TP-Link Archer C1200
Pros
- Price
- Easy to install
Cons
- Basic features
- Wireless N Performance
The TP-Link Archer C1200 is a dual band, wireless gigabit router that appears to be an update to the Archer C5. It’s designed to provide enough bandwidth for the smooth streaming of games and videos. If you’re a fan of watching movies or television online, this router promises to help stream videos clearly and without hiccups during your viewing. If you’re a gamer, TP-Link believe that the C1200 will give you fast performance without any noticeable lagging, which can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
The TP-Link Archer C1200 specifications:| HARDWARE FEATURES | |
| Interface | 4 10/100/1000Mbps LAN Ports 1 10/100/1000Mbps WAN Port 1 USB 2.0 Ports |
| Button | Power On/Off Button WPS/Wireless On/Off Button Reset Button |
| External Power Supply | 12VDC / 1.0A |
| Dimensions ( W x D x H ) | 9.6x6.4x1.3 in. (243x160.6x32.5mm) |
| Antenna Type | 3 external antennas |
| WIRELESS FEATURES | |
| Wireless Standards | IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5GHz IEEE 802.11n/g/b 2.4GHz |
| Frequency | 5GHz and 2.4GHz |
| Signal Rate | 5GHz: Up to 867Mbps 2.4GHz: Up to 300Mbps |
| Reception Sensitivity | 5GHz: 11a 54Mbps: -76dBm 11ac HT20: -68dBm 11ac HT40: -65dBm 11ac HT80: -62dBm 11n HT20: -74dBm 11n HT40: -71dBm 2.4GHz: 11g 54M: -75dBm 11n HT20: -72dBm 11n HT40: -69dBm |
| Transmit Power | CE: <=20dBm （2.4G） <=23dBm （5G） |
| Wireless Functions | Enable/Disable Wireless Radio, WMM, Wireless Statistics |
| Wireless Security | 64/128-bit WEP, WPA / WPA2, WPA-PSK/ WPA2-PSK encryption |
| SOFTWARE FEATURES | |
| Quality of Service | WMM, Bandwidth Control |
| WAN Type | Dynamic IP/Static IP/PPPoE/L2TP(Dual Access)/PPTP(Dual Access) |
| Management | Access Control Local Management Remote Management |
| DHCP | Server, Client, DHCP Client List, Address Reservation |
| Port Forwarding | Virtual Server, Port Triggering, UPnP, DMZ |
| Dynamic DNS | DynDns, NO-IP |
| VPN Pass-Through | PPTP, L2TP, IPSec |
| Access Control | Parental Control, Local Management Control, Host List, Access Schedule, Rule Management |
| Firewall Security | DoS, SPI Firewall MAC Address Filter IP and MAC Address Binding |
| Protocols | Supports IPv4 and IPv6 |
| USB Sharing | Support Samba(Storage)/FTP Server/Media Server/Printer Server |
| Guest Network | 2.4GHz guest network × 1 5GHz guest network × 1 |
| VPN Server | OpenVPN, PPTP VPN |
| OTHERS | |
| Certification | CE, RoHS |
| Package Contents | AC1200 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router Archer C1200 Power supply unit Ethernet Cable Quick Installation Guide |
| System Requirements | Microsoft Windows 98SE, NT, 2000, XP, Vista™ or Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1/10 MAC OS, NetWare, UNIX or Linux |
| Environment | Operating Temperature: 0℃~40 ℃ (32 ℉~104℉) Storage Temperature: -40℃~70 ℃ (-40 ℉~158℉) Operating Humidity: 10%~90% non-condensing Storage Humidity: 5%~90% non-condensing |
It certainly appears to be a robust device and comes with the usual inclusion of 4 gigabit ports. Like all the TP-Link routers we’ve seen, it’s also easy to install and maintain, even for the least tech savvy individual. The included Tether app will help guide you through the installation process and help you manage your Wi-Fi settings from the convenience of your mobile device.
Differences between the Archer C1200 and Archer C5 models:| HARDWARE FEATURES | Archer C1200 | Archer C5 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | 1 USB 2.0 Ports | 2 USB 2.0 Ports |
| External Power Supply | 12VDC / 1.0A | 12VDC / 2.5A |
| Antenna Type | 3 external antennas | 2 dual band detachable antennas (RP-SMA) |
| Reception Sensitivity | 5GHz: 11a 54Mbps: -76dBm 11ac HT20: -68dBm 11ac HT40: -65dBm 11ac HT80: -62dBm 11n HT20: -74dBm 11n HT40: -71dBm 2.4GHz: 11g 54M: -75dBm 11n HT20: -72dBm 11n HT40: -69dBm | 5GHz: 11a 54Mbps: -74dBm 11ac HT20: -67dBm 11ac HT40: -63dBm 11ac HT80: -59dBm 11n HT20: -71dBm 11n HT40: -69dBm 2.4GHz: 11g 54M: -76dBm 11n HT20: -73dBm 11n HT40: -71dBm |
C1200 Performance
Our standard wireless tests were run to assess the wireless performance of the TP-Link Archer C1200 against the Archer VR600. The wireless signal was checked before we connected to the access point from 5 different locations:
- Same room
- Same floor next room separated by a void
- Same floor opposite end of house
- One floor above
- Outside
We tested at the same locations again, after establishing a connection to the 5Ghz band on the C1200:
| Location | Not connected (5Ghz) | Connected (5Ghz) |
|---|---|---|
| Same room | -26 | -30 |
| Same floor, next room | -59 | -56 |
| Same floor, corner room | -61 | -61 |
| Same floor, outside | -68 | -69 |
| Floor above, corner room | -64 | -63 |
Finally, we conducted some basic file copy tasks over the wireless network using the in-built Wireless N on our Intel NUC and two Wireless AC USB adapters. As you can see from our results, you can still get a lot of variance even amongst the Wireless AC devices:
Final Thoughts
Out of the box, the Archer C1200 is ready to go with a combination of convenience and good performance. This is the perfect budget device to add to any home. Within minutes of taking it out of the box, you’ll have fast, house wide internet access.
The 3 antennas that are stationed behind the unit help amplify your wireless signal to cover wide areas. When you’re walking around your home with your phone or tablet, you won’t have to worry about losing connection to your Wi-Fi network.
We did have issues with performance on a Wireless N device (Intel NUC) but those went away when we connected via Wireless AC adapters. That said, there was a significant difference in speed between the Netgear and D-Link adapters with our file copy tests.
If you are after a budget wireless router for the home, the TP-Link Archer C1200 is one to add to your consideration basket.
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4 thoughts on “TP-Link Archer C1200 AC1200 Wireless Dual Band Router Reviewed”
Wadi
(May 5, 2017 - 10:16 pm)I have choice to get either this one or Archer C7. What would you recommend ?
Regards,
Noeneel Sharma
(May 6, 2017 - 10:05 am)They are both good budget routers, the C1200 is a little newer but the C7 offers slightly better performance – but only if you use a compatible wireless adapter.
wadi
(May 6, 2017 - 6:51 pm)Thanks I have both but still undecided about which one to keep.
C1200 webui interface is much better, has better processor I think. The only reason I consider keeping the c7, which is more expansive, is the good support from open source firmware (lede, openwrt, etc.)
Noeneel Sharma
(May 7, 2017 - 9:12 am)It’s good that you have both to try at the same time as these thing tend to perform slightly differently in different environments. I would say, forget about the full feature set and focus only on the features you need now and possibly in the future. Compare the 2 based on those requirements and see which one comes out in front. If both still are the same, then pick the one with the faster processor (or nicer GUI, whichever is more important to you)