Introduction

The TP-Link TL-WA855RE is a compact wall-plug WiFi range extender designed to boost your existing wireless network. I’ve been using this device for the past month in my home, and in this review, I’ll share my experiences with its setup, performance, and overall usability.

Features

The TL-WA855RE boasts several key features, including its compact design, making it ideal for discreet placement. The external antennas are a welcome addition, promising improved signal strength and stability. The ability to operate in AP mode is a useful feature for creating a new access point. The power scheduling function is also energy-efficient. Setting up the extender is remarkably easy, thanks to the intuitive interface and the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button. Connecting to the extender is straightforward, requiring no technical expertise. One noteworthy aspect is its dual-band capability, although it’s not explicitly a dual-band in the traditional 2.4GHz and 5GHz sense, it does offer improved performance. I found its dual-band nature enhanced performance in my congested home wifi environment.

Performance

In my testing, the TL-WA855RE noticeably improved Wi-Fi coverage in areas of my home that previously suffered from weak signals. Streaming HD video and online gaming were significantly improved, with fewer dropped connections and buffering issues. The speed wasn’t significantly boosted as a range extender, but the major benefit was the increased stability and improved reach.

I experienced minimal latency increase with the extender engaged. File transfers were also much smoother with a far improved signal. In less congested areas the speed was near identical to the main router. However, the performance does diminish somewhat further away from the main router, as is expected.

The external antennas definitely helped in directing the signal, allowing me to fine-tune the placement for optimal performance. I found the power scheduling feature to be quite effective in managing energy consumption. In conclusion, the TL-WA855RE delivered a significant improvement to my home Wi-Fi in range and stability.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Easy setup, improved coverage, compact design, external antennas, AP mode, power scheduling.
• Cons: Speed improvements are moderate and mostly focused on range and stability rather than raw speed increases. The ‘Dual Band’ description is a bit misleading; it is not a true dual-band solution, but performs adequately.

Final Verdict

The TP-Link TL-WA855RE is a solid and reliable range extender that’s easy to set up and use. While it might not offer dramatic speed increases, it does deliver noticeably improved coverage and stability, making it a great option for anyone looking to extend their Wi-Fi network without breaking the bank. If you’re experiencing dead zones in your home and need a simple, effective solution, the TL-WA855RE is highly recommended.