Tp-link Archer C3200

A very fast router – and decent value

Mesh routers are the new big thing (see opposite page), but there’s still a place for a single-box wireless router that just pushes out a strong signal. This is one of those, and it’s tri-band, meaning it creates three networks: one on the 2.4GHZ band (which all devices can use, meaning it will be more crowded) and two at 5GHZ, which is faster. There’s no built-in modem, so it’s for cable broadband or to add to an existing ADSL modem.

The Archer C3200 doesn’t have MU-MIMO (multi-user multi-input multi-output), a new technology that can handle several streams of data via different aerials simultaneously. So, although you can connect lots of wireless devices at the same time, the router keeps swapping its attentionon between them every fewew milliseconds, limiting its top speed. However, MU-MIMO only helps when devices connect from different directions, and it can be a hindrance if too many connect. The Tp-link’s Archer C5400, which has MU-MIMO (£344 from Currys www.snipca.com/24428) costs twice as much, but MU-MIMO rivals like the Linksys WRT3200ACM can be found for as little as £180 (see www.snipca. com/24429). We’ll be testing that soon.

As for the Archer C3200, it has all the usual features and is set up in a plain but usable web-page interface. The two 5GHZ networks are separate, leaving you to optimise performance by choosing what you want to connect to each. A guest network can be added, and you can share a USB drivedrive over the network. In our tests, speeds were beaten only by much more expensive routers.

VERDICT: Although it lacks MU-MIMO, this is a very fast tri-band router for around £50 less than the cheapest mesh system

ALTERNATIVE:

Linksys WRT3200ACM £180 This MU-MIMO router could give even higher speeds with compatible devices for not much more money