TP-Link archer C2300 vs. Asus RT AC86U – Which has the longest range
It is annoying trying to get Wi-Fi connectivity in a large home. Here you have more powerful devices cannibalizing speeds at the expense of the less powerful devices. The TP-Link archer C2300 and Asus RT AC86U are your ideal routers for home use.
If you are experiencing some lag in your download time it is time you upgraded your router to match emerging technologies. If you are sharing a household with many occupants and all are competing for the Wi-Fi spot, what you need is something with tri-band capabilities. Most of these routers will offer you 2.4GHz and 5GHz hence enabling you to connect at varying speeds.
If you have better ranges for your router, it means you are able to stream live videos, engage in multiplayer games and connect all your IoT devices with ease. It is imperative that you get yourself a router that is easy to setup and is user-friendly. This review of TP-Link archer c2300 vs. Asus RT AC86U checks out these two leading routers in the market and we tell you which is the best.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between TP-Link archer C2300 vs. Asus RT AC86U?
Model |
Asus RT AC86U |
TP-Link archer c2300 |
5GHz transfer rate |
1300Mbps |
1625Mbps |
VPN Protocol |
IPSec, L2TP, PPTP, OpenVPN |
OpenVPN |
Communication Protocol |
Multicast, IPv6, Quality of Service (QOS) Wireless Multimedia Extensions(WMM), Virtual LAN(VLAN) |
IPv6, Wireless Multimedia Extensions (WMM) |
Weight |
1.41 lb. |
3.64 lb. |
MU-MIMO Technology |
Yes |
Yes |
Mobile broadband support |
Yes |
No |
Speed range |
667.8Mbps at 15 feet
636.5Mbps at 5 feet |
682.2 Mbps at 15 feet
913.8 Mbps at 50 feet |
TP-Link archer C2300 vs. Asus RT AC86U – How do they compare?
Design and connectivity
The TP-Link archer c2300 has simplistic design that masks its power. At first glance you can underestimate this router but it provides unimaginable ranges common in the more expensive routers. With anti-malware filtering and parental controls you are assured that your browsing is safe and secure. The device is very small and comes with three slim detachable antennas that do not obstruct you in any way. Should you need to mount it to your wall, you can do with it without any worries to the ventilation. Talking of heat dissipation, you have large air vents on the front and a heat dissipation metal at the top. Porting is through four LAN ports and one gigabit WAN port. You also get 2.0 USB and 3.0 USB port.
The Asus RT AC86U spots a sleek design with black and red colors. It can sit flat on a table or you can place in an upright position. The ASUS is very compact and measures a modest 8.6 X 6.3 X 3.3 Inches. Weighing in at 1.9 pounds it can go unnoticed in your home. Connections are at the back; here you have 3.1 USB Gen 1 port, 2.0 USB port, four gigabit LAN ports and one gigabit WAN port. The LED lights are not that large or too bright and show you the internet connectivity and the two bands – 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
Performance
The TP-Link archer c2300 comes with a Broadcom BCM4365E Wi-Fi chip. This enables the router to deliver three independent data traffic lanes. In this instance, you can do 600Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1.625Gbps at 5GHz. All these speeds are supported by 128MB flash storage and 512MB RAM. To help the TP-link apportion bandwidth effectively, you get the Quality of Service (QOS) software.
Performance to the Asus RT AC86U is through BCM 4366E Wi-Fi chip that offers you four lanes of independent traffic. To boost speeds the router has a 1.8GHz dual-core processor that also capitalizes on the latest MI-MIMO and beamforming technologies. You also get 512MB of flash storage and 256MB of RAM.
Setup and customization
You can setup the TP-Link archer c2300 through their dedicated cloud based router app or connected browser. This also enables you to manage the router remotely. The internet interface is easy to use and you should not have problems navigating around it. You get three tabs – basic, setup and advanced. In advanced you should have the ability to upgrade your firmware. The TP-link stands out with its host of security features like an anti-malware software and parental controls.
The setup process for the Asus RT AC86U is basic and fast. All you need to do is connect your router to a power connection, then enter the provided passwords on the browser window. Firmware should be updated automatically thereafter. Should you receive the router in a language you do not understand, press the reset button for around 10 seconds and it will reboot to English. Once you create an account with ASUS you are given 5GB of cloud storage for free. This router is built for gaming and comes with a GameBoost that enables you engage in many multiplayer games. The only downside we realized during setup is you cannot do it through the dedicated ASUS router app; you can only do this through a connected browser. This means you need a PC during setup.
Security
When it comes to the router security a lot has been done for the TP-Link archer c2300 to protect it from malware. In fact the router comes with its own anti-malware software that will protect you from threats. With an additional parental control feature one is able to control what their children is surfing. This is not the case with the ASUS and the TP-Link wins in this round. Routers are often subject to attacks and the best of them should have the ability to upgrade firmware. Technologies change and companies are always on the lookout for better ways to protect their gadgets.
TP-Link archer C2300 vs. Asus RT AC86U – Overview
TP-Link archer C2300 – Overview
This is an ideal router for home use. It comes at an affordable price with parental control to prevent kids for surfing harmful stuff. At first glance the TP-Link is not that impressive as it is so small. But, do not be fooled; it is quite powerful. For the price it comes for you get lots of customization options and anti-malware filtering. The router is compact enough to fit in small and cramped living spaces. To help in heat dissipation you have a large heat sink at the bottom and at the top you have large air vents. In addition, you do not have irritating flashing lights instead these have been replaced with light blue indicators. This allows you to view the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. The router comes with three antennas.
Talking about size the Archer C2300 measures 8.5 X 7.5 X 1.5 inches, it also runs on dual band network. The broadcom’s BCM4365E Wi-Fi chip is capable of supporting independent traffic lanes. The maximum throughput rate is at 2.4GHz 600Mbps, 5GHz 1.625Gbps. You also get 128MB of flash storage and 512MB of RAM. To enable the router apportion bandwidth properly it maximizes on TP-link’s Quality of Service (QOS) software.
The Archer C2300 comes with 2.0 USB and 3.0 USB ports. You also get four LAN gigabit-per-second Ethernet ports, WAN and on/off switch. If you want to turn it into wired router, you have a button for the router’s Wi-Fi transmission. The range for the router is 110 feet while the peak 802.11ac performance is 939.6Mbps at 5 feet. To help you achieve the best range, the TP-Link archer c2300 comes with a MU-MIMO and beamforming technology. While the router does not hit the 1GHz category it does come close at 939.6Mbps which is quite useful in a medium sized home.
When it comes to transmission over walls, it performs quite decently at 921.7Mbps. The router is ideal for video streaming and web browsing. You can also play some multiplayer games. The setup is pretty simple and fast courtesy of Tether iOS or Android app. You also can access it through your web browser that offers you numerous customization options. During setup you will find clear instructions, on how to go about the process.
What we liked:
- Its compact design
- Has the latest MU-MIMO and beamforming technology
- First connection speeds
- Built in anti-virus protection
What we did not like:
- The router can become very hot at times
Asus RT AC86U – Overview
- Connector Type : USB
- Dual-band (2.4 plus 5 GHz) AC2900 wireless router with the latest 802. 11AC MU-MIMO technology for data...
The AC86U is very impressive when it comes to its ability to stand in an upright position instead of the customary flat position. The router comes with the customary black and red ASUS colors. While you can use it for ordinary surfing, the device has been optimized for gamers. The Asus RT AC86U measures 8.7 X 6.1 X 3.5 inches.
A Broadcom BCM 4366E chip that is capable of offering you four lanes of independent traffic powers the AC86U. For the performance you get a 1.8GHz dual core processor with 512MB of flash storage and 256MB of RAM. It also uses the latest beamforming and MI-MIMO technologies. All this means you can get 750Mbps at 2.4GHz and 2.167Gbps at 5GHz.
As we stated this is an ideal router for gamers. It comes with ASUS WTFast game accelerator. How it works is that it maximizes bandwidth by finding the most efficient route in between systems. With this feature you can enjoy several multi-player games.
When it comes to the router design you have front eight LEDs for internet status, power, the two bands and support of four Ethernet connections. You also have 2.0 USB and 3.0 USB ports, WAN input, four output connectors and Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). The router comes with three external antennas and one hidden internal one.
The ASUS delivers a top speed of 667.8Mbps at 15 feet. It however, does not do so well when it comes to transmitting over metallic walls. Setup can be done through a connected browser but the router does come with an app.
What we liked:
- Ability to stand it upright
- Gaming boosting features
- Compact design
- Good for long distance connections
What we do not like:
- You cannot setup with the router app
Conclusion: So, Which is better: TP-Link archer C2300 vs. Asus RT AC86U?
If you are living in a large house and are looking for a router to connect all your devices then we recommend the Asus RT AC86U.The router may not perform so well in the short range segment but it will cover large distances hence supply all your large rooms with Wi-Fi connectivity. The Asus RT AC86U is also customized for gaming and is one of the first routers that can stand upright and flat. The router isn’t bulky and this makes it excellent for home use. Its powerful chip is capable of generating four independent traffic lanes and the 1.8GHz dual processor can deliver more speeds for your 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz bands. Gamers will find the WTFast game accelerator in handy as it allows them to engage in multi-player games.
FAQ
Can a router get infected with a virus?
For one the hackers have to bypass your login screen and change some of the router settings. Alternatively, they can corrupt the existing firmware. You can find various router malware protection software in the market like VPNfilter or Switcher Trojan. The software will check your phone systems for any signs for virus attacks and protect it.
How do I choose router for my home?
Most people are not particularly choosy when it comes to a home router until they find it a challenge doing 4k video streaming or online video gaming. Today, there are a host of home based devices that need Wi-Fi for proper working. If you are going to be purchasing a home based router go with a 802.11ac technology. With this you can get a throughput of up to 1300Mbps which pretty fast for most homes. In fact, very few devices can handle such kind of speeds but in the near future it will come in handy. Next consider a router that allows you to perform parental controls. This prevents the young kids from surfing adult content.
Should I purchase a new router or modem?
A modem only allows you to connect to one device. However, in most homes you will find several devices having Wi-Fi connectivity and appliances running on modern technologies. A router helps you connect all these devices simultaneously. Instead of getting a combo of the two devices aim at buying them separately. You can activate the modem and then connect it to your WAN port. With separate modem and router you have lots of flexibility.
