Mbps within 30ft radius, yet anything more than that and I was lucky to get anything more than 40 Mbps. The 2.4Ghz network was more reliable and I was able to get coverage all over the place, however, it wasn’t providing speeds as fast as the 5Ghz network. 2.4Ghz competes with other networks in your neighborhood (I had about 10+ other networks in my area at any one time), and it’s simply not cut out for fast Internet speeds.
5Ghz network = Fast, but short distances
2.4Ghz network = Slow, but long distances
That’s a trade-off we often have to make in today’s world of networks.
Right? Well, not really.
I decided to take things further and see what other new technologies can we try today.
I then went on Amazon to do more research, and went to a local BestBuy to see if there’s anyone there that could help. And boy, one of the assistants at BestBuy sure knew his stuff. He was extremely knowledgeable, didn’t spew any B.S that the Comcast Customer service rep was telling me, gave me his honest and unbiased opinion (at one point, he told me not to get one of the expensive routers at BestBuy (*ahem* Eero) and just opt for a simpler AC1900 router.
Step into mesh networks. That’s the new technology that has everyone talking about in the networking world, it seems. Let’s step back a little for some networking lesson, shall we?
With a common everyday router, it sends out signal in waves. Inevitably, due to modern day infrastructure, there are beams and walls that block these waves and cause what we call “dead-spots” — areas where the internet waves simply can’t reach. In these cases, we as end users usually experience either a massive slowdown in Internet speed or sometimes not receiving any Internet at all.
Traditionally, there are several options to solve this problem. One of them is using a range extender, which basically works as a bridge to relay network. The pro here is that you’re now able to extend your network to all corners of your house. The downside here, however, is you’ll be receiving at most 1/2 of your original bandwidth. For example, if you have 100Mbps right next to the source (your router), then you can, at best, expect 50Mbps download bandwidth by using the range extender. And, quite a minor quip here, is that you need to transfer between two networks while within the same area. (Your router and the range extender use different SSIDs, and you can usually identify the range extender’s network name (or SSID) by the -EXT suffix.)
A mesh network, however, attempts to address the decreased-speed-with-increased-coverage problem. Note that I used the word attempt, because it is just a gallant attempt at best at this point in time. One of the most commonly heard names in the mesh network realm right now is Eero. They specialize in making mesh networking units (usually a set of 2 or 3 units) that link together to form sort of a mesh around your house without sacrificing speed. The promise is very, very sweet. However, in reality, the implementation leaves much to be desired. Leaving aside the astronomical price tag (one of the downsides of being a pioneer in electronics world, read Tesla), the Eero doesn’t work all the time. While some have heaped praises for its noteworthy performance, there’s another half that have complained about flaky performance and subpar Internet speed.
On the upside, customer service appears to be top-notch. A number of critical reviews on Amazon have been met with excellent response from Eero’s customer service team. While I’m not a believer in the technology at the moment, I’m keeping my eyes peeled and I’ll definitely jump on this once the prices make more economical sense to me.
Of all the routers I looked at, I’ve decided to find the sweetspot between the Archer C7 (AC1750, $90) and Eero ($500 for a set of 3 units) — the Archer C3150 ($150 on sale). For not a lot of extra $s, I think I’ve got a ton of more performance. In terms of bang for buck, I think this fits the bill.
One of the best features is the Smart Connect, which essentially addresses the concern about picking between 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. Smart Connect relies on the router to intelligently determine what device is connected and allocate bandwidth according to the device’s capacity. It’s actually really well done, and I haven’t noticed any slowdowns so far (I’m 5 days in and still haven’t had any issues).
The only gripe I have is that the Smart Connect feature didn’t work for me right out of the box. I went to the TP-Link website and downloaded the latest firmware from this link. I did notice, however, that there are two different hardware versions. My device was V1, but from the research I did, there doesn’t appear to be any noticeable differences between the two versions.
I downloaded the latest V1 firmware, uploaded it to the router (use this URL to connect to your router: 192.168.0.1), and installed it in a matter of minutes.
A short reboot later, the router is up and running like a charm!
My experience thus far:
Turning on Smart Connect merged my two networks (5Ghz and 2.4Ghz) together. Now, all my devices that were connected to both networks remain connected, and the ones that are capable of 5Ghz are now getting maximum bandwidth.
In my 3-story 1400sqft townhouse, my router is placed on the middle floor, and I’m able to get 3–4/5 bars in the basement and top floor. On my Macbook Pro, I’m able to get 100+Mbps throughout the house; my iPhone 7 is able to get 80–90Mbps on the bottom and top floor, 100+Mbps right next to the router; my Android TV box stuck to the back of a TV is able to get 30+ Mbps right next to the router, which is more than sufficient to stream movie content smoothly; two iPad minis are able to stream movies smoothly as well all throughout the house.
The C3150 gets two big thumbs up from me.
Best Bang For Buck: TPLink C3150 Archer
If you have anything less than 3000 sq ft, I’d say this router is very difficult to beat for the price. The stellar performance, no-hassle setup, combined with Smart Connect offers a very, very compelling case.
Best Budget Router: Archer C7 V2 (V1 has some issues, so make sure you get the V2/3)
-Very easy setup with a great wizard assistance.
-Good looking and simplified UI.
-Doesn't require to whole device restart for every changes made in settings.
-Simple and very easy to understand settings.
-User manual and tech support is great (even i didn't need to use it, just gave a call to see how responsive they are).
-Extremely fast in an environment where 2x 4K tv's(roku ultra), 2 tablets, amazon echo, 2 top of the line asus ROG gaming laptop, home security, robotic wifi vacuum, multiple mobile phones in and out time to time, and some other small big devices. I simply ran a 4 times a 12 hour stress test on this router at 150mbps internet connection and over 10 devices constantly playing or streaming. There is almost no latency (well my broadband is pretty decent also), no connection drops, no flicks flickers or flocks, I mean this router is solid rock that I am proud of every penny that I have paid to it.
-The range with 5ghz is amazing, I have always had issues with wifi routers due to well insulated walls and when the place gets crowded but this router killed it with its strong signal capabilities.
-The range with 2.4ghz is not the best strongest but it is definitely stronger than what you have in your home that you bought 2 years or longer time ago.
- I just wanna scream speed speed speed speed on this device, wired and all wireless connections are on the flight thats all i can say.
-Handles heavy load very good, doesn't get too hot.
-12V 5A brick adapter was also great addition to it due to i use all the ports and connecting multiple devices wireless, it handles all the power needs pretty well and it doesn't get overheated as well.
-Mu-mimo (not everyone can use it, I am pro and not even using it at all coz not every device yet supports it, but definitely good to have it)
If your concern is speed, range and stability on your network, buy this router with confidence, you will not be regretful. I think no other brand is out there does better than this TP-Link Archer AC3150 router.
Whole household is happier than ever right now!
Do Not Hesitate, Do Not Be Cheap, BUY THIS ROUTER WITH 100% CONFIDENCE.
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2017
-Very easy setup with a great wizard assistance.
-Good looking and simplified UI.
-Doesn't require to whole device restart for every changes made in settings.
-Simple and very easy to understand settings.
-User manual and tech support is great (even i didn't need to use it, just gave a call to see how responsive they are).
-Extremely fast in an environment where 2x 4K tv's(roku ultra), 2 tablets, amazon echo, 2 top of the line asus ROG gaming laptop, home security, robotic wifi vacuum, multiple mobile phones in and out time to time, and some other small big devices. I simply ran a 4 times a 12 hour stress test on this router at 150mbps internet connection and over 10 devices constantly playing or streaming. There is almost no latency (well my broadband is pretty decent also), no connection drops, no flicks flickers or flocks, I mean this router is solid rock that I am proud of every penny that I have paid to it.
-The range with 5ghz is amazing, I have always had issues with wifi routers due to well insulated walls and when the place gets crowded but this router killed it with its strong signal capabilities.
-The range with 2.4ghz is not the best strongest but it is definitely stronger than what you have in your home that you bought 2 years or longer time ago.
- I just wanna scream speed speed speed speed on this device, wired and all wireless connections are on the flight thats all i can say.
-Handles heavy load very good, doesn't get too hot.
-12V 5A brick adapter was also great addition to it due to i use all the ports and connecting multiple devices wireless, it handles all the power needs pretty well and it doesn't get overheated as well.
-Mu-mimo (not everyone can use it, I am pro and not even using it at all coz not every device yet supports it, but definitely good to have it)
If your concern is speed, range and stability on your network, buy this router with confidence, you will not be regretful. I think no other brand is out there does better than this TP-Link Archer AC3150 router.
Whole household is happier than ever right now!
Do Not Hesitate, Do Not Be Cheap, BUY THIS ROUTER WITH 100% CONFIDENCE.
Top reviews from other countries
Little background: Before we purchased this router, we were using the cable company's modem/router combo, which left a lot to be desired. With 5 people in the house, each with 3-5 personal devices online, plus 3 streaming TVs, it got overwhelmed. The wifi reach on it was pathetic, causing us to set up 4 different extenders, meaning 4 different networks across a standard size house.
I originally was going to purchase another router as a means to just provide better wifi coverage, as everything except two computers were wireless. When I did some reading though, I changed my mind, settling for this one instead, as it seemed to have a better set up for handling multiple users too. It's been operating at my house now for about a week and we've all noticed faster internet, taken advantage of the convenience of just one network to join (well, two if you set up both the 2.4 and 5Ghz networks) and not dropping off or waiting in queue to view videos or webpages when all of us are online.
This device does fantastic at managing the traffic, with four total bands to connect, and can handle the five users with no issues, as well as one or two streaming devices running at the same time to boot. The wifi coverage is wonderful, and the beamforming technology seems to work really well, meaning we're not wasting as much wifi as we were before, placing the router in the corner of the house. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a solution to upgrade their home network in an average sized home, particularly if you're having issues with multiple users, slow speeds, or poor range for wifi.
I also purchased a switch from the same brand to add four more wired devices to the network for cheap. I highly recommend taking advantage of it: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000N99BBC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1