TP Link Archer C7 vs. TP Link Archer C9 – which TP Link router is the best?
There are many brands of routers in the market, but they are not all the same. Some are friendlier for a small budget, while others are more expensive – and the TP Link brand is best known for its budget-friendly, yet solid routers such as the Archer C7 and C9.
Among these famous brands, you might have heard of TP Link, as they are famous for providing good quality routers for different segments of the market. The Archer C7 and C9 are also distinct in their offerings – the Archer C7 is an AC1750 router, which makes the theoretical speed as 1750 Mbps, while the Archer C9 is an AC1900 router, making its theoretical speed 1900 Mbps.
Before making a purchasing decision though or assuming the C9 is better because of the theoretical speed, keep in mind that actual speeds can be affected by other factors we will discuss here. The aim is to help you make an informed choice as much as possible, while keeping in mind that both of these options will be unsuitable if you are a heavy user of bandwidth (they work better for low or mid-speed users).
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the TP Link Archer C7 and C9?
TP Link Archer C7 (Winner) |
TP Link Archer C9 |
|
Throughput speed (average) |
360.6 Mbps |
47.7 Mbps |
Connectivity technology |
Wi-Fi |
Wireless |
Total Ethernet ports |
4 |
5 |
Download speeds |
80 Mbps |
20 Mbps |
Upload speeds |
20 Mbps |
5 Mbps |
Dimensions (inches) |
9.6 x 6.3 x 1.3 (the bulkier choice) |
8.7 x 3.4 x 6.6 (slightly smaller) |
TP Link Archer C7 vs. C9 – How they compare
Design
The C7 is a dual-core router, similar to most CA routers, and uses a 720MHz CPU as its power source. In terms of its design, it does not change much from its predecessors, as it still uses the glossy-black enclosure, and measures 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches. Its rear hosts three antennas, all which are adjustable and detachable, as well as two USB 2.0 ports, a Wi-Fi On/Off switch, and a WPS/Reset switch.
It has a series of 10 LEDs, which are all green in color and will indicate that the router is on, the signal is fine, and it has an internet connection. The lights can give a dark room an eerie glow, but there is no specific software or switch to turn off the light show.
The appearance of the C9 is quite attractive, as it incorporates a white glass at its front, and a standing design that can fit in numerous places. The standing design gives it an advantage, since the better signal reception will be less likely to block the antenna. It also has a series of blue LEDs that indicate its status, much like the Archer C7.
Setup and router specs
While it can be a pain to set up the C7, it can offer plenty of flexibility due to the many selections available. Examination of the setup process of the Archer C7 reveals a web console is a text-based version of the original C7. Because it is an older version, it does not have the graphical elements that you will get when you use a newer TP Link router. Other than that, it will also experience some lags between the times you make changes in the settings and when the system implements the changes – in fact, there are cases when we needed to wait for about 30 seconds before the changes appeared.
When it comes to ease of use, the Archer C9 delivers a friendlier user interface compared to many TP Link routers. This is mainly due to more default basic information, as well as a map of the network for easy monitoring. The setup process only takes a few minutes, and some of the default settings will include the in-built QoS (Quality of Service) setting. It lacks MU-MIMO though because of the older chipset it contains.
Performance
When we tested the speeds of the Archer C7 router in a crowded area, we noted that the peak it achieved was 360.6 Mbps through both channels when we used t at a 5-foot distance. The performance on its 2.4GHz (802.11n) was disappointing though, as its highest speed was only 59.2 Mbps – even at a short distance.
On the other hand, the performance of the Archer C9 reveals a peak throughput of 47.7 Mbps, which is far behind the fastest AC routers you can get. However, there is an advantage it has, even though you might not initially see it; the drop-off in speed when you move to farther distances is less dramatic than what you would notice in most routers.
The 2.4GHz band experiences even more issues with speed. In fact, the throughput at a 2m distance from the router is only 17.1 Mbps, while it drops slightly to 14.0 Mbps at 5m. Nevertheless, the Archer C9 is among the slowest in the market when using any of its bands, but this will not bother you if you are not a heavy bandwidth user.
TP Link Archer C7 vs. C9 – A comparison review
TP Link Archer C7 – Overview
- OneMesh Compatible Router- Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders
- Router for wireless internet, works with Alexa, compatible with all Wi-Fi devices, 802.11ac and older
Regarding the budget line of routers we have tested that are under $100, the TP Link C7 delivers one of the fastest speeds. It also offers you plenty of settings, it allows you to connect peripherals, as well as being a breeze when installing it.
It does not have many distinctive features, and is as plain as you can get. Three of its antennas at its rear will handle traffic in the 5GHz band, and they are rated at 5dBi – this is quite different from most routers that use the 3dBi signal, and allows you to swivel the antennas to the highest signal available. It can also handle three data traffic lanes, and it will increase the efficiency of the signal through beam forming. The only issue here is the lack of a MU-MIMO system to help in increasing efficiency of the available bandwidth when you have a lot of devices using the network.
Pros
- Comes with two USB ports to allow for connection of peripherals
- Very good performance in its 5GHz band
- Includes an On/Off switch to help in wireless transmission
- Plenty of parental controls that restrict web surfing
- Easy to install
Cons
- Lacks a USB 3.0 port
- The user interface is clunky
- The file transfer speeds are slow
TP Link Archer C9 – Overview
- Supports 802.11ac, the next generation of Wi-Fi
- 1.9Gbps of total available bandwidth
The TP Link Archer C9 is among the best examples of the TP Link brand providing plenty of value for money with their routers. Even though it is not the best AC1900 router, it still lives up to its billing, and can handle 802.11n up to a speed of 600 Mbps, as well as an 802.11ac standard up to 1300 Mbps.
With that said though, it has a great advantage during setup, as it will offer plenty of advanced and basic settings alike. Its network settings include IPTV, WAN, MAC Clone, and LAN, while each of its radio bands has MAC filtering, basic wireless (Mode, SSID), Security (WPA2/WPA), and WPS settings.The 5GHz band is the savior of this router though, as it delivered sufficient data that supports up to 3 devices, while all its systems continue to operate without frozen frames.
Pros
- Swift and nice interface
- Fast performance when you are doing file transfer, especially large ones
- Very reliable connection
Cons
- The parental controls are a struggle
- Does not work well for smaller file transfers
Verdict: So which is better? The TP Link Archer C7 or C9?
Both the Archer C7 and C9 are quite similar, as they are both mid-range performance routers. They will not give you the best performance out there, but they do have their place if you are not a bandwidth-heavy user. That said, our winner of this review is the Archer C7, particularly because of its easy-to-implement control options and great throughput range.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to mix and match TP Link Power line adapters?
The short answer to this is yes, at least in theory. They all need to support HomePlug AV at the very least for the setup to work.
How can I find out the firmware version of my TP Link router?
This will involve you turning over the device, and you will see a label at the rear. The number written on it is the IP address, password, and username. You then go to your browser, enter the IP address, and press ‘Enter’. You then enter the password and username, and this will bring the firmware version on a new page.
