TP-Link has been in the market since 1996, establishing itself as one of the top router brands. Their products offer great specs and performance at a lower price than other manufacturers.
If you’re in the market for the best-suited TP-Link router for your home, office, or studio, then you’re in the right spot. I understand that the boon of having multiple options can become a curse if you have limited knowledge of these devices.
The spec sheets do not always tell the entire story, and that’s why I’m here. Having tested 100+ routers from TP-Link over seven years of my journey, I am well-versed in their offerings. So, I’ve shortlisted my top 7 picks for 2024.
7 Best TP-Link Routers in 2024
The models featured here have been gone through and qualified for the multi-level tests. All you need to do is get your needs and budget sorted, read through the detailed reviews, and pick a suitable device.
Overview of the List: The list has 7 top TP-Link WiFi routers in each category, premium, mid-tier, and budget. So whether you’re gaming or streaming, working from home, or just casually browsing, you’ll find something that suits you the best.
1. Best Overall: TP-Link Archer AXE300
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- Band Frequency: Quad-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 4,000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x 10G RJ45 + 2 x 10G WAN/LAN + 1 x 2.5G WAN/LAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 200
- App Support: Yes
Let’s start with the newest and fastest TP-Link router. The Archer AXE300 incorporates top-shelf features like Quad-Band frequency, Wi-Fi 6e, 16 Gbps of throughput capacity, two 10 Gig and one 2.5 Gig ports, and a massive device handling capacity to deliver unparalleled performance.
Speeds & Performance
The AXE300 with Wi-Fi 6E standard comes at a massive speed rating of AX16000 which is distributed amongst its four bands as follows:
| 6 GHz: 4804 Mbps | 5 GHz (1): 4804 Mbps | 5 GHz (2): 4804 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 1148 Mbps |
I tested this beastly router for almost a week with Google Fiber 2 Gig plan, and I was impressed. In my 30 feet test, my PlayStation 5 records a download speed of 1.97 Gbps and an upload speed of 1.7 Gbps.
Similarly, at a 60 feet distance, the TP-Link router managed respective scores of 1.21 Gbps and 1.09 Gbps.
The Archer AXE300 passed my intense stress test with flying colors, where I played Destiny 2 at 7ms ping and 121 FPS, streamed 4K videos on Netflix, attended Zoom call sessions, and listened to internet radio at once.
The quad-band operation makes way for clearer signals and much faster speeds. Besides, I tested its 10 Gig multi-gig ports with the usual setup (2 Gbps plan and PS5), and the ping and FPS value for Destiny 2 was 3ms and 165fps, respectively.
If you need even faster speeds, consider upgrading your internet plan, but it’d be overkill for wireless speeds.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Alongside a top performance with respect to speeds, AXE300 has an excellent theoretical range of 4,000 Sq Ft. Its eight beamforming antennas could encase the nooks and crooks of my test lab like a hot knife through butter.
It’s tricky to quantify this, but if you live in a 3,000 Sq Ft House, AXE300 with a long WiFi range that will easily cover the entire space. I had my whole 3,700 Sq Ft two-story house covered with strong and stable signals.
Besides, TP-Link interfuses the whole assortment of networking technologies, including MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and QoS, the secret behind AXE300’s massive device limit of 350.
I had 85 available devices, which breezes through with the available bandwidth. Trust me, you can go as high as 130-140 devices.
Security Features
The Archer AXE300 has a decent spread of features aimed toward the security of the network and shared data.
With the latest WPA3 standard, your passwords and data are encrypted, while a VPN server is for secure remote browsing. There is also a guest network, SPI firewall, access control, and auto-firmware update feature for added protection.
Regarding parental controls, the TP-Link HomeShield Basic entails advanced features like content filtering, bedtime mode, internet pausing, and time rewards. These are important for parents, especially in the age of e-learning.
Conclusion
In short, Archer AXE300 is the best router TP-Link offers. Its quad-band support, massive throughput, and device-handling capacity make it worth the premium price tag. Such features and resulting performance makes it ideal for any corporate space with heavy internet needs throughout the day and is overkill for any household setup.
Pros
- Quad-Band Wi-Fi 6e
- Excellent throughput capacity
- Long wireless range
- Handles plenty of devices
- Multiple multi-gig ports
Cons
- Premium price
2. Best for Gaming: TP-Link Archer AX10000
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Band Frequency: Tri-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x 2.5G WAN/LAN + 8 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB-C 3.0 + 1 x USB-A 3.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 50
- App Support: Yes
If you’re a professional gamer or live streamer, TP-Link Archer AX10000 should be your ideal pick. It comes with a 1.8GHz Quad-Core processor and specialized features like a gaming accelerator, DFS, game statistics, and eight Gig LAN ports.
It further pairs tri-band support, a 2.5 Gig multi-gig port, and other networking technologies to keep your network running at top speed.
Speeds & Performance
As the name suggests, Archer AX10000 comes at a maximum speed of 10000 Mbps, which is split between its three bands as follows:
| 5 GHz (1): 4804 Mbps | 5 GHz (2): 4804 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 918 Mbps |
The device earned high scores in my throughput tests. With my staple, Google Fiber 2 Gig plan, its score of 1.96 Gbps and 1.73 Gbps for downloads and uploads in close proximity (30 feet) is faster than most models I have tested.
Similarly, my 50 feet test showed a good range performance with respective scores of 1.2 Gbps and 1.06 Gbps.
My congestion testing shows that AX10000 excels over the Ethernet and 5GHz connections. While connected wirelessly, with ten 4K videos running in the background, on the Destiny 2 gaming test, it records a solid 92 FPS and 12ms ping.
The gaming performance improved by 30% to 112 FPS when I toggled the game accelerator and set up the QoS, which peaked at 130 FPS when connected via Ethernet.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
The TP-Link offering marks a 2,500 Sq Ft theoretical range, and it easily covers most of my test lab except a few corners.
In other words, signals should reach every corner if you reside in a 2,000 Sq Ft house. Besides, its DFS technology automatically routes tasks to respective channels to avoid congestion.
If still your back office receives weak or zero signals, worry not, as it comes Aimesh-ready. You can pair any compatible routers/extenders for extended coverage.
AXE300 further in-builts technologies like MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and beamforming to connect up to 45 devices at once.
Security Features
From a security perspective, AX10000 is decent, with a few free features in hand. To start, it supports the latest WPA3 encryption, and there’s a VPN for worry-free browsing.
There’s a guest network, SPI firewall, and auto-firmware update for basic network security. You also have the option to upgrade the security with the premium HomeShield Pro subscription.
Moving on, its parental controls are robust enough, as expected from such routers. And you don’t need to pay for features like content filtering, URL & app blocking, time schedule, and internet pausing.
Conclusion
TP-Link AX11000 is the best router for gaming. Aside from fast speeds, it brings tri-band, eight Gig LAN ports, 2.5GB multi-gig WAN, and other networking technologies like DFS.
Pros
- Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6
- gamer-friendly settings
- DFS technology support
- Numerous ethernet ports
- Excellent speeds
- Decent WiFi range
Cons
- Pricey
- No 6 GHz band
3. Best for Streaming: TP-Link Archer AXE75
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- Band Frequency: Tri-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 80+
- App Support: Yes
For those thinking of getting a 6 GHz router without spending a crapload of money, take a look at this Archer AXE75.
At $200, this is a great tri-band router featuring a good speed and range with the ability to handle multiple devices at once. With this, you won’t get any multi-gig ports, but the available ones are capable of latency-free gaming.
Speeds & Performance
The Wi-Fi 6E setup of Archer AXE75 comes at a speed rating of AX5400, where the band-wise speeds are as follows:
| 6 GHz: 2401 Mbps | 5 GHz: 2401 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
Reflective of its affordable price, the AXE75 delivers solid but not class-leading throughput performance with my Spectrum Internet Gig plan.
Courtesy of a 6 GHz band, its respective download and upload score of 934 Mbps and 36 Mbps in close proximity (20 feet) is still higher than most Gig Internet routers. Results on my 40 feet test are about 561 Mbps and 26 Mbps, respectively.
The router further passed my three-day stress test without any disconnection. Here I streamed 4K movies on smart TVs, played online games, attended Zoom session calls, and even sent emails issue-free.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
TP-Link AXE75 has similar coverage to Archer AXE300, valued at 3,000 Sq Ft. My tests reveal that the six-antenna setup can seamlessly envelop a two-three bedroom house with an approximate 2,500 Sq Ft area.
The High-power FEM or Front-end Modules improves the transmission power of the antennas to strengthen signal coverage further.
Aside from that, the OFDMA, DFS, and MU-MIMO improve the network efficiency by minimizing congestion and simultaneously communicating with several Wi-Fi 6 clients.
At a time, I paired up to 90 smart devices, and none experienced any major lags. You can add many more devices, considering the device’s maximum cap of 200.
Security Features
Security features and parental controls in AXE75 are almost identical to my top recommendations, with basic yet capable features like WPA3, VPN, guest network, access control, content filtering, and bedtime.
Besides, if necessary, you can use the TP-Link app to add or remove any device. You can also pay an extra $5.99 per month or $54.99 per year to access its HomeShield Pro with advanced features like malware filtering, DDoS protection, and network reports.
Conclusion
Ease of use, fast performance, and a new 6 GHz band make Archer AXE75 a smart router choice for under $200. Although it lacks any multi-gig port or ports with Link Aggregation, its good signal range and robust controls certainly lift it to the 3rd spot.
For more details, refer to my dedicated review of the TP-Link Archer AXE75.
Pros
- 6 GHz WiFi frequency
- Decent wireless range
- Solid throughput
- Mesh ready
Cons
- No multi-gig ports
- Some features need a subscription
4. Best for Large Homes: TP-Link Deco X55
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Band Frequency: Dual-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 6,500 Sq Ft
- Ports: 3 x Gig LAN (Per Deco Unit)
- Number of Devices Supported: 150
- App Support: Yes
Now if you reside in a large house measuring more than 3,000 Sq Ft, then this Deco X55 comes as an affordable and powerful TP-Link router for a large home.
Apart from long range, it brings some latest features like a Quad-Core CPU, a good throughput & device-handling capacity, and a compact, eye-pleasing design to stay much better than Deco X20.
Speeds & Performance
The dual-band WiFi of Deco X55 comes at a maximum throughput capacity of 3000 Mbps, where each band has a speed share of:
| 5 GHz: 2401 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
Upon testing it with my Xfinity Gigabit plan, I could get the most out of it without any issues. In the 30 feet speed test, the download and upload speeds raked up to 912 Mbps and 31 Mbps, respectively.
At the same time, respective speeds three walls away (70 feet) clocked at 631 Mbps and 23 Mbps. The 4K video streaming in the outskirts was pretty smooth, and my video meetings didn’t drop once as I moved from one room to another.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Each unit in-builts two beamforming antennas which peg its theoretical range of the three-pack Deco X55 to up to 6,500 Sq Ft.
And while TP-Link caps its device handling capacity at 150, I didn’t have any trouble connecting up to 70 devices at once. The numbers might vary depending on the type of online tasks carried out.
Besides, courtesy of OFDMA and MU-MIMO, there were hardly any lags even when the devices were hogged with 4K media streams, online games, video calls, and music.
Aside from my two-story house, the signals reach the yard, basement, attic, and even my neighbor’s house, spanning over 6,200 Sq Ft.
Security Features
Right out of the box, the Deco X55 comes with TP-Link’s HomeShield basic security tools for free. With it, you can access a home network scanner, basic parental controls, QoS, and monthly internet usage reports.
Aside from that, there’re those staple features like WPA3, VPN, and access control.
P.S. If you have a few dollars to spare every month, I’d recommend subscribing to the HomeShield Pro with enterprise-grade security and parental control features.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ai-driven mesh and seamless roaming with Deco X55 ensure you never run out of signals. Unless you have a heavy gaming setup and stream on Twitch, it will fare out really well.
But a lower throughput capacity than the former models has pushed the router down in the fourth position. You may read my full Deco X55 review for more details.
Pros
- Dual Band Wi-Fi 6
- Seamless roaming
- Great speeds
- Excellent WiFi coverage
- Easy to setup and manage
Cons
- Dual-band router
5. Best for Small Business: TP-Link Archer AX55
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Band Frequency: Dual-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 30
- App Support: Yes
Archer AX55, a mid-range router by TP-Link, is a perfect investment for users demanding great features and performance without having to break the bank.
Its notable inclusions include dual-band Wi-Fi 6, an above-par range of 2,500 Sq Ft, and a decent arrangement of ports.
Taking consumer feedback into question, TP-Link made many upgrades in AX55 compared to its previously popular model, AX50.
Speeds & Performance
TP-Link Archer AX55 comes at an identical throughput capacity to Deco X55 at 3000 Mbps, where each frequency band has a speed share of:
| 5 GHz: 2401 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
In terms of practical performance, Archer AX55 does well with Gig internet. At 20 feet, it manages a top speed of 907 Mbps for downloads and 32 Mbps for uploads.
Such speed is capable of handling up to 24 UHD Netflix streams at the same time. The downloads occur at a blitzing pace, with a 100GB file downloading in just 18 minutes.
Besides, the 40 feet test managed respective speeds of 503 Mbps and 24 Mbps, which goes on to show that distance speeds are also better.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Alongside speed, the overall range of Archer AX55 is also pretty good. With its four external antennas, the TP-Link claims a 2,500 Sq Ft coverage, which in my test fares out at around 2,200 Sq Ft, making it a good bet for any mid-sized house.
And if your house is bigger than that, pair any AiMesh-compatible router/extender with it to extend its range by a few thousand square feet.
There are further MU-MIMO and beamforming that extend its connections capacity to 25. The network stays stable even after streaming 4K or playing online games.
Security Features
There isn’t anything new with Archer AX55 when it comes to security. You get the usual features like VPN, WPA3, auto-firmware update, and guest network.
The TP-Link further lets you check if any device is hogging the bandwidth or has entered without your notice, you can remove it by a few taps.
Besides, you can check the number of hours your kids are online on the Internet dashboard and pause the Internet if overspent.
Conclusion
In summary, the TP-Link Archer AX55 represents a notable upgrade from its predecessor, the Archer AX50, offering faster and more stable signals.
Its impressive throughput speeds make it well-equipped to handle a wide range of internet-based activities, including gaming, streaming, online studying, and more.
However, it falls behind the leading routers due to its comparatively inferior speed, range, and others, which is why it ranked fifth.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6
- Stable performance
- User-friendly Tether app
- Easy to install
- Decent coverage
Cons
- Middling device handling ability
6. Best for DD-WRT & Openwrt: TP-Link Archer A7
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Band Frequency: Dual-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 2.0
- Number of Devices Supported: 30
- App Support: Yes
Looking for an affordable yet reliable WiFi router to use with DD-WRT or OpenWRT? Then Archer A7 should be an ideal pick.
It doesn’t offer a series of customizations or impressive throughput capacity compared to the high-end models, it has QoS service, 50 device support, and a 2,500 Sq Ft range. What more do you want at $50?
Speeds & Performance
Before I mention the speed test results, let me mention how much speed it depicts on paper. It maximizes at 1750 Mbps, where the share on each frequency band is as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 450 Mbps |
To determine its wireless capacity, I paired an Xfinity 600 Mbps plan. If you have the facilities, you can upgrade it to the Gigabit one as well.
The Archer A7 achieved a top download speed of 541 Mbps and an upload speed of 30 Mbps at 20 feet from the client. It fell off to 367 Mbps and 19 Mbps at a 40 feet distance.
I used Archer A7 every day for around a week to send and receive emails, play online games, stream videos, and keep most of my smart devices online. I can safely claim that the router passed my informal saturation test with flying colors.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
From a coverage perspective, I found the Archer A7 to have an above-average performance, with its signals reaching around 2,100 Sq Ft.
Such a range is good enough for any mid-sized home. But if you live in a two-story house like me, you can take advantage of A7’s OneMesh tech and pair it with a similar router/extender.
Now when it comes to feeding bandwidth to WiFi devices, A7, with technologies like MU-MIMO, QoS, and beamforming, can do it to a maximum of 43 devices at once. That’s good enough numbers for even a small business.
Security Features
Security of this TP-Link router could be better per se, as there are basic features like WPA2-Enterprise, guest network, access control, and SPI firewall. Besides, you can use your Tether app to remove any unnecessary connections.
However, a major concern with Archer A7 is that since it’s an older model, it won’t get any latest firmware updates patching security flaws.
Conclusion
TP-Link Archer A7 might not be the fastest TP-Link router available, but its affordable price tag, accompanied by decent features, makes it one of the best bargains out there.
Its range is adequate for any mid-sized home with two-three bedrooms, and QoS makes way for smoother signal flow across the space. But its middling throughput and security features have pushed it to the penultimate position. Read the full review.
Pros
- Affordable router
- Great range
- Decent speeds
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Security is a bit weak
7. Best for Home Use: TP-Link Archer A54
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Band Frequency: Dual-Band
- WiFi Range: Up to 1,500 Sq Ft
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN
- Number of Devices Supported: 30
- App Support: Yes
The final product on my list is Archer A54, that’s cheap but reliable and had a decent performance in my tests.
Courtesy of its dual-band Wi-Fi 5 support, a four-antenna setup, and networking technologies like MU-MIMO and beamforming, it can turn out to be a reliable companion for your home network setup.
Speeds & Performance
With a maximum throughput capacity of 1200 Mbps, Archer A54 isn’t the fastest router available, and each band has a speed share of:
| 5 GHz: 867 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps |
With a top download speed of 341 Mbps in close proximity (20 feet), Archer A7 shares a decent performance when paired with the Spectrum 500 Mbps plan.
The download and upload speed at a 20 feet distance was around 416 Mbps and 21 Mbps, respectively. Similarly, the 40 feet test yielded speeds at around 109 Mbps and 14 Mbps, respectively.
Despite a weaker throughput, most of my streams ran lag-free alongside my video calls and regular web browsing activities, making it a decent performer.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
TP-Link Archer A54 has a stipulated coverage of 2,000 Sq Ft, which seems enough for any small home. And it has plenty of transmission power to fill my grandpa’s 100-year-old 1,500 Sq Ft house.
It’s worth mentioning that the walls are made of thick concrete and doors of solid iron. It, however, lacks the OneMesh tech meaning the possibility of creating a mesh network goes down the drain.
Aside from that, QoS helps me connect to up to 25 smart devices at once. These include ones hogging the most bandwidth, like smart TVs, laptops, and computers.
Security Features
It is gratifying that the Archer A54 entails the WPA2 security standard, an earlier iteration of what was utilized in my top recommendations. Nonetheless, it effectively encrypts the data transmitted across the network, ensuring its safety.
It incorporates functionalities such as VPN passthrough and automatic firmware updates, which help you remain vigilant in the event of any unauthorized access to the network.
Conclusion
At around $35, it is a major upgrade over your ISP-rented routers that charge you around $14 a month. Its features like dual-band Wi-Fi 5 support, decent range, and QoS are tailor-made for above-par performance.
But compared to my other recommendations, it lacks severely in terms of features, which is why it is ranked at the bottom.
Pros
- Average coverage
- Stable performance with QoS
- Stable throughput
- Easy to install
Cons
- Below-par security
Frequently Asked Questions
While both make similar products, they show some noticeable differences, which is important to jot down when making an investment. In general, TP-Link routers are more affordable than Netgear ones, but the latter has a better selection of premium routers.
Among the models I have covered in this list, TP-Link Archer AXE300 is the best all-around device. It boasts some advanced features like two 10GB ports, quad-band support, a 16 Gbps maximum throughput capacity, and others to deliver a top-notch performance.
According to experts, any average TP-Link router with a decent arrangement of specs should last at least five years.
TP-Link Deco mesh WiFi series is one of the best in the market, with features like massive coverage, powerful processor, and great throughput capacity. And the fact that they aren’t glaringly expensive makes them worth investing in.
TP-Link Archer AXE300, with a massive 16 Gbps maximum throughput capacity, makes it the fastest TP-Link router available.
Verdict
That’s it for my TP-Link router reviews. I hope the list above helped you pick an ideal routing device. However, if you still cannot make a decision, here are my final suggestions:
- If you don’t have a limited budget and need a router that’s best in most respect, then go for TP-Link Archer AXE300. Its two 10GB port is its highlight feature.
- If you can’t afford that much or the features seem a bit overkill, go for a mid-range offering, TP-Link Archer AXE75.
- And finally, in the budget range, I would prefer TP-Link Archer A7 over A54 with a much better throughput capacity, range, and device handling capability.
TP-Link has garnered its reputation in the networking space by offering reliable devices that stay true to its promise.
