TP Link Router vs. D-Link Router – similar design, yet quite different outlook
It is easy to know that your router is the backbone of access to the internet, regardless of whether you are at work or home. Unless you are operating the internet from a cellular device exclusively, you will use a router such as the TP Link or D-Link in order to access the internet.
Before buying a router though, you will need to consider plenty of factors. Looking at the routers available, you may have noticed two brands sticking out frequently – the D-Link and TP Link types. While they may seem the same in appearance and attributes, what are the factors that make them stick out?
In order to make a good decision that will last the test of time, it is important to do plenty of research into what you are purchasing – and the same is the case here. We will look at several aspects here; the throughput speeds (which denote the speeds to expect in your devices), the setupprocesses of each router brand, and different models in each brand that offer exemplary performance and are worth considering.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the TP Link routers and D-Link routers?
TP Link |
D-Link |
|
Average throughput |
92.6Mbps (2.4GHz), 535 Mbps (5GHz) |
163 Mbps (2.4GHz), 595 Mbps (5GHz) |
Upload speed |
60 Mbps |
50 Mbps |
Download speed |
10 Mbps |
5 Mbps |
Dimensions (inches) |
6.2 x 11.2 x 2.1 (the bulkier choice) |
6.3 x 6.3 x 6.33 (cubical shape, which can fit well in a variety of settings) |
TP Link router vs. D-Link router – How they compare
Appearance
Linksys routers mostly have a black casing, which looks slick and attractive. In our case, we used the Linksys AC1900 as our main pick because of its top performance among the other routers in its line. Measuring 2.1 x 11.2 x 6.2 inches, it has another attraction – the touch screen of 4.3 inches, which is fixed in the middle of the setup.
The D-Link routers we have examined so far do not look distinct from other routers with their black design, save for the AC2600 that is in a cube enclosure and has a more bulky design than the norm. The AC2600 is advantageous though when it comes to placing it in your home, because there are no unsightly antennas bulging out – instead, it uses internal antennas that are in a strategic arrangement to boost reception.
You also have a color-coded button that is in the middle of the display screen and has some indicator colors – green means parental controls and security are on, yellow means you can make the network more secure, while red means there is a security threat.
Performance
The Linksys routers will vary in their overall throughput, although in the case of the AC1900, you will have a theoretical speed of up to 600 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps in the 5GHz band.
The actual results we got from the throughput tests were impressive: close proximity results in a score of 535 Mbps, making it among the best Linksys routers. The 2.4GHz band delivers a significantly less result of 92.6 Mbps though, while a 30-foot test resulted in a slow speed of 44 Mbps.
The throughput performance test on the D-Link is just as impressive, giving a score of 163 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band in close proximity, and the 30-foot test led to a score of 86 Mbps. The performance is also good on the 5GHz band, showing a score of 545 Mbps in close proximity and 365 Mbps at a distance of 30 feet.
The disappointing part was the file transfer speed, which led to a result of only 32 Mbps on the writing speed and 26 Mbps on the read test.
With that said, there is plenty to love here, because the embedded security measures will bring plenty of strong network protection – this is apparent particularly in the D-Link AC2600.
Setup
Many of the routers today will offer you management consoles that are user-friendly, and the same is the case for Linksys routers. The web interface in use here has a bright graphical user interface, making the router very easy to install. The throughput delivery was good enough for some cases, but fell short in others.
In the Linksys, a blue LED light at the bottom bezel will show you that the router is on, and you can activate the touch screen by pressing the Home button at this area. You will need to enter a time zone, admin password, internet connection type, then create a password. Other Linksys routers will rely on the web browser setup, where the interface will take care of most of the tasks for you and leave you to set a few boundaries.
In the case of D-Link routers, there are added bonuses you get when using them. The setup will allow you to use Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for a variety of functions. The installation process is not difficult, since you will just use the mobile app, create an account, then tap ‘Install new device’ and follow all the instructions.
TP Link router vs. D-Link router – A comparison review
TP Link router – Overview
There are several types of TP Link routers available in the market, and we will give them in summary form. One thing to note here is that we are only including the best five, such as what we will do with the D-Link routers, in order of the best experiences we have had with them so far.
TP Link AC1900
- Upgrades networks to 802.11ac, the latest, most powerful Wi Fi technology
- Blazing Wi Fi over 5GHz (1300Mbps) and 2.4GHz (600Mbps) bands for lag free 4K HD video streaming and...
This is among the fastest models in the TP Link line and boasts reliable connections. However, the main factor that helps it to stand out is the setup wizard; it is very simple and user-friendly, and is in a touch screen format for easier accessibility.
TP Link AC2600
- Extreme Dual band Wi-Fi speeds: 1733 Mbps on 5 GHz, 800 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, high speed Wireless Internet...
- Ultimate range: 3 external antennas and 1 internal antenna for wireless networks amplified, Beamforming...
This is a high-quality router that comes at a very affordable price. It supports all the latest networking technologies that you will find in the best wireless routers.
Pros
- High bandwidth speeds and reliable connectivity
- Dual-band to allow for high speeds
- Easy to setup and use in many cases
- Some come at affordable prices
Cons
- Some models drop connections at times, especially on its 2.4GHz band
- The process of resetting the password requires resetting of the network name
D-Link router – Overview
There are two routers in this review, which stood out to us in many ways. They are:
D-Link AC2600
No products found.
This is more of a speedy dual-band router option, and the standout element is its use of embedded McAfee security mechanisms. This is meant to protect your network, as well as all the devices that use it – as long as you can get past the expensive price.
D-Link AC1750
In many ways, the AC1750 is the budget choice of D-Link routers, and might not hold up to many years of heavy use. However, it does have the advantage of an outstanding performance in its 802.11ac features, and out testing led to impressive results.
Pros
- The throughput performance is good
- Good security mechanisms in use
- Easy to install
- Strong parental controls
Cons
- The design is bulky
- File transfer is at middling speeds
Verdict: So which is better? The TP Link router or the D-Link router?
It can be difficult choosing between these two brands, but our winner of this review is the TP Link router. It wins out because of its speeds, especially in the model we chose, as well as the great performance that it offers to its users – even though some models may experience struggles with the connection, the routers are definitely worth the value of service they offer.
FAQs
Is it possible to configure the router over a Wi-Fi connection, either in the case of TP Link or D-Link?
Yes, it is still possible. However, you might have better success configuring your router through an Ethernet connection.
How can I quickly fix my D-Link router?
First, remove the router from its current position, and unplug any 2.4GHz cordless phone or Bluetooth device. Unfold a paper clip and push it in the hole of the router, then hold for 10 seconds, and then open a web browser and type in 192.168 to access the setup page.
