TP-Link Archer C50 Router Review

[Jason]

In July, we switched from Cogeco back to Start as our internet provider. Unlike with Cogeco, the cable modem didn't come with wireless so we had to add a wireless router. After looking on Amazon, I settled on the TP-Link Archer C50 router. I bought it in July.

What convinced me was the Amazon Editor's Choice stamp of approval and that it supported DD-WRT. I haven't installed DD-WRT on it but I will. It also doesn't hurt that it can be used as a repeater as well. And it had most of the latest standards. It has four antennae, broadcasts in either or both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and supports WPA 3 and b, n, g and ac standards.

I'm entirely happy with the router. All of our devices connect to it, and we have a strong signal throughout our basement apartment. That includes my wife's desktop where the signal has to go through three walls. Previously we only got 4 bars, sometimes only 3. It's only been rebooted once but that may have been the cable modem.  It was easy to set up with a quick foldout sheet and a brief troubleshooting guide.

We paired it with a TP-Link wireless card as my wife was having issues with the wireless USB stick.

The configuration screen has every usual option with a couple more like guest mode and the network uses IP isolation for it by default. The router was only $39 at the time, not much more than some cheap routers that aren't as rock solid. It also came with the most recent firmware available which was released only a couple of weeks previous to my order. Maybe I was just lucky.

[ssfc72]

Thanks for the review, Jason.
$39 is a great price. My router, which I bought quite a few years ago is an Asus RT-AC68U, has similar specs and can run DD-WRT and iI believe I paid, at the time, around $140.

[fox]

That's an amazing price for a good router!

[Jason]

One thing I should mention is that I don't do torrents anymore, at least, not for more than the occasional Linux ISO. That's supposed to be the real test of a router in terms of stability but I haven't tried it.

I noticed an online review of a C50 shows a picture that isn't the router I have even though it says it's the same model. So just so you make sure that any other reviews are talking about the same router, here's the one I have:

https://www.amazon.ca/TP-Link-Wireless-Archer-C50-V3/dp/B07451WCQW?th=1

I probably should mention that I have only a 40 Mbps internet connection so if you have something faster, I can't promise that it can live up to those speeds. The geek in me wants a better connection but the poor part of me says that 40 Mbps works fine so why bother?