The TP-Link Archer A5 is a budget-friendly dual band Wi-Fi 5 router that delivers combined wireless speeds up to 1200 Mbps. It runs 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, giving you enough bandwidth for everyday browsing, streaming, and light gaming across multiple devices.
Two fixed external antennas provide stable coverage throughout small to mid-sized homes. Four 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet ports on the back give you wired connections for desktops, smart TVs, or gaming consoles. A fifth port serves as the WAN connection to your modem.
The Archer A5 includes several features that make it easy to manage your home network. The TP-Link Tether app lets you set up and control the router from your phone. Built-in parental controls allow you to restrict access times and filter content for specific devices. A dedicated guest network keeps visitors connected without exposing your main network. Bandwidth control lets you prioritize traffic for gaming or streaming, and access control gives you the ability to block unwanted devices entirely. Security is handled through WPA2-PSK encryption with a standard firewall.
The Archer A5 supports Access Point mode, which lets you convert a wired connection into a wireless one. It also supports bridge mode and IGMP Proxy/snooping with tagged VLAN for IPTV streaming. IPv6 is supported for future-proofed connectivity. WPS allows quick device pairing at the push of a button.
No. The Archer A5 is a standalone router. You need a separate modem or an active Ethernet connection from your ISP to use it.
Yes. The Archer A5 supports Access Point mode, which lets you plug it into an existing router or network switch via Ethernet and broadcast a wireless signal.
No. The Archer A5 is a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) router. If you need Wi-Fi 6 speeds, check out our Wi-Fi 6 & Wi-Fi 7 router recommendations.
TP-Link does not list a specific device limit, but as a budget AC1200 router with Fast Ethernet ports, it performs best with around 10 to 15 connected devices in a small to mid-sized household.
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