After moving to a new place, I had a very happy life with smooth, fast Internet from Comcast.
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
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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)
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TP-Link Home Care
TP-Link
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%.
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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. |
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| Archer A7 | Archer C5400 | |
| Customer Reviews |
79,928
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1,917
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| Price | $78.95 | $284.99 |
| 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 | ✓ |
Compare with similar items
This Item  TP-Link AC5400 Wireless Wi-Fi Tri-Band Gigabit Router (Archer C5400) |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $284.99 | $342.00 | $199.99 | -27% $94.99 List: $129.99 | -20% $199.99 List: $249.99 | -13% $129.99 List: $149.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 30 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 30 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 30 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 30 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| User interface | ||||||
| WiFi signal | ||||||
| Tech Support | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Easy to install | ||||||
| Sold By | Yellow Cell Ecommerce | Skoodooh | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| connectivity tech | WiFi | Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB |
| 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 | 2976 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 G, 802 11 N |
| 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 | 10/100/1000 Mbps |
Reviews with images
Very Good WiFi Router - Surprisingly Sturdy
TP-Link is sort of the Anker of WiFi products. So far, this is an outstanding Router. As others have mentioned, the first thing I did was update the firmware. I would recommend going to TP-Link's website and downloading the firmware after ordering the router. Then when it arrives, you're good to go.The out-of-box "Getting Started" guide is very good. If you have an existing router that you're replacing, you will probably want to select "Clone PC MAC Address". Once I did that, it got all settings from my cable modem and just worked.Customizations:1. I personally disabled the 2.4Ghz band. I have a few other 2.4Ghz items around the house (wireless keyboards, mice, etc.) and just wanted to finally move to 5Ghz only. *However*, if you wish to enable a "guest" network, you'll need to keep 2.4Ghz enabled.2. On the 5Ghz spectrum, you can select wireless "n and ac" or just "ac". For now, I have some "n" devices, so I needed to keep the "n and ac" option.3. The router has good built-in packet inspection and DoS (denial of service) protection and protection from ping floods, etc. I enabled all protections. Performance doesn't seem to be impacted at all.4. I like a static IP on my desktop, so I set up a DHCP reservation for that. Worked like a charm.5. I use DynDNS. You can configure your account in the router itself, but I use the DynDNS client. All is well.Performance:1. I have Comcast 100Mb/s service, with the "boost" option. I was getting about 125Mb/s throughput with my prior router. I know throughput is mostly affected by the cable modem, but I ran a couple speedtests and am getting 175Mb/s now.2. I coupled this router with the TP-Link AC extender to connect my Sony BD/media player directly (wired). The conversion to wireless AC really makes a difference with Amazon and Netflix running on the Sony.3. I have a PC connected to my TV to play NHL and MLB content. I am using a TP-Link 450 usb AC adapter on the computer now. Again, the move to wireless ac, and especially this router, results in a much smoother stream (no hiccups, no freezes). Very refreshing.Quality:The router is quite substantial. It's got some heft without being too bulky. The antennas are a bit cheap, but sufficient. The footprint is a bit larger than I'd prefer (it's sitting flat on my desk), The WPS works like a charm. I did 1-button setup with the extender and it worked great.There are a lot of options out there, so I can't discount the quality or performance of other brands, but the TP-Link is a very good value. The documentation is excellent, their website offers outstanding support, the product has every feature imaginable, and the warranty is an almost unheard-of 2 years. I highly recommend this router.UPDATE (12/1/19): As you can see, the Cat loves this router. Just enough heat, but not too hot. Since she's probably 10-12 pounds, I'd say the router has held up beautifully ;-)
Top reviews from the United States
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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.
Size: AC3150Verified Purchase
LIFE SAVER, STRESS RELIEVER, NETWORK MAGICIAN, HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2017
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). Back yard and front yard 4bars no flaw on speed. Man, TP-LINK know$$$ how to do it!!! I strongly recommend this router anyone who has wifi connection/signal issues. I guarantee this device in a multi floor and up to 5000sqft will give you the top boost on your connections. I removed extenders and disabled cable modem/routers wifi as well. It is not even placed on a high spot, placed in low spot in a wooden tv stand. Outstanding job from TPLINK.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.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
A Great Performer
Reviewed in Canada on February 9, 2020Size: AC5400Verified Purchase
Rovigati Danilo Alyrio
Se vai funcionar a contento
Reviewed in Brazil on January 5, 2020Size: AC3150Verified Purchase
Spaztik
Feature rich, great signal quality.
Reviewed in Canada on March 28, 2019Size: AC3150Verified Purchase
Fernando Soto
De esas compras que no te arrepentirás.
Reviewed in Mexico on October 9, 2018Size: AC5400Verified Purchase
