TP-Link AC1200 MU-MIMO Wireless Gigabit Indoor/Outdoor
TP-Link AC1200 MU-MIMO Wireless Gigabit Indoor/Outdoor Access Point, Waterproof, Ideal for Garden Wi-Fi, 802.3af/Passive PoE, Easily Wall or Ceiling Mount, Free EAP Controller Software(EAP225-Outdoor)
EAP225-Outdoor Installation
| Weight: | 140 g |
| Dimensions: | 21.57 x 9.07 x 5.22 cm; 139.99 Grams |
| Brand: | TP-Link |
| Model: | EAP225-Outdoor |
| Colour: | White |
| Batteries Included: | No |
| Manufacture: | TP-Link |
| Dimensions: | 21.57 x 9.07 x 5.22 cm; 139.99 Grams |
Overall:
Got this on sale for ~70, good connection and easy setup to link to the home router, site generally has a more reliable connection, POE adapter being included is even better value than other competitors, software is alright to use but it was a bit puzzling at first.
Do I recommend? Yes if it’s on sale
Positives:
Easy setup virtually and physically.
Good signal and strength.
POE connection.
POE adapter included is great value.
Negatives:
Back plate (which is permanently attached to the device via cable) is a bit too short for me.
Be nice for a software toggable front facing LED for power instead of just the backside.
Not had it for long but relatively easy to set up – but please read the instructions as to whether you’re going to use it for Home (my case) or a Business utilising the cloud. So far the signal strength is good connecting a single CCTV camera. It does though enable mobile phone to be used in the garden – wi-fi over internet as where we live 4G is non-existent and 3G patchy. Also good for hooking up the laptop for working outside.
Not sure about the TP-Link claim that the range of 5.0GHz is as good as the 2.4GHz band although no doubt individual circumstances will vary. Nonetheless I feel this is a well made product, easy to wall mount with a good signal. So overall excellent value for money.
Download omada app and to manage the extender (set up password).
Very good value for money, as the power source is included in the package unlike other brands.
I had a wireless repeater that wasn’t up to the task.
1h to hardwire and 5 minutes to set up.
The setup process was straightforward, and I managed to connect it to my Starlink modem with an ethernet adapter and a separate HUAWEI wireless router without any issues. The access point’s design is sleek and unobtrusive, which is a plus, as it blends well with my outdoor space.
I’ve been using the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor V3 for a couple of months now, and I’ve noticed a significant improvement in Wi-Fi signal strength and coverage in my outdoor areas. I can now seamlessly browse the internet, stream videos, and hold video conferences without any connectivity issues.
However, I’m giving this access point 4 stars instead of 5, as I did encounter a few hiccups during the initial setup. It took some time to configure the device settings optimally, but once that was done, it has been working like a charm.
Overall, I’m quite satisfied with my purchase, and I’d recommend the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor V3 Wireless Outdoor Access Point to anyone who needs to extend their Wi-Fi coverage to outdoor spaces.
Superb bit of tech. I had a dead spot in one corner of the garden. As much as this doesn’t give me full house speed I’m now getting a steady 300mbps+ in the same spot.
So getting WiFi in the garden and my workshop is a non-starter.
Whilst fitting cables for a new CCTV system I fitted another ethernet cable for this access point in the hope it would live up to the claims and allow me to access my network whilst in the garden and my workshop.
What a winner, I’ve now got great 2.4 and 5 GHz WiFi access in my garden and workshop.
It’s got so many features to mention but more importantly it only took 5 minutes to set up. I’ve set up loads of network devices over the years but this was by far the easiest to set up.
My whole network setup is TP-Link. I’ve been using TP-Link routers and networks switch’s for years and they’ve never missed a beat, hopefully this will be as reliable.
Firstly, this EAP225-outdoor AP is fantastic… and it’s proven itself flawlessly in all our installations for several years since the first model version. I have infact just bought more.
Comments saying these can’t be connected wirelessly are partially true, but remember that these are “business” level products, so aren’t designed to plug, play and fail. Firstly, this particular suite of TP-Link network devices are designed around their “Omada” mesh framework. In order to fully utilise these for mesh networks, you will have to invest in setting up the hardware, such as an omada controller OR free omada software running on a server/spare pc.
If it’s a simple access point you want, then this will operate out of the box as an AP. In both “mesh” and AP modes, an ethernet connection is required for the initial link to your router (which thus does not need to be an Omada, or even TP-link product) – the EAP225 is not a domestic “range extender” operating wirelessly, but when configured in Omada mesh mode with other Omada EAP WiFi devices can be used to wirelessly connect multiple units to create a broader network with one or more SSIDs – again, the initial connection to the first unit is hardwired, and this is a good thing. After that, add as many as needed (specs for maximum can be read from TP’s datasheets and manuals online)
Pros:
Extremely stable network, as this is a fully managed device via Omada controller, so client connection and switching is optimally handled. After nearly 4 years outdoors in windy/wet/sunny/snowy Welsh hill weather, ours, and others I’ve installed, have not tripped or reset other than in power outages outside of our control.
Highly modular, so your network can be designed and implemented in any way you require, indoor or outdoors.
Initial set up of Omada mesh is not straight forward, but equally is not hard: these require a little time and a tiny bit of thought to install, but once up they just work.
Neg:
Very slightly more cost if compared to far less robust domestic mesh devices, but compared with reasonable performance “domestic” mesh products, I would argue that the price is comparable, if not cheaper.
Ultimately, this becomes an apples for oranges comparison, and is not useful: these devices are excellent value, high grade utility items which work extremely reliably.
Hal and Becky x
– Provides decent signal in the garden. Around 500mbps download speeds next to the AP (which is attached to the outside of the house) and around 200mbps (on the 5ghz network) at the very end of the garden (and it’s a very long garden). It would probably improve if I mounted it higher as the garage is blocking the signal slightly.
– Does support band steering so you can combine both the 2.4 and 5ghz SSID’s (this does of course require you to know what band steering does, it’s not obvious from the UI).
Negatives:
– Doesn’t have a repeater function (which would have made installation options much more versatile) so you do need to run a cable back to the router.
– It does support Mesh networking but only with other TP-Link EAP devices (won’t mesh with other manufacturers AP’s) and you need a separate controller in order to configure this (either software or hardware).
Update:
I’ve now mounted the access point higher up and more centrally in the garden. The signal is more stable and has better coverage than when it was near the house but the signal seems to be easily blocked by buildings and trees which isn’t great when it’s meant to be used outside.
Another update:
I’ve finally relented and purchased another one to use in mesh mode as the signal at the very end of the garden wasn’t good enough with just the one. I’ve installed it on a fence post at the very end of the garden but still in line of sight of the existing one so as to avoid the signal getting blocked by trees. Luckily, the shed has power going to it so I was able to power it from there. So far, I have been impressed by the resulting coverage; I’m now getting a very good signal all over the garden. I was also impressed by the Omada controller software; it was easy and straightforward to configure (I didn’t even need to follow any instructions) and it adopted both the access point without issue and even allowed me to update the firmware. You don’t need to have the software running all the time either (if you don’t want to constantly monitor the network) so you don’t necessarily need a dedicated PC running 24/7 or the hardware controller.
I connected the access point to the router and ran a shortish ethernet cable to the roof and fixed the access point to a pole. I do have fast internet which helps, and nearly all of this speed is available on the 5Ghz channel. Even the slower 2.4 channel is more than adequate.
The bonus of doing it this way is that the whole of the back garden is covered by excellent WiFi.
The instructions are adequate and anyone with a basic understanding of home WiFi should be fine.
I’ve not rated the tech support because I didn’t need it. Everything else about it is 5 stars.
TIP 1 – get a shielded cable for added lightening protection.
Tip 2 – plug everything in while indoors so you can set it all up easily and ensure it works, then install outside.
I drilled a 20mm hole through an external wall, lined the hole with a piece of plastic 20mm pipe and fed the cable through easily (cable connector approx 16mm at widest). Sealed with silicone and grommets.
Mounted unit on outside wall of 1st floor in direct line of sight to the bottom of my garden.
All devices in garden connected straight away with strong signal (smart TV in summerhouse, Alexa, phone. Kindle etc).
I also get a high strength signal coming back through the wall into my home so I can now use this as a ‘guest network’ when family and friends visit without giving access to my full home network.
Having looked at the less well known name routers, I chose this one as I wanted something I could rely on. I have installed it in a place I would not like to have to revisit. Since its install (which was straight forward but requires you to download and install the free setup app), it has performed well. The range is very good if you have line of sight, probably 100m or better. It has been running now for a month and has always been working when I have come to use it despite it being outside in the weather. I installed it high on the roof which was painful to get to but the fact you only have to run one cable (cat6) and not power makes it so much easier. It comes with its own power injector so you don’t need your own or that feature in your hub or router. All in all I would recommend this if you want something with solid build quality that’s easy to install and (so far) is reliable. It’s not the most fully featured but will be fine for the occasional garden browse or for wifi sensors, rain detectors, security cams etc that just require 2.4ghz as this model does not have 5ghz but I’d argue in an out door setting 2.4 is what you want due to its range advantage over 5ghz.
I plugged in to a powerline unit (not even straight in to my router!) via the power adapter (you don’t get any ethernet cables with the kit, you need a very short one to connect the power adapter to router or powerline extender etc and then I used a Cat 7 40m flat weatherproof cable to connect to the main unit which I’ve installed outside my garden room.
Once connected, it was easy to go online and set the WiFi network name and a password – I did this through a website using my phone but you can also use the Omada app.
The instruction manual is very clear and helpful.
Previously I got around 3Mbps WiFi speed from a WiFi repeater in the garden room – this unit is consistently giving me around 35Mbps! That’s fantastic as it means steaming 4k movies, playing games online and running video meeting with work are no problem at all.
For the money it’s an incredibly good value solution and I’m very impressed.
The bonus means we now have strong WiFi throughout the garden too.
Highly recommended.
1.. Instructions. The LED colours listed BUT LED is not shown on the diagram or visible until lit on the EAP. When i spent a day trying to get it to work it would have helped if I had known this. Also setting up security a bit muddled and the app is unnecessary and confusing for a small number of these.
2. People who don’t make their own cables may buy external cat5E. Both ends may give a problem. If drilling a hole in wall for cable it has to be big enough to take the plug through – removing the shroud that usually is fitted means a smaller hole. At the other end I found (eventually) that the shroud was preventing the cable fitting properly just a tiny amount – looked OK but wasn’t – nice to find where the green LED is. So I cut off the bit that covers the catch. I only gave 4 stars because of the above. This is an extension to my TPLINK mesh network. I need wifi in an outbuilding due next month and at present getting a full signal at the location. Speed matches the mesh system speed (a bit lower than from the BT router). All in all I feel this is a great product let down by its instructions
This AP does what it says on the tin. I use it to extend the range of my mobile router on my motorhome.
To be honest I thought the unit is a bit “plasticky” and expected something with a bit more “heft” to it as it is an outdoor unit. I cannot yet vouch for its waterproofness as it hasn’t rained here for a while!. It is very very easy to set up in its basic form, connect it to your router via an ethernet cable and power it up with the supplied power-over-ethernet (POE) psu and within a minute or so the SSID printed on the unit appear on your available WiFi list on your phone/tablet/laptop whatever, then log in with your normal password. I can’t remember now if the new AP’s WiFi was “open” or the password was my normal log in WiFi password but its really easy to set up anyway. The unit is easily configured for different scenarios but in my case I just wanted a simple plug-n-play outdoor AP that just worked out of the box. I also at the same time tried out the Uniquiti Unify AP which is very similar to the TP Link offering, that unit had a very slightly superior feel in the hand to it but for an extra 20 over the TP link and actually as I tested it subjectively didn’t seem quite have the range and throughput of the TP Link unit although as I say the comparison was subjective, also the set up was not as straightforward or as easy the out of the box experience as with the TP Link, so it went back. In my opinion not worth the extra 20 or so. Conclusion: if you want a simple wired outdoor AP that just “works” then the TP link does the job.
I have this setup indoors which covers all of my ground floor, first floor and detached garage. Despite have to go through two brick walls, the signal in the garage is strong.
Setting it up as a standalone AP was easy, but I have an EAP225 on the second floor as well. While they work fine on their own, seamless roaming on wifi devices doesn’t really happen as the wifi devices just stick to the EAP that it first connects to.
This is where the Omada controller comes in, but that costs about 50. I had an old Raspberry Pi 2 on which I installed the Omada controller software and got it working which took a few hours of googling.
Once everything was up and running, the wifi is rock solid and devices switch between EAPs seamlessly without the connection dropping.
Easily the best wifi system I’ve used at home especially in terms of coverage and signal strength, especially compared to a single do-it-all wifi router which can never provide enough coverage in a bigger home despite whatever manufacturers claim.
..and cheaper than Unifi!
This is installed by Ethernet cable (not supplied) to an existing network. So you need to be able to run the cable from your router insider to the access point outside. Power is supplied via the Ethernet cable, which avoids the need for a separate power feed. You do need an available power socket near to where you connect the cable to your existing network. The access point needs to be installed fairly high up.
In my garden, reach is rather less than claimed even if you have completely clear line of sight. The signal is fairly weak at 50m and doesn’t get through dense plants.
I am advised ( but haven’t tested) that you cannot connect more than one of these together wirelessly ( as you can for Linksys velop for example) so if you need more than one, then you need to run an Ethernet cable from your existing network to each one.
Speed is fine for ordinary purposes. The downloadable app for smart phone makes straightforward configuration easy.
So, I looked at an Access Point type system because each AP is hard wired back to the network switch thus avoiding the issues of repeating a WiFI signal.
So, I looked around and there are some pretty pricey systems around for offices and industrial areas – far more than wanted to spend – and then I came across the TP-Link Omada system which, is far more reasonable in price.
And it’s utterly brilliant.
First off you do not need to be a PHd level IT guru to set it up. Anyone with a modicum of willingness and the ability to download an App can do it. The system as a who is designed to be controlled just by your app or you can boy a small network controller module that you plug into your switch and using the App set things up from that. This I recommend and it’s genuinely idiot proof.
You’ll then need a network switch preferably a POE one. I also used a TP-Link one because the price is very good and of course guaranteed compatibility. It also has sensing built in such that if I plugged a non-POE device in it would not blow it with an over voltage.
And then you pick some AP’s. I have four indoor ones to cover my house and a couple of outdoor ones, one for the front of my house and one for the back garden which is large and backs onto woods and open county – which is why I wanted a good WiFi signal.
Cameras. Specifically WiFi ones my wife and I have in place to watch the various animals and birds that visit our garden. Covid has been miserable but it has introduced us to an outside world we paid little heed to before and thus we have had a bit of a silver lining to the misery of 2020 and now 2021.
Anyway, I ran a Cat6 cable to where I wanted this AP – a pole I’d previously installed – and then fitted it with the included mountings which, are neat, easy to use and work well.
Once mechanically and electrically fixed I simply used the app to set this up and off it went. I now have excellent WiFi across the entire back area of my house.
And as you move around and back into the house the system allows seamless transitioning from one AP to the next using the stronger signal as it comes up.
Overall, a fantastic system and AP from TP-Link.
I purchased this device to boost the wifi in my shed and back garden. The instructions leave a little to be desired, the product is installed as you can see on the edge of my conservatory. From there I ran a lAN cable to my router. Supplied in the box is a small switch the LAN cable goes in one and the cable to your router goes in the other, the switch box is then plugged into the mains. This supplies the power to the unit. I already had a log on for TP link, and really from there my phone picked up the device and I proceeded to change the log in details to the same as my home hub.
I say the instructions are not very clear as I followed them but could not get it to work. I contacted a friend who already had this device and he told me to log on to Omada and activate my account. It does kind of say this in the blurb, perhaps if it were more concise then it would be easier.
Overall the device has been in place for 5 days and works well, a good strong signal in my back garden, whilst it does not offer speeds as fast as my home router it is more than fast enough to make it invaulable. My normal wifi in the house close to the router is around 120mbps, with this device i can get around 20mbps up and down, inside a timber shed and 20 meters away at the bottom of the garden.
So overall i am very pleased, it just raised my blood pressure at the dubious instructions.
The Ring Door Bell would lose it’s wi fi connection to the main house router once the front door was shut. I purchased 2 wi fi boosters that were good but still didn’t do the job.
I reviewed the comments for this item and someone had posted they’d also purchased it to help with the issues they were also experiencing with their Ring Door Bell. Based on his review I made the purchase.
I must’ve spent 3 weekends trying all sorts of different things and was on the verge of giving up and returning the door bell.
Since I purchased this item, I have had nothing but 3 weeks solid 100% connectivity to the Ring Door Bell (which connects to this device which is attached to the side of the house) and have thoroughly enjoyed what the Door Bell is capable of.
If you are having similar issues connecting or extending wi fi to the outside/outdoors/garden area etc, then this is the device for you. You will need to have a CAT6 network cable going from your home router, drilled through the outside of your house where it connects to this which device and simply attaches to the wall. We got a cabling friend to do it and it took him less than an hour.
The device itself is very, very easier to configure.
The physical setup is excellent: very straightforward.
The soft setup, however, is not.
(I am not an IT professional but have set up loads of network devices over the years, so IMHO I am not a complete doofus)
I could easily connect to the SSID, but the domain name given to log in and set up did not work.
I’d already fixed the antenna up on the roof, so if the initial IP address was written on it I couldn’t see it.
I ignored the “getting started” instructions and downloaded the Omada app onto my Android phone and after a false start or two it spotted the antenna and reported the IP address.
I was able to use this to log in and do the setup, which was a bit clunky but fairly straightforward.
The signal strength seems good for outdoors, which is why I wanted it.
If you are looking to improve wifi within a house, though, it’s probably better to get a mesh product instead.
Mine was V1, the latest version is V3. I checked the firmware and it is the latest version for V1. This model is larger than V3, but otherwise the same. It is guaranteed for external use in all weathers and has two large antennae, fixing bracket and a clamping ring for TV masts, etc. Mine was to extend coverage throughout my garden.
The EoP power supply is nicely designed, with a miniature mains input socket but a very short mains cable. It has a power-on LED. The access point has an LED on one side showing boot-up status, failure conditions, etc – it can be turned off from the control panel if necessary.
I connected the N300 to my Netgear switch. My network has static IP addresses. The instructions for the N300 say use DHCP – which is advisable for setting-up, but you can set a static IP address afterwards. The instructions are basic – for one N300 your’e advised to enter tplinkeap.net into a browser to reach the login page. This didn’t work for me initially, but after several attempts it did connect. Meanwhile I had tried to install the controller software. Don’t bother! Its too complicated and kept giving me port error messages. Once logged in I could change the SSID and set up the security criteria (as supplied it is open access). There are numerous parameters you can change but the instructions are a sparse. Once your’e in this area you need to know about wireless networking.
My initial tests were good. Download speed was the same as a direct connection to my router. Uploading was a bit slower. Overall my impression is positive, I recommend this access point.