Pros: Very fast to set up. Not counting running around to devices to enter new wireless passwords, I only spent about 30 minutes to enter in my complete customized network topology for a dozen devices.

Very clean and complete management interface, with all options laid out in a straightforward, uncluttered list.

Unlike D-Link DIR-879, does NOT require rebooting every time you touch a setting. You can make almost all of the changes you like and then reboot the router when ready.

Unlike D-Link DIR-879, has no apparent bugs or glitches in the interface, configuration, and operation of the router or management interface. The interface is a pleasure to use, and anything you want to set is easily accessible without any graphical gimmicry.

FAST!!! Even my wired connections are responding faster than ever compared to previous router hardware I have used. Devices on wireless connect fast and stream fast.

I like the standup form factor, which should be good for heat dispersion and dust avoidance.

Very good price/value equation.

Cons: Just one con, really. The router does not support HTTPS connections to the management interface. (I will have to be more careful I guess). But this router enabled me to get back online at a lower price after losing money on a return of the lousy D-Link DIR-879.

Pros: Price was good, but range is outstanding. The wireless reaches over twice as far in my house as the Comcast issued rental unit. Wired speed is exactly as it was with the Comcast rental, 88-89Mbs. I needed the Wifi range and it provides it.

Cons: I didn't buy this 2 years ago when I went to cable from DSL.

Other Thoughts: This is an excellent match to the TC-7610 modem, and they make a great setup.

Pros: Cab be flashed to dd-wrt currently beta. but very very stable. I have now issues. everything working as it should.

Cons: It's white!?!? why this one router out of all four versions they decided yeah lets make it white! gah i hate white electronics. or beige.

Other Thoughts: If you want to use the app to configure the router, then don't flash dd-wrt. as dd-wrt doesn't support that.
but the trade off is alot more control. and stability. they have been doing this for a long time now and know
what they are doing. imho it's worth it. the app is a gimmick i just don't have need of the apps features enough
to justify not flash the router to dd-wrt.

Pros: Looks nice

Cons: Tried to configure. Kept losing (wired) connection. Finally got it to configure, but it would not accept either default or new password. Still on wired connection, I found the firmware updates for my device. Since one of the most recent update seemed to be aimed at the problem I was having, I downloaded it and started to install it. My internet connection was reset in the middle. I am unable to access the router. It is going back in the box and headed for recycle... Too bad. It seemed to have great promise... The sad part is that there is no information on obtaining customer service on any of the printed materials. I did see it as I was looking for updates, but since I cannot access the router, I am unable to contact customer service.

Other Thoughts: Based on my experience, I would not recommend this router to anyone. It held such great promise, but now it is useless...

Manufacturer Response:

Hello Customer,

We are sorry to see that you've had issues with this device and getting in contact with our Support team.

Please feel free to reach out to us directly via phone: 866 225 8139

If you are having issues accessing the device, then trying to factory reset the device will take it back to its default settings and will allow you to access the device like you did right out of the box.

You may find the reset on the back of the device.

Best Regards!

TP-LINK Support Team
ussupportteam@tp-link.com

Pros: - Has good features.
- Faster than my 10 year old Linksys - obviously

Cons: It worked fine after setting it up. But only lasted about 4 months. After that, it did not recognize the internet connection. Tried all the tricks by checking the internet service and rebooting modem and router multiple times. Nothing worked.
Called the customer service and someone from China answered. After getting use to interpreting what she was saying, started rebooting and setting this and un-setting that, unplugging this unplugging that. Took about an hour and Nothing worked. Finally she said we need unplug everything and wait for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes she called again and tried same things before. But nothing fixed the issue. Router could not see the internet connection. Then she said we have to update the Firmware version and she is going to send me an email with the version number. If that's not going to work, she said she will give instructions to return it and get a replacement.

After getting the email, I updated the firmware version as instructed and did all the rebooting and unplugging and plugging in. Nothing worked. So, I sent an email asking for instructions to return it.
But instead of that, I got a call 6:30 in the morning from Shenzhen, Guangdong. Couldn't pick up on time but the message said that they are trying to reach me to try new things.
Got an email with steps to try new things...
Haven't tried it yet. But not sure how long this will go.
In the mean time, my 10 year old Linksys router helps me connect to the internet.
I read so many review before buying TP link. But not sure how they get these review.
Probably they have another Chinese company hired to write good reviews. :)
I know Linksys routers are more expensive. But should have spend extra money to get one.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Noel,

We're sorry to hear that our device was unable to provide a solution for you along with your interaction with our support team.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our products in the future, please feel free to contact our support team at the number and/or email provided for you below and an available support agent will be happy to assist you.

We thank you again for your feedback and certainly hope this experience will not discourage you from checking out more of our great networking products in the future.

Best Regards!
TP-LINK Support Team
866) 225-8139
ussupportteam@tp-link.com

Pros: UPDATE: 1 Year Later.
Still working great. Provides fast, reliable internet, file transfers, TV streaming (from a Silicondust HD Homerun Prime digital TV tuner box), and media sharing/streaming via 5.0GHz wi-fi and powerline adapters. We remain very impressed with this funny looking router, especially after testing a couple of other pricey routers along the way which were sent to me for review. Neither of those other routers (an Linksys AC2400 and a TP-Link OnHub) was able to provide both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz speeds as fast as the Archer C9. And we haven't suffered dropped connections, either, except when the whole chain needed power cycling due to Comcast occasional glitches in service. Also, the free-to-download TP-Link Printer Controller app works great. All our computers - wired, powerline and wi-fi can use the HP printer (and our older Canon) that's connected to the USB 2.0 port on the router. (One computer at a time may have printer access.) Eventually, we added more wired devices which necessitated adding an 8-port unmanaged ethernet switch (Netgear GS-108 i think), and that works well, too. All in all, we're still very satisfied with the Archer C9 after a full year of use.

Very easy setup to get started.

Easy to reach Wi-fi ON/OFF button on side panel.

Best Wi-fi range of any router we've ever used.

Awesome wireless bandwidth for streaming, sharing, Youtube, etc.

Gigabit ethernet for best performance on wired
connections, too.

USB 3.0 port for connecting external hard drive which can be shared by everyone on your home network.

USB 2.0 port for connecting a printer or another external hard drive.

Free app for using the printer from a PC, laptop, tablet or phone.

Free "tether" app so you can set up or manage the router from a phone or tablet.

Stand-up orientation means no cooling fan needed.

White finish plus 3 white antennas give it a striking appearance.

After setup, no flashing or blinking lights to drive you crazy.

2 year warranty with "Unlimited tech support 24/7".

Cons: Quick Install Guide fails to even mention setting up Wi-fi
security/password. Wireless security instructions begin on page 39 of the main User Guide.

As usual, there are four ethernet ports. If you need more, add a 5 or 8 port switch.

Other Thoughts: Our existing setup is:
TP-Link TL-WDR3600 dual-band router
2 x PCs connected via Powerline/ethernet
2 x PCs connected via Wi-fi @ 2.4GHz
iPad Mini
iPhone 4S.

Internet: Comcast 50Mbps

This system worked well with two exceptions. The Lenovo laptop (model Y500 - notorious for its mediocre Wi-fi) and the iPad mini both had fairly poor Wi-fi performance when being used 2 rooms away from the router or outside on the deck. Internet was usable, but streaming video would pause/freeze for a few seconds every 2 minutes or so. Making sure all other mobile devices were not in use
helped a bit, but it was still stop-and-go when streaming, especially if we were both sitting outside and using the laptop and iPad.

We bought a TP-Link T4U 5GHz USB Wi-fi adapter, plugged it into the laptop and enabled the 5GHz Wi-fi band on the more basic WDR3600 router. Now, the laptop streamed OK with no pauses as long as we didn't have several other mobile devices using up bandwidth - a definite improvement.

So, finally we come to the fancy Archer C9 router. What could it offer that we werent' getting from the less expansive dual-band model? Being impressed with how well the C9 performed over the first few days we decided to try and bring it to its knees, so to speak, with an outrageous test.

We went online with ALL our devices, both Powerline/wired and wi-fi, to Youtube.com and Vimeo.com where we chose a variety of HD videos and played them them all at once.

Streaming:
PC 1 = 1080p video
PC 2 = 1080p video
PC 3 (2.4GHz Wi-fi)= 720p video
Laptop (5GHz wi-fi)= 1080p video
iPad Mini (2.4GHz Wi-fi) = 720p video
iPhone 4S (2.4GHz Wi-fi) = ??? video

They all played perfectly - glitch-free, no problems! Could hardly believe it. OK, let's add another layer of difficulty. Keep all that streaming going plus open Windows Media Center and play recorded TV shows in HD over the home network to some of the devices.

Streaming as before + streaming HDTV recordings to 4 of the computers. Result: They all played OK again. Walked from room to room to double-check, still OK.

Cancelled 5GHz wi-fi, thus adding the laptop to the already busy 2.4GHz band. Video began to stutter or freeze on a couple of screens now. Kinda makes you appreciate the benefits of having the 5GHz band as an extra.

Before stopping all the streaming i touched the router's case, and it was slightly warm, no more.

Later, i took just the iPad Mini outside and walked slowly around the backyard which took me up to 40 or 50 feet away from the router indoors. The iPad kept playing - no freezups. Maybe the so-called beam-forming feature actually can direct the wi-fi signal towards you.

**File copying from Windows 7 pc (wired) to windows 8.1 laptop (5GHz wi-fi showing 4 bars out of 5 signal strength). One other computer was on the internet at the same time as the file transfer.

Copy 1 video size 2.1GB :
via TP-Link TL-WDR3600 router = 9.2MB/sec. = 73.8Mbps
via NEW TP-Link A

Pros: Easy setup
Nice management interface
Good customer service from TP-Link

Cons: Internet and all hard connections stop working after a reserved IP address was added

Other Thoughts: Setup a static IP on the first of these after I had owned it for about 6 months. This caused the Internet and all hard-wired connections to stop working, even after a factory reset. RMA'd it and received a new one. Updated it to the latest firmware which claimed to have fixed the static IP problem. The new unit immediately dropped Internet and all hard-wired connections. Factory reset won't restore it. At this point I've given up on the C9 and will be purchasing something more reliable.

Manufacturer Response:

Hello Customer,

Thank you for checking out our Router.

It sounds like the Static IP that you set was in conflict with another device on the network.

This is something that could cause the network to drop like you've seen.

Please feel free to reach out to us directly and we can try to trouble-shoot this issue.

Best Regards!

TP-LINK Support Team
ussupportteam@tp-link.com

Pros: It only works first few days!

Cons: I'm very unhappy with this router! I bought this router on thanksgiving sale because it works fine the first few days so I sent UPC to the rebate center for $30 which I still haven't receive it yet! After a week, it automatically drop connections from 50 Mbps to 1-2 Mbps every few hours/days. I wanted to return it back to newegg for refund and it's within 30 days but i got rejected for without UPC even it's defective item! I'm very disappointed with Newegg now. This is a joke! I still haven't received my $30 rebates yet! I will never buy products that provide mail in rebates again!

P.S: I had updated the firmware to the latest version it still doesn't help!

Other Thoughts: Do not waste ur money on this router!

Manufacturer Response:

Hello Customer,

We are sorry to see that you've had some issues with this device.

I am confident that we can work with you to trouble-shoot this device and find a good solution for you.

We do have a 2 year manufacture warranty and can replace this device if we find that it may be defective.

Please feel free to call our 24 hour technical support hotline for further assistance.

Best Regards!

TP-LINK Support Team
ussupportteam@tp-link.com

Pros: I purchased this router in Oct 2015 and it has be on for 24/7 without a disconnect.

Cons: N/A

Other Thoughts: It is connect to a ARRIS SB6183 modem; both provide good download speeds according to my provider and they are stable. I have 3 computers in different rooms (40 ft and 3 walls), 2 TVs, and security system (4 cameras) attached. Sometimes I use a tablet in my backyard, outside a brick house without a problem.

Pros: Has good coverage - 5 bars everywhere (in my house)
Thats about the nicest thing i have to say about it. Oh, it does have a power button.

I guess it did have more features than a similar dual core dlink i was looking at too. But only a few more.

The old firmware from May is at least stable (without addressing security and bug issues)

Cons: Some of its features are limited compared to my 5 yr old Dlink router. Why they give these new routers better hardware but less features is beyond me.
Has quite a few bugs that were fixed with the new firmware I saw - until they removed the firmware update that fixed the bugs.
The new 4.0 firmware update (150916) that they had (before they removed it) created new bugs, which is prob why they removed it, most specifcally a bug with DHCP that disables wireless access - any dhcp reservation makes the wireless not work in this latest-unknown-to-be-official 9/16 firmware.
TP-Link has 2 places to retrieve firmware updates with both having different firmware releases on them making it confusing
One site still has the new firmware (150916) that was removed from the other site so youre not sure which they think is right. Regardless, its still broken firmware and should be on neither site.
http://www.tplink.com/en/download/Archer-C9_V1.html#Firmware
http://www.tp-link.us/download/Archer-C9.html#Firmware
That leaves you with firmware from May 7 (150507) or May 14 (150514), depending on which site youre looking at.
Thats pretty old for firmware with alot of bugs and security holes especially when they just sold a whole boatload of them at christmas time.

Other Thoughts: I would probably not recommend or buy another TP-Link product again

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for the feedback regarding your recent experience with our product.

We apologize for the inconvenience yet unfortunately our support team did not have opportunity to assist you with troubleshooting these issues you may have been experiencing with your device.

to speak with you regarding the issues you were experiencing with your device.

For future reference, you may contact our 24/7 technical support team at the email provided below and an available support agent will be happy to follow up with you for assistance.

We hope this experience will not discourage you from trying more of our great products in the future.


Best Regards!

TP-LINK Support Team
ussupportteam@tp-link.com