OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Wi-Fi extenders Methodology v3.0
Wi-Fi extenders Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Wi-Fi extenders 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 Wi-Fi extenders Methodology v3.0

TP-Link TL-WA854RE review: 64 specs compared

Avg. price:~£20Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:300 MbpsCoverage area:?

TP-Link TL-WA854RE Review: Compare 64 technical specifications and 4 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Wi-Fi extenders category and whether it is worth buying.

TP-Link TL-WA854RE
7.4/10

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 45%, List score 30%, Reviews score 15%, User 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 56% of models
Score components

45%

6.7

Technical score

30%

?

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

15%

8.2

Reviews score

10%

8.8

User score

â–¼Worse than 56% of wi fi extenders
8.2

Value for money

Value for money
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the Wi-Fi extender's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a Wi‑Fi extender with a good balance between performance and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 57%
6.7

Technical score

Technical score
6.7/ 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 45% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components

40%

5.2

Wi-Fi Performance

30%

7.8

Network

12%

8.7

Setup

10%

6.6

Hardware

8%

6.8

Ports

â–¼Worse than 61%
8.2

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.2/ 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: 7.5 for now.
Share: Reviews count 15% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 71% of models

80%

8.2

Average grade

20%

8.2

Popularity

Grades by review (4)
2 reviews: 1 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. 2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 15% of the overall score.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
â–²Better than 71%
8.8

User score

User score
8.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.6, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 90% of models

70%

8.3

Rating

30%

10

Popularity

★Better than 90%
?

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 30% 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
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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-WA854RE

Based on 2 · 2

Reviewers mostly find setup easy, though a few ran into trouble getting it going.
Praised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of Wi-Fi extender TP-Link TL-WA854RE

Technical score
Technical score
6.7/ 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 45% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components:

40%

5.2

Wi-Fi Performance

30%

7.8

Network

12%

8.7

Setup

10%

6.6

Hardware

8%

6.8

Ports

6.7
Reviews score
8.2
User score
8.8
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the Wi-Fi extender's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a Wi‑Fi extender with a good balance between performance and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
Score components:

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

8.2
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
This Wi-Fi extender supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), less advanced than 86.4% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 13.6% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Wi-Fi bands
Single-band
This Wi-Fi extender supports Single-band, less versatile than 85.6% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 14.4% of Wi-Fi extenders.
6 GHz band support
no
This Wi-Fi extender does not support the 6 GHz band. 3.9% of Wi-Fi extenders support the 6 GHz band.
Wi-Fi speed
300 Mbps
Market range: <733 Mbps – >5.4k Mbps
This Wi-Fi extender reaches 300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, slower than 86.8% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 13.2% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Max speed 2.4 GHz
300 Mbps
Market range: <300 Mbps – >600 Mbps
This Wi-Fi extender reaches 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, which is slower than 55.8% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 42.9% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Show more
Ethernet backhaul
?
Mesh compatibility
?
Mesh standard
EasyMesh
Roaming feature
yes
This Wi-Fi extender supports roaming. 11.8% of Wi-Fi extenders support roaming.
802.11k support
yes
This Wi-Fi extender supports 802.11k. 24.3% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11k.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This Wi-Fi extender has 1 LAN port/s, more than 7.4% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 79.1% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Ethernet port speed
?
N. of USB ports
0
Market range: <0 – >0
This Wi-Fi extender has 0 USB port/s, fewer than 2% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 98.1% of Wi-Fi extenders.
PoE standard
N/A
Dedicated smartphone app
yes
This Wi-Fi extender comes with a dedicated smartphone app. 10.4% of Wi-Fi extenders come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Web UI management
yes
This Wi-Fi extender has a web management interface. 1.3% of Wi-Fi extenders have a web management interface.
Automatic firmware updates
no
This Wi-Fi extender does not have automatic firmware updates. 45.5% of Wi-Fi extenders have automatic firmware updates.
LED control
yes
This Wi-Fi extender has LED control. 9.7% of Wi-Fi extenders have LED control.
Buttons present
wps, reset
Show more
What reviewers say
Mounting type
wall-plug
Portable design
yes
This Wi-Fi extender has a portable design. 24.5% of Wi-Fi extenders have a portable design.
Height
?
Width
?
Thickness
?
Show more

TP-Link TL-WA854RE vs the average Wi-Fi extender

246810TotalWi-Fi PerformanceNetworkPortsSetupHardware
  • 12.3% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.2/ 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: 7.5 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 15% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 71% of models

    80%

    8.2

    Average grade

    20%

    8.2

    Popularity

    Grades by review (4)
    2 reviews: 1 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. 2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 15% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    8.2 vs 7.3
  • 17.3% higher user score
    User score
    8.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
    How we count it
    Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.6, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
    Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ★ Better than 90% of models

    70%

    8.3

    Rating

    30%

    10

    Popularity

    8.8 vs 7.5
  • 2.75x cheaper
    TP-Link TL-WA854RE is cheaper than the average Wi-Fi extender (£20 vs £55).
    £20 vs £55
  • 12.3% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.2/ 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: 7.5 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 15% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 71% of models

    80%

    8.2

    Average grade

    20%

    8.2

    Popularity

    Grades by review (4)
    2 reviews: 1 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. 2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 15% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    8.2 vs 7.3
  • 17.3% higher user score
    User score
    8.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
    How we count it
    Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.6, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
    Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ★ Better than 90% of models

    70%

    8.3

    Rating

    30%

    10

    Popularity

    8.8 vs 7.5
  • 2.75x cheaper
    TP-Link TL-WA854RE is cheaper than the average Wi-Fi extender (£20 vs £55).
    £20 vs £55
  • 82.9% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This Wi-Fi extender reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average Wi-Fi extender (300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,750 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.
    300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Limited band support
    This Wi-Fi extender supports less versatile Wi-Fi bands than the average Wi-Fi extender (Single-band vs Dual-band). The average Wi-Fi extender supports Dual-band Wi-Fi bands.
    Single-band vs Dual-band
  • No band steering
    This Wi-Fi extender does not have band steering, while the average Wi-Fi extender does. 65.5% of Wi-Fi extenders have band steering.
  • Outdated Wi-Fi standard
    This Wi-Fi extender supports a less advanced Wi-Fi version than the average Wi-Fi extender (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average Wi-Fi extender supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 25% slower 2.4 GHz speed
    This Wi-Fi extender delivers slower 2.4 GHz speeds than the average Wi-Fi extender (300 Mbps vs 400 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.
    300 Mbps vs 400 Mbps
  • Basic QAM level
    This Wi-Fi extender uses a less advanced QAM level than the average Wi-Fi extender (64-QAM vs 256-QAM). The average Wi-Fi extender uses 256-QAM.
    64-QAM vs 256-QAM
  • 82.9% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This Wi-Fi extender reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average Wi-Fi extender (300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,750 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.
    300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Limited band support
    This Wi-Fi extender supports less versatile Wi-Fi bands than the average Wi-Fi extender (Single-band vs Dual-band). The average Wi-Fi extender supports Dual-band Wi-Fi bands.
    Single-band vs Dual-band
  • No band steering
    This Wi-Fi extender does not have band steering, while the average Wi-Fi extender does. 65.5% of Wi-Fi extenders have band steering.
  • Outdated Wi-Fi standard
    This Wi-Fi extender supports a less advanced Wi-Fi version than the average Wi-Fi extender (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average Wi-Fi extender supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 25% slower 2.4 GHz speed
    This Wi-Fi extender delivers slower 2.4 GHz speeds than the average Wi-Fi extender (300 Mbps vs 400 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.
    300 Mbps vs 400 Mbps
  • Basic QAM level
    This Wi-Fi extender uses a less advanced QAM level than the average Wi-Fi extender (64-QAM vs 256-QAM). The average Wi-Fi extender uses 256-QAM.
    64-QAM vs 256-QAM

Video reviews

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

5.0
PicelTekno
≈ estimated
15/12/2022
Hands-on review · indoor speed and outdoor range tests
Verdict
TP-Link TL-WA854RE is slow next to the main router, so it only suits small to medium homes at its entry price.
10
Beau Reviews Awesomeness: Authentic Tests & Demos
✓ explicit
10/02/2015
Short hands-on review · setup and signal test
Verdict
TP-Link TL-WA854RE is extremely easy to set up and strong enough to cover a whole house.
Hands-on video, no verdict

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

9.0
vichaunter.org
≈ estimated
24/04/2015
Hands-on review · Plug-in repeater
Verdict
The TP-Link TL-WA854RE is a quick-setup plug-in repeater that matches router speed while the signal is strong, but it slows with weak links.
10
dimmicomefare.it
✓ explicit
03/08/2015
Hands-on review · Budget Wi-Fi repeater
Verdict
The TP-Link TL-WA854RE is a simple, cheap repeater with good value for money, though its 300Mbps speed isn't class-leading.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TP-Link TL-WA854RE

  • A phone app handles setup and day-to-day settings.
  • Mesh support lets it join other TP-Link units.
  • Roaming helps devices move between it and the router.
  • WPA3 security protects the connection.
  • Its portable design makes it easy to move from room to room.
  • Access Point mode can turn a wired connection into Wi-Fi.

What customers don't like about TP-Link TL-WA854RE

  • Its 300 Mbps top speed on one band slows big downloads.
  • It has no automatic firmware updates, so you check for them yourself.
  • There is no guest network for visitors.
  • It has no band steering, so devices do not pick the faster band on their own.
  • It is for indoor use only.

Verdict

Wi-Fi 4 is an older standard, and the TP-Link TL-WA854RE runs on it, with a top speed of 300 Mbps on one band. That is the real trade-off: video calls and streaming work, but big downloads take their time. Still, for a bedroom or home office that gets a weak signal from the router, it is a sensible pick. The phone app makes setup simple, and roaming lets devices switch between the extender and the router. It also joins a mesh with other TP-Link units, and its portable design makes it easy to move from room to room. It is for indoor use only, and it has no automatic firmware updates, so you check for new versions yourself. It suits someone with a light online routine and one dead spot to cover.

Compare TP-Link TL-WA854RE with other products in the Wi-Fi extenders category

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