86
3.0
final rating

reviewed on
this review has been viewed 778 times

Criteria Comments Rating
  • Ease of use No comments good
  • Speed / throughput No comments awful!
  • Configurability / networking features No comments great!
  • Reliability No comments awful!
  • Range No comments awful!
  • Durability No comments good
Detailed review
I bought two of these to replace 2 aging G routers running DD-WRT in a Gateway and Wireless Repeater/Client mode. My existing routers were still working very well but I wanted something with a little more range that could still run DD-WRT in the customized way that I'm running with my existing G setup.

These products were not it. I flashed both to DD-WRT but was unimpressed with the range - it was worse than my old G routers. I tried many different things to try to improve the performance, but nothing worked better. You're better off spending a few more dollars on nicer equipment if you're looking for good range. Just not worth the time to even mess with this product.

It's disappointing because I've read favorable reviews here and elsewhere, but it seems like they may have had a bad batch of these.

Comments (3) subscribe to this review's comments

TPLINK

Hi Billhelm,
This is Howard from TP-LINK.
The TL-WR1043ND is a 3x3 MIMO 11N router, which has faster speed and larger coverage than 11G routers theoretically. I recommend you a free software, inSSIDer to inspect the Wi-Fi signal strength. If the TP-LINK router is weaker than your original 11G router, please save the snapshot and email to rma.usa@tp-link.com, with ticket# 120056277382. We may look deep into this problem and offer you a replacement.

Best Regards!
TP-LINK Support Force
groovechicken

Wow, kudos TP-Link for showing up here to be part of the conversation around your products. I wish more companies were half as smart as you guys in this regard. :) You just moved up a few notches on my "trusted brands" list.
billhelm

I returned the routers to Amazon as defective and went with a more reliable brand. I just don't have the time to mess around with these things.