TP-Link TL-WR743ND AP/Client router review

In the box you’ll find the router, power cord and an Ethernet cable, along with a Power over Ethernet splitter to allow for more flexible deployment – everything you need to get set up quickly.

The WR743ND comes equipped with four LAN ports and one WAN port on the back – the latter being to connect to your ADSL modem. It is WiFi b/g/n certified and supports wireless transfer speeds of up to 150 Mbps.

Additionally, it supports WPA/WPA2 security protocols as well as WISP connections.

Setup and browser UI

The browser-based UI is once again the same three-column layout as that of the MR3420 and the WR1043ND. As always there are few complaints to be had with the general layout – it’s simple and usable and it’s good to see consistency across products by the same vendor.

Setup is easy, as with previous models – clicking on “Quick setup” and following the prompts will have you up and running in no time. More advanced features are usually one or two clicks away and are simple enough to locate and modify.

By now, my complaints about password inconsistencies (with regards to the router vs WiFi passwords) must seem like the flailing of a fish on dry land, but I must say it in the hope that it will be fixed one day. For those who haven’t read either the MR3420 or WR1043ND review, the router password can only contain numbers, letters, and “-” and “_” special characters, while WiFi passwords can contain any characters. It’s a minor irritant and inconsistency, but it needs to be mentioned.

TL-WR743ND

In use

Network speeds were good and connectivity held up its end of the bargain as well, with at least seven different devices connected (3 wired, 4+ wireless).

In a strange twist of events, the WR743ND ended up having the best wireless range of all the TP-Link routers reviewed thus far. What’s more, even at the furthest point that signal was available, speeds were still decent.

Price

As can be expected of TP-Link, pricing is very competitive. The TL-WR743ND comes in at about R320 (R279 ex VAT).

TL-WR743ND

Conclusion

TP-Link offers a wide range of routers to cover most needs, though it can get confusing if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.

In the case of the WR743ND, if you’re looking for an decent, reliable wireless access point at a good price, then it is worth considering for your next purchase.