TP-Link Archer C2300 Router Review

The TP-Link Archer C2300 is a dual-band router. This review covers what comes in the box, how the device is set up, and how it performs.

Box contents and design

The box holds the router itself, an adapter, an ethernet cable, and a user manual. The front follows TP-Link’s usual look: one half has a piano-black finish, while the other half is perforated and doubles as ventilation. LED lights on the top show the internet status.

The back carries the adapter jack, a power button, an internet port, and four LAN ports. On the left side there is a USB 3.0 port along with the Wi-Fi and WPS buttons. The USB 3.0 port is used to add devices to the network.

Setup

As with many TP-Link products, setup runs through the Tether mobile app, available on iOS and Android. Once the physical connection between the modem and the router is in place, the process takes about five minutes: the C2300 is selected under the “Add new device” option and the on-screen steps are followed. This description reflects the Tether app as of 2020.

Beyond installation, the same app handles the router’s other settings, including Wi-Fi configuration, password, and the guest network.

TP-Link Archer C2300’s technical features and performance

The speed test below was run over Wi-Fi from a smartphone. On the office’s Superonline line, rated at 100 Mbit download and 5 Mbit upload, the connection through the router reached close to those maximum values.

On the technical side, the router uses three high-capacity antennas for wireless coverage. It supports MU-MIMO, which lets it communicate with three devices at the same time. As a dual-band model, it reaches up to 1625 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band.

The C2300 also targets users who need a VPN. It supports OpenVPN and PPTP VPN connections and includes VPN Acceleration to raise the connection speed.

Overall, the Archer C2300 suits users who want dual-band coverage, USB 3.0 device sharing, and built-in VPN support in a single router.