Tenda N301 vs Tp-Link Wr841n- A battle of the two routers

Some of the best features of routers is their ability to reduce network traffic by creating collision domains, they also help reduce network traffic by creating broadcast domains.

One major mistake that I made when purchasing my wireless router was investing in a unit that was using an old encryption scheme (WEP). The router was incredibly slow even after subscribing to a higher paid plan, so I opted to purchase a new wireless router that was equipped with a new encryption scheme and was spoilt for choice between the Tenda n301 and the Tp-Link Wr841.

The problem with investing in a router with an old encryption scheme is that hackers can get through to it connect and use your network, and consequently, other devices that are connected to the same network will experience slow internet speeds. And if you are not careful the hackers will carry out all sorts of illegal activities using your internet account, and this includes using your name and address.

The below excerpt, therefore, seeks to establish the router with the best wireless speeds and their encryption systems.

What are the differences between Tenda N301 and Tp-Link Wr841n?

The Tenda N301 vs The Tp-Link Wr841n-How do they compare?

Speeds

The best way to achieve high speeds from your wireless routers is by ensuring that your ISP matches the speeds of your router. Tenda N301 doesn’t offer high wireless speeds when compared to the Tp-Link Wr841, which offers slower download speeds and higher upload speeds. If you have been using routers for some time now, you might have noticed that they usually feature higher upload speeds and lower download speeds.

The logic behind the above is that many people rarely upload large files and even if they do, it is not as frequent as to how they download the large files. So a router that offers higher download speeds will have you download large files fast, and occasionally when you need to upload files in the office or at home then the provided upload speeds should be able to cater to that need.

But with regard to the upload and download speeds provided by the Tp-Link Wr841n then it means that this type of routers are specially made for a certain category of users, most likely those who engage in intensive uploading tasks. Apart from the uploading speeds, both routers have been equipped with two external antennas that help to increase link reliability.

And while the high number of antennas on a router will rarely give you more maximum distance, they inadvertently provide more coverage within the estimated distance.

Design

The Tenda N301 features an attractive color “White,” but it does appear a little bulky when compared to the Tp-Link Wr841n. The routers antenna have been conveniently attached to the sides and can thus easily connect to the ISP network, or the uplink access point thus covering all the dead points within the estimated range. At the top, users have been provided with led lights necessary for indicating If the router is functional and whether it is receiving the correct internet signals.

At the back, the unit has been equipped with up to 4 ports to cater to the wired connection, users have also been provided with a WPS button that only needs pressing and your routers security feature is up and running. The above also obliterates the need for a password.

Tp Links Wr841n features a somehow sophisticated flat design, the antennas have been strategically placed at the back of the router, which makes deployment quite easy. The antennas are also detachable to allow users to upgrade and for easy alignment; another important feature that gives the router a competitive advantage over the Tenda N301 is its ability to be wall-mounted via its sleek housing.

Security

Given the sensitivity of information shared in the networking platforms, and the cash transactions incorporated therein, equipping the networking devices with the best-advanced security features has become a selling point. As many users are now more concerned about the security of the information that they share within their networks, besides cyber crimes record a new high every day with criminals becoming even smarter thus hack the most secure systems.

Initially, we mentioned the problem with using outdated security applications that are easily hacked, to which end the Tp-Link Wr841n has been equipped with the WPA-encrypted connection. The latter is a security standard that was developed for individuals who are into using computing devices. The application offers more sophisticated data encryption complete with improved user authentication.

The above has thus been determined to be more effective than WEP, which was the original Wi-Fi security standard that later becomes too compromised to be used with the networking devices.

The Tenda N301, on the other hand, has been equipped with an advanced security feature and offers users multi-level wireless encryption options. Therefore, if you decide to settle for the Tenda router, then your network will be furnished with a 64/128 bit WEP, a WPA2–PSK, and a WPA-PSK. The WPA2-PSK was designed for the home users and does not include an enterprise authentication server.

WPA-PSK is also a security feature that is normally used to validate and authenticate the users connected on a wireless LAN or a WiFi connection, important to note is that the WPA-PSK security offered by the router is not as effective as the WPA2 and that is why you have been provided with the both in the Tenda N301.

Application

For the Tenda N301, you will simply download the Tenda WiFi app from Google play and customize your router to suit your needs. The application supports both remote and local management. And from the same application, you could sign in with your Tenda account. Tp-link, on the other hand, offers its users the Tether application that can be downloaded from Google play.

Tp Links tether application gives users varied options when it comes to customizing their network functions, for example, there is the parental control option and device prioritization.

Tenda N301 vs Tp-Link Wr841n wireless routers – A comparison Overview

Tp-Link Wr841n Overview

TP-LINK 300Mbps Wireless N Router TL-WR841N

• 300Mbps wireless speed ideal for interruption sensitive applications like HD video streaming
• Two antennas greatly increase the wireless robustness and stability

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The Tp-Link Wr841n can be used for both the wired and wireless network connections but is not recommended for use in big business. However, if you run a small office in your home or have a small business that needs networking services then the Tp-link Wr841n is your go-to router.

The unit has been determined to offer the best wireless performance as it can mitigate data loss through obstacles and over long distances. The router is also well equipped to engage the bandwidth-intensive activities.

What we like

• Features two antennas that greatly increases the stability of the unit
• The Tp-Link tether app allows quick installation
• Features a wireless security encryption feature
• The antennas are detachable thus allows easy alignment and upgrading

What we don’t like

• The parental control feature rarely works
• At times the unit fails to connect to the modem or the internet

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Tenda N301

Tenda N301 N300 Wireless Wi-Fi Router, Easy Setup, Up to 300Mbps, White

• Wireless N speed up to 300Mbps ideal for streaming, online gaming, VoIP, and web browsing
• Two 5dBi antennas greatly increase the wireless range and stability

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The Tenda N301 is a good router for home use, as it can offer speeds of up to 300mbps, meaning that you can run the bandwidth-intensive activities without compromising on the speeds offered to the devices engaged in activities that utilize less bandwidth. Setting up the router is very easy even for novice users and can be achieved in three easy steps.

The unit has been equipped with advanced security options, designed to block unauthorized access while protecting the important information in your network. The equipped parental control feature allows the admin to define the time of using and block specific domains.

What we like 

• Offers high internet speeds of up to 300mbps
• Set up and configuration is easy via the WiFi Tenda application
• Users can initiate the secure WiFi feature by just pushing the WPS button.
• The router has been equipped with an effective parental control feature

What we don’t like

• The unit keeps dropping the internet
• The incorporated software is no effective

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Conclusion

Both the Tenda N301 and the Tp-Link Wr841n are effective routers each configured for different categories of users. The Tp-Link router can, therefore, be adopted in a home or a small business environment and the Tenda N301 will work best when used at home. Both units feature the latest security features meant to restrict external interference.

Verdict: Which is better, the Tenda N301 or the Tp-Link Wr841n wireless routers

The Tp-link Wr841n turns out to be the better option because for one it can cater to two categories of users, the small businesses and for home use, while the Tenda N301 can best be adopted for home use.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my Tp-link Wr841n keep dropping its connection?

Wireless signals are normally affected by the local environmental conditions, which affect the wireless signals.

2. How do I set up the Mac address filter on my Tenda N301?

You will open a web browser, and then proceed to type 192.168.0.1, and then press enter, then proceed to advanced MAC address filter, where you will select the filter mode. You will then type the MAC address that you want to filter in the “MAC ADDRESS” bar, you will then click + to apply it and proceed to click ok, to save the settings.