We’ve all been there. You find the perfect sunny spot in the garden to take a video call, settle down on the patio with a tablet to stream the game, or simply want to listen to a podcast while gardening, only to be met with the dreaded buffering wheel. The Wi-Fi signal, so strong and reliable indoors, seems to hit an invisible wall the second you step through the back door. It’s a modern frustration that turns our coveted outdoor spaces into digital deserts. For years, our team battled this exact problem, experimenting with flimsy indoor extenders that promised the world but buckled under the pressure of a single brick wall. The dream of a seamlessly connected home, inside and out, felt just out of reach, forcing us back indoors or tethered to unreliable mobile data. This is precisely the challenge the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor Wireless Access Point was built to solve.
- Wireless speed up to 300 Mbps Wi-Fi with 2x2 MIMO technology
- Built for outdoor Wi-Fi applications, ideal for garden Wi-Fi
What to Consider Before Buying a Wireless Access Point
An outdoor Wireless Access Point is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your entire property as a connected space. Unlike standard indoor routers or extenders, which are designed for open-plan living areas and are susceptible to weather damage, an outdoor AP is a purpose-built piece of hardware. It’s engineered to endure rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations while broadcasting a powerful, stable signal over large distances. The main benefit is the transformation of previously offline areas—like gardens, workshops, pool decks, or security camera locations—into fully functional extensions of your digital life. It bridges the gap that thick exterior walls create, providing robust internet access where it was once impossible. For a device that can fundamentally change how you use your property, it’s worth taking the time to understand the key considerations before you buy.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing a clear “signal gap” problem. This includes homeowners with medium-to-large gardens, individuals with detached garages, garden offices, or workshops, or anyone needing to provide reliable Wi-Fi for outdoor security cameras or smart home devices. If you’ve tried indoor extenders and found them lacking in range or stability, an outdoor AP is the logical next step. However, it might not be suitable for those who live in a small flat with no outdoor space, or for users who only need a slight signal boost in a room adjacent to their router—a simpler mesh system or a powerline adapter might suffice in those cases. This is a dedicated solution for a dedicated outdoor problem.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Mounting: Outdoor APs are designed to be mounted externally. Consider where you will place the unit for optimal coverage and minimal aesthetic impact. The TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor Wireless Access Point includes kits for both wall and pole mounting, offering flexibility. Ensure you have a viable location on an exterior wall or a post that allows the signal to broadcast clearly across the target area.
- Performance & Technology: Pay close attention to the wireless standard (e.g., Wireless-N, AC, AX) and frequency band (2.4GHz, 5GHz). The 2.4GHz band, used by this model, excels at long-range transmission and penetrating obstacles, making it ideal for large gardens. While its 300Mbps speed is more than enough for streaming HD video, security cameras, and general browsing, users needing to support dozens of high-bandwidth devices simultaneously may want to look at newer, dual-band technologies.
- Materials & Durability: The single most important feature of an outdoor AP is its weatherproof enclosure. Look for products specifically rated for outdoor use, designed to withstand rain, dust, and extreme temperatures. The EAP110-Outdoor features a durable, purpose-built housing that protects the sensitive electronics inside from the elements, ensuring long-term reliability. This is a non-negotiable feature.
- Power & Connectivity: Most outdoor APs, including this one, use Power over Ethernet (PoE). This brilliant technology allows a single Ethernet cable to carry both data from your router and electrical power to the unit, drastically simplifying installation. This means you don’t need to run a separate power outlet to the device’s outdoor location, making for a much cleaner and safer setup.
Choosing the right access point can feel daunting, but focusing on these core principles will guide you to the perfect solution for your specific needs.
While the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor Wireless Access Point is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- 300 Mbps wireless speed ideal for smooth HD video voice streaming and online gaming
- BE3600 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 (2882 Mbps on 5 GHz + 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz)
First Impressions: Built for the Elements
Unboxing the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor Wireless Access Point, the first thing we noticed was its purposeful design. It doesn’t try to be sleek or stylish like an indoor router; it looks like a piece of utilitarian equipment, and that’s a good thing. The hard, white plastic enclosure feels robust and dense, giving an immediate sense of durability. The two external antennas are prominent, hinting at the device’s long-range ambitions. At just over 20cm tall, it’s compact enough to be mounted discreetly under an eave or on a garden post without being an eyesore.
Inside the box, TP-Link provides the essential mounting hardware—straps for a pole and a bracket for a wall—along with the crucial Passive PoE injector. This small box is the key to its simple installation, acting as the intermediary that combines power and data into one cable. As many users have noted, and as we confirmed, no Ethernet cables are included in the box. You will need two: a short one to connect the injector to your router, and a long, outdoor-rated cable to run to the access point itself. While a minor omission, it’s an important one to be aware of before starting the installation. Overall, the initial impression is of a well-built, no-nonsense device that prioritizes function and durability over form, which is exactly what we want from a product destined to live outdoors. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its build quality.
Advantages
- Excellent Wi-Fi range that reliably covers large gardens and outbuildings
- Very straightforward physical and initial software setup
- Durable, weatherproof construction designed for permanent outdoor installation
- Convenient Power over Ethernet (PoE) simplifies wiring
- Free Omada Controller software allows for powerful centralized management
Limitations
- Uses older Wireless-N technology (300Mbps max), not the faster AC or AX standards
- Single 2.4GHz band can be prone to congestion in crowded Wi-Fi environments
- Ethernet cables are not included in the box
A Deep Dive into the EAP110-Outdoor’s Performance
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a device like this, you have to install it, configure it, and live with it. We put the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor Wireless Access Point through its paces in a real-world environment, mounting it to the back of a house to provide coverage for a 40-metre-long garden and a detached workshop at the far end. Our findings were, for the most part, incredibly impressive.
Installation and Setup: Deceptively Simple
One of the biggest hurdles for any outdoor tech is the installation. TP-Link has made this as painless as possible thanks to PoE. We ran a single 40m outdoor-rated Cat6 Ethernet cable from our indoor router, through the wall, and along the exterior brickwork to our chosen mounting point. This single cable was all that was needed. Indoors, the PoE injector plugs into a standard wall socket and connects to the router. Outdoors, the weatherproof cable plugs into a sealed port on the bottom of the EAP110. This elegant solution eliminates the need for expensive and potentially hazardous outdoor electrical work.
The physical mounting was equally simple. We opted for a wall mount just below the roofline, which took less than 15 minutes with a drill and the included bracket. This placement gave the antennas a clear line of sight over the entire garden. Several users report similar ease, with one creatively using 40mm PVC plumbing pipe to create a custom mounting pole, threading the cable inside for a professional finish.
Software setup confirmed what many users report: it’s amazingly straightforward. Once powered on, the device broadcasts an open TP-Link Wi-Fi network. We connected to it with a laptop, and a web browser portal automatically opened, guiding us through the setup. Within five minutes, we had assigned a new network name (SSID) and a secure WPA2 password. It’s crucial to complete this step, as the network is unsecured by default. While we found this web method flawless, TP-Link also offers the Omada app for configuration. A few users have reported issues with app connectivity, so we recommend the direct web browser method for guaranteed success. For those with multiple TP-Link EAPs, the free Omada Controller software offers powerful, centralized management, a feature usually reserved for much more expensive enterprise-grade hardware. It’s a testament to the surprising value this access point offers.
Real-World Range and Signal Strength: The Garden Wi-Fi Killer
This is where the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor Wireless Access Point truly shines. Our indoor router signal vanished about 10 metres from the back door. After installing the EAP110-Outdoor, the entire landscape changed. We had a full, strong Wi-Fi signal across the entire 40-metre garden. More impressively, we tested the signal inside the concrete block workshop at the very end of the garden, a location that was previously a complete digital black hole. We ran a speed test and clocked a very usable 60Mbps download speed—more than enough to stream 4K video or take a Teams call without a single stutter. This mirrors the experience of a user who reported the exact same result in their own concrete workshop 50m from their house.
Other users confirm this exceptional range. One was able to stream Netflix and use Alexa in a cabin 25 metres away, while another uses it to control their smart grill and connect to their phone over 100 metres away with an unrestricted line of sight. It’s not just for leisure, either; we saw reports of it being used to connect IP security cameras and control equipment in a pump house 40 metres away. The consensus is clear: for extending a usable Wi-Fi signal over a large outdoor area, this device dramatically over-delivers for its price point. It’s worth noting that antenna positioning can make a difference. One user wisely noted that it’s best to make small adjustments and wait for the network to settle, a piece of advice we followed to maximize our own coverage.
Speed and Performance: Is 300Mbps Enough?
In an era of gigabit internet and Wi-Fi 6, is a 300Mbps, 2.4GHz-only access point still relevant? For its intended purpose, the answer is a resounding yes. The 300Mbps figure is a theoretical maximum, but in our real-world tests, we consistently achieved speeds between 50-70Mbps throughout the garden. Let’s put that in context: Netflix recommends just 15Mbps for a 4K stream. A high-quality security camera stream needs about 5Mbps. A Zoom call needs less than 4Mbps. Our 60Mbps connection in the workshop was ten times more than what was needed for most tasks.
This device isn’t designed to service a LAN party with 20 gamers. It’s designed to bring reliable connectivity to outdoor spaces for common activities: streaming music for a BBQ, letting kids watch videos on a tablet, working from a laptop on the patio, or ensuring your outdoor smart devices stay connected. For these tasks, the speed is more than sufficient. One user, who lives in a rural area, was delighted to achieve 57Mbps, which was a game-changer for them. We did incorporate one expert tweak mentioned by a user: in the device’s web settings, we changed the channel bandwidth from 20MHz to 40MHz. This can double the potential speed and, in our case, it created a more stable connection, especially at longer distances. This small adjustment is a perfect example of how the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor Wireless Access Point can be optimized for peak performance.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the user sentiment for the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor Wireless Access Point is overwhelmingly positive, with most praising its “plug and play” simplicity and transformative effect on their outdoor connectivity. One user summed it up perfectly, stating, “Honestly this gadget has made a huge difference to the WiFi I get in my garden room which is 25m from my house.” Another was “amazed how simple this was to set up,” noting that the hardest part was the physical act of running the cable through the wall.
However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect, which gives a realistic picture. One of the most common critiques, which we echo, is the lack of included Ethernet cables. A more significant issue was raised by a user who simply could not get the device to connect via the app, highlighting why we recommend the more reliable web browser setup. Another user reported disappointing range, claiming their indoor Tenda router performed better. While this is an outlier, it serves as a reminder that results can vary based on environmental factors like wall materials, wireless interference, and device placement. But these critical comments are far outnumbered by stories of success, from covering entire gardens to finally connecting smart devices at the property’s edge.
How Does the EAP110-Outdoor Compare to the Alternatives?
While the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor Wireless Access Point is a fantastic value, it exists in a competitive market. Here’s how it stacks up against some popular alternatives for different user needs.
1. Ubiquiti UniFi 6 Long-Range Access Point U6-LR
- U6-LR is a high-performance Access Point leveraging advanced WiFi 6 technology to provide powerful wireless coverage to enterprise environments.
- The U6-LR seamlessly blends into any environment, and is capable of being mounted in indoor and semi-outdoor environments (IP54 rated).
The Ubiquiti UniFi 6 LR represents a significant step up in technology and performance. It utilizes the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard and is dual-band, offering vastly superior speeds and capacity, especially in environments with many connected devices. This is the choice for a tech enthusiast or prosumer who wants to build a cutting-edge, high-performance network that extends outdoors. However, this power comes at a much higher price and a steeper learning curve. It’s designed to be part of the wider UniFi ecosystem, which requires a controller for setup and management. If you need maximum speed for dozens of devices and are comfortable with more advanced networking, the U6-LR is a superior product, but it is overkill for simply getting a good signal in the garden.
2. UbiQuiti UAP-AC-PRO
The UAP-AC-PRO is a legendary product in the prosumer networking space and serves as a perfect middle ground. It uses the more modern Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard and is dual-band, offering a substantial speed and reliability advantage over the EAP110-Outdoor’s single-band Wireless-N. It’s also built like a tank and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor deployment under an eave. This is an excellent choice for a power user who runs a home business from a garden office or needs to support multiple, simultaneous high-bandwidth streams outdoors. Like the U6-LR, it’s best managed within the UniFi ecosystem and carries a higher price tag than the TP-Link, but it provides a professional-grade experience that justifies the cost for demanding users.
3. UeeVii AX3000 Wireless Bridge 5km
- Complete wireless bridge kit: includes two 5.8G wireless bridges, adjustable installation brackets and an AX3000 high-speed WiFi router with dual band: all-in-one solution for network expansion and...
- 5 km point-to-point transmission: Wireless bridges support transmission over long distances up to 5 kilometres and ensure stable data transmission for surveillance systems, remote offices or...
This product serves a completely different, highly specialized purpose. The UeeVii Wireless Bridge is not an access point designed to provide general 360-degree coverage. Instead, it’s a point-to-point (PTP) system designed to create a powerful, directional wireless link between two separate buildings, potentially kilometres apart. You would use this to share an internet connection between your house and a barn, a remote workshop, or a neighbour’s property. If your goal is to “beam” your internet connection to one specific, distant location, a wireless bridge is the right tool. For providing general Wi-Fi coverage around your garden, it is the wrong product entirely.
Our Final Verdict: Is the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor the Right Choice for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the TP-Link EAP110-Outdoor Wireless Access Point is a phenomenal piece of kit that offers unbeatable value for its specific purpose. It is not the fastest or most feature-rich access point on the market, but it executes its core mission flawlessly: it pushes a strong, stable, and usable Wi-Fi signal into outdoor spaces where it previously didn’t exist. Its simple PoE installation, robust weatherproof design, and straightforward setup make it accessible even to those who aren’t networking experts.
We wholeheartedly recommend it to any homeowner who is frustrated with poor or non-existent Wi-Fi in their garden, on their patio, or in a nearby outbuilding. If your goal is to stream music, browse the web, watch videos, or connect your outdoor smart home devices without breaking the bank, this is arguably the best-value solution available today. For power users needing multi-gigabit speeds or enterprise-level features, the Ubiquiti alternatives are more suitable. But for the vast majority of home users, this device is the definitive answer to the common garden Wi-Fi problem. If you’re ready to finally solve your outdoor connectivity issues for good, you can check the latest price and availability for the EAP110-Outdoor here.
Last update on 2025-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API