TP-Link TL-WR845N Review

Quick Summary

The TL-WR845N is a basic N300 Wi-Fi 4 router from TP-Link for small homes with modest broadband plans. It focuses on dependable basics: three fixed antennas, four LAN ports, parental controls and a guest network, all at a price that sits at the bottom of the router market. Its strength is simplicity and value. The compromise is clear from the specification: single-band Wi-Fi at 300 Mbps and 100 Mbps ports, which suit light use and not heavy streaming households.

Design & Build Quality

The router measures 230 × 144 × 35 mm and comes in white, with three fixed antennas rising from the back. It is a plain, lightweight desktop box that can sit on a shelf or be wall-hung in a corner. There is nothing flashy, and two buttons, WPS and Reset, keep the controls minimal.

Power comes from a small 9 V adapter, rated at just 0.6 A, so it draws little power. At this price, the plastic build is what you would expect, and it is more about steady everyday service than premium feel.

Wi-Fi Performance

This is a single-band 2.4 GHz router with a top rated speed of 300 Mbps. That is enough for browsing, WhatsApp, UPI payments, standard-definition video and a few devices at once, but it is not the router for large downloads or many simultaneous HD streams. The 2.4 GHz band also tends to be crowded in apartment buildings, so you may see more interference than on a dual-band model.

TP-Link says the router suits 2 bedroom houses, and the three 5 dBi antennas help signal reach through a typical flat. Capacity is classed as legacy, meaning it is best with a modest number of devices. Do not expect Wi-Fi 6 features such as OFDMA or beamforming.

Ports & Connectivity

The wired side is the clearest limit. One 10/100 Mbps WAN port and four 10/100 Mbps LAN ports cap wired speed at 100 Mbps. That is acceptable for broadband plans up to 100 Mbps, which many Indian homes still use, but a faster fibre plan would be wasted. Four LAN ports let you connect a PC, a TV box and a printer without a switch.

There is no USB port and no dual-band option, so the router sticks to its single job of serving a small home network.

Security & Software

For its class, security is respectable. WPA2 and WPA/WPA2-Enterprise are supported, along with an SPI firewall, access control and IP and MAC binding. A single 2.4 GHz guest network lets visitors use the internet without seeing your devices. Parental controls with URL filtering and time controls are included, which is useful in a home with children.

The router supports the usual Indian broadband connection types, including PPPoE, and IPv6 is available. WEP is still listed for old devices, though it is best left unused.

Features Assessment

The useful extras are the four operating modes. Router mode serves most homes, Access Point mode adds Wi-Fi to an existing wired network, Range Extender mode repeats another Wi-Fi signal, and WISP mode lets it connect to a wireless internet provider. QoS by device, port forwarding and dynamic DNS are available for people who want more control. Management is through the web page and the Tether app.

What it lacks is easy to see: no 5 GHz band, no Gigabit ports and no mesh features. For the price, those omissions are expected.

Ease of Use

Setup is straightforward. Plug the WAN cable into the modem, power on, and use the Tether app or the browser to enter your broadband details. The quick installation guide in the box covers the steps, and most Indian ISPs use Dynamic IP or PPPoE, both supported. The Web Emulator on TP-Link's site lets you see the interface in advance.

For non-technical users, the minimal button layout and the default guest and parental options make the router easy to live with.

Value for Money

On Reliance Digital the router costs about ₹1,259 against a printed price of ₹1,699, and it carries a 3-year manufacturer warranty according to the listing. That is a modest outlay for a branded router with parental controls, a guest network and four LAN ports. It is hard to beat for replacing an ageing router or as a spare access point.

If your plan is faster than 100 Mbps, or you have many devices, a dual-band Gigabit router costs only a little more and is worth the step up.

Who Should Buy It?

Households with a broadband plan of 100 Mbps or less, small flats and bedrooms, and people who need a simple, low-cost replacement router will find it enough. It also works as an access point or a spare router for a shop, a guest room or a second floor.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Anyone with a fibre plan above 100 Mbps, a home full of streaming devices, or an interest in Wi-Fi 6 should choose a dual-band Gigabit router instead. Gamers, people who work from home with heavy video calls, and larger homes will also want something with 5 GHz and better capacity.