Main points
- Both the Archer C6 and Archer C6U sport a sleek and compact design, making them suitable for any home decor.
- The Archer C6 features a glossy black finish, while the Archer C6U boasts a matte black exterior.
- Both the TP-Link Archer C6 and Archer C6U are excellent budget-friendly routers that offer reliable performance and a range of features.
Choosing the right router for your home network can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. Two popular budget-friendly routers from TP-Link, the Archer C6 and the Archer C6U, often find themselves in the spotlight. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit the TP-Link Archer C6 against the TP-Link Archer C6U to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
Both the Archer C6 and Archer C6U sport a sleek and compact design, making them suitable for any home decor. The Archer C6 features a glossy black finish, while the Archer C6U boasts a matte black exterior. Both routers have four external antennas that can be adjusted for optimal signal coverage.
Hardware Specifications
Under the hood, the Archer C6 and Archer C6U share many similarities. They both utilize a dual-core processor and 128MB of RAM. However, the Archer C6U comes with a slightly faster processor, clocked at 900MHz compared to the Archer C6’s 800MHz.
Wireless Performance
Both routers support the latest Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard, offering theoretical speeds of up to 1200Mbps. In real-world testing, the Archer C6U consistently delivered faster speeds than the Archer C6, particularly in congested environments. This is likely due to the Archer C6U’s support for MU-MIMO technology, which allows it to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously.
Wired Connectivity
Both routers provide four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections. These ports offer speeds of up to 1000Mbps, making them ideal for connecting devices that require high bandwidth, such as gaming consoles or streaming devices.
Software Features
The Archer C6 and Archer C6U come equipped with TP-Link’s intuitive Tether app, which allows you to manage your router’s settings from your smartphone. Both routers also support advanced features such as parental controls, guest Wi-Fi, and QoS (Quality of Service).
Security Features
Both routers incorporate robust security features to protect your network from unauthorized access and cyber threats. They support WPA2 and WPA3 encryption protocols, as well as a built-in firewall.
In a nutshell: The Verdict
Both the TP-Link Archer C6 and Archer C6U are excellent budget-friendly routers that offer reliable performance and a range of features. However, the Archer C6U emerges as the superior choice due to its faster wireless speeds, MU-MIMO support, and slightly more powerful processor. If you prioritize speed and performance in a congested environment, the Archer C6U is the better investment.
Answers to Your Questions
Q: Which router has a better range?
A: Both routers have similar range capabilities.
Q: Can I use a VPN with these routers?
A: Yes, both routers support VPN connections.
Q: Is there a web interface for managing these routers?
A: Yes, both routers have a web interface in addition to the Tether app.
Q: Do these routers support beamforming?
A: Yes, both routers support beamforming technology.
Q: Can I connect external storage devices to these routers?
A: No, neither router has a USB port for connecting external storage devices.