Plenty of times when you are facing unstable and slow WiFi connection, it is due to the slow wireless router you are using. The wireless router that comes from your Internet service provider are often basic router with really low specs to reduce cost.
You can always buy a third party router and replace the router provided from your ISP which will help your connection greatly. Today, we will be looking at TP-Link Archer C80 AC1900 dual-band MU-MIMO wireless router. This is an affordable entry level router but with decent specs.
TP-Link Archer C80 is now available for sale in Malaysia at just RM269 at the time of writing this article. It comes with a 3 years one to one exchange warranty from TP-Link.
Hardware and Specs
| Wireless 2.4Ghz | 3×3 up to 600Mbps |
| Wireless 5Ghz | 3×3 up to 1300Mbps |
| Wireless Features | MU-MIMO, Beamforming, Guest WiFi |
| CPU | Mediatek |
| RAM | 128MB RAM |
| Ports | 4x Gigabit Ethernet LAN + 1x Gigabit Ethernet WAN |
The Archer C80 comes with Wireless AC1900 and it can support a maximum WiFi speed up to 1300Mbps on 5Ghz channel and 600Mbps on 2.4Ghz channel. It supports Wireless AC MU-MIMO and Beamforming feature for a better WiFi performance.
MU-MIMO technology will let it to have better performance when having more devices connected to your wireless router. It allows the router to achive Multi User, Multiple Input Multiple Output simultaneous connection which will result in better speed.
TP-Link also added beamforming function to the Archer C80, something which TP-Link Archer C7 does not have. This will provide a stronger WiFi signal for your device by carefully adjusting the anenna power to steer the signal towards your WiFi clients.
It has 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and a single Gigabit Ethernet WAN port that can support up to 1Gbps on these port. This is a really important factor to consider when shopping for an affordable router. Some routers can only support up to 100Mbps.
Design wise, I think it looks fine. The new design looks kinda clean as it doesn’t show dust easily. There are 4 non-removable high gain external antenna. See the full specs of the Archer C80 on TP-Link website here.
Under the router, you will find the default WiFi name (SSID) and the default WiFi password. I also notice there are 2 holes which make it possible to wall mount or ceiling mount this wireless router.
Archer C80 Setup Process
Replacing your old wireless router with the Archer C80 is really simple. Just unplug your old router, connect to this new router and do some basic setup process. The steps may be slightly different depending on what Internet Service Provider you use.
Once you switched on the new Archer C80, use your computer to connect to the default WiFi of this router then navigate to the setting spage to perform the initial setup process. The default settings page of the router is tplinkwifi.net or 192.168.1.1.
Most users will use the PPPoE mode and you will need to request the PPPoE username and password from your Internet Service Provider. For users in Malaysia, you must select the ISP profile if you use Unifi or Maxis. You can refer to my TP-Link Unifi setup guide over here.
It is also compatible to the Unifi TV box and you must connect your Unifi Hypp TV box to the LAN 1 port. The port is labeled as LAN 1 on the back of the wireless router.
WiFi Performance Test
I highly recommend enabling the smart connect function. This will merge the 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz band under a single WiFi name (SSID). It will provide a more seamless connection as the router will intelligently steer your devices to the best band best on signal quality without you having to switch between the 2.4Ghz WiFi and 5Ghz WiFi manually.
I am getting pretty good WiFi speed out of the Archer C80 when testing it with my laptop with a Wireless AC1200 WiFi adapter. The speed is close to 600Mbps on a short distance. I am really surprised by how fast and stable is the WiFi network of this affordable wireless router.
When I am on further distance after 2 walls, the 5Ghz WiFi speed dropped to just slightly below 400Mbps. This is still a really good performance that I did not expect from this router. I did not notice any disconnections when using this router.
You will need a device that support Wireless AC in order to enjoy fast WiFI speed. Most devices sold after 2018 should already support Wireless AC technology. If you are using an older computer, you can upgrade the WiFi receiver by buying a new Wireless AC WiFi adapter.
On a wired LAN connection, I can reach a maximum download speed of up to 871Mbps on TP-Link Archer C80.
Firmware and Features
If you use the Archer C80, you will want to download the TP-Link Tether app on your phone as it compliments the experience of owning this wireless router. The app will show you many information and let you to manage your home network easily as it is link to a TP-Link account.
Personally I feel TP-Link router settings interface is the prettiest and most user friendly in the market now. Everything is really easy to understand and things are shown clearly. You can see how many devices and how they are connected in real-time.
The parental control function lets you to perform keyword blocking to block specific content for selected devices. It also lets you to configure daily Internet usage limit and bedtime Internet limit. They are all really easy to configure on the web interface.
TP-Link Archer C80 also comes with a built-in access point mode. I think this is great as the C80 have great WiFi capabilities, it is a great model to consider for access point. TP-Link also included a guest WiFi function on this router.
Closing Thoughts
TP-Link Archer C80 is a great affordable wireless router that performs beyond expectation. It is a a good upgrade to improve your WiFi coverage and stability especially if you still using the default wireless router provider by your service provider. It is stable and pretty fast which seals the deal for a budget router like this.
TP-Link Archer C80
8.6
Tubi Rating
Good Stuff
- Easy to setup
- Stable WiFi performance
- Good value for money
Bad Stuff
- No USB port
Does Archer C80 support VLAN?
Yup, pretty much all new TP-Link routers support VLAN these days.
Hi i am using 800mpbs. Archer C80 suitable to use? or any recommendation?
You won’t get anywhere near that over WiFi on the Archer C80. Wired LAN will be fine. Consider getting a more expensive router like Archer AX73.
Thank you for the reply. How about AX50 instead of AX73? Performance still good enough?
I will recommend either the AX20 or AX73. The AX50 is not that much faster than the AX20.
Hello, if i use 2 C80, the second one on wired AP mode, i will have the same speed as the main C80 router?
Yes
Hello! Which one is better? Tp-link c80 vs Ax20?
Archer AX20 for sure.
Why Ax20 is better ?
Stronger WiFi coverage and faster WiFi speed in my test.
Do MaxisOne Go Wi-Fi/4G Lte can use with this Router?
You can connect the maxis router to the C80 to boost the WiFi coverage.
Hello. The C80 has MU-MIMO 3X3 and AX10 2×2, does that make the C80 better?
It also means that the AX10 has 4 Streams?
Most devices are only 2×2 so 3×3 doesn’t really matter. But the C80 does have slightly stronger signal coverage than the AX10. However, the AX10 is faster when you have Wi-Fi 6 devices.
Still using the aged WR841HP. internet is only 30mbps and I’m getting it all. However router already showing signs of breaking down. Connection drops, etc. Is the C80 a good upgrade? Im worried about the wifi coverage. The 841HP has great signal for a 2 floor house.
The C80 signal should be pretty decent but I’ve never compared it against the WR841HP.
hello ,, this C80, it can support bandwidth control to other connect router,.. ???
TP-Link routers do not support speed limiter.
Hi! Can I create multiple WiFi networks on this router? I’m looking to use this as my main router; 100Mbps up to 12 devices, do you have a better suggestion? Unfortunately, AX20 is not available in my country.
It does support guest WiFi network if that is what you are looking for.
I saw D-Link AC1750 Dir 868 has nice cylinder shape, I am using 1GB broadband living in 125 sqm apartment. I need router with long range coverage so I can access wifi outside my apartment. 150 ft to 300 ft should be suffice. Which one has longer range compare to TP-Link C80? Thanks.
Don’t buy the DIR-868, D-Link has discontinued this product and there are some unfixed firmware bugs.
Good to know that, thank you for sharing will go with TP-Link C80
for external access to wifi, I recomend the TP-Link EAP225 for wifi 5.
Unifi 100mbps using stock DLink DIR 842 router in double storey house of built-up area 2300 sq ft but 5G wifi reception on first floor weak. Planning to change to this TP-Link C80 router. At present also using DECT phone provided by TM with cable running from Huawei HG850a modem to the phone. The phone is still needed as mother-in-law is not confident using mobile phone. Would there be any change to the cabling connection for the DECT phone when installing the C80 router. Also, there are only a maximum of 10 devices in use, any better recommendation for the… Read more »
The Archer C80 replaces the DIR-842 so there’s nothing to do with the Dect phone. The C80 is a decent budget router, the next budget model I would recommend is the Archer AX20.
Thank you.
i bought C80 and the speed is as my main slow wifi
You are supposed to replace your old router with Archer C80.