A comprehensive comparison review of TP-Link’s Archer A8 and Archer A9 routers. Let’s explore their key specifications
WIRELESS
Both routers operate on Wi-Fi 5 standards with AC1900 speeds, offering 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. The Archer A8 features three fixed high-performance antennas, while the Archer A9 comes with four fixed high-performance antennas, including both external and internal ones, enhancing signal coverage for medium-sized homes.
SECURITY
Archer A8 and A9 routers provide robust security features, including SPI Firewall, Access Control, and IP & MAC Binding. They also offer guest networks and support various encryption protocols such as WEP, WPA, and WPA2. Additionally, the Archer A9 includes VPN server support with OpenVPN and PPTP protocols for secure remote access.
HARDWARE
The Archer A8 is equipped with a 1.2 GHz single-core CPU, while the Archer A9 features a single-core CPU. Both routers offer Gigabit WAN and LAN ports for high-speed wired connections and come with standard buttons for easy setup and reset.
SOFTWARE
In terms of software, both routers support essential protocols like IPv4 and IPv6 and provide management options through the Tether app and web interface. They offer comprehensive parental controls, WAN types, quality of service settings, and cloud services for firmware upgrades and dynamic DNS support.
Detailed Specifications
| Specifications | Archer A8 | Archer A9 |
| WIRELESS | ||
| Standards | Wi-Fi 5, IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz, IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz | Wi-Fi 5, IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz, IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz |
| WiFi Speeds | AC1900, 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps (802.11ac), 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps (802.11n) | AC1900, 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps (802.11ac), 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps (802.11n) |
| WiFi Range | 3 Bedroom Houses, 3× Fixed High-Performance Antennas, Multiple antennas form a signal-boosting array to cover more directions and large areas, Beamforming, Concentrates wireless signal strength towards clients to expand WiFi range | 3 Bedroom Houses, 4× Fixed High-Performance Antennas (External and Internal), Multiple antennas form a signal-boosting array to cover more directions and large areas, Beamforming, Concentrates wireless signal strength towards clients to expand WiFi range |
| WiFi Capacity | Medium, Dual-Band, Allocate devices to different bands for optimal performance, 3×3 MU-MIMO, Simultaneously communicates with multiple MU-MIMO clients, Airtime Fairness, Improves network efficiency by limiting excessive occupation | Medium, Dual-Band, Allocate devices to different bands for optimal performance, 3×3 MU-MIMO, Simultaneously communicates with multiple MU-MIMO clients |
| Working Modes | Router Mode, Access Point Mode | Router Mode, Access Point Mode |
| SECURITY | ||
| Network Security | SPI Firewall, Access Control, IP & MAC Binding, Application Layer Gateway | SPI Firewall, Access Control, IP & MAC Binding, Application Layer Gateway |
| Guest Network | 1× 5 GHz Guest Network, 1× 2.4 GHz Guest Network | 1× 5 GHz Guest Network, 1× 2.4 GHz Guest Network |
| WiFi Encryption | WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise (802.1x) | WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise (802.1x) |
| HARDWARE | ||
| Processor | 1.2 GHz Single-Core CPU | Single-Core CPU |
| Ethernet Ports | 1× Gigabit WAN Port, 4× Gigabit LAN Ports | 1 × Gigabit WAN Port, 4 × Gigabit LAN Ports |
| Buttons | WPS/Wi-Fi Button, Power On/Off Button, Reset Button | WPS/Wi-Fi Button, Power On/Off Button, Reset Button |
| Power | US Version:, 12 V ⎓ 1.5 A, EU Version:, 12 V ⎓ 1 A | 12 V ⎓ 1.5 A |
| SOFTWARE | ||
| Protocols | IPv4, IPv6 | IPv4, IPv6 |
| OneMesh™ | OneMesh™ Supported, Without replacing your existing devices or buying a whole new WiFi ecosystem, OneMesh™ helps you create a more flexible network that covers your entire home with TP-Link OneMesh™ products. | |
| Parental Controls | URL Filtering, Time Controls | URL Filtering, Time Controls |
| WAN Types | Dynamic IP, Static IP, PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP | Dynamic IP, Static IP, PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP |
| Quality of Service | QoS by Device | QoS by Device |
| Cloud Service | OTA Firmware Upgrade, TP-Link ID, DDNS | OTA Firmware Upgrade, TP-Link ID, DDNS |
| NAT Forwarding | Port Forwarding, Port Triggering, DMZ, UPnP | Port Forwarding, Port Triggering, DMZ, UPnP |
| IPTV | IGMP Proxy, IGMP Snooping, Bridge, Tag VLAN | IGMP Proxy, IGMP Snooping, Bridge, Tag VLAN |
| DHCP | Address Reservation, DHCP Client List, Server | Address Reservation, DHCP Client List, Server |
| DDNS | TP-Link, NO-IP, DynDNS | TP-Link, NO-IP, DynDNS |
| Management | Tether App, Webpage | Tether App, Webpage |
| VPN Server | OpenVPN, PPTP | |
| USB Support | 1× USB 2.0 Port, Supported Partition Formats:, NTFS, FAT32, Supported Functions:, FTP Server, Media Server, Samba Server | |