TP-Link AC2800 Wireless MU-MIMO VDSL/ADSL Modem Router, Dual-Band, Wi-Fi Speed Up To 2.8 Gbps+1GHz dual-core CPU, Versatile Connectivity, 4 x Gigabit Ports +2x 3.0 USB Port, Easy setup (Archer VR2800)

After struggling with latency issues on the Plusnet Hub2, I decided to try this router, and I must say — it's a huge improvement.There has been a significant decrease in latency (especially on uploads), along with noticeable improvements in both download and upload speeds.The router itself looks fine — a simple plastic design without any quirky features.Wireless coverage is average; it’s not bad, but if your home has thick walls, you may need a range extender or mesh system.Setup is a breeze with the mobile app, unless it's your first time, in which case, I’d recommend checking out a quick YouTube guide.VPN support, parental controls, and QoS are fairly basic. If you need a router for serious gaming or heavy streaming, it might not be enough.The mobile app is minimal but clean, with a few handy features. You can also set up a TP-Link ID for remote control when you're away from the router.Overall, it’s a solid router for the price (I paid under £70).

This TP-Link Archer VX1800v dual-band wifi Gigabit router with VDSL2 and VoIP replaces a trusty old wifi TD-W8970 which was working beautifully with an external Vigor 130 VDSL2 Modem but they lacked a VoIP socket. And BT is taking away my old copper analogue landline.This VX1800 offers that essential VoIP and VDSL2, simplifying my system. In addition it has improved security, much faster WiFi 6 and excellent internet speeds. Best of all, I still don’t need to unpack the undesirable and relatively ancient Home Hub2 from its box.On a 24/7 average it’s using the same level of power as the previous setup; the VX1800v varies between two to eight Watts, depending on LAN and WAN activity and chosen WiFi power level.Set-up is easy if you know what all the acronyms mean, but if you don't then it is possible to make mistakes. Displaying relevant downloaded VX1800v user manual pages alongside the admin pages when logged into the router helped, but keeping track between them and in context considerably slowed down configuration.With the Quick Set-up it can be connected in only a couple of minutes, mostly taken by negotiating with the ISP. But then customising it for a complicated local network might take hours.I have set Static IP addresses in all my wired network devices, checked all the firewalls were On (default is On), let the DHCP search between 2 and 254, and set new passwords for the router Admin, and also the WiFi. It also let me set up a Guest WiFi access with its own tough password.I also updated the firmware; fortunately the VX1800 kept all my settings. As a precaution I had backed them up on the PC in case a restore was needed to put them in place again.I tested the WiFi range with my laptop while setting up, to check the security and password system, and discovered I could be sitting fifty feet away in the shade of a tree in the garden, or just outside in the street in my car, and still transfer at the full speed. This wifi reach is further than before; I may reduce the power level.The VDSL2+ Broadband speed Fibre To The Cabinet is 55Mb/s and 10.5Mb/s, same as before with the old devices. It will be much better when the ONT sits next to it.

After changing to an ISP with a business line, I originally purchased a TP-Link C2300 router with an expensive modem from another brand, expecting really reliable performance, only to experience no end of trouble, needing to restart the modem frequently as the speed would grind to a halt on a regular basis.After more than a year of frustration I was reluctant to buy another separate modem, so I decided to give this a go as a cheap option and it worked pretty much flawlessly straight out of the box. The set up was easy and all the previous hassles experienced with the other modem disappeared immediately. The tether app on the smartphone makes set up practically automatic.There are a couple negatives though and the main one is lack of support for WPA3 security over wi-fi. I hadn't read the small print and just assumed it would be there at time of purchase, so I was rather dismayed to find that missing. Later on my wife started working from home with her work computer and it refused to connect for more than a few seconds before kicking her off. The reason was that her IT department had set WPA3 as a minimum requirement, so if you are bringing home a work laptop, this may not be a good option for you.I actually solved this after having a brainwave and setting it up to operate purely as a modem in bridge mode, then connect it to the C2300 router, which offers better security and a stronger signal, so finally it all works brilliantly.It looks a bit strange having both devices there, but the combination works well and the C2100 is quite flexible in the sense that it can be used as a standalone modem, router or both together, as will be the case for most users. If it had better wi-fi security I'd give it 5 stars at this price.