TP-Link Archer C80 is an entry-level router for homes and small offices. It has dual-band Wi-Fi which means it can work on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz band frequencies. This provides greater flexibility, reduced interference, and a more stable connection.
TP-Link Archer C80 Pros and Cons
TP-Link Archer C80 Design
As a AC1900 dual band router, TP-Link Archer C80 provides 600Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps at 5GHz. It features 3×3 MIMO, beamforming, and MU-MIMO technology to support more devices and multi-tasking from medium to long distance. Four non-removable high-gain external antennas enhance signal quality at the edge. It has four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and one Gigabit Ethernet WAN port, all capable of delivering speeds up to 1Gbps for wired networking. This is why it is an ideal option for users who value speed and stability. Note that it doesn’t have any USB ports.
On the bottom of the router, you can see the default WiFi name (SSID) and the default WiFi password. Also note that it has two mounting holes for wall/ceiling installation.
TP-Link Archer C80 Feature
- 802.11ac Wave2 Wi-Fi – 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band.
- 3×3 MIMO Technology – Transmits and receives data across three streams for seamless pairing with your 3×3 clients.
- Boosted Wi-Fi Coverage – Beamforming technology delivers a highly efficient wireless connection.
- MU-MIMO – Optimises device performance by enhancing communication efficiency.
- Personalised Management – Advanced features including Parental Controls, Guest Network, and Access Control provide tailored tools for network management.
- Intelligent Connection – Smart Connect directs clients to the less congested band and Airtime Fairness optimises time usage.
- EasyMesh-Compatible – Flexibly creates a Mesh network by connecting to an EasyMesh-compatible router for seamless whole-home coverage
TP-Link Archer C80 Specifications
Brand | TP-Link |
Model Name | Archer C80 |
Special Feature | 3×3 MU-MIMO |
Frequency Band Class | Dual-Band |
Standards and Protocols | Wi-Fi 5 IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz |
WiFi Speeds | AC1900 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps (802.11ac) 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps (802.11n) |
WiFi Range | 3 Bedroom Houses |
Processor | 1.2 GHz CPU |
Dimensions (W×D×H) | 8.5 × 4.6 × 1.26 in (215 × 117 × 32 mm) |
Package Content | Wi-Fi Router Archer C80 Power Adapter RJ45 Ethernet Cable Quick Installation Guide |
TP-Link Archer C80 Performance
The Archer C80 features the MediaTek TP1900BN @ 1.2 GHz chipset, 64 MB RAM, and 4 MB storage, delivering exceptional performance. This powerful combination enables rapid data processing and reliable network management.This results in a seamless experience as the router will nudge your devices to the best signal strength band, so you don’t have to toggle between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands manually as was the case with wifi 4 and wifi 5 standards.
I used a laptop with a wireless AC1200 WiFi adapter to run a few tests on the Archer C80, and the speeds surprised me. Speeds were as high as 600Mbp/s at close range. I was genuinely impressed by the speed and reliability of this cheap wireless router on WiFi. At two walls distance, the 5GHz speed decreased to almost 400Mbps when going further away. Still an amazing performance, definitely more than what I expected. I never dropped a connection when using this router. I got as high as 871Mbps download speed on the TP-Link Archer C80 on a wired LAN connection.
TP-Link Archer C80 Setup
The Archer C80’s setup process is remarkably straightforward, thanks to its intuitive web interface and the Tether application. This app enables convenient management of network settings, access control, and usage monitoring via your smartphone. This user-friendly approach makes the router accessible to both tech enthusiasts and novices alike.
TP-Link Archer C80 Firmware
If you are using the Archer C80, it is recommended to download the TP-Link Tether app on your phone, which brings a lot of convenience for managing your wireless router. This app shows you more details and allows you to manage your home network easily by connecting to your TP-Link account. The parental controls option via the TP-Link Tether app for devices allows for keyword blocking to prevent particular content on tracked devices. It also enables setting a daily internet usage time limit and an internet curfew. You can simply adjust these settings on the web-based interface.
The TP-Link Archer C80 also supports access point mode. I think that’s great, considering how good the C80’s WiFi is, makes it a great candidate for use as an access point. TP-Link has also baked in a guest WiFi option in this router.