TP Link c6 vs. c7 – which offers the best network coverage
Having a fast home router is your gateway towards stable and secure internet connections. However, selecting one isn’t that easy with so many products in the market. In this review of TP Link c6 and c7 we examine two routers that have defined the industry for years.
The number of devices that are now connected to the internet has been in the increase in recent times. Today, it is not unusual to find smart refrigerators, microwaves and electric systems that communicate flawlessly with a host of application available on cloud. This has necessitated one to invest in the very latest routers. Such kind of routers offer you speeds of over 1Gbps and come with a host of customization options.
If you are in search of a home router then features like parental control and anti-virus software will come in handy. With the later you are capable of setting some keywords on the kind of content that your kids engage in. You can also regulate the amount of time they spend online. In this regards, we have taken the time to examine two routers – TP Link c6 and c7 and tell you which is the best.
Table of Contents
What are the Differences between the TP Link c6 vs. c7?
Model |
TP Link c6 |
TP Link c7 |
Dimensions (inches) |
9.1 x 5.7 x 1.4 |
9.5 x 6 x 1.4 |
Processor |
Qualcomm Atheros QCA9561 750MHz |
Qualcomm’s QCA9558 720MHz chip |
No of antennas |
5 |
6 |
Sensitivity |
-62 to -93dBm |
-63 to -96dBm |
Speed and range |
At 7 feet you get download speed of 300Mbps while at close proximity 475Mbps. |
802.11ac (5Ghz) at 5 feet you get 304.4Mbps, 802.11n (2.4GHz) at 15 feet you get 59.2Mbps |
Availability |
TP Link c6 vs. c7 – How do they compare?
Design
The c6 has a glossy design with four external antennas. It boasts some of the latest MU-MIMO and beamforming technologies. The MU-MIMO technology allows the router to stream data simultaneously while the beamforming technology is used to concentrate a signal been sent to a device. The c6 offers decent internet coverage at an affordable price and this makes it an ideal router for home use. At the back of the router you will notice a WAN Gigabit port and 4 Gigabit LAN ports. The router lacks a USB port which is a shortcoming considering most of the modern routers now come with one.
The c7 comes with those outdated router designs but it still delivers when needed. Measuring a decent 9.5 x 6 x 1.4 inches it is capable of handling two bands – 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. The c7 antennas are rated 5dBi and this means they are capable of catching a better signal than others. You can also twist them for the strongest signal strength. The c7 has this colorful green lights on the front that show you the status of your 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, WPS setup, and four wired LAN ports. There is minimal tech specs on the c7 besides the WPS key that can also be used as a reset button. Here just press and hold the button for around 8 seconds and it will reset itself.
Performance
The c7 is powered by a Qualcomm’s QCA9558 Scorpio 720MHz chip with 128MB of RAM. With this kind of processor it is capable of hitting speeds of up to 450MHz on 2.4GHz band and for the 5GHz 1,300GHz. The c6 is powered by a Qualcomm Atheros QCA9561 750Mhz chipset that comes with 8MB of flash and 64MB of RAM. This enables it hit speeds of up to 450MHz for the 2.4GHz and 867Mbps on the 5GHz band.
Installation
Like most TP-Link routers you get to setup the router on an easy to use web –interface. You also have the TP-Link Tether app for wireless checking of your connections on the move. The app is available for both iOS and Android apps. The c6 does support parental control and you can set some keywords that prevent your kids from accessing adult content. You also can decide when your kids get to access the net. The c7 can be installed through a web interface by login in to the TP-Link site. Here you can have fast installation requirements simply by clicking on the “quick setup” tab. It will automatically detect the router and choose your band.
Technologies
The c7 comes with the guest network page that allows you to create separate networks for your guests while at the same time giving your guests limited access. You can give them access schedules and monitor and set bandwidth. You can also set some router advanced settings like bandwidth control, advanced routing, port triggering, port forwarding, firewall settings, dual band selection among others. The c6 comes with the latest beamforming technology that allows you to send signals to specific directions. It also comes with the MU-MIMO technology that allows for simultaneous data streaming. This technologies allow you to get the best network coverage.
Throughput tests
When put to the test the c7 performs well. At close proximity the 2.4GHz band was capable of achieving 91.3Mbps and at 30 feet we were able to get 62.8Mbps. But, it is the 5GHz that the c7 really performs well it scores 509Mbps for the close proximity test and at 30 feet 250Mbps. The c6 peak is 941Mbps, when put to a speed test it you get a download speed of 300Mbps at 7 meters which is quite amazing considering that this is not a high end router. You can comfortably download your videos at a speed of 475Mbps. The 2.4GHz is a bit slower and you may want to keep yourself on the 5Ghz band.
TP Link c6 vs. c7 – A Comparison Overview
TP Link c6 – Overview
- Note: This item is UK spec and comes with a Type G power plug. A separate US universal adapter will be...
- Simultaneous 2.4GHz 300 Mbps and 5GHz 867 Mbps connections for 1200 Mbps of total available bandwidth
The Archer c6 comes in a glossy design with nice curves on the side. It is a compact router suitable for home use. You have four large external antennas for data transmission and four Gigabit ports. While the router has a basic design it is also affordable and comes equipped with some of the latest technologies like MU-MIMO and beamforming.
The c6 maximum link speed is 300Mbps on the 2.4Ghz band and 867Mbps on the 5GHz. The router comes with a WAN Gigabit port and four LAN Gigabit ports. However, it lacks a USB port. The router can be placed on flat surfaces or mounted upon walls which makes it an ideal choice for people living in apartments or medium sized homes. A Qualcomm Atheros 775MHz QCA9563 processor runs the router. It also comes with 8MB of firmware storage space and 128MB of RAM. For data transfer you have the 2X2 MU-MIMO and 802.11ac wave 2 standard.
The c6 is not a large router and measures a modest 9.1 x 5.7 x 1.4 inches. This makes it super light at 767 grams/27 ounces. When it comes to setup, it is quite easy if you have previously used a TP Link router before. Once you load up the TP link browser you will be directed to the quick setup page where you will be required to input a password. Here there are easy to follow setup wizards that make the process flawless. You may need to add passwords for your Wi-Fi frequencies. The router settings are divided into basic and advanced.
The router supports parental control so you do not need to worry much about your kids accessing inappropriate stuff on the net. The TP Link Tether App is available for download for both iOS and Android devices.
What we liked:
- Affordable price
- Can be mounted on walls
- Comes with latest technologies like beamforming and MU-MIMO
- Allows router monitoring through app
What we did not like:
- Lacks a USB port
TP Link c7 – Overview
- AC1200 wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router
- Connectivity technology: USB
The Archer c7 is a small router that measures 9.5 x 6 x 1.4 inches. It doesn’t have the kind of technology that you would rather find in the more high end models. The c7 has a basic design with three external antennas and green LED lights at the front. The antennas are rated 5dBi which is quite good as it ensures you get a good signal. The router is dual band with 2.4GHz and 5Ghz. The external antennas host the 5GHz frequency while the 2.4GHz is hosted by internally. This setup ensures you get little signal interference.
The front green LED lights are quite powerful in the dark to show the status of your wireless bands, power, the four LAN ports and the WPS setup. At the back is also a switch to turn on/off your Wi-Fi transmissions. You can add clients to your network through the WPS feature. The button also serves as the reset button and you only need to press and hold for 8 seconds and everything about the router will be returned to its factory settings. The c7 also comes with two 2.0 USB ports which you can use for your printer connections or a hard disk.
The c7 is powered via a Qualcomm’s QCA9558 Scorpio 720MHz processor chip that also comes with 128MB of RAM. While the speeds are not the best the router comes equipped with a Skyworks amplifier that helps to boost weak router signals. The c7 features the latest beamforming technology but falls short of offering the MU-MIMO common with most modern routers. This technology allows for simultaneous streaming of data.
When it comes to speed test the c7 performs exceptionally well in the 802.11ac (5GHz) frequency, here it clocks speeds of 304.4Mbps at 5 feet while on the 802.11n (2.4Ghz) it delivers 59.2Mbps at 15 feet and 360.6Mbps on both channels when tested at 5 feet. The c7 maximum link speed is 450MHz at 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps at 5GHz.
The setup process is fast and simple. First power up the router and login to the TP Link web interface. Here you will be requested to enter your network name and password – you will find this underneath the router. It is prudent to change this once you have setup the router. On the left side of the setup screen you will find a list of configuration settings – this maybe a bit hard to configure if you are doing it manually. The c7 comes with some latest encryption standards like the WPA2, WEP and AES encryption. The router also comes with parental control settings that allow you to input some keywords that block the kind of sites your kids are accessing. You can also control when your kids access the net.
What we liked:
- Great performance from 5GHz band
- Parental control setting
- Two USB ports
- 5dBi antennas for improved signal strength
What we did not like:
- The 2.4GHz band is quite powerful
Conclusion: Which is better? TP Link c6 or c7?
The TP Link Archer c6 wins in this round. The router is compact in design with a black glossy finish that adds to the aesthetic design of the house. It supports 802.11ac and comes with 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This ensures you have continuous interrupted internet access at all times. The router also comes with the latest MU-MIMO technology that ensures simultaneous access to the internet. You can turn the c6 into an access point. Overall the c6, is the ideal home router for 4K video streaming and high intensive online multiplayer games.
FAQ
Can I stream HD videos with the Archer c6?
When it comes to live streaming of HD videos the c6 comes with the 5GHz band and MU-MIMO technology. It also operates on the 802.11ac Wi-Fi circuitry that ensures fast and secure internet connections. The router will identify your Wi-Fi dead zones and eliminate them. When compared to other routers the c6 will give you 40% more coverage.
What is the purpose of the guest network in the Archer c7?
The guest network is a feature you will find in most high end routers. It allows you to control your client settings by giving privacy your network privacy when you have multiple guests in it. With the feature a client may access your network but may not access something like your network hard disk.
