Final Thoughts
The Archer C5400X comes out of the gates swinging, and looks to be a top contender in the fight to become your next router. With tri-band Wi-Fi up to 5400 Mbps across a single 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands, the C5400X has plenty of bandwidth to go around. And while the looks of the C5400X definitely fit the current “gamer” aesthetic, we think that some potential buyers may be a bit hesitant to place the very distinctive looking router anywhere visible.
Setting up the C5400X is a dream, and while the Quick Setup option had us up and running in minutes, both the Basic and Advanced administration options offer a plethora of configuration options to suit the needs of any home network. We were very impressed with the simple to use QoS options that can be adjusted to ensure proper prioritization of client traffic, and the security features of the HomeCare area are great for homes with users of all ages and usage levels. Being able to set customized schedules and rules for a user’s devices will be a great aide in some homes to make sure work comes before play.
Our use of the C5400X across multiple locations proved to be quite fruitful, as the router was capable of providing much faster speeds than previous generation hardware. Another great performance benefit we found in the C5400X was the increased signal strength and reliable connectivity at our furthest testing point. It is always great to get more standard performance out of new technology, but the added improvement in signal strength and reliability was a nice bonus.
Currently available at Amazon for $368, the TP-Link Archer C5400X is definitely not the cheapest option out there. However, with an integrated eight-port Gigabit switch, tri-band wireless, and a great suite of security and convenience features, we think the C5400X is worth the price. Countless times we have heard from users that bought the lowest price router that offered the latest technology, only to be disappointed by the performance. We don’t see that happening with the TP-Link Archer C5400X, and award it a 9 out of 10.
Pros:
- Good overall performance
- Integrated 8-port Gigabit switch
- Robust security, management, and QoS features
- Easy to setup and configure
Cons:
- Price
- Extreme looks
