We’ve all been there. You invest in a powerful new router, place it in the most central location you can, and yet, there’s that one room where the Wi-Fi signal just seems to die. For me, it was the newly built home office extension. The main house was blanketed in a strong signal, but the moment I stepped into the new space, the bars would plummet. Video calls would stutter, file downloads would crawl, and productivity would grind to a halt. Trying to solve it with messy range extenders only created more network headaches and cluttered outlets. This is a common frustration, a digital-age problem that can turn a dream space into a connectivity nightmare. It’s precisely this challenge—eliminating a specific, localized dead zone cleanly and permanently—that led us to test the TP-Link Access Point, a device designed to be heard but not seen.
- TP-LINK EAP225-Wall WLAN access point 1200 Mbit/s Power over Ethernet (PoE) White
- 6935364099794
What to Consider Before Buying a Wireless Access Point
A Wireless Access Point is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for expanding and strengthening your network’s reach and capacity. Unlike a simple range extender which just repeats a potentially weak signal, an access point (AP) is hardwired back to your main network via an Ethernet cable. This creates a brand new, full-strength Wi-Fi hotspot. The main benefits are dramatic improvements in speed, stability, and the ability to handle many more connected devices without slowing down. It’s the professional-grade solution to Wi-Fi problems, transforming unreliable areas into zones of seamless connectivity for everything from 4K streaming to critical work-from-home video conferences.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing persistent dead zones in a home, a small business owner needing reliable coverage for guests or employees, or a property manager looking to provide seamless Wi-Fi in multiple rooms, like a holiday rental or a bed and breakfast. It’s for the person who has tried extenders and found them lacking. However, it might not be suitable for those who live in a small apartment with already excellent router coverage, or for someone who is unable or unwilling to run an Ethernet cable to the desired location. For those users, a simpler mesh Wi-Fi system might be a more straightforward, albeit potentially less performant, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Access points come in various shapes and sizes. Ceiling-mounted “smoke detector” styles are common, but they are visually obvious. The TP-Link Access Point we are reviewing is an in-wall model, designed to replace a standard Ethernet wall plate. This makes it incredibly discreet, but it requires a wall back box for installation, so you need to consider the practicalities of cutting into drywall if a box isn’t already present.
- Capacity/Performance: This is paramount. Look at the Wi-Fi standard (e.g., Wi-Fi 5/802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6/802.11ax) and the speed rating (e.g., AC1200, AX3000). Just as important, and often overlooked, is the speed of the wired Ethernet port. An AP with a blazing-fast wireless speed will be severely handicapped if its connection back to the network is a slow 100 Mbps port instead of a full Gigabit (1000 Mbps) port. You need to ensure the wired connection can keep up with your internet plan and wireless capabilities.
- Materials & Durability: Most indoor access points are made from durable ABS plastic, designed to be functional and blend in. For an in-wall unit like this one, the quality of the plastic faceplate is important for aesthetics and longevity. It should feel solid and not look cheap once installed on the wall, as it becomes a permanent fixture in the room.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: How is the device configured and managed? Some are simple plug-and-play, while others require a dedicated app or even a sophisticated software controller running on a computer. Consider if you want a standalone device or one that can be integrated into a larger, centrally managed network system, like TP-Link’s Omada platform. Long-term maintenance is typically minimal, often limited to occasional firmware updates pushed through the management software. You can explore its full management feature set here.
Ultimately, choosing the right access point is about matching the hardware to your specific coverage problem and technical comfort level.
While the TP-Link Access Point is an excellent choice for its specific niche, 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:
Our Complete Guide to the Best Wireless Access Points for Small Business Environments
- 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: Unboxing the TP-Link Access Point
Upon opening the box, the first thing that struck us was just how compact and unassuming the TP-Link Access Point is. It looks less like a piece of networking gear and more like a modern, high-tech light switch panel. The clean, white plastic feels robust and well-made, designed to blend seamlessly into any white wall. Included in the simple packaging are the AP unit itself, a clear installation guide, and the necessary mounting screws. There’s no bulky power adapter, a clear sign of its reliance on Power over Ethernet (PoE), a feature we love for its clean, single-cable installation.
Compared to the typical ceiling-mounted APs from competitors like Ubiquiti, which resemble futuristic smoke detectors, this in-wall form factor is a game-changer for environments where aesthetics are paramount. As one user noted, it’s ideal for places requiring the “minor impatto visivo possibile” (lowest possible visual impact). It feels specifically engineered for hotel rooms, dormitories, and home environments where you want the technology to simply disappear. The front panel features three Ethernet ports, one of which is a PoE pass-through port—a clever addition that means you don’t lose a wired connection point by installing it. This initial impression is one of thoughtful, purpose-built design that solves a very specific problem with elegance. You can check the latest price and availability to see if this elegant solution fits your budget.
What We Like
- Incredibly discreet and elegant in-wall design
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows for a simple, single-cable installation
- Provides both a new Wi-Fi hotspot and additional wired LAN ports
- Stable dual-band AC1200 performance for general use
- Can be managed standalone or integrated into the Omada SDN platform
Drawbacks
- The 100 Mbps uplink port is a significant performance bottleneck for fast internet plans
- Initial setup via the app can be less intuitive for non-technical users
A Deep Dive into the TP-Link Access Point’s Real-World Performance
An access point can look great on the wall, but its true value is measured in the strength and reliability of its signal. We put the TP-Link Access Point through a comprehensive series of tests in our challenging home office extension, focusing on the entire experience from installation to daily use. We analyzed its physical design, its core Wi-Fi capabilities, its most significant limitation, and the software that ties it all together to determine who this device is truly for.
Installation and Physical Design: The One-Cable Wonder
The genius of the TP-Link Access Point truly shines during installation. Its design is predicated on the use of Power over Ethernet (PoE), which sends both data and electrical power over a single Ethernet cable. This eliminates the need for a separate power outlet near the AP, which is a massive advantage for clean and flexible placement. Our test location already had an Ethernet cable run from our main PoE-enabled network switch. As one user aptly put it, “Single Ethernet cable from my POE enabled network switch into the back… Really easy to setup.” We can wholeheartedly confirm this sentiment. The physical installation was an absolute breeze. The unit is designed to fit perfectly into a standard single-gang back box (like a 35mm deep box or a European 503 box). The rear has a punch-down block for the main Ethernet connection, and once that’s connected, the unit simply screws into the back box like any standard wall plate. It took us less than ten minutes to go from an open cable in the wall to a fully mounted, professional-looking access point.
The design itself is a masterclass in subtlety. Once installed, it’s remarkably slim and unobtrusive. The benefit extends beyond just Wi-Fi; the front of the unit provides three additional Ethernet ports. This is an incredibly useful feature. In our home office setup, it meant we could provide a robust Wi-Fi signal while also offering hardwired connections for a desktop PC and a network printer, all from a single wall plate. This dual functionality makes it an exceptionally efficient use of a network drop, turning one cable run into a complete connectivity hub for a room. This combination of easy installation and multi-functionality is a major selling point.
Wi-Fi Performance and Signal Stability
Once powered on and configured, we focused on what matters most: wireless performance. The TP-Link Access Point is an AC1200 dual-band device. This means it offers a theoretical combined speed of up to 1200 Mbps (around 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band). In our testing, the AP delivered a signal that was exactly what we hoped for: strong, stable, and focused. It completely saturated our 15×20 foot office with a powerful 5 GHz signal, eliminating the dead zone entirely.
We connected multiple devices simultaneously—a laptop on a Zoom call, a smart TV streaming a 4K nature documentary, and two smartphones browsing social media. The AP, leveraging its MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology, handled the load without any noticeable buffering or lag. This confirms reports from users who praised its “sempre stabile e con bassa latenza” (always stable with low latency) signal. For its intended purpose—providing excellent coverage to a single room or a small, defined area—the performance is fantastic. It’s not designed to be a whole-house solution on its own, but as a surgical tool to fix a specific problem area, it excels. It consistently provided reliable connectivity, turning our frustrating dead zone into one of the best-connected rooms in the house.
The Elephant in the Room: The 100 Mbps Ethernet Port
Now we must address the most critical specification of the TP-Link Access Point, a detail that could be a deal-breaker for some. While the wireless radio is capable of high speeds (AC1200), the Ethernet port on the back that connects it to your network is limited to 100 Mbps, also known as Fast Ethernet. This creates a bottleneck. Imagine a massive, eight-lane superhighway (the Wi-Fi) suddenly funneling into a single-lane country road (the Ethernet port). No matter how fast the cars are on the highway, they can only pass through the bottleneck at the speed of that single lane.
What does this mean in practice? It means the total internet throughput for all devices connected to this AP cannot exceed 100 Mbps. If you have an internet plan that is 100 Mbps or slower, this is not a problem at all. The AP will perform brilliantly. However, if you pay for a 500 Mbps or 1 Gbps fiber internet connection, this AP will prevent you from ever utilizing those speeds in that room. One astute user pointed this out perfectly, noting that for internal file transfers from a computer to a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, the speed is limited to “12.5MB/s,” which is the real-world equivalent of 100 Mbps. For basic internet browsing, email, and streaming HD or even 4K video (which typically requires only 25 Mbps), this is perfectly adequate. But for power users transferring large files or those with ultra-fast internet, this limitation is significant. It’s a clear trade-off: you get the discreet design and low price at the cost of Gigabit speeds. It’s crucial that potential buyers understand this limitation before purchasing, and you can see its full technical specifications and user discussions on this topic before you decide.
Software and Management: Standalone Simplicity or SDN Power
Getting the TP-Link Access Point configured can be approached in two ways. For a single AP installation, the TP-Link Omada app is the most straightforward method. We found the process to be fairly simple, though we can see how it might be a hurdle for absolute beginners, as one user noted who had to “scaricare l’app dedicata e impostare i parametri manualmente.” The app guides you through setting up your Wi-Fi network names (SSIDs) and passwords. It’s a one-time setup that takes about 5-10 minutes.
However, the true power of this device is unlocked when it’s adopted into the broader TP-Link Omada Software Defined Networking (SDN) ecosystem. If you have multiple TP-Link APs, switches, or gateways, the Omada Controller software (which can be run for free on a computer or on their dedicated hardware controller) provides a single pane of glass to manage your entire network. From this central dashboard, you can monitor all clients, push firmware updates, configure guest networks with captive portals, and enable advanced features like seamless roaming between access points. This scalability makes the EAP225-Wall an excellent and cost-effective choice not just for a home dead zone, but for deploying in multiple rooms of a small hotel, office, or large residence, providing a unified and professionally managed network experience.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, user feedback closely mirrors our own findings, highlighting a consistent experience. The most frequently praised feature is the easy physical installation and the clean, professional result. Users repeatedly describe it as “perfect” for new extensions or rooms where Wi-Fi was previously non-existent, with one simply stating, “Installation easy, works perfectly.” The combination of a single PoE cable and a standard back box fitting makes the hardware setup universally lauded as “un jeu d’enfant” (child’s play).
The positive sentiment continues regarding its performance for general use and its discreet appearance, with reviewers calling it “compact and elegant” and praising its “stable signal.” However, the criticisms are just as consistent. Several users point out that the initial software configuration can be a bit challenging, especially with the included manual being English-only. The most significant and technically savvy criticism, echoed by an Italian user, is the 100 Mbps uplink port. They correctly identify that while it’s “benissimo” for web browsing, it “limitano molto” (severely limits) internal file transfers, effectively capping performance. This feedback creates a clear picture: it’s a brilliant device for its intended purpose, but with one major caveat that power users must be aware of.
How Does the TP-Link Access Point Compare to the Alternatives?
The TP-Link EAP225-Wall excels in its niche, but it’s important to understand the broader market. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives, each suited for different needs and environments.
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 is a performance powerhouse designed for maximum coverage and speed. As a Wi-Fi 6 device, it represents the next generation of wireless technology, offering higher efficiency and capacity than the Wi-Fi 5 TP-Link model. Its key advantages are its significantly greater range (“Long-Range”) and its full Gigabit Ethernet port, ensuring it can handle internet speeds well over 100 Mbps. This is the choice for a power user, a large open-plan office, or anyone wanting to future-proof their network with the latest standard. The trade-off is its size and mounting style; it’s a large, ceiling-mounted disc that is far more conspicuous than the in-wall TP-Link unit. Choose the U6-LR if raw performance and coverage area are your absolute top priorities.
2. Ubiquiti UAP-AC-PRO Access Point
The Ubiquiti UAP-AC-PRO is a legendary workhorse in the prosumer networking world and a more direct competitor to the TP-Link in terms of technology (both are Wi-Fi 5). Like the U6-LR, it features Gigabit Ethernet ports, removing the 100 Mbps bottleneck. It’s also known for its rock-solid reliability and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor (under an eave) installation, adding to its versatility. However, it also uses the ceiling-mount form factor, making it less ideal for aesthetically sensitive indoor applications. One might prefer the UAP-AC-PRO over the TP-Link Access Point if they need a higher-performance Wi-Fi 5 solution for a central area like a living room or small office and don’t mind the visual presence of a ceiling-mounted device.
3. UeeVii AX3000 Wireless Bridge 5 km
- 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 purpose and is not a direct alternative for indoor coverage. The UeeVii Wireless Bridge is a point-to-point (PTP) or point-to-multipoint (PTMP) system designed to beam a network connection over very long distances—up to 5 kilometers. You would use this to connect two separate buildings, such as a main house and a remote barn or workshop, where running a physical cable is impossible. It creates a wireless “bridge” to extend your network, but you would still need a separate indoor access point (like the TP-Link EAP225-Wall) at the destination to create a local Wi-Fi hotspot. This is an alternative only if your “dead zone” is in an entirely separate building hundreds of meters away.
Our Final Verdict on the TP-Link Access Point
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the TP-Link Access Point is overwhelmingly positive, but with a critical qualification. This device is a master of its specific craft: providing excellent, stable Wi-Fi and wired connectivity to a single room or defined area with unparalleled discretion. The Power over Ethernet installation is brilliantly simple, and the in-wall design is an aesthetic dream for anyone who hates visible tech clutter. For use in hotel rooms, home offices, extensions, or bedrooms—especially where the internet connection is 100 Mbps or less—it is arguably one of the best and most cost-effective solutions on the market.
However, the 100 Mbps uplink port is its Achilles’ heel. It’s a deliberate design choice to keep costs down, but it means power users with gigabit fiber plans or those who frequently transfer large files across their local network will find it to be a frustrating bottleneck. If that describes you, you should look at a Gigabit-equipped alternative. But if your goal is to simply kill a stubborn dead zone for seamless streaming, browsing, and video calls, and you value a clean, professional installation above all else, the TP-Link Access Point is an exceptional choice that we can highly recommend. Find out if this is the perfect, discreet solution for your Wi-Fi troubles by checking its current price today.
Last update on 2025-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API