TP-Link Archer C9 Product Details
- Supports 802.11ac standard-the next generation of Wi-Fi
- Simultaneous 2.4GHz 600Mbps and 5GHz 1300Mbps connections for 1.9Gbps of total available bandwidth*
- 3 dual band detachable antennas provide maximum omni-directional wireless coverage and reliability*
- Beamforming technology delivers highly efficient wireless connection
- 1GHz dual-core processor ensures no interruption when simultaneously processing multiple wireless or wired tasks
- USB 3.0 + USB 2.0 Ports – easily share a printer locally and files & media with networked devices or remotely via FTP server
Super Fast Transfer Speeds Providing a Superior WiFi Experience
Archer C9 comes with the next generation 11ac Wi-Fi standard, offering total data transfer speeds up to 1.9Gbps. With 1.3Gbps over the clearer 5GHz frequency, and 600Mbps using two wireless chips to maximize performance over the 2.4GHz frequency your whole home will get excellent wireless coverage. The outstanding Gigabit Wi-Fi and Gigabit wired connections are ideal for bandwidth sensitive applications like streaming in HD and seamless online gaming. With Archer C9 you get a super-fast, high performance connected home.
Greater Coverage and Reliable Wi-Fi
Three dual band antennas and high-powered amplifiers ensure continuous Wi-Fi signal to all your devices while boosting widespread coverage throughout your home.
* Beamforming Technology for Laser-Focused Wi-Fi
Beamforming concentrates the Wi-Fi signal towards your Wi-Fi devices, focusing the data transmission to where you need it the most. Superior Wi-Fi bandwidth utilization increases Wi-Fi range, delivering highly targeted and efficient Wi-Fi connections.
Dual USB Ports for Easy Sharing
With a USB 3.0 port and a USB 2.0 port, it’s easy to share local printers, files and media within the network and between devices. Utilize the FTP server to access files stored on the router while away home. Take advantage of USB 3.0 with 10x faster speed than traditional USB 2.0.
Elegant Appearance
The sophisticated design enhances every home. Its gentle curves, excellent crafting and remarkable quality exudes style and elegance without compromising on excellent performance.
What’s Included:
- TP-Link Archer C9 Wireless Router
- Ethernet Cable
- Power Supply Cable
- Online Installation Manual
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Vitreous –
I got this router around a week ago and I cannot say enough good things about it! The short story on it is it’s inexpensive (relatively), extremely easy to set up, the interface is quick and painless, firmware updates are effortless, and the range is jaw dropping. I normally hate wifi, and after having used 2.4Ghz 802.11n for the past 3 years and getting used to about a 1000 sqft range, I figured that was all one base station could do… boy was I wrong!This TP-Link C9 has changed my whole network. I was previously using a Motorola SBG 6580 wireless gateway (see photo) but now I am using this. I have around 5,000 sqft of range now in 2.4Ghz and perhaps 3,500 sqft of useful range at 5Ghz. I have no issues picking up solid wifi in the road on the opposite end of my home. The bandwidth is phenomenal at 80-90Mbit from anywhere in the house now. My previous dead-spots (like the master bedroom) where I could only get around -70dB of signal are now -55dB or stronger (5x greater signal strength).If you name your networks the same SSID for 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz then it runs a simultaneous dual-band network that all devices can interact with. My new Moto X (2014) automatically switches to the stronger/better network, and my older 802.11n devices have zero connection drops now. Don’t waste your money on anything else. I encourage everyone reading this to get this router, enjoy the beauty of it and small footprint, and enjoy your new love of wifi 802.11ac.
Beau Chevassus –
I upload a lot of videos and with this wireless router, I can do it from anywhere in the from my Macbook Pro… While my wife watches Netflix. That’s a lot of wireless bandwidth being used. This thing is a workhorse.My existing wireless router worked just fine (Medialink Wireless-N Broadband Router), however after upgrading to this beast I am absolutely floored how fast my Wifi is… I should’ve upgraded to this sooner.Pros:- Very easy to setup (note: make 100% you’ve connected all the cables correctly!)- Antennas fold down so it fits hidden under my desk.- The setup was painfully simple. After connecting all the cables, simply enter 192.168.0.1 into your web browser and you can easily customize everything from port forwarding to the a guest wireless network.- Has a manual on-off switch. This is a plus for after dealing with other routers (see video).- Has a USB 3.0 port (AND a USB 2.0 port) where you can plug a hard drive or a printer… and remotely access those devices over Wifi. That’s pretty awesome.- Very nice folks at TP-Link; they actually allowed me to test and review this device, which says a lot about a company. There are a lot of electronic companies out there with sketchy products from China and they don’t want people reviewing them. This says a lot about a company in my humble opinion. Well done TP-Link. (and no, I don’t work for them!)Cons:- I was watching Oblivion and the first time the Bubbleship appeared on screen I could’ve sworn I heard my router chirp in response. They were talking to each other I tell you. Now my movie viewing is limited to anything EXCEPT science fiction (e.g. Absolutely no Terminator) for fear this terrifyingly advanced wireless router will get some unnerving ideas.5/5 stars. Absolutely incredible router that is powerful, easy to setup, and will last a very long time.Hope my hands-on video demonstration helps!
Beau Chevassus –
UPDATE: After using this router for several months, I’m saddened to say it is very buggy. For example: The lights on the front no longer work. (I actually thought it wasn’t plugged in, but it’s still transmitting a signal) Also my Canary home security system cannot connect to it–although the security system could connect just fine to the older router. Lastly the signal I’m finding really doesn’t broadcast further than the competing routers that are half the price. Granted it’s fast (as seen in this review), but distance-wise, it doesn’t give you much. I’d suggest getting repeaters if you really want to get your wifi broadcasting a long distance (e.g. through thick walls).Tip: Do NOT throw away your old wifi router. Hold onto it. Just wait a couple months to ensure you’re really, really sold on this AD7200. 📋 I upload a lot of videos and with this wireless router, I can do it from anywhere in the from my Macbook Pro… While my wife watches Netflix. That’s a lot of wireless bandwidth being used. This thing is a workhorse.My existing wireless router worked just fine (Medialink Wireless-N Broadband Router), however after upgrading to this beast I am absolutely floored how fast my Wifi is… I should’ve upgraded to this sooner.Pros:👍 Very easy to setup (note: make 100% you’ve connected all the cables correctly!)👍 Antennas fold down so it fits hidden under my desk.👍 The setup was painfully simple. After connecting all the cables, simply enter 192.168.0.1 into your web browser and you can easily customize everything from port forwarding to the a guest wireless network.👍 Has a manual on-off switch. This is a plus for after dealing with other routers (see video).👍 Has a USB 3.0 port (AND a USB 2.0 port) where you can plug a hard drive or a printer… and remotely access those devices over Wifi. That’s pretty awesome.👍 Very nice folks at TP-Link; they actually allowed me to test and review this device, which says a lot about a company. There are a lot of electronic companies out there with sketchy products from China and they don’t want people reviewing them. This says a lot about a company in my humble opinion. Well done TP-Link. (and no, I don’t work for them!)Cons:👎 I was watching Oblivion and the first time the Bubbleship appeared on screen I could’ve sworn I heard my router chirp in response. They were talking to each other I tell you. Now my movie viewing is limited to anything EXCEPT science fiction (e.g. Absolutely no Terminator) for fear this terrifyingly advanced wireless router will get some unnerving ideas.5/5 stars – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely incredible router that is powerful, easy to setup, and will last a very long time.🎬 Hope my hands-on video demonstration helps!
rhall –
Great router. Wireless signal is great through whole house. No problems at all . Best router I’ve ever purchased. For those wondering the plug says 100-240 V input.
johnfin361 –
Great router.Replaced an aging Cisco Linksys which wasn’t reliable.Setup was simple.Internet provided by Xfinity Cable and modem (advertized at 50/25 Mbps)Remove existing router.Connected per Quick Setup leaflet included.Laptop wireless adapter (n standard) switched off. Laptop hardwired to router at first.Switched on router.In web browser accessed router setup and followed instructions for quick setup.No issues, internet available right away.Setup both channels and guest network per the downloaded pdf manual from TP-Link.Setup the security.Easy!Hardwired Connectivity Results60 Mbps down //12 Mbps UpDisconnected Ethernet cable, switched on laptop Wireless AdapterConnected to router.Wireless Connectivity – Close Range (less than 10ft)55 Mbps down // 10 Mbps UpWireless Connectivity – Medium Range (35-40 ft, 1 wall)35 Mbps down // 8 Mbps UpWireless Connectivity – Medium Range (35-40 ft, 3 walls)25 Mbps down // 5 Mbps UpVery satisfied. I have a USB 3.0 ac wireless adapter on the way.I will post the results later.EditOther devices connected:FireTV Stick – works flawlesslySmartphone – works flawlesslyEdit for ac PerformanceWireless Connectivity – Medium Range (35-40 ft, 3 walls)56 Mbps down // 12 Mbps Up
KatyKatMidwest –
Okay, I realize that everyone’s definition of “easy to set up” comes from a different place. For me, I’ve worked around computers for over 25 years now, so pretty comfortable, BUT – I am more comfortable with software than hardware. So although this should not have been intimidating, it was a little bit. I formerly was using a Linksys router on our home network. It did a fine job, and was very easy to maintain. However, it didn’t give much of a boost to the downstairs connections. The computer was always slow, and would drop the connection from time to time, and require a reboot to get the connection back.This router is truly great looking. It is white, sleek and has nice blue lights. It sits vertically, rather than horizontally like my old one. I wasn’t sure I’d like it, but I do. It comes with three screw-on antennas that can be pointed in any direction to boost your signal in that direction. The metal frame is very sturdy and would take a LOT of pressure to bend. I currently have mine on a separate little shelf because my current desk is too small.There is only a quick set-up sheet included with this item. Ironically, if you need help, it tells you to go to the company’s WEBSITE! Ha! So, if you can’t get it to work, go ahead and get online. Yeah, No. But, if you are willing to disconnect and reset up a single-user home network using your old router, it could work! The sheet does give you very plain graphic instructions that tells you which item to plug in where, which many will find very helpful It came with a very short ethernet cord, so you either need to keep the router close to you or buy a longer cord. (The one I had was just purchased last year and was six feet long, so I was in good shape.)Now, I couldn’t get it to connect right away. The short troubleshooter on the insert says to reboot your modem, then to reboot the router. I did. Several times. The computer refused to acknowledge the new router! I was ready to just reconnect my Linksys when I decided to go against all logic and swap the ethernet and modem cords. For many years, computers and peripherals have been fairly color-coded to make it easier for non-tekkies to hook things up. In this case for the TP Link, the ethernet ports (there are four) are yellow and the modem port is blue. I even had previously bought color-coded wires so I didn’t accidentally pull the wrong one. After 45 minutes of not being able to connect, I take another look at the back. Everything is in the right spot. But, since I wasn’t connecting anyway, I decided to swap out the modem cord and ethernet cord, plugging yellow into the blue slot and the blue cord into the yellow slot. Totally backwards. As you might guess, it took off immediately! So apparently, our unit was either labeled backwards or connected backwards on the inside. Seriously strange. But as long as it works, I don’t much care.The default setting of this router is PUBLIC, so be sure to change your settings to PRIVATE NETWORK, if you don’t want everyone in the neighborhood to try and tap into your network. Yes, they would need your password, but there are a lot of smart hackers out there, so you just never know. Better safe than sorry. There are default settings for the account name, network name (your SSID) and passwords, so you will need to change those as soon as you can. (If you forget to write them down, there is a reset button on the back to rol it back to the default passwords.) I also had to change the other settings to WPA2 for our area for the home network. No big deal, just different from before.The TP Link C9 runs two parallel bands – 2.4Ghz, which is what most home routers use for regular internet access and browsing, and a 5.0 Ghz band, which is for streaming videos and movies. The nice thing about this router, is that if you name BOTH the 2.4 and the 5.0 the same name, it will AUTOMATICALLY switches to the strongest network for your use. I love that! The on/off switch is on the back of the router, so it won’t easily get bumped. While my photos show the antennas straight up (we haven’t had to move any of them to get a better reception), they rotate and bend towards whatever area you might need a little boost.Has our reception improved? Yes! The downstairs computer now cruises like it was directly connected to a wired access point. The kids can watch movies and I can browse the net without anyone slowing down. The reception range is fabulous – we live in a multi-unit building, and could probably provide internet connection to all four units. It offers connection speeds of 1.3Gbps over the clearer 5GHz bandwidth and 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz bandwidth. We have not yet found a dead spot in our place – even outside picks up the signal.In addition to the fabulous signal and great connection speeds, this router can also handle your USB 2.0 and 3.0 devices. There are ports on the side of the router, so you can easily transfer files, photos or data from an external drive to your own computer, or even hook up your printer to print wirelessly. (I haven’t tried that yet, but the possibilities are there.)It also offers a “tether” function for your smartphones. I have not used that, and won’t be using that, but it would be great for parents who want to monitor network access/usage from work for their older kids. It is nice to know that option is there.I am so very pleased with this router! I probably would not have looked at this brand, since I tend to stick with the equipment companies I’ve had previous success with, but I cannot state enough that this would be an asset to anyone’s home network setup.
Ddan –
Setup in 5 minutes – speed jumped 40% faster. Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!
mrwendal –
OMG…This gigabit router is awesome !!! The set up is quick and easy. The signal strength is outrageousI could go on and on but just look at the picture that pretty much says it all. ( THAT’S FROM MY CELL PHONE)
checksum –
I have mixed feelings about this router.UPDATE: Downgraded to 2 startsThe Address Reservation under DHCP Server does not work.After I add a device MAC address and bind it to an IP address, it wont connect anymore, both wireless and wired. This is very frustrating, because I have to reset the router. TPLINK needs to look into this, I can’t believe they let this bug go through. I am using the latest firmware 4.0.0 Build 20150811 Rel. 57338. I am thinking of returning this router and getting the linksys or netgear.Because of the many positive reviews, I decided to purchase it.The initial setup was pretty easy, all I had to do is click on NEXT 4 times and I was up and running, I clocked in ~90Mbps both download and upload on the wired connection, and around ~80 Mbps on the 5GHz wireless.I like the small footprint and the design, looks very nice, much better looking than those spider looking routers. The UI is also very easy to use, very well laid out and easy to navigate through the different settings. The UI is much better that the ones I have seen from Linksys or netgear, it is very similar to the new VZ quantum router UI.Here is where my issues started, I decided to upgrade the firmware which was pretty easy to do. Once upgraded, I lost connection to my ISP, I could not get any IP address on the WAN side. I am thinking the only reason is that they must have changed the MAC address after the upgrade, and the old binding takes about 2 hrs to time out on my ISP side. So I had to wait about 2 hrs before I was finally able to get a new IP address from my ISP. I ran ookla speedtest on the wired connection and I was seeing ~ 8 Mbps both download and upload, but the WIFI speedtest did not changed after the upgrade. The wired connection went from 90mbps to 8Mbps after the firmware upgrade. I called technical support, and a lady suggested that I reset the router. After I press the WPS button and the unit reset, everything went to normal.2nd issue is the DHCP server IP address reservation, it is not intuitive on the UI , I suggest they look at the new FiOS router for how they do it.I tried to reserve an IP address for my Samsung mobile smartphone by entering its MAC address and assigning an IP address, tried to connect my phone, and the router could not assigned an IP address, I had to reinitialized the router again and started everything from the beginning for it to work, which was very frustrating.
Michael S. –
Update August 201610 months after purchasing this router it is a saviour. My Ubiquiti EdgeRouter failed and during the RMA my Archer C9 which was in service from September 15 till’ April 16 when I switched to a AP Pro Long Range since the Archer C9 wouldn’t cover my backyard (not it’s fault though, most routers struggle with this). Even though the EdgRouter would make Netflix and YouTube loading times 0 seconds (I literally don’t see the YouTube spinning star on my iPhone and I only ever see 100% when clicking into a show on Netflix) The Archer C9 is granted a great router for what it is. Range is great (expecially with concrete, surprisingly), Loading times are ok and so far hasn’t given me any issues.We have had “top of the line” routers before, but none as powerful as this. it is priced perfectly and comes with tons of features that you would only think a router at least $70 more than this one was. truly an exeptional router.
@EPICSOCALPICS –
TpLink Archer C9 is fast, performs as well, actually even better than $200+ routers. I have one for my home and installed many more for my I.T. Commercial/Corporate Jobs….The range is simply EPIC through wall, concrete, and several stories. AMAZING!…The web interface is FAST and VERY responsive unlike Netgear, Linksys and many other glitchy ones I have installed. I installed a Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 for a commercial business on 09/19/2015; in comparison, setup for the Archer C9 is much faster and more intuitive! It takes less than 5 minutes to install with custom Wifi Name & Security….I am recommending this powerhouse from now on for all new and upgrading networks….Worth every penny!
MLG –
I picked this router up because I’ve burned through so many cheap routers over the past few years I can’t even keep count anymore. Time will tell how it holds up to normal loads, but so far my home network tests on Speedtest.net have upgraded from roughly 30-40Mbps down/4-5Mbps up to over 100Mbps down/12Mbps up (see photo). My last two Netgear routers can’t even hold a candle to this thing.Another difference I noticed immediately is that this unit is much heavier and more rigidly built than any other router I’ve owned, let alone even held before. That’s a good sign, IMO.One final comment: It did heat up pretty quickly after I first fired it up and ran a couple speed tests on it. As with any router, there’s probably not much of a heat sink (if any), so be smart and make sure there’s a good amount of air movement around it so you can extend the life of it as long as possible. One way or another though, the two-year warranty that comes with this unit is a heck of a lot more peace of mind than I got with any previous router purchase.The one possible con to this router is the design… I don’t like the angled stand, or the fact that it’s fixed to the unit. I can see why it was done this way since the alignment of the ports make the stand a necessity… And perhaps the design also lends itself to better cooling/airflow. So I won’t dock any stars for this fact alone.Overall, super happy with it so far. I’ll update this review if I experience any real negatives with this thing… In the meantime I’ll continue to enjoy my improved live streaming and gaming!
Benaiah –
I’ve been using this router for two weeks and so far it has been perfect. Set-up was easy and the range is great. I started off with the Archer C5, but had to return it because its range wouldn’t cover all the areas of my house. I believe the C5 I had was faulty because wireless connections with multiple devices were sporadic and occasionally very slow. I’ve had none of these problems with the C9.
FL_Prime_Shopper –
This is the best router for the price the price hands down! I’m literally getting 80-90 Mbps on the 5Ghz speed and I’m paying for 50Mbps! I replaced my ASUS RT-N66U router which kept dropping my signal sporadically. Set up was very easy. Pretty much plug and play after setting up the wireless security. I love the app that you can download for iOS too. It comes very handy if you need to restrict s child from the Internet and allows you to monitor who is on and off the internet. I gave it 4 stars only because I didn’t get the great speeds upstairs in my master bedroom until I used my old ASUS router as a wireless repeater. For some reason my connection was only about 12 Mbps in my room but right outside my door the speeds were easily anywhere from 30-60Mbps. I live in two story house, 3500sq feet. The first picture is from me standing in the farthest corner of the house opposite of the router. The second is upstairs in the master bedroom with the repeater.
Tevin Way –
From 25MBS & down, now pushing 100+ Mbs for 3 days now. Fantastic!
Scott –
I have only had this router a week. I hate to review it this early but I’m already happy with what I’ve seen so far. The speeds have been great all over the house. Range is a little better than my Asus router. It certainly stays much cooler than the Asus. The interface isn’t accessible by the usual 192.. You instead have to visit the TP link router settings and a quick google search (or included cd pdf hyperlink) will get you there.The build quality seems to be very good. It doesn’t look or feel cheap in any way. The antennas are even more hefty than I expected. Overall it’s a great dual band A/C router.
R. Bray –
Seems to be very solid so far. Coverage in the house (3k sq ft) seems to be solid even at 5g. Curious that I initially had drops from the cable modem to the router that required me to restart the modem to get access to the internet. Hasn’t happened since I stopped messing with the Router Setup pages. 130Mbps is wired speed and 118Mbps is 5g from my iPad. If the connection stays stable then this will be a great unit at a really reasonable price.Update the firmware when you get this. It came in version 3.x.x. Current firmware is 4.x.x
Nasser –
I have 100MB fiber with speed test result almost 100MB as attached on my ground floor, Then I have decided to buy “TP-LINK TL-PA8010P KIT AV1200 Gigabit with Power Outlet” to enjoy similar speed on the second floor. About 20 meter from the router on the same electrical circuit and without any filters.But the result was disponing to me it gave me only 40MB in best cases and that only 40% of my speed.The other problem that I have also invested and bought “TP-LINK AC1900 Dual Band Wireless AC Gigabit Router” to complete the project, but it was total failure due to the bottle nick “TL-PA8010P” that can only provide 40MB out of 100MB.My recommendation is to test it before you buy it.
DogProblems –
I have been using this router for a few days now and it is absolutely amazing. I now get full wifi signal all over the house. With my linksys that this replaced I could not even get a connection in my bedroom. I have 150/20 internet service and get all of it on speed tests on the 5ghz band. When connected to 2.4 it tops out at around 90/20. I am very happy with this router.
Terry B. –
Oh man, this is a beast of a router. I paired it with a gigabit netgear modem and haven’t looked back. It’s far more secure than my old router and not to mention supports SIGNIFICANTLY higher speeds. I am currently getting 180mb/s internet speeds with comcast in Sacramento, while paying for 100mbs.I have downloaded multiple things on this while browsing and watching netflix, I’ve noticed zero hitches. I guess having all that processing power and dozens of lanes for traffic to go through makes quite a huge difference.Stepping up to this router from a cheap $45 model has made all the difference.This is a little on the costly side, but it’s also the BEST in the price range. You can’t even compare anything else in this price range to it. It’s just that good, period.I’ve only had to restart it a few times in the last 2 months, as I used to have 6 people on it simultaneously. But now that only 2 people use it, I never have to.
Adroit707 –
Awesome router. Looks very sleek and clean. User setup through TP link is very simple and straight forward. I have it in my living room at a central point throughout the house. Smart TV and Xbox directly wired to router but have multiple wireless devices connect at the same time. No issues with signal or disconnecting. Currently have service with Time Warner Cable at 50MBPS download 5MBPS upload. Using the 5ghz i get well over that speed(see screenshot). Pair this with the Motorola Arris Surfboard 6183 and never worry about speeds or service again.
Peter N. Biddle –
We have mostly plaster and lathe interior construction and that has kept the Airport from even reaching upstairs, which is why we bought a second Airport as an extender. We recently got 1 Gb fiber into our house and the existing Apple Airport network was only able to provide a smidgen of that, even when it was right beside the Macbook I’ve been running our tests on.I bought the fastest Openmesh AP and that was even worse than the Apple wifi. I was considering the TP-LINK, Asus and Netgear and read a lot of reviews and decided to try this one next.HOLY MOTHER OF THE GODS OF WIFI THIS THING IS FASTAfter testing the router side-by-side with my laptop and getting nearly 500 Mbps of throughput I decided to put the router in the attic with the door to the attic closed and compare it set up that way against the Airport. It is still nearly 20 times faster than the Apple Airport was, even when the Airport was side by side with the laptop and thus about a foot away.It’s really that good. You should just buy it.It’s fairly easy to setup by pointing your browser at 192.168.1.1 and using admin as the name and the password. It’s not as totally guided as the Apple products but it’s plenty easy.
AV Best Deals –
Bought this to replace my aging but reliable ASUS wireless N router, I am paying for the TWC 300Mbps package and was always getting between 75 and 100Mbps on wireless, my wired connection has always been very good and always get close to the advertised 300Mbps. After swapping out the routers which took approximately 15 minutes (time includes complete setup and fine tuning to my liking) I went ahead and did several different speed tests on the two different frequencies throughout my 2000 square foot two story house. I was totally blown away with the speeds I was getting on the 5GHz, it was constantly hitting above 300Mbps using Speedtest.net, not sure how accurate these tests are but it is a big jump from my previous router using the same tests. During peak time my speed would drop to around the 260 to 275Mbps range…still very impressive.The 2.4GHz tests were a lot less impressive and I was getting less than 50Mbps on that frequency but that is expected.
S. Lampe –
As anything, I’m always skeptical when trying a different brand, especially one that I hadn’t heard much about over the years. I’ve been the typical, diehard Linksys and Asus customer for many years. In fact, I bought this to replace an ailing Asus 68U that has been causing me issues for quite a while, finally got fed up and ordered this router as a replacement. I can say that although it doesn’t have the “tweak-ability” that the Asus devices do, this little router is solid. It’s range is just as adequate as any Linksys or Asus I’ve had. The advanced settings are pretty good for a device that is more or less equivalent to the competitive devices that are 25% or more expensive. I may have more to report back later, but as of now here are the only 2 dislikes I’ve come up with so far: 1) I don’t like that the guest wireless hands out addresses in the same subnet as your local network(s). I prefer to have the ability to create an entirely separate subnet. It does isolate them via a checkbox, however I think it’s better to have a different subnet. 2) There is a feature called “NAT Boost” that does quite the opposite from what I found. With this checked, my speed checks were stuck around 30Mbps download. As soon as I unchecked that, my speed tests went back up above 100Mbps as expected of my service level. Not sure what it’s really supposed to do but it doesn’t do anything for me. Otherwise, I’m very satisfied with the unit, the overall pros greatly outweigh the couple small issues I’ve had with it thus far. Both wireless bands work great, I’ve even got a smaller Asus bridged to this unit to give me a hardline connection to a streaming media device in the bedroom. The USB 3.0 port is working well for network shares, only small thing about that is it doesn’t seem to have a way to set a host file name to get a ping response from so you have to UNC to the IP which isn’t a huge deal. DHCP reservations work great too. Since it does what I need it to do for a very reasonable price, I give it all 5 stars.~~~~~~~~~~UPDATE~~~~~~~~~~~~So after using this router for few months longer now, an issue has cropped up with the file sharing. What is happening is, the shares I’ve created will eventually disappear after a few weeks or so. Rebooting the router, unplug/plug of the drive, nothing works to have the shares show again. The only recourse is to once again redo the shares. No data is lost on the drive or anything, the shares just simply disappear from the router. TP-Link support has told me they’ve never encountered this before so they can’t say for sure that they would consider it to be a bug and suggest updating firmware when a new release comes out soon. I have not tried a different drive yet as the one I am using/want to use is a 3.0 drive and nothing else I have currently is as large running 3.0. Not sure what I’ll do long term. I still really like this little router overall but remapping shares every few weeks is annoying.
Mladen Bajic –
I wasn’t happy with my WiFi performance at home. The 2.4GHz space is very crowded, with around 40 devices I can easily see/detect. I have a TP-Link TL-WR841N router, so I decided to take a plunge and buy a dual band router, nothing too expensive, I opted for TP-Link Archer C9. I decided to test my speed on both 2.4 and 5 GHz range. I didn’t have a reference point, so I then reinstalled my old router just to run the test and see. Results are in the image below in order: 2.4 new router, 5 new router, 2.4 old router. And this is pretty much stock/auto settings, aside from updating the Archer C9 to the latest official firmware.
Origami Crane –
After reading a few reviews and comparing prices for routers, I went with this one. It’s just right for the average user who streams shows and movies through their smart tv or notebook. As someone who’s online most of the day, this works very well for me. And it’s 4K compatible!Easy to install and set up. TP-Link’s website has more advanced options if you want to customize the router.It looks nice, crisp white with blue lights.I switched to Charter for internet, which says the average for my plan is 60Mb. I’m getting somewhere in the 130’s Mb wirelessly!I’d highly recommend this router.
Caveat_Emperor –
Update: I have had this router for 1 month now and it has performed very well, in certain areas exceeding my expectations, but in others not quite meeting them, hence my 3 star rating remains. Inside the house, (almost 2,000 sq. ft..) – I have NO more wireless “dead spots”, in fact as I write this and using 802.11AC/USB 2.0 Key Adapter (my laptop only has 802.11N built in) -my wireless download speed is 118 Mbps (my ISP promises 150 Mbps but even wired next to router I get max 130+), Even more amazingly my Nexus 7 Android which does NOT have an 802.11AC, have seen an increased from 20 Mbps to 79+ Mbps (or almost 4X speed increase !). On the flip side, the security issue (see below) remains and the range did not increase enough to cover my backyard,, and for that I need an extender. Overall Good product.Original review: This is only a preliminary review – I will update it as time goes by and I have a chance to test some of the more advanced features. The rating is more like 3.5 – I could only leave 3 or 4 but chose 3 because there is a HUGE security flaw in the remote management – confirmed by TP-Link tech support. To those who aren’t aware, remote management is how you would log (from the internet i.e. outside your Home LAN, for example from work) into this otherwise advanced router to change settings or inspect your network, etc. The router only supports the HTTP and NOT the HTTPS (No SSL/TLS support). This means, while logging into your router you are transmitting your router’s password IN THE CLEAR, for any beginning hacker to intercept and exploit….I also suspect, although I did not yet confirm this, that any virtual server you may want to host on the router, will suffer from same flaw,…on the positive side, this is a real workhorse with dual core 1 GHz processor, an AC1900 max bandwidth WiFi, I see speeds of up to 800 Mbps BETWEEN hosts on my LAN (on wired gigabit Ethernet). My bandwidth to internet is 150 Mbps and I get speeds very close to it (depending on server site and time of day etc.). The only wireless clients I have – use the normal dual-band 802.11N protocol (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) but even those benefited from this router with increase range and speed. In fact, a former dead spot in my house is now showing internet speed tests (OOKLA) of 70-80 Mbps on 5 GHz and about 30+ Mbps on 2.4 GHz…I do not have any 802.11AC clients. The only other issue so far (other than security flaw) is the router features are insufficiently documented in the user guide. That would be a real challenge for someone with less than adequate networking knowledge. If you do not intent to do any remote management and wish only a basic setup or have an adequate networking knowledge, this router is for you. The very competitive price is also an incentive. For other issues I hope both R&D and the Tech Writers of User Guide will pay attention to my gripes.
BOn_Zee –
one of the best routers out there, the AC does help tremendously, i’m getting 230 Mbps down and 26 Up. since i bought it about 8 months ni rebooted it twice. awesome product. i know the downs speed has to do with ISP and the kind of modem but if you have a crappy WiFi router it won’t matter.
ZackDH –
Easy to set up. Extremely fast! Went from 20-40mb/s on my old router to 180mb/s while using the 5Ghz. Great so far
Kenneth Culver –
Was time to upgrade to a wireless AC router as I got a Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 (2014) which supports AC, got this for 99$ superfast, had to jury rig a ceiling mount but it works (zip tied to a 30 lb capacity toggle-bolt plant hanger, with a carabiner screwed to the ceiling just to keep it level xDSuper fast easy to set up, a but bigger and heavier than I expected but not a real issue since I ceiling mounted it :)Oh I would recommend turning off WMM in your wireless settings if you have a 100+ megabit connection, it just slowed me down…
D. Bradford –
Wow. After struggling for days to get my Airport Extreme to connect to my Time Warner Cable modem, I sighed deeply and ordered this handsome device without much hope…And 7.5 minutes after unboxing this device, I had two working WiFi networks (2.4ghz and 5ghz) in my house! The instructions are a diagram that folds out and is super-easy to follow for the connection. I configured the networks using a web interface that was very intuitive and led me through the process step by step.I figured I’d give this device a couple of hours of my time and if it didn’t work, I’d call TP Link technical support. But nope–7.5 minutes from box to two strong WiFi networks. I can monitor what’s connected to my WiFi through this same web interface (see picture–pictures are good!).I am SO happy with this router! I’m *still* a “Mac person” but not for WiFi routers.I just got this device set up so I’ll live with it for awhile and then report back after the first 30 days or so (sooner if there’s big problems). But so far: five stars for this sleek little white-and-chrome machine.Update: More than 2 years in, this just stopped working so my review went from 5 to 1 stars. Tp-Link is no help in figuring out why. So I’m switching to Motorola.
Ryle –
Awesome Router!!! I would definitely recommend. TP-Link certainly on the right track here.
Customer –
Overall experience is very positive so far. Using it for 1 month. Previously I’ve change several cheap routers and now decided to buy good one.Beamforming works, holds connection very good, does not drops. It has always connected 2-3 smartphones, 2 laptops, 1pc (with always working torrent), iPad and sometimes media player.Cons: I did not use all his functionality, but one downside is present. Its sharing media content to your home network through flash drive in usb-port on router. Setting are not user friendly and when content is shared, not all devices can see files in folders or files are seen as not supported format.
Ocraboat –
Overall a great value for the price.Pros:- Vertical design takes up less desk space. Most of the new routers are way too big.- So far it seems fast and hasn’t crashed.- Clean classic design.Cons:- The power plug is the biggest I’ve ever seen. Twice as big as the router plug it replaced. Sticks out far if plugged into a wall. This could be a problem if you need to plug it into a wall behind furniture. See photo.- They need to add a physical switch or software setting to turn off the status lights. Other routers have this. Who wants to see those all the time? I only need them if there is a problem, which should be infrequent.- No way to attach to a wall.
JP –
I just got this router and right before I connected I did a speed test comparing my old router with my new router which I did right after I set up. Same distance, same set up with full bluetooth and misc. devices running. AND HOLY COW, what an increase! Goodbye now officially defunct horrible wifi router, I shall not miss you at all, not with your slow speeds. There’s a new kid in town.And for the record, those speed tests were taken on 2.4 ghz and completely wireless, not plugged in. Also, I was definitely not paid for this review but most definitely DID pay for this product out of my own not very deep pocket.
Frederic B. –
All i can say is wow!!! From xfinity ARRIS (21.40mbps download rate) to TP-Link AC1900 (121.42mbps download right). No buffering for HD videos anymore. Coverage area is wide range, even outside the house i can still get around 70mbps download rate. Fast and easy to set up.
Paul –
Amazing. Without doing anything but plugging in and signing in I went from 20mbps download and 5mbps upload to 118mbps DL and 6.5 mbps UL. I don’t require a ton for upload so I’m not too worried on that end.Prior wifi:Comcast router modem x1.PER Comcast, “you can get 150mbps if you hard wire but on WiFi you can’t get that number”. Well now I own my router and I am FAR closer the 20. I just ordered the modem to go with it and will be returning Comcasts dinosaur of technology.
Quiet guy –
Works very well for us at almost 1 gig internet speed we like the attenas for better wifi and dual channels important ones on 5 ghz and kids on lower range different password and we like to be able to see with downloaded app whos connected and stuff
Kayden –
My WiFi went from 3 Mbps to 30, but boy howdy, this thing was left on my porch just like this for 5 hours. No outer box, no nothing. If anyone was in the mood for a router they just could’ve swooped in and taken it!
Anonymoose –
Impressive to say the least. I regularly host 8+ man gaming parties and this handles all those connections without issues. I’ve paired this with a Arris Surfboard SB6190 router. It’s nice getting decent internet speeds again.I live in an apartment complex, and I still have wifi when I get into my car in the parking garage. So the range is great too. the dual band is essential for apartments with a lot of interference. I’ve had no issues with that either.
gian –
Opened the package and the unit that was delivered to me is defective.. All blue lights stay constantly on. What ever reset do doesn’t do anything.
Fix it Tom –
My C9 arrived today, I was excited to plug it in and turn it on. After turning it on I couldn’t find the default WIFI SSID, instead there were new “Ehrgott2.4 and “Ehrgott_5G” networks available nearby… so I plugged into the router to configure that way (since I couldn’t access it via WIFI) and discovered that my “new” router wasn’t using default settings, both the SSID and password were different from what they should be (picture attached). I did a full factory reset to make sure I had a clean slate, and the SSID changed to what the literature said it should be, confirming that Ehrgott isn’t an alternative default. I was still going to try the router, but the WAN port didn’t work (I tested lots of ways, definitely a bad port). I even updated the firmware to see if that would wake up the WAN port, all to no avail. I’ll be purchasing a different brand, because new routers (especially in this price range) shouldn’t have non-standard settings and defective ports.I have theories as to how this could have happened, but apparently they violate review guidelines… so you’ll have to draw your own conclusions as to how a “new” router can be delivered with non-default settings.
Customer –
Speed is great and easy to install. Did not have the same problem as other users in which they had to refresh the router frequently. I bought this last month November, 2017 and the version that came was US version 3 in the bright blue box NOT the green/white one.
MjC –
I’m not that technica,l so the setup took me I’d say a second longer than someone that is tech savvy which says that it wasn’t that hard. Exceptional strength over my previous router. So far so good.
David A. Myers –
Product was purchased as “NEW’. Box has clearly been opened. The antennae and power cord have been opened. The installation instructions have another person’s writing on them.
Meester Rob –
For the price, this router (so far) is awesome. Setup was super easy and the management app (Tether) is easy to use. I have this paired with a Netgear CM500 DOCSIS modem, replacing Spectrum cables crappy modem/router combo. Throughput doubled and coverage area has been extended. I’ll try to update this review after I had some more time with the router.
Chandler Swenson –
Amazing! Was skeptical when Comcast tech told me that my old surfboard modem (which I own) was causing my slow internet connection. When a level 2 tech came out and showed me the connection diagnostics, I started to believe they were telling the truth. Sure enough, 0 setup time with this thing and I was pulling 2x as much download speed as I ever did using my modem as a router. I never have to choose between speed and supporting my legacy devices on 2.4 ghz again.As a bonus, it automatically detected that my modem was using the 0.1 address and changed itself to 1.1 to avoid any conflicts. Great as I’m always expecting a loop back with new equipment. No such problem here!Can’t wait to test with 4K streaming sometime soon.
Jon Almada –
Quite simply the best router I have ever purchased. I liked mine so much, I bought a spare to have on-hand when the first one gives up the ghost.There is so much to this router that I don’t know how else to review it other than to go over what functions I like and use. For one, the router does have a basic and advanced mode. I tend to get into the more advanced functionality for my home network and this router offers all the right bells and whistles. The guest-user feature, allowing guests at your home or business to use the router while not having access to local LAN resources is *really* nice. And the dual 2.4 and 5 ghz support is just great. I also loved the address reservation so that certain devices hold onto an IP address permanently, it is a feature often seen in the workplace for computers that require a reserved address and is so nice to see on a device that operates in the consumer space.One other feature I liked was the ability to reduce the transmit power level for this router. I never had this on past routers and having the ability to put less stress on the transmitter was a nice add-on feature. I currently have mine set to middle and it works great for my needs. Your mileage may vary in your situation, so test these settings for power carefully before finalizing your router to a particular setting.The other big win for this TP-Link router is the add-on USB drive capability. I use it extensively and it is an extremely nice feature for interchange of data on your local network. Another feature that really is well done is the scheduling capability. It is very well executed and is specific to both the 2.4 and 5 ghz network settings for regular use and also specific settings for the guest network. I have tested it out and it does work well in both cases, but the menus are different for the permanent user and is a rules-based menu that can be tweaked for all manner of schedules while the guest network schedule menus are a little more static. All in all, a great execution and I can’t complain about any of these features.There is so much more to this router that I can’t really cover it all in the review, but I can say that I’ve had my first one for over a year now and it has performed extremely well. The form factor is great and the look of the device definitely has that “sci-fi” look about it. It boots up pretty fast and the status lights on the front are extremely easy to understand. I think the vertical orientation of the router is also a good idea as it likely enhances the cooling of the router with more surface area for air to reach to keep it cool (my guess only – correct me if I am wrong).The overall menu for controlling and setting the router up is extremely easy to understand and it works well with most browsers. I like the easy access “reboot” link for when I’m making changes to the router. Very fast reboot.Bottom line: This is a truly excellent router. I used another brand of router before and was buying a new one every year like clockwork. I’ve been running this one for over a year now and not a hiccup or issue. It plays well with my other network devices, is easy to configure and has an excellent form factor and is reliable. As long as TP-Link keeps hitting home runs with routers like this, I’ll keep buying them.
Jdwashere –
Trooper Thorn –
I have a pretty basic Comcast internet plan with 60Mbps down speed, and my old router rarely got me anywhere close to that speed unless I was right next to it.Now across the house I can still get full speed.
JF_AR –
Purchased July 2017. 5Ghz stopped working about 2 weeks ago. I went through tech support a week ago and they found it was faulty and eligible for a new unit. The RMA process is extremely long and makes no sense. It is still showing initialized and hasn’t shipped yet. Thank goodness everything else still works. If the unit had failed completely I would have had to go buy a new one so that I could keep working (I work from home).I’m SEVERELY disappointed in their customer service.EDIT: Dropped to 1 star because of customer service. Here’s my story: 5Ghz failed around 3-5-18, contacted support on the 7th, spent an hour+ on chat troubleshooting it. They said they would initiate the RMA. Turns out you still have to register it online and request the RMA yourself. The following day I received an email with the RMA #. Had to go online and initiate the RMA myself on their website. (I don’t understand why there are so many steps to get an RMA going!). On the 11th I received an email thanking me for registering the router. Received another email on the 11th where they confirmed my order has been received. On the 13th I got an email telling me it has shipped. Tracking shows I won’t receive it until the 19th. NINE business days to get a new unit! That is unacceptable. I don’t understand why tech support could not issue the RMA and order the new unit on the day I talked to them (on the 7th). I don’t understand why it takes so much effort on the user to register, request an RMA (even after talking to support), and then to go back online after getting the RMA # to submit it.Again, I’m glad the router did not completely fail or I wouldn’t have had internet for 2 weeks. I work from home and this is just unacceptable. I’ll never buy another TP-Link piece of equipment again. They always fail or stop working right anyhow. My Archer C8 had the LED lights go out after a year but TP-Link said that since it was just cosmetic they wouldn’t honor the warranty. The speeds dropped off shortly after that, even on the wired connection I could only get 60-70 Mbps (I have fiber and the Archer C9 gets 950 Mbps on the wired connection). I also have a drawer full of TP-Link Powerline adapters that never were reliable for any real network use (they were okay for small items like garage doors and alarm), but data rates were too slow to use for normal applications.
Elkzip –
Works great the range is excellent. Guys nice on the wall.
Redhawk –
Easy installation/replacement of existing Netgear Router – immediately saw a 2x increase in download speed on the 2.4gHz channel. Upload speed not impacted. I connected a TV streaming device to the 5 gHz channel and was amazed at how fast a movie loaded. I have an older wireless blu-ray player in another room that would not connect to 5 gHz so I ordered another TV streaming device for that TV as well. Attached pictures of the way I mounted to the wall with the provided brackets. Decided that it was better to have it on the wall vs taking up desk space based on where I could install/wire it in. Hoping this solves the previous problem we had with Netgear dropping the signal – time will tell if ti was the router or our ISP.
I. Arenas –
Not as fast , only a few mb faster than my old router, will try fot a few days. Changed channels and bandwidth but the samePicture one old router, second this router
Mythic –
This model is great c9 is very 3 and the tether app does not support ver. 3. Says install disk comes in box but did not. However with Dell’s customer support I was able to wirelessly set up my devices in a few hrs. Called TP-Links support and the guy was useless and unknowledgable about the unit? Very duh!!! The unit works great for all my wireless devices tv’s, computer, printer,mouse, cell phone. There is no app to support the vet. 3 but you really don’t need it. The lights on router tell you all is fine or not. I suggest downloading the v3 owners manual, it has a lot of other info that helps trouble shoot. It has 2 brackets that allow it to be hung on wall. For best operation, all routers really should be as high up as possible.
ufotrash –
Replaced the cable companys stock modem/router combo box my parents had with this router paired with a netgear cm500 modem and some cat7 ethernet cables. They own a single-story bungalow and were getting poor wifi throughout their home…I’ve posted pics of the speedtests before and after. Went from download speed of 13 Mbps to 100+ Mbps all over the house. More than adequate for their needs. Very happy with this purchase, hope they will not have to upgrade their gear for a good while.
Jerk Juggernaut –
Easy set up. Fast speeds. Reliable. What else do you need in a router?This was also one of the few available in white, which was a requirement for me (because A e s t h e t i c s).Unless you have a large space and need a mesh system, this is the the router to get.
Jade Corbin –
I bought this router when it was on sale for prime day. My house has terrible cell signal and I can only make calls using wifi calling, so I wanted a router that was faster and had a longer range. That way I could still talk on the phone while I was outside on my back porch. Well, I managed to have full signal even outside. Then on top of that we have multiple smart TVs and gaming computers. So, previously with our old router things would slow down when we had too many things connected. Not now, it runs great even with everything connected. I also noticed I can stream higher resolution movies from my smart TVs without buffering. The set up and installation is very easy for those who aren’t tech savvy. There are also some cool little features like setting up a guest network and the ability to connect an external hard drive via USB to share information wirelessly through your network. Overall this is a nice midrange router. I’ll update if anything changes, but so far so good.
M. Whitney –
I’m ugrading from a Belkin N300 (5years old and cost about $50) and live in a 800 sqft apt in NY so bear that in mind whilst reading this review.Packaging was great. Setup was a breeze with the Tether app. My spouse and I love it so far, we have 7 devices connected (2 via ethernet) We stream a lot of movies (netflix) and I also have a plex server, facetime, downloading all been great so far (its been two months). Love the little things like being able to turn the led’s off at certain point in the day. The hardware version I got is V5 so as of writing not compatible with DD-WRT (if you don’t know what that means you don’t need it)The device itself looks great, i opted to put it up on the wall.
tonyB –
Very easy setup with my TP-Link router.. Works great at other end of house for wired DVR.
Roger –
This router has an excellent range, which is always something I have struggled with using the Comcast modem. This is currently placed in a corner room on the first floor and I still get a solid connection. I have a 250 mbps plan with Comcast and I get around 290 on a good day with this router. I have returned the Comcast modem and the rental fee savings alone should pay for my TP link modem and router in just over a year.
Ron Archibald –
My internet speed went from about 15 Mbps to over 💯! It’s a game changer for me.Thank you tp- link..
HandyGuyWithTools –
No one gets a 5 on anything these days because I’m an angry guy. It may be worth a 5 however. So, I replaced a working Linksys that couldn’t reach all 4 corners of my ranch home. This one does. The setup is REALLY VERY QUICK for the basics of getting up an running and avoiding complaining by the family as to why the net is down. 2.5 and 5G both seem to have good signal strength at the corners of a over 2000 sq foot ranch home. Goes through two walls, both of which are a insulated bathroom and a wooden cabinet to power a Roku. No breaks in loading live TV at 1080p. So, thumbs up for 5G making it to the ends of the house without repeaters, ease of setup, nice looking design. This more recent version comes with wall mounts – be aware its modestly big and will stand out about 2-3 inches away from the wall. With all lights on, its pretty bright with the lights off in a room. A good blue nightlight, not good if sleeping in the same room as I’m told it gets pretty warm, mine doesn’t, regardless – don’t cover the lights with oily rags…. Unbeatable performance for a router of this quality under $100, in my case I believe it was about 89 and free shipping with prime. If you need to spend 150 to 250 on a router that does more than this, go to it. This one is fine for my needs. Tablets, cell phones, Roku x2, smart TV. Stumbled on a good one. Agree with other positive reviews. Cell phone setup tether was super easy.
Andrew K –
The router was quick and easy to setup. Construction of the router seems to be very high, and it is delivering promised wireless speeds. I’d imagine that with a hardline, up/download would be even faster.I cannot comment on beamforming capabilities yet, and have not figured out how to adjust the antennas to optimize signal strength, but my initial thoughts are I am happy with the purchase.
Imaxinar DM –
I am getting very strong and good coverage from the unit even with it sitting right on top of conduit and my ISP’s interface unit. Worse case scenario, but still getting outstanding results. Mounts easy to the wall, hides the connections in the back nicely and was a breeze to setup for my network Cat5 and both the main and Guest WiFi SSID’s which can be configured differently for each and for both 2.4 and 5.8 bands. Slice and dice it any way you want.
Truth B Told –
Fantastic! Connected to my modem with 65 foot ethernet cable (outdoor cat7 cable). Placed router in my work shed (see picture). Everything else I had tried failed to give me a decent wifi signal, but the TP-Link Archer AC1900 gives an excellent wifi signal. In the shed, both the 5G and 2.4G signals are excellent, and I even get a good signal back in my house from the 2.4G even though other devices were not strong enough to pass through the metal shed. Highly recommended.
Navigator_Z –
Easy to setupAble to handle all devices at home at the same time.This router replaced my old TP Link TL-WDR4300 N750 I bought almost 4 years ago, which started to have difficulty handling the large amount of devices.
David Nelson –
I don’t usually leave reviews unless I am totally wow’d by a product and this one definitely exceeded my expectations. As I’ve slowly converted my home to a smart home over the years, all my WiFi enables devices have been sucking up my bandwidth to the point that my exterior nest cam loses its signal multiple times per day. Since this is not an ideal security system, I decided it was time to upgrade my router to push a better signal to the exterior of my home. I did dozens of tests using speedtest.net prior to the upgrade and could barely get a 25 GB connection while standing 5 feet from the router and 30 GB while wired. (I pay for 60 GB). In other locations like my upstairs bedroom, I could only get 2-5 GB. After the very easy installation and downloading the app, I am happy to report that I now have a 60-70GB connection anywhere in the house whether I’m wireless or plugged in. The Tether app that supports the router is easy to navigate and allows me to monitor connected devices, set parental controls, etc. I couldn’t be happier and can’t believe I waited for so long to upgrade.
nlmpgg –
Worked great until it didn’t. Easy set up and install, great range and speed. My old Linksys router lasted 7 years until it was obsolete for current speeds so I bought the TP-Link due to good reviews. It may have been coincidence, but there was a storm here about a week ago and around the same time a firmware update. It was wonky after the wind storm and ISP seemed to have problems, but after modem showed internet was fine I did a hard reset on router to factory settings. It was fine for a few days and with automatically updated firmware (I noticed change when setting new password for wifi). Yesterday needed occasional turn off power then on again, but now has same problem mentioned by another reviewer where orange light is on instead of blue, won’t connect to internet. Modem is fine, according to Comcast my internet is fine, devices are fine, only problem is the router. For over $100, it should last more than one year.
Emily –
I’m an IT professional. I bought this particular product for my house. I got it because I recently was able to get fiber internet at my home, and my old router being a 10/100 router was not built to allow me to use my new speeds of 500up, 50down, and this router allows me to reach those speeds on wired devices, which naturally makes everyone in the house very happy as we all have gaming PCs with gigabit network cards. My iPhone X connected to the 2.4ghz network (with the 5ghz network disabled) gets 76.5 Mbps down with 48.7 Mbps up on my most recent test, which is more than enough for a snappy web browsing experience. The UI is nice too, with much more control and much more clearly laid out settings than previous routers that I’ve owned. It’s a lot bigger than my last router, but I like that it has a stand that gives it a small footprint on my desk. The overall design of the router is very good. I’ve noticed many other great routers have a downfall of very poor cooling and have actually kept many routers that are designed with vent holes on the bottom upside down to facilitate more airflow. Since this router has most of it’s venting on the back, this has not been a concern. I think this allows a lot more cooling than many other conventional consumer routers. It also makes it more difficult to pile things on top of, starving it of airflow (and subsequently complaining when it degrades and starts needing regular restarts). I’d recommend this to any idiot who has fiber internet or speeds of over 100mbps (but less than 1000mbps).The tether app is cool, but ultimately I don’t need it, really. Maybe someone might find it useful, and I wouldn’t omit it from the product for any reason that I can think of. At this price point, I can’t see how anybody would be disappointed in this purchase for regular home use.
Texas_Mandy –
I have not had the router more than a month so a honestly can’t comment on durability.Setup was a little more convoluted than the the Cisco router it replaced. Having to create an online account was annoying, but not a deal breaker.What is becoming a real displeasure, it that the router goes offline multiple times a day. It comes back online immediately, no data loss.Company web site has been no help. Knowledgebase seems to loaded with configuration solutions, but no solution for multiple offlines per day every day.LED status lights are super bright. I had to cover the status LEDs with electricians tape. Would make a great night light for a child’s bedroom.Speed is sufficient for my needs. Multiple computers, ipads, , Roku and Firesticks streaming HD video to televisions all over my house.Print material sent to the printer is flawless.
N.R. Woodward –
Bought this router for the strength of the router broadcast. 5GHz reaches from living room to the garage beneath (block and rib flooring). Great signal. Using it as an extender to my Netgear N300 ADSL router which is upstairs on the other side of the house. House is brick and mortar. There is no Fiber now or the near future.
cristobal –
Después de realiza pruebas me encuentro muy satisfecho lo recomiendo
Nhowardtx –
I purchased this router to be used as a Wireless Access Point extension of an existing Wi-Fi network in my church. Initial setup was easy by following the enclosed instructions. Since this device was replacing an existing, older Netgear WAP, I had all the settings available easily. This WAP is installed in an interior window (see photos) to provide Wi-Fi both inside and outside our building. Its main purpose it to provide Wi-Fi connectivity to a Wi-Fi-enabled irrigation controller installed on the outside wall of our building. Since the building is an older structure, it is not wired extensively for networking, so I had to use Powerline adapters to get the LAN/Internet connectivity to the WAP using TP-Link AV1000 (model TL-PA7010) Gigabit devices (see photo). I was easily able to install the latest firmware update using the UI. It provides excellent signal strength and immensely extended the Wi-Fi signal bandwidth both inside and outside the building by 4x-10x!I found the UI somewhat limiting. The login credentials for the router/WAP are linked to a TP-Link account, so I could not find a way to separately configure router login credentials different from my TP-Link account. This is just a minor inconvenience. Secondly, the UI can be set to display connected wired and wireless devices. The display truncates the first letter in the names of some devices and it fails to show any connected wireless devices on either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band. I know that the wireless devices are connected, for example, my phone or the irrigation controller, since the devices themselves show connectivity and they work. However the UI for the WAP does not show such connectivity. This is more troubling because it makes wireless connectivity issues harder to troubleshoot. Perhaps there is a setting that I do not have configured properly, but I cannot find it.I did not find the Tether iPhone app to be very useful. It works but is more limited in functionality than the UI.I had no occasion to contact TP-Link tech support, so I did not provide a rating on that.Overall the TP-Link AC1900 Archer C9 router works just fine. I purchased it because it was reasonably priced, was a substantial upgrade in signal strength, had a form factor which allowed installation upside-down in a window hanging from a curtain rod and it is white in color, which helped it blend with the surrounding walls and blinds (see photos). I prefer the flexibility of the Netgear UI (we have two other Netgear routers in the church).
guangjianqiu –
It’s working good, this is my second order.
Airbus30B –
Bought this wireless router when my old one bit the dust. The range and power on this are excellent. I had wireless outside cameras mounted at my house, and never had any problem connecting or staying connected. And I’m talking about and old home with real plaster walls, not wallboard. Plus I think it is a very good looking piece of computer equipment and can be mounted on your wall. I’d buy with confidence if your undecided what to buy in a wireless router.