When it comes to routers, not every router is the perfect blend of features and worth the buck. On the contrary, the TP-Link Archer C9 AC1900 is a perfect candidate for the value for money routers. Not every router has the features, which this one offers, under the price tag it comes for.
Design and Ports
The router boasts three dual-band antennas. This means that it could easily cover a large range. Furthermore, the antennas are also removable, in case you do not want to use any or want to replace these. In effect, the Omni-directional wireless coverage is the one you were looking for.
As for the design, the router is not one for looks. Routers from D-Link and NetGear under the same price tag feature an aggressive design, while this router has a much simpler look to it. This makes it perfect for minimalists, who are not a great fan of router looks.
This doesn’t mean that it is not good at all. In fact, the front is smooth and curvy and has a glossy feel to it. There is also a silver colored stand at the rear if you want it to rest it in a vertical position on a surface.
As for the ports, the router features 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, as well as another port to attach your Internet Broadband Modem to. Further, there is also a WPS button, so that you may connect to the Wi-Fi without entering the password. On top of that, there is a Power button on the router itself. This means you will not have to remove the power connection to turn it off.
In addition to this, the router also features a USB 2.0 port, which can be used to access files over the internet. Though mind you, unlike the USB 3.0 port on other routers, file access would be a bit slower.
Performance and Specs
The router is powered by a 1 GHz, dual-core processor. This means the router can easily handle multiple clients connected to the network. This, in turn, provides seamless coverage. Furthermore, with the Beamforming technology, the signals are focused to where they are most needed, rather than just spreading them around. This mean, what once used to be a Wi-Fi Deadzone, is more like to get a stable WiFi connection.
In addition to this, the router also supports the 802.11ac protocol. This is the next generation of Wi-Fi, therefore rest assured of future-proofing yourself. Moreover, there are two connections for 1.9 Gbps of total bandwidth. One is the 2.4 GHz 600 Mbps and the other one is the 5 GHz 1300 and both work simultaneously.
Easy to Setup
The interface is quite user-friendly, and the installation is simple. Moreover, if you want to configure your router that isn’t much hassle either.
Price Tag
The router is available for a moderate price tag of $119. You won’t find many routers from a trusted brand name, with the same level of features that this router boasts. Though, the router does have low storage performance. On top of that, it also lacks a VPN server. Moreover, the router’s stand does slip a lot, if touched occasionally.
Still, these drawbacks can be easily overlooked, considering the value for money this router offers.