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 N900 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£70Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:900 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

TP-Link N900 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and 4 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

TP-Link N900
7.4/10

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 51% of models
Score components

40%

6.8

Technical score

25%

8.4

Reviews score

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

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

â–²Better than 51% of routers
8.2

Value for money

Value for money
8.2/ 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 57% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–²Better than 57%
6.8

Technical score

Technical score
6.8/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components

26%

4.7

Wireless

20%

6.3

Ports

18%

8.8

Networking

14%

9.2

Security

12%

6.6

Hardware

10%

7.0

Management

â–¼Worse than 61%
8.4

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.4/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 68% of models

80%

8.6

Average grade

20%

7.6

Popularity

Grades by review (4)
4 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.
â–²Better than 68%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 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 (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • tp-link-n900
tp-link-n900
Where to buy
    N/A~ £70
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 N900

Based on 0 · 4

Reviewers are happy with its performance, but find the build quality and finish disappointing.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of router TP-Link N900

Technical score
Technical score
6.8/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components:

26%

4.7

Wireless

20%

6.3

Ports

18%

8.8

Networking

14%

9.2

Security

12%

6.6

Hardware

10%

7.0

Management

6.8
Reviews score
8.4
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
8.2/ 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 57% of models
Score components:

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

8.2
Brand name
TP-Link
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
This router uses Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is less advanced than 65% of routers and equal to 32.7% 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
900 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 900 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 64.3% of routers and equal to 1.6% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz channel width options, which is fewer than 63.7% of routers and the same as 31.2% of routers.
Show more
What reviewers say
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X
This router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 65% of routers and equal to 3.9% 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
yes
This router supports inter-VLAN routing. 75.8% of routers support 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
4
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 34.2% of routers and the same as 59.3% 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
2
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 2 USB ports, which is more than 81.9% of routers and the same as 17.9% 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
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 29.7% of routers and equal to 60.9% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI
This router supports Web UI firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 75.5% of routers and equal to 23.9% 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
CPU clock speed
0.8 GHz
This router runs at 0.8 GHz, which is slower than 63.4% of routers and on par with 1.5% of routers.
RAM capacity
128 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 128 MB of RAM, which is less than 54% of routers and the same as 16.3% of routers.
Internal storage
?
Hardware acceleration
yes
This router offers hardware acceleration. 24.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
3
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 3 external antennas, which is more than 57.9% of routers and the same as 11.8% of routers.
Show more

TP-Link N900 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • 1 more USB ports
    This router has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 3 more spatial streams
    This router has more spatial streams than the average router (6 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    6 vs 3
  • Supports inter-VLAN routing
    This router supports inter-VLAN routing, while the average router does not. 24.4% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Removable antennas
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.8% of routers have removable antennas.
  • 3 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (3 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    3 vs 0
  • 9.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.4/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 68% of models

    80%

    8.6

    Average grade

    20%

    7.6

    Popularity

    Grades by review (4)
    4 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.
    8.4 vs 7.7
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, media server vs SMB, media server
  • 9.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.4/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 68% of models

    80%

    8.6

    Average grade

    20%

    7.6

    Popularity

    Grades by review (4)
    4 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.
    8.4 vs 7.7
  • 3 more spatial streams
    This router has more spatial streams than the average router (6 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    6 vs 3
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports inter-VLAN routing
    This router supports inter-VLAN routing, while the average router does not. 24.4% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
  • 1 more USB ports
    This router has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, media server vs SMB, media server
  • Removable antennas
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.8% of routers have removable antennas.
  • 3 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (3 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    3 vs 0
  • 1 more external antennas
    This router has more external antennas than the average router (3 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    3 vs 2
  • Limited firmware updates
    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
    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 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 54.8% narrower wireless coverage
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (84 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    84 m² vs 186 m²
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • Narrower channel widths
    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
  • 48.6% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (900 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    900 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • No band steering
    This router does not support band steering, while the average router does. 57.6% of routers support band steering.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.8 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.8 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    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 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 54.8% narrower wireless coverage
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (84 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    84 m² vs 186 m²
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • Narrower channel widths
    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
  • 48.6% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (900 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    900 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • No band steering
    This router does not support band steering, while the average router does. 57.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    This router does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 62.1% of routers support beamforming.
  • 54 fewer connected devices
    This router supports fewer connected devices than the average router (10 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
    10 vs 64
  • Limited firmware updates
    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
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.8 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.8 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 50% less RAM
    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
  • 6 years older release date
    This router is an older model than the average router (2013 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    January 2013
    2013 vs 2019
  • 50 mm wider width
    This router is wider than the average router (243 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    243 mm vs 193 mm

Video reviews

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

9.0
IITREKKIEII
≈ estimated
07/05/2014
Hands-on review · speed, streaming and media sharing tests
Verdict
TP-Link N900 handles streaming and gaming well, though media sharing and English-only menus let it down.
9.0
Mockstar
≈ estimated
23/09/2013
Short review · speed, lag and design
Verdict
TP-Link N900 is well worth it as an upgrade from an ISP router, delivering speed with no lag.
9.0
Geekanoids
≈ estimated
10/06/2013
Unboxing and overview · setup and antenna layout
Verdict
TP-Link N900 is a solid dual-band gigabit router with good build quality, a full feature set and good value for money.
9.0
Gadget Book
≈ estimated
19/03/2013
Short review · features and ports overview
Verdict
TP-Link N900 performs well and is recommended, though its glossy finish attracts fingerprints.
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TP-Link N900

  • High performance for its generation with a fast 800MHz CPU
  • Easy installation and straightforward setup process
  • Dual-band functionality minimizes interference for better stability
  • Strong wireless signal strength and good coverage for home use
  • Excellent value for money compared to contemporary high-end models
  • Features multiple gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB ports for media sharing

What customers don't like about TP-Link N900

  • Outdated technology (802.11n) compared to modern Wi-Fi 6/7 standards
  • Lack of official Windows 10 drivers for related N900 hardware components
  • Wireless speeds may be significantly slower than modern multi-gigabit connections
  • Limited advanced firmware features compared to newer Archer series models
  • Large physical footprint and 'brick-style' power adapter can be cumbersome

Verdict

The TP-Link N900 (TL-WDR4900) is a high-performance wireless dual-band gigabit router that delivers simultaneous 450Mbps speeds on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for a combined bandwidth of 900Mbps. It features an 800MHz CPU, five gigabit ports (1 WAN, 4 LAN) supporting over 900Mbps hardware NAT throughput, and dual USB 2.0 ports for sharing printers or media. Its main pros include exceptional wired and wireless speeds for HD streaming or gaming, robust coverage via six antennas (3 external 5dBi for 5GHz and 3 internal for 2.4GHz), and IPv6 support. However, it lacks a dedicated guest network feature, its large vertical footprint may be difficult to place in tight spaces, and it is a legacy Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) device without modern Wi-Fi 6 or 6E capabilities.

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