Wi-Fi is needed in an apartment, private house and even in the country. Fast and without a single break. Sometimes high-end devices with antenna detection or multi-component mesh systems cannot cope – they do not solve the problem of the original signal, so more original solutions are required to connect with redundancy or away from the search for cable Internet.

For such cases, one of the line devices of TP-Link home networks with an integrated 4G modem, which recently received an update in the face of the TP-Link Archer MR500, is suitable.

He supports LTE Cat.6, expandable with thick walls and customizable in 3 clicks. So fast internet was available even where it was not recorded.

Let’s make sure?

Router for any interior. And not only

The average array should be, if it does not cause an aggravation, at least it does not cause rejection in the approaching interior. this is especially the case with modems, as the emergence of use cases (suddenly need to investigate Wi-Fi at an outdoor holiday?), features of wireless technologies and coverage of cellular providers often appear in the most prominent place. For example, on the window – “gaming ziggurat” would be inappropriate here.

With the TP-Link Archer MR500, the engineers did not miss: the severity of the panel is higher than the installed only set of LEDs that reflect the status of the device: with their help, the user has the features of an external connection, LAN and Wi-Fi status, as well as 4G modem operation and signal strength. This is among the documents on the spot and in the home interior.

Cooling is provided by elevated legs and air ducts on the bottom/front panels. Modest, but for the AC1200 class, even if it is unavoidable. In addition, the solution is completely silent.

The back of the TP-Link Archer MR500 is equipped with a spring-loaded nanoSIM slot (as in card readers) and TP-Link devices familiar to individuals with a set including:

  • port for connecting the power supply;
  • power buttons, WPS and Wi-Fi;
  • 4 LAN outputs (the last one is combined with the WAN port).

There are also two external antennas. They are removable and basic to work with 4G. Detected elements are used to receive and transmit a Wi-Fi signal.

If necessary (for example, a weak operator signal), external antennas are changed to others, under the influence of the scenario: amplified (up to 13-15 dB) appear at insufficient speed, directed connections (to 20 dB and above) – in the zone of uneven network coverage.

All this makes the TP-Link Archer MR500 a universal “assistant” outside the city and in new residential areas.

Modern filling for all tasks

Although TP-Link Archer MR500 is positioned as a specialized device – a SIM card slot is required for implementations of network access in hard-to-reach places or redundancy – it can use all modern “chips” of TP-Link routers for the home.

So, all hardware Ethernet inputs and outputs are gigabit and in our tests they easily coped with various cases. You can watch 4K over the network and download the new product on Xbox without friezes (a platform with an excellent extension with many streams and connections).

transmission speed 1200 Mbps. Of them 300 Mbps reserved broadcasts on 2.4 GHz frequencies, more 867 Mbps given to the 5-GHz range – enough for the first everyday tasks, the second year is suitable for consuming a high content.

Hidden Wi-Fi antennas use a pair setting for each of the operating bands and frequencies. MU-MIMO.

LTE modem complies with the standard Cat.6high download speed up to 300 Mbps. values ​​observed from specific locations are detected, towers are detected and carriers are measured.

But potentially very, very good – in the regions, many wired Internet providers do not have the appropriate properties, especially in peak sensors.

Wi-Fi scaling has not been forgotten either: TP-Link Archer MR500 supports support for TP-Link OneMesh proprietary amplifiers installed in convenient places to host a Wi-Fi network.

Application and additional features


Connection control in the TP-Link Archer MR500 web interface

Sophisticated firmware TP-Link Archer MR500 allows you to implement 3 main scenarios, distribution via Wi-Fi

one) signal operator 3G/4G;
2) wired internet with WAN port;
3) both signals, using the mobile connection as a backup.

However, it’s actually nice to spend time not in the admin panel, but in gaming applications. leash (iOS, Android) – here all the racks are literally one-touch.

However, often this is not required either: connecting the user interface does not require the involvement of the user (everything is specially selected automatically), setting up wired access is controlled by the connection wizard, even a child can handle the items.

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TP-Link Archer MR500 setup process

Wired was organized in a similar way – after establishing a connection to the WAN port to detect IP addresses and detect other parameters.

Wi-Fi does not shine with large numerical settings, but all the basic operations are performed: separate networks for different ranges, quick connection of One-Mesh devices, creation of guest networks (isolated from the main resources). Device prioritization, consumption and consumption filtering, targeted forwarding implementation are available.

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TP-Link Archer MR500 Firmware Capabilities

For many users, a very relevant branded Parental control TP-Link. The function “keeps” in touch with the developers and regularly adapts filters that constantly protect children from especially dangerous pollution.

However, there are also more “subtle” features. When the network is available, native work with VPN (including OpenVPN) is supported, as well as the organization of access to the network from the outside.

Testing LTE and Wi-Fi: we can do without wires

Testing the TP-Link Archer MR500 is a little different from the usual applications for home users: the latter are usually used only in the context of using Wi-Fi, but we, of course, should consider a 3G / 4G modem in various conditions.

On the one hand, possible issues on the part of the provider and confidentiality are necessary to correct the data. On the other hand, without experiments in normal field conditions, the picture turns out to be unrealistic. We have to combine and characterize.

In the first part of testing TP-Link Archer MR500 with a SIM card several different SIM cards are used and various work scenarios. The results show that with a stable signal, the connection speed is much faster than that of an iPhone in the same location with the same carrier card.

detection was carried out in a central deployment with the detection of good coverage networks, the numbers were confirmed. The signal did not jump to 3G, although the device supports this type of connection perfectly.


4G output connection speed with TP-Link Archer MR500 on iPhone


Direct measurement of carrier 4G speed on iPhone

As can be seen from the table, the acquisition makes sense: due to the well-thought-out circuitry of the TP-Link router, the “assembly” of the signal from cellular devices is much better than mobile devices.

Wi-Fi coverage consistently shows itself at the level of budget models of the brand. Understandable: the compact body should increase the sport’s available power. With more powerful Wi-Fi broadcast, there are problems with 4G connections.


Wi-Fi speed at 2.4 and 5 GHz

The capabilities of TP-Link Archer MR500 are sufficient for a 3-room apartment (according to the installation principle in the center), including those with reinforced concrete walls. At the same time, the 2.4 signal stably over the entire area goes beyond the premises by 5-7 meters. Advanced 5GHz band works better with direct protection, reduces its power by 5-10% behind each bearing floor.

Behavior is fully consistent with successful class models AC1200.

Not cheap. And no alternative

The TP-Link Archer MR500 test results are pleasing: speed, Wi-Fi coverage was above the proper level, work with 3G / 4G and no expectations. Due to advanced circuitry, the device receives a signal where mobile phones, routers and smartphones fail, consistently showing speeds almost twice as high.

Installation of reinforced external antennas (for example, for hard-to-reach places or places due to low density) turns TP-Link Archer MR500 into a real “cell” of commercial power, allows you to use the Internet for a home office for 3-4 people in places where even cellular networks work . not in the best way.

The main thing is to check with the operator’s coverage map so as not to look for LTE where it is not.

A simple setup of mobile networks is also a kind of killer feature, which is appreciated by most users who have encountered USB modems. All of them work with Wi-Fi routers out of the box. And even a child can handle the TP-Link Archer MR500.

However, there are also – mainly due to the fact that they cover an equal normal area. This is easily solved with OneMesh to detect sensor issues that don’t need to be configured because the ecosystem automatically “identifies” and co-enables integrated gadgets.

So it turns out that the TP-Link Archer MR500 does not have an unlikely alternative on the Russian market. Tasks for him – more than enough.

📸 All photos in the article:


Source: Iphones RU

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