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TP-Link TL-WA1201 vs TP-Link TL-WA3001

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

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

The TP-Link TL-WA1201 and TP-Link TL-WA3001 both score 5.8/10 overall.

The TP-Link TL-WA1201 leads on uplink and power, management and software and security.

The TP-Link TL-WA3001 leads on wi-Fi standard and bands and value.

TP-Link TL-WA1201

TP-Link TL-WA1201

5.8/10verdict: good, not the best

The TL-WA1201 is a Wi-Fi 5 desktop or wall access point for small offices, home labs and flats that want a local web interface for management. It suits buyers who need tagged SSIDs on separate VLANs and want a PoE injector supplied. It is not for anyone chasing Wi-Fi 6 speeds or a multi-gigabit uplink.

Typically about £46.99 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-WA3001

TP-Link TL-WA3001

5.8/10verdict: good, not the best

The TL-WA3001 is for homelabbers and small-office admins who want a Wi-Fi 6 access point managed from a local web interface. It suits setups that need separate SSIDs mapped to VLANs on both bands. It is a weaker fit for anyone who needs a faster-than-gigabit uplink or 6 GHz.

Typically about £89.99 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 TL-WA1201TP-Link TL-WA3001
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%4/106/10
Uplink and power20%5/104/10
Management20%8/107/10
Software and security20%7/106/10
Value15%5/106/10
Overall5.8/105.8/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link TL-WA1201TP-Link TL-WA3001
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 802.11ac Wave 2 APWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bands and speed classDual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHzDual-band: 2.4 GHz at 574 Mbps and 5 GHz at 2402 Mbps (AX3000 class)
Uplink port1x 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port with passive PoE support1 Gigabit Ethernet port (supports passive PoE)
Power (PoE class)Passive PoE on Ethernet port; PoE injector in the box; external power supply rated 12V/1.5APassive PoE; external supply rated 48V/0.5A
ManagementLocal web UI reached at tplinkap.net; modes include access point, range extender, client and multi-SSIDStandalone web UI (HTTP/HTTPS) plus app management; no cloud requirement stated
MountingWall or desktop mountingWall or desktop

Strengths and weaknesses

TP-Link TL-WA1201

  • + Up to four SSIDs and VLANs on each band
  • + Local web UI at tplinkap.net
  • + PoE injector included in the box
  • − Wi-Fi 5 only, 867 Mbps on 5 GHz
  • − Single gigabit port, passive PoE

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want Wi-Fi 6 or newer radios
  • Anyone needing a 2.5GbE uplink or standard PoE+ powering
  • People who want owner reviews on reliability before buying
Read the full TP-Link TL-WA1201 review ›

TP-Link TL-WA3001

  • + Up to four VLAN-tagged SSIDs per band
  • + Standalone web UI; EasyMesh controller is not cloud-based
  • + WPA3, WPA-Enterprise and WPA2-Enterprise supported
  • − Single gigabit port only
  • − Passive PoE is the only PoE type listed
  • − No 6 GHz band

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need a 2.5GbE or faster uplink
  • Buyers who want 6 GHz or Wi-Fi 6E clients
  • Buyers whose switch supplies only a PoE type other than passive
Read the full TP-Link TL-WA3001 review ›

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