D-Link AC1200 vs. TP Link AC1200 – are these two similar in performance?
With the proliferation of home products that need an internet connection to function – from TVs to refrigerators and smartphones, it is becoming increasingly important to have a router that can handle the demands of your home network more than ever before.
With that said, not many people can afford a premium router, and you might not even need the powerful performance that the more expensive choices offer – for instance, if you work in a small office, or live in a small apartment. That is where good budget picks come in – and they are in plenty – such as the D-Link AC1200 and TP Link AC1200.
Note that both of these are AC1200 routers, which means they support an 802.11ac connection standard, and their theoretical speed is up to 1200 Mbps. that does not mean their actual performance is the same, since various factors will affect their speeds – although one will come out as better than the other even with these obstacles in place.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the D-Link AC1200 and TP Link AC1200?
D-Link AC1200 (Winner) |
TP Link AC1200 |
|
Dimensions (inches) |
8.9 x 7.25 x 6 (slightly larger) |
4.9 x 7.2 x 1.3 (more portable in size) |
Total Ethernet ports |
2 |
5 |
Average throughput speeds (close proximity) |
75 Mbps (2.4GHz), 332 Mbps (5GHz) |
68 Mbps (2.4GHz), 530 Mbps (5GHz) |
Upload speeds |
40 Mbps |
30 Mbps |
Download speeds |
80 Mbps |
100 Mbps |
D-Link AC1200 vs. TP Link AC1200 – How they compare
Appearance
The TP Link AC1200 is similar to what you expect in rioters today, with a glossy black enclosure and a size of 4.9 x 7.2 x 1.3 inches. Like the DIR-842, it also has four antennas that are non-detachable, and its top front hosts the LEDs for internet, Ethernet, both radio bands, and WPS. At its rear, there are the buttons for WPS, Power, and Reset, as well as the four LAN ports, a WAN port, and a power jack.
The router also runs on a SoC processor of 750MHz, and uses a 2×2 design. It has support for both beamforming and MU-MIMO, which makes it different from the DIR-842 that only has beamforming support – however, the TP Link AC1200 lacks automatic band steering.
The appearance of the DIR-842 is smaller than what you see in most high or midrange routers, although it comes in the usual glossy black color. It measures 8.9 x 1.25 x 6 inches, and has four antennas externally – all non-removable, and the router runs on a 660MHz processor.
It has eight LED indicator lights at its top section. These indicate the internet activity, WPS activity, Power, wired-port activities (one covering each port), and Wi-Fi activity. At its rear, there are the buttons for Power and WPS, a WAN port, and four gigabit LAN ports – unfortunately, it does not have any USB port.
We pick the DIR-842 as the winner here because of the compact design, which can fit in anywhere in your home; even despite the lack of a USB port.
Setup and management
Managing both routers is easy, although we notice that the D-Link DIR-842 offers more options for adjusting your preferences. You can do this through the smartphone app for Android and iOS, or through the web-based management console. The entire setup process is short, only taking about 5 minutes, and the Setup Wizard launches automatically when you connect to the internet.
Regardless of what you use for the DIR-842, you will find access to both advanced and basic settings, and an easy-to-navigate system. In the web console, the Home screen shows you the network map, and both management options have intuitive setup wizards, wireless settings, and the management screen (shows you network statistics, firmware updates, and password administration).
You can manage the TP Link AC1200 through the TP Link Tether app, which allows for disabling and enabling parental controls, as well as basic security and wireless settings. The web console offers more options for management, like creating profiles for different users; and the Cloud will enables you to manage your client devices and network from anywhere through the internet.
The D-Link DIR-842 surprisingly has an easy system of management, which is why we picked it as the winner of this category, even when comparing it to the TP Link AC1200.
Performance
Considering that the DIR-842 is a budget router, it actually performs very well. In close proximity, the 2.4GHz band has a score of 75 Mbps and 332 Mbps in the 5GHz band, making it faster than most AC1200 picks in the market. The 30-foot speed test results were not bad either, with the 5GHz band scoring 111 Mbps, and the 2.4GHz band scoring 42 Mbps. When examining its 30-foot test speeds, it is considered as a mid-range router, which is still good.
The TP Link Archer AC1200 has a more mixed performance, as its 5GHz band has great results, while the 2.4GHz band struggles a lot in overall score. The 2.4GHz band has a score of 68 Mbps in close proximity, while this drops to 39 Mbps at 30 feet. The 5GHz has a much better performance, with a score of 530 Mbps in close proximity, and 204 Mbps at 30 feet.
Considering the reliability of performance for both the 2.4 and 5GHz bands, the DIR-842 surprisingly comes out on top. What disqualifies the TP Link AC1200 is the mixed performance, something that the D-Link DIR-842 does not struggle with.
D-Link AC1200 vs. TP Link AC1200 – A comparison review
D-Link AC1200 – Overview
- Simultaneous dual band Wi-Fi: Browse the web on one band while streaming media on the other
- High gain antennas: 4 high powered antennas and amplifiers provide wider coverage throughout your home
Also known as the D-Link DIR-842, it is a solid router that offers very good throughput, yet comes at a very low price of less than $100. It gives you a chance to experience good connection quality without spending a fortune on it, although it lacks USB connectivity, which is a major disappointment.
With the D-Link AC1200, you will get a series of benefits; which include dual band Wi-Fi, plenty of management settings that include QoS (Quality of Service) optimization, guest networking, and parental controls, and also good throughput. All these features place it among our top picks when you are choosing a budget router.
Pros
- Includes plenty of management settings
- Very good throughput performance during testing
- Very affordable
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
Cons
- Antennas are non-detachable
- Lacks USB ports
TP Link AC1200 – Overview
- Upgrade to AC WiFi with speeds up to 1200 Mbps (N300+AC900)
- Fast Ethernet ports, ideal for homes with up to 100 Mbps internet plans
The TP Link Archer AC1200 is great if you are on a tight budget and cannot afford to get anything else. Despite its budget price though, it does include a variety of features that you find on more premium routers, like four gigabit LAN ports and support of MU-MIMO streaming.
Despite its advantages, it leaves plenty of be desired in the 2.4GHz band – even though the 5GHz performance is superior. It also lacks malware protection and USB connectivity, which you get in a more expensive model.
Pros
- Comes at a very affordable price
- Solid performance in the 5GHz band
- Support for MU-MIMO streaming
- Easy to install and use
Cons
- Lacks USB ports
- Antennas are non-removable
- Middling performance in the 2.4GHz band
- Lacks built-in malware protection
Verdict: So what is better? The D-Link AC1200 or TP Link AC1200?
In our review of these two budget picks, our conclusion is that the winner is the D-Link DIR-842. Not only is it a breeze in installation, but also offers you superior throughput speed performance – especially on its 5GHz band. However, it does not have USB connectivity, so it may not be a good option if you rely heavily on this feature in a router – it works much better primarily as a wireless point of connection.
FAQs
Is it possible to route a hotspot from my smartphone to the D-Link AC1200?
Not really. In fact, you will need to connect the ‘Internet’ side to a DSL modem through an Ethernet cable, as the wireless hotspot connection cannot work.
Is it possible to set up the TP Link AC1200 as a router?
Yes, it is possible. The guide is present in the TP Link website, which you can access by typing https://www.tp-link.com/us/faq-11999.html in the search bar.
