The specs are almost identical. The differences are brand, size and price.
Short answer
Archer C54 - a compact (115×106.7 mm) TP-Link router. Mercusys AC12 - the same for less.
Key differences
| Spec | Mercusys AC12 | TP-Link Archer C54 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | router | router |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5, AC1200 | Wi-Fi 5, AC1200 |
| Wi-Fi speed | 300 + 867 Mbit/s | 300 + 867 Mbit/s |
| Bands | 2.4 + 5 GHz | 2.4 + 5 GHz |
| WAN | 1 × 100 Mbit/s | 1 × 100 Mbit/s |
| LAN | 3 × 100 Mbit/s | 3 × 100 Mbit/s |
| Antennas | 4 external | 4 external |
| Dimensions, weight | 222×140×32 mm, 270 g | 115×106.7×24.3 mm |
| Price | current prices | current prices |
Specs come from the device pages on Smartphone.ua.
What's the same
AC1200, 2.4 + 5 GHz, 4 external antennas, WAN and 3 LAN at 100 Mbit/s.
Body
222×140×32 mm vs 115×106.7×24.3 mm - the TP-Link is noticeably smaller.
Brand
Mercusys is a TP-Link sub-brand, so the difference is more in design than hardware.
Verdict: who should buy which
- Compactness - TP-Link Archer C54.
- Saving money - Mercusys AC12.
FAQ
Is there gigabit?
No, both are 100 Mbit/s.
Is there VPN?
Not according to the spec sheets.
Which is cheaper?
The Mercusys AC12.