TP-Link TL-WR840N review: the cheapest way to patch Wi-Fi

The TP-Link TL-WR840N is our Best Basic Backup: a 300Mbps 2.4GHz router that also runs as an access point, range extender, or WISP unit, with four LAN ports, at around ₱999. It is on this list for what it costs and how easy it is to find, not for how fast it is.

What does under a thousand pesos actually get you?

More box than you would expect. For the price of a cheap wall-plug repeater you get a unit with four LAN ports plus a WAN port, two 5dBi antennas, and four operating modes. Nothing else here at this price gives you wired ports.

The four modes are the real argument. It can be the main router in a small rental, an access point in a room that already has a cable, a range extender for a weak corner, or a WISP unit picking up an upstream wireless signal for a piso Wi-Fi setup. One cheap box, several possible jobs, and you can change its mind later.

TP-Link also sells this model everywhere in the Philippines, so a replacement or a spare is easy to source, and any technician has seen one.

What are you giving up?

Three things, and they are significant.

2.4GHz only. It cannot extend a 5GHz network at all. If your fast speeds live on 5GHz, they stop at your router.

300Mbps ceiling. That is the label, not the delivered rate, and after a repeat hop it is lower again. On a fiber plan above roughly 100Mbps you are leaving speed on the table.

Two antennas and no 5GHz together mean this fills a gap rather than covering a house. Do not expect it to blanket two floors.

One more practical note: TP-Link has shipped this model in several hardware revisions over the years, and antenna type and port details vary between them, so check the version on the listing if a specific detail matters.

Is it worth it?

Around ₱999 as of August 23, 2026. Check the latest price on Shopee. On pure peso-per-feature it is hard to beat, and as a spare it earns its place: keep one in a drawer, and when a router dies on a Sunday the house is back online for the price of a takeout dinner.

As a primary purchase it is harder to recommend now. For around ₱200 more the Archer C24 adds 5GHz, four antennas, and WPA3, and that is a large step up for a small step in price.

Note that this listing ships from a general Shopee reseller rather than the TP-Link PH store, so if warranty handling matters to you, check the seller’s terms before buying.

Who should buy it

Buy this if you want a cheap spare, a basic router for a small rental or a studio, or a WISP unit for a piso Wi-Fi setup. Skip it if you have a fast fiber plan, if you need 5GHz anywhere, or if this is meant to be your only Wi-Fi for a whole house. See how it ranks in our best Wi-Fi extenders in the Philippines roundup, or read our Wi-Fi extender buying guide.

Alternatives to consider

Willing to spend a little more for 5GHz and WPA3? The TP-Link Archer C24 is the clear step up. Want a wall-plug extender rather than a box on a shelf? The Xiaomi N300 is the budget plug-in pick. More on the Home Improvement page.