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TP-Link Archer MR500 Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price in UK:~£110Avg. price in US:~$150Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:1200 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:yes

TP-Link Archer MR500 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

7.4

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 64% of models
Score components

90%

7.2

Technical Score

10%

8.4

User score

â–²Better than 64% of routers
7.2

Technical Score

Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 63% of models
Score components

26%

6.3

Wireless

20%

5.4

Ports

18%

9.2

Networking

14%

9.7

Security

12%

5.7

Hardware

10%

8.1

Management

â–²Better than 63% of routers
8.4

User score

User score
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 74% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User reviews

30%

7.4

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(661)
amazon
2.5
(2)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(650)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

â–²Better than 74% of routers
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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Verdict

The TP-Link Archer MR500 is an AC1200 dual-band 4G+ LTE Cat6 router that delivers wireless speeds of up to 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. Key technical features include 4G+ Carrier Aggregation for mobile download speeds up to 300 Mbps, MU-MIMO technology for simultaneous data streams to multiple devices, and four full Gigabit Ethernet ports (including one WAN/LAN port) for high-speed wired connectivity. Its main pros are the simple 'plug-and-play' setup via a Nano SIM card, support for TP-Link OneMesh for seamless whole-home coverage, and two detachable external LTE antennas that enhance signal stability. On the downside, it only supports the older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard rather than Wi-Fi 6, lacks WPA3 security on some hardware versions, and does not support IPSec VPN.

Technical Specifications of router TP-Link Archer MR500

Technical Score
Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 63% of models
Score components:

26%

6.3

Wireless

20%

5.4

Ports

18%

9.2

Networking

14%

9.7

Security

12%

5.7

Hardware

10%

8.1

Management

7.2
TP-Link Archer MR500 has a technical score of 7.2 points, which is higher than that of 63.2% of products in this category.
User score
User score
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 74% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User reviews

30%

7.4

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(661)
amazon
2.5
(2)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(650)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

8.4
TP-Link Archer MR500 has a user score of 8.37 points, which is higher than that of 73.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
Popularity
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 58% of models
Popularity:
TP-Link Archer MR500 has a popularity score of 7.4 points, which is higher than that of 58.3% of products in this category.
7.4
TP-Link Archer MR500 has a popularity score of 7.4 points, which is higher than that of 58.3% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price
Value for money
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 63% of models
Score components:

60%

7.4

Overall score

40%

9.9

Price

8.1
TP-Link Archer MR500 has a value-for-money score of 8.1 points, which is higher than that of 63% of products in this category.
Brand name
TP-Link
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
â–² Better than 39% of models
This router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is more advanced than 39.5% of routers and equal to 25.3% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
â–² Better than 25% of models
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.8% of routers and equal to 68.1% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
1,200 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
1,200 Mbps
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 1,200 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 52.1% of routers and equal to 5.8% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
â–² Better than 41% of models
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 40.9% of routers and the same as 31.6% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP
â–² Better than 72% of models
This router supports WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 72.4% of routers and equal to 2.5% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
DoS protection
yes
â–² Better than 13% of models
This router includes DoS protection. 12.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
SPI intrusion protection
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 6.1% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
MAC address filtering
yes
â–² Better than 2% of models
This router supports MAC address filtering. 2.2% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
URL filter
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router supports URL filtering. 3.4% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
IPv6 support
yes
â–² Better than 12% of models
This router supports IPv6. 11.5% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
no
Dynamic routing
no
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
This router does not support dynamic routing. 52.5% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
Inter-VLAN routing
no
â–¼ Worse than 24% of models
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 23.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
yes
VLAN tagging
yes
â–² Better than 38% of models
This router supports VLAN tagging. 38.2% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
QoS
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router includes QoS controls. 3.2% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
3
N. of LAN ports
3
â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 3 LAN ports, which is fewer than 76.6% of routers and the same as 14.5% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
â–² Better than 27% of models
This router offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 27.1% of routers and on par with 59.9% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
N. of WAN ports
1
â–¼ Worse than 9% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
0
N. of USB ports
0
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 0 USB ports, which is fewer than 60.8% of routers and the same as 39.2% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Category Benchmark
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI, App
Management interface
Web UI, App
â–² Better than 33% of models
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 33.4% of routers and equal to 57% of routers.
Tether app
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App, Automatic
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App, Automatic
â–² Better than 79% of models
This router supports Web UI, App, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 78.9% of routers and equal to 19.9% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
Traffic monitoring
yes
â–² Better than 18% of models
This router includes traffic monitoring. 18.1% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
â–² Better than 9% of models
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
yes
Captive portal
yes
â–² Better than 77% of models
This router offers captive portal features. 76.7% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
2.4 GHz
CPU clock speed
2.4 GHz
â–² Better than 64% of models
This router runs at 2.4 GHz, which is faster than 64.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
256 MB
RAM capacity
256 MB
â–² Better than 49% of models
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 256 MB of RAM, which is more than 48.7% of routers and the same as 15.4% of routers.
Internal storage
0.015625 GB
Internal storage
0.015625 GB
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.015625 GB of internal storage, which is less than 58.6% of routers and the same as 13.8% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
no
Hardware acceleration
no
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
This router does not offer hardware acceleration. 68.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
2
N. of external antennas
2
â–² Better than 45% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 2 external antennas, which is more than 45.1% of routers and the same as 13.1% of routers.
Show more

TP-Link Archer MR500 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    Mesh Wi-Fi
    yes
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports automatic failover
    Automatic failover
    yes
    â–² Better than 75% of models
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 24.9% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • Newer cellular modem
    Cellular modem type
    4G
    ★ Better than 98% of models
    This router uses a 4G cellular modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    4G+
    4G vs none (external modem required)
  • Includes SIM slot
    SIM slot
    yes
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    This router has a SIM slot, while the average router does not. 3.2% of routers have a SIM slot.
  • Supports captive portal
    Captive portal
    yes
    â–² Better than 77% of models
    This router supports captive portal, while the average router does not. 23.5% of routers support captive portal.
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    MU-MIMO
    yes
    â–² Better than 52% of models
    This router supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.7% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • More advanced integrated modem
    Integrated modem type
    4G
    â–² Better than 88% of models
    This router uses a 4G integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    4G+
    4G vs none (external modem required)
  • 4.7% higher user score
    User score
    8.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    TP-Link Archer MR500
    the average router
    ★ Better than 91% of models
    TP-Link Archer MR500 has a higher user score than the average router (8.37 vs 8.000).
    8.37 vs 8
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    Mesh Wi-Fi
    yes
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    MU-MIMO
    yes
    â–² Better than 52% of models
    This router supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.7% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • Supports automatic failover
    Automatic failover
    yes
    â–² Better than 75% of models
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 24.9% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • Newer cellular modem
    Cellular modem type
    4G
    ★ Better than 98% of models
    This router uses a 4G cellular modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    4G+
    4G vs none (external modem required)
  • Includes SIM slot
    SIM slot
    yes
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    This router has a SIM slot, while the average router does not. 3.2% of routers have a SIM slot.
  • More advanced integrated modem
    Integrated modem type
    4G
    â–² Better than 88% of models
    This router uses a 4G integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    4G+
    4G vs none (external modem required)
  • Supports captive portal
    Captive portal
    yes
    â–² Better than 77% of models
    This router supports captive portal, while the average router does not. 23.5% of routers support captive portal.
  • Removable antennas
    Removable antennas
    yes
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.4% of routers have removable antennas.
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    2.4 GHz
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    2.4 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 7 newer release date
    Release date
    2022
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This router was released more recently than the average router (2022 vs 2015). The average router release year is 2015.
    July 2022
    2022 vs 2015
  • 2 more internal antennas
    N. of internal antennas
    2
    â–² Better than 62% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (2 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    2 vs 0
  • No hardware acceleration
    Hardware acceleration
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 68.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • 1 fewer LAN ports
    N. of LAN ports
    3
    â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (3 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    3 vs 4
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    none
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    none vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • No dynamic routing
    Dynamic routing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 52.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    N. of USB ports
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • No DLNA support
    DLNA support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 54% of routers support DLNA.
  • 87.5% less internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.015625 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
    This router has less internal storage than the average router (0 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.015625 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • 18.6% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    1,200 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1200 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • No dynamic routing
    Dynamic routing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 52.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 1 fewer LAN ports
    N. of LAN ports
    3
    â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (3 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    3 vs 4
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    N. of USB ports
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    none
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    none vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • No DLNA support
    DLNA support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 54% of routers support DLNA.
  • No hardware acceleration
    Hardware acceleration
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 68.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • 87.5% less internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.015625 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
    This router has less internal storage than the average router (0 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.015625 GB vs 0.125 GB

Graphic comparison of TP-Link Archer MR500 and other routers

No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
661 Reviews
amazon
2.5
2 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
650 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about TP-Link Archer MR500?

  • Easy setup process with 'plug and play' SIM card functionality
  • Strong and stable 4G+ signal strength for home use
  • Noticeable improvement in speeds and range compared to older 4G routers
  • Gigabit Ethernet ports provide high-speed wired connections
  • Supports OneMesh for easy home network expansion
  • Useful web interface with features like an energy tracker and SMS reading

What customers dislike about TP-Link Archer MR500?

  • Occasional stability issues requiring manual reboots (intermittent connection drops)
  • Firmware updates can sometimes cause APN profile conflicts (switching between IPv4 and IPv6)
  • Limited to Wi-Fi 5 standards, which may be less stable with many simultaneous devices compared to Wi-Fi 6
  • Missing built-in VPN client support (only functions as a VPN server)
  • Some users reported difficulty with the RMA/warranty process and shipping costs for replacements

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

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