From paying bills to catching up on some last-minute work or even just keeping in touch with friends and family through social media, the internet is a must for my household. Having access to go online from my smartphone, laptop or other device is a necessity, and nothing is more frustrating than having a weak signal or, worse, none at all. When internet problems plagued me, the first place I looked was my router. I was in serious need of an upgrade. That’s why I decided to take a closer look at the TP-Link N300 router.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Router
If, like me, you want to be able to go online without being chained to your desk, you have to have a router. The router allows you to be able to wirelessly connect to the internet from multiple devices – perfect for the entire household.
If you only get online from your desktop computer, you won’t need a router. However, if you or others in your household plan to access the internet without using an Ethernet cable, want to play games online through your connected console, or use multiple devices for accessing the internet, a good router is a must.
Your router connects to your modem to provide high-speed internet access without the need for cords and cables. But not all routers are made the same. It’s important to know what to look for, so you don’t end up with a product that’s collecting dust on your shelf.
Before making your purchase, you should always keep the following things in mind: price point, range, single or dual-band options, ease of setup, security options, and support for higher speeds. For this review, we’ll be looking at some of these categories for the TP-Link N300 router.
What is the TP-Link N300 Router?
The TP-Link N300 is a wireless router that allows you to set-up household Wi-Fi, so you can go online through any connected device. This router has a lot of features that promise great performance, including dual antennas for a more solid connection, programs for easy setup and management, and supported speeds for doing everything from online shopping to streaming videos. It is also compatible with the most recent Internet-protocol.
This router is one that is best for household use. Anyone that wants to set up their own Wi-Fi network within their home should consider purchasing this product. This unit would not be ideal for business use, and it’s not required if you just want to use a wired connection in your home.
There are some positive and negative features of this product, including:
Pros
- Low price point
- Easy setup and maintenance – anyone can do it
- Built-in features increase signal stability and reliability
Cons
- Doesn’t support dual bandwidths
- Feels lighter and cheaper than other models – may not have the longevity of more durable models
- Speeds may be slower than those that come from a more expensive router
Features & Benefits of the TP-Link N300
The TP-Link N300 is a residential router that offers many of the features and benefits of more expensive routers at a fraction of the price. Benefits of this product include:
Affordable Price
The TP-Link N300 is one of the more affordable products on the market. With a retail price of just $24.99, it costs a fraction of the price of other residential routers. If you’re looking for an affordable router, this is an option you may want to check out.
Easy Setup
Few things are more frustrating than getting your new equipment and not knowing how to even use it. Fortunately, the TP-Link N300 offers lots of different features and utilities that make setup a breeze. The router is equipped with an optimized user interface and setup wizard that can easily get you online.
If you don’t want to use the interface, a setup CD is included so you can access the internet as quickly as possible. These features also allow you to maintain your router over time, so you can change settings as needed to get the fastest, most stable connection.
Setup and installation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJA9WBAiGUQ
IP QoS
If you have multiple devices in your home that get used but you want to change how your bandwidth is allotted, you’re in luck. The TP-Link N300 is equipped with an IP-based function that allows you to distribute how your bandwidth is used. Working on an important project? Change your settings to allot more bandwidth to your laptop computer. In the middle of an online game on your video game console? You can change the settings again to fully customize your experience.
Security Options
Leaving your Wi-Fi open not only allows users outside of your home to access the internet connection you pay a lot of money for, but it leaves you vulnerable to all sorts of attacks and issues. You can avoid this problem with this router, which provides easy setup for WPA/WPA 2 encryption standards to ensure your network is always secure.
Faster Wireless Speeds
If you’re like the typical consumer, you probably pay a pretty penny for your internet service each month. Why pay for something that you can’t get full use of by using sub-par equipment? To ensure maximum speed, you need a router that’s built to do the job – and that’s where the TP-Link N300 comes into play.
Whether you’re struggling just to refresh a page or you want to stream your favorite TV show, no one likes interruptions. This router supports speeds up to 300Mbps, providing you with the smooth, seamless performance you’re looking for.
Wireless Stability and Range
Even more frustrating than slow internet speeds is when you’re not able to connect at all or your connection drops frequently. After all, who wants to be in the middle of a download, only to have it interrupted, or get an error message indicating the internet’s not working as it should? The TP-Link N300 is equipped with two antennas, providing you with wider range and a more stable signal, resulting in fewer lost connections. This product also complies with the IEEE 802.11n standard. What does this mean? This means that you get up to five times the range and fifteen times the speed of 11g routers. This allows you to get the most out of your internet speeds – no matter where you are in your home.
Parental Controls
Setting up a network for your household, and you want to make sure that your kids are protected? With this router, you can easily set up parental controls that allow you to block what your kids can’t and can’t access online. The controls also allow you to control when devices can connect with the internet. If you don’t want your child online during the late night hours, you can control all of that with the TP-Link N300.
Social Proof for the TP-Link N300
Still undecided? I don’t expect you to take my word for it. After all, this is your investment, and you want to make sure it’s the best way to spend your money.
I scoured the internet to find out what others thought about the TP-Link N300, and the reviews were overall favorable. The speeds, range, ease of use and pricing point were all on par with everything promised by the manufacturer, and many reviewers found this product to be well-worth the money spent, especially when comparing its features to other more expensive products on the market.
Alternatives to the TP-Link N300
Not completely sold on this wireless router? There are some other alternatives that you can explore before deciding which one will best fit your needs. Some similar alternatives include:
- Linksys WRT54GL Wi-Fi Wireless-G Broadband Router
- HooToo N300 WiFi Router
- TP-Link AC1900 Wireless Long Range Wi-Fi Gigabit Router
- Linksys WRT54GL Wi-Fi Wireless-G Broadband Router
The Linksys WRT54GL is another competitively priced broadband router. At $39.99 retail price, it is only slightly more expensive than the TP-Link N300. While this product shares many of the same features, there are some differences as well. In addition to pricing, other similarities include easy setup, two external antennas for a more stable connection, and WPA2 support for security.
Where this differs from the N300, however, is that it only supports speeds up to 54 Mbps. It does, however, boast additional features not found on the N300, including a built-in SPI firewall for added security.
Comparisons (TP-Link N300 vs. WRT54L)
- Speeds: 300Mbps vs. 54 Mbps
- Price: $24.99/$39.99
The Linksys WRT54GL is another affordable option for those who want a residential router that’s no-fuss, easy to set up, and complies with all current standards. If you want a router that is safe, secure, and scalable, you’ll want to check out this model.
HooToo N300 Wi-Fi Router
Low on space and short on cash? You don’t have to spend a fortune for a router, and you don’t have to settle for a big, clunky box that takes up too much space on your desk or shelf. If you want to pack the most punch in a small package without breaking the bank, the HooToo N300 Wi-Fi Router is a product you need to put on your list.
What stands out the most about this router is the price – at just $9.99, it’s one of the most affordable on the market. The price isn’t the only thing that’s small, as this product has a slim profile that’s 25% smaller than other routers. The small size shouldn’t fool you, though, as it is loaded with many of the benefits and features found in larger, more expensive routers.
The HooToo N300, similar to the TP-Link N300, supports speeds up to 300Mbps for gaming, streaming, or web surfing. This product offers easy setup, so you can be online in just minutes. This model is also equipped with parental controls and bandwidth controls, as well as full network protection for your security.
Comparisons (TP-Link N300 vs. HooToo)
- Speeds: 300Mbps vs. 300Mbps
- Price: $24.99/$9.99
If you want to get the most out of your internet speeds without paying a fortune, the HooToo N300 is a router you’ll want to consider. This router offers many of the same features you’ll find on higher-end models with a price point under $10.
TP-Link AC1900 Wireless Long Range Wi-Fi Gigabit Router
As internet service providers launch faster speeds, it’s important to have equipment that can keep up with the pace. The TP-Link AC1900 supports gigabit speeds, allowing you to stream 4K Ultra High Definition movies and TV shows or play video games online without lagging or dropping your signal.
In addition to support gigabit speeds, this router also has dual band networks for less interference and a stronger signal. Other highlights include beamforming technology that locates devices and has stronger connections.
This router is easy to set up, using an interactive mobile interface. You can also customize the QoS to allot your bandwidth how you want, and its three antennas also provide a strong signal that fills your entire home. While this router does show great performance, it is at a much higher pricing point, which could be a problem if you’re on a budget.
Comparisons (TP-Link N300 vs. TP-Link AC1900)
- Speeds: 300Mbps/1Gbps
- Price: $24.99/$109.00
If you’ve recently upgraded to gibabit internet service and want to get what you pay for, this TP-Link AC1900 is a router that you should consider. This model is designed to give you the speed you pay for, while also bundling in other great benefits, including a wider range, stronger signal, and security options.
In Conclusion
Whether you’re signing up for high-speed internet service for the first time or you just want to replace outdated equipment, the TP-Link N300 is a product that you should add to your list. Even if you’ve never installed a router before, you’ll have no problem setting this one up to get the fastest speeds and the strongest connections.
You won’t have to worry about your security while using this router, and you can even customize your settings for your household needs. Add parental controls or time limits, protect your connection from attacks and intrusions, and enjoy going online without lags or dropped signals – all at a price point that is very affordable.
