TP-Link TD-W8970 Review

New for 2013, the TP-Link TD-W8970 Wireless N router. Although Wireless AC routers are all the rage these days, a Wireless N router can be picked up for less than half the price. This latest offering from TP-Link is no different, dishing out wireless speeds which will satisfy the vast majority of users out there. We’ll go through the list of key features of this budget router and then round up with a conclusion…

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TP-Link TD-W8970 Features

We run through the key features of TP-Link’s latest Wireless N creation.

7 Features of the TP-Link TD-W8970

Gigabit Ethernet & Fast Wireless With Detachable Antennas
The TD-W8970 comes shipped with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and up to 300Mbps speeds using 802.11n wireless. Stream HD movies, play games without lag or buffer and call your friends and family with video chat – all without interruption. The antennas can detach from the base unit, giving the option to attach antennas of your choice.

Ultimate Control With QoS (Quality of Service)
Have control over which apps and service should have priority on your network and the Internet. Make sure online gaming and video streaming get the biggest portion of the available bandwidth, knowing that their quality won’t be compromised even if someone decides to download large files elsewhere in your home. You can also police other users from hogging all the bandwidth.

Access Home Remotely With IPSec VPN
Need to access files at home when you’re away? The TP-Link TD-W8970 allows up to 10 IPSec VPN tunnels, letting you log into your home network safely and securely, so you know you can access your files at any time from anywhere around the world.

Be Prepared For The Future – IPv6
As the Internet changes it’s addressing scheme from IPv4 to IPv6, you will also need to change. The TD-W8970 can run on IPv6 so you know you’ll be prepared for the crossover when it comes.

USB Ports For Sharing
The TP-Link TD-W8970 comes with 2 USB ports enabling you to plug in hard drives or printers that can be shared between your devices at home, or even remotely using the IPSec tunnels. Share your files with the built-in FTP function.

Versatile WAN Port
The WAN port is Ethernet, which means you can use any type of Internet connection your ISP provides – ADSL, cable or fiber modem.

Secure Wireless
Protect your data and network using WPA2-PSK & WPA-PSK. These encryption methods keep unwanted intruders and attackers out.

TP-Link TD-W8970 ports

TP-Link TD-W8970 Technical Specs

  • 802.11n/g/b
  • WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK – WPA /WPA2 – 64/128 bit WEP –
  • Wireless MAC Filtering
  • PPTP / / IPSec / L2TP
  • IP Sec VPN: DES / 3DES / AES128 / AES192 / AES256
  • Dual Stack IPv4 / IPv6
  • NAT / SPI Firewall
  • IP QoS
  • Port Forwarding / DMZ
  • 4x 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports / 1x RJ11 Port / 2x USB 2.0 Ports

TP-Link TD-W8970 Conclusion

The Good

  • Solid wireless speeds
  • IP Sec Remote Access
  • Adaptive WAN port gives options
  • USB ports a bonus

The Not So Good

  • Looks are “different”

The TP-Link TD-W8970 has an intuitive web interface. The quickest way to connect to the Internet, is to use the Quick Start option, which detects the settings automatically (we were using ADSL2+). Just enter the username and password to get connected. There is a wireless button at the rear of the TD-W8970 which enables & disables the wireless function on the router. Switch this on to gain access to the wireless settings of the Quick Start menu. SSID and encryption settings can be entered easily.

Customers have reported that when sharing folders, it only really works properly when using file names of one word. This is a small niggle however.

The looks? They are an acquired taste, at least in our opinion anyway! Certainly unique.

Overall a solid budget router that is easy to set up and gives good throughput across your wireless and Internet connection for the money.

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7 Comments - Write a Comment

  1. I like your simple style. Just want you to know it.

    Reply
    1. · Edit

      Thanks Claudio. Glad you enjoy it!

      Reply
  2. Hi, can TD-W8970 works as a repeater for another wireless router?!! …

    Reply
    1. WDS is available and works well with my older TD-W8961ND that does almost the same thing – more features, better N300 WIFI + Gbit LAN/WAN ports.

      WIFI is rather good – got around 13 MB/sec from 1Gbit connected NAS to TP-Link LAN port. (2 meters away / below)
      DSL line is rock solid – just like td-w8961nd
      Gigabit WAN / LAN ports – No extra gigabitswitch needed.

      Only pain is the missing 5 GHz. It could have worked well with 2,4 running the WDS and leave 5 GHz to your devices – Hence the td-w8980 is probably an even better choice. All 3 get around 4 out of 5 stars.

      Reply
    2. · Edit

      I think JENS answered the question beautifully 🙂

      Reply
  3. Does media sharing work with smart TV’s ?? Ive heard there is an issue there.

    Reply
  4. How to I turn this into a repeater?

    Reply

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