TP-Link is a top-rated manufacturer of home and office networking solutions. The company recently began focusing on gaming. All versions have essential firewall protection and control the router from any smartphone.
Routers are usually compatible with OpenWRT and DD-WRT firmware. These include possible maximum throughput number of available bandwidths, full coverage offered, connectivity options, software UI, and more.
This can be the best TP-link router list in 2021. You get the best features of competitor brands at more comfortable prices.
Comparison of the Best TP-Link Routers
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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Best overall ![]() |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Runner-Up ![]() |
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| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Best Overall:
Archer AX21
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The top recent buyer noted that this router was amazing. The router provides a much better signal and never had dropouts. The other buyer was happy with the easy setup and noticed an immediate improvement in Wi-Fi speed and network signal strength.
Why It Stands Out To Us
The TP-Link Archer Ax21 is not the fastest router available, but it is ideal for most homes. Four Ethernet ports provide simple connectivity for all wired devices at full gigabit speed. The Archer AX21 also supports the OneMesh extension feature for extended coverage.
With the Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology, users may achieve faster speeds and reduced network congestion compared to the previous generation. It supports Next-Gen 1.8 Gbps Speeds to enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading, and more with Wi-Fi speeds.
The users may also connect more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology. If you intend to use this router as part of a mesh network, keep in mind that the speed will be split between connected devices and the connection to other mesh nodes.
Who Will Use This Most
The TP-Link Archer Ax21 is ideal for anyone who needs a lot of fast Wi-Fi coverage throughout their home. Thanks to its fast Wi-Fi speeds and many Ethernet ports, this router is perfect for gamers and heavy streaming users.
Runner-Up:
TP-Link N450 (WR940N)
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers appreciated the router's low cost and liked how simple it is to set up. One buyer wants how the tether app keeps track of connected devices. They also said the signal was strong.
Why It Stands Out To Us
With the Wireless N speed up to 450Mbps, this router is ideal for bandwidth-intensive tasks like HD video streaming, VoIP, and online gaming. It also supports 802.11n technology, which is 15x faster with 5x the range of 802.11g.
The router also has three antennas for increased coverage and stability that the whole family will enjoy. It supports parental controls to manage Internet access on children's PCs.
Who Will Use This Most
This router would be great for anyone looking to connect all their devices in one place. You will also appreciate this router if you look for incredible speeds and coverage.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Previous customers looking for a new product to meet their needs purchased this router. Users report that this router has fast speeds and reliable coverage, but it lacks customization options compared to other routers on the market.
Why It Stands Out To Us
Wired and wireless connections are available on this router, perfect for homes with multiple devices that need to be connected. This product can easily be set up in a matter of minutes and has excellent coverage throughout the home/office space it occupies.
The speeds provided by this router keep your games running smoothly without any lag or pauses during playtime. It also provides four Ethernet ports per band, ensuring high availability across all needed devices simultaneously (wired and wireless).
With the TP-Link tether app, you may easily set up and remotely manage your home network. It also works with all internet service providers, such as AT&T, Verizon, Xfinity, Spectrum, and many more.
Who Will Use This Most
This makes it easy for anyone looking to connect several different electronic appliances at once, like streaming players, game consoles, laptops, computers, wired or wireless networks. It is also best for people who are not techy because this router is easy to set up and use.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The recent buyers report that this router has an excellent range. They also noted that this is very dependable and easy to set up. "Bought this model to get the signal to the whole house, and it has greatly exceeded those expectations!" a recent buyer quoted.
Why It Stands Out To Us
This router supports a lightning-fast Wi-F- AC5400 Tri-Band with 4 Stream and NitroQAM technology delivers up to 5400Mbps Wi-Fi speeds over one 2.4GHz (1000Mbps) two 5GHz (2167Mbps) bands.
The unique antivirus TP-Link HomeCare protects every device on your network from the latest threats with robust security, antivirus, and parental controls. It also supports MU MIMO technology allowing high-speed connections without interruption with a powerful 1.4GHz dual-core CPU and 3 coprocessors.
Who Will Use This Most
This router is great for users looking to connect all of their devices in one place; it would be ideal for a home office or even small business use. The parental control option makes this an excellent choice if you have children. For young adults living at home with high-bandwidth internet needs like streaming HD video or online gaming.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The most recent buyer appears to be very pleased and rated this router 5 stars. "Super Router," the buyer quoted. Most buyers were glad and provided nearly identical feedback, stating that this router provided excellent coverage, signal, and speeds!
Why It Stands Out To Us
You can watch 4K HD videos and play online games with the AC2600 Wi-high-performance Fi's 4-stream. Thanks to MU-MIMO technology's multi-user support, it also offers faster Wi-Fi for all devices. We also like this router because, with a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, it may provide high-speed Wi-Fi during heavy traffic usage.
In addition, four Gigabit Ethernet Ports provide users with a lightning-fast wired connection. Most importantly, it supports Parental Controls, which allow you to set time limits and protect your children from inappropriate online activities.
Who Will Use This Most
The TP-Link AC2600 Router is the best router for connecting to a TV, game consoles, and streaming players. Parents may also set up parental controls with this device, so you may manage your children's time online or limit what websites they visit. If you're looking to connect several different electronic appliances simultaneously, like streaming, you may consider getting this one.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
What the recent buyers love about this router is the easy setup. A recent buyer was thrilled with this router as it can utilize bandwidth, and Wi-Fi speed is a lot faster.
Why It Stands Out To Us
We like this router is the dual-band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high-speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz; 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream.
Also, the Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports is ideal for any internet plan and allows you to connect your wired devices directly.
Like any best router, its supports MU-MIMO technology (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously.
Who Will Use This Most
Because it is so simple to use, this router is ideal for people who aren't used to complicated setups. It will also benefit streamers by reducing buffering while streaming and gaming. It is also best for homes that have multiple gadgets to connect simultaneously.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The majority of recent buyers rated 5 stars to this router. They like the easy installation and setup. The Deco M5 solved the buyer's Wi-Fi range problem, and now they're getting a great signal everywhere in their house. They said it's highly recommended.
Why It Stands Out To us
Mesh networking is the most popular Wi-Fi technology trend. Mesh routers combine smaller routers within a single network to provide excellent coverage.
TP-Link offers an AC1200 Dual Band Adapter. With a three-pack covering 5500 square feet, this could be an excellent solution for a home that is difficult to cover with a single router.
If you want to strengthen your network and add more to the Deco network, you can always add more Deco routers. The Deco router has two ethernet ports, so you can continue to use your wired connections.
Who Will Use This Most
People who have larger homes or multiple floors will benefit from using this best router. It's going to be easier to get a good signal in every room without dead spots compared to conventional routers due to its mesh technology.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent purchasers were pleased with the performance of this router. They also like how simple it is to set up this router. Compared to other routers, one buyer stated that the X90 is much faster.
Why It Stands Out To Us
TP-Link's Deco X90 mesh system is one of the fastest around. It has two identical nodes and two Ethernet ports. One is gigabits, and the other is 2.5G with WAN/LAN recognition making it possible to connect a fast PC from another 2G port for an internet connection.
Like the Archer X90 above, it is a device running on the router and offers extra security, quality of service, and parental control options. You can also add other features if you pay for a subscription.
Who Will Use This Most
The Deco X90 is a perfect mesh system for medium-sized homes. It supports the latest 802.11ac, so you get better coverage, speeds, and reliability than many other routers around at this price range. The router has two Ethernet ports, one being WAN/LAN capable of connecting your fast PC from another port.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The recent buyer said everything is straightforward with this router. The other buyer was delighted with this router because it is fast and works great!
Why It Stands Out To Us
We like the TP-Link Archer GX90 router is the Game Band that provides a 4.8 Gbps exclusive for your gaming rigs and bings pure immersion. In addition to that, it stands out because of the Game Accelerator features that detect and optimize gaming streams to ensure your gaming stays immersive.
Moreover, it supports 1 × 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port + 1 × 1 Gbps WAN/LAN port + 3 × Gigabit LAN ports and 2 x USB ports to ensure max flexibility and boosted throughput when gaming. And most importantly, what everybody loves about any router is the expansive coverage. Thanks to high-performance antennas, Beamforming, high-power FEM, 4T4R combined to deliver Wi-Fi coverage up to a 4-bedroom house.
Who Will Use This Most
This one is good for heavy gamers and streamers as a gaming router. As we all know that most youngsters love to go live when gaming, so this router will benefit them.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The buyer mentioned that this router has a superb range. The buyer also stated that, unlike other routers that heat up, the Archer AX73 remains relatively cooler.
Why It Stands Out To Us
This router has a Gigabit Wi-Fi for 8K Streaming and up to 5400 Mbps Wi-Fi speeds for streaming, gaming, and downloading, all at the same time. It also includes a full-featured Wi-Fi 6 Router with 4T4R and HE160 technologies on the 5 GHz band, allowing for ultra-fast connections of up to 4.8 Gbps.
Moreover, it may connect more devices and supports MU-MIMO and OFDMA to reduce congestion and 4X the average throughput. Wait, there's more; it also has a High-Power FEM, 6× Antennas, Beamforming, and 4T4R structures combined to adapt Wi-Fi coverage to perfectly fit your home and concentrate signal strength towards your devices.
Who Will Use This Most
Since this router has robust Parental Controls, this would be beneficial for parents who want to monitor their children's online activity. This could also benefit families that need to connect more devices simultaneously.
TP-Link Router Buying Guide
Many of us buy routers without knowing the factors and features we need to consider. While we can't fully utilize it, this guide will help you choose one.
Coverage
Before buying a TP-Link router, you must first know the size of your house. If you live in a large house, you should choose a router that can cover up to 2000 sq. ft and up. Because if you get the wrong router with less coverage, the chances are not getting a good signal on every edge of your house.
That will be so annoying, right? So, before getting one, you must be aware of the size of your house.
Speeds
As we all know, each of us has varied requirements for router speeds, based on how we use it. For example, if you are a heavy gamer and streamer, you need to choose a router with reliable speeds of at least 500 Mbps up to Gigabit Mbps.
On the other hand, if you are working at home and don't need a faster speed, 300 Mbps to 1Gbps is good enough for you.
Connectivity
Is your family large? If you have three or more family members, your family is considered significant. So why would you choose a TP-Link router that only accommodates three people?
When buying a router, the number of devices that need to connect is one of the most important factors to consider. A large daily should choose one that can connect at least 10 devices or more. There are many options to choose so don't limit yourself when choosing.
Wi-Fi 6 Technology
The Wi-Fi 6, as we all know, is faster and constantly in demand to people, especially when we tend to consume more bandwidth and demand apps. Since this is the next generation of Wi-Fi, it offers a simple speed boost and efficiently speeds up connections in the process.
Built-in Anti-Virus
Most TP-Link routers have a built-in anti-virus. You should be looking for a TP-Link router with HomeCare Anti-virus. With the help of this feature, you can block malicious sites with just one tap on your Tether App.
This anti-virus can also protect your system and application from external attacks by detecting and preventing network attacks from known, unknown networks worldwide.
USB Sharing Feature
The USB sharing features allow you to share your USB devices and access them remotely through a wireless and LAN network. You can also connect the printer or external hard drive, Network Attached Storage, for sharing on the network.
TP-Link Router FAQ
1. Is TP-Link a good brand?
TP-Link is a well-known manufacturer of routers and other networking equipment. This company's routers have been featured in our reviews of the cheapest and best gaming routers.
With many years of experience, you can be confident that the TP-link router is dependable even if you are unsure of its functionality or performance. The company has also expanded its product line to include various routers.
As a result of integrated routers, the brand has a well-established reputation for delivering reliable and secure products. Our top routers review includes the best wireless travel routers and gaming routers.
2. How to choose the best TP-Link router for a home Wi-Fi network?
The router should come with an 802.11ac wireless router, an 850 mAh lithium-ion battery, and up to 3,000 hours of data cable. The router's orientation is critical. Purchase a good router and some high-quality chargers for your power cables.
Expensive routers will provide you with increased range, but they will not necessarily spread the signal throughout your home. Get rid of dead network segments by purchasing a low-cost router with power lines connected by cables or wires. Purchase it from a Central Office, preferably above a shelf away from other gadgets.
3. Where should I put my TP-Link router?
The central location of your home is the best location for the router. Keep your TP-Link routers away from metal objects and appliances to maintain a good range, as devices can cause interference.
4. Is it time to update my Wi-Fi router?
If you still have an old Wi-Fi router or a Wi-Fi Adaptor, you should seriously look into getting something updated. A new router may pay off in just months and provide more features. The other big reason to upgrade your router is to pay the monthly rental cost for a gateway device from your ISP.
Just don't forget to pair them with one of the best cables modems to completely free yourself of the additional costs usually associated with broadband internet packages.
5. What security features should be checked for when purchasing a wireless router?
You should look for a router that uses the most recent encryption protocol, most likely WPA2 or WPA3. You'll usually only have to enter the password once for each wireless device you use; the device will remember it afterward.
Conclusion
TP-Link makes the most reliable wireless routers and probably solves any networking need. The Archer AX21 is a good choice for almost everything the router requires.
There are plenty of faster router options to choose from, but at AX21, it is what most people will be happy with. We hope we can assist you in selecting the best TP-Link router for your needs.