| TP-Link Archer D9 | D-Link DIR-880L | |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
| WiFi Performance | AC1900 WiFi (600 + 1300 Mbps) | AC1900 WiFi (600 + 1300 Mbps) |
| WiFi Band | 2.4GHz & 5GHz | 2.4GHz & 5GHz |
| Ethernet Ports | 4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port |
4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port |
| USB Ports | 1 USB 3.0 port 1 USB 2.0 port |
1 USB 3.0 port 1 USB 2.0 port |
| Processor | 1GHz dual-core | 1GHz dual-core |
| Antennas | Three detachable antennas | Three dual band high-gain antennas |
| MSRP | $199.99 | $179.99 |
Most people associate TP-Link as a low-cost brand for mid-tier routers that still give users value for their money. The company has emerged from nowhere to earn itself a slice of the market, by designing consistently affordable, high-quality products. The company’s Archer D9 wireless router is the best example of that. The router boasts great wireless versatility and performance at price that is much lower than competitive models.
Design
When we looked at nearly all aspects, we find this wireless router excellent. The external design is made of glossy white plastic giving the router a very attractive look. The router is also supported by a silver plastic stand that complements the look.
The web interface is easy to understand and straightforward. However, there were few minor design hitches. The router does not support one-click firmware updating feature. So one needs to download and update the firmware manually from the company’s official website. This can be quite confusing if you are not tech savvy. We also noticed that there are no LEDs above the Ethernet ports. So it is difficult to know whether the Ethernet port is active.
Features
The rear side contains the WAN port, USB 3.0 port, 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and WPS button. The rear side also contains master switches for the router and Wi-Fi. The front side has eight status icons that glow light blue when the router is powered on. USB 3.0 port allows network attached storage or printer connection. To get access to a printer server, you will need to install a TP-Link’s USB printer controller app. The router supports time-scheduled parental control feature. There is also a MAC-assigned URL whitelist feature that cuts off clients who attempt to access URLS not on the whitelist. QoS is available through a bandwidth control. Archer D9 comes with a coaxial cable, a line filter, manual, and an Ethernet cable.
Performance
What makes Archer D9 rank top among the latest technology wireless routers is its impressive performance. It may not be the fastest router on the market, but its speed outperforms that of rival routers. It’s capable of maintaining solid speed at longer range.
