Today we are reviewing a brand new TP-Link Archer A5 router, which has just appeared on sale. An interesting model of a router, primarily for its price and support for the 5 GHz band. This is a full-featured, dual-band (AC1200) router for only 900 UAH. (about 2,000 rubles, or 33 dollars). Not a bad version of a modern home router from one of the best router manufacturers, with a convenient and intuitive web interface, the ability to control through the application and other chips.
It may seem that TP-Link already has some unrealistic number of different models of routers, which are almost the same both in appearance and in characteristics. Yes, TP-Link Archer A5 is made in the same case as Archer C50, Archer C5 V4, Archer C60. But in terms of filling, characteristics and price, these are different devices. And this is very good, since we have the opportunity to choose the router that suits us. And don't overpay for unnecessary hardware and software features.
As for the technical characteristics of TP-Link Archer A5, they are standard for this price category. Usually, when choosing a router, everyone is interested in such moments as the coverage radius of the Wi-Fi network, how many devices the router will withstand, whether it will cut the speed, how much the speed will cut, etc. To be honest, I do not understand what answer they want to get when asking such questions. It is important to understand that all these fictitious indicators depend on a huge number of different factors. And it is unrealistic to answer these questions. Wi-Fi coverage for all routers is approximately the same (under the same conditions), but it strongly depends on walls, interference, house / apartment layout, router location, interference, etc. The speed depends on the provider, on the protocol by which the router connects to the provider , from the load on the router, from the signal level, interference, from the devices themselves (clients).
I've gone a little off topic, but I hope I was able to clarify at least a little these points related to Wi-Fi network coverage and performance. If you do not know why you need a powerful, flagship router with top-end hardware, then the performance of TP-Link Archer A5 will be enough for you.
Main technical characteristics:
- Wi-Fi network speed is about 1200 Mbps. Up to 300 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band and up to 867 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. Hence the AC1200 in the name and on the box. AC is 802.11ac support and 1200 is the aggregate wireless speed.
- The speed of the WAN / LAN ports is 10/100 Mbps. The number is standard: 1 WAN port and 4 LAN ports.
- Antennas are external, non-removable. 4 pieces. I do not know what the power of the antennas is. Didn't find this information.
- There is a separate button on the case to turn off the power. And a WPS / Wi-Fi button to activate WPS and disable / enable the wireless network.
- Support for all necessary protocols and functions.
- Guest network.
- Parental control.
- Setting up and managing through the Tether app.
- TP-Link Archer A5 has IPTV support (IGMP Proxy, 802.1Q TAG VLAN, bridge).
- There is a separate "Access Point" operating mode.
- New feature "Facebook Authentication".
We figured out the characteristics, it's time to look at the configuration and appearance of the router.
Packaging and equipment
TP-Link has slightly changed the design of the box in which the new Archer A5 comes. The box itself is medium in size. It contains all the necessary information about the router. The main characteristics are indicated.
Standard equipment: router, network cable, power adapter, instructions.
And why don't router makers dilute this boring set. How many routers have already been surveyed - it's the same everywhere. They put at least some stickers, or a cheap Wi-Fi receiver 🙂 For those cases, for example, when the buyer has a stationary computer, and the router is installed far from the computer. Well, okay, here some manufacturers don't even provide a network cable with a router.
What does the Archer A5 look like?
The router looks stylish. The body is made of high quality gray and white plastic. The upper part of the router is glossy. A beautiful and unusual structure of the top cover, which houses the company logo and a panel with indicators. I liked the way the logo was applied. It cannot be conveyed in the photo, but it looks great live.
More photos:
The front panel LEDs are green. They are not bright, they will not interfere in a dark room.
4 LAN ports and 1 WAN port are located at the back. There is also a connector for connecting a power adapter, a power on / off button, a Reset button to reset the settings and a WPS / Wi-Fi button, with which you can activate the WPS function and enable / disable the Wi-Fi network (if you hold the button down for a few seconds ).
If necessary, the antennas can be folded (they are not removable) and the router can be hung on the wall.
Bottom view:
There are many holes for cooling the router board, which is very important. A high-quality and beautiful body, but instead of these plastic legs I would have made rubber ones.
Web interface
Even though the box with the router shows the new web interface, my TP-Link Archer A5 has an updated web interface. A bit different.
Simple and straightforward. In the settings you can set one of three languages: Ukrainian, Russian and English. I think the new web interface will appear in the next firmwares. The router is new, the software will definitely be updated.
The router can be controlled from a phone or tablet. Via TP-LINK Tether App. But only local control (when the phone is connected to a router). This router does not support cloud functions.
We will take a closer look at the router settings in a separate setup manual.
What is the connection speed through TP-Link Archer A5?
Everyone loves to watch speed measurements via cable and Wi-Fi. They often write to me, saying what kind of reviews, where are the speed measurements. How to understand how much the router cuts the speed. Therefore, I decided to take a few measurements by connecting via Archer A5.
At the rate I have a speed of up to 100 Mbps. Connection type: "Dynamic IP". Directly, when connecting the cable from the provider to the laptop, my speed is about 90 Mbps.
Cable speed via router:
Then I made speed measurements by connecting to the router via Wi-Fi. In the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands. The laptop was located near the router itself, the signal level is maximum.
Speed at 5 GHz:
Speed at 2.4 GHz:
The advantage of a dual-band router is immediately apparent. In the 5 GHz band, the speed is the same as for cable. In the 2.4 GHz band, it is twice as low. Neighboring networks (which create interference in the 2.4 GHz range) I do not have a lot, but not a few (5-7 pieces).
Depending on external factors, devices (clients), provider, the speed can vary significantly. Therefore, these measurements do not make much sense. I think so.
Conclusions
A great option for a home, dual-band router without unnecessary features. If you need USB and / or Gigabit LAN / WAN ports, you should consider other, more expensive models. For example, TP-LINK Archer C5 V4.
As you can see, the speed is much higher in the 5 GHz band. Even if we have Internet up to 100 Mbps, it makes sense to buy a dual-band router without gigabit ports. Especially if you do not plan to connect a tariff with a higher speed.
I liked the router. Leave your feedback on TP-Link Archer A5 in the comments!
