**Summary: TP-Link Routers Face Scrutiny Amid U.S. Investigations, But Consumers Remain in Limbo**
Over the past year, TP-Link, a Chinese electronics manufacturer best known for its affordable Wi-Fi routers, has been thrust into the national spotlight. The company is currently under federal investigation in the United States over two major concerns: alleged links to Chinese cyberattacks and potential violations of federal pricing laws. As these issues unfold, many consumers and technology experts are left grappling with questions about the safety, legality, and future of TP-Link’s popular networking devices.
**Federal Scrutiny and Calls for a Ban**
The situation escalated when a report from The Washington Post revealed that more than half a dozen U.S. government agencies are supporting a proposal to ban TP-Link routers in the country. This follows a December 2024 report from The Wall Street Journal, which disclosed that the U.S. government was considering such a ban due to the company’s alleged connections to several high-profile cyberattacks attributed to Chinese hackers. The issue gained further attention when Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi publicly displayed a TP-Link router during a congressional hearing, emphatically warning, “Don’t use this.”
Public records in China indicate that TP-Link employs about 11,000 people there, fueling concerns about the company’s potential ties to the Chinese government. However, TP-Link has strongly denied any such connections, with company representatives insisting in statements to the media that they have no links to Chinese authorities.
**Performance and Popularity in the U.S. Market**
Despite the controversy, TP-Link routers remain extremely popular in the United States, accounting for about 65% of all router sales last year, according to industry reports. The devices are especially well-regarded for their affordability and reliable performance. In recent independent testing of 32 Wi-Fi routers, TP-Link models dominated the budget category, with eight of the nine cheapest routers coming from the brand. One model, the TP-Link Deco X55 Pro, stood out as the only router under $100 to deliver above-average performance, earning it an Editors’ Choice award for best budget router.
Many consumers, including the author of the original article, have found TP-Link routers to be dependable in everyday use—offering solid range, minimal buffering, and few outages. This raises a dilemma for both reviewers and buyers: Is it responsible to recommend or continue using a router from a company under federal investigation, particularly when the devices themselves perform so well?
**Allegations of Predatory Pricing**
In addition to national security concerns, TP-Link faces scrutiny over its business practices. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether the company engages in predatory pricing—selling routers at below-manufacturing cost in violation of federal law, a practice that could harm competition and ultimately consumers. TP-Link has denied these allegations, stating that it has not been approached by the Department of Justice regarding such matters and that it maintains a policy of transparency and