TP-Link Archer A6 (AC1200) WiFi Router Review

TP-Link AC1200 Router has three versions:

1.TP-Link Archer C1200 (AC1200) 2016 (Out of date)
2.TP-Link Archer A5 (AC1200) 2019
3.No products found. 2019 Recommended

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Do you want a high-speed Wi-Fi router for your home? Most people use entry-level wireless routers, which are average-speed routers with limited range coverage and slow speed. Those who want to high-speed connectivity needs an advanced router like TP-Link Archer A6 (Ac1200). Not only does this router has a high-speed Wi-Fi performance but it is also one of the most affordable routers you can find on the market.

The TP-Link A6 AC1200 is the second version of the Archer router. This router combines 2 x 2 MU-MIMO technology with 802.11ac standard. It is a modern router with powerful hardware. The A6 AC1200 is designed specifically for home users. However, you can also use it in a small to medium office.

Compared to other Wi-Fi routers from other brands like Asus, Netgear, and Linksys, the hardware of this router is a bit weaker. In general, it has powerful hardware and when it comes to the performance, the A6 is a perfect router considering the 2 x 2 MU-MIMO technology. The router can emulate 2 separate networks.

Specifications

Size: 9.1 x 5.7 x 1.4 inches

Antennas: 4 (non-removable)

Wi-Fi Spec: 5 GHz 802.11ac dual band

Ports: N/A

Peak Performance: 900 Mbps

Range: 1500 sqft.

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Unboxing TP-Link Archer A6 AC1200 - Best 2019 Router Support 300mbps Bandwidth via WiFi

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Networking

We tested the WAN performance of the router to know the maximum wireless speed. Many routers do not have Gigabit ports and thus do not support Gigabit Internet speed. You can achieve a speed of 940 Mbps with NAT Boost feature enabled. The TP-Link A6 Ac1200 supports UNIFI Turbo at an average speed of up to 800 Mbps. The wired LAN, on the other hand, supports 1 Gbps speed.

We tested the wireless performance of the using a laptop with TP-Link Ac1200 and compared the results with the TP-Link Archer A7. After testing the device, we found that the Archer A6 is a bit faster than the Archer A7 when we tested it with an Ac1200 receiver. The high-speed internet id due to the cutting-edge wireless chipset powered by Beamforming technology. On the Ac1750 client, the Archer A7 will perform better than A6.

On the 2.4 GHz radio frequency band, the speed we measured was 315 Mbps at 5 feet. Also, at 15 feet, we measured an average speed of 276 Mbps and at 30 feet, the speed measured was 114 Mbps. On the other hand, the speed on the 5 GHz radio band was 900 Mbps (5 feet), 673 Mbps (15 feet), and 384 Mbps (30 feet).

Design

The dimensions of the TP-Link Archer A6 (Ac1200) are 9.1 x 5.7 x 1.4 inches. The weight of the device is 2 pounds. The Archer A6 has glossy black plastic with a wave-like ripple that echoes across the body of the router. The router has a distinctive design and stylish finish. You can’t mount the router on the wall. You can place it on the table and shelf.

On the front side of the router, there are 6 LEDs, which indicated the status of the network. The LEDs also indicate the status of the Power, WPS, Ethernet connections, and connections to 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands. The LEDs are not bright, which means that you won’t get disturbed in your room.

There are 4 Antennas on the back end of the router, which send wireless signals across 15,000 sqft. The range, however, is average for a router with a standard of Ac1200. The antennas of the TP-Link Archer A6 are non-detachable, which for many users is the downside of this router.

It is no possible to upgrade the antennas for starters. However, if you want to upgrade the antennas, you need to open the device and delve into the hardware setting. We think that it is not a good idea to upgrade the antennas.

The Archer A6 (Ac1200) has 1 WAN port and 4 Ethernet ports. Each Ethernet port can haul a full Gigabit of the bandwidth. While testing the router, we found that the router has a slower speed on the 2.4 GHz band. So much so, there is a power button, WPS button, and reset button on the rear panel of the A6 Ac1200.

Hardware

The TP-Link A6 Ac1200 runs on a single-core processor. It has Qualcomm QCA9563 CPU clocked at 775 MHz. The processor’s clock speed of 775 MHz for a router with Ac1200 is a bit slower. The Archer A6 supports Beamforming and MU-MIMO technology on the 5 GHz channel. You must enable these technologies to have a faster Wi-Fi performance.

The newer Qualcomm QCA9886 powers the 5 GHz channel rather. On the other hand, the Archer A7 is powered by the Qualcomm QCA9880. Thus, the A6 is more powerful than A7 because it has Beamforming and MU-MIMO technology support. The router is also powered with 128 MB of RAM and 8 MB of storage for the firmware. There are no USB ports.

Installation

The installation of the TP-Link Archer A6 (Ac1200) is simple, easy, and smooth. You need to use a setup wizard. You need to create a username and password. There are a default username and password, which you must change to secure the network. The Setup Wizard guides you step by step through the installation process.

After the installation, the wizard asks if the internet connection has been established. If there is a connection, then the setup is complete. On the other hand, you have to change the settings and fix things to establish a successful internet connection. This is a straightforward installation procedure.

You would also appreciate the customization settings of the router, which means you can make changes according to your needs on the network settings. The User Interface “UI” even facilitates the beginner users navigating through the advanced tab to modify settings. Overall, the Ac1200 is an old technology but the beamforming and MU-MIMO support still give you higher-speed Wi-Fi.

TP-Link Archer A6 (AC1200) WiFi Router Review

Specifications