Spring is the season when a new life begins. I often change homes or move to new rooms.
The important thing here is the internet environment in the room. Therefore, this time, with the theme of “new life”, I thought about choosing a router according to the size of the room and the number of users.
I’ve also picked out some connected devices that seem to be useful for the new life, so please refer to them.
TP-Link’s Wi-Fi routers come in “cheap and tasty” models.Let’s choose according to the size of the room
By the way, the example this time is a Wi-Fi router from TP-Link.
TP-Link is a global manufacturer of competitively priced networking products headquartered in Shenzhen, China. This is recommended when you say “I can’t afford a lot of money, but I don’t want to compromise on performance”. To its credit, the initial setup has been designed to be easy to set up using just a smartphone.
What’s interesting about the company’s models is that they have a range of models with similar designs and different specs. In other words, “When choosing a model, it should be chosen purely based on application and performance”. So, this time, I wanted to choose a model that would be convenient to use based on the expected room size and usage.
Of course, choose the model above, and have the leeway to use it too.
3 models selected this time.The design is slightly different but very similar
The first is the “Internet line” you need to pay attention to
Now, before choosing a router, what you want to check is what or what an “internet line” is.
If it is a single-family house, the light path can be directly connected, but in an apartment house, there are various restrictions due to the wiring of the common area.
If the optical line is directly connected to the room, there is no problem. Alternatively, LAN cables and CATV companies might use coax for distribution, but that’s the only compromise. In the case of using a telephone line called VDSL to distribute to each room, it should be noted that even if it was originally an optical line, it would be quite slow.
This wastes the performance of the Wi-Fi router. Before renting a room, carefully examine these differences in common area wiring.
When using the FLET’S line of NTT East and West, if the IPv6 IPoE (IPv4 over IPv6) connection is selected, it will be less crowded than the traditional PPPoE connection, so high-speed communication can be performed relatively stably. ..
Although the Wi-Fi router selected this time is an overseas product, it is compatible with this connection method, and can use v6 plus, OCN virtual connection, transix and other connection methods. Although it has the disadvantage of difficult port opening, unless there are special reasons, it is recommended to choose IPv6 IPoE connection.
Regarding Wi-Fi, all three models listed here are compatible with the latest Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax). Look at the connection range announced by the manufacturer, which is the same as “up to 3 floors for a single room and 4LDK for an apartment”.
If you choose the number of streams, the difference in processing performance and added value, yes. The 2.4GHz band has the same number of streams, with a top speed of 574Mbps. Therefore, you should mainly check the differences in the 5GHz band. Plus, all three Wi-Fi encryption standards are compatible with the latest and highly secure “WPA3” so you can use it with confidence.
Let’s actually choose.
Choose a Wi-Fi router based on room size and number of people
“Archer AX23” must-have for “one room”
For a one-person home studio, “Archer AX23” can be purchased for about 7 to 8,000 yen, which is simple and recommended. If you’re using a smartphone or tablet while using your Amazon Echo or Google Home to turn your smart lights or smart plugs on/off by voice, you can get up to 1201Mbps on the 5GHz band. Most Wi-Fi 6 compatible smartphones support up to 1201Mbps, which is more than enough.
Even if you move to a large room later, you can expand the area because it is compatible with the company’s mesh Wi-Fi “One Mesh”, so there is no waste.
This “OneMesh” is a feature that can extend the Wi-Fi area by arranging a compatible Wi-Fi router and compatible repeaters made by TP-Link. You can walk around the area without knowing if you’re connected to a Wi-Fi router or repeater.
TP-Link “Archer AX23”
“Archer AX55” for “2DK-2LDK” with 2-3 rooms
Assuming that it is used in 2DK and 2LDK, the “Archer AX55” with 2402Mbps in the 5GHz band is not bad. This is because stable operation can be expected even if more devices are connected.
You can choose this option even if it’s a studio, even if you have a lot of IoT devices to connect to, or if you’re a single person who can use 160MHz of bandwidth over your PC’s Wi-Fi 6. You can buy it for less than 10,000 yen.
I thought it would be fun to watch online video on TV with a partner using Amazon Fire TV or Chromecast. Since 30Mbps is enough for streaming video, the Archer AX23 mentioned above is no problem. This is also “One Mesh” compatible, so you don’t have to worry about enlarging the area.
Starting with this model, it has a USB 3.0 port where you can share files by plugging in an HDD or USB memory. Additionally, a security feature called “Home Shield” will allow you to use connection management features. However, be aware that this is limited when connecting to IPv6 IPoE.
“Archer AX55”. You can also use it with the Amazon Echo Dot and Chromecast with Google TV.Click here for review
It has a USB 3.0 port on the back. You can share files by inserting an HDD or USB memory.
If the family uses “3LDK”, “Archer AX73”
If you have a 3LDK or a small house, the Archer AX73 with 4804Mbps in the 5GHz band is a good choice.
It supports MU-MIMO for 6 streams and has a triple-core CPU for processing from multiple devices simultaneously. A family of about 5 people has no problem with an environment where smartphones are connected at the same time, and it is comfortable to use, such as connecting to a PC at the same time for telecommuting or online classes. It can be purchased for around 12,000 to 14,000 yen.
There is also a model called the “Archer AX4800”, which has almost the same performance, except that the Archer AX73’s 4804Mbps speed in the 5GHz band is slightly reduced to 4324Mbps, which is also reasonable. You can buy it for around 10,000 yen, although the performance is almost the same.
It is also suitable for using various IoT devices and smart devices at the same time, so it would be fun to install and use IP cameras to monitor children’s rooms and pets.
“Archer AX73” is equipped with 6 antennas.Click here for review
You can also install and use a webcam for viewing. “Tabo C200”
Expanding mesh Wi-Fi for large ‘three-story home’
If you have a big house like three floors, or if you feel that the radio waves between rooms are poor even with 3LDK, we recommend using the mesh Wi-Fi “OneMesh” to extend the Wi-Fi area. ..adding the RE605X to the Archer AX73 above would add about 8000 yen, but the effect of expanding the area is huge.
In locations where you’re not using a mesh network, but forcibly connecting directly to a Wi-Fi router from a long distance, the effective speed will be cut to 100 Mbps, and if you switch to a mesh repeater, you’ll see around 200 Mbps constantly. paddy. It should be useful in scenarios where online meetings and online classes are taking place in a room away from the Wi-Fi router.
Additionally, with the RE605X, speeds on the 5 GHz band were suppressed to 1201 Mbps. Also note that the “RE605X” has a wired LAN port, but you cannot make a backhaul connection to a wired LAN. Use wireless extension to the end.
If you have a big house, add “RE605X” to “Archer AX73” to expand the Wi-Fi area. Click here to see an example of comments while building the grid.
OneMesh’s AX73 and RE605X speed measurements
It’s all fun! Voice assistants and Wi-Fi smart devices…
After introducing Wi-Fi routers, I hope you introduce more and more smart home appliances and IoT devices that you can enjoy by connecting to Wi-Fi.
Standard devices like this are Amazon Echo (Alexa), Google Nest (Google Assistant) and Apple HomePod (Siri), but this time with a router’s TP-Link, a smart home appliance “Tapo” that can be controlled like a remote using voice . We have a series.
The series can be linked with voice-controlled devices such as Amazon Echo, Google Nest and Apple HomePod, which can be controlled by voice or through a smartphone app.
One of the features of the Tapo series is that it does not require a hub and can connect directly to Wi-Fi. You just need to connect to Wi-Fi in the app’s settings to use it.
Adding the Tapo skill to Alexa also enables voice control
The screen to have Alexa recognize the LED strip (below).Now you can control the sound
IP Camera “Tapo C200”
A webcam that can pan 360° horizontally and 114° vertically at 1080p. Can also link with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
LED strip “Tapo L900-5”
LED strips can be cut to desired lengths.
With multi-color support, you can control various colors and set timers from the app. Can also link with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
It’s striped so you can stick it on the back of furniture and use it for indirect lighting, making it a moody room, or it might be useful at a party.
There is also a bulb-type smart light “Tapo L530E” with E26 socket connection.
Smart Plug “Tapo P105”
A smart plug that allows you to use your voice assistant to turn on/off devices connected to an AC outlet. Handy console light. You can also set a schedule and turn it on/off at specified times.
Amazon “Echo” and Google “Nest”
If you want to operate the device through voice recognition, please prepare a smart speaker. You’ll be able to use Alexa on Amazon Echo, Google Assistant on Google Nest, and Siri on Apple HomePod.
Each series has models in various sizes, but the basic voice-assist features are the same, differentiated by speaker sound quality and on-screen display capabilities. A smartphone or tablet app can also be used instead.
Amazon “FireTV” や Google “Chromecast with Google TV”
A device that lets you enjoy streaming video such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube when connected to the TV’s HDMI terminal. View various services by adding application support such as smartphones. Recently, many TVs have Google TV.
Easy control with smartphone app
By the way, one of the great things about TP-Link products is that most of them are smartphone apps that can be easily set up and controlled.
The smart home device is controlled by the “Tapo” app, but if you want to use it with Alexa, for example, you can add TP-Link’s Tapo skill to control it with your voice. If set up correctly, you can turn it on/off by saying “Alexa! Turn the tape light on/off.”
“Tether” app
An application that allows you to perform initial and simple setup of Wi-Fi routers and repeaters. Basically, it can only be used through this application, but if you want to make detailed settings such as encryption settings for “WPA3”, you need to log in with a web browser to access the settings screen.
When accessing a Wi-Fi router set up with the “Tether” app
Basic settings including “One Mesh” can be made from the app
“Tabo” application
“Tapo” app supports various smart home devices
An application for initializing and controlling smart home devices. Compatible with webcams, plugs, lights and tape lights. It is also possible to set an action to operate multiple devices.
The image of the camera is displayed on the “Tapo C200”.you can control the swing
“Tapo L900-5” light control screen
The New Life Movement is also underway
In addition, TP-Link is holding a new life support event planned until May 8, saying that “gift cards worth a total of 500,000 yen will win 200 people through a lottery.” There are other conditions, if you are interested, Please refer to both.
(Cooperation: TP Link Japan Co., Ltd.)
