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    June 22, 2016
  • Last review
    May 11, 2017
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TechReviewGuru's Reviews
 
Improve internet connectivity with this handy TP-LINK Deco dual-band Wi-Fi system. The three power adapters included in this set disperse a strong wireless signal over a maximum 4,500-foot area, so you stay securely connected. Install the Deco app on your smart device to monitor this TP-LINK Deco dual-band Wi-Fi system and change its settings to suit your home.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Easiest Setup Ever!
on May 11, 2017
Posted by: TechReviewGuru
This is a fantastic concept! It is a hybrid of a Wi-Fi router, and a Range Extender.

It is important to understand what this router is and what it is not. The main difference between this, and a standard Wi-Fi router is convenience. The idea is to have a very simple to setup, use, and manage Wi-Fi solution in your home. Consequently, the iPhone/Android Deco app used to control this device is very basic. If you are looking for more advanced features (e.g. Web GUI, VPN server, Port Forwarding, FTP Server, etc.), then this Wi-Fi solution may not be for you. With that said, it's not to say that there are no advanced features at all. In fact, you can setup a guest network, adjust the QOS, parental controls, remote network management, and automatic updates to name a few. You can also customize each device with different prioritization and rules.

Setup was a breeze. I was up and running in under 10 minutes (including a firmware and antivirus update). Given their size, you can tuck them away on a shelf, hang them on a wall, or leave them on a desk like traditional Wi-Fi routers. The Deco app guided me in placing each unit in the best possible spot.

Now for the performance. These Wi-Fi routers exceeded my expectations in my coverage and range tests. I was able to max out my internet speed in every corner of my house (even in awkward far reaching places). One aspect I also really tested a lot was the “seamless Wi-Fi” experience. I wanted to see how well these Wi-Fi routers performed with me moving around the house, handling the handover traffic. I did not notice any lag/drops/freezing whilst doing these tests.

Another big bonus with these Wi-Fi routers is the included antivirus. Unlike a standalone antivirus SW, all traffic and all devices are protected. It even updates itself!

Overall, I am very pleased with the performance, range, and ease of setup for these Wi-Fi routers.

This review was submitted as part of a free sample program from TP-Link.
I would recommend this to a friend!
-1point
3of 7voted this as helpful.
 
Take wireless control over electrical appliances with these two-pack TP-Link smart Wi-Fi plug minis. They let you switch plugged devices on and off remotely, schedule their operation and check their status from your mobile device via the Kasa app. You can also pair them with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to enable voice control. The compact design of these TP-Link smart plug minis provides plugging space for adjacent power sockets.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Wifi Smart Plug that's the perfect size!
on April 28, 2017
Posted by: TechReviewGuru
The HS105 turns any of your standard devices into a "Smart" device. Once you start using this, you will quickly see the benefits. This is especially apparent if you own an Amazon Alexa device (echo/dot).
The build quality is very good. It is sturdy and certainly doesn't feel flimsy or cheap. The design of this product is where it really shines. One of the biggest complaints of most Smart Plugs is there bulky size which in turn means that they often cover/obstruct more than one power outlet. I was pleased to find that TP-Link has overcome this issue with this newly designed Smart Plug. What's more impressive is how simple the solution was – making a wider Smart Plug, instead of a taller Smart Plug! Good move TP-Link! Since this is considerably smaller, I was worried that the range (distance away from the Wi-Fi router) would be affected. I had no issues, and I was able to plug this device a reasonable distance away from my Wi-Fi router.
The scheduling aspect is great! There are a lot of variables you can set. Time (hours and minutes, am/pm), switch action (on or off), and repeat (days of week - you can select one individual day, every day, or a combination of days). A programmed event requires two "events" in the app, a switch action "on" and a switch action "off". This is useful if you have a routine with turning on/off a device in your home. Some uses I have for this HS105 are for lamps, entertainment units, irons, fans or just about anything you want to conveniently turn on/off or set timers for.
Overall this is a fantastic Smart Plug that works flawlessly.
This review was submitted as part of a free sample program.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
4of 6voted this as helpful.
 
Create higher power line speeds for multiple connections with this pass-through TP-Link Powerline starter kit. It has two Gb ports, letting you connect a smart TV, game console or desktop computer to a secure wired network. You don't need to configure this plug-and-play TP-Link Powerline starter kit, and the power-saving mode automatically reduces power consumption.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
As good as a direct connection!
on February 5, 2017
Posted by: TechReviewGuru
These are the first powerline adapters I have tried that give nearly ALL the bandwidth received at the modem on a direct connection. My tests ranged between 94%-100% of the total bandwidth from any of the power outlets I tried. I was very impressed with the results. Also, distance between the outlets made no real difference to the results! The biggest improvement over the previous generation is the HomePlug AV2 MIMO technology. The older generation powerline adapters only transmitted on the Line-Neutral pair on the powerline. These new powerline adapters can now transmit on any two pairs formed by the Line, Neutral or Ground wires (i.e., Line-Neutral, Line-Ground or NeutralGround).
Setup couldn’t be easier:
1. First, connect your TL-PA9020P to the router
2. Then, plug in another one wherever you need extra coverage
3. Finally, press the “Pair” button on each adapter
What’s great is there is no restriction on just two powerline adapters. All you need to do is plug in the additional “slave” adapters to where you intend to use them, and go through the pairing process again.
While it's great that these adapters replace the outlet they take up by having a "pass-though" outlet, they do also block the outlet above.
A word of caution, I found if you plug these into a power strip/extension cord, instead of directly to the wall, you will suffer from a lot of bandwidth loss. So it’s best to plug it directly into the wall.
Disclaimer: Submitted as part of a free sample program
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
+6points
6of 6voted this as helpful.
 
Get the maximum Internet speeds with this TP-LINK cable modem router. Certified compatible with the latest high-speed technology, this modem provides top-speed wireless connections up to 300 Mbps for fast downloads, streaming and gaming. Dual IPv4 and IPv6 Internet Protocol capability in this TP-LINK cable modem router ensures you're ready for the future.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great WI-FI router/modem combo. Save on rental $
on August 3, 2016
Posted by: TechReviewGuru
Historically, there seems to have been a lot of confusion with these types of devices. I decided to answer a few common questions and hope to better explain what this specific TC-W7960 Wireless N Router with Cable Modem is, and what it does:
*Will this work with XXXXX ISP? – This will only work with Comcast Xfinity, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable (TWC). At the time of writing, these are the only ISPs that have been certified. However, it seems that TP-LINK is trying to get certification for other providers too.
*Will this work out of the box, where I can just replace my existing rented modem with this and expect it to work? – In short, no. This device is NOT plug-and-play. You must call your ISP in order for them to activate this Cable Modem part of the device. This is not a limitation from the manufacturer; instead your ISP only allows authorized modems to connect to their network. As such, you call your ISP and give them your modem’s serial number and MAC address, so they can add it to their “allow/authorized” list. Only then, will this modem work. I love the fact that TP-Link included an “information card” in the package. It has all the information you need handy, for when you call the ISP to activate the modem.
*Is this device a cable modem as well as a Wi-Fi router? – Yes. Since this is the newer model of the TP-Link TC-7620, it now also includes a Wireless N Router. As such, this is includes everything you need to get you going. Another great bonus is that it has 4 built in ports Gigabit Ethernet ports! This is a great way to connect up to 4 devices physically, for the fastest possible speed (when compared to WI-FI connections).
*Will this work with my phone line? – No. This is purely a CABLE modem. This is for internet access, not for telephone access. Also, this will not work with fiber connections/ISPs (e.g. FIOS)
*Can I upgrade the firmware myself – The great thing about owning this device is you can upgrade it yourself!
*Does it come with a coaxial cable? – No, it does not. It does come with an Ethernet cable though.
* Is this compatible with Windows 10? – This will work regardless of what Operating System you have on your computer!
While I really like this WI-FI Router/Cable Modem combo, I took one star away for two reasons - This device has 8 downstream channels for channel bonding, where I have seen other comparable devices with 16 downstream channels. The difference is, devices with 16 downstream channels get download speeds of up to 680Mbps, whereas this device will get download speeds of up to 343Mbps. This device is also limited by "Wireless N" technologies (speeds/coverage/reach/etc) when compared to newer "Wireless AC" technologies. However, at this price point, this is great performing WI-FI Router/Cable Modem combo. I have had zero issues with it, and have not needed to do a single reboot. I am also getting slightly faster speeds than what I am actually paying for! Now that ISPs have finally allowed customers to use their own modems, I highly recommend you swap them out. Not only are you getting a newer and better performing device, you are also saving on the rental fees! It will pay for itself in no time.
This is a review of a free product received from TP-LINK as part of the review program.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+41points
44of 47voted this as helpful.
 
Safeguard your home and wallet with this two-pack of TP-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plugs. Power tracking keeps you aware of consumption in the home, and each plug connects to your wireless network. Log into the Kasa app on your mobile device to manage these TP-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plugs when you're away from home, or control it with your voice using Amazon Echo or Google Home (sold separately) when at home.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Love it! Excellent start for home automation.
on July 29, 2016
Posted by: TechReviewGuru
This Smart Plug is fantastic and works like a charm! I plugged the device in my outlet, installed the Kasa app on my phone, and then followed the onscreen instructions. During the setup, you are greeted with the option to create a TP-Link Cloud Account. Though this is optional, I highly recommend creating one as you can then control the Smart Plug remotely. You may choose to skip the account registration step in the Kasa App and still control the Smart Plug through your local network using the App. However, bear in mind your mobile device and the Smart Plug need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once you realize how convenient and flexible these devices are, you will find yourself wanting more in no time!
**Pros**
* No Hub is required. These Smart Plugs work with any Wi-Fi router without the need for a separate hub or paid subscription service.
* Not much bigger than the very popular Etekcity Wireless Remote Control Electrical Outlets, yet it can do a whole lot more!
* Built in Energy Monitoring. Most people get these types of devices for convenience and to save on electricity bills. It makes a big difference to actually be able to see the Energy usage on your devices. Not many Smart Plugs even have this feature. The energy monitoring feature seems to be very accurate too.
* It does not get too hot when in use.
* Reading a lot of reviews and researching online, these seems to be much more stable than the WeMo smart plugs.
* Memory function. If you get a power failure, or unplug these Smart Plugs and move them to another outlet, it will save the previous settings! This is very useful as you do not have to set it up again (unlike the WeMo smart plugs!).
* These can be used with a power strip, so you can control multiple items with ONE Smart Plug.
* There is no lag in response when controlling the Smart Plug from your phone.
* Dual voltage. This is a huge bonus as it will also work with 220-240v! Though the Smart Plug says 100-120V on the back, it has been confirmed/tested to be dual voltage.
* 2 Year Warranty
* Amazon Echo support - This is where the device really shines. It works natively with Amazon Echo, which allows you to use voice control/simple phrases to control your Smart Plug!
* Flexibility - There are a lot of variables you can set. Time (hours and minutes, am/pm), switch action (on or off), and repeat (days of week - you can select one individual day, every day, or a combination of days). A programmed event requires two "events" in the app, a switch action "on" and a switch action "off".
**Cons**
* None
**Other Thoughts**
* A lot of people tend to complain about these types of devices covering both outlets on the wall. If this is really an issue for you, I would recommend buying a few cheap 1 inch extension cords (easily found online or in hardware stores) and then connecting the Smart Plug to that.
* This unit will only connect to the 2.4GHz wireless band on your router. The reason is quite simple - Since the 5GHz band has a much shorter usable range, the 2.4GHz band makes more sense for devices like this. It also reduces complexity by not having the support for both. The 2.4GHz band will allow you to place these Smart Plugs farther away from your WI-FI router.
This is a review of a free product received from TP-LINK as part of the review program.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
6of 9voted this as helpful.
 
Set up a reliable network with this TP-LINK TLWR841N Wireless-N router, which utilizes both MIMO and CCA technologies to ensure fast HD video streaming and data transfer across a wide coverage area.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great budget Wi-Fi router
on June 22, 2016
Posted by: TechReviewGuru
For the price, you can't go wrong with this Wi-Fi router. It is a very basic and simple no frills router. With that said, it still performs very well. It is also easy to set up and has decent security features. I had it up and running in a matter of minutes. It is wall mountable and has 4 Ethernet ports in the back. This is ideal for small homes or an apartment. Another use-case for this basic router, is for hobbyists that like to test/develop/use customer firmware. It supports OpenWRT, DD-WRT, etc, and is very stable. Please note this router is limited to 100Mbps connections. Below is where I found this device really shines:
- Very easy to set-up
- Simple instructions
- Decent coverage, perfect for small homes or apartments
- Stable connections
If you do not care for the newer wireless AC technology, 5GHz frequency bands, and all the extra features, then this is the perfect router for you. I would recommend this router to anyone wanting to go wireless N on a budget. This was an unbiased review part of the TP-LINK the review program.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
 
Surf the Web at incredibly fast rates with this TP-Link wireless dual-band gigabit router, and connect to your websites almost instantaneously. The 1GHz Dual-Core processor ensures smooth and seamless connections even when multiple devices are in use. Manage your TP-Link wireless dual-band gigabit router from your smartphone with the convenient Tether app.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Solid router with high powered amplifiers
on June 22, 2016
Posted by: TechReviewGuru
After a little research I found that this TP-Link Archer C1900 router is almost the same as the TP-Link C9, with one main difference. Apart from the color difference (one black and the other white), this Archer C1900 has a higher powered amplifier/antenna (900mW) compared to the C9. Since I own both, I found that this little change meant that the C1900 really delivers much better range and speed, thanks to the higher power. Below is where I found this device really shines:
Design/Performance – This router is truly great looking. It is black, sleek and has nice blue lights. It sits vertically, rather than horizontally like most routers. I actually feel that the upright design improves the performance, since the antennas sit much higher. This is why I combined the design and performance aspects of the device when reviewing. The antennas 3 antennas can be pointed to any direction, but I found that keeping the left and right antennas at a 45-degree angle and the center antenna straight up, gave the best coverage and performance. The dual core CPU allows for many connected devices at the same time.
Functionality – I like that this has a dedicated ON/OFF Wi-Fi button, and also a USB 3.0 port. With a USB 3.0 port and a USB 2.0 port, it’s easy to share printers, files, and media across your network. Best of all, you can also use this C1900 router to access files while away from home through the FTP server. It also has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports to connect local/non-Wi-Fi devices to the network. This is the kind of multi-purpose router I prefer.
Simple Setup – I was up and running with this device in no time, and it was very easy to setup. The instructions were very clear, and you do not need to load any dreaded CD based drivers or instructions.
Overall, this is a solid Wi-Fi router and the higher powered amplifier makes a big difference to the performance. This was an unbiased review part of the TP-LINK the review program.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+10points
10of 10voted this as helpful.
 
Connect all your devices to the Internet wherever you are at home with this TP-Link touchscreen Wi-Fi range extender. Compatible with any router, this extender features a 4.3-inch touchscreen to connect your devices to the Web. Ethernet ports on this TP-Link touchscreen Wi-Fi extender let you connect up to four wired devices for super-fast gigabit connections.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Very effective when large coverage is required
on June 22, 2016
Posted by: TechReviewGuru
Please note this is a Wi-Fi Range Extended, not a Wi-Fi router. This can easily be confused with the latter. This device basically connects to, and extends the Wi-Fi coverage of an EXISTING Wi-Fi router. It is brand agnostic (meaning it will work with any Wi-Fi Router). I had no issues with the TP-Link RE590T, and this device exceeded my expectations. I have used smaller range extenders (TP-LINK also make a great compact one - RE355), which are better suited to extend Wi-Fi coverage within a house. However, this device is better in that it can also extend the Wi-Fi coverage to outdoor areas! This is great for patios, outdoor areas, or even guest homes. TP-LINK claim the Wi-Fi coverage can be extended up to 10,000 sq. ft. When setting this up, I found that it is best not to place it in the actual Wi-Fi dead zone, where there is VERY poor coverage. Instead, it needs to be placed at the “edge” of the existing Wi-Fi reach, where the signal is still decent. You just need to select the Wi-Fi networks and bands (2.4GHz and/or 5GHz) that you wish to extend and confirm the network name and password to expand the wireless coverage. Below is where I found the product really shines:
Simple setup – Instead of using a laptop and a complicated web UI, the TP-LINK RE590T provides simple, step-by-step instructions on the integrated touchscreen. This made the configuration and setup a lot less confusing, and also a lot faster.
Performance – I noticed a big improvement in Wi-Fi coverage, once configured. It makes a difference being able to connect to your wireless network from all rooms and from outdoors too. I found that since it is an extension of the existing Wi-Fi router (SSID etc), the connection remained seamless as I moved around.
Flexibility - Since the RE590T also has built in Ethernet ports, I was able to connect older devices (consoles/DVRs/DVD players/TVs) that use an Ethernet connection instead of built in Wi-Fi. All you need to do is place this Wi-Fi extender close enough to the older device, and then hook up an Ethernet cable from the Wi-Fi range extender to the legacy device. This is great if you do not want to run a long Ethernet cable from the older device to the existing Wi-Fi router/modem.
Design – It a very intuitive a touchscreen. I found that it has a really cool feature where the touchscreen can also display a beautifully designed clock!
I have been using this Wi-Fi range extender for a while now, and have had zero issues. It is a very effective solution when you have poor coverage or a large home. This was an unbiased review part of the TP-LINK the review program.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
 
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