Mobile Internet via 5G is becoming increasingly attractive. This is especially true for places where traditional DSL or cable are not reliably available or when a stable connection is required on the move. The TP-Link M8550 aims to be a powerful solution here: a portable 5G router with integrated battery, touch display, Wi-Fi 6E and additional Gigabit LAN. In the TP-Link M8550 test, we took a closer look at this promising compact router for on the go.
Technical data
| Model | TP-Link M8550 |
| Network | Supported mobile technologies: 5G NR and 4G/LTE (backwards compatible) |
| Data rate | Maximum download rate (5G): up to 3.4 Gbit/s Maximum upload rate (5G): up to 900 Mbit/s Maximum download rate (4G/LTE): 1.6 Gbit/s Maximum upload rate (4G/LTE): around 200 Mbit/s |
| WLAN/wireless connection | Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 6E, tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz) Maximum achievable Wi-Fi throughput rate (theoretical): “AXE3600” – combined up to 3,600 Mbit/s Number of simultaneously connected devices: up to 32 devices |
| Interfaces and connections | 1 × USB-C port (for power supply and data) 1 × Gigabit WAN/LAN port (can be used as Ethernet input or output) 1 × nano SIM card slot 1 × microSD slot (up to 2 TB) 2 × TS-9 antenna connectors (for external antennas) |
| Battery | Battery capacity: 4,680 mAh Supported charging voltages: 5 V/3 A, 9 V/2 A, 12 V/1.5 A (fast charging capability) Runtime: up to 15 hours depending on use (in moderate use) |
| Dimensions | approx. 135 × 40 × 20.4 mm |
| Operation | Touch screen Web interface Tapo app |
| price | € 316.84 * |
Scope of delivery
- TP-Link M8550
- USB-C charging cable
- A power adapter (often 5 V / 3 A or a fast charger version)
- Quick start guide / Quick start guide
- Safety and warranty documents
TP-Link M8550 test: Who needs one of these?
The M8550 is aimed at users who need high-speed access for several devices when they are on the move or need flexibility. Whether camping, in vacation homes, in the car or as a replacement solution in the event of a fixed Internet line failure – this mobile and flexible router is designed to provide fast Internet anytime and anywhere.
TP-Link M8550 test: Design and workmanship
The M8550 is compact and has a high-quality finish. The housing is made of plastic with a matt finish that keeps fingerprints relatively inconspicuous. However, fingerprints feel very comfortable on the glass panel on the front. The edges are rounded, making the device easy to grip. There is a touch panel on the front that clearly visualizes status information such as signal strength, battery status, data consumption and connected devices.
The buttons and connections are perfectly embedded. Overall, the material quality and workmanship appear robust enough for mobile use. TP-Link has placed the connections sensibly, which is not so easy with such a small device. In any case, nothing seems overloaded here.
You’ll find what you’re looking for if you take a look at the underside. This is not just the USB-C port, which you can use to charge the mobile router’s battery or operate it with mains power without a battery. You will also find two other ports here, which are protected from the damaging ingress of dirt and water by suitable covers. However, TP-Link does not specify IP certification.
You should therefore not rely too much on the protection. The Gigabit LAN port is located under one cover, while an antenna connection is located under the other cover to help with poor reception. The mobile router has a practical display on the front that shows the most important operating parameters.
The touch display is easy to operate with your fingers and responded quickly to inputs in the test. The display also scored points with easy-to-read screen content. The on/off button is again located on the top. On the back, there is a flap through which you can access the battery compartment and the slots for the microSD and nano SIM card. In terms of design, the M8550 scores with its combination of compact construction, clear interface placement and intuitive operation.
TP-Link M8550 test: Getting started
Commissioning is largely straightforward and can be completed in just a few steps:
- Insert SIM card: A nano-SIM is mounted under a small cover.
- Supply the device with power / charge the battery: Use USB-C or power adapter.
- Switch on the device: The power button is easily accessible on the top edge.
- Display & configuration: The touch display shows step-by-step instructions for setup.
- Configure WLAN / establish connection: An SSID and password can be assigned via the web interface or integrated menu on the touchscreen.
- Firmware check / update: It is advisable to check immediately after starting whether a more up-to-date firmware is available and to install it if necessary. When I set it up, the M8550 automatically asked me whether I wanted to perform an update.
TP-Link M8550 test: Tether app, web interface & touchscreen
The touchscreen makes it easy to access basic settings and provides direct feedback on currently used networks, data consumption, connected devices and power settings.
In my test, the operation was responsive and self-explanatory. You can find your way around relatively quickly even without a manual and are well guided. However, complex settings cannot be made via the touchscreen.
If you want to fine-tune and make deeper settings such as VPN or detailed network settings, you can access the web interface or the Tether app provided by TP-Link. As an average user, however, this didn’t affect me any further.
I also think that most users are satisfied with the setting options on the router itself. You also always have to bear in mind that this is a compact router to-go and not a “professional device” for exclusive home use.
TP-Link M8550 test: Use as a stationary router
The replaceable battery makes it clear that the TP-Link M8550 was designed for use on the move. Rather, it is intended to provide fast WiFi and LAN on vacation, in the home office or generally on the move. And it worked really well in the test. I quickly fitted the device with the nano SIM card from my smartphone and turned it into a mobile router.
In the Brandenburg province, however, I had to struggle with connection problems here and there. Here, the M8550 was simply unable to receive any mobile data or only a poor signal. If this turns out to be the case in mobile use, you can also connect additional antennas. Unfortunately, these are not included in the scope of delivery. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t use the system as a classic regular Wi-Fi router in your own home.
Thanks to the LAN port, you can easily connect it to your modem. If you operate the M8550 without a battery and instead use a power supply via USB-C port, the performance of the system even benefits from this. The improved heat dissipation increases the performance of the system.
TP-Link M8550 test: Practical test / speed
The M8550 achieves pretty good values under good 5G conditions. However, I was unable to measure the peak values of up to 3.4 Gbit/s specified by TP-Link. However, these values should always be understood as data under optimal conditions. The German mobile network is currently unable to achieve such values. How fast it will ultimately be depends primarily on the network provider, of course.
I achieved several hundred Mbit per second upload speeds in the city. At its peak, it was just under 750 Mbit/s. The speeds dropped accordingly when I tried out the router on the road in the Brandenburg province. This is not surprising. After all, experience has shown that mobile reception in such regions is significantly worse. Similar values were also achieved over short distances via WLAN.
The device heats up slightly under prolonged load in mobile use, which can reduce performance somewhat. However, the connection remained largely stable in everyday use. A battery life of up to 15 hours with average use is impressive and should be sufficient for most users.
Conclusion
The TP-Link M8550 is impressive in many respects: It combines modern mobile technology (5G) with future-oriented Wi-Fi (6E), offers practical connections such as Ethernet and space for external antennas and comes with a decent battery. In my use, it scored with ease of use, good performance values and stable connections in areas with good coverage. Although I did not achieve anywhere near the speeds specified by TP-Link, this has to do with the mobile network coverage and cannot be held against the mobile router.
However, it also shows its limits. For example, performance drops significantly in weak wireless areas and interference can occur under constant load or poor network quality. For many applications such as mobile working, traveling or as a flexible hotspot, the M8550 is nevertheless a very successful solution as long as you have realistic expectations of the network conditions.
PROS
- Very high 5G speeds
- Modern WLAN technology with Wi-Fi 6E (tri-band)
- Gigabit LAN port for wired devices or WAN use
- Touch display with clear operation
- Battery life of up to 15 hours, fast charging function via USB-C
- Compact, robust and mobile use
CONS
- External antennas not included in the scope of delivery
- Slight heating and minor drops in performance under continuous load
- Quite expensive
Conclusion
Fast 5G hotspot with Wi-Fi 6E and long battery life - ideal for mobile high-speed Internet when network coverage is good.
