TP-Link Archer AX6000 review
Our Verdict
If yous're looking for a Wi-Fi 6 router that's priced more than like a upkeep one, the TP-Link Archer AX6000 should fit the bill. It may not be every bit fast as some of its competitors, but the Archer AX6000 delivers all the features and security needed to safely fill a dwelling house with data.
For
- viii LAN ports
- Extra security
- Inexpensive
Against
- Limited app
- Hard to remove LAN cables
Tom'south Guide Verdict
If you're looking for a Wi-Fi six router that's priced more than like a budget one, the TP-Link Archer AX6000 should fit the pecker. It may not exist as fast as some of its competitors, but the Archer AX6000 delivers all the features and security needed to safely fill a home with data.
Pros
- +
eight LAN ports
- +
Extra security
- +
Inexpensive
Cons
- -
Limited app
- -
Hard to remove LAN cables
TP-Link Archer AX6000: Specs
Wi-Fi Spec: AX6000
Number of Antennas/Removable: eight/No
Ports: one WAN/eight LAN gigabit per 2nd, USB 3, USB C
Processor/Memory/Storage: Broadcom quad-core 1.8GHz/1GB/128MB
Wi-Fi chip: Broadcom BCM46384
Acme 802.11ac performance: 884.4Mbps (at 15 feet)
Range: 85 feet
Size: ten.3 x 10.iii x ii.4 inches
Estimated Annual Electricity Cost: $11.30
Value is the name of the game for the TP-Link Archer AX6000 router. Coming in at $100 less than Wi-FI half dozen competitors, like the Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 and the Linksys MaxStream MR9600, information technology'southward a expert all-around router to build a abode network around.
Our TP-Link Archer AX6000 review shows that it should provide more than than enough bandwidth for all simply the most craven gamers. (We even named it the all-time nonm-gaming option on our best gaming routers folio.) By adding in router-based security and 8 wired Ethernet ports, the Archer AX6000 stands alone on connectivity, proving itself to exist only equally practiced with wired devices equally it is with Wi-Fi. It's one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers available, if you lot want to upgrade over older wireless-AC models, and information technology earns a welcome spot on our list of the best Wi-Fi routers you tin can buy.
Editor'south Note: We periodically update our reviews to make certain that pricing and data is up to date. Our rating and recommendation for the TP-Link Archer AX6000 review is unchanged from when it originally published in Baronial of 2020.
TP-Link Archer AX6000 review: Blueprint
In a world of wait-akin routers, the TP-Link Archer AX6000 stands out with a squarish design that at ten.3 10 10.2 10 2.4 inches is bigger than the Linksys MR9600. Slide up its eight pivoting antennas and the Archer AX6000 is an additional ii.iii-inches taller. The antennas can't exist replaced or aimed.
It has soft prophylactic feet, inserts underneath for wall mounting and the entire acme and bottom have vents to go along the router from overheating. Even when we tested it with a heavy workload, the instance never got hotter than 98 degrees Fahrenheit.
Based on Broadcom'southward BCM43684 Wi-Fi chipset, the Archer AX6000 uses the same underlying technology as the Linksys MR9600. It has a 1.8GHz quad-cadre processor, 1GB of RAM and 128MB of flash storage space for firmware and settings instead of the RAX80's 512MB.
The Archer AX6000 combines ultra-wide 160MHz channels with beamforming technology to efficiently move data dorsum and forth to several devices at once. Its dual-band 802.11AX blueprint creates 5GHz and 2.4GHz networks that are rated at iv.804Gbps and 1.148Gbps. This puts it a step behind tri-band routers, which take an extra 5GHz band for actress bandwidth.
Unlike some of its flashy competitors, the Archer AX6000 has a unmarried understated LED on tiptop that lights upwards carmine while starting up and turns to bluish when everything is OK. It can be turned off with a switch on the router's side and is next to the router's WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) key for quickly adding devices to the network. The device also has a button for turning off the Wi-Fi transmissions, effectively changing the Archer AX6000 into a wired router.
TP-Link outfits the router with both a single USB iii.0 and a USB C port, for connecting to a printer or external hard bulldoze. The Archer AX6000 also has eight LAN connectors, arranged in two rows of four ports. That's twice every bit many as the Linksys MR9600 and three more than the Nighthawk RAX80. On the downside, it'southward a tight fit for the top row of four networking ports, making the cables frustratingly hard to remove.
All of the networking ports can handle gigabit per second data flow, making it the router to become if yous accept lots of wired accessories, like printers, scanners and networked hard drives. The Archer AX6000 can handle 2.5Gbps WAN input from some of the newer broadband modems and aggregate two LAN ports for a peak flow of 2Gbps; but limits you to using two specific ports for aggregation.
TP-Link Archer AX6000 review: Functioning
Using Ixia's ixChariot's network simulation software in a 100-year sometime house, the Archer AX6000 performed satisfactorily, peaking at a maximum throughput of 884.4Mbps with the receiving device prepare xv feet from the router. This falls brusque of the Netgear Nighthawk RAX80's 1.389Gbps of throughput, only surpassed the Linksys MR9600'southward 822.0Mbps at the same altitude. In other words, it provides a nice speed boost compared to Wi-fi 5 (802.11ac) routers, as seen in our Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400) review (at 566.7Mbps) or TP-Link Archer C2300 review (at 682.3Mbps).
The Archer AX6000 delivered 396.4Mbps at l-anxiety, making it the leader of the Wi-Fi 6 pack at middle distances compared to the Linksys MR9600 (at 363.3Mbps) and the Nighthawk RAX80 (at 277.1Mbps). Every bit expected, the bandwidth available fell off with distance. The Archer AX6000's throughput dropped off to 149.9Mbps at 75-feet, where it barely shell out the Nighthawk RAX80's 142.3Mbps but was second best next to the MR9600'southward 227.0Mbps.
The Archer AX6000's range was 85-feet and information technology missed out on a throughput reading at our terminal distance of xc-feet. Past contrast, the Nighthawk RAX80 delivered twenty.8Mbps at that distance.
It fell short of the marking when nosotros tried to move data through a wall, with 738.0Mbps of throughput. The RAX80 managed xxx pct more bandwidth at 1.077Gbps. When the signal had to travel upstairs to a bedroom, the organisation registered 667.3Mbps upstairs, about what the RAX80 and MR9600 provided.
After using the Archer AX6000 for more than than a calendar week of email, Web surfing, video watching and online gaming, it delivered reliable bandwidth. Information technology stood upward well to our 4-system saturation test that uses a Macbook Air, iPad Pro, Dell XPS 15 and an HP Elitebook. While 1 of the systems streamed YouTube video and some other played Internet radio, the third machine played Spotify music and the 4th one moved information onto and off of a networked RAID system. While this was going on, the videos came through without skips, freeze ups or out of synch audio.
It was disappointing to note that the Archer AX6000 lacks a ability-saving idle manner. When it was doing zilch, information technology used the same 9.9 watts of ability as when it was furiously moving data back and forth . Information technology adds upwards to estimated annual ability bills of $xi.30. That'south significantly more expensive to operate than the Linksys MR9600's $half dozen.80.
TP-Link Archer AX6000 review: Setup
Using my iPad Pro and the TP-Link Tether app to get the Archer AX6000 online and distributing data took all of five minutes. On the downside, the app only operates in vertical orientation, meaning it was likely intended for use with a phone; at that place are iOS and Android versions. Alternatively, you can use the Web browser of a estimator that's connected to the AX6000, simply information technology's less visually satisfying.
Subsequently entering an administrative password for allowing access to the inner workings of the router, I followed the illustrated instructions that started with unfolding the device'south viii antennas. Then, I restarted my modem, plugged the router into my broadband connection and its power adapter.
After waiting a minute for the router'south LED to shine red (if there'due south a problem ) or blue (if it'south all ready upwards), the device was ready for configuring. At this point, the app shows a summary of the router'due south default settings.
To change the wireless network names and passwords, something we wholeheartedly recommend, enter the new data and salvage the changes. The AX6000 is one of the rare routers that doesn't need a full restart if yous change its parameters. It loses contact for a infinitesimal and then is back online.
TP-Link Archer AX6000 review: Configuration
Rather than being restricted to either an app or a browser connection for making configurational changes and monitor the data menses, the Archer AX6000 offers both. Unfortunately, you lot can take both connected at once, leading to errors when ii logins conflict with each other.
While the Tether app is visual and can make minor changes to the router's settings, it lacks many of the advanced configuration choices that the browser approach provides. When continued via a browser, the router offers a cornucopia of choices that volition warm the hearts of power users and potentially scare networking newbies. In fact there are so many choices that you lot should exist set up to zoom in and out or curl up and down to take information technology all in.
The browser's Basic controls permit rudimentary changes to be fabricated, like updating the network proper name, password and hiding the network from users attempting to log in. It also provides a Speed Test for checking on connectivity and shows how many devices are currently continued.
Past contrast, the Avant-garde section is among the most complete sections for tweaking and optimizing a router. It includes a helpful Status page that not only has figures on processor and retention usage, but assistance with troubleshooting. On top of the ability to run as an IPv6 router, in that location's an Functioning Style for irresolute the router into an admission point, every bit well as options for encryption (WPA/WPA2-Enterprise, -Personal or no security), Wi-Fi mode (802.11ax only or 802.11b,m,n mixed) and channel width (upwards to 160MHz).
The Archer AX6000'south Organisation Tools take this to a new level. In addition to controlling the LED light, at that place'due south a diagnostic section for checking on bug and y'all tin schedule a reboot every night if you like. The System Parameters folio is a precious stone for those who want ultimate control of often-hidden controls and opens a world of fine tuning for the Archer AX6000 with adjustments like RTS Threshold and Buoy Interval.
My favorite is the Traffic Monitor that provides in-depth statistics on all incoming and outgoing data, including the ability to zoom in on a single system'due south information utilize. In other words, it can point the digital finger at the firm's information hog.
Security is front and heart with the Archer AX6000's Firewall and the power to create a Virtual Individual Network (VPN). The router'due south built-in antivirus protection uses software from Tendency Micro. It'southward office of the organization's firmware, so it's all automatic, and can block malicious content, prevent intrusion from hackers and quarantine infected systems. Different Eero's $99 a yr malware protection, TP-Link's is free forever.
There are powerful parental controls that can exist customized for each child in a household. The Archer AX6000 adds Quality of Service software that let me set my computer with the network's elevation data priority.
The organization responds to Alexa commands, like "prioritize gaming" or "restart router". It tin exist used to prepare upwardly If This, Then That (IFTTT) scenarios for dwelling house automation devices, such as thermostats (lower temperature after midnight) and lighting (turn on outdoor lights at eight P.M.).
The router'south Guest network can let Web admission merely. If you've plugged a USB drive into the Archer AX6000, y'all can control access to its contents as well as help setting upwards a networked storage of Fourth dimension Automobile backups of Apple Macs.
With a ii-year warranty and support policy, the Archer AX6000 is far alee of Netgear's ane-year warranty and ninety days of support. The TP-Link Web site has lots of resources for help setting the Archer AX6000 upwardly and keeping it running. At that place are videos, FAQs, Firmware updates and GPL open source code. At that place'due south even an emulator that looks exactly like the browser interface to try out things earlier making them permanent.
TP-Link Archer AX6000 review: Verdict
With eight wired networking ports and the ability to pair two together to create a 2Gbps stream of data, TP-Link'due south Archer AX6000 router leads the way for Wi-Fi 6 routers that are just equally skilful with wired devices as they are at Wi-Fi, although it can be hard to unplug some of the cables. Its Wi-Fi transmissions were more than than acceptable for most family uses and far meliorate than 802.11ac routers, but vicious short of the stride fix by the Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 winged router when it came to delivering high-operation information streams. In other words, discriminating gamers or data hogs run the risk of being disappointed.
Recall of the Archer AX6000 every bit the value router for the first generation of Wi-Fi 6 devices. That's considering at $300 it can salvage $100 compared to the Nighthawk RAX80, Linksys MaxStream MR9600 and other high-performance routers.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/tp-link-archer-ax6000
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