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 TL-WR840N review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£20Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:300 MbpsLAN port speeds:100 MbpsMesh Wi-Fi:?

TP-Link TL-WR840N Review: Compare 77 technical specifications, 5 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 TL-WR840N
7.0/10

Overall score

Score
7.0/ 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
▼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components

40%

6.9

Technical score

25%

6.9

Reviews score

25%

6.9

List score

10%

8.2

Sentiment score

▼Worse than 72% of routers
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 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
▼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▼Worse than 73%
6.9

Technical score

Technical score
6.9/ 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
▼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components

26%

5.6

Wireless

20%

5.4

Ports

18%

8.7

Networking

14%

8.4

Security

12%

8.0

Hardware

10%

6.6

Management

▼Worse than 60%
6.9

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.9/ 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 75% of models

6.9

Mark 8.0 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%

8.0

Popularity

Grades by review (5)
1 review, its grade estimated from the review text. 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.
▼Worse than 75%
6.9

List score

List score
6.9/ 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 84 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 TL-WR840N

Based on 1 · 4

Reviewers agree it's great value for money, but slow wired Ethernet speeds are a common letdown.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the TP-Link TL-WR840N

Based on 171 owners sharing their experience in online comments

31%positive8%mixed61%negative

Owners value the easy setup and useful Wi-Fi reach, but many report unreliable connections, weak speeds, and setup problems.

What owners dislike

  • The middle light often stays orange or red even when internet works; moving the cable to the WAN port turned it green for some.25
  • After setup, many owners see 'no internet' or 'limited connection' even though the modem works, sometimes only over Wi-Fi or only over cable.23
  • Connections drop out after a while, often when several devices connect, and sometimes the main router loses internet too; a restart brings it back temporarily.20
  • Owners report Wi-Fi speeds far below their plan, often 5 to 20 Mbps, or capped near 80 to 94 Mbps on faster connections.16
  • The default admin login often fails, with 'wrong password' errors even when typed correctly, sometimes after a power cut.11
  • Some devices get no internet or IP address, or stay on 'waiting for network', while others work; a few apps also show an unstable network.10
  • Devices plugged into the yellow LAN ports get no internet or show 'unidentified network', and the port light may stay off, while Wi-Fi works.7
  • Some owners see only part of the settings, such as just DHCP with no operation mode option, and say setup works only from a computer.6
  • Setup stalls on the last step when saving the new network, or shows a connection error or 'site cannot be reached' after the restart.4
  • Some say the router shut off or stopped working, such as when switched off from a phone, and they could not restart it.4

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

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Technical Specifications of router TP-Link TL-WR840N

Technical score
Technical score
6.9/ 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
▼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components:

26%

5.6

Wireless

20%

5.4

Ports

18%

8.7

Networking

14%

8.4

Security

12%

8.0

Hardware

10%

6.6

Management

6.9
Reviews score
6.9
List score
6.9
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 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
▼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components:

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.9
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
This router supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are less versatile than 76% of routers and equal to 21.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
300 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 75.8% of routers and equal to 16.7% 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, 802.1X
This router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 62.5% of routers and equal to 0.6% 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
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
100 Mbps
This router offers 100 Mbps on its LAN ports, which is slower than 74.5% of routers and on par with 25.1% 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
What reviewers say
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
?
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 TL-WR840N vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA/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.
  • 4.75x cheaper
    TP-Link TL-WR840N is cheaper than the average router (£20 vs £95).
    £20 vs £95
  • 64.4% lighter weight
    This router is lighter than the average router (160 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    160 g vs 450 g
  • 4.75x cheaper
    TP-Link TL-WR840N is cheaper than the average router (£20 vs £95).
    £20 vs £95
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA/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.
  • 64.4% lighter weight
    This router is lighter than the average router (160 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    160 g vs 450 g
  • 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
  • Slower LAN ports
    This router has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • 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)
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    This router supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • No VPN server support
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 68.8% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • 82.9% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 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
  • 14.8% lower list score
    List score
    6.9/ 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 84 lists (1%)
    6.9 vs 8.1
  • 10.4% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.9/ 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 75% of models

    6.9

    Mark 8.0 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%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    1 review, its grade estimated from the review text. 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.
    6.9 vs 7.7
  • 2.1% worse value for money
    TP-Link TL-WR840N has worse value for money than the average router (7.91 vs 8.1).
    7.91 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)
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    This router supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • 82.9% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 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
  • 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.
  • No VPN server support
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 68.8% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • Slower LAN ports
    This router has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 74 mm thicker design
    This router is thicker than the average router (128 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    128 mm vs 54 mm
  • 5 years older release date
    This router is an older model than the average router (2014 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    2014 vs 2019

Video reviews

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

8.0
Ronak Patel 1036
≈ estimated
09/03/2016
Unboxing · first look at packaging and design
Verdict
TP-Link TL-WR840N is a budget-friendly router with attractive looks, though only first impressions are covered so far.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Overview video
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

6.0
dignited.com
≈ estimated
03/08/2020
Long-term use · Home Wi-Fi router
Verdict
The TP-Link TL-WR840N is a sturdy home router for light household use with four operating modes, but it struggled once smart-home devices were added.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TP-Link TL-WR840N

  • Four LAN ports and one WAN port for a small wired setup
  • Two removable external antennas for 2.4 GHz coverage
  • Guest Wi-Fi, parental controls and QoS included
  • WPS button and setup by web page or app
  • Budget price for basic home internet

What customers don't like about TP-Link TL-WR840N

  • LAN ports limited to 100 Mbps
  • 2.4 GHz only, with no 5 GHz band
  • No built-in modem, so a separate one is needed
  • No USB port and Wi-Fi 4 speed capped at 300 Mbps

Verdict

Entry-level home networking is what the TL-WR840N covers, and it keeps the extras to a minimum. It is a Wi-Fi 4 router with one 2.4 GHz band and a 300 Mbps wireless ceiling. Two removable external antennas handle coverage, while four LAN ports and one WAN port serve wired devices. Every LAN port runs at 100 Mbps, so wired devices top out well below a fast fibre line. There is no modem inside, so it needs a separate one, and there is no USB port. Guest Wi-Fi, parental controls, QoS and a WPS button are included, and setup runs through a web page or the app. At a budget price it fits a small flat with a modest connection and a handful of devices. Anyone with gigabit broadband should look higher.

Compare TP-Link TL-WR840N with other routers

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