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TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor vs TP-Link TL-WA1801

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against Wi-Fi access points at a similar price

The TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor scores 5.9/10 overall, ahead of the TP-Link TL-WA1801 at 5.3/10.

The TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor leads on uplink and power, software and security and value.

The TP-Link TL-WA1801 leads on wi-Fi standard and bands.

They score the same on management.

TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor

TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor

5.9/10verdict: good, not the best

The TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor is for people who need Wi-Fi coverage outside a building from a single PoE cable. It suits homelabbers and small sites that already run, or plan to run, an Omada controller. It is a Wi-Fi 5 dual-band unit, so it fits buyers who want range and manageability rather than the newest standard.

Typically about £65 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

TP-Link TL-WA1801

TP-Link TL-WA1801

5.3/10verdict: good, not the best

The TL-WA1801 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 access point for small wired networks that need a few separate SSIDs. It suits home offices, flats and homelabs where VLAN-tagged wireless matters more than 6 GHz or multi-gig speeds. Buyers who need rock-solid stability or a long firmware record should read the owner reports first.

Typically about £67 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightTP-Link EAP225-OutdoorTP-Link TL-WA1801
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%5/106/10
Uplink and power20%6/104/10
Management20%7/107/10
Software and security20%5/104/10
Value15%7/105/10
Overall5.9/105.3/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link EAP225-OutdoorTP-Link TL-WA1801
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bands and speed classDual-band 2.4 GHz (up to 300 Mbps) and 5 GHz (up to 867 Mbps)Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, marketed as AX1800
Uplink port1x Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) port1 Gigabit port (supports passive PoE)
Power (PoE class)802.3af PoE; passive 24V PoE option (dry indoor use); maximum consumption 10.5 W; 802.3at support conflicting in manufacturer rowsPassive PoE with 48V external supply rated 0.375A
ManagementOmada app; Omada Cloud-Based, Hardware or Software Controller; web-based management; management VLAN; SSH, SNMP v1/v2c/v3, syslogWeb UI and Tether app (free, Android and iOS); SNMP and Ping Watchdog; multi-SSID with VLAN support
MountingPole or wall mounting, kits includednot listed

Strengths and weaknesses

TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor

  • + Owners report strong outdoor range, over 40 m with line of sight
  • + Standard 802.3af PoE with a 10.5 W maximum draw
  • + Omada controller options plus web management and management VLAN
  • − Wi-Fi 5 only, with no newer standard
  • − Single gigabit port; 802.3at support is conflicting in manufacturer rows
  • − Setup has a learning curve for some owners

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need Wi-Fi 6 or newer radios
  • Anyone who needs an uplink faster than gigabit
  • Buyers who need confirmed WPA3 and guest isolation, or a rating for harsh climates
Read the full TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor review ›

TP-Link TL-WA1801

  • + Up to four VLAN-tagged SSIDs per band
  • + Web UI, SNMP and Ping Watchdog included
  • + PoE injector supplied in the box
  • − Single gigabit port, no 2.5GbE
  • − Owners report dropped connections and 5GHz problems
  • − Short firmware history; WPA3 support not listed

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need 2.5GbE uplink or standard PoE+ power
  • Anyone who requires confirmed WPA3 and guest isolation
  • Users planning to rely on client mode or the 5GHz radio
Read the full TP-Link TL-WA1801 review ›

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