Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Some TP-Link Archer routers can set separate download and upload caps for an individual device; others offer rule-based Bandwidth Control, QoS prioritization, or no equivalent per-device control. The right steps depend on your model, hardware revision, region, and firmware. Start by checking which option appears in your router’s web interface.
Find out which bandwidth control your Archer has
Connect to the Archer’s network, open tplinkwifi.net, and sign in with the router-management password. Look for the control that matches your goal:
| What you find | What it does | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Speed Limit | Sets numerical download and upload ceilings for a client. | You want a device not to exceed a chosen rate. |
| Bandwidth Control | Applies minimum and maximum rates through rules, commonly matched by IP address and optionally by port or protocol. | You need detailed traffic rules and your model has the legacy interface. |
| QoS | Prioritizes selected devices or applications, particularly when the connection is busy. | You want calls, games, or other important traffic to remain responsive. |
| None of these | No matching control is established by the interface you checked. | Verify the exact hardware revision and firmware documentation before deciding the router lacks support. |
Archer is a product family, not a single firmware interface. TP-Link’s Speed Limit instructions use an Archer AX73 example and name the AX73 and AX4400 as supported examples; that is not an exhaustive list. Check your exact model and hardware version against TP-Link’s feature guidance and regional support pages. The current TP-Link documentation cited here is from its US support site, and menus or availability may differ by region.
Set a per-device cap with Speed Limit
TP-Link’s documented Speed Limit workflow uses the router’s web interface. Its example is an Archer AX73; labels can vary on other supported models.
#1 Best Overall
- Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Wi-Fi - Next-gen Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 whole home mesh system to eliminate weak Wi-Fi for good(2×2/HE160 2402 Mbps plus 2×2 574 Mbps)
- Whole Home WiFi Coverage - Covers up to 6500 square feet with seamless high-performance Wi-Fi 6 and eliminate dead zones and buffering. Better than traditional WiFi booster and Range Extenders
- Connect More Devices - Deco X55(3-pack) is strong enough to connect up to 150 devices with strong and reliable Wi-Fi
- Our Cybersecurity Commitment - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement
- More Gigabit Ports - Each Deco X55 has 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports(6 in total for a 2-pack) and supports Wired Ethernet Backhaul for better speeds. Any of them can work as a Wi-Fi Router
- Connect to the Archer’s network and browse to http://tplinkwifi.net. Sign in with the router-management password.
- Open Network Map, then select Clients.
- Identify the device you want to limit. If names are unclear, use the client details or MAC address, or briefly disconnect other devices to see which entry disappears.
- Select the edit control in the device’s Speed Limit column.
- Enable Speed Limit, enter the desired Download Speed Limit and Upload Speed Limit, then select Save.
- Test the device’s download and upload separately. A ceiling is a maximum, not a promise that the device will continuously receive that speed.
Choose the right units and directions
Download is data arriving from the internet; upload is data leaving your home network. Set both if you want to limit traffic in both directions. Check the unit shown beside each field before entering a value: TP-Link’s example includes 1 Mbps download and 200 Kbps upload. Mbps and Kbps are bits per second; MB/s and KB/s are bytes per second. For conversion, TP-Link’s legacy interface defines 1 Mbps as 1,000 Kbps, so a 5 Mbps value is 5,000 Kbps in that convention.
Configure legacy Bandwidth Control
If your Archer has Bandwidth Control instead of Speed Limit, it typically uses a global WAN capacity setting followed by rules. TP-Link documents the following legacy workflow; the exact labels depend on the router.
- Sign in at http://tplinkwifi.net and open Advanced → Bandwidth Control. On some older interfaces, continue to Control Settings.
- Enable Bandwidth Control. Enter the connection’s total WAN capacity: Egress Bandwidth is upload capacity, and Ingress Bandwidth is download capacity. Use the capacity of your internet connection, not the Archer’s advertised Wi-Fi rate. If unsure, check with your ISP.
- Save the global settings. TP-Link says the ingress and egress values should be below 100,000 Kbps in the interface covered by its instructions; this is a limit for that documented legacy interface, not every Archer.
- Open Rules List or choose Add New. Enter the target device’s IP address, then set its maximum upload and download rates. Depending on the interface, you may also set minimum rates, a port range, TCP/UDP protocol, and priority.
- Save the rule and verify that the device still has the same IP address assigned to it.
Reserve the device’s IP address first
A rule matched to an IP address can stop matching if DHCP assigns that device a different address. Create a DHCP address reservation for the device in the Archer’s settings and use the reserved address in the rule. TP-Link also identifies a static IP or address reservation as useful for managing Bandwidth Control rules. Avoid manually assigning an address unless you have planned it against the router’s DHCP range.
Rank #2
- A New Way to WiFi: Deco Mesh technology gives you a better WiFi experience in all directions with faster WiFi speeds and strong WiFi signal to cover your whole home.
- Better Coverage than traditional WiFi routers: Deco S4 three units work seamlessly to create a WiFi mesh network that can cover homes up to 5, 500 square feet. No dead zone anymore.
- Seamless and Stable WiFi Mesh: Rather than wifi range extender that need multiple network names and passwords, Deco S4 allows you to enjoy seamless roaming throughout the house, with a single network name and password.
- Incredibly fast 3× 3 6 Stream AC1900 speeds makes the deco capable of providing connectivity for up to 100 devices.
- With advanced Deco Mesh Technology, units work together to form a unified network with a single network name. Devices automatically switch between Decos as you move through your home for the fastest possible speeds.
Understand minimum rates and priority
A maximum rate is the ceiling; a minimum rate is a floor the router tries to provide under its rule system. In TP-Link’s documented legacy system, priorities run from 1 (highest) to 8 (lowest). The router first allocates enough upstream and downstream bandwidth to meet applicable minimum-rate rules, then distributes remaining capacity by priority. Priority affects competition for available bandwidth; it does not replace a maximum-rate setting.
A rule covering an IP range may apply to multiple devices as a shared allocation rather than granting each device a separate copy of the rate. Use an individual address when the intended policy is a per-device cap.
Use QoS when you need priority, not a hard cap
QoS is generally for deciding which traffic gets preferential treatment when the connection is congested. The common path is Advanced → QoS, though HomeCare and HomeShield interfaces vary. TP-Link’s QoS instructions cover different router interfaces.
Rank #3
- 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨 𝟕 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟒-𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐄𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢 𝟕: Delivers up to 4324 Mbps (5 GHz) and 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) speeds for 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and more◇. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, & obstacles such as walls.
- 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞-𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞: Covers up to 6,600 sq. ft. for over 150 devices with the option to expand anytime by adding another Deco router. All Deco routers work together.
- 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 & 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐥: Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5G Ethernet work together to balance traffic between Deco units for faster, more stable whole-home coverage. Backhaul requires at least two Deco units.§
- 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐩 & 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Set up and control your network in minutes with the Deco App. Keep your WiFi performing at its best by keeping the firmware updated through the App. All Wi-Fi routers require a separate modem. ⌂
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
- Open the QoS page or the equivalent HomeCare/HomeShield control.
- Enter the total upload and download capacity requested by the interface, using realistic internet-connection figures rather than the router’s Wi-Fi label.
- Select the device or application to prioritize and apply the available priority or activity setting.
- Check performance while the connection is busy. A priority setting may give selected traffic more of the available capacity; it does not necessarily stop a device from exceeding a fixed Mbps ceiling.
Choose QoS to favor a video call or game during congestion. If the requirement is “this device must never exceed 10 Mbps,” look for Speed Limit or a maximum-rate Bandwidth Control rule instead.
Limit guest-network bandwidth where supported
Some Archer models have bandwidth controls for the guest network, which can be more convenient than creating individual rules for visitors. On a supported interface, open Advanced → Wireless → Guest Network, enable bandwidth control, set upload and download limits, optionally set the effective time, and save. TP-Link’s guest-network instructions list the AX3000 Pro, AX4400, AX20 V3, AX73, and certain AX3000 revisions. This is a model- and revision-specific list, not confirmation of support for every Archer.
Check whether the limit is working
- Pause large downloads and uploads on other devices so they do not distort the test.
- Confirm the target device is connected to the Archer and appears as the client or IP address covered by the rule.
- Run a speed test or sustained download on that device, then test upload separately. Compare results with the configured ceilings.
- If Wi-Fi variability makes results hard to interpret, repeat over Ethernet if the device and router support a wired connection.
Do not expect every test to display the exact configured rate. Wi-Fi conditions, protocol overhead, other network traffic, the test server, and the client itself can all produce lower results. Router labels such as AX5400 or AX4400 describe theoretical wireless rates, not the internet speed to enter in a rule; actual wireless performance varies with client capability, conditions, obstacles, and traffic. See TP-Link’s Archer AX73 and Archer AX4400 product pages for their model-specific specifications.
Rank #4
- 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟔 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 - Wi-Fi 6 AX1500 dual-band whole home mesh system to eliminate weak Wi-Fi for good (1,201 Mbps on 5 GHz and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz).
- 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 - Cover up to 5,600 sq. ft. with seamless, high-performance WiFi and eliminate dead zones and buffering. Better than traditional WiFi booster and Range Extenders.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 - Two WiFi bands with dynamic backhaul by TP-Link Mesh support up to 120 devices and keeps all of them running at top speed.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
- 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐰/ 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐥 - Each Deco X15 has 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports (6 in total for a 3-pack) and supports Wired Ethernet Backhaul for better speeds. Any of them can work as a Wi-Fi Router.
Fix a limit that appears ineffective
First confirm the client and rule
- Make sure the setting is enabled and saved, and that the selected client is the intended device rather than another with a similar name.
- For legacy Bandwidth Control, check that the rule’s IP address still belongs to the device. Use a DHCP reservation to keep it consistent.
- A phone or tablet using a randomized or private Wi-Fi MAC address may appear as a different client. Check the router’s client list for its current entry and update the rule if needed.
- Confirm the device’s traffic passes through this Archer. A downstream router, mesh system, extender, or access point may alter which device needs to apply the limit.
- Temporarily disconnect VPN software and other traffic-control software while diagnosing; they can complicate a test or change its traffic path.
- Recheck the setting after a firmware update, since menus and behavior can depend on firmware and hardware revision.
Try TP-Link’s IPv6 remedy for Speed Limit
If a configured Speed Limit does not restrict the device, TP-Link recommends disabling IPv6 and rebooting the router:
- Open the router interface and go to Advanced → IPv6.
- Disable IPv6 and save the change.
- Reboot the router, then test the limited device again.
This is a troubleshooting step, not a guarantee. One possible explanation is that an IPv6 traffic path bypasses an IPv4-oriented shaping rule on some firmware; TP-Link documents the remedy but does not fully explain the mechanism in its Speed Limit instructions.
Does the limit cover wired devices, Tether, or mesh clients?
The controls described here regulate traffic through the router and are not inherently Wi-Fi-only, but wired-client behavior depends on the model and rule implementation. If that distinction matters, verify it with a wired test. Likewise, do not assume a particular mesh node, extender, or downstream access point will enforce the Archer’s rule; confirm that traffic actually passes through the device applying it.
Best Value
- 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭: Get expansive whole-home coverage, fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds, and a future-ready 10G WAN/LAN port that stays ahead as your network grows. Ideal for both everyday users and performance-focused homeowners.
- 𝗩𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 & 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆: The 3-pack mesh system covers up to a vast 7,600 sq.ft. and supports over 200 devices without compromising performance, ensuring seamless connectivity.
- 𝐁𝐄𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐓𝐫𝐢-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬: Delivers up to 5,188 Mbps (6 GHz), 4,324 Mbps (5 GHz), and 574 Mbps (2.4 GHz) speeds for 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and more. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, & obstacles such as walls.
- 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟮.𝟱𝗚 𝗪𝗔𝗡/𝗟𝗔𝗡 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀: Includes four 2.5G WAN/LAN ports and a USB 3.0 port, making it an ideal choice for future-proofing your home network.
- 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 & 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐥: Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 and 10G Ethernet work together to balance traffic between Deco units for faster, more stable whole-home coverage. Backhaul requires at least two Deco units.
TP-Link’s documented Speed Limit setup uses the web management page at tplinkwifi.net. Tether, HomeCare, and HomeShield instructions commonly describe QoS or device priority, which is not the same as a numerical cap. Do not assume the app can set an exact per-device Mbps ceiling unless documentation for your particular model confirms it.
When to replace the router
Do not replace an Archer just because a tutorial’s menu path does not match yours. First check the exact model, hardware version, region, and firmware; use QoS if prioritization solves the actual problem, or guest-network controls if the goal is limiting visitors and your model supports them. Consider a router with documented Speed Limit or detailed Bandwidth Control only if the current Archer lacks the required control or has broader performance or support limitations. A dedicated advanced router or firewall may make sense for schedules, per-user policies, application identification, VLANs, detailed traffic reporting, or shaping across a complex network.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
