TP-Link Archer C7 vs TL-WR802N - Where are the differences?

Let's take a look at the two routers Archer C7* and TL-WR802N* from the Archer C7 brand and compare the differences.

For which connections are the routers suitable?

Basically, you can put any router behind any modem, but some routers also have an integrated modem. Does the TP-Link Archer C7 have a modem installed? Does the TP-Link TL-WR802N have an integrated modem? The answer to both questions in this case is "No". Neither router has a modem installed.

Which router has the better WLAN?

WiFi 6, also called AX, is currently the newest standard in WLAN. The higher the standard, the better. The two models from this comparison both do not support AX.

AC is the name for WiFi 5. Most often it comes in combination with WiFi 4 and is advertised as AC+N. If a device offers AX, it usually supports the older standards as well. WiFi 5 is only supported by the TP-Link Archer C7* from the comparison.

The WiFi 4 standard is also referred to as "N". If a device can do AX or AC, then it can usually do WiFi 4 (N). Here, only the TP-Link Archer C7* WiFi 4.

To offer more performance, some routers offer so-called dual band. In this case the router transmits on two frequencies. You have to do without this option for the TP-Link TL-WR802N. The TP-Link Archer C7 offers you this function.

Triband is an optimization of the dual band. Here it is sent on three channels to achieve more power. However, you have to do without the triband for both routers from the comparison.

Let's have a look at the maximum data rate. This is higher in total for the TP-Link Archer C7* with 1300 + 450 Mbit/s. With the TP-Link TL-WR802N you get 300 Mbit/s.

Which router has more antennas?

There are routers with internal antennas and routers with external antennas. However, more antennas do not necessarily mean more performance. In this context, the maximum data rate and WiFi standards must be considered.

The TP-Link Archer C7 has no internal antennas. With the TP-Link TL-WR802N you get 2 internal antennas. Internal antennas have a fixed position. The direction of the radiation can thus not be changed easily.

Only with the TP-Link Archer C7 you get external antennas. At the number there are 3. The advantage of external antennas is that they can be rotated. Thus, the direction of the radiation can be determined.

Comparison of connections

Let's take a look at the connectors from the TP-Link Archer C7 and TP-Link TL-WR802N. Only the TP-Link TL-WR802N has 100 Mbit LAN ports. These are 1 pieces.

Only the TP-Link Archer C7 has Gigabit LAN ports. The number is 4.

In addition to the LAN, some routers also have a WAN interface. If this is not available, a LAN port must be used to connect the modem. In this comparison, only the TP-Link Archer C7 has Gigabit WAN.

Let's move on to the ISDN connection. In the meantime, this is hardly necessary and therefore also available in few devices. Both devices in the comparison do not have ISDN installed.

Functions of the routers in comparison

Let's take a look at the function from the TP-Link Archer C7 and TP-Link TL-WR802N in comparison.

WLAN Repeater: Some routers can also be used simply as repeaters. So you can amplify the signal of another router. Especially if you have several floors, this is interesting, because strong ceilings can interfere with the signal. The repeater function is only available with the TP-Link TL-WR802N*.

WPS: With WPS, we stay on the topic of WLAN. WPS stands for "Wi-Fi Protected Setup". Here it concerns the simpler connection of devices to the WLAN. As a rule, this is done without the password. From the comparison, only the TP-Link Archer C7 offers WPS. If the function is important to you, you have to use this model.

DECT: With the help of DECT, DECT phones can be connected directly to the router. Thus, the router provides a convenient phone solution. There is no DECT function in either of the selected models.

IPv6: In case you're not aware - IP addresses with four blocks are running out, which is why the IPv6 standard was developed. Private households usually get only public IPv6 address. These must be supported by the router of course. There are some positive news for the models in this comparison. Both routers can work with IPv6.