The TP-Link Archer C6 Wireless AC router is the company’s most recent Wireless AC router. In addition to four external antennas, it sports a new glossy black design. MU-MIMO and beamforming are two of the most recent technologies included in this package. Although TP-Link does not specify the gain of the antennas, it is safe to assume that they are substantial.
The main purpose of this router is that it is reasonably priced. At the time of writing, it is likely to be the cheapest AC1200 MU-MIMO wireless router with all Gigabit ports available at the time of this article’s publication. It lowers the entrance hurdle for Wireless AC technology. If you are still using an older Wireless N router, this router is definitely worth a look if you are considering upgrading.
Design
The Archer C6 is constructed entirely of ABS plastic and weighs only 341 grams. It also has a pleasing appearance. Because this is a gadget that will most likely be forgotten in a corner of our home, we have to give TP-Link credit for going the additional mile with the design of this device.
It includes additional cooling vents on the backside and practically the whole side surface, as a result of the dual-core Qualcomm processor and the vast amount of hardware that this device has. As a result, it requires a significant amount of more air to remain cool. I put this TP-Link Router through its paces for at least a week and did not discover any issues with it connected to heating. Yes, it creates a small amount of heat while under heavy use (4-5 devices at the same time), however, this is typical and should not be cause for concern.
The rear of the router has four beam-forming antennas that may be pointed in the direction of the devices to ensure that they receive the strongest wireless signal possible. Using this method might be beneficial if you want to get a stronger signal on your electronic gadgets. These antennae are not replaceable, as is the case with the majority of low-cost WiFi routers.
Back on the network card, the Archer C6 is outfitted with four gigabit LAN ports and one gigabit WAN port for connecting to the internet. At the time of writing, it is likely to be the cheapest MU-MIMO wireless router with all Gigabit ports, at a price of $60 at the time of writing. The power jack and power button, as well as the reset jack and fast WPS button, are also present on the device. The USB port on this router, however, does not function.
There are five LED status lights on the front of the device that changes color based on the network’s status.
Performance
The Archer C6 supports Wireless AC1200, with a maximum connection speed of 867Mbps on 5GHz and 300Mbps on 2.4GHz on the 5GHz frequency band. After accounting for network overheads, you may expect a maximum real speed of 500Mbps on 5Ghz and about 100Mbps on 2.4Ghz with this configuration.
In addition, TP-Link has integrated MU-MIMO compatibility with this router, allowing you to experience improved performance while using an MU-MIMO compliant device with this router. The router also supports beamforming, which allows for even greater coverage improvement. By default, neither of these options is activated. Due to the low cost of this router, it does not include a USB port, which is understandable given its low price.
If you’re looking for speed, the TP-Link Archer C6 isn’t going to disappoint you. This device can easily connect to numerous devices at the same time, and it can offer them all the same WiFi bandwidth and speed thanks to its MU-MIMO compatibility (multiple user-multiple input multiple outputs).
As an additional benefit of simultaneously supporting two bands, the router is capable of providing total WiFi bandwidth of 1200 Mbps, with maximum speeds of 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, and 867Mbps on the 5GHz band, depending on the configuration. When we tested the router in real-world conditions, we discovered a maximum 5Ghz speed of 520Mbps and a maximum 2.4Ghz speed of about 105Mbps, which is an average speed, and most routers in this price range give the same or lower speeds.
When it comes to wireless capability, we put it through its paces in our standard test environment to demonstrate real-world performance. We put this router through its paces with our Tata Indicom 100 Mbps fiber optics plan, and we were pleasantly surprised by how well it performed.
On Speedtest.net, I can regularly achieve a download speed of 97Mbps in the short-to medium-range. After doing the usual lengthy test at a distance of 9 meters and through the middle of a two-foot-thick concrete wall, I am still receiving a respectable download speed of 60Mbps. With the TP-Link Archer C6, you’ll be able to enjoy the incredible wireless performance. Overall, I’m receiving really fast internet speeds as well as excellent wireless coverage.
Specifications
| WIRELESS | |
|---|---|
| Standards | Wi-Fi 5 IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz |
| WiFi Speeds | AC1200 5 GHz: 867 Mbps (802.11ac) 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps (802.11n) |
| WiFi Range | 3 Bedroom Houses 4× Fixed High-Performance Antennas Multiple antennas form a signal-boosting array to cover more directions and large areas Beamforming Concentrates wireless signal strength towards clients to expand WiFi range |
| WiFi Capacity | Medium Dual-Band Allocate devices to different bands for optimal performance MU-MIMO Simultaneously communicates with multiple MU-MIMO clients |
| Working Modes | Router Mode Access Point Mode |
| HARDWARE | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm CPU |
| Ethernet Ports | 1× Gigabit WAN Port 4× Gigabit LAN Ports |
| Buttons | WPS/Wi-Fi Button Power On/Off Button Reset Button |
| Power | 12 V ⎓ 1 A |
| SECURITY | |
|---|---|
| WiFi Encryption | WPA WPA2 WPA3 |
| Network Security | SPI Firewall Access Control IP & MAC Binding Application Layer Gateway |
| Guest Network | 1× 5 GHz Guest Network 1× 2.4 GHz Guest Network |
| VPN Server | OpenVPN PPTP |
| SOFTWARE | |
|---|---|
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
| OneMesh™ | OneMesh™ Supported Without replacing your existing devices or buying a whole new WiFi ecosystem, OneMesh™ helps you create a more flexible network that covers your entire home with TP-Link OneMesh™ products. |
| Parental Controls | URL Filtering Time Controls |
| WAN Types | Dynamic IP Static IP PPPoE PPTP L2TP |
| Quality of Service | QoS by Device |
| NAT Forwarding | Virtual Servers Port Forwarding Port Triggering DMZ UPnP |
| IPTV | IGMP Proxy IGMP Snooping Bridge Tag VLAN |
| DHCP | Address Reservation DHCP Client List Server |
| DDNS | NO-IP DynDNS |
| Management | Tether App Webpage |
| PHYSICAL | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 9.1 × 5.7 × 1.4 in (230 × 144 × 35 mm) |
| Package Contents | Wi-Fi Router Archer C6 Power Adapter RJ45 Ethernet Cable Quick Installation Guide |
| OTHER | |
|---|---|
| System Requirements | Internet Explorer 11+, Firefox 12.0+, Chrome 20.0+, Safari 4.0+, or other JavaScript-enabled browser Cable or DSL Modem (if needed) Subscription with an internet service provider (for internet access) |
| Certifications | FCC, RoHS |
| Environment | Operating Temperature: 0℃~40℃ (32℉ ~104℉) Storage Temperature: -40℃~70℃ (-40℉ ~158℉) Operating Humidity: 10%~90% non-condensing Storage Humidity: 5%~90% non-condensing |
| TEST DATA | |
|---|---|
| WiFi Transmission Power | FCC: <30dBm(2.4GHz & 5GHz) |
| WiFi Reception Sensitivity | 5GHz: 11a 6Mbps:-93dBm；11a 54Mbps:-78dBm； 11ac HT20 mcs8:69dBm;11ac HT40 mcs9:-65dBm; 11ac HT80 mcs9:-62dBm; 2.4GHz: 11g 54Mbps:-78dBm; 11n HT20 mcs7:-74dBm; 11n HT40 mcs7:-71dbm； |
Pros
- Affordably priced.
- Easy to install.
- Supports MU-MIMO streaming.
- Solid 5GHz performance.
Cons
- Middling 2.4GHz performance.
- No USB ports.
- Non-removable antennas.
Verdict
The TP-Link Archer C6 is a TP-Link competitor in the market for cheap routers. TP-Link, in my opinion, is doing everything correctly. The performance of the Archer C6 has left a lasting impression on me. Despite the fact that it is a low-cost router, it provides excellent performance. The performance of the router itself is capable of easily outperforming several mid-range routers. Obviously, there are certain concessions that must be made in order for it to be so inexpensive. For example, it does not include a USB port and does not include as many functions as one would expect from a high-end router. However, if you ignore those features, you will find that this is a decently functioning wireless router that will get the job done efficiently.
At this price, it’s extremely difficult to find a better value than the TP-Link Archer C6 V3.2, which offers excellent features, a helpful companion app, Dual-Core MediaTek processor power, and solid performance on the whole. It has a simple setup process, a wonderful admin panel, good network control, and other features to offer. Furthermore, with features like Onemash, MU-MIMO, Beamforming support, and others, you can be confident that you are receiving a gadget that is well worth the price that it is being offered. A USB port would have also been welcome in the future generation of the router since it would have made it much easier to connect a printer or shared storage device to the network.
All things considered, the Archer AC1200 C6 V3.2 is an excellent WiFi router that will assist you in upgrading your home network by enabling you to stream 4K material, play online games, and view films in high quality without experiencing any buffering issues (if you have a connection that is fast enough). For the time being, this is one of the finest value for money Wifi Routers available in the $50-$100 price bracket.
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