Upgrading from My ISP’s Terrible Router
My internet had been driving me crazy. Video calls would drop, streaming would buffer, and forget about gaming online. Turns out the router my ISP provided was ancient garbage. I did some research and landed on the TP-Link Archer AX90.
Setup to now: about 3 months. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Setup Experience
I was dreading this part, but it was actually pretty painless. The Tether app walks you through everything, and I had it running in maybe 15 minutes. I’m not super technical, so if I can do it, most people can.
The only hiccup was figuring out where to put it. This thing is big - way bigger than my old router. It has these adjustable antennas that stick up, so it doesn’t really hide on a shelf. Mine sits on top of a bookcase looking like a spider.
Performance
This is the whole reason to upgrade, right? So here’s the real-world difference:
Before (ISP router):
- Speed test: ~180 Mbps (I pay for 300)
- Dead zones in the bedroom and backyard
- Gaming ping: 40-60ms on a good day
- Multiple devices = everything slows down
After (AX90):
- Speed test: ~290 Mbps (much closer to what I pay for)
- Coverage reaches entire apartment plus part of backyard
- Gaming ping: 15-25ms
- Four people streaming simultaneously, no issues
The tri-band thing makes a noticeable difference when multiple people are using the network. We’ve had situations with two people on video calls, someone gaming, and someone streaming - all at once, no problems.
Features I Actually Use
QoS (Quality of Service)
You can prioritize certain devices or types of traffic. I set it up to prioritize my work laptop during business hours and the gaming PC in the evening. Not sure how much it helps, but my work calls haven’t dropped since.
Guest Network
Easy to set up a separate network for visitors. They can use the wifi without being on my main network. Useful when family visits.
Parental Controls
I don’t have kids, but I tested these out. You can schedule internet access and block sites per device. Seems pretty comprehensive if you need it.
Things I Don’t Love
It’s Ugly
No getting around it - this router is not attractive. Matte black with aggressive angles and antennas everywhere. Looks like it’s about to transform into a robot. I hide it behind some books but you can still see the antennas.
The Tether App is Clunky
It works, but it’s slow to load and the interface feels dated. For basic stuff it’s fine, but anything advanced requires the web interface.
Overkill for Some People
If you live alone in a small apartment with only a couple devices, this is probably more router than you need. The features shine when you have multiple people and lots of devices.
Who This Makes Sense For
- Households with multiple people working/streaming/gaming simultaneously
- Anyone frustrated with dead zones or buffering
- Gamers who want lower ping
- People with lots of smart home devices
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- If you have a tiny apartment with basic internet needs
- If you’re on a tight budget (there are cheaper options)
- If aesthetics matter to you (it’s genuinely ugly)
After Three Months
It just works. That’s kind of the best compliment for a router - I don’t think about it anymore. Before, I was restarting my old router weekly and dealing with constant frustrations. Now I just have wifi that works.
Was it worth the price? For my situation with multiple remote workers, definitely. The improvement in video call reliability alone was worth it. But I’d encourage people to assess whether they actually need this much router before buying.
Prices change frequently. Always verify before purchasing!