The TP Link AC1900 really is something that a lot of people would consider as the Best Router among the other consumer-grade wireless routers below 100 bucks. And there’s a good reason for that. Compared to the older C9 router model, this one makes improvements in almost all corners, making it a fantastic contender for the Best OpenWRT Router title.
Why We Like It – TP Link AC1900
Long range wireless routers like the TP Link AC1900 don’t come for cheap. But the TP Link Archer A9 pretty much provides a similar kind of excellent performance for pretty cheap. And compared to the older TP Link Archer C9 AC1900 model, this TP Link Archer A9 (new model) improves on a lot of things.
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- AI Mesh support after firmware updates
- Dual band router
- Parental controls on the stock firmware
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- The stock firmware has a slow web UI
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Performance
Compared to other high-end routers (e.g., Asus RT AC68U, anything from the Netgear Nighthawk line) at this price, this dual band router performs exceptionally well. It will demolish something like the GL.iNet GL-AR150 in terms of performance, and if you install the OpenWRT custom firmware on it, the performance will be even better.
Range
The Wi Fi range of this router is pretty much the same as the much costlier Linksys WRT AC1900, which is pretty impressive, to say the least. And this one comes with only three external antennas. The MU MIMO technology and Beamforming technology give users fantastic coverage throughout their houses.You may also be interested in our HooToo TripMate Titan Review.
Durability
Well, the build quality of this router is where this router regressed a bit compared to the older TP Link Archer C9 AC1900 model to reach a cheaper price point. Don’t get us wrong; it’s certainly better than the GL.iNet GL-AR750S. But it’s a pretty good move to save on the manufacturing/making cost.
Ease Of Use
Even the stock firmware of this router is extremely easy to use. And it provides a lot of configuration and customization options. However, it is pretty slow. Depending on the revision, you should be able to install OpenWRT on it pretty easily. But do note, we only recommend advanced users try this out. Because if you don’t install it properly, you might completely brick your router.
Value
For just 70 bucks, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better dual band wireless router. So, no matter the use case, the TP Link AC1900 is most definitely worth the money for pretty much everyone. It supports plenty of bandwidth to run even a gigabit home broadband connection just fine.
TP Link AC1900 Wrap Up
The TP Link AC1900 is an excellent router for its price. If you’re looking for something better than your ISP’s wireless router (modem combo), this is a great one to pick up.
