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 TD-W8980 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£25Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:600 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

TP-Link TD-W8980 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and 2 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

TP-Link TD-W8980
6.8/10

Overall score

Score
6.8/ 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–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components

40%

6.6

Technical score

25%

6.6

Reviews score

25%

?

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

10%

6.6

Sentiment score

â–¼Worse than 81% of routers
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 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 81% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 81%
6.6

Technical score

Technical score
6.6/ 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 69% of models
Score components

26%

5.0

Wireless

20%

6.4

Ports

18%

8.9

Networking

14%

9.4

Security

12%

3.9

Hardware

10%

6.5

Management

â–¼Worse than 69%
6.6

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.6/ 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–¼ Worse than 82% of models

6.6

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

80%

8.3

Average grade

20%

6.3

Popularity

Grades by review (2)
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.
â–¼Worse than 82%
?

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-td-w8980
tp-link-td-w8980
Where to buy
    N/A~ £25
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 TD-W8980

Technical score
Technical score
6.6/ 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 69% of models
Score components:

26%

5.0

Wireless

20%

6.4

Ports

18%

8.9

Networking

14%

9.4

Security

12%

3.9

Hardware

10%

6.5

Management

6.6
Reviews score
6.6
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 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 81% of models
Score components:

70%

6.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.8
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
600 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 600 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 69.6% of routers and equal to 4.3% 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
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WPA, WEP
This router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WPA, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 54.5% of routers and equal to 1.8% 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
yes
This router supports dynamic routing. 54% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 24.5% 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
This router uses Web UI for management, which is less advanced than 78.5% of routers and equal to 21.2% 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
0.5 GHz
This router runs at 0.5 GHz, which is slower than 81% of routers and on par with 2.8% of routers.
RAM capacity
64 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 64 MB of RAM, which is less than 70.5% of routers and the same as 13.3% of routers.
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
Market range: <0.0039 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.007812 GB of internal storage, which is less than 68.4% of routers and the same as 18.6% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
no
This router does not offer hardware acceleration. 75.3% 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 TD-W8980 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • 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
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • More advanced integrated modem
    This router uses a ADSL2+ integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    ADSL2+ 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.
  • 3.8x cheaper
    TP-Link TD-W8980 is cheaper than the average router (£25 vs £95).
    £25 vs £95
  • 2 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (2 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    2 vs 0
  • 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
  • 3.8x cheaper
    TP-Link TD-W8980 is cheaper than the average router (£25 vs £95).
    £25 vs £95
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic 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 advanced integrated modem
    This router uses a ADSL2+ integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    ADSL2+ vs none (external modem required)
  • 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.
  • 2 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (2 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    2 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)
  • No hardware acceleration
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 75.2% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.5 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.5 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • Weaker management tools
    This router uses the management interface Web UI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 9.9 W higher power consumption
    This router uses more power than the average router (18 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    18 W vs 8.1 W
  • 65.7% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (600 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    600 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 14.3% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.6/ 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–¼ Worse than 82% of models

    6.6

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

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    6.3

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    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.
    6.6 vs 7.7
  • 15.4% lower sentiment score
    6.6 vs 7.8
  • 3.7% worse value for money
    TP-Link TD-W8980 has worse value for money than the average router (7.79 vs 8.1).
    7.79 vs 8.08
  • 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)
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 65.7% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (600 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    600 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 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
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    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
    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.
  • 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
  • Weaker management tools
    This router uses the management interface Web UI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App
  • No hardware acceleration
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 75.2% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.5 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.5 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 9.9 W higher power consumption
    This router uses more power than the average router (18 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    18 W vs 8.1 W
  • 93.8% less internal storage
    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
  • 75% less RAM
    This router has less RAM than the average router (64 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    64 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.
    April 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

8.0
Nockpanther
≈ estimated
23/03/2015
Unboxing · first look and connection
Verdict
TP-Link TD-W8980 should give more stable connections and suits ADSL or fibre lines, though it adds no speed.
Overview video
Shop video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

expertreviews.co.uk
22/11/2014
Not graded yet
thedigitallifestyle.com
30/07/2013
Not graded yet

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TP-Link TD-W8980

  • Excellent value for money with high-end features at a reasonable price point.
  • Comprehensive all-in-one functionality acting as an ADSL2+ modem, NAT router, and dual-band access point.
  • Fast 5GHz wireless performance, suitable for HD streaming and online gaming.
  • Features four Gigabit LAN ports for high-speed wired connections and two USB 2.0 ports for sharing files or printers.
  • Stable connection and reliable performance, even on noisy ADSL lines.
  • Simple and straightforward web interface that makes initial setup easy for non-technical users.

What customers don't like about TP-Link TD-W8980

  • 2.4GHz wireless band performance and range are notably weaker compared to the 5GHz band.
  • The device can become significantly warm or overheat after several hours of continuous high-load usage.
  • Build quality has been described by some users as feeling plasticky or 'cheap'.
  • 5GHz signal range is limited and drops off quickly when moving through walls or across distances.
  • Occasional reports of connectivity drops requiring a manual restart to restore the connection.

Verdict

The TP-Link TD-W8980 is an N600 all-in-one wireless dual-band gigabit ADSL2+ modem router that delivers combined speeds of up to 600Mbps (300Mbps on 2.4GHz and 300Mbps on 5GHz). It features four gigabit LAN ports, two USB 2.0 ports for printer or storage sharing, and a versatile interchangeable LAN/WAN port that supports fiber or cable modem connections. Key advantages include its robust simultaneous dual-band performance, high-speed wired connectivity, and three detachable external 5dBi antennas for improved 5GHz coverage. However, notable drawbacks include reported performance issues and limited range on the 2.4GHz band, as well as a tendency for the unit to run hot during heavy operation.

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