When comparing TP-LINK Archer C7 (V2) vs Linksys AC3200, the Slant community recommends TP-LINK Archer C7 (V2) for most people. In the question“What are the best wireless routers?” TP-LINK Archer C7 (V2) is ranked 3rd while Linksys AC3200 is ranked 17th. The most important reason people chose TP-LINK Archer C7 (V2) is:
The TP-Link Archer V2 offers great value for the money for most people who are looking to buy a wireless router. It is faster and covers the same area faster than routers that cost twice or three times as much, While it's not the best performant router under all circumstances, the jump in price to get the best router for a certain scenario would not be proportional to the added performance. At short range (around 11 ft) it provides 200Mbps-160Mbps depending on the line of vision, thickness of walls, etc. While on long range (around 43 ft) it provides 175Mbps-72Mbps depending on the line of vision, thickness of walls, materials the walls are made, etc.
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Pros
Pro Best performance for the price for both large and small houses
The TP-Link Archer V2 offers great value for the money for most people who are looking to buy a wireless router. It is faster and covers the same area faster than routers that cost twice or three times as much, While it's not the best performant router under all circumstances, the jump in price to get the best router for a certain scenario would not be proportional to the added performance.
At short range (around 11 ft) it provides 200Mbps-160Mbps depending on the line of vision, thickness of walls, etc. While on long range (around 43 ft) it provides 175Mbps-72Mbps depending on the line of vision, thickness of walls, materials the walls are made, etc.
Pro Great for appartments with lots of WiFi interference from neightbours
The Archer C7 allows you to access both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi bands, which has the benefit of improving performance but also makes it easier to escape any interference from any neighbours' WiFi.
Pro Provides a good assortment of basic features
It has four Gigabit ethernet ports, supports USB file sharing and media streaming through two USB 2.0 ports, has parental controls for an increased degree of control, and has support for guest networks.
Pro Good degree of control over the guest network
The Archer C7 allows you to use one guest network per WiFi band. You can choose when these guest networks are activated and you can also configure the maximum amount of bandwidth that guests can use.
Pro Great performance using tri-band technology
This AC3200 router utilizes three simultaneous WiFi bands for maximum theoretical throughput of 3.2 Gbps. In real life testing at a close range of 15 feet it clocks in close to 600 Mbps. When distance is increased to about 100 feet, the speed drops to 240 Mbps.
Pro Can be remotely managed with a companion app
There’s an easy to use app for your smartphone or tablet. You can use it to access your router's settings and customization options.
Pro Easy to set up
Setting up this router is very similar to installing a game on your computer. Once you’ve powered it up and connected it to your modem, just open the browser and go to 192.168.1.1. This will open Linksys Smart WiFi setup wizard, where you'll have to click "Next" few times and write in the name and password of your network.
Pro You can prioritize bandwidth for devices and some specific applications of those devices
For example you can give Skype a higher priority, so the quality of your video calls wouldn't be affected because someone else is streaming a movie and using up all of bandwidth . You can also give higher priority to some online games for better latency.
Cons
Con Is missing some more advanced features found in other routers
It does not have some advanced features such as Quality of Service controls, iTunes server, jumbo frames or VPN server.
Con Parental controls might be somewhat confusing
For those who are less tech-savvy, setting up parental controls may be tricky, since they use the MAC addresses of the network's computers (both those use by adults and children).
Con Lacks advanced customization features
You can’t set up a VPN server or have multiple internet service provider connections to your router. With a VPN server you can be traveling around the world and browsing the internet, but your smartphone or laptop would think that it’s connected to your home network. And multiple internet service provider connections could be used for redundancy or load-balancing.
Con Expensive
At $300 this router is more expensive when compared to other tri-band routers.
Con Most devices don’t support three simultanious WiFi bands
Most consumer devices are built to support two simultaneous WiFi bands, not three. Before upgrading your network with a tri-band router, you should make sure that your computer and/or smartphone supports this technology. Otherwise you won't be able to use this router to its full potential.