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REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Routers Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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TP-Link N600 Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price:~£55Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:600 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 Gbps + 100 MbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

TP-Link N600 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

6.7

Overall score

Score
6.7/ 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–¼ Worse than 62% of models
Score components

90%

6.7

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 62% of routers
6.7

Technical score

Technical score
6.7/ 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–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

26%

4.6

Wireless

20%

6.8

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

9.3

Security

12%

5.9

Hardware

10%

6.5

Management

â–¼Worse than 58% of routers
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 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–¼ Worse than 70% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • tp-link-n600
  • tp-link-n600
tp-link-n600
tp-link-n600

Best prices

    N/A~ £55

Best rankings

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

Technical Specifications of router TP-Link N600

Technical score
Technical score
6.7/ 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–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components:

26%

4.6

Wireless

20%

6.8

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

9.3

Security

12%

5.9

Hardware

10%

6.5

Management

6.7
User score
User score
8.0/ 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–¼ Worse than 70% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 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–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
TP-Link N600 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 72.1% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.7/ 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–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components:

60%

6.7

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.7
Brand name
TP-Link
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
This router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is less advanced than 60.8% of routers and equal to 37.3% 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
600 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
600 Mbps
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 600 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 66.7% of routers and equal to 5% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz channel width options, which is fewer than 59.3% of routers and the same as 35.1% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP
â–² Better than 41% of models
This router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 40.9% of routers and equal to 17.7% 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
yes
Dynamic routing
yes
â–² Better than 48% of models
This router supports dynamic routing. 47.8% 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
no
VLAN tagging
no
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
This router does not support VLAN tagging. 62% 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
4
N. of LAN ports
4
â–² Better than 24% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 23.7% of routers and the same as 69.2% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps + 100 Mbps
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps + 100 Mbps
â–² Better than 87% of models
This router offers 1 Gbps + 100 Mbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 87.2% of routers and on par with 0.3% 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
2
N. of USB ports
2
â–² Better than 79% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 2 USB ports, which is more than 79.2% of routers and the same as 20.6% 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
Management interface
Web UI
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
This router uses Web UI for management, which is less advanced than 72.2% of routers and equal to 27.3% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
This router supports Web UI firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 69.5% of routers and equal to 29.7% 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
no
Captive portal
no
â–¼ Worse than 24% of models
This router does not offer captive portal features. 23.5% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
1x 0.56 GHz
CPU clock speed
1x 0.56 GHz
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
This router runs at 1x0.56 GHz, which is slower than 74.6% of routers.
RAM capacity
128 MB
RAM capacity
128 MB
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 128 MB of RAM, which is less than 51.6% of routers and the same as 17.1% of routers.
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.007812 GB of internal storage, which is less than 72.7% of routers and the same as 20.6% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
yes
Hardware acceleration
yes
â–² Better than 31% of models
This router offers hardware acceleration. 31.4% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
3
N. of external antennas
3
â–² Better than 58% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 3 external antennas, which is more than 58.4% of routers and the same as 13.3% of routers.
Show more

TP-Link N600 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Faster LAN ports
    LAN port speeds
    1 Gbps + 100 Mbps
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    This router has a higher LAN port speed than the average router (1 Gbps + 100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    1 Gbps + 100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • More advanced integrated modem
    Integrated modem type
    VDSL2 + ADSL2+
    ★ Better than 98% of models
    This router uses a VDSL2 + ADSL2+ integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    VDSL2 + ADSL2+ vs none (external modem required)
  • 1 more USB ports
    N. of USB ports
    2
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA2, WPA, WEP
    â–² Better than 41% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 3.1 W lower power consumption
    Power consumption
    5 W
    â–² Better than 74% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses less power than the average router (5 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    5 W vs 8.1 W
  • 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.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA2, WPA, WEP
    â–² Better than 41% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • Faster LAN ports
    LAN port speeds
    1 Gbps + 100 Mbps
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    This router has a higher LAN port speed than the average router (1 Gbps + 100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    1 Gbps + 100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • More advanced integrated modem
    Integrated modem type
    VDSL2 + ADSL2+
    ★ Better than 98% of models
    This router uses a VDSL2 + ADSL2+ integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    VDSL2 + ADSL2+ vs none (external modem required)
  • 1 more USB ports
    N. of USB ports
    2
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 3.1 W lower power consumption
    Power consumption
    5 W
    â–² Better than 74% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses less power than the average router (5 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    5 W vs 8.1 W
  • 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.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Web UI
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This router uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • No VLAN tagging
    VLAN tagging
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 61.9% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • Weaker management tools
    Management interface
    Web UI
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    This router uses the management interface Web UI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App
  • Narrower channel widths
    Channel widths supported
    20 MHz + 40 MHz
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    This router has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • 59.3% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    600 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (600 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    600 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • 25.3% narrower wireless coverage
    Wireless coverage
    139 m²
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <100 m² – >400 m²
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (139 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    139 m² vs 186 m²
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    1 x 0.56 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (1x0.56 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    1x0.56 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 6.54x less popular
    TP-Link N600 is less popular than the average router (1 vs 6.5).
    1 vs 6.54
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This router uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Narrower channel widths
    Channel widths supported
    20 MHz + 40 MHz
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    This router has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • 59.3% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    600 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (600 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    600 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • 25.3% narrower wireless coverage
    Wireless coverage
    139 m²
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <100 m² – >400 m²
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (139 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    139 m² vs 186 m²
  • 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 band steering
    Band steering
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support band steering, while the average router does. 51.8% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    Beamforming
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
    This router does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 56.7% of routers support beamforming.
  • 32 fewer connected devices
    Maximum connected devices
    32
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    Market range: <0 – >250
    This router supports fewer connected devices than the average router (32 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
    32 vs 64
  • No VLAN tagging
    VLAN tagging
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 61.9% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Web UI
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • Weaker management tools
    Management interface
    Web UI
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    This router uses the management interface Web UI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    SMB, FTP, media server
    â–² Better than 56% of models
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    Requires attached USB storage.
    SMB, FTP, media server vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    1 x 0.56 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (1x0.56 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    1x0.56 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 50% less RAM
    RAM capacity
    128 MB
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
    This router has less RAM than the average router (128 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    128 MB vs 256 MB
  • 93.8% less internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.007812 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 73% 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.
    0.007812 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • 3 older release date
    Release date
    2012
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This router is an older model than the average router (2012 vs 2015). The average router release year is 2015.
    September 2012
    2012 vs 2015
  • 41 mm wider width
    Width
    243 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
    Market range: <100 mm – >300 mm
    This router is wider than the average router (243 mm vs 202 mm). The average router is 202 mm wide.
    243 mm vs 202 mm

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

M
m.hexus.net
17/01/2013
Summary of the review
Review: TP-LINK TL-WDR3600 router - Network - HEXUS.net
S
smallnetbuilder.com
21/08/2012
Summary of the review
TP-LINK TL-WDR3500 N600 Wireless Dual Band Router Reviewed
E
expertreviews.co.uk
22/11/2014
Summary of the review
TP-Link TD-W8980 review
T
thedigitallifestyle.com
30/07/2013
Summary of the review
TP-Link TD-W8980 (N600) ADSL2+ Router review
T
techwarelabs.com
07/03/2013
Summary of the review
TP-LINK TL-WDR3500 Wireless N600 Router Review @ Legit Reviews
L
legitreviews.com
06/03/2013
Summary of the review
TP-LINK TL-WDR3500 Wireless N600 Router Review
T
tweakers.net
15/08/2016
Summary of the review
TP-Link N600 (TD-W9980) - Verwijderd - Product reviews
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What we like about TP-Link N600

  • Competitive pricing providing high value for the features included
  • Ease of setup for most users, often taking less than 10 minutes with the setup wizard
  • Reliable concurrent dual-band performance (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
  • Includes dual USB 2.0 ports for easy printer and media sharing
  • Excellent compatibility with open-source firmware like OpenWRT and DD-WRT
  • Strong wireless range and signal stability for most home environments
  • Gigabit Ethernet ports ensure fast wired connections for gaming and HD streaming

What we don't like about TP-Link N600

  • Occasional reports of wireless signal strength issues at long distances
  • 5GHz band performance can degrade quickly as signal levels drop
  • The web management interface can feel daunting or dated for non-technical users
  • Slow data transfer speeds when using the SMB drive sharing feature via USB
  • Lack of native Mac software for certain configuration tools
  • Some units may experience rare, intermittent connection drops requiring a reboot
  • Bright green LEDs on the front panel can be distracting in dark rooms

Verdict

The TP-Link N600 (TL-WDR3600) is a simultaneous dual-band wireless gigabit router that delivers up to 600Mbps of total bandwidth, split equally between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands (300Mbps each). It features five full Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN, 4 LAN) and a hardware NAT that supports a throughput of over 800Mbps for lag-free wired connections. Key characteristics include two multi-functional USB 2.0 ports for sharing printers and files via an FTP server, IP-based Quality of Service (QoS) for bandwidth management, and two detachable dual-band external antennas. Main pros include its high-speed wired performance, ease of setup, and support for guest networks and parental controls. However, notable cons include slow USB drive file transfer speeds and relatively weaker 5GHz wireless performance compared to newer standards.

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