TP-Link Archer C7 router review
TP-Link introduced the Archer C7 router in 2013. It is powered by Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM, and 8 MB of flash memory.
Want to know if the Archer C7 is a game-changer? Keep reading!
Table of Contents
- TP-Link Archer C7 specifications
- Body, dimensions, weight
- System, chipset, RAM, flash, power supply
- Network, protocols, WAN and LAN ports
- Wireless, antennas, speed, security
- Connectivity
- Administration, user interface, login information
- Links
- Verdict, Pros and Cons
- Photos
- Comparisons
Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the TP-Link Archer C7, please let us know.
The Archer C7 supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) for faster wireless speeds. TP-Link has received awards and recognition for its excellent networking products.
TP-Link Archer C7 specifications
| Brand | TP-Link |
|---|---|
| Name | Archer C7 |
| Type | C7 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2013 |
Body
| Dimensions | 243 x 160.6 x 32.5 mm |
|---|
If you live in a small apartment, the size of the router is crucial to deciding whether it will fit.
System
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 8 MB |
| OS | TP-Link |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 2.5 A |
The Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz CPU affects the router's performance, working with RAM and firmware. The 128 MB of RAM helps the router manage many tasks concurrently OpenWrt has a community that actively develops it. They continuously work on improving its security.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The Archer C7 router is compatible with IPv6. IPv6 offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. Gigabit Ethernet ports support data transfer rates of up to 1 gigabit per second. A Gigabit WAN port is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 5 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1750 |
| Speed | 450 + 1300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 23 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
Many IoT devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi devices mainly use the 2.4 GHz band. To optimize your Wi-Fi experience, it's often recommended to use a combination of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The Wi-Fi router offers fast data speeds. They're good for streaming HD video, online gaming, and large file transfers. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. The Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a safe wireless network with the push of a button or a simple PIN entry.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 2 x USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). A USB print server lets you connect a printer to your network. Then, computers can print to it without a direct connection. The Archer C7 router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.0.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | admin |
Changing the password often is a good security practice. It protects your network and devices from unauthorized access. Changing the default password improves your router's security. It reduces the risk of unauthorized individuals controlling your network.
Links
| Official site | https://www.tp-link.com/ |
|---|
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this TP-Link one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- sufficient memory
- OpenWrt compatible
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- insufficient flash
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
TP-Link Archer C7 photos
TP-Link Archer C7 comparisons
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Updated: May 25, 2024
