In what I’m calling “the ideal home router”, TP-Link has sent over the Archer AX50 for me to take a look at. See why I think this in the video review below…
TP-Link Archer AX50: Specifications…
| WIRELESS | |
|---|---|
| Standards | Wi-Fi 6 IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/a 5 GHz IEEE 802.11ax/n/b/g 2.4 GHz |
| WiFi Speeds | AX3000 5 GHz: 2402 Mbps (802.11ax) 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps (802.11ax) |
| WiFi Range | 3 Bedroom Houses
4× Fixed High-Performance Antennas Beamforming High-Power FEM |
| WiFi Capacity | High
Dual-Band OFDMA Airtime Fairness DFS 4 Streams |
| Working Modes | Router Mode Access Point Mode |
| HARDWARE | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Dual-Core CPU |
| Ethernet Ports | 1× Gigabit WAN Port 4× Gigabit LAN Ports |
| USB Support | 1× USB 3.0 Port
Supported Partition Formats: Supported Functions: |
| Buttons | Wi-Fi/WPS Button Power On/Off Button LED On/Off Button Reset Button |
| Power | 12 V ⎓ 2 A |
| SECURITY | |
|---|---|
| WiFi Encryption | WEP WPA WPA2 WPA/WPA2-Enterprise (802.1x) |
| Network Security | SPI Firewall Access Control IP & MAC Binding Application Layer GatewayHomeCare™ Antivirus Malicious Site Checker |
| Guest Network | 1× 5 GHz Guest Network 1× 2.4 GHz Guest Network |
| VPN Server | OpenVPN PPTP |
| SOFTWARE | |
|---|---|
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
| Service Kits | HomeCare™ Learn More> |
| Parental Controls | HomeCare™ Parental Controls
Custom Profiles |
| WAN Types | Dynamic IP Static IP PPPoE PPTP L2TP |
| Quality of Service | QoS by Device
HomeCare™ QoS QoS by Application |
| Cloud Service | Auto Firmware Upgrade OTA Firmware Upgrade TP-Link ID DDNS |
| NAT Forwarding | Virtual Servers Port Forwarding Port Triggering DMZ UPnP |
| IPTV | IGMP Proxy IGMP Snooping Bridge Tag VLAN |
| DHCP | Address Reservation DHCP Client List Server |
| DDNS | TP-Link NO-IP DynDNS |
| Management | Tether App Webpage Check Web Emulator> |
| PHYSICAL | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 10.2 × 5.3 × 1.5 in (260.2 x 135.0 x 38.6 mm) |
| Package Contents | Wi-Fi Router Archer AX50 Power Adapter RJ45 Ethernet Cable Quick Installation Guide |
| OTHER | |
|---|---|
| System Requirements | Internet Explorer 11+, Firefox 12.0+, Chrome 20.0+, Safari 4.0+, or other JavaScript-enabled browser
Cable or DSL Modem (if needed) Subscription with an internet service provider (for internet access) |
| Certifications | FCC, CE, RoHS |
| Environment | Operating Temperature: 0℃~40℃ (32℉ ~104℉) Storage Temperature: -40℃~70℃ (-40℉ ~158℉) Operating Humidity: 10%~90% non-condensing Storage Humidity: 5%~90% non-condensing |
| TEST DATA | |
|---|---|
| WiFi Transmission Power | CE: <20dBm(2.4GHz) <23dBm(5.15GHz~5.35GHz) <30dBm(5.47GHz~5.725GHz) FCC: <30dBm(2.4GHz & 5.15GHz~5.825GHz) |
| WiFi Reception Sensitivity | 5 GHz: 11a 6Mbps:-97dBm, 11a 54Mbps:-79dBm 11ac VHT20_MCS0:-96dBm, 11ac VHT20_MCS11:-66dBm 11ac VHT40_MCS0:-94dBm, 11ac VHT40_MCS11:-63dBm 11ac VHT80_MCS0:-91dBm, 11ac VHT80_MCS11:-60dBm 11ac VHT160_MCS0:-88dBm, 11ac VHT160_MCS11:-55dBm 11ax HE20_MCS0:-95dBm, 11ax HE20_MCS11:-63dBm 11ax HE40_MCS0:-92dBm, 11ax HE40_MCS11:-60dBm 11ax HE80_MCS0:-89dBm, 11ax HE80_MCS11:-58dBm 11ax HE160_MCS0:-85dBm, 11ax HE160_MCS11:-55dBm 2.4 GHz: 11g 6Mbps:-97dBm, 11a 54Mbps:-79dBm 11n HT20_MCS0:-97dBm, 11n HT20_MCS7:-78dBm 11n HT40_MCS0:-95dBm, 11n HT40_MCS7:-75dBm 11ac VHT20_MCS0:-96dBm, 11ac VHT20_MCS11:-67dBm 11ac VHT40_MCS0:-94dBm, 11ac VHT40_MCS11:-64dBm 11ax HE20_MCS0:-96dBm, 11ax HE20_MCS11:-64dBm 11ax HE40_MCS0:-93dBm, 11ax HE40_MCS11:-61dBm |
TP-Link Archer AX50: Video Review
TP-Link Archer AX50: Roundup
The TP-Link Archer AX50 is an AX3000 chipset based Wi-Fi 6 router using Intel’s Home Wi-Fi package and this is indeed a fantastic performer aimed at households wanting to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 networking and have something better than their ISP-provided router. The Archer AX50 does indeed fit that role and does so very well.
To avoid any confusion the Archer AX50 is an updated internationally available version of the Walmart exclusive “AX3000 router” released in the US late last year. So if you’re in the US, I’d be inclined to buy the AX50 where possible.
The Archer AX50 is a very capable router with excellent performance. Even when just turning on smart connect and let it do its thing, which I recommend you use too, by using DFS technology to push connected devices to vacant lanes to keep speeds high.
Transfer rates were great as expected thanks to the excellent performance and technology available.
The mean of the 3ft range tests maxed out the gigabit ethernet connection with a 113Mbps transfer rate the exact rate I get when transferring files over a direct ethernet connection. A 40ft away the results were a very impressive 100Mbps. A respectable result once again.
NAS performance is about as expected now we know the specs. With 31.4MB/s read and 17.3MB/s write average.
With a single Gigabit WAN and 4 Gigabit LANs on offer with the ability to aggregate 2 of the ports for faster connections to a server or NAS which is becoming increasingly more common.
Missing from the video review: The Type-A USB port has an update to USB3 over the “AX3000 router” which was USB2. Increasing the overall transfer rates but it is still limited by the CPU speeds as the NAS transfer rates have shown above.
Finally, a WPS/Wi-Fi button, LED on-off button, and a recessed reset button on the right-hand side of the rear.
The Archer AX50 is quite an aesthetic piece to behold too, which adds to its appeal. Covered in black plastic but be prepared to wipe the glossy parts on top regularly. It has plenty of ventilation on the bottom and some on the top edges.
Even so, it does run rather warm and after running for an hour or so, is hot to the touch. It won’t burn but it is uncomfortably warm to hold in the hand. Make sure that it is kept in a well-ventilated area. This being said: whilst running hot, there is no performance degradation.
Again, I’d like to ask TP-Link to add the Homecare™ package to the browser as soon as possible, but at least it is available in the Tether app which most people can and will use in the meantime for free for the life of the router.
What I found the most strange is the router also gives you the option to sign in to your TP-Link account, yet the Homecare settings are still not available.
I’ll probably do a follow-up article and/or video in the not too distant future about whether this gets implemented or not, so stay tuned for that.
At the time of this review, the Archer AX50 is available at around £150 in the UK and $150 in the US. Making this an attractive ISP router replacement (providing you can still use the ISP provided one in modem mode or purchase a modem separately) or something to tie into a cable or fibre install giving the whole home excellent coverage and speeds. The price to performance is top tier and this is why its earned “the ideal home router” moniker from me.
I’m pleased to award the TP-Link Archer AX50 Play3r’s Gold Award.
Thanks to TP-Link for sending the Archer AX50 in for review.
