When comparing TL-WR802N vs AmpliFi HD, the Slant community recommends TL-WR802N for most people. In the question“What are the best wifi-routers?” TL-WR802N is ranked 2nd while AmpliFi HD is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose TL-WR802N is:
You can configure it once with a specific SSID and password and then just plug an Ethernet cable every time you need a wireless connection.
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Pros
Pro You just need to plug an Ethernet cable for it to start working
You can configure it once with a specific SSID and password and then just plug an Ethernet cable every time you need a wireless connection.
Pro Can be used as a repeater to strengthen a wireless connection
When you use the repeater function, the LAN/WAN is disconnected and the port is used only to rebroadcast the existing wireless signal. The WiFi antenna is quite powerful as well, so this router will probably be able to pick up signals that your phone does not.
Pro Can be charged by most USB cables
Has a microUSB port that is used for charging. This way you can connect it to most phone chargers if you lose the cable that comes with the router.
Pro Extremely portable
It measures only 2.2 x 2.2 x 0.7 inches and it's very light at only 7.2 ounces, making it easy to carry around even in your pocket.
Pro A small or midsize home can be covered with just the router
AmpliFi router on its own has a range of 90 feet, which should be more than enough for a small or midsize home.
Pro Easy network management through a companion app
It has an intuitive companion app that enables instant setup, includes powerful reporting metrics, and provides easy guest access. If there’s a network problem, you can resolve it via your app. There’s also constant reporting on network security.
Pro A snap to set up
To set up the router you just need to download the app and follow the step-by-step guide. The whole process takes a few minutes.
Pro Looks cool
The AmpliFi HD router has a unique design. It is a small white cube, with a round 1.6-inch touchscreen, that can show date, time or your upload and download speeds.
Pro Great throughput
The Amplifi HD averages around 705 Mbps of throughput at a close distance of 5 feet. At 140 feet, that throughput drops to 177.5 Mbps — more than enough to share a 100 Mbps broadband connection, which is the top speed that majority of computers, phones or tablets can handle.
Pro Excellent coverage
The Amplifi HD provides industry leading wireless connectivity coverage of up to 20,000 square feet. The included router and two extenders are best suited for large homes.
Cons
Con Doesn't really support Gigabit Ethernet
Even though the LAN/WAN port technically supports Gigabit Ethernet, the speed will still be bottlenecked by the 300 Mbps throughput.
Con Mesh access points don't look as appealing as the router itself
The two mesh access points looks like antennas that you would put on the roof of your home. They are 9.6 inches tall and can take up much space on your outlets.
Con Currently lacks MU-MIMO for efficient network management
In situations where two people would try to start video streams at the same exact time on different devices, one of them would be prioritized over the other and it would have to wait until the first had buffered a few bits of data for itself. But usually, you won’t notice a slowdown. This technology will be implemented with AmpliFi HD in the nearest future.
Con Mesh networks can be overkill in many instances
Mesh networks are a very good choice for bigger homes but they can be overkill in many instances. If you're living in an apartment or smaller home, the Amplifi HD system won't be the best solution.