TP-Link N450 Wi-Fi Router Review

The N450 Wi-Fi router is one of the recent single-band models from TP-Link. Moreover, it seems to be among the most popular ones that TP-Link has recently launched. It is built to provide you with a reliable Wi-Fi network for your home. So, you might want to give the N450 a try if you are looking to upgrade your Wi-Fi network.

However, you must make sure whether this router model suits your requirements. There is no lack of options to choose from out there. But, we will take a look at the TP-Link N450 and whatever it offers you.

TP-Link N450 Wi-Fi Router Review: Important Features

The N450 router comes with a wide range of features. But, you must focus on the most important ones first. So, here are the noteworthy features you find on this router model:

Design and Hardware 

The N450 router is smaller than many other router models of the same range. So, it offers you a higher level of portability, and you might find it easier to store. This model features three antennas to offer a larger coverage area and ensure a stable network.

However, these antennas are not replaceable. In other words, you would have to replace the router if an antenna breaks. So, the TP-Link N450 faces a significant disadvantage in this aspect as compared to some other routers.

This router model features eight LED lights, each for the four LAN ports at the rear. Apart from that, it also comes with WPS, On/Off, and Reset buttons. This router is powered by an Atheros AR7240 rev 2 single-core CPU. You get a clocking speed of 400 MHz on this model.

Installation

The TP-Link N450 keeps the installation procedure very simple, like most other router models. You can log into its web interface with the admin credentials to start the setup. The interface is quite easy to navigate and allows a wide range of customisations. You can set a proper name and password for the router and choose between various security modes.

Apart from that, you have many advanced configuration options as well. To get started with the setup, you simply need to power on your router and connect it to your router. Then, you can use any web browser to access your TP-Link N450 router interface.

Do you want a faster setup for your router? Then, you can simply use the WPS button to start using your router immediately.

Bandwidth, Speed, and Range

Most of the latest router models have 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. But, the TP-Link N450 only features the former one. So, you might have to look for other viable options if you want a 5GHz band.

This router features 802.11n Wi-Fi communication technology to provide a higher price speed. This technology is 15 times faster and has a 5 times larger range than 802.11g. As per the manufacturers, this router has a range of 15,000 sq ft.

The TP-Link can offer you a speed of up to 450 Mbps. And, that makes it viable for fulfilling gaming, HD video streaming, and large downloads, among other requirements. With its MIMO technology, it offers a stable internet to multiple devices simultaneously. Moreover, you can also use this router in three different modes.

Overall, the range and speed make it suitable for homes and small offices. This router allows you to set the bandwidth to allot each device with its IP-based bandwidth.

Operation Modes

You can use the TP-Link N450 to create a private network for sharing your internet connection with multiple devices. Apart from that, you can also use it as an access point for an existing wired network. Do you want to extend the range of your home Wi-Fi? Then, you can simply switch to the range extender mode.

You can switch between these modes easily through the interface. Moreover, you can also use the Tether mobile app to do that.

Security 

This router comes with all the essential security features that you need in a router. You can customise its security settings through the web interface or Tether app. Moreover, it does not have the security issues that you would find in some other TP-Link router models. So, the N450 Wi-Fi router is a better choice than many other TP-Link models in this regard.

The Wi-Fi encryption methods on this model, include WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA/ WPA-2 Enterprise. And, the network security options include – SPI Firewall, Application Layer Gateway, and Application Layer Gateway.

Guest Wi-Fi and Parental Controls

Do you want to keep away guest devices from your private network? Then, you can set up a guest network through the interface. This would help in keeping the devices connected to your private network safe. Moreover, you can also view and remove devices connected to the guest network using the Tether app.

The TP-Link N450 also helps you monitor your child’s online activity with its parental control features. You can easily filter any URL and set time limits using the interface or mobile app.

Pros and Cons of the TP-Link N450 Wi-Fi Router

As is clear from the TP-Link N450 Wi-Fi router review, it has some significant pros and cons. So, you must consider them if you are thinking of getting this router. Here are the noteworthy pros of this router:

• Fast internet speed
• Easy installation and setup
• Secure and stable Wi-Fi network
• Nice design

The following are some of the aspects you might not like about the TP-Link N450 router

• Single bandwidth
• Lacks USB ports
• The antennas are irreplaceable
• Comparably higher budget requirements

Verdict

As mentioned before, the TP-Link N450 router is a perfect choice for homes and small offices. It might be more expensive than other routers with the same bandwidth and range. But, it also offers you better performance than many of them. So, it can provide you with value for money.