The router has become an indispensable device for both home and business use. In fact, whether you work at home or in the office, few homes are without a router with enough speed and capacity to accommodate a variety of devices. But do you know what to look for when choosing the right model? In this article we show you the differences and similarities between several wireless routers from one of the leading brands in the sector: TP-Link TL vs Archer. Do you want to know how they are similar and what their differences are? We’ll tell you!
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TP-Link, a brand with almost 30 years of history
TP-Link is a global provider of networking devices and accessories, specialising in products such as routers, switches, modems and wireless networking solutions. The company was founded in 1996 by two Chinese entrepreneurs, and has since grown in popularity around the world.
TP-Link’s story began with its founders’ vision to make reliable and affordable networking equipment accessible to a broader consumer base. Initially, the company focused on the development and production of network adapters and hubs. As demand for networking solutions grew rapidly, TP-Link expanded its product range to include routers and switches, positioning itself as a leading provider of networking devices for homes and small offices.
One of TP-Link’s major breakthroughs came in 2002 with the launch of its first wireless router, offering affordable and reliable wireless connectivity to homes and small businesses. This product gained widespread popularity and established TP-Link as a trusted brand in the networking industry.
Over the years, TP-Link continued to innovate and diversify its product portfolio. The company introduced several advanced features and technologies in its routers, such as dual-band wireless, Gigabit Ethernet, and support for emerging standards such as Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). TP-Link also expanded into other networking segments, such as powerline adapters, range extenders, network switches and smart home devices.
TP-Link TL vs Archer: We analyse the best-selling models
TP-Link’s range of wireless routers is immense, so we’ve chosen the ones with the best popularity ratings on Amazon for this comparison. In other words, if they’re the best sellers, there’s a reason, and we want to know why.
TP-Link TL WR841N: simplicity and good security
The first model we looked at is probably the most popular on Amazon because of its simplicity. It has a wireless speed of 300 Mbps and, although it’s not the highest on the market, it’s still good for high-resolution video playback. Also, 2×2 MIMO technology means the router can run multiple devices at the same time, which improves transmission efficiency.
It supports IPv6, the internet protocol version 6, and features WPA wireless security encryption that is activated only with a WPS button. On the other hand, bandwidth control is relatively simple.
And, for added security, it has a very effective parental control and guest network system to manage which connected devices can access it and to set up a separate network for people who don’t connect regularly.
The router can be managed from your smartphone via the Tether app, available for iOS and Android.
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TP-Link TL-MR100: with integrated micro SIM card
The second model in the TL range we reviewed shares the same speed as the previous one, 300 Mbps, but allows a total of 32 devices to be connected simultaneously. The download speed is up to 150 Mbps with multiple devices connected, so while video conferencing, you can take advantage of the time and download the video you want. And, if you’re using it professionally, you’ll be assured of very smooth, high quality communications.
This router is 4G with WiFi, so by inserting a micro SIM card, you can quickly access the Internet via a mobile network. In other words, you will be able to access all your data quickly and without the need to synchronise anything, even if you are in a different home.
In this case, it is compatible with IPv4, a slightly older system than the previous one. And, in terms of connections, it has two Ethernet ports with a somewhat slower speed than the aforementioned speed, although they guarantee more versatility. Finally, it is worth noting that it also has parental control options, and advanced features, such as the ability to activate the wireless radio or schedule the router to turn on.
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TP-Link Archer AX53: a high-speed router
The third wireless router we reviewed has a speed of 2401 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz bands, which is much higher than the other two previous models. What’s more, with 160 MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM, the Archer AX53 offers true Gigabit speeds of up to 3 Gbps. In part, this is thanks to the incorporation of ODMA technology, which allows simultaneous transmission capacity to be increased by up to four times. It is also worth noting that the WiFi 6 coverage it offers is wider thanks to the four external antennas.
The battery is designed to consume less power while delivering the same performance. In fact, the latency capability is much lower, increasing the responsiveness in the transmission of gaming data.
Another feature that stands out is TP-Link HomeShield, a technology that increases the protection of your home devices, such as your printer or scanner, from cyber-attacks over the shared network. And, speaking of security, this model features the more advanced WPA3 WiFi security protocol with enhanced protection capabilities.
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TP-Link Archer C6: great price
We finish with this dual-band WiFi router, which achieves speeds of up to 867 Mbps on a 5 GHz frequency and 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. And, like the previous model, it has four high-performance antennas to amplify the network range throughout the home.
This range can be checked via mobile phone, thanks to the Tether App, from where we can create a main wireless network that carries the signal to other areas, seeing how it is doing in each of them.
Its MU-MIMO technology allows it to synchronise with more devices simultaneously, improving its versatility and efficiency. With one Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, you can wire up those devices that need it for speeds up to 10 times faster than standard Ethernet connections. Overall, it’s a good value for money router.
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TP-Link TL vs Archer: What are the most notable general differences?
As you have seen, all the routers have some common features, but there are some important differences between them that should be the main focus of your decision:
Name: TP-Link TL routers are usually identified by model numbers starting with “TL”, such as TL-WR841N or TL-WR940N. On the other hand, TP-Link Archer routers are identified by model numbers starting with “Archer”, such as Archer C7 or Archer AX6000. The Archer series is usually associated with higher-end models.
Wi-Fi Standards: TP-Link Archer routers typically support the latest Wi-Fi standards, such as Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which offers increased speed, capacity and efficiency compared to older standards. TL routers may support slightly older Wi-Fi standards such as Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n). However, it is important to note that TP-Link periodically updates its router range, so there may be some overlap in Wi-Fi standards compatibility between the two series.
Performance and features: In general, Archer routers offer more advanced features, higher performance and greater scalability compared to TL routers. Archer models typically incorporate the latest technologies, such as higher Wi-Fi standards (e.g. Wi-Fi 6), multiple antennas for better coverage, advanced processing power, and additional features such as USB ports for file sharing or printer connectivity.
Price: Archer routers, because they have more features and capabilities, tend to be priced higher than TL routers. The TL series tends to be aimed at consumers who prioritise affordability and basic networking needs, while the Archer series is aimed at users who require advanced features and higher performance.
TP-Link TL vs Archer: What is my final conclusion?
Now that we’ve checked out the main features of the wireless routers in TP-Link’s TL and Archer ranges, it’s time to choose which one we find more interesting. There’s no denying that the Archer range is more advanced than the TL, especially when it comes to speed. They are also compatible with newer WiFi standards, which makes data transmission more effective.
The problem is that, in general, they are more expensive, although we must admit that none of the four are outrageously priced considering their functionalities. Therefore, we have to look at the technical specifications to decide.
Honestly, my decision would be to go for the TP-Link Archer C6, as it seems to me to be the best value for money router. It doesn’t have as much speed as the Archer X53, but the speed it has is sufficient for my needs. However, if you need more data speed because you have more devices on the same network, the Archer X53 is a good alternative, too.
The TL models, on the other hand, are more ideal for home use, as their speed is usually sufficient for a home, and they are cheaper. That said, think about what your search preferences are and choose the one that best suits them. With TP-Link, quality is guaranteed.