TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54)

Name: TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54)
Price: 29.63 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 2.1 (101 reviews)

Curated from 101 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: February 21, 2025

TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54)

Brand: TP-Link

Price: $29

Snoop Score:

2.1

Sentiment

3.3

Popularity

0.9

Technical

2.2

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Snoop's Take

The TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54) is a dual band wireless router designed to deliver simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity for fast and reliable home networking. It facilitates seamless Internet streaming, gaming, and basic smart home connectivity with a cost-effective twist. User sentiment is a mixed bag, with many praising its reliability—one user noted, "literally 0 issues with them, rock solid devices"—and commending the responsive technical support. However, some buyers are quick to highlight invasive data collection practices and firmware issues, saying things like "but yah this 'feature' is very invasive." A few users also expressed frustration over connectivity hiccups when multiple IoT devices are added. Overall, the community debates reflect a product that performs its core function well but is marred by concerns over privacy and long-term firmware support. In conclusion, while the Archer A54 is recommended for budget-oriented home users seeking solid day-to-day performance, potential buyers should be mindful of its firmware limitations and privacy implications if advanced features are a priority.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Routers

Never had a problem with.
Positive Feedback

Here is the kicker though, I have the Avira / Home Shield services completely turned off... The router doesn't care, and sends ALL your traffic to be "analyzed" anyhow.
Negative Feedback

2.1

TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54)

Buy on Amazon for $29

Home Entertainment

3 / 10

Remote Work and Learning

3 / 10

Smart Home Integration

7 / 10

Large Household Coverage

3 / 10

See how this compares to all Routers

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Reliable performance and solid hardware

“Never had a problem with.”➕

“Mine has been reliable so far haven't had any issues and I've never had to reset it.”➕

“I don't see any of this TP-Link hate you are mentioning.”➕

“Haven't seen the hate posts.”➕

Responsive technical support and firmware updates

“Not pro grade, obviously, but for the price and support I would 100% buy again.”➕

Customizable app features for network optimization

“Tp link app is loaded to the gills with customizable functions and features to Fine-tune your network.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Invasive Home Shield data traffic and privacy concerns

“Here is the kicker though, I have the Avira / Home Shield services completely turned off... The router doesn't care, and sends ALL your traffic to be "analyzed" anyhow.”➕

“Who greenlit shipping this? If non-subscribers still send EVERY request to TPLink aren't wasting a tremendous amount of resources unless they plan to do something else with the data?”➕

“But yah this "feature" is very invasive.”➕

“It's alarming they would force this traffic on their routers!”➕

DNS configuration issues causing instability

“The fix really needs to come from TP-Link.”➕

“very frustrating as I have to resort to using the DHCP method only.”➕

“It seems they purposely built this to hide the router itself from PiHole.”➕

“it's insane.”➕

Connectivity issues with multiple IoT devices

“But I started to have problem with it when I added more IoT devices and Sonos to my room.”➕

Poor firmware quality and infrequent updates

“One thing I've noticed is that the firmware on the router is from 2021 and they generally seem to be getting fewer updates.”➕

“By comparison, almost all the other router vendors have far more reliable hardware and firmware.”➕

“Companies have a responsibility to their customers to keep their devices updated security wise and to do the opposite is just negligent.”➕

“tp-link routers have like... the crappiest of firmware out there, but are one of the best sets of consumer devices.”➕

Inconsistent hardware revisions

“different revision might have a very different hardware”➕

Security risks due to manufacturer origin

“It’s really not about security “as is”, it’s about the fact that this brand is based in China, and is therefore subject to Chinese law.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

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TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router V4 (Archer AX21)	$59	5.7	Details	Buy
TP-Link AC1900 Smart WiFi Router (Archer A8)	$49	5.6	Details	Buy
ASUS RT-AX1800S Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router	$69	5.6	Details	Buy
TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router	$129	5.0	Details	Buy
ASUS RT-AX3000 Ultra-Fast Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Router	$109	5.0	Details	Buy
TP-Link Dual-Band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router Archer AX55	$71	4.9	Details	Buy
TP-Link Deco AX3000 WiFi 6 Mesh System	$149	4.6	Details	Buy
TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX73)	$99	4.4	Details	Buy
NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router RAX54S	$159	4.3	Details	Buy
TP-Link Archer C54 Renewed WiFi Router	$19	3.8	Details	Buy
NETGEAR 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router (R6700AX)	$64	3.5	Details	Buy
DBIT N300 Easy Setup Wireless Wi-Fi Router	$19	3.0	Details	Buy
TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54)	$29	2.1	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

Regulatory and political concerns

“Maybe in the near future they will only allow state approved routers.”➕

“Gotta get your Federally Approved Router with a built in FreedomLibertyAntiCommunism chip.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Popularity of third-party firmware flashing

“That's why you flash the router with Openwrt or something else”➕

“The only thing I have to recommend RP-Link routers is that they were really good for flashing with that custom router firmware a few years (maybe 10) ago.”➕

“it can be a double-edged sword though… makes them easy to root and flash with OpenWRT or other Open Source firmware”➕

“Just slap open wrt on them”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Mixed sentiment towards TP-Link brand for home use

“Honestly it is based on anecdotal experience of hardware from both manufacturers more often then not failing or having horrible performance with shit support from the manufacturer.”➕

Market suitability concerns for non-technical users

“Good for prosumers, bad for consumers”➕

Alternative hardware recommendations

“One of the best things you’ll ever do is use a rpi4, or a nanopi as your router and offload Wi-Fi to access points.”➕

“PLEASE read https://openwrt.org/toh/linksys/mr8300 otherwise you will brick your device.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

OpenWrt as a secure alternative for TP-Link routers

“IMO, you are much safer running OpenWrt on a router made by any manufacturer - not just TP-Link.”➕

“I had no idea how easy it was to install & configure OpenWRT or I would have done it years ago.”➕

Limitations of OneMesh functionality with TP-Link routers

“Unsure to understand your setup.”➕

“You can't use two routers in a OneMesh network.”➕

“Does this work now?”➕

Regulatory and political concerns regarding TP-Link products

“I say you should keep it for now.”➕

“If they go through with it, it will be ban on the sale of TP-Link routers.”➕

“Say that TP-Link is banned, why would you want to change your router?”➕

“See if your router supports openwrt, with replaces the original firmware.”➕

Lower-than-advertised WiFi speeds on TP-Link routers

“i dont get those speeds”➕

“yung 1201 mbps is theoretical speed lang yung realistic ata jan is around 500-800”➕

Underwhelming performance of WiFi 7 TP-Link routers

“Underwhelming performance, to say the least.”➕

TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54)

Curated from 101 real Reddit conversations

TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54)

Snoop's Take

TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54)

Home Entertainment

Remote Work and Learning

Smart Home Integration

Large Household Coverage

What it does well!

Where it needs some work!

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Core Power Plays

Hidden Hero Hacks

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

Cautionary Callouts

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