OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v3.0
Routers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Routers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Routers Methodology v3.0

TP-Link Archer MR550 review: 77 specs compared

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

TP-Link Archer MR550 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications, 3 expert and video reviews and 1 best-of list to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

TP-Link Archer MR550
7.6/10

Overall score

Score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 60% of models
Score components

40%

7.7

Technical score

25%

7.7

Reviews score

25%

7.7

List score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.9, the mark of a weaker model in this category

▲Better than 60% of routers
8.3

Value for money

Value for money
8.3/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 65% of models
Score components

70%

7.6

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

▲Better than 65%
7.7

Technical score

Technical score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 68% of models
Score components

26%

6.6

Wireless

20%

5.4

Ports

18%

9.4

Networking

14%

10

Security

12%

8.1

Hardware

10%

8.0

Management

▲Better than 68%
7.7

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 61% of models

7.7

Mark 7.9 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.1

Average grade

20%

7.0

Popularity

Grades by review (3)
1 review, with a printed score. 2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 61%
7.7

List score

List score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (1)
List score: in 1 of 83 lists (1%)
▲Better than 70%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the TP-Link Archer MR550

Based on 1 · 2

Reviewers mostly like the app and settings, finding them easy to use, though feedback is limited.
Praised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Routers model ranking

Ranked #161 of 524 models in Routers (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of router TP-Link Archer MR550

Technical score
Technical score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 68% of models
Score components:

26%

6.6

Wireless

20%

5.4

Ports

18%

9.4

Networking

14%

10

Security

12%

8.1

Hardware

10%

8.0

Management

7.7
Reviews score
7.7
List score
7.7
Value for money
Value for money
8.3/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 65% of models
Score components:

70%

7.6

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

8.3
Brand name
TP-Link
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is more advanced than 35.2% of routers and equal to 23.1% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.2% of routers and equal to 65.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
1,200 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 1,200 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 55.6% of routers and equal to 6.6% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 36.5% of routers and the same as 29.9% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA2, WPA
This router supports WPA3, WPA2, WPA Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 85.7% of routers and equal to 14.3% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
This router includes DoS protection. 9.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 4.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
This router supports MAC address filtering. 1.7% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
This router supports URL filtering. 2.6% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 8.8% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
no
This router does not support dynamic routing. 46.2% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
?
VLAN tagging
yes
This router supports VLAN tagging. 33.6% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
This router includes QoS controls. 2.4% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
3
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 3 LAN ports, which is fewer than 66% of routers and the same as 18.2% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
This router offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 25.7% of routers and on par with 56.1% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 0.8% of routers and the same as 89.4% of routers.
N. of USB ports
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 0 USB ports, which is fewer than 60.1% of routers and the same as 39.9% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 1.7% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI, App, Cloud
This router uses Web UI, App, Cloud for management, which is more advanced than 94.3% of routers and equal to 1.5% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App, Automatic
This router supports Web UI, App, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 71.9% of routers and equal to 27.2% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
This router includes traffic monitoring. 13.9% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 7.3% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
This router does not offer captive portal features. 22.4% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
What reviewers say
CPU clock speed
?
RAM capacity
?
Internal storage
?
Hardware acceleration
yes
This router offers hardware acceleration. 24.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
2
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 2 external antennas, which is more than 41.2% of routers and the same as 16.5% of routers.
Show more

TP-Link Archer MR550 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 45.2% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports automatic failover
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 31.2% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • Better management tools
    This router uses the management interface Web UI, App, Cloud, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    Web UI, App, Cloud vs Web UI, App
  • Newer cellular modem
    This router uses a 4G cellular modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    4G vs none (external modem required)
  • Includes SIM slot
    This router has a SIM slot, while the average router does not. 11.5% of routers have a SIM slot.
  • More advanced integrated modem
    This router uses a 4G integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    4G vs none (external modem required)
  • Removable antennas
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.8% of routers have removable antennas.
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 45.2% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports automatic failover
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 31.2% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • Newer cellular modem
    This router uses a 4G cellular modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    4G vs none (external modem required)
  • Includes SIM slot
    This router has a SIM slot, while the average router does not. 11.5% of routers have a SIM slot.
  • More advanced integrated modem
    This router uses a 4G integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    4G vs none (external modem required)
  • Better management tools
    This router uses the management interface Web UI, App, Cloud, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    Web UI, App, Cloud vs Web UI, App
  • Removable antennas
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.8% of routers have removable antennas.
  • 4 years newer release date
    This router was released more recently than the average router (2023 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    2023 vs 2019
  • 1 fewer LAN ports
    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
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • No DLNA support
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 50.4% of routers support DLNA.
  • 31.4% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Less capable NAS services
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    none vs SMB, media server
  • 4.9% lower list score
    List score
    7.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (1)
    List score: in 1 of 83 lists (1%)
    7.7 vs 8.1
  • 87 mm thicker design
    This router is thicker than the average router (141 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    141 mm vs 54 mm
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • 4.9% lower list score
    List score
    7.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (1)
    List score: in 1 of 83 lists (1%)
    7.7 vs 8.1
  • 31.4% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • 1 fewer LAN ports
    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
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • No DLNA support
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 50.4% of routers support DLNA.
  • Less capable NAS services
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    none vs SMB, media server
  • 87 mm thicker design
    This router is thicker than the average router (141 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    141 mm vs 54 mm

Video reviews

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

9.0
TechGuru Andrew
≈ estimated
03/12/2023
Hands-on review · unboxing, speed tests, five days of use
Verdict
TP-Link Archer MR550 has been stable and fast on 4G+, with no problems over five days of use.
7.0
Cyltax vision
≈ estimated
07/12/2025
Unboxing and setup · app and settings tour
Verdict
TP-Link Archer MR550 is adequate for a small home network, with a good set of settings and easy setup.
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

7.0
chip.de
✓ explicit
22/04/2026
Lab test · LTE home router
Verdict
The TP-Link Archer MR550 is a simple, low-power LTE router for basic home internet, but it lacks 5G and offers only Wi-Fi 5.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TP-Link Archer MR550

  • 4G+ Cat6 modem with download speeds up to 300 Mbps
  • Four Gigabit Ethernet ports, three LAN and one WAN
  • AC1200 Wi-Fi 5 with MU-MIMO
  • OneMesh support to join a TP-Link mesh network
  • Two removable external antennas can be swapped
  • WPA3, VPN server and parental controls built in

What customers don't like about TP-Link Archer MR550

  • No USB port
  • Wi-Fi tops out at 1200 Mbps, no 6 GHz band
  • Cat6 modem caps mobile speed at 300 Mbps
  • Mid-range price for a Wi-Fi 5 router

Verdict

The Archer MR550 combines a 4G+ Cat6 modem (up to 300 Mbps) with AC1200 dual-band Wi-Fi 5 and Gigabit Ethernet. MU-MIMO helps share that Wi-Fi between devices, and OneMesh lets it join a TP-Link mesh network. Three LAN ports and one WAN port all run at 1 Gbps, so consoles and smart TVs can connect by cable. Two removable external antennas can be swapped if reception is poor. If 4G coverage drops, an Ethernet line on the LAN/WAN port can take over. WPA3, a VPN server and parental controls are on board, and management runs through the Tether app, web interface or cloud. There is no USB port. At a mid-range price, it suits households that want a quick 4G backup or main connection with proper Gigabit wiring.

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