CHF37.70 was CHF39.70
TP-Link TL-WA1201
867 Mbit/s
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
26 reviews
good device with shortcomings in the setup
I was actually expecting this access point to pull an IP from the router and be done. The router is the DHCP server. Far from it. By default, a fixed IP is set and on the access point also runs a DHCP server. You have to find that out first. Also set to DHCP, the thing did not want to pull an IP. I have then just entered the fixed and voila already runs. Disable the DHCP server and the attached clients get an IP from the router and not from the access point. How someone without IT knowledge should set up something like this is a mystery to me. Probably that will be rather difficult.
Oh yeah the default encryption is set to pretty much the most insecure settings. You have to change that too. Weak.Pro
- Price
- Performance
- PoE injector included
Contra
- Setup tedious
Good for extending the WLan range
Good device, is used to expand our network as a wall provides somewhat strong shielding. Connected to the modem via an Ethernet cable and used as an access point.
Pro
- Simple installation
- Simple set-up
- All the necessary accessories are included, even a POE power supply unit
So far there's nothing to complain about...
I particularly liked how easy it was to configure the two bands to one SSID. This faff with _2G and _5G is otherwise a "pain in the a.." for the ladies of the house.
Pro
- Reception on the upper floor
- "ONE" SSID
- Also looks good
- Full jug now finally on the WLAN
Contra
- Nothing
Only the UNII-1 band @ 5GHz usable (36-48).
5GHz: Unfortunately only the first 4 bands are used (36-48).
The bands up to 140 can not be selected.
Also on Auto the UNII-1 was selected.
2.4GHz is OK.Pro
- Good price
Contra
- For 5GHz only very conditionally suitable
Super slow client mode, barely supports 5Ghz bands.
Is just very cheap, you can not expect much. Advertised were 800mbit 5ghz performance -> effectively 48mbit up / 80mbit down
My AP supports WIFI6 and I wanted to use TP-Link WA1201 in client mode for an old NAS.
I expected 5ghz ev. so 200-300mbit/s.
Setting up client mode was easy. At first it only found my 2.4ghz network at 144mbit.
With some google I realized that the device 5ghz can only channel 40-48.
Switched AP to Chanel 48. 5Ghz is now going but still 144mbit.
Dual band was nothing either.
Well then I tested different configs.
Fastest config was measured: 48mbit up 80mbit down with 2.4Ghz band.
Well. client mode seems really hardware-moderately can not more.
Hope the OpenWrt support comes ev., ev. one gets then something more out.
Can not recommend the device.Pro
- simple setup
Contra
- very slow
- Not all 5Ghz bands supported
Easy to set up, strong signal
UPDATE: RMA'ing this since it keeps disconnecting users. Only fix is to manually turn router off/on. Lately this happens almost daily. This is a known issue, with the only fix being a beta firmware (which doesnt fix the issue). See TP-Link forums: https://community.tp-link.com/en...
Don't buy this until the firmware issue is fixed!
OLD REVIEW:
Upgraded from my Salt router's wifi signal to this access point. I could not reach 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz signal behind three walls in my apartment with Salt, but this on works perfectly.
Speeds are roughly as advertised, and several rooms (concrete walls) I am still able to -56db (2.4Ghz) and -68db (5Ghz) signal, whereas I was only able to get -78db for the 2.4Ghz network, and unreachable network. Signal strength is measured with the Airport App wifi scan. Basically, this has a better signal far away from the router, than being next to the Salt router.
The top speed is somewhat slower (450/450mbit up/down for TP-Link, and 640/500 up/down for Salt when you are next to the router). Speeds are measured from my iPhone 8 with Ookla Speedtest. Speeds might be higher with a better wifi device. For anything substantially faster I find it hard to justify paying >200CHF for a Wifi6 accesspoint which is basically the only faster option.
Several rooms away, I still get ~100mbit up and down measured on both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz networks.
Comes with power over ethernet, which makes it easier to pull only one cable to where the access point is placed.
It was easy to set up by plugging in and logging on to the default wireless network and open the setup page. I used the "Access Point" mode as any router should already have DHCP, so not sure what the other modes are useful for for most people.Pro
- Strong signal
- Easy to set up
- Good price
- Comes with power-over-ethernet adapter
Contra
- Frequently disconnects users
6 out of 26 reviews
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