TP-Link Archer C64 Review

Quick Summary

The Archer C64 is TP-Link's answer for buyers who want a cheap router without giving up gigabit ports. It is a dual-band AC1200 model with one gigabit WAN port, four gigabit LAN ports and EasyMesh support, priced at around ₹2,300. For a small or medium home on a fibre plan above 100 Mbps, it is a more sensible pick than the cheapest fast-ethernet routers. Its limits are Wi-Fi 5 speeds, no USB port and a modest feature list.

Design & Build Quality

The C64 is a small black unit of about 120 mm square and 28 mm tall, and weighs just 230 g. It fits easily on a shelf, a desk or next to a set-top box. The four antennas are fixed, so you cannot adjust or swap them, but the router is small enough that placement is rarely a problem. A single WPS/Reset button is the only control. The build is plain and functional, and it makes no attempt at style.

Wi-Fi Performance & Range

This is an AC1200 router, giving up to 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. That is plenty for HD streaming, video calls and browsing across a few devices at once, and the 1.2 GHz processor helps it keep up when several are active. MU-MIMO and beamforming spread the signal more smartly than older single-stream designs.

TP-Link rates it for three-bedroom homes. Concrete walls will cut the 5 GHz range sooner than 2.4 GHz, so far rooms may use the slower band. The router supports a medium number of devices, which suits a typical family but not a house filled with smart gadgets.

Ports & Wired Connectivity

This is the C64's main advantage over cheaper routers. The gigabit WAN port and four gigabit LAN ports mean a wired PC, console or smart TV can use the full speed of a fibre plan above 100 Mbps. There is no USB port, so you cannot share a drive, and there are no multi-gigabit ports, which is expected at this price.

What Buyers Say

Most buyers are happy with the C64. They praise its range, steady speeds, gigabit ports and low price, and several use it as a range extender or in wireless bridging mode with good results. The main complaint is reliability: a small group report that a LAN or WAN port stopped working, or that the unit failed or kept switching off after a few months. Weak signal in a larger home also comes up, though less often. The large majority of ratings are four or five stars, so these failures look like a minority, but they are consistent enough to be worth knowing about.

Security & Smart Features

You get WPA3, an SPI firewall, access control and guest networks on both bands, along with basic parental controls that cover URL filtering and time limits. It has no VPN server or security suite, which is typical for a router in this price band. For ordinary home use that is enough.

Features Assessment

EasyMesh compatibility is the most interesting feature here. It lets the C64 join other EasyMesh-compatible TP-Link devices to cover a larger home with one network name, so you can grow your setup without replacing the router. QoS by device, IPTV support and Alexa detection on the local network round out a sensible set. Wi-Fi 6 and mesh-ready extras like HomeShield are missing, but they are not what this router is for.

Ease of Use

Setup takes a few minutes using the Tether app or a web page, and most people will finish without help. The web interface keeps advanced options such as port forwarding, DDNS, DHCP reservation and VLAN tagging out of the way until you need them, and OTA firmware upgrade makes updates simple.

Value for Money

At about ₹2,299 on a main Flipkart listing, the C64 costs only a little more than the fast-ethernet C54, and the gigabit ports are worth the difference for anyone with a fibre plan. The three-year warranty adds comfort. If you only need basic Wi-Fi on a 100 Mbps plan, the cheaper model is enough, and if you want Wi-Fi 6, you will need to spend considerably more.

Who Should Buy It?

Small families, students and home workers on fibre plans of 100 to 500 Mbps who want wired gigabit speed and reliable dual-band Wi-Fi without spending much. It also suits anyone who wants to add EasyMesh devices later.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Buyers who want Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7, USB sharing or a built-in VPN should look at costlier Archer models. Large houses with many smart devices will do better with a mesh system.