Do you feel like you don’t get the most out of your internet plan? Or does it feel sluggish? Upgrading to a newer router is a cheap and effective way to improve your home network. There are plenty of reasons why buying a new one will benefit your network. Some of these reasons are wider Wi-Fi range, stronger signal, and better overall internet management.
If you are skeptical about buying a new one because it sounds expensive, worry not because there are a lot of cheap wireless routers in the market. Take for example the two routers we are going to discuss today – the TP-Link Archer A7 and Archer A9. Both deliver high performance but will not break the bank. You can look over the comparison chart to give you an idea of what aspects they differ in. After discussing each of the TP-Link AC1750 WiFi Router Archer A7 and the TP-Link AC1900 WiFi Router Archer A9 similarities and differences, we will tally what we liked and didn’t like in the pros and cons section. And lastly, we will pick which router is better and draw our conclusion.
TP-Link AC1750 WiFi Router Archer A7 vs TP-Link AC1900 WiFi Router Archer A9 – Similarities
Let’s review the TP-Link Archer A7 and A9 specs in a side by side chart.
| Name |
TP-Link Archer A7 |
TP-Link Archer A9 |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
 |
| Alexa Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| TP-Link OneMesh Compatible | Yes | No |
| VPN Server | OpenVPN, PPTP | OpenVPN, PPTP |
| MU-MIMO | No | Yes |
| Wireless Technology | 802.11ac (AC1750 up to 1750 Mbps) | 802.11ac (AC1900 up to 1900 Mbps) |
| Dual-band Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Coverage | 3 Bedroom Houses (2500 sq. ft.) | 3 Bedroom Houses |
| Max. Connected Devices | 50+ Devices | 64 Devices per band |
| Antennas | 3 External Antennas | 3 External Antennas + 1 Internal Antenna |
| Ports and Interface | 4 x Ethernet LAN ports, Gigabit WAN port, USB 2.0 port | 4 x Ethernet LAN ports, Gigabit WAN port, USB 2.0 port |
| Wireless Security Protocols | WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK | WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK |
| Other Features | Easy Setup and Management, Parental Controls, Guest Network, IPv6, Cloud Firmware Upgrade | Easy Setup and Management, Parental Controls, Guest Network, IPv6, Cloud Firmware Upgrade, Beamforming |
| Item Dimensions (L x W x H) | 9.59 x 6.32 x 1.29 inches | 9.59 x 7.34 x 1.29 inches |
| Item Weight | 14.9 ounces | 2.1 pounds |
| What’s included | Wi-Fi Router Archer A7, Power Adapter, RJ45 Ethernet Cable, Quick Installation Guide | Wi-Fi Router Archer A9, Power Adapter, RJ45 Ethernet Cable, Quick Installation Guide |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Alexa-Compatible
TP-Link Archer A7 and Archer A9 are compatible with Alexa. Therefore, you can control and manage your router with your voice. However, there are only certain functions that you can control with Alexa such as enabling/disable the guest network, turning on/off the LED lights, setting the night mode, and turning on the WPS. Although it’s a bit limited, they are still welcome additional features especially when you already own an Amazon Echo. Moreover, since both are in collaboration with Amazon, the prices of these routers are cheaper since it is subsidized by Amazon.
Award-Winning Routers
TP-Link is one of the major players in providing reliable networking devices and accessories. That is why they are not new to receiving awards. Both the Archer A7 and Archer A9 received praise and were given the J.D. Power 2019 award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Wireless Routers.” This award testifies to the quality of TP-Link products such as the A7 and A9.
Easy Setup and VPN Servers
Aside from managing both the A7 and A9 using voice recognition, you also use TP-Link’s Tether app. The app allows for easier setup. Through this app, you can essentially manage every aspect of each router. You can also overlook the devices connected to the router. Setting parental controls is also possible using the app. Aside from this easy management tool, you can also access your home network remotely with its VPN Server functionality.
TP-Link Archer A7 vs TP-Link Archer A9 – Differences
Wi-Fi Speeds and Antenna Configuration
Since both the A7 and A9 are dedicated routers, it is important to know the wireless bandwidth they can reach. Moreover, their antenna configuration is equally as important since it affects internet reliability.
TP-Link Archer A7
The TP-Link Archer A7 has the AC1750 baked inside. Therefore, it has a total bandwidth of 1750 Mbps. This 1750 Mbps bandwidth is split into each of the Archer A7. Devices connected to the 2.4GHz connection can enjoy up to 450 Mbps, while devices connected to the 5Ghz Wi-Fi can reach up to 1300 Mbps. Aside from having a lower bandwidth, the Archer A7 also has an inferior antenna configuration. The Archer A7 only has 3 external antennae and no internal antenna.
TP-Link Archer A9
On the other hand, the Archer A9 has a superior AC1900 that has a cumulative bandwidth of 1900Mbps. While the bandwidth in the 5GHz connection stays the same at 1300 Mbps, devices connected to the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection can enjoy up to 600 Mbps. Moreover, the Archer A9 also has a superior antenna configuration because it has an extra internal antenna.
The Winner Is- TP-Link Archer A9
Wi-Fi Coverage
Your home wireless internet should have no blindspots inside your house to enjoy a consistent internet connection for content streaming or gaming.
TP-Link Archer A7
Fortunately, both the Archer A7 and Archer A9 have wide Wi-Fi coverage. The Archer A7 can cover up to 2500 square feet of area. Meaning it will not struggle with 3-bedroom houses. If you have a larger house, you will be happy to know that the Archer A7 has compatibility with TP-Link’s OneMesh technology. With the help of TP-Link Wi-Fi repeaters, your Wi-Fi signal will be amplified. Take note that these TP-Link repeaters are sold separately.
TP-Link Archer A9
Like the A7, the Archer A9 can also accommodate 3-bedroom houses. However, the A9 does not officially support OneMesh technology. Reports say that TP-Link has plans for the Archer A9 to be compatible with OneMesh. Regardless, the Archer A9 still covers a wide area. Moreover, it has more features to help with connection and reliability that the A7 does not. First, it has the beamforming technology which helps in directing Wi-Fi signals straight to your devices. Secondly, it has the MU-MIMO which can simultaneously send and receive a data stream from your wireless device. Lastly, it has the ‘airtime fairness’ technology which optimizes your internet usage for lag-free online gaming and streaming.
The Winner Is- TP-Link Archer A9
Price
Price is the ultimate deciding factor.
TP-Link Archer A7
The TP-Link Archer A7 is cheaper than its competitor due to the lack of some features. Does its price make up for its missing features? Click our Amazon link to check their latest prices.
TP-Link Archer A9
Due to its additional features, the Archer A9 is more expensive. In my opinion, the MU-MIMO alone can justify their price difference. This feature will bring you a faster and more stable internet connection. However, the lower price of the Archer A7 will entice more customers.
The Winner Is- TP-Link Archer A7
Releated: TP-LINK Archer A7 vs Archer C7
Pros and Cons
The pros and cons of the WiFi routers TP-Link AC1750 Archer A7 and TP-Link AC1900 Archer A9 will help us to determine which is the better option.
TP-Link Archer A7
Pros:
- You can control both wireless routers with Alexa.
- It is compatible with TP-Link OneMesh to amplify Wi-Fi signals for larger houses.
- It offers great value and performance due to its cheaper price tag.
Cons:
- It lacks other features such as beamforming, MU-MIMO, and airtime fairness.
TP-Link Archer A9
Pros:
- The Archer A9 has a wider bandwidth due to its AC1900 technology which can reach up to 1900 Mbps.
- Wi-Fi connection is more reliable and stable due to its additional internal antenna.
- It has features like beamforming, MU-MIMO, and airtime fairness that affects the A9’s performance.
Cons:
- The Archer A9 is not compatible with TP-Link’s OneMesh. But reports say that TP-Link has a plan for future firmware updates.
The Final Verdict
Most people who are content with the modem/router combo that their ISPs provide will never fully utilize their internet plan. As mentioned in the introduction, buying a wireless router for yourself is a guaranteed way in improving your Wi-Fi connection. In this comparison, we learned that both the Archer A7 and Archer A9 are great candidates for your next wireless router. After reading their differences, we can conclude that the TP-Link Archer A9 is better in every aspect. However, if you are budget-conscious, you can settle with the Archer A7 which still offers ample performance.