Mercusys router vs. TP link – Which is ideal for home use
Having the right home router will help you manage and control your home internet use efficiently. It allows all members of the family access the internet at all times from one device. We take a look at top Mercusys and TP Link routers.
If you do not have a home router then you are probably missing out a lot on a device that will completely transform your life in regards to internet connections. Router technology keep changing with each season. What used to work 3 years ago may now force you to experience unbearable slow internet speeds.
The ideal home router is the one that allows you to do your 4K video streaming, surf the web and play a few online multiplayer games. Home routers should also come equipped with features like parental control to handle what your kids are surfing online and QoS for device priority. Mercusys is a router model that has its origin from TP Link. In this review we examine some their top router models.
Table of Contents
What is the difference between Mercusys router and TP link?
Model |
Mercusys AC12G ac1200 |
TP Link ac2300 (Winner) |
Dimensions |
14 X 3.2 X 22.2 cm |
8.5 x 7.5 X 1.5 Inches |
Weight |
762g |
1.35 pounds |
Technologies |
Tag VLAN, Bridge, IGMP Proxy, Snooping, 2×2 MIMO |
802.11ac wave, 2 MU-MIMO, VPN server support |
Antennas |
4dBi |
3 |
Speeds |
300Mbps at 2.4GHz and 867Mbps at 5GHz |
1.625Gbps at 5GHz and 600MHz at 2.4GHz |
Availability |
Mercusys router vs. TP link – How do they compare?
Design
The TP Link c2300 measures 8.5 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches and is a lightweight router. It can easily fit in most of your household shelf’s or desks. The router has four LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports, WAN port and on/off switch. On the router side you get 3.0 USB and 2.0 USB ports. The router can also be mounted on walls and has many air vents for heat dissipation. The router is minimalistic in size hence making it ideal for home use. It also comes with 3×3 detachable antennas. The router has four blue lights on the front which you can disable should you find them distracting.
The mercusys ac1200 is a budget friendly router with minimal external features. The black colored router has 4 status LED lights on the front and 4 external 5dBi antennas. At the back you get 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and one LAN Ethernet ports.
Performance
The Mediatek MT7620A CPU with 64MB of RAM and 8MB of flash runs the mercusys ac1200. The router supports TIME, HyppTV, Unifi, and Maxis technologies. This router is capable of achieving speeds of up to 876Mbps at 5GHz and for the 2.4GHz 300Mbps. The TP Link comes with a Broadcom BCM4365E dual chip that also has 128MB of flash storage and 512MB of RAM. The router is capable of producing 1.625GHz at 5GHz and 600Mbps for the 2.4GHz. This gives the router a total bandwidth of 2.225Gbps.
Technologies
The c2300 has some awesome features found only in high end routers like anti-virus, TP Link Homecare, and parental controls. The router also has the Quality of Service (QoS) feature that allows for prioritization and the Broadcom NitroQAM modulation technology. With the later the router is capable of squeezing in more data into the bands by up to 25%. The mercusys ac1200 comes with multiple streaming featurethat allows one to connect up to 60 devices simultaneously.
Setup and Installation
The mercusys ac1200 is easy to setup as you do not have so many customization options. Once you get to their webpage you will get a list of setup prompts which when followed will connect your router. When it comes to setup plug in the WAN port to the modem then enter the default Wi-Fi name then go to the default web interface 192.168.1.1. The router also supports HyppTV and Unifi. The firmware for the mercusys is very basic hence making the setup process very fast. However, there is an advanced page where you can setup your IPv6, Guest networks and NAT boost. The TP Link ac2300 can be setup through Tether app for iOS and Android. The app is also pretty easy to use. Once install it, it will detect the router and then ask you to key some passcodes. With the app you should get the ac2300 installed in less than 5 minutes.
The setup process will take you to the customization page where you can change some advanced router settings like parental control. This feature allows the user to create a set of keywords that represent restricted URL. It also helps you define when the kids should be accessing the net. The HomeCare anti-virus will keep your network protected from any malware and attacks.
When it comes to client data protection, the c2300 has WPA2 encryption that helps prevent denial-of-attacks by creating a firewall in the network. The anti-virus for the router is made by Trend Micro and is very effective in quarantine of infected systems. The guest network feature will allow clients to your network but you can restrict what they do. For example, they can connect with their websites but may not access some local resources like your network storage drive. Most of the TP Link devices now have a Cloud feature. This means you can access the router settings from across the globe. When you purchase the TP Link Archer 2300 it comes with a 2 year warranty and prompt online support. The router is ideal for medium home use and will give you fast internet connection at an affordable price.
Mercusys router vs. TP link – A Comprehensive Overview
Mercusys router – Overview
TP Link own the mercusys router brand. The routers are affordable while still combining most of the functionality found in other high-end routers. One of mercusys top routers is the ac1200. This router is dual band meaning you can enjoy speeds of up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz frequency and 867Mbps on the 5GHz band. The router also combines three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports for your gaming devices and one WAN Gigabit Ethernet port. It supports TIME, Maxis, HyppTV and Unifi.
The mercusys is black in color with four external 5dBi antennas. The router has four LED lights at the front that display the status of various Wi-Fi connections. You can connect the device to up to 60 devices and they will still enjoy continuous internet streaming. The mercusys offers fast internet connection that enables you to stream HD videos, perform some high speed downloads and play some multiplayer games without worrying about buffering.
The five dBi external antennas do a good job of ensuring you have sufficient coverage to all your rooms. The router itself is compact meaning it will fit in most small home desks. You can also stream from the available LAN ports through Bridge, IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Tag VLAN technologies.
The installation process for the mercusysac1200 is pretty simple and straightforward. You will first have a screen where you create your login password, then network setup and finally wireless coverage. The default web interface during setup is 192.168.1.1. At the end of the setup process you will be required to enter your Wi-Fi username and password for both frequencies. The essence for this is to give you the ability to manually select which band to connect to. You will not find a lot of complicated settings for the router as this is a budget friendly router. However, on the advanced page you will find settings for IPv6 and parental control. For best performance you can try out the NAT page.
When the WAN performance is put to the test, the router was capable of reaching speeds of up to 850Mbps with no challenges. At long distance the router was capable of achieving speeds of up to 180Mbps on the bands.
What we liked:
- 2×2 MIMO technology
- Easy installation and setup
- WPA/WPA2 encryption
- Can connect up to 60 devices
What we did not like:
- The range is not that good
TP link – Overview
- Powerful 1.8GHz dual core processor leading edge 1.8GHz dual core 64 bit CPU with 2 co processors and...
- Faster Wi Fi enjoy 4K video and play online games simultaneously with ultra fast 802.11AC Wave 2 MU MIMO...
TP Link is a Chinese company that is widely known for the supply of computer networking equipment. The company was founded in 1996 and by 2005 it has started international supply of its materials. The company produces a wide variety of products that include mobile phones, cable modems and wireless routers. One of its most popular routers is the TP Link Archer c2300. The router offers good coverage for the 5GHz band.
The c2300 is a budget friendly router with some of the latest router technologies. It comes in a lightweight frame with multiple vents for heat dissipation. At the back you get three external antennas. The c2300 has a basic design and you can either place it on flat surfaces or mount it on walls. The router comes with four Gigabit LAN ports and one Gigabit LAN port. You have the option to combine the two Gigabit LAN ports through the link aggregation feature so that you can create two superfast gigabit wired connections. You also get some cool extras like a 3.0 USB and 2.0 USB port.
The c2300 is capable of clocking 1.625Mbps for 5GHz and 600Mbps for 2.4GHz. You also get parental control settings and Quality of Service settings. The router has a rectangular design with a huge heat sink on the bottom for heat dissipation. The router is capable of reaching temperatures of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit without becoming too hot.
The c2300 measures 8.5 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches and is small enough not to cause any obstructions in the house. It runs on a Broadcom BCM4365E chip that also comes with 128MB of flash storage and 512MB of RAM. The router also comes with an innovative Broadcom’s NitroQAM modulation technology. With this the router is capable of boosting the delivery speeds by up to 25% through squeezing data to the routers bands. On the front the router has four bright status lights that show you what is going on with the router. You can opt to switch off these lights at anytime.
The c2300 also comes with the latest beamforming and MU-MIMO technologies that ensures you get the fastest and best coverage. When put to the test the router is capable of reaching high speeds of up to 963.6Mbps. It also scores a throughput speed rate of 913.8Mbps at 50 feet.
The setup for the c2300 is simple and fast. You can install the router through the web interface or TP Link Tether App for iOS or Android. You will first be asked to accept the company instructions then proceed to a step by step instructions. At the back of the router is the username and password. You can change this once you are done with the installation process. The c2300 also has a set of customization options for parental controls, QoS and a HomeCare anti-virus.
What we liked:
- Anti-virus protection
- Can withstand high heat
- Fast 5GHz band
- Fast and easy installation
What we did not like:
- Materials appear fragile
Verdict: Which is better? Mercusys router vs. TP Link
It is hard finding a comparative advantage between the two brands as the mercusys brand is a subsidiary of the TP link. However, when it comes to testing individual products there is a clear difference. Mercusys is designed to offer budget friendly routers that combine performance and innovative technologies. TP link offers the better router in the TP Link ac2300. This router offers great coverage at for its 5GHz band and comes equipped with innovative setup features like an anti-virus, QoS and parental control. The bands offer decent speeds and coverage. The route is also moderately priced while retaining features in high end models.
FAQ
Does the mercusys ac12g have MIMO technology?
The device comes with 2X2 MIMO tech that increases transmission efficiency when you have multiple devices. The router also comes with WPA/WPA2 encryption technology that helps create a solid defense from hackers.
What is the function of the ac2300 modulation technology?
This tech allows the router to squeeze in data by up to 25% into the available frequencies. With this feature you will be capable of achieving very high router speeds.
