If you have a desktop PC, you also want the best Wi-Fi adapter to get on the internet with fast speeds and a reliable connection. That's where the TP-Link TXE75E PCIe adapter comes into the picture.

However, the MSRP of the TP-Link TXE75E PCIe adapter isn't cheap, as it usually runs at $79.99. Thankfully, Cyber Monday is here to make that price tag more affordable by slashing the price down to $54.99 through 31% Cyber Monday discounts across various retailers.

More great Black Friday deals

• Walmart: Early Black Friday deals on practically everything
• Dell: Top deals on laptops, gaming PCs, accessories, and more
• Alienware: Up to $800 off gaming laptops and desktops
• Best Buy: Big savings on video games, accessories, and more
• HP: Up to 84% of select HP Windows PCs and accessories
• Lenovo: Up to 50% of gaming towers, laptops, and accessories
• Newegg: Save on PC gaming accessories, components, and more
• Razer: Up to 43% off laptops and accessories with free gifts
• More individual deals:
  • Xbox Series X + Diablo IV + free $75 Target gift card for $634.99 $449.99 at Target
  • Samsung T9 4TB Portable SSD for $439.99 $249.99 at Best Buy
  • Xbox Stereo Headset — 20th Anniversary for $69.99 $46.86 at Walmart
  • Xbox Series X + Diablo IV + Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III for $639.99 $489.99 at Walmart
  • TP-Link Deco X55 Wi-Fi mesh 3-pack for $229.99 $179.99 at Amazon
  • Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma for $149.99 $89.99 at Best Buy
  • Xbox Series X + $50 Best Buy gift card for $549.99 $399.99 at Best Buy for Plus/Total members
  • HyperX Cloud III Wireless for $169.99 $129.99 at Best Buy
  • Lenovo LOQ Tower (17IRB8) + 3-months Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $1,029.99 $674.99 at Lenovo

Why you should buy the TP-Link TXE75E Wi-Fi adapter

TP-Link is widely considered the world's leading provider of Wi-Fi networking hardware, producing some of the best Wi-Fi 6E Routers on the market. The TP-Link TXE75E PCIe Wi-Fi adapter is no exception, as this product has everything a user needs to have their desktop PC stay connected to the internet at all times.

The Wi-Fi can reach 2402 Mbps (6 GHz) and bandwidth transfer speeds of 5,400Mb/s to ensure fast and stable wireless connections. It features MU-MIMO technology to connect to multiple wireless devices if you have more than one PC desktop that requires a connection. In addition, this Wi-Fi card has Bluetooth 5.2 support so you can connect to all kinds of accessories — allowing you to play PC games with the best Xbox controllers.

The TP-Link TXE75E Wi-Fi PCIe adapter is currently on sale for a massive 31% discount, courtesy of Cyber Monday at various retailers like Amazon and Newegg. This brings its MSRP down from $79.99 to $54.99, making this deal the opportune time to purchase one. 

So, if you need a reliable and affordable Wi-Fi card for your aging desktop PC to enjoy playing the online multiplayer features of the best PC games without fear of latency issues, get in on this deal before it goes away.

Solve your wireless networking dead zone woes just like I did with TP-Link's Deco X55 3-pack mesh Wi-Fi system, pushing a steady and reliable signal across your home without compromise. Three 1Gb Ethernet ports on each unit allow traditional desktop PCs and consoles to connect to your home network; it's precisely how I connect my work and gaming machine to our far-away router, and now they're discounted by 22% to the lowest price they've ever seen at Amazon!

More great Cyber Monday deals

• Amazon: Deals on Razer headsets, keyboards, and more
• Amazon: Gaming peripherals from HyperX, SteelSeries, and more
• Best Buy: Save on all Logitech accessories
• Newegg: Up to 83% off peripherals
• Newegg: Up to 85% off gaming
• Walmart: Deals on gaming gifts

• Top individual deals:
  • TP-Link Deco X55 Wi-Fi mesh 3-pack was $229.99 now $179.99 at Amazon
  • Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma was $149.99 now $89.99 at Best Buy
  • HyperX Cloud III Wireless was $169.99 now $129.99 at Best Buy
  • Lenovo LOQ Tower (17IRB8) + 3-months Xbox Game Pass Ultimate was $1,029.99 now $749.99 at Lenovo
  • HP OMEN 34c was $479.99 now $329.99 at Best Buy
  • Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K 27-inch monitor was $1,599.99 now $1,299.99 at Samsung
  • Microsoft Audio Dock was $249.99 now $46.04 at Amazon
  • SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless was $349.99 now $297.49 at Amazon
  • MSI GF63 Thin (Core i5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, RTX 3050) was $899 now $599 at Newegg

Whole-home wireless connectivity

The Deco X55 is far from the only mesh networking option from TP-Link —  I should know; I've tested my fair share of its Wi-Fi hardware. However, even though I've had hands-on experience with technically superior sets, like in my Deco XE75 Pro review, I've never desired anything better than the Deco X55 triple pack.

Minor downsides listed in my Deco X55 review mainly related to the high MSRP, but that problem is solved with this early Black Friday bargain. Still, I've consistently rated it as my all-time top recommendation for anyone suffering from Wi-Fi dead zones in their home like I was, and this discount sweetens the deal.

Setup is a piece of cake; all handled primarily with the official TP-Link Deco companion app on Android or iOS mobile devices, as the Deco units find one another automatically once powered on. After that, the app will rate the placement of each mesh satellite and recommend any changes if necessary, but I've never had issues.

My home can technically survive with only two of the three Deco units. However, having the third unit placed evenly apart to form a clean triangle of Wi-Fi repeaters around my house means that every wireless device I own has a consistently reliable signal, no matter which room I'm in.

I've broadcasted live streams for over a year and enjoyed online PC gaming multiplayer from my far-reaching home office with zero problems, thanks to the Deco X55. I still heartily recommend it as the best mesh Wi-Fi 6 set to anyone who wants something better than their ISP-provided router, and there's never been a better time to pick it up. Hook up your Wi-Fi-less devices today!

Finding a reliable router capable of high speeds and good range with plenty of connectivity potential can be a chore. There are so many options for your home network that decision fatigue feels almost inevitable. TP-Link's Archer series of routers are consistently among the best wifi routers in our experience, and a 20% off deal on one is not something you will want to miss. 

The TP-Link Archer AX73 router is capable of 8K streaming when paired with Gigabit broadband and offers faster WiFi for better browsing, streaming, gaming, and downloading, even when you're doing it all simultaneously. The router features 6 antennas capable of intelligent beamforming, so all of your devices are getting the best-concentrated connection they can all the time. 

While the Archer AX73 can connect up to 200 devices wirelessly, it also offers a single Gigabit WAN and 4 Gigabit LAN ports for high-speed connections to your wired devices. The onboard USB 3.0 port is also handy for connecting a NAS (network-attached storage) system so that your media is always just a click away.

The TP-Link Archer AX73 typically retails for $200, but it is currently available for 20% off at just $160.

If you're looking to upgrade your home Wi-Fi to the latest technology, TP-Link has the best overall choice for performance and value with its Archer AXE75 Wi-Fi 6E router now on a limited-time sale on Amazon. Temporarily reduced by 15% brings you a $30 saving on this tri-band model featuring the latest wireless tech, perfect for anyone with modern devices or those looking to future-proof their home.

Since I tested it for my TP-Link Archer AXE75 router review, I've recommended it to anyone looking to upgrade to the Wi-Fi 6E standard. Filled with cutting-edge networking features like a dedicated 6GHz band and OFMDA beamforming to deliver reliable Internet access to multiple devices, it's also the best overall value router for those looking to upgrade from previous generations.

The six antennas will stand out from any usual ornaments in your home, but the AXE75 at least boasts a sleek aesthetic in its design. The patterned shell makes it look a little more subtle than some sci-fi monstrosities touted as 'next-gen' routers, something that can often turn people off modern hardware in fear of overcomplicating efforts.

It's straightforward to set up and use, whether you opt for a traditional web-based UI from a desktop computer or control everything via the TP-Link Tether mobile app. I've relied on TP-Link hardware in my home for years and have never encountered any significant flaws or failures.

Although I currently have very few devices that officially support the Wi-Fi 6E standard, I'm eyeing up my next potential laptop from various vendors to use as my daily driver, and all fully support 6E tech. Even if you're looking for a general replacement for an aging router, the Archer AXE75 is one of the best Wi-Fi 6E routers and a fantastic all-rounder that'll support new devices for years.

Plenty of desktop PCs still come pre-built without Wi-Fi capability, and building a custom rig can mean prioritizing other motherboard features over wireless networking. Connecting a desktop to your home network can be tricky, especially if placed too far from a wireless router, since not everyone has the space for extended Ethernet cables.

TP-Link offers their cutting-edge PCIe adapter with the latest Wi-Fi 6E tech for a limited reduced price during Amazon's Prime Day Early Access sale, perfect for solving your desktop PC networking woes. Usually retailing for a $79.99 MSRP, the Archer TXE75E is down to $59.99 on Amazon for a limited-time 25% saving.

Save $20 on the TP-Link TXE75E PCIe adapter

If you're looking to connect your desktop PC to the Internet wirelessly, you might as well do it with the best technology available. Wi-Fi 6E is the latest standard, bringing a dedicated 6GHz band compatible with some of the best Wi-Fi 6E routers and providing the fastest possible speeds.

This 2x2 adapter includes the usual benefits from the regular Wi-Fi 6 standard, including MU-MIMO to handle multiple devices if you have more than one desktop in need of connection. Plus, you get Bluetooth 5.2 support, allowing you to connect all manner of peripherals like the official Xbox Series X|S controller for gaming.

It's as easy as you would expect to install, with a low-profile form factor bracket included for mini-ITX PC cases. You only need somewhere to place the adjustable antenna base, rotate them into position and enjoy reliable wireless networking from your desktop PC.

Stay tuned to our Amazon Prime Day Early Access live blog to catch more deals!

What you need to know

• TP-Link's new tri-band Deco XE200 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology.
• The mesh Wi-Fi system works on the 6GHz band to reduce congestion.
• The Deco can reach total speeds of up to 10.8Gbps and a two-node setup can blanket homes as large as 6,500 square feet.
• The Deco can connect more than 200 devices simultaneously.
• Built for gamers, the Archer AXE300 can achieve total speeds of 1.56Gbps.
• The Archer router uses a quad-band design with a 6GHz band to reduce interference and latency. 
• The Deco XE200 is priced at $799, while the Archer AXE300 is priced at $599. TP-Link is offering a launch day discount of $100, coinciding with Amazon's Prime Day deals. 

Expanding on its family of routers and mesh networks, TP-Link announced the launch of its flagship tri-band Deco XE200 mesh network and premium quad-band Archer AXE300 router. Both devices leverage Wi-Fi 6E technology for faster speeds, better coverage, and improved bandwidth, making them great solutions for gamers, those who live or work in larger spaces, and anyone with coverage dead zones and dropped Wi-Fi signals. 

According to TP-Link, the Deco XE200 can reach total speeds of 10.8Gbps, while the Archer router can achieve total speeds of up to 15.6Gbps.

"Deco XE200 features Tri-Band WiFi with the greenfield 6 GHz band, boosts a total speed of 10.8Gbps, adding seven 160 MHz channels to prevent competition over bandwidth and speed drops enabling smooth use of applications that require faster data throughput, while providing low latency connectivity," the company said in a statement. "The 6GHz band also reinforces the backhaul performance between Deco units, providing a stable and strong network to cover every corner of users’ homes up to 6,500 square feet."

A three-pack unit of the Deco XE200 can extend the coverage area to 3,300 square feet for larger homes. 

Like other mesh devices in TP-Link's lineup, the new Deco XE200 uses the company's intelligence AI-Driven Mesh technology to route your device's connection to the right node for the best connectivity. The AI-Driven Mesh tech comes with its own algorithms and can switch between nodes for optimum connection.

Both the Deco mesh and the Archer router utilizes the new 6GHz band to reduce interference and provide better bandwidth support. The Archer AXE300 comes with a quad-band antenna design and it's powered by a 2.0GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM to help with transmission speeds. 

"Eight high-performance dual-band antennas along with beamforming allow Archer AXE300 to provide enough bandwidth to support 16 simultaneous data streams," TP-Link said. "The system allows for high-density networking, overall reliability and higher speeds than the typical routers on the market."

The Deco XE200 is on sale now for $799 with a $100 launch special, while the Archer AXE300 comes with a retail price of $599. Like the Deco, the AXE300 comes with a special pre-order discount of $100 on Amazon. Both routers launch on the same day as Amazon Prime Day, so if the latest batch from TP-Link is out of your price range, consider the company's other routers and mesh networks that are on sale as part of the Prime Day promotions.

Lag is the worst enemy gamers can face in online multiplayer, ruining the smooth experience of playing with friends or participating in competitive tournaments. TP-Link has your back with the supercharged Archer AX10000 Wi-Fi 6 router, loaded with a 2.5G WAN port that supports the fastest speeds from your ISP. The latest model of this chunky tri-band variant has a $349.99 MSRP but is currently down to $279.99 on Amazon, enjoying a 20% discount for a $70 saving during the Prime Day Early Access event.

Save $70 on the TP-Link Archer AX10000 gaming router

This powerful router carries a not-so-subtle sci-fi aesthetic, with eight antennas powering its tri-band Wi-Fi 6 signal. A dedicated 5GHz band prioritizes wireless gaming traffic from consoles, laptops, and anything else compatible, preventing latency from ruining your fun.

Anyone pulling anything over Gigabit speeds from their ISP can take advantage of the 2.5Gb/s WAN port and share it among wired and wireless devices, with TP-Link's game statistics tools providing live telemetry for the traffic used on each. The Archer's combined line rate of 10,526Mb/s is more than enough to serve high-speed Internet to any gaming device in your home.

It sits comfortably next to its TP-Link siblings in our best routers for gaming roundup, hitting a very similar feature set but offered at a considerable discount during Amazon's sale. If you're frustrated with basic routers underperforming, check out the Archer AX10000 to eliminate lag from your gaming sessions.

Stay tuned to our Amazon Prime Day Early Access live blog to catch more deals!

Do you struggle with weak Wi-Fi in your home? Some houses have a bad time with wireless signals, usually due to thicker foundations and electrical interference. TP-Link is no stranger to networking solutions, and their fantastic Deco P9 set is available with a massive 35% discount during Amazon's Prime early access sale event. Normally retailing for a $229.99 MSRP, this three-pack mesh system is down to $149.99 on Amazon for the three-pack.

Save $80 on the TP-Link Deco P9 mesh Wi-Fi system

This dual-band mesh system is a total breeze to set up and use, thanks to the Deco companion app available for Android and iOS devices. Placing each node in troublesome spots around your home will allow you to move freely around the house without switching to another Wi-Fi SSID or needing to remember multiple passwords.

Individual devices will have their traffic managed by the intelligent Deco mesh, so priority data needed for tasks like streaming service and online gaming won't suffer any slowdowns. Each Deco features 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports, so even consoles or desktop PCs without wireless support can easily join your home network, and no need to move your home office closer to a base router.

TP-Link's mesh range takes a proud place in our roundup of the best mesh Wi-Fi router systems for a good reason. You don't need any networking know-how to use the Deco P9 three-pack, and it'll cure any woes of Wi-Fi dead spots. It's a massive saving on a fantastic mesh system, so don't miss out on this limited-time saving.

Stay tuned to our Amazon Prime Day Early Access live blog to catch more deals!

Deco mesh Wi-Fi sets from TP-Link have repeatedly proved their worth to me, solving the issue of weak wireless signals from my basic router. They work by beaming your traffic from one node to another, placing as many around the home as you need. There are various models and multipacks supporting different budgets and needs.

This new AXE5400 set is a cutting-edge double pack featuring the ultra-modern Wi-Fi 6E standard. Their design is familiar enough, but there are promises of superior wireless performance supporting the fastest Multi-Gig internet speeds in every room of your house. Is a tri-band mesh set worth the price for a 6GHz band or dedicated backhaul? I spent a weekend running tests for our TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro review.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: Price and availability

TP-Link sells the Deco XE75 Pro (AXE5400) whole-home mesh Wi-Fi 6E system 2-pack through the official TP-Link store and third-party retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, for a $400 MSRP. It will also be available as a single or 3-pack post-launch with the same Ethernet RJ45 cable and AC power adaptors.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: What's good

If the model name seems familiar, TP-Link has sent us very similar Deco units in the past. The standard TP-Link Deco XE75 did a decent job at extending our Wi-Fi but didn't quite provide a strong enough signal to compete with cheaper units. The main draw of the XE75 was support for the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard, just like this new Pro set which also offers a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port on every node.

TP-Link is advertising to a similar crowd with the XE75 Pro, those with Multi-Gig internet packages from a suitable ISP. Anyone hitting upwards of Gigabit speeds will need to have the appropriate networking hardware or run the risk of wasting potential bandwidth.

Connecting a compatible modem directly to the Deco via the 2.5Gbbps port should pair up with its 6GHz band to ensure high-speed internet reaches every room in our house with reduced interference. First impressions seem great since this Pro set features only improvements, so it's time to set everything up.

Fortunately, the fantastic TP-Link Deco companion mobile app is still regularly updated and is recommended for setting up the XE75 Pro. The process has never changed for their mesh range, starting with one Deco connected to your modem via the fastest available LAN/WAN port. Using the 2.5Gbps port on either, the primary Deco shows a pulsing blue light, indicating it's ready for setup.

Moving through the simple steps on the app, you can add the remaining Deco nodes, however many you need, up to a recommended maximum of 10. Since my home office is the farthest-reaching room in my home, it's the one that suffers the most from wireless dead spots.

It's where my Ethernet-only desktop PC is located, which previously meant running an unreasonably long LAN cable around the house.

Deco mesh Wi-Fi units support Ethernet backhaul, and with 2.5G LAN ports on each node, I can connect wired devices in any room and take advantage of their support for Multi-Gig speeds. It's perfect for connecting wireless tablets, consoles, and anything reliant on high-speed Ethernet without needing cumbersome extension cables.

Since our flimsy internet barely hits anything higher than 100Mbps downstream traffic, we usually stick to the more appropriate TP-Link Deco X55 set with only two nodes. With that basic setup, the signal is strong enough to support our meager ISP and decent LAN transfers between different computers in our home. If the Deco XE75 Pro can at least match that, there can only be performance improvements elsewhere.

Sticking to our usual method of using open-source software iPerf, we can stress test the Deco set by running multiple transfers over various devices. Since its six streams offer plenty of bandwidth across this mesh network, it should perform well. After finishing up the companion app setup process, I set up wired and wireless devices in every room of the house, using as many variants of Wi-Fi bands as possible.

As expected, the results were fantastic. I ran a server from a desktop PC connected directly to the secondary Deco via the remaining 2.5G port since the first is reserved for the modem. Using my iPhone 11 to connect specifically to the 5GHz band and an older laptop hooked up to 2.4GHz, other phones were left to automatically select the best available signal.

With all devices streaming various demanding media, including 4K video from YouTube and the highest quality available on Spotify, an iPerf client test with six parallel streams managed a steady 752Mb/s bandwidth from my office desktop PC.

The two Deco XE75 Pro units are located roughly 25 feet from one another, separated by the ceiling and one room across, so this performance is respectable.

Running client tests from my iOS devices resulted in 690Mb/s on average when I stood in the same room as either Deco. Standing outside in the street, roughly 25 feet away and through more brick walls, I could still yield a decent 314Mb/s on the phones.

My iPhone 11 is limited by its hardware, capped at around 877Mb/s, so we're not far off.

Anyone with a cutting-edge phone that supports Wi-Fi 6E (via Android Central) could enjoy more of this ultra-fast standard, but using the 6GHz band as a dedicated backhaul helps to keep the traffic between each Deco running smoothly. Even the latest Xbox Series X console still uses Wi-Fi 5, so the list of compatible 6E devices is still relatively slim.

Considering the Pro uses the same 1.7GHz quad-core CPU as the original Deco XE75, it makes sense to see similar numbers from testing. The big temptation with this upgraded model is including a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port on each node, supporting internet packages exceeding Gigabit speeds if you're fortunate enough to access them where you live.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: What's not so good

Wi-Fi 6E is still relatively young, and there aren't too many devices ready to take full advantage of it. TP-Link offers methods to future-proof your home with mesh Wi-Fi sets like this Deco Pro and affordable routers like the fantastic Archer AXE75. Unfortunately, most of the same headaches found with other Deco models persist here.

Each unit's power cord could be longer, especially when placement is key to a reliable wireless network. I have to use an extension cord with my home office Deco because it's just a step too far away from the closest outlet. It's minor, but AC adapters are far from the most expensive part of this package.

TP-Link still pushes a premium HomeShield subscription where they can. Anyone looking for more than essential network management and diagnostics will be asked for extra cash at $6 a month, and that doesn't convert properly to the UK, where you're asked for £6 for the same privileges. It's frustrating to keep locking protection against potential network attacks behind a paywall.

There are still no USB ports on the Deco, which prevents network-attached storage (NAS) from connecting in the usual fashion. Printers must remain attached to a specific device or rely on their (usually shoddy) Wi-Fi connection. Not many people disdain wireless printers as much as I do, and mesh Wi-Fi can remedy printing headaches when USB ports are available, so it's a shame to miss out here.

The Deco XE75 Pro looks a little strange, but I won't dock it any points for that. Many mesh Wi-Fi units can pass for faux-Bluetooth speakers, easily fitting in any modern home.

Still, the original XE75 and this Pro variation look more like a decorative smoke fountain. Considering the ridiculous sci-fi aesthetic adopted by many other networking accessories, these Deco aren't exactly ugly, but the cylindrical blocks stand out with nothing to show off except a tiny LED status light.

Don't be surprised if visitors mistake this Deco for a smart speaker and start barking commands at it, and be sure to keep infants away from the cables. We learned that the hard way. Luckily, the reset button can't be pressed without a tiny pin, so a complete disaster is easier to avoid.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: The competition

There aren't many competitors matching the specifications of the Deco Pro XE75 exactly. ASUS offers the ZenWifi Pro ET12 2-pack with Wi-Fi 6E support and 2.5G Ethernet ports for a hefty $900 MSRP. Its AXE11000 line rate exceeds the Deco Pro, thanks to extra internal antennas and a general improvement to hardware. A $500 increase is a lot to ask for additional bandwidth, so it's a tough sell for ASUS.

Netgear's Orbi range of mesh Wi-Fi includes the RBKE963, a 3-pack minimum offering with Wi-Fi 6E support and the same AXE11000 line rate as ASUS. The Orbi units aren't identical, with the base unit featuring a mighty 10Gb WAN port, beating out both TP-Link and ASUS, but you're looking at a cool $1,500 MSRP for the privilege.

If you're willing to drop Wi-Fi 6E in favor of regular Wi-Fi 6 but want to keep the Multi-Gig Ethernet ports, TP-Link's Deco X4300 Pro is a dual-band mesh 3-pack available for $400. Gaining an extra node is tempting for the same price, but only if you're willing to lose out on the cutting-edge wireless standard.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: Should you buy?

You should buy this if ...

• Your internet exceeds Gigabit speeds
• You have wireless devices supporting Wi-Fi 6E
• You struggle with dead spots in your wireless network

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You have no use for Multi-Gig networking
• You have no Wi-Fi 6E compatible devices
• You use USB-powered NAS drives

An upgrade to its standard Deco XE75, TP-Link delivers 2.5G Multi-Gig ports on each unit, supporting ultra-fast internet around your home. Reaching desktop PCs and other wired devices that would otherwise be out of range now extends to anything compatible with the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard, solving the issue of wireless dead spots along the way.

If you don't have an ISP package exceeding Gigabit speeds, or any wireless hardware supporting Wi-Fi 6E, you won't see the full range of benefits from this Deco XE75 Pro. Check our roundup of the best mesh Wi-Fi router systems if that's the case, especially if you need to use USB-attached NAS drives that aren't compatible with this set.

Replacement routers can offer more control over your home network than an ISP-provided model, often with more advanced technology and features. That's certainly the aim for the Archer AXE75, the latest Wi-Fi 6E router from famed networking manufacturer TP-Link. Advertising plenty of networking buzzwords, they promise to cover your home in a reliable wireless signal with cutting-edge tech.

Whether or not you need this new Wi-Fi standard is up for debate. Many people aren't familiar with the jargon and won't know if this upgrade will make a difference in their homes. I spent a week testing this new offering for our TP-Link Archer AXE75 review to see whether future-proofing for Wi-Fi 6E is worth it.

TP-Link Archer AXE75: Price, availability, and specs

TP-Link sells the Archer AXE5400 (AXE75) tri-band router through third-party retailer Amazon for a $200 MSRP. It comes packaged with a power adapter, RJ45 Ethernet cable, and a quick installation guide.

TP-Link Archer AXE75: What's good

My first impressions of the Archer AXE75 were fantastic, thanks to the beautiful design it shares with other models in its range like the AX75 (tri-band Wi-Fi 6) and the AX73 (dual-band Wi-Fi 6.) Too many Wi-Fi routers look like bizarre sci-fi spaceships or blank plastic slabs, which isn't the case here. The art deco pattern along the top side of the AXE75 pairs with a slick gloss panel emblazoned with the company logo, and each icon along the front is clearly defined.

Raising all six antennas might have it look a little less subtle than other features in your home, now unmistakably a piece of tech rather than a decorative ornament. However, it still wins my favor for being one of the only good-looking Wi-Fi routers I'd be happy to display out in the open rather than trying to disguise it with plants and other trinkets. The new 6GHz band is the most attractive feature of this Archer router, after all, so it needs to be placed in an ideal position for the strongest wireless signal.

Even the underside of the AXE75 features an eye-pleasing pattern, along with two mounting hooks should you prefer to attach your routers to the wall. A tiny printed QR code can quickly connect you to the preset Wi-Fi when the Archer is powered on, alongside the usual default passwords and networking info. There's a USB-A 3.0 port on the side, which I'll get into later, and a collection of physical buttons along the back for WPS, LED, and Wi-Fi control.

The included quick installation guide is as clear as can be, with simple diagrams and even another QR code linked to instructional videos. Since there's no built-in modem with the AXE75, you're advised to connect to a dedicated unit while everything is powered off. So far, it's a relatively standard affair for setting up any router, with some helpful hints.

I set my ISP-provided combination router to modem-only mode to test any routers, and there are two methods I can choose to complete this Archer setup. Anyone who has set up a router before will be familiar with the typical steps of connecting to the internal dashboard via a standard web browser, and that works as expected here.

Alternatively, TP-Link follows their trend of using companion mobile apps for their hardware, as found in their mesh Wi-Fi sets like the Deco X55 and smart devices in the Tapo range. If you prefer to set things up the traditional way via Ethernet, you can mostly ignore the Tether app. Still, it will come in handy for features outside of the setup process, which I'll elaborate on soon.

I tried both setup methods and can confirm that the TP-Link Tether app is easy for anyone to use, even a networking novice. Approaching technology like this from a beginner's perspective is essential because not everyone has the technological know-how required to dive into the intricate settings. It's comforting to know that I could buy this router for my parents, and they wouldn't need to call me for any help.

The default settings work fine, and the app prompts you to see a personalized Wi-Fi password, so there's no real danger of an unsecured network using default logins.

Connecting to the Archer AXE75 via a web browser works as expected, with a well-thought-out dashboard separated into clear categories. The pretty dashboard UI, fortunately, doesn't dumb down the functionality for experienced administrators.

Manual network adjustments like static IP addresses, IPv6, and specific Wi-Fi functions can all be made in the advanced section. You can enable guest networks or choose to use access control with a blocklist/allowlist setup, specifying which devices are permitted to join.

The Archer AXE75 features a USB-A 3.0 port, which can act as an FTP media server or connect to a USB-enabled printer for anyone on the network. It's so much easier than configuring print sharing for any new devices at home and something I've been missing since relying solely on mesh Wi-Fi devices missing USB ports.

If you've struggled with wireless printers in the past, I highly recommend taking advantage of this USB port to cut down on printing headaches.

Working from home has me regularly using a VPN (virtual private network) to access content from other countries, so the inclusion of OpenVPN tech in the AXE75 is a welcome sight and saves me from installing extra desktop applications.

Paired with the support for USB external drives (as many as four with a USB hub,) I can remotely access files securely and privately via the FTP function. It's a great time saver, and the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port makes for snappy file transfers with the 5GHz/6GHz Wi-Fi band.

Gamers will be happy to know that port management is as simple as you would like to expect, making it easy to enable functions like UPnP and NAT port forwarding to ensure smooth online gameplay. It barely took me a minute to open the ports I needed to run a personal game server, but you'll need to brush up on network security before making too many changes here.

The AXE75 has a decent feature set, but none of it matters if the performance doesn't match, so it's time to find out. Connecting devices to each of the tri-band Wi-Fi streams and Ethernet ports, I tested the limits of the wireless signal and general networking efficiency under stress.

There are no multi-Gig LAN ports here, and the total AX5400 line rate isn't as fast as various Wi-Fi 6 offerings from TP-Link, but the AXE75 performed admirably enough. Since I don't have a Gigabit ISP connection, I'll never get close to most maximum throughput speeds, making this router perfect for someone like me instead of a super-powered Wi-Fi 5/6 alternative that I can't fully use.

I left devices, wired and wireless alike, connected with as many methods as possible, streaming HD video from YouTube and high-quality music from Spotify family accounts. Our 2x2 MIMO iPhones never hit the maximum bandwidth, but they never paused to buffer content while placed in separate rooms around the house.

I connected the AXE75 to a set of Deco XE75 Wi-Fi 6E mesh to compare the Wi-Fi range, but the six antennas on this router practically made it needless for my home. I usually use mesh systems to solve weak Wi-Fi, which struggles with the thick brick walls in my house. Still, the Archer router provides a solid wireless signal to my farthest-reaching office room without issue.

Only when I left my house and walked 60 feet down the street did the AXE75's Wi-Fi signal drop. Standing at the end of my road, I could still manage a 4.37Mbps down / 3.59Mbps up speed test, with a mild 45ms ping and only 16ms of jitter.

The wireless strength is undoubtedly more powerful than the advertised 2-3-bedroom house range. Wi-Fi 6E devices are still relatively uncommon, but support for this cutting-edge standard and super-strength antennas made for an incredible performance, proving the Archer AXE75 is well worth the price.

TP-Link Archer AXE75: What's not so good

While I praised the wireless performance of the six adjustable antennas, their construction leaves some room for improvement. The rotating hinges leave visible gaps and expose fragile wires in each, prone to potential damage in some disastrous scenario or simple wear and tear if too frequently adjusted over the years.

These exposed wires are the only significant part of the AXE75's construction that left me feeling uneasy. The lightweight build of this router had me handling it extra carefully. Measuring around 686g on the scales, I imagined nightmare accidents of it knocked from a high place and quickly snapping one of the fragile antennas.

To its credit, I never had to move the antennas on the Archer from their standard, upright position. That might not be the case for your home, especially with any devices causing wireless interference, so take care when making any adjustments. Wall mounting might be the solution to keeping these exposed wires safe from harm if secured well enough.

While you can access basic security features on the Archer AXE75, the real meat of TP-Link's HomeShield network management is locked to the mobile Tether app and a monthly or yearly subscription. Parental controls, in particular, require signing up for the paid service. If you're expecting to set network time limits for your children's devices, you won't be able to do it for free.

Only with a minimum monthly payment of $5.99 will you be able to access security features like DDoS protection and malicious content filtering. In-depth device traffic statistics, including time spent online and visited URLs, are, among others, restricted to the Pro subscription.

Check the breakdown of available free features on the official TP-Link HomeShield web page if these sound like features you'll need. It's not specific to this router but a general TP-Link business practice and something to check before you buy.

You can get by with the free tools, and the built-in dashboard has plenty to offer for a secure network, but parents looking for extra management features will need to cough up the extra cash for a subscription.

TP-Link Archer AXE75: The competition

The Archer AXE75 is the first Wi-Fi 6E router with a reasonable price, and nothing currently comes close to its affordability. Breaking into this relatively young market with modest specs for a fair price makes this the top choice and the router to beat on value. Rival brands will no doubt be clamoring to offer their takes, but your options for Wi-Fi 6E alternatives are slim so far.

TP-Link's own Deco XE75 mesh Wi-Fi system lack USB ports, but you still get 3x Gigabit LAN ports on each node and either operates in router mode with the other as an access point. They offer the same 5,400Mbps line rate as the Archer AXE75, and the Deco companion app acts almost the same as the Tether app, but they're more expensive.

Ethernet backhaul is the strongest argument for the Deco set, allowing you to connect wired devices in far-reaching rooms. Besides that, the affordability of the Archer pairs with its six powerful wireless antennas is a more attractive choice if you're not aiming specifically for mesh Wi-Fi.

Netgear offers the Nighthawk RAXE300 Wi-Fi 6E router with a higher 7,800Mbps line rate and multi-Gig LAN support, but for a steep extra $200 over the Archer AXE75. The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 goes even further with a monstrous 11,000Mbps combined line rate, but this gaming router isn't aimed at your average consumer and comes with a hefty $550 MSRP tag.

TP-Link Archer AXE75: Should you buy?

You should buy this if ...

• You want an affordable, future-proofed router
• You have Wi-Fi 6E compatible wireless devices
• You need a strong, far-reaching wireless signal

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You don't plan to purchase any compatible Wi-Fi 6E devices
• Your internet package exceeds Gigabit speeds

The TP-Link Archer AXE75 is the first genuinely affordable 6E choice alongside the best Wi-Fi 6E routers. Its six adjustable antennas provide a seriously impressive wireless signal with enough range to cover a 2-3-bedroom home without issue. If you've already upgraded to a modern phone with Wi-Fi 6E support (via Android Central) or plan to introduce compatible devices into your home, this router is one of the best upgrades for your network.

If you don't need this cutting-edge tech, or your ISP package exceeds Gigabit speeds, then affordable alternatives in our best budget Wi-Fi routers roundup might be better suited to your home. Still, the Archer AXE75 is a fantastic way to future-proof your home for years to come. Wi-Fi 6E tech might still be in its infancy, but TP-Link is making it a real option with this affordable modern router.

A stable network connection is critical for businesses of all trades in this digital age. Still, the chances of having a single ISP router in the perfect location are usually low, meaning there are often wireless dead spots somewhere in the building, and trailing cables can become a nuisance.

Wi-Fi access points can solve these issues by relaying a wireless signal from point to point, usually managed locally or remotely with a cloud service. The EAP610 from TP-Link is a ceiling-mounted access point powered by the modern Wi-Fi 6 standard and its Omada mesh system, but does it provide the advertised speeds and functionality you need?

I spent the weekend putting the AX1800 V2 model through its paces for our TP-Link EAP610 review.

TP-Link EAP610: Price, availability, and specs

TP-Link sells the EAP610 V2 Wi-Fi 6 access point through third-party retailers, including Amazon and Walmart for $100 MSRP. It's designed for ceilings or walls, so a mounting kit and plate are included in the box.

TP-Link EAP610: What's good

Since this compact access point is aimed more toward business than home use, you might think the setup process would be sterile and complex. Thankfully, that's not the case, thanks to the TP-Link Omada mobile app. It's not too dissimilar from other companion apps in their range, such as the Deco home mesh units. It walks you through each step and provides various tools and diagnostic information for every connected device.

I'm not running a huge office, so I don't have much use for a power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switch. A smaller business wouldn't necessarily need one either. However, suppose you're operating a quaint café, a compact store, or anything that requires just a touch more than a single wireless router. In that case, these little ceiling-mounted access points (AP) can be beneficial without needing to go all-in on the TP-Link Omada range.

Putting myself in the shoes of a small business owner, I set up the EAP610 in standalone mode, wired directly into my router via Ethernet, and used it as a single AP mounted to a wall, not the ceiling. I still need to use the included power adapter, but anyone can pick up a basic PoE switch with around five ports for less than $100, cutting down the number of cables in your building.

The EAP610 is packaged with a metal bracket designed to fit most walls, ceilings, and outlet boxes in the U.S. and Europe. TP-Link offers plenty of options for mounting in convenient locations, optimizing a position for the strongest Wi-Fi signal. A suspended ceiling with tile panels is usually the simplest solution. You would just need to drill holes for screws and an Ethernet cable, then rotate the AP into the plate locks.

For my tests, temporarily removing a security camera gave me a suitable place and power access, and it was luckily located roughly in the center of my home. With the simplicity and subtle design, I could see myself setting these up in a larger house, perhaps for a family with rooms on multiple floors.

They're more discreet than most business-grade hardware, looking like a clean, unassuming plate instead of an ugly antenna-laden block. The Omada SDN network still has plenty to offer for home use, such as the seamless roaming between each AP usually found in Wi-Fi mesh networks like the TP-Link Deco X55.

Still, guest Wi-Fi networks and robust security make the EAP610 ideal for businesses of any size, especially when combined with other products in the Omada range like VPN routers, JetStream switches, and weather-proof access points. Adding more units is simple, with remotely-accessed diagnostic tools making management a breeze.

TP-Link advertises the EAP610 as having an AX1800 line rate, a combined bandwidth of 1,201Mbps over a 5GHz band, and 574Mbps over 2.4GHz, making use of the Wi-Fi 6 standard and a Gigabit LAN port. I maintained a steady connection in stress tests while transferring multiple Gigabytes across the local network, reasonably close to the maximum if I stayed within a reasonable range to keep the signal strong.

ISP tests performed as expected, though my internet barely breaks 100Mb on a good day. It doesn't necessarily compare to business packages that usually offer far greater speeds, but I'm happy to say there were no signs of reduced transfer rates. I can confirm this AP is at least perfect for a modest-sized business or home if you're not aiming for anything faster than Gigabit connections.

Adding extra access points before the signal drop-off points will cover your network in a reliable and seamless Wi-Fi signal, and this is one of the more accessible units to set up and use.

If you're unsure, it's easy to start with just one, then effortlessly add as many as you need later. It's also not too hard on the eyes, making it an attractive option for updating wireless networks with the modern Wi-Fi 6 standard, business or otherwise.

TP-Link EAP610: What's not so good

The mounting plate is designed specifically for permanent screw-in fixtures, nothing temporary, so you won't be hanging it just anywhere like a framed photo. This model is specified as a ceiling-mounted model, so this doesn't drastically affect the score. Still, I would have appreciated space in the top-center position to wall-mount the AP with a simple hook.

Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi 6 signal struggles to penetrate the thick brick walls of my home, dropping strength when I move too far from the AP. It's not a genuine fault of the EAP610 since positioning is critical for a robust wireless network, and my house is almost the opposite of an ideal Wi-Fi environment.

Although the advertised speeds are realistic, they rely on this solid signal, but you shouldn't have any issues if there are minimal walls between the base router and your AP. 2.4GHz connections certainly fared better than 5GHz, allowing me to move further away before transfer speeds dropped, but too many obstacles significantly impacted performance.

As previously mentioned, I would recommend starting with perhaps one or two access points, depending on the size of your building, and running the TP-Link Omada network test tools. Each space will vary, and interference can occur in any environment.

Overall, the performance is admirable, and the EAP610 is affordable considering the tech on offer, but anything besides compact environments will likely need more than one unit. This price is a steal for the advantages Wi-Fi 6 and the TP-Link Omada SDN bring.

TP-Link EAP610: The competition

The Ubiquiti UniFi 6 Lite hits the same price bracket as the TP-Link EAP610, sporting the same Wi-Fi 6 standard. The combined line rate is slightly lower, at 1,500Mbps, but the functions of these PoE access points are mostly the same. Ubiquiti offers the UniFi network companion app, providing real-time diagnostics and management options comparable to the TP-Link Omada SDN.

TP-Link takes a minor lead for availability since you can usually purchase their products from more locations than Ubiquiti. Still, both offerings are very similar, and the decision will come down to the larger ecosystem you're planning to build. Setting up a cloud solution for your network usually means sticking with one brand to maintain compatibility and convenience, so speak to your team and consider each of your needs before committing to individual units.

TP-Link EAP610: Should you buy?

You should buy this if ...

• Your business or home suffers from weak Wi-Fi
• You need robust remote management tools
• You want Ethernet-powered access points

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You can't reliably affix the mount to your ceiling or walls
• You have a multi-gig internet service

The EAP610 is an excellent value access point. It's powered by the modern Wi-Fi 6 standard and a Gigabit port and allows you to skip additional AC adapters with an appropriate PoE network switch. Suppose you're looking to bring a reliable, seamless wireless network to a larger home or your place of business. In that case, it works perfectly with the TP-Link Omada SDN, albeit not directly with a cloud controller.

It's primarily for mounting on ceilings, but the metal back plate can also easily attach to walls and most outlet boxes, doubling its usefulness with heat dissipation. It's intended to be a permanent mount with screws, so don't expect to hang it on the wall like a piece of art, even if it sports a sleek aesthetic. Almost perfectly balancing technology and value, the EAP610 would pair well with one of the best TP-Link routers for a reliable home or business network.

TP-Link sold me on their mesh Wi-Fi sets a while ago, with Deco sets proving their worth as a solution to my issues with poor wireless reception in my home office and beyond. Mesh Wi-Fi sends network traffic through multiple nodes, so practically every inch of your home can be covered with high-speed Internet. TP-Link's range is ever-expanding, with various models leaning into specific features for different uses, consistently proving to be capable replacements for single routers.

This latest set, Deco X4300 Pro, is another whole-home mesh system featuring the Wi-Fi 6 standard. It's practically identical in design to other small models in the Deco range. Still, this one boasts 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed Multi-Gig connections and multiple wireless devices streaming simultaneously. Its dual-band signal claims to cover a home with up to seven bedrooms with a combined bandwidth of 4,300Mb/s, so I spent the weekend putting it through its paces for our TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro review.

TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro: Price and availability

TP-Link sells the Deco X4300 Pro (AX4300) whole-home mesh Wi-Fi 6 system through the official TP-Link store and Best Buy for a $400 MSRP. It's sold as a 3-pack with one Ethernet RJ45 cable and three AC power adaptors.

TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro: What you'll like

Since this isn't my first rodeo with a TP-Link Deco set, having reviewed the Deco X55 in February earlier this year, I had a relatively good idea of what to expect from an upgraded version. It was a familiar experience, considering the X4300 Pro units are practically identical to the X55, except for sporting an all-over white color scheme instead of a black top. Each Deco has three Ethernet ports for wired devices, but the primary feature this time is the inclusion of one 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig, perfect for anyone receiving super-fast internet from their ISP.

Sadly, I'm not one of those people. Instead, my little town is miles away from any major cities, and I have to settle for a 100Mb down and 10Mb up service. I won't be pushing this Deco set to its limits by streaming anything from the internet, instead opting to run some tests over the home network. This time, the most intriguing part of TP-Link's advertisement is the potential coverage for up to 7,000 square feet while providing a combined possible bandwidth of 4,300Mb/s. Considering how much I benefit from the Deco X55 set in my tiny home, the potential for the X4300 Pro to be a powered-up version should make it easier to recommend for anyone with more rooms to cover, so it's time to set it up.

As with any competent networking manufacturer, TP-Link provides a companion app for Android and iOS explicitly built for configuring and managing the Deco range. Installing it is the easiest way to start, thanks to consistent app updates and modern device support, and is the first recommended step. A complete novice would find the process simple since every part of the process is broken down into easy-to-understand steps with precise descriptions and diagrams, starting you off with one Deco unit to set up the Wi-Fi network. Connecting the first unit to the Multi-Gig WAN port on my router and the AC adapter to power, its little LED soon shows a pulsing blue light, ready to connect.

Once the Deco network is up, adding the remaining two units with the app is simple. Connect any wired devices you'd like to take advantage of the Ethernet backhaul support, and the extra nodes will search for their siblings and join automatically. My home office is the farthest-reaching room in my house, where my desktop PC, which lacks a Wi-Fi card, is located. Previously running a ridiculously long Ethernet cable around the attic was the solution for high-speed networking. Still, it was less than ideal and something the Deco X55 solved without sacrificing performance. If the X4300 Pro can supply the same signal strength and at least match the speeds, it'll suit my home with its super-thick walls notorious for killing wireless signals.

TP-Link recommended the same method I already use for testing network speeds, mostly taking advantage of the open-source application iPerf. It's perfect for sending various data through LAN and monitoring the transfer speeds in real-time, so I connected three separate PCs via the 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports and a collection of wireless devices via the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. As recommended, I ran the network optimization tool within the Deco app, allowing the units to select the best Wi-Fi channel and suggesting whether I should move any nodes closer to one another. The Deco app reported everything to be perfect since I already use the optimal placement. Activating a series of iPerf stress tests all at once, I'm delighted to say that the X4300 Pro holds up under pressure, and that each device maintained the expected speeds.

I connected two Windows desktops and a single Linux laptop via Ethernet plus a Wi-Fi 6-enabled iPhone 11 over 5GHz using an app version of iPerf. All wired devices maintained a steady transfer rate between 927Mb/s and 940Mb/s simultaneously. However, I couldn't seem to break 738Mb/s on the iPhone no matter where I stood in the house, not quite hitting the supposed maximum of 877Mb/s, according to Apple. It's still a decent speed, considering the traffic going through the Deco system at the time, and everything seems to match up with TP-Link's advertisement. TP-Link claims the X4300 Pro supports six simultaneous streams, four at 960.8Mb/s on the 5GHz band and a pair of 2.4GHz streams at 229.4Mb/s each for a total 4,300Mb/s bandwidth, hence the name.

Although the wireless devices never quite hit their full potential, anything connected over Ethernet performed flawlessly. Considering all three Deco units feature a triplet of LAN ports, any wired devices in your home should be able to hit the purported speeds on the X4300 Pro. A combination of all the advancements the Wi-Fi 6 standard brings, like OFDMA and MU-MIMO, are in full effect to handle multiple high-speed devices at once. You'll also enjoy 1024-QAM and BSS color, but this is when the jargon gets a little complicated. You can rest assured there's plenty of tech inside these little Deco units to keep your high-speed network running smoothly, confirming it deserves the "Pro" title.

TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro: What you won't like

There's little to complain about with the Deco X4300 since TP-Link has packed so much modern wireless tech into these compact mesh nodes sitting comfortably in any home, often mistaken as a smart home speaker. Unfortunately, the same minor frustrations from other TP-Link Deco kits return, including the AC power cord length. Since placement is paramount for mesh Wi-Fi, you'll often find that the ideal place for the units isn't conveniently next to an outlet. It's not fair to blame the manufacturer for the construction of a house, and a socket extension is a simple solution, but I'd still prefer just a bit more reach on each Deco. The included Ethernet cable is woefully short, too, so your router needs to be less than 2 meters from your base unit if you plan to use it.

TP-Link's HomeShield network protection service is still based on a subscription if you want anything outside of basic diagnostics, and it only works if you run the Deco in router mode, not as a set of access points. Considering the asking price for the unit, it feels somewhat harsh to want an additional $6 a month (still £6 in the UK) for full parental controls and proper protection against malicious attacks. Perhaps a mesh set as expensive as this could at least include a coupon for some free months of HomeShield Pro, but monetizing features like this has become an unfortunate trend in networking hardware, so it's not too surprising. Budgets are the biggest roadblock for the X4300 Pro, then, and it's so similar to other models in the Deco range that you'll need to ensure you can use its full potential.

If you're pulling in a Multi-Gig connection from your ISP and want to wirelessly distribute the bandwidth around your home to wireless and wired devices, you'll do well with its Ethernet backhaul support and Wi-Fi 6 tech; otherwise, it's needless spending. The X4300 Pro only loses a half star for its locked-out HomeShield subscription functions and a few hardware frustrations, including a total lack of USB ports ruling out NAS drives. Still, most of my warnings are related to its potential for complete overkill for the average user, not actual flaws.

TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro: The competition

The most obvious comparison is to another Wi-Fi 6 set featuring an almost identical design, the TP-Link Deco X55. This cheaper option offers fewer streams with lower bandwidth, but the price drop is enormous and would likely suit most homes perfectly fine. If the Deco X4300 is a Pro model, then the X55 is almost certainly the standard edition. Compare the specifications below to help decide whether you need the Pro model.

Remember that the advertised line rate refers to a combined bandwidth potential on a clear Wi-Fi channel. The Deco X55 uses four simultaneous streams divided into a 5GHz and 2.4GHz band, and the Deco X4300 Pro uses eight streams divided into the same dual-band setup. There's an across-the-board improvement on the X4300 Pro, but you should only choose it if your devices would need the extra performance.

TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro: Should you buy?

You should buy this if ...

• You have super-fast Gigabit internet
• Your wireless devices support the Wi-Fi 6 standard
• You struggle with Wi-Fi signal dead spots

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• Your devices would never reach the potential speeds
• You rely on USB-powered network-attached storage

TP-Link has expanded its Deco range with various takes on the same mesh concept, solving the issue of Wi-Fi dead spots at home. The X4300 Pro takes its name seriously, offering a more advanced feature set than most consumer-grade networking hardware. If you're connected to your ISP with a Gigabit package or better, this set can help feed super-fast internet around the home. If not, you're more likely overreaching and would fare better with a cheaper TP-Link kit like the Deco X55.

A lack of USB ports means no NAS drives or printers, and the lengths of the included AC adapter and Ethernet cables can cause frustration when deciding where to place the Deco units around the house, but the downsides are mostly trivial. The X4300 Pro is a powerful, whole-home mesh Wi-Fi solution for anyone looking to connect modern devices and maximize data transfer speeds. Easily competing with the best mesh Wi-Fi router systems, TP-Link continues to be a reliable name in networking hardware, with another winner in the Deco range.

The TP-Link Archer AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 router has dropped to $249.99 through Amazon. That's $30 off this router's regular street price and just $10 above what it was selling for over the Black Friday holiday weekend last year. This is a great low price, but it will bounce back soon enough. Grab it while you can. The same router is still going for $266 at Best Buy, even though that's also considered a sale.

If you want to know all the juicy details about this fast and complicated router, read our review that gave it 4.5 stars out of 5 and a Recommended badge. Cale Hunt said this router is "meant to handle a lot of traffic at high speeds. If you're in a large home with a lot of people who want to stream, game, and browse, it's no doubt going to be a good fit."

Thanks to the eight high-gain external atennas, you get strong Wi-Fi that can cover a lot of ground. Deliver signals all throughout your home and ensure a stable connection no matter where you're trying to connect from. The device also has Beamforming and Range Boost technology to help ensure that's the case.

One thing you should look for in a router is security. Is your home network safe? TP-Link includes a free lifetime subscription to HomeCare with this router that includes next-level antivirus, robust parental controls and QoS, which lets you prioritize your bandwidth and improve performance.

The TP-Link Archer line is consistently one of our favorites, but you can find less expensive options out there if you don't need as many features as this router has.

TP-Link is no stranger to high-tech hardware, repeatedly proving they're one of the best manufacturers of networking accessories in the industry. Their Deco range of mesh Wi-Fi systems continues to grow, with a fantastic solution for weaker wireless signals in the home or office by repeating your network traffic through its powered access points. Deco units have demonstrated their worth to me before, so I'm excited to check out their latest model.

The Deco XE75 (AXE5400) unit is a 2-pack set, interchangeable as routers or access points. They stand out from the crowd by flaunting the Wi-Fi 6E standard with its tri-band signal, allowing for an ultra-low-latency 6GHz band to provide a dedicated wireless backhaul for streamlining internet traffic back to your modem. They claim it covers up to 5,500 feet with speeds up to 5,400Mbps, which is impressive if true. So how does it compare to my usual mesh system?

TP-Link Deco XE75: Price and availability

TP-Link sells its Deco XE75 (AXE5400) mesh Wi-Fi set through Amazon and the TP-Link store. Available for $299.99 MSRP after release on April 11, 2022, with single-, double-, and triple-pack variants.

TP-Link Deco XE75: What's good

Luckily for TP-Link, they don't need to sell me on the idea of mesh Wi-Fi since their previous Deco X55 3-pack set had blown me away with a performance that destroyed my single router. Moving this time then to the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard sounds promising since it should provide even faster speeds through the network, but my ISP restricts my internet to 100Mbps, so there's nowhere higher to push there. My tests were more about how the Deco XE75 handled my wireless devices around the home since my aging house has very thick brick walls, and we used to struggle to keep things connected when far away from the modem. The results were as expected, with no changes to our meager internet performance.

Running five separate speed tests for both Deco sets and again with a direct Cat6 Ethernet cable connection to the router resulted in no significant outliers, so it was easy to calculate the mean value. The jump in downstream speeds might hint at better performance from the Deco XE75 but is more of a result of our service provider's shaky connection and throttling habits. It's the speed I expect to see, which is fantastic news and means the 2-pack is performing just as well as the Deco X55 3-pack for internet, albeit with slightly less signal strength, which I'll get into later.

One of the best parts about TP-Link's Deco range is the accompanying Deco app, available on Android and iOS devices, making it super simple to set up the mesh system. It's as easy as following the instructions on-screen, barely needing to ever glance at the paper manual in the box. With my ISP-provided combination modem/router set to modem-only mode, I can connect to any router of my choosing via its high-speed WAN port. All units in the Deco XE75 sets have three Gigabit LAN/WAN ports, so you can plug into whichever is most convenient, and the Deco will communicate with the app.

When you switch on the power to the first Deco, its LED begins to shine solid yellow, then pulsing blue when ready to set up. At this point, it's as simple as selecting your Deco model from the list on the app and watching it do all the work for you. I've been so impressed with the Deco app, giving me the confidence that you could recommend these mesh systems to even the most technophobic relatives, and they could figure it out without issue. Connecting the second Deco was a breeze, as usual, just powering it on has it automatically looking for nearby units and joining the network. All I had to do was name each Deco to complete this painless setup then everything was running smoothly.

Once the Deco units are ready, you can start connecting your devices, wired and wireless. The XE75 set is compatible with all other Deco models, so in theory, you could connect multiple systems into one network for unparalleled wireless strength. I'm getting my full expected internet speed in the farthest-reaching room in my house with as few as two units, so there's no need. Moving around the house with my phone on the XE75 network will automatically select the closest Deco with the strongest available signal, thanks to its beam steering tech, or "AI-driven mesh," as TP-Link calls it. I don't have to constantly change to a different Wi-Fi SSID based on which room I happen to be in, which means I don't have to avoid certain wireless dead zones in my house anymore.

TP-Link Deco XE75: What's not good

Talking about downsides to the Deco XE75 means very little to complain about, but there are some things we need to discuss. When I tested the Deco X55 3-pack with its Wi-Fi 6 tech, I removed the middle Deco to replicate the XE75 setup I'd be using, one at the modem and the other in my far-away office. Surprisingly, the XE75 exhibited a slightly weaker wireless signal than the X55, stuck at two out of three "bars." Download and upload speeds remained the same, but it's worth pointing out that my phone held a stronger connection to the Wi-Fi 6 X55 than the Wi-Fi 6E XE75 from the same spot in my garden.

Comparing the transmission power of the Deco X55 and the XE75 shows identical dBm measurements for 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands on the EU CE and USA FCC standards, with the XE75 supposedly bolstered by its extra 6GHz band. Considering the Deco XE75 even has a more powerful quad-core 1.7GHz CPU than the dual-core 1GHz on the Deco X55, I can't fathom why the AX3000 antennas in the cheaper set outperform this new AXE5400 system in the same positions around my home.

Again, speeds are the same for me even when dropping signal strength by a small amount, but it's a curious drawback when the XE75 is physically taller with more powerful hardware. At this point, I find it hard to recommend it over its smaller sibling for your average internet speeds since it's not outperforming in any manner that makes a difference in my network. If you have Gigabit internet, perhaps you would see more benefits with the XE75 and a house full of Wi-Fi 6-compatible devices, but otherwise, it doesn't beat out its cheaper counterpart at this level.

So far, none of the Deco models has functionality for USB-powered network storage devices. If you have a NAS drive on your network, forget about connecting it to the Deco mesh system. You could run the XE75 as two access points instead, leaving USB devices connected to the base router unit, but then you're spending a lot of money just for a couple of access points. The Deco app and dashboard offer some fantastic QoS tools, but the Pro service holding the majority of parental controls requires a paid monthly or yearly subscription.

TP-Link is asking a lot of money for a mesh system with this niche a target audience, but it's not a poor system by any means. In fact, this tri-band pack is incredibly powerful and stands proud alongside the other great units in the Deco range. The problem is that the XE75 doesn't push the envelope for average networks enough to make a difference, aiming instead for the ultra-high-end where only the most cutting-edge wireless devices will see any real benefit. If you're searching the web specifically for Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems, then you've hit the bullseye, but if you're just looking for something better than a single router, you can happily drop to a cheaper mesh system and still enjoy the benefits it brings.

TP-Link Deco XE75: Competition

I've compared the Deco XE75 2-pack to the X55 3-pack, explaining how the performance doesn't improve much on the more expensive XE75. Looking at the specifications side by side makes the Deco XE75 seem like it triumphs in almost every way, so this is a good learning exercise in real-world performance for low-to-mid-range internet speeds and the viability of dual-band over tri-band.

The Deco XE75 might be overkill for most home networking needs, and I'd advise you to take advantage of an extra Deco unit in the X55 3-pack instead. They're cross-compatible either way, so you could connect both sets to the same network if you wanted to.

TP-Link Deco XE75: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

• Your home suffers Wi-Fi dead spots
• Powerline adapters aren't fast enough
• Your router struggles with multiple wireless devices

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You don't have any Wi-Fi 6-compatible devices
• You use USB-attached network storage

Mesh Wi-Fi is a fantastic solution to a single router with feeble wireless antennas, something TP-Link has conquered with its Deco range. The XE75 2-pack is perfect if you can use the cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6E standard to its fullest, otherwise it's a little overkill for most needs. Three Gigabit LAN ports help with wired devices, but a lack of USB rules out NAS drives.

The Deco XE75 promises an easy setup for speedy data transfer over a long range, and it does all that in spades. Joining the Deco family with the fantastic app makes it an approachable avenue to next-generation Wi-Fi tech that anyone could use.

Being loaded with high-tech wireless features doesn't mean it's all performance and no downsides, with real-world performance mirroring some of the best mesh systems that are far cheaper. The cons are few to name but worth considering if you don't plan to take full advantage of the Wi-Fi 6E standard. If not, save some money by dropping only a step to a regular Wi-Fi 6 alternative and enjoy better value.

TP-Link has manufactured networking hardware for decades, and they consistently prove to be some of the best in the business. Their line of mesh Wi-Fi products promises to impress, with the variety of Deco sets offering a solution to weak wireless signals. Mesh Wi-Fi outperforms most single routers by using access points placed around a home or business, bouncing your wireless internet around in a relay.

The Deco X55 whole-home mesh system is available as either a two-pack or three-pack set, with the recommended maximum of 10 Deco units if you have a larger building to cover. Featuring the super-fast Wi-Fi 6 standard and three Gigabit LAN ports in each Deco, the X55 package claims to deliver seamless coverage and remove dead zones. So how does it compare to my usual home setup?

Deco X55: Price and availability

TP-Link sells its Deco X55 AX3000 mesh Wi-Fi set through major third-party retailers, including Amazon. The Deco X55 currently enjoys good stock availability and is sold in glossy black and white as either a two-pack or three-pack.

Deco X55: What is mesh Wi-Fi?

Mesh Wi-Fi systems have been around for a while, with the concept of using access points to beam your Wi-Fi signal farther than a single router. Since I've spent the better part of a decade relying on ISP-provided hardware combining modems and routers, I've been stuck in the mindset that Wi-Fi can never be as fast or reliable as hard-wired Ethernet. Third-party routers have given me more control over certain aspects of my network, but none of them outshined any others when it came to providing my old house with wireless internet.

My home is over a 100 years old and has thick brick walls combined with aging power cables, and so typical is it that my office is the absolute farthest room from the fiber-optic connection coming into the house. Trying to connect our combined office and hobby room to the internet has been a chore, and trying to find a solution was a painful search until I tried out the Deco X55 set from TP-Link.

Previously, I had run a 50-foot Ethernet cable across the hallways and down the staircase. Sure, it gives me a strong internet connection, but it also gives me a strong chance of falling down the stairs, so that's not ideal. Running a weather-proof Ethernet cable through the attic is possible, but a high risk of damages could break the connection and be costly to repair.

Past that, I eventually settled on trying some of the best powerline network adapters. They use the power cables of your house to transmit data, which is very clever, but even with a decent set of adapters, I still couldn't reach maximum internet speeds. Luckily, the Deco X55 has opened my mind to the possibilities of mesh Wi-Fi and wireless networking in general, proving to be incredibly capable.

Deco X55: The positive

Setting up the Deco X55 units was a breeze. Using the Deco app from TP-Link on my phone to "paint my home in Wi-Fi" was as simple as connecting the power and naming each unit. Since I use my ISP-provided router, I instead switched that to modem-only mode, leaving the Deco system to take over as my router and control all of my traffic. Luckily enough, each Deco in the X55 set has three LAN ports, so I connected my wired devices in the living room.

Connecting the remaining Deco units was even easier since I barely had to do a thing besides connect them to power. The LED on the unit briefly blinks then the Deco automatically finds its closest available sibling to extend the network. Back on the app, I ran the "network optimization" feature, and it selected a Wi-Fi channel least affected by congestion. The whole system online, the Deco app asked to run a quick firmware update. I had run speed tests on my usual setup to compare the results to the TP-Link Deco, and to say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement.

I ran five separate speed tests on each connection then calculated the mean value since there were no significant outliers. The jump in speed from my standard powerline adapter setup is striking but not too surprising. The real shock was how the office Deco unit, farthest away from my router, performed almost identically to the 50-foot Ethernet cable connected directly to the main router. Wireless speeds matching that of LAN? Maybe it's time I ditched these trailing cables after all.

The overall setup is the base Deco placed next to my ISP-provided router set to modem-only mode and connected via the single included Ethernet cable. With that, I have the two counterpart units upstairs. One directly above the living room placed in the hallway, and the other in my back office, connected to my PC via Ethernet and using the hallway Deco as a relay point. Admirably, this feeds the maximum internet speed from my incoming connection throughout my house without latency issues.

It's a similar experience to using Wi-Fi extenders, but with the benefit of the Wi-Fi 6 speeds and extra LAN ports offered by the Deco X55 system. It does everything that TP-Link advertises and greatly improved my home network. Anyone who suffers from poor Wi-Fi signals in their home should consider the Deco X55 rather than running unwieldy lengths of Ethernet cabling across each room. It's almost too easy to use.

Deco X55: The negative

The whole experience with the Deco X55 was relatively painless, so keeping notes on negative points didn't yield much. TP-Link includes one free Ethernet cable, but there are a total of nine LAN ports, so throwing a couple more cables into the box wouldn't hurt. Besides that, the power adapters have a shorter cord than expected. It's not a deal-breaker, but I couldn't get the base Deco too far from my modem, which remains close to the wall. When wireless signals are the priority, it would be nice to have a little more length to position the units, but it's nothing extension cords can't fix.

Should you decide to use the Deco X55 in access-point mode, you will lose access to parental controls and quality of service (QoS) tools to manage internet traffic. If you have a dedicated modem, this shouldn't be an issue, just something to consider if internet usage requires monitoring. Best to use the Deco as a router and take full advantage of everything the app offers on iOS and Android, including connection alerts if anything goes wrong.

The only compromise I had to make was dropping from five Ethernet ports on my previous router to just three on the base Deco, but we only have three Ethernet devices to connect anyway. If you have a lot of wired devices where your primary Deco would be situated, it's critical to consider how you might remedy this. Each unit does have three LAN ports each, so contemplate moving wired devices closer to the other Deco units to prevent issues. The lack of USB ports also means those using USB external hard drives as network-attached storage (NAS) or USB printers will need to find alternative methods, such as Ethernet-powered NAS.

Past that, the only real downside to the Deco X55 is its price. It's a fair ask, but it's on the high side for people looking to fix their spotty Wi-Fi. I can see why some might spring for cheaper Wi-Fi extenders or convert old hardware into access points, but nothing has compared to the ease of use of this mesh Wi-Fi system. Take some time to consider your options, and if you can afford it, give the Deco X55 a fair shot. TP-Link has knocked it out of the park here.

Deco X55: Should you buy it?

I've never known networking to be so easy. It's incredible how something that resembles an upmarket smart speaker can super-charge my internet far better than the ridiculous reels of Ethernet cables running around my house. The Deco X55 is just one of many mesh systems from TP-Link, but it stands out as seriously powerful and joyously simple to set up.

Compared to some of the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers out there, the Deco has proved to be the best solution to my wireless woes. I can't see myself ever moving away from mesh Wi-Fi now.

You should buy this if ...

• You struggle with poor Wi-Fi around the home
• You need to connect far-reaching rooms to the internet

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You have a large amount of wired devices
• You rely on USB-powered network devices

If you suffer from dead zones in your network, you must give the Deco X55 a chance. The Deco app makes setup as simple as possible and adjusts to give your network a speed boost. It is a fantastic way to keep a household connected without compromising on speed versus distance from the router.

With super-fast network connections over a clever mesh Wi-Fi 6 system, the Deco X55 from TP-Link solves the issue of weak signals and dead spots in the home. Though a tad expensive, it's worth the asking price and will perform as expected. Maybe spring for a couple of extension cords to position the Deco units exactly where you want them and enjoy your home, painted in Wi-Fi.

The Archer AX6000 and GX90 are the latest Wi-Fi 6 routers from TP-Link and aren't so far apart in price. Their similarity is no coincidence since the Archer GX90 uses the model number AX6600, meaning both are from the same generation of TP-Link routers. Breaking the hardware down into specifics reveals how close they are, with a small selection of key differences. So with both routers being so closely related, which one should you buy?

Archer AX6000 vs. GX90: What's the difference?

These similarly chunky routers serve you high-speed internet with state-of-the-art wireless technology. The Archer AX6000 and the GX90 make suitable impressions with their feature sets, and anyone purchasing either model would enjoy the benefits. A few additions on each side will tip the decision on which one you buy based on your networking needs.

Both models share the same Wi-Fi 6 standard, designed to connect more devices simultaneously than ever. Since the AX6000 is the more expensive model, boasting a slightly faster CPU makes sense. Since both are quad-core processors, though, the performance difference is negligible.

TP-Link's Game Accelerator technology on the Archer GX90 reduces latency and boosts game speed. Automatically detecting and optimizing gaming traffic helps to strengthen lag-free online multiplayer. Gamers will appreciate the real-time statistics, but they are for more than just gaming. A real-time breakdown of data and bandwidth per device provided by Game Accelerator is just plain useful for network troubleshooting.

Both routers offer two USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports for expansion, connecting printers, expanded storage, and more. The Archer AX6000 sports a USB-C 3.0 port that supports modern network-attached storage (NAS) devices. The Archer GX90 still offers USB 3.0 speeds with an older USB-A style cable, though both routers can use the USB functions supported by TP-Link, such as media servers.

Slightly fewer LAN ports on the GX90 could prove troublesome for anyone with more than five wired devices, but connecting an extra network switch would solve this problem without breaking the bank. The critical difference between the two routers is the extra 5GHz network boasted by the tri-band GX90, but is tri-band that big of a deal?

Archer AX6000 vs. Archer GX90: Dual-band or tri-band?

The advantage of tri-band Wi-Fi is that it features an extra 5GHz band for handling access points and internet traffic. Reducing network congestion is a benefit of the extra 5GHz band, and it offers up an additional guest network to keep visiting device traffic separate from your own. That's not to say that dual-band Wi-Fi is a slouch for wireless connectivity, and Wi-Fi 6 routers with a single 5GHz band will be perfectly suitable for most cases.

The addition of tri-band Wi-Fi usually means sky-high prices over dual-band counterparts, so it's often not worth forking out the extra cash for future-proof technology that you might not use. In the case of deciding which one you should buy, the tri-band GX90 is the cheaper option, so it's a much easier decision.

Archer AX6000 vs. GX90: Which should you buy?

The Archer GX90 is slightly cheaper than the AX6000 but much better value for money. If you're in the market for a Wi-Fi 6 router, don't be turned off by the GX90 if you're not into gaming. Its network management and monitoring tools are practical for more than just reducing lag, and the advantage of tri-band Wi-Fi will see you into the future further than its chunkier counterpart, the AX6000.

If you prefer Gigabit speeds with wired devices and are unlikely to exceed internet speeds offered by dual-band Wi-Fi, then the Archer AX6000 is a respected choice. The double helping of USB 3.0 ports would make for a formidable media center, feeding ultra-HD content across your network with ease if you don't mind a little less desk space.

What you need to know

• TP-Link unveiled a range of products including routers, mesh Wi-Fi, and smart home devices.
• Archer AXE200 Omni is the first-ever Wi-Fi 6E router with mechanically rotating smart antennas.
• TP-Link's Tapo smart home line, including home security cameras, is being introduced to US markets.

Network hardware specialist TP-Link announced its latest offerings at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The leading global provider of consumer and business networking, TP-Link has a range of new cutting-edge technology that it's proud to unveil. From routers with automatic rotating antennas to a plethora of smart home devices, its hardware is better than ever.

Routers

Leading the pack is the CES Innovation Award honouree TP-Link Archer AXE200 Omni (AX11000). It's a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router with mechanical antennas that intelligently rotate to capture the strongest wireless signal. With a 6GHz band supporting speeds over 10Gbps, the AXE200 Omni uses its rotating smart antennas to adjust to specific devices and give optimal performance. Under the hood are a 2GHz quad-core CPU, one 10G port, and an extra 2.5G port for flexibility. The Omni is a powerhouse flagship router with a yet-to-be-announced release date.

The first-ever quad-band router from TP-Link, the Archer AXE300 (AXE16000) is a Wi-Fi 6E router with a 6GHz band delivering speeds of up to 16Gbps. It's the second router featuring a 2GHz quad-core CPU, but with a 10G WAN/LAN port and a second 10G port, the AXE300 has network performance in mind. With more Wi-Fi bands than ever reducing Wi-Fi congestion, each band can be assigned to individual users. Ideal for streaming ultra-HD 8K video, next-generation gaming, and the fastest network-attached storage (NAS) setups, the AXE300 is the fastest Wi-Fi 6E router set for release in Q2 2022.

Providing the best performance for the price, the Archer AXE75 (AXE5400) Wi-Fi 6E tri-band router supports up to 5.4Gbps speeds. Compatible with TP-Link OneMesh range extenders, this affordable hardware equips homes with super-fast connections without breaking the bank. A 1.7GHz quad-core CPU sits inside, ensuring it can handle any heavy-duty network traffic and will release as soon as March 2022.

Mesh Wi-Fi

Stepping up as the flagship Wi-Fi 6E mesh network system for TP-Link, the Deco XE200 (AXE11000) tri-band delivers wireless connections up to 11Gbps with 1024-QAM and a 160GHz channel. The set includes a 10Gbps port, 4.8Gbps backhaul, and 4.8Gbps single-band Wi-Fi, delivering unparalleled mesh Wi-Fi performance. Available as a two-pack covering up to 6,500 square feet or three-pack reaching even further, the Deco XE200 will provide the absolute best Wi-Fi signal for over 200 devices in your home. It releases in Q2 2022.

The Deco XE75 (AXE5400) tri-band Wi-Fi 6E mesh system aims to be the best for everyone, featuring three 1 Gigabit ports and delivering speeds up to 5400Mbps. Using the latest 6E technology, the 6GHz band offers faster speeds and more bandwidth around your network, reducing latency to near-zero. Set for release in March 2022, this is an affordable mesh system offering from TP-Link.

AI-powered networking provided by the Wi-Fi 6 Deco X55 (AX3000) mesh system learns your home environment to provide the best wireless signal. Its dual-band setup delivers speeds up to 3000Mbps and includes three 1 Gigabit ports like its 6E counterpart, the Deco XE75. The Deco X55 is a fantastic way to introduce mesh networking into your home and is due for release in January 2022.

Dust and water-resistant for outdoor use, the IP65 rated Wi-Fi 6 Deco X50 Outdoor (AX3000) are rough and ready to expand your network to the garden and beyond. The dual-band mesh system offers speeds up to 3000Mbps and two 1 Gigabit ports for wired connections. The Deco X50 is perfect for covering your whole property with reliable internet access and is set for release in Q2 2022.

Network adapters

Supporting tri-band network extension, the Wi-Fi 6E RE815XE range extender (AXE5400) features 160MHz channel bandwidth for the fastest mesh network coverage. With range extenders positioned around your home, you can move from room to room and stay connected via seamless roaming without sacrificing speed. Get ready for up to 5400Mbps with the dedicated 6GHz band, preventing interference and congestion within the network. This product will be available in Q2 2022.

Providing Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless technology, the tri-band Archer TXE75E PCIe network adapter (AXE5400) is a great way to connect a desktop PC to your wireless network. OFDMA and MU-MIMO ensure the best possible connection with WPA3 security, keeping your traffic secure. The 6GHz band provided by Wi-Fi 6E supports speeds up to 5400Mbps, a 5GHz band at 2402Mbps, and a 2.4GHz band at 574Mbps. The Archer TXE75E is perfect for a desktop otherwise restricted to LAN connections and will be available in March 2022.

If PCIe expansion is not an option, the Archer TX20UH USB Wi-Fi adapter (AX1800) is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 network adapter that connects to USB. Fast speeds of up to 1201Mbps over 5GHz and 574Mbps over 2.4GHz provide reliable internet access to devices that otherwise have no wireless connectivity. As with the TXE75E PCIe adapter, this USB offering provides the same OFDMA and MU-MIMO features with WPA3 security and will release in Q2 2022.

Tapo smart home range

TP-Link is doubling down on smart home technology and home security under its new Tapo product line. Compatible with its Kasa range of smart home products, these latest offerings include a variety of IoT-compatible devices.

Innovative new security cameras such as the C220 with pan and tilt, C320WS wired camera, C720 outdoor floodlight, and C420 outdoor battery-powered camera all improve home security. All four cameras support 2K UHD resolutions and night vision.

Two new smart light products include the L930 LED strip and L535E smart bulb. Both offer 16-million color combinations and compatibility with Apple Homekit, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa for remote control.

To connect all of these new intelligent devices, TP-Link also introduced new hubs, switches, and sensors. The H100 smart hub features 2.4GHz Wi-Fi at 922MHz for connected devices. It can be used to control switches and sensors such as the T100 motion sensor, T110 door/window sensor, and TS200D smart button. The new P125 smart plug and P306 smart power strip can also be controlled remotely, keeping electronics safely connected to power.

As of now, not every product that TP-Link has announced at CES 2022 has a confirmed release date.

The TP-Link Deco X60 Wi-Fi 6 mesh networking system has dropped in price today. It's down to $179.99 through Amazon. You can actually find it going for that price at several retailers right now, including Newegg among others. Pick your favorite I suppose. It's a great price no matter whom you go with considering the Deco X60 can often be found selling for as much as $230.

If you're looking for a mesh networking system, but this price is still too much for you and you don't care about Wi-Fi 6, TP-Link does have another option. Thanks to the B&H Mega DealZone sale going on right now, you can get the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus 3-pack system for a low price of $124.95. This system's max support is for Wi-Fi 5, but this is a great price that's obviously much less expensive than the Wi-Fi 6 system.

The Deco X60 comes with multiple devices that all work together to cover up to 5,000 square feet of your home in Wi-Fi. You can also add other cylinders later if you still have dead zones that need shoring up with strong internet. If you have a large, busy family you need a system like this because it can connect up to 110 devices with no trouble. If you think about how your home works these days, it's not hard to get a big number. Think about all the tablets, smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, security cameras, and all of that you have bogging down your network. It's helpful to have something that can handle that level of traffic.

TP-Link makes the transition to this new system easy, too. Use the Deco app to set it all up with clear visual guides. You'll also be able to manage the network from anywhere, even when you're not home. It's even compatible with Amazon Alexa so you can easily grant Wi-Fi access to visitors.

With WPA3 encryption and a lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare, your network is more protected than ever. It has antivirus and TP-Link's Quality of Service for a safe online experience. Plus you get access to parental controls that let you manage, limit, and monitor the internet use in your home.

Have you invested in a great Wi-Fi 6 router yet? You should! Wi-Fi 6 is a huge improvement over previous generations, and right now you can get an upgraded version of our favorite value pick on sale. The TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 router is down to $87 at Walmart. The AX3000 normally sells for around $130, and you can find it going for that price at other retailers like Amazon. It has never come close to dropping this low anywhere else, and today's price is even better than a deal we shared a couple months ago when it dropped to $100 at Walmart.

TP-Link is one of the go-to names if you're looking for a new router and you don't want to spend a fortune. These are routers we'd call the best "bang for your buck" as it were since they tend to do quite a lot without emptying your wallet. The AX3000 definitely offers a serious upgrade over previous generations if you haven't upgraded just yet, and it does so at a great price. Wi-Fi 6 was one of the bigger leaps in Wi-Fi. It's three times faster with four times the capacity and 75% lower latency.

You'll be able to reach 3 Gbps speeds with 2402 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. Thanks to technology like OFDMA and MU-MIMO, you'll be able to use all that speed on dozens of devices. Even when you've got your smartphone, laptop, computer, and tablet all connected to the Wi-Fi, this router is smart enough to deliver its crazy fast speeds to all of them without slowing down.

The Wi-Fi coverage can also be focused in the direction it needs to go based on what's connected. Beamforming ensures you get the strongest, most reliable signal even while moving around your home. Your devices won't consume as much battery power as they normally would, either. Target Wake Time tech helps reduce the power consumption required for a solid wireless connection.

It's time to upgrade to a Wi-Fi 6 router if you haven't already. The TP-Link Archer AX21 AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 smart router has dropped to $79.99 at Amazon. That is $20 off its regular price, $10 less than a deal we shared a few months ago, and an all-new low price for this router. No matter how you look at it, we're talking about some good savings here.

When it comes to value, we generally recommend the AX1500, but the router on sale here today is a step up in terms of performance and today it is only $10 more thanks to the sale.

TP-Link makes great routers. The sort of routers that perform really well but also don't empty your wallet. The company somehow manages to always find that balance between super affordable and super functional. The AX1800 strikes that balance perfectly, too, with amazing Wi-Fi 6 speeds and other features.

With the Archer AX21 you get dual-band and Wi-Fi 6 tech for fast speeds, great capacity, and reduced network congestion even when compared to other TP-Link routers. Stream, game, and download whatever you want without clogging up the network or bringing down the network. You'll get Wi-Fi speeds up to 1.8 Gbps thanks to 1200 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band.

Rely on this router to keep you connected even if you live in a home with a whole bunch of devices trying to connect at once thanks to the built-in OFDMA technology. You can connect your laptop, mobile device, smart home, gaming consoles, and the rest of your family's devices all at the same time without worrying about dropping them.

The Beamforming tech also ensures you get the strongest signal no matter where you're connecting from. It helps focus the signal strength and keep it strong even across larger distances. The four external antennae help ensure you stay connected in the corners of your home as well.

Use the TP-Link tether app to set it all up easily when you first get your router.

The TP-Link Archer A20 is a great router that we called a "congestion killer" in our review. That's precisely what it does, too. Right now you can get it at a discounted price of just $139.99 on Amazon. The router's regular price is $200, and while it has gone on sale in the last couple months you'd have to go all the way back to May 2020 to find it going for as low as today's deal. This is a big and rare discount, which means it will probably not last very long.

Our review of the router gave it 4 stars out of 5 and a Recommended badge. Dan Thorp-Lancaster said "it packs consistent throughput and a solid feature set for the money. If you don't want to invest in a mesh networking setup and have a ton of connected devices, the Archer A20 is a solid bet." The biggest mark against it was the price, which hopefully today's deal takes care of for you.

This is a router that's ready to handle whatever you're going to throw at it. First off, it has a tri-band radio capable of 1625 Mbps on both 5GHz bands and 750 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. It's powered by a 1.8GHz 64-bit processor with three co-processors and 512MB of RAM.

Plus, there are some great features to help deal with a household that has all sorts of gaming consoles, smartphones, laptops, and tablets connected to the same Wi-Fi. MU-MIMO tech for example lets you get all those devices connected simultaneously and can handle the multiple requests all at once. The beamforming technology focuses the router's signal so you get the strongest connection even when you're far away. And it can handle the distance thanks to a range boost feature.

You'll also get a free lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare, which helps you with anti-virus, parental controls, QoS, and more. TP-Link backs it up with a two-year warranty.

The TP-Link Archer C7 is a Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router. While we do think you should upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 if you can, and TP-Link has a great Wi-Fi 6 router, too, you may not need that much from your router. Plus, you may not want to pay that much. Right now the Archer C7 is down to a measly $49.99 at Best Buy. You can even find it at that price at a couple other retailers like Target and Staples. This is a $30 price drop from the router's regular price, and one of the best prices we've ever seen on it.

Not everyone out there is going to have affordable access to Gigabit Ethernet. If you're paying for something that's like 200 Mbps or less, you don't need Wi-Fi 6 because you won't be able to take advantage of those speeds anyway. Go with Wi-Fi 5 instead because not only is your internet probably a lot less expensive, but you can also save with awesome router deals like this. The Archer C7 is so easy to use and does a heckuva lot for how much it costs.

You'll get data transfer speeds up to 1,750 Mbps. That includes a 2.4GHz band with 450 Mbps speeds and a 5GHz connection with 1300Mbps speeds. The back of the router has four Ethernet ports so you can connect the old fashioned way, which is really recommended for computers and gaming consoles and things like that that put the biggest burden on your network.

You'll also get a ton of great features including an SPI firewall, VPN pass-through, and IP address filtering. These security features can help keep your private information private. You won't have to worry about unauthorized eyes getting a look at your stuff.

The Archer C7 also makes it as easy as possible to set up. It has a wizard that guides you step-by-step, and it's also compatible with an app you can use on your smartphone for more control.

There are plenty of great Wi-Fi 6 routers out there. If you haven't upgraded yet, you should because Wi-Fi 6 is significantly faster than previous generations of Wi-Fi. If you're working from a home with a dozen devices connected to the internet or you just want your wireless speeds to get closer to matching your Gigabit wired speeds, upgrade today. If money has been holding you back, take a look at the TP-Link Archer AX21 AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 smart router. It was selling for as much as $130 in early December. Right now it's down to its lowest price ever for $89.99 at Amazon.

TP-Link has always been one of the big names in routers. The company makes routers that are both super affordable while still being highly functional and crazy expensive with all the bells and whistles. Plus plenty of others in between. The AX1800 on sale here strikes a sweet spot in terms of affordability while still giving you some amazing Wi-Fi 6 speeds.

The router uses dual-band and Wi-Fi 6 technology for faster speeds, greater capacity, and reduced network congestion compared to previous generation routers. It's capable of streaming, gaming, and downloading whatever you want. It can do all that with Wi-Fi speeds up to 1.8Gbps, and it achieves this with 1200 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band.

Thanks to OFDMA tech, you can also rely on this router to keep you connected even when using a bunch of devices at once. Get your laptop, mobile device, smart home and all the devices from your family all connected without worrying about losing speed over time.

The AX1800 router also has Beamforming technology to help it focus signal strength across much larger distances. The four external high-gain antennas also help make sure you're staying connected even in the corners of your home.

Download the TP-Link tether app for easy setup when you first get your router.

The TP-Link Archer A10 AC2600 Wi-Fi router has dropped to $79.99 at B&H. Just be sure to clip the $40 off on-page coupon that brings it down from $120. The same router is $99 on Amazon, and that's also a discounted price considering it normally goes for $120 there as well. Other retailers like Walmart are still selling it at its street price. This is the best deal we've ever seen for the A10.

The Archer A10 is a powerful Wi-Fi 5 router that can seriously improve your internet without breaking your bank. This is a sweet spot TP-Link has regularly found itself in as far as wireless routers are concerned. While this model in particular isn't listed, you'll see we like the Archer A7 and the Archer AX10 in our list of the best wireless routers around. That's thanks to consistent performance and quality in addition to the affordable prices.

This is a dual-band router with speeds of 1,733 Mbps on 5GHz and 800 Mbps on 2.4GHz. It has incredible range and reliability thanks to the three external antennas and one internal antenna that help amplify the wireless signal. The A10 also uses Beamforming technology to focus that signal towards connected devices.

In the modern era, wireless routers are needed for so much more than computers and the occasional mobile phone. You could probably name a dozen different devices connected to your internet without really trying including everything from security cameras to e-book readers to your smart TV. That's why you need MU-MIMO tech and why the Archer A10 has it. This lets all your devices get maximum throughput so nothing lags behind.

You can also use Amazon Alexa with this router. Turn on the guest Wi-Fi and request a password for guests to use with just your voice. Or use IFTTT to set up more complicated commands.

TP-Link backs up the Archer A10 with a two-year warranty.

What you need to know

• TP-Link announced the Archer AX206 and Archer AX96 routers at CES 2021.
• The ARcher AX206 supports speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
• Both routers support the 6Ghz band and Wi-Fi 6E.

TP-Link announced several new Archer routers, including the AX11000 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router with 10G Ports (Archer AX206) that supports Wi-Fi speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Alongside that speedy AX11000, TP-LInk announced the AX7800 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router (Archer AX X96) that supports Wi-Fi 6E. TP-Link hasn't shared pricing or availability details for the new routers, other than stating that they'll arrive in 2021.

The Archer AX11000 is a 10G router that supports Wi-Fi speeds up to 10 Gbps. It supports the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi 6E, which covers more frequencies than the standard 2.4GHz and 5Ghz routers. It also supports TP-Link HomeShield, which helps protect devices on your network and provides options for parental controls. On the wired side of things, the Archer AX11000 has a 10 Gbps WAN/LAN SFP+ port, a 10 Gbps WAN/LAN port, and a 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port.

The Archer AX7800 is slower than the Archer AX11000, but it still supports incredibly fast speeds of up to 7,800 Mbps with tri-band Wi-Fi. It also supports the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi 6E. The router features smart antennas that boost coverage and improve its wireless connection. It also supports AI-driven mesh and seamless roaming, which enables you to move around your home without losing a connection. Like the other new Archer router, the Archer AX96 supports TP-Link HomeShield.

TP-LInk also announced the Deco Voice X20 at CES 2021 today, which combines a smart speaker with a mesh Wi-Fi 6 system.

What you need to know

• TP-Link announced the Deco Voice X20 at CES 2021.
• It's a mesh Wi-Fi system that is also a smart speaker.
• TP-Link also announced several other Deco routers.

TP-Link announced the Deco Voice X20 at CES 2021. The device combines a mesh Wi-Fi system with a smart speaker and works with Amazon Alexa. The Deco Voice X20 supports Wi-Fi 6 and has two Gigabit WAN/LAN Ethernet ports as well. Alongside the Deco Voice X20, TP-Link announced several other Deco routers. TP-Link has not announced release date or pricing details at this time; apart from that, it will be available sometime in 2021.

As a mesh Wi-Fi system, the Deco Voice X20 allows you to create a seamless network of up to 4,000 square feet with a two-pack. TP-LInk highlights that since It works with TP-Link Mesh technology, you can walk around your network without dropping signal, even during streams such as video calls, media streaming, and cloud gaming.

With Alexa built-in, you can use the Deco Voice X20 to control devices in your home, including both the speaker itself and smart devices that support Amazon Alexa. You can stream several music services to the smart speaker, including Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn.

The device also supports TP-Link HomeShield, which protects IoT devices, has parental controls, and can create security reports. HomeShield has a free basic plan, but you can also upgrade to a paid pro plan.

The Deco Voice X20 will also support Alexa calling, messaging, and announcements, which helps you connect to people with your voice. The Deco Voice X20 product page states that "Alexa Calling, Messaging, and Announcements (ACM) features may not be available in early shipments, and users will need a subsequent firmware update."

Alongside the Deco Voice X20, TP-Link announced a family of Wi0-Fi 6 routers and products, including the AX7800 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6E System (Deco X96), AX5400 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6E System with Smart Hub (Deco X76 Plus), and 5G Whole Home WiFi 6 Gateway (Deco X80-5G).

The Deco X96 supports the 6GHz band, which allows it to cover more frequencies. It supports speeds of up to 7,800 Mbps with tri-band Wi-Fi. It also has AI-driven mesh intelligence that learns your network environment.

The Deco X76 Plus also supports the 6GHz band. It's also speedy, but it has a lower top speed of 5,400 Mbps with tri-band Wi-Fi. IT has a built-in Smart Hub that allows you to easily control your device and also has AI-driven mesh for seamless roaming.

The Deco X8- 5-G supports Wi-Fi 6 and will be available in select international markets. It supports download speeds of up to 5Gbps and works with Deco mesh technology.

B&H has the TP-Link Archer A7 Gigabit router down to a measly $27.99 as a refurbished unit. That's super cheap considering it's going for $65 new on Amazon. We have seen this router go on sale in the past, both new and refurbished. Today's price is the lowest we have ever seen, beating out the last refurb deal by $3. The price is as good as it gets, and this was one of the best routers of 2019, especially for people on a budget. So if you're still looking for a budget router, you won't get much more value than this.

The Archer A7 is a followup to the highly popular Archer C7, and it looks to maintain TP-Link's hold on the mid-range, budget-friendly router market. It has two bands with 1750 Mbps bandwidth and long-range coverage with the three external antennas. It also has four Gigabit ports and an integrated USB port.

The A7 is also designed to work with Alexa, so you can ask for guest access and stuff like that with your voice if you have a device like the Echo Dot at home.

We gave it 4 out of 5 stars and a Recommended badge in our full review and also named it among the best Wi-Fi routers in 2019 as the top budget pick. Cale Hunt said, "After using the Archer A7 for a couple of weeks, it's safe to say that the budget legacy carved out by the older C7 is carried on here. Connections to all devices were solid and I don't remember noticing a single dropped signal, I didn't have to mess with any settings (other than to poke around) after the initial setup, and though there was a noticeable dropoff in performance at range, the A7 still managed to deliver respectable speeds on the 5 GHz band when I was as far away as possible in my 1,000 square-foot home."

Wi-Fi 6, also known as the 802.11ax standard, is set to take over from Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). It's already found in many modern devices, and it brings better wireless speeds and a better ability to handle a large number of devices at high speeds. Wi-Fi 6 doesn't just work without some upgrades; you need a Wi-Fi 6 router and a device with a Wi-Fi 6 module.

TP-Link's Archer AX6000 router fulfills the former need. It's a high-end Wi-Fi 6 router with a high-end price tag, but for those who have a large space to cover and many devices to connect, it's no doubt going to look quite appealing. I've been using it with all my Wi-Fi 6 devices for the last few weeks to see what it's all about and, ultimately, whether or not it's the right router for your home or office.

TP-Link Archer AX6000 tech specs

TP-Link Archer AX6000 design and features

The Archer AX6000 is a beefy square router with eight external antennas that fold up and down. Altogether it's about the size of a dinner plate, so you're going to need some room wherever you want to set it up. On the bottom, there are some mounts if you want to attach it sideways to a wall or upside-down under a table, which would no doubt help with the size issue.

The side of the router has a USB-A 3.0 and USB-C 3.0 port for connecting an external drive or two. If you have network-attached storage ambitions, this will do on a small scale. I streamed video and shared files between PCs with ease thanks to this feature. The other side of the router has three slim buttons, one for WPS, one to toggle Wi-Fi, and one to toggle the top LED.

The router has a 2.5 Gbps WAN port and a total of eight Gigabit LAN ports on the back, making it ideal for anyone with a lot of wired devices they'd like to connect. There's no multi-Gigabit LAN port, though link aggregation is possible between the second and third LAN ports. If you need it, this would offer theoretical wired speeds up to 2 Gbps.

Everything is powered by a quad-core 1.8GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and 128MB of Flash memory, which is very respectable inside a router. It handles Quality of Service (QoS), parental control, built-in antivirus, media streaming, band steering, and more without seeming to struggle at all.

Wi-Fi 6 still uses the 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios, here each with four separate streams. Along with MU-MIMO capabilities, 1024QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access), beamforming, and 160MHz maximum signal bandwidth, you can expect an overall impressive wireless network that can keep up with the needs of a large number of people all vying for a large amount of data.

TP-Link Archer AX6000 setup and management

Setting up a new router can be daunting, especially for the less tech-savvy folks out there, but TP-Link aims to make it as easy as possible with the Archer AX6000. From opening the box, the first time to connecting your devices takes only about five minutes, and it can be done using the TP-Link Tether app or through a web browser with a connected PC. It's simple. It's easy.

TP-Link's Tether app has plenty of settings you can adjust, but accessing the router through a browser will land you the most control with advanced settings. You can tweak LAN, IPTV, DHCP, DNS, IPv6, VPN, NAT, and more advanced options if you're up to it, though the router will work fine without having to delve too deeply. No doubt, most attractive to a lot of people are strong parental control, QoS, and security.

Parental control is handled per device. Find one in the connected devices list, give it a name, choose an age group, then add any categories you'd like to filter. Time limits per session and sleep times can be set to ensure the kids aren't staying up late when they should be resting. Once you've set up a control profile, you can look in on time spent online and what sites were visited for how long.

QoS control can also be configured per device, though it also has the option for configuring per activity. This means you can set high-demand devices at the top of the list to be served required bandwidth first, but you can also set, say, video streaming as the top priority. Live in a house where you can't run an Ethernet cable to console or PC? You can prioritize gaming. There's also a set of custom sliders that you can tweak to get exactly the priority balance you prefer.

A built-in antivirus from Trend Micro can be toggled on to block malicious content, external attacks, and quarantined devices. The router also has an SPI firewall enabled by default, as well as a configurable blacklist for devices. Those looking to securely access their home network while away can configure a VPN through OpenVPN or PPTP.

Finally, guest networks on either radio are quick and easy to set up, allowing visitors some internet without giving them full access to your network. If you're working on improving your IFTTT or Alexa game, know that the AX6000 is compatible with both.

TP-Link Archer AX6000 performance

The biggest appeal for a lot of people is no doubt the boost to performance they'll see by switching to a Wi-Fi 6 router and devices. Rest assured, the Archer AX6000 has no issues working with older devices as well. Wi-Fi 6 is meant to be backward compatible, and I saw no problems connecting all my devices, old or new. This is a dual-band router with 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios, meaning you can choose between signal quality at range or sheer speed in proximity. Radios can be set to work exclusively on one standard. For example, you can set the 5GHz band to only handle 802.11ax devices.

This router does not have mesh capabilities like some other modern routers, but it does offer a Smart Connect feature that is common with mesh systems. When enabled, the router shows just one SSID to which you can connect. Once connected, the router will move devices back and forth between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio based on best performance. It actually works quite seamlessly — move out of range of where 5GHz is effective, and you'll be switched over to 2.4GHz, and vice versa.

I ran some tests using Ookla's Speedtest and a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme with Intel Wireless AX200 (2x2) card. Note that my internet plan is rated at 350Mbps down and 15 Mbps up, which is really not enough to take advantage of the Archer AX6000's full potential. Something like the Archer AX50 would no doubt be a more suitable Wi-Fi 6 router for my situation. In any case, here are the results I saw with the AX6000.

TP-Link Archer AX6000 (2.4GHz)

TP-Link Archer AX6000 (5GHz)

Speeds on the 5GHz radio remained impressive throughout my home, though venturing outdoors to the backyard saw a severe drop in signal strength. I couldn't keep a steady signal long enough to get a proper reading. There are a lot of walls and some thick insulation for the signal to pass through, so it's not too surprising.

For reference, I also tested to see how well the ISP-supplied Wi-Fi 5 router works in the same locations around my house.

Hitron Wi-Fi 5 (2.4GHz)

Hitron Wi-Fi 5 (5GHz)

The jump in throughput is clear from these results, with the TP-Link Archer AX6000 tripling speeds at range in some cases. Not only were the speeds much higher, but the signal was also much stronger and steadier. The AX6000 still isn't going to be effective with 5GHz at long ranges through a lot of walls, but the 2.4GHz signal did see a solid boost to range compared to my older Wi-Fi 5 router. Whereas before I couldn't sit in the back yard with any sort of reliable signal, the AX6000 now makes it possible.

I also tested transfer speeds of a hard-disk drive I connected with USB-A. Using the 5GHz radio, I got back a 68.57 MB/s read speed and 39 MB/s write speed, both respectable results. Streaming video, transferring images, and opening documents from the external drive posed no problems. For reference, connecting the drive straight to my PC got back speeds of 139.2 MB/s read, and 54.10 MB/s write.

Should you buy the TP-Link Archer AX6000?

TP-Link's Archer AX6000 is a Wi-Fi 6 router meant to handle a lot of traffic at high speeds. If you're in a large home with a lot of people who want to stream, game, and browse, it's no doubt going to be a good fit. Keep in mind that its theoretical speeds of 4,804 Mbps (5GHz) and 1,148 Mbps (2.4GHz) are likely overkill if you don't have an ISP plan that can take advantage. My rather measly 350 Mbps down and 15 Mbps doesn't even come close to helping the AX6000 realize its full potential, but I'm still enjoying the massively improved speed at range compared to the old Wi-Fi 5 router to which I'm accustomed.

The eight total LAN ports are ideal for anyone with plenty of wired devices, and link aggregation can help with the lack of a multi-Gigabit port. The bevy of advanced settings are sure to satisfy most people, though if you're not comfortable with those types of tweaks, you can always just plug it in and let it do its thing without much effort. Parental control and QoS get top marks here as well; if you're looking for a new router for the whole family, the AX6000 should have just about everything you need.

With all this is mind, the Archer AX6000 might just be what you're looking for. However, at about $300 it's not exactly a splurge buy, and it might be overkill for your needs. If you have a more modest ISP plan and still want Wi-Fi 6, something like TP-Link's Archer AX10 or Archer AX50 are much more affordable options. And if you're interested in more of the best options out there, be sure to check out our collection of best Wi-Fi 6 routers for a range of needs.

The TP-Link 8-port Gigabit Ethernet network switch is down to $16.99 with code AFMTP8 at Newegg. That's a solid $3 discount for a switch that sells at $20 normally both at Newegg and other retailers like Amazon. The switch only drops to this price once every five or six months so it's nice to grab it while you can.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

Hey, I'm writing to you through this switch right now! My post was submitted through an Ethernet cord connected to TP-Link's switch, which is connected to my router. It's magic. I have built-in Ethernet ports in all the main rooms of my house. All those Ethernet ports end in a small box in my coat closet, which are then connected to the switch so I can have a wired home network.

A switch like this is great when you want to skip Wi-Fi and add a few more devices to your network with an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection. It could be that you just have a lot of items hooked up to your network and need a few more ports, too. Getting a hard-wired internet connection can be pretty important for your main computer, gaming consoles, and accessories like printers.

It's a switch that's essentially plug-and-play because it requires no additional configuration or software to get things rolling. The five ports are all capable of speeds up to 1000 Mbps, which means you're far more likely to be limited by your ISP than this switch. The sturdy metal casing gives you a lot of options where you want to put it, including mounting it to a wall. And once it's in place, you'll forget all about it because it has no fan or other noisy parts to distract you. The traffic optimization means even sensitive traffic like voice or video will have low latency.

Eliminating Wi-Fi dead zones in your home is as simple as picking up the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus tri-band Wi-Fi system. This 2-piece system replaces your current router, covering up to 4,500 square feet with Wi-Fi in the process, and today you can snag the set for just $179.99 on sale at Walmart. That saves you $120 off its regular cost, though this deal won't last for long. If you prefer to shop at Best Buy, you can snag the same price there.

The Deco M9 Plus is TP-Link's most powerful mesh networking system. The tri-band speeds up to AC2200 have a dynamic backhaul that can support up to 100 devices. With the Deco M9 Plus's intelligent network, you'll be able to move throughout your home with just a single Wi-Fi name and password without worrying about your connection as you switch devices. The Deco M9 Plus is also unique in the Deco lineup in that it's the only one with a built-in smart hub that can control ZigBee, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi smart home products.

To learn more about the Deco M9 Plus, check out our Deco M9 Plus vs. Deco M5 article which highlights even more of its features. Other mesh systems are available with varying features. If you're still undecided, be sure to take a look at our list of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems on the market right now.

The TP-Link Archer A7 AC1750 smart wireless router is just $29.99 at B&H today in refurbished condition. It sells for nearer $60 brand new and today's price is a match for the lowest we've ever seen it go. If you don't mind the shorter 90-day warranty, this refurb deal is definitely the way to go. Just be sure to get your order in by the end of B&H's Mega DealZone event to get this discounted price.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

The Archer A7 is a followup to the highly popular Archer C7, and it looks to maintain TP-Link's hold on the mid-range, budget-friendly router market. It has two bands with 1750 Mbps bandwidth and long-range coverage with the three external antennas. It also has four Gigabit ports and an integrated USB port.

The A7 is also designed to work with Alexa, so you can ask for guest access and stuff like that with your voice if you have a device like the Echo Dot at home. We gave it 4 out of 5 stars in our full review and also named it among the best Wi-Fi routers in 2019 as the top budget pick. Getting one at almost half off with today's refurb deal makes it an even better value for money. Existing owners rate it highly as well, giving it an average rating 4.2 out of 5 stars based on almost 4,500 reviews at Amazon.

If you're in a state where B&H Photo now charges sales tax, you might want to look into its Payboo credit card. The way it works is quite simple; B&H will charge you the full amount plus sales tax, and then purchases made at its SuperStore location or that are shipped to eligible states will receive an instant reward on their card for the amount of tax that was paid. You'll only then be responsible for the remaining portion, which is the cost of the merchandise. While the amount of tax on today's purchase won't be huge, if you go on to buy some camera gear or a new laptop there, you could save a decent chunk.

We've been spreading the smart plug gospel for months. Smart plugs are one of the easiest ways to retrofit your home to work with newer, more intelligent tech. Thanks to this deal, they're affordable too. B&H has two TP-Link HS107 Wi-Fi Smart Plugs on sale for $34.99 shipped, saving you $25 off the usual price. Shipping is free. If you only want one plug, you can grab an individual unit at Amazon for just $19.49 at the moment though it's still better value to pick up the 2-pack at B&H if you want more than one. You have to be quick, though, as the deal is only good until New Year's Eve..

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

These smart plugs each have two outlets so you can transform one AC outlet into two. They connect to your Wi-Fi network, so setup is simple. Each plug allows you to turn your electronics on or off from anywhere in the world using the free Kasa app for your iOS or Android device. You'll be able to see if you left something on while you're away from home, or schedule a device to turn on just before you arrive back from a trip. These are great too because they're small enough where you can plug two into the same wall receptacle, unlike other bulkier smart plugs that obstruct the unused outlet. You can control them with the free app, or with your voice if you have an Alexa or Google Assistant gadget around.

Existing owners rate TP-Link smart plugs very highly with an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on almost 14,500 reviews at Amazon.

B&H is also offering a few other smart home essentials on sale for a limited time. The promotion includes the 2-pack of TP-Link HS200 Smart Wi-Fi Light Switches which is down to $34.99 from $60 and the TP-Link LB200 Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb at $5 off. A 2-pack of Kasa Smart Bulbs is also available for $28 and you can get two single-outlet smart plugs with energy monitoring at $28 off.

It's an inescapable fact that our home networks are becoming more congested than ever thanks to the proliferation of smart appliances, thermostats, and speakers, not to mention consoles, phones, tablets, and streaming players. In response, we've seen a surge in routers meant to cut through the noise in an attempt to deliver solid performance to every device on our networks, and TP-Link's new Archer A20 AC4000 is placed firmly in that camp.

Coming in at a retail price of $190 (though you can frequently find it cheaper), the TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 may be a little too pricey for some, but it's set against a backdrop of competitors that offer a similar set of features at a higher cost.

But how does it perform? I've spent over a week with the router to see just how well it holds up.

TP-Link Archer A20 hardware and specs

TP-Link Archer A20 design and features

The Archer A20's design is an extension of one TP-Link has used on several previous routers. Shrouded in black plastic with venting holes for heat dissipation across its top and bottom, the base of the Archer A20's base is relatively unassuming and unremarkable. However, what will gain attention are the six external antennas that flip up from the base with three on each side. It's a far cry from some of the designs we've seen from mesh router systems that aim to look more like home decor, but it can be tucked away or mounted behind furniture if its aesthetic becomes an eyesore.

The Archer A20 isn't massive, measuring in at 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.5 inches (200 x 200 x 39 mm), but the antennas push its height to around 4.5 inches (114 mm) when extended, raising its profile by quite a bit. On the front of the Archer A20, you'll find the usual batch of system lights showing the status of each WiFi band, your internet connection, and connected USB devices. There's also a WPS button for connecting wireless devices, a toggle for quickly turning the WiFi signal on or off, and a button to put the router in night mode, which kills the status lights.

Around the rear, the Archer A20 includes four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, one USB-A 3.0 ports, and One USB-A 2.0 port, along with a power switch and a recessed reset button. The inclusion of a USB 3.0 port isn't something you'll always find on cheaper routers and its speeds make it a great choice for connecting media drives for access over your network from all of your devices.

TP-Link Archer A20 setup and management

Setting up the Archer A20 is a pretty simple process. While you can go through the web interface from your PC to get the job done, TP-Link's Tether app for iOS and Android is probably the most user-friendly way to set things up. Once you've plugged everything into your router and turned it on, you just download and open the Tether app to get the things started. You'll be guided by the app through a handful of steps that let you pick your network name, assign a password, and choose which WiFi bands you want to use.

Once set up, the Tether app acts as a more simplified version of the web interface to manage your various settings. You won't find the same robust set of customization features as the web interface, but the app allows you to quickly check for firmware updates, reset the router, see a list of devices that are connected and which bands they're using, and even perform speed tests. You can also use the app to turn on guest networks and connect the router to services like Amazon's Alexa and IFTTT (If This Then That) for voice control and automation.

Both the web interface and the app also let you turn on and adjust features like the built-in Antivirus powered by Trend Micro, parental controls, and Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize traffic. However, the web interface is where you'll be able to get much more in-depth with your settings. For most people, you'll likely never have to touch any of the more granular DNS and MAC settings in the web interface, but you will have to use it to enable features like Smart Connect, which combines the three WiFi bands under one SSID and dynamically switches your devices between 5GHz and 2.4GHz to maintain the best connection.

TP-Link Archer A20 performance

The Archer A20 boasts a total theoretical throughput of 4,000 Mbps, split between 750 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1,650 Mbps on each of the two 5GHz bands. However, those speeds are far and above what you're likely to encounter with your actual internet connection in a typical home environment. That said, thanks to a combination of helpful features, the Archer A20 manages to maintain a powerful connection to my devices at extended ranges. There was one painful exception that's more a symptom of my apartment's layout than a fault of the router, but I'll touch on that in a moment.

The big draw of the Archer A20 is that it is a tri-band router, which means it broadcasts its wireless signal across one 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands. Typically, you'll net a longer range but slower speeds on the 2.4GHz band, while 5GHz bands have more throughput but a shorter range.

Despite the typically shorter range of 5GHz bands, I found that the Archer A20 was able to maintain a solid 5GHz connection throughout my apartment. That's notable because the only place to install a router and modem in my apartment is at the very front of the living room, which is roughly 60 feet from the back with several walls in between. Thus, while there was a noticeable drop-off in speed as I moved to the back bedroom, it wasn't precipitous. This remained true even when I stress tested the network by running several 4K and 1080p video streams at once with a sizeable contingent of other devices competing for bandwidth at the same time.

There's one major caveat to my positive experience with the Archer A20's range prowess, and that lies with the back bedroom. As long as I stood within sight of the doorway, speeds were within what I'd expect. If I turned the corner and put another wall between me and the router, however, the connection dropped to the 2.4GHz channel and speeds dipped to the south of 8 Mbps.

The cause for this is the layout of my apartment; on the other side of the offending wall is the laundry room, meaning the signal has to travel through an additional two walls, a stacked washer and dryer, and other appliances. Not everyone will encounter this issue depending on how their home is laid out, and it could be largely solved if I could place the router in a more central location. It's not the fault of the router — I've had to shift to a mesh network with my usual setup to work around this exact problem — but it's worth noting if you have to deal with a similar placement dilemma.

To give you a better idea of the network's performance, I've run some tests with Ookla's Speedtest that compare the Archer A20 to my usual Google WiFi mesh setup. My internet plan is rated at 200 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up. For the Archer A20, I have tested speeds at various ranges using Smart Connect to allow the router to dynamically adjust the band I'm connected to, as well as without Smart Connect, forcing connections to individual bands at each range. Google WiFi doesn't have the option to manually select specific bands.

TP-Link Archer A20 (Smart Connect)

TP-Link Archer A20 (2.4 GHz)

TP-Link Archer A20 (5 GHz-1)

TP-Link Archer A20 (5 GHz-2)

Each band maintains respectable speeds throughout various distances, though with a noticeable dropoff at the bedroom. No doubt, the Archer A20's beamforming, and RangeBoost features are doing some heavy lifting to maintain relatively solid connections here. Note that I've taken the speed measurements in the bedroom near the doorway so as to avoid the aforementioned interference and get a snapshot of what most people are likely to encounter.

Google WiFi

In my tests, the TP-Link Archer A20 performs admirably, outperforming my Google WiFi setup at large distances. And if it were that simple, I would make the switch to the Archer A20 as my daily router. However, there's still the problem of interference in certain parts of the bedroom — a problem that mesh routing can bypass by placing the bedroom node within sight of the kitchen node, allowing it to blanket the bedroom in a solid 5GHz signal without the laundry room causing trouble.

Should you buy the TP-Link Archer A20?

Overall, if you can justify the price and have a busy, congested network, then the TP-Link Archer A20 is worth buying. The router's combination of processing power and dedicated traffic-handling features like beamforming, RangeBoost, and Smart Connect make it excellent at easing congestion and delivering solid throughput to your devices. Additional features, like support for Alexa voice commands and IFTTT, are just icing on the cake.

Throughout my test period, there weren't any noticeable hiccups outside of the challenges presented by my bedroom's location. If you have a similar problem with your home layout and have the extra cash to spare, you'll want to consider a mesh network system like Google WiFi, Netgear Orbi, or TP-Link's own Deco series.

The TP-Link 8-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged network switch is down to $15.99 on Amazon. That price comes courtesy of a price drop to $17.99 and a $2 off on-page coupon that stack together to bring it down to a nice low. Today's drop matches a low we've seen only a couple times this year.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

Hey, I'm writing to you through this switch right now! My post was submitted through an Ethernet cord connected to TP-Link's switch, which is connected to my router. It's magic. I have built-in Ethernet ports in all the main rooms of my house. All those Ethernet ports end in a small box in my coat closet, which are then connected to the switch so I can have a wired home network.

A switch like this is great when you want to skip Wi-Fi and add a few more devices to your network with an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection. It could be that you just have a lot of items hooked up to your network and need a few more ports, too. Getting a hard-wired internet connection can be pretty important for your main computer, gaming consoles, and accessories like printers.

It's a switch that's essentially plug-and-play because it requires no additional configuration or software to get things rolling. The five ports are all capable of speeds up to 1000 Mbps, which means you're far more likely to be limited by your ISP than this switch. The sturdy metal casing gives you a lot of options where you want to put it, including mounting it to a wall. And once it's in place, you'll forget all about it because it has no fan or other noisy parts to distract you. The traffic optimization means even sensitive traffic like voice or video will have low latency.

If you want something like TP-Link's switch but don't need so many ports, the 5-port version is also on sale and down to just $11.

Mesh Wi-Fi kits have been picking up in popularity, and many people with large spaces to cover have turned to multi-node systems in order to create a seamless blanket of wireless connectivity. For those who aren't completely sold on mesh — or who don't want to take on the increased cost of a mesh system — TP-Link has created OneMesh, a relatively low-cost solution that sits somewhere between a router with range extender and a legitimate mesh system. I tried out the TP-Link RE300, one of just two range extenders with OneMesh capabilities, to see what it's all about and whether or not it's worth your time and money.

What you'll love about TP-Link's RE300

TP-Link has made it easy to get the RE300 working with your existing Archer A7, C7, or MR600 router. To get everything set up, all you need to do is plug in the RE300 near your router, connect your phone to the temporary network that is created, and open the TP-Link Tether app that is also used with the Archer routers.

From there, select the RE300 from the list of devices, create a password, and select the proper 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios coming from the Archer router. Finally, set names (SSIDs) for the extended radios (they default to _EXT), give it about 30 seconds to configure itself, and from there you're free to unplug the RE300 and find a plug that's closer to the middle of your space. The app includes a feature that will help you find optimal placement, but it's not necessary. Don't have a phone? You can instead use a web browser or the WPS button on your router to complete the setup.

Setup complete, the RE300 operates as a standard range extender that is compatible with any router. Like other range extenders, this creates two new SSIDs — one each for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio — on top of the two SSIDs already handled by the Archer A7. I tested a couple of distances to see how well the RE300 performs as a simple range extender. Note the baseline speeds achieved first by the Archer A7 without the RE300 connected.

TP-Link Archer A7 (2.4GHz)

TP-Link Archer A7 (5GHz)

Here are the speeds I saw using the RE300 as a standard range extender without OneMesh enabled.

TP-Link RE300 (2.4GHz extended only)

TP-Link RE300 (5GHz extended only)

Just being used as an extender without OneMesh enabled, the RE300 boosts speeds considerably at range on both 2.4 and 5 GHz radios. This is expected and you can get the same results from more affordable devices, like TP-Link's RE220. However, switching between SSIDs manually when you're visiting the far reaches of the main router's range is a pain, which is what OneMesh technology aims to eliminate.

To enable OneMesh you must flip a switch in the app or in your browser. It will only turn on if you're using a compatible Archer router. Once on, the extended network SSIDs disappear and you see only the SSIDs created by your main router. Your wireless devices should now connect automatically to either the RE300 or the Archer router based on which delivers better performance. I ran further speed tests to see how well the OneMesh feature works.

TP-Link RE300 (2.4GHz OneMesh)

TP-Link RE300 (5GHz OneMesh)

There's a slight delay, but my laptop did connect back to the much closer Archer A7 router when I moved into my living room. Likewise, when I moved to the basement, my laptop switched over to a connection with the RE300. In this regard, OneMesh is a success. As you move around your house, your wireless devices will connect to the router or extender that will deliver the best performance.

Finally, I tested with OneMesh and the Archer's Smart Connect feature enabled, which delivers the closest thing to a true mesh experience. There's a single SSID to connect to that encompasses both 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios, and your wireless devices should in theory move between radios, as well between the RE300 and Archer A7 depending on where you'll get the best performance.

TP-Link RE300 (OneMesh with Smart Connect)

Using the RE300 with OneMesh and Smart Connect enabled together doesn't result in the same experience you'd get from a true mesh network setup. I didn't see my laptop flip over to the 5GHz radio once, even when close to the main router. Likewise, there didn't seem to be any change in signal strength that would come from my laptop being switched from a connection to the RE300 back to the Archer A7 when I was much closer to the latter device. If you're looking for the full mesh lifestyle, it's still best to invest in a true mesh network.

In terms of build quality, the RE300 is well put together but just a bit on the bulky side. Its white plastic body might cause a bit of congestion for other stuff being plugged in, but at least it looks good doing it. It's vented around the edges and has four white LEDs along the front bottom edge to let you know its status in terms of power, signal, and band output. On the side is a reset button and WPS button. My only question is why it's not black to match the compatible Archer routers.

What you'll dislike about TP-Link's RE300

Aside from the disparities between a true mesh setup that I explained above, there are a few other downsides to make note of. The most immediate issue is router compatibility. TP-Link has a list of routers that will eventually be compatible with OneMesh, but for now you're stuck with three Archer routers. The A7 and C7 are both extremely popular, but if you don't own an Archer, the RE300 can't use OneMesh and thus isn't worth the higher cost compared to other plain extenders.

An important feature of mesh systems is dedicated backhaul, whether wired or wireless. High-end mesh systems will often include options for both, thanks to three radios and LAN ports built into each node. The RE300 has just two radios so there's no dedicated wireless backhaul, and you can't manually pick which of the two radios is used for backhaul. This means that one of two bands form the RE300 is going to be used for wireless backhaul, which will cut its throughput by half.

It also lacks any LAN ports for wired backhaul, simultaneously removing the ability to connect wired devices to the extender in lieu of running an Ethernet cable across your house. With the RE300 acting as a simple range extender you can enable a High Speed mode that dedicates one band to backhaul only, but this option is removed once OneMesh is turned on.

Finally, while you can connect multiple OneMesh range extenders back to a compatible router (or to each other, though this seriously degrades performance), there's no indication that you can use two routers in the same OneMesh setup. If you decide to buy a new OneMesh-compatible router in the future, it seems the old one will have to sit to the side instead of contributing to the network..

Should you buy the TP-Link RE300?

If you're the owner of an Archer A7, C7, or MR600 and don't want to invest in a true mesh Wi-Fi system, the TP-Link RE300 can act as an affordable stopgap solution. It definitely boosts the range of your main router and will kick your wireless devices back and forth between router and extender based on best performance, but it won't deliver the same seamless experience with single SSID found with the more expensive mesh alternatives.

If you don't own one of those three routers, it's really not worth the higher cost compared to a standard range extender. As TP-Link expands OneMesh compatibility it will no doubt appeal to more people, but for now if you want a high-speed mesh network in your home, check out our roundup of the best systems available now.

Having trouble keeping a stable connection to your Wi-Fi network at home? The TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi extender can help change that, and today it's on sale for just $13.99 when you clip the $6 off on-page coupon at Amazon. Today's deal comes in at just about $1 more than the best we've shared for this product, which doesn't go on sale too often. It sells for about $20 on average and is an inexpensive way to enhance your internet connection without buying an entirely new router. Shipping at Amazon is free on orders over $25, though you can also use Amazon Prime to skip any fees you may encounter. If you don't have Amazon Prime, this link will get you a free 30-day trial.

The N300 uses your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band to extend a weak wireless signal in a spot of your home that might not get any at all. You can also use its web UI or the free TP-Link Tether app to control Wi-Fi coverage, secure your network, create schedules, and more. It has a limitation of 300Mbps, but something is better than nothing, and this is designed to work with pretty much any standard router or gateway. It has an Ethernet port that you can use to directly connect to the device for something slightly more stable. It comes with a two-year warranty. More than 23,000 users have tried it out and give it 3.8 stars on average.

You can also save on TP-Link's Kasa Smart Switches right now.

What you need to know

• TP-Link today launched two new budget Wi-Fi 6 routers.
• The Archer AX3000 and Archer AX1500 come in at $70 and $130, respectively.
• Both routers will be available at Walmart starting "next week."

TP-Link today took the wraps off of two new Wi-Fi 6 routers, both aimed at the hitting lower price points than other Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market.

The new Archer AX3000 and AX1500 both incorporate 802.11ax Wi-Fi, which comes with several benefits over the previous Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard. While Wi-Fi 6 is still just starting to make its way to devices, it has the added benefit of reducing congestion, increasing speeds, and better managing more devices connected to a network.

The Archer AX3000 is the more capable of the two. The router is powered by a dual core Intel processor and carries a throughput of 2,402 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 547 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. It also comes with five Gigabit Ethernet ports and one USB port.

The Archer AX1500, meanwhile, comes with a 1.5GHz triple-core CPU and can handle up to 1,201 Mbps on the 5GHz band and up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. You'll also get five Gigabit Ethernet ports here.

The Archer AX3000 and AX1500 will be available "next week" exclusively at Walmart for $130 and $70, respectively.

The TP-Link Archer A7 AC1750 smart wireless router is just $29.99 at B&H today in refurbished condition. It sells for nearer $60 brand new and today's price is a match for the lowest we've ever seen it go. If you don't mind the shorter 90-day warranty, this refurb deal is definitely the way to go. Just be sure to get your order in by the end of the day to get this discounted price.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

The Archer A7 is a followup to the highly popular Archer C7, and it looks to maintain TP-Link's hold on the mid-range, budget-friendly router market. It has two bands with 1750 Mbps bandwidth and long-range coverage with the three external antennas. It also has four Gigabit ports and an integrated USB port.

The A7 is also designed to work with Alexa, so you can ask for guest access and stuff like that with your voice if you have a device like the Echo Dot at home. We gave it 4 out of 5 stars in our full review and also named it among the best Wi-Fi routers in 2019 as the top budget pick. Getting one at almost half off with today's refurb deal makes it an even better value for money. Existing owners rate it highly as well, giving it an average rating 4.3 out of 5 stars based on almost 8,000 reviews at Amazon.

If you're in a state where B&H Photo now charges sales tax, you might want to look into its Payboo credit card. The way it works is quite simple; B&H will charge you the full amount plus sales tax, and then purchases made at its SuperStore location or that are shipped to eligible states will receive an instant reward on their card for the amount of tax that was paid. You'll only then be responsible for the remaining portion, which is the cost of the merchandise. While the amount of tax on today's purchase won't be huge, if you go on to buy some camera gear or a new laptop there, you could save a decent chunk.

Eliminating Wi-Fi dead zones in your home is as simple as picking up the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus tri-band Wi-Fi system. This 2-piece system replaces your current router, covering up to 4,500 square feet with Wi-Fi in the process, and today you can snag the set for just $199.99 on sale at Best Buy. That saves you $100 off its regular cost, though this deal is set to last for just one day only.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

The Deco M9 Plus is TP-Link's most powerful mesh networking system. The tri-band speeds up to AC2200 have a dynamic backhaul that can support up to 100 devices. With the Deco M9 Plus's intelligent network, you'll be able to move throughout your home with just a single Wi-Fi name and password without worrying about your connection as you switch devices. The Deco M9 Plus is also unique in the Deco lineup in that it's the only one with a built-in smart hub that can control ZigBee, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi smart home products.

To learn more about the Deco M9 Plus, check out Android Central's Deco M9 Plus vs. Deco M5 article which highlights even more of its features.

If you're a Costco member, you can save $100 on the 3-pack of the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus tri-band mesh networking Wi-Fi system. That brings the total cost down to $219.99 from $320. The 2-pack commonly sells for around $210 at retailers like Walmart, so you're basically just paying another $10 for a third satellite you can use to extend the system even farther.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

The Deco M9 Plus is TP-Link's most powerful mesh networking system. You'll be able to cover up to 6,500 square feet in Wi-Fi. The tri-band speeds up to AC2200 have a dynamic backhaul that can support up to 100 devices. With the Deco M9 Plus's intelligent network, you'll be able to move throughout your home with just a single Wi-Fi name and password without worrying about your connection as you switch devices. The Deco M9 Plus is also unique in the Deco lineup in that it's the only one with a built-in smart hub that can control ZigBee, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi smart home products.

The TP-Link Archer C1200 dual-band wireless Gigabit router is down to $29.99 at B&H when you clip the 50% off on-page coupon. Otherwise, the router sells for $60 and you can find it at that price or more at other retailers like Amazon.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

The router uses dual-band 1200 Mbps Wi-Fi to deliver a solid connection for gaming and video streaming. It has triple external antennas to help expand the wireless coverage, and you can also get fast wired internet using the four Gigabit Ethernet ports. There is a USB port for file sharing or printing directly from a flash drive. The router is easy to set up and manage using TP-Link's Tether app.

Get four TP-Link Kasa Lite smart plugs for just $39.99 when you clip the 20% off on-page coupon only available for Prime Day. That takes $10 off the regular price of the 4-pack. Considering one smart plug goes for $18 and the two-pack usually goes for $30, you're getting a lot of value out of this deal if you need multiple smart plugs.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

Kasa's smart plug lets you start controlling lights, electronics, or anything else plugged into it using the Kasa app on your smartphone. You'll be able to schedule when it turns on and off, or even use a device compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, such as the Echo Dot which is also on sale today, to begin using your voice to control it.

TP-Link's Deco M5 mesh networking system 3-pack comes with a 3rd-generation Echo Dot smart speaker for $149.99 today on Amazon. Just the Deco M5 system by itself is currently $175, so you're saving money there and getting the $22 Echo Dot tacked on for free essentially. We've only seen the M5 drop below $150 once before anyway, so it's a great deal just for that.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

The Deco M5 replaces your Wi-Fi router and any other devices you've been using to make up for dead zones like range extenders. It can cover up to 4,500 square feet of your home in strong, stable wireless signal. TP-Link HomeCare gives the system security. Adaptive routing technology lets it choose the fastest path to keep your network running smooth. With the TP-Link Deco app, all you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions to get the system up and running as soon as possible. TP-Link covers the Deco M5 with a two-year warranty.

Having trouble keeping a stable connection to your Wi-Fi network at home? The TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi extender can help change that, and today it's on sale for just $13.99 when you clip the $3 off on-page coupon at Amazon. We shared a deal on this range extender about two months ago when it dropped to around $15, but today's the lowest we've seen. It sells for just under $20 on average and is an inexpensive way to enhance your internet connection without buying an entirely new router.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

The N300 uses your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band to extend a weak wireless signal in a spot of your home that might not get any at all. It has a limitation of 300Mbps but something is better than nothing, and this is designed to work with pretty much any standard router or gateway. It has an Ethernet port you can use to directly connect to the device for something slightly more stable. It comes with a two-year warranty. More than 18,000 users have tried it out and give it 3.8 stars overall.

The TP-Link KL130 Kasa multi-color dimmable smart LED A19 light bulb is down to $19.99 at Newegg with code EMCTCTW32. The smart bulb has been selling for around $30 at most retailers since May. It was selling as much as $40 before that. Recently it dropped to $25 in a lot of places, including Amazon. Newegg's just sweetening the pot with the code that takes an additional $5 off the price.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

TP-Link Archer AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 wireless router

$99.00 $130.00 Save $31 1622379646

Wi-Fi 6 promises speeds up to three times faster than previous generations with four times the bandwidth capacity and 75% lower latency. The router has MU-MIMO tech to cover multiple devices connected at once and Ethernet for wired connections.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug 2-pack

$29.99 $50.00 Save $20 1619185437

Get free shipping with your Prime membership. Each plug has two outlets that can be controlled together or individually. Use your phone or voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control them from anywhere. Weather resistant.

TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router

$139.99 $200.00 Save $60 1618419419

With a tri-band radio, MU-MIMO technology, Beamforming, link aggregation, and more, this router is perfect for homes with a dozen different devices all trying to connect at once. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Includes a 2-year warranty.

TP-Link Kasa KP400 smart outdoor plug

$16.99 $25.00 Save $8 1617111719

With two outlets you can control two outdoor devices either together or individually. And you can do it from anywhere using your phone or voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Weather resistant with long Wi-Fi range.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band router

$49.99 $80.00 Save $30 1616764879

This great little budget router is capable of data transfer speeds up to 1750 Mbps with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands. Also has four Ethernet ports for a wired connection. Includes a quick and easy setup wizard.

The multi-color bulb has access to the full color spectrum with millions of colors and hues to choose from. Once you install it and connect to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, you can also connect to your smart home network. You don't need a separate hub or extra hardware, just the Kasa app for your phone. You'll be able to control all the smart functionality from the app, but you can also use voice commands through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Microsoft Cortana.

What you need to know

• The budget Deco W2400 comes with two nodes.
• Covers up to 3000 square feet with a single Wi-Fi network.
• Exclusive to Walmart at $99.

TP-Link today took the wraps off of a new budget mesh router system called the Deco W2400. Coming in at $99 for a pack of two nodes, the system is sold exclusively at Walmart and undercuts many of the current mesh systems on the market, such as Google Wi-Fi and Netgear's Orbi.

Like all mesh Wi-Fi systems, the Deco W2400 lets you set up multiple Wi-Fi points in your home that work together as one network. That means no switching between networks as you move through your home, as you would normally do with a Wi-Fi extender. Instead, your devices should automatically stick with the best network signal depending on where you are in your home. The network settings, such as parental controls, can also be easily managed through TP-Link's Deco app for Android and iOS.

TP-Link claims the Deco W2400 can cover up to 3,000 square feet of space with dual-band AC1200 connectivity. The company also claims it can handle and manage up to 100 wireless devices at once. There's also compatibility with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT (If This Then That).

As a dual-band system, the one notable thing you'll be missing is a dedicated backhaul band. That translates to a slowdown in raw speed the further you get from the main access point. That isn't something that's nearly as noticeable with a tri-band system, but you'll also have to shell out quite a bit more for that benefit.

If you're looking to break into mesh networking, $99 is a solid starting price to give it a shot. But, because the system is exclusive to Walmart, you'll have to either treck to your local store or order from Walmart.com to get your hands on the Deco W2400.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

TP-Link today took the wraps off of three new USB WiFi adapters that won't break the bank. All three come under the wing of TP-Link's Archer brand, with the tiny Archer T2U Nano being the first to become available at a price of $20.

Here's a quick look at the three adapters TP-Link is launching today:

• Archer T3U AC1300 Wireless MU-MIMO adapter: Featuring dual-band wireless AC technology and new MU-MIMO capabilities, Archer T3U delivers WiFi speeds up to three times faster than the previous wireless standard, up to 867 Mbps on 5 GHz or 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.
• Archer T2U Nano AC600 Wireless adapter: Archer T2U Nano offers dual-band connectivity, with WiFi speeds of up to 433 Mbps on the 5 GHz band or 200 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.
• Archer T2U Plus AC600 Hugh Gain Wireless Dual Band adapter: The Archer T2U Plus offers 256QAM support, which increases the 2.4 GHz data rate from 150 Mbps to 200 Mbps and offers speeds up to 433 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, delivering a better WiFi performance. Additionally, the adapter is designed to be an adjustable, multi-directional antenna, which enhances the reception and transmission signal strength.

The Archer T2U nano is available now at Amazon for $20. The T3U and T2U Plus, meanwhile, are expected to launch on April 29 and April 19 for $25 and $20, respectively.

Cheap PC accessories we love

Take a gander at these awesome PC accessories, all of which will enhance your Windows experience.

Anker 4 port USB 3.0 hub ($10 at Amazon)

Whether on a desktop or laptop PC, you always need more ports to connect things to. This hub gives you an additional four USB 3.0 Type A ports.

Ikea Fixa Cable Management System ($11 at Amazon)

This IKEA cable management kit is your ticket to a clean setup. It's simple and functional.

NZXT Puck ($20 at Amazon)

This clever little accessory has powerful magnets on the rear to make it stick to any of the metal panels on your PC case or anything else. It's great for hanging accessories like headsets.

If you have a large house with a lot of modern devices, a mesh network like the one you can get with Google WiFi is something to seriously consider. If you're in an apartment or smaller home and you only need to boost your Wi-Fi a small distance, then an extender like the cheaper TP-Link is probably your better bet.

The comparison

A range extender can boost the signal of your router by extending the entire network. This means that the extender is broadcasting all the data, even the data for devices that are not in the extenders range, reducing the available bandwidth for those devices inside the extenders range.

While range extenders have been around a long time, mesh networks are a relatively new product in the consumer market. A mesh network, in contrast to an extender, uses adaptive software to use the parts of your network that are the clearest. This means you get a clear, strong signal in any part of your home and each mesh node only relays information from devices on its network. Using something like Google Wifi is far more efficient and gives you a better overall experience, especially when you have more space to cover.

Google WiFi also comes with added features like a mobile app for managing the devices on your network. It even has parental controls to allow you to monitor your child's internet usage and, if necessary, disconnect them from the network.

For our money, you should definitely invest in a mesh network if you can. They are a little pricier than range extenders, but when you have phones, computers, Alexa, tablets, gaming consoles, smart light bulbs, plug sockets, and even refrigerators, all on your wireless network, you really must have a reliable system in place.

That being said if you're in a smaller home or apartment all of that expense might not be needed. If you're only having issues with the low signal at the edges of your living space, then a well-placed range extender will probably be enough for you.

Wi-Fi 6 products, based on the latest 802.11ax standard, are just now starting to hit the market, and TP-Link is getting in early with a new family of routers debuting at CES 2019. Covering everything from traditional budget and gaming routers to a fresh whole-home mesh networking option, TP-Link has a little something for everyone with its latest lineup.

The star of the show in TP-Link's Wi-Fi 6 family is the Deco X10, a mesh router system that aims to bring the speeds and improvements for handling a large number of connected devices to your whole home. With a mesh network spread across multiple Deco X10 units, TP-Link says that you'll be able to use the Deco X10's backhaul of up to 1.95Gbps to get a consistently speedy connection in every corner of your home.

Along with the Deco X10, TP-Link is introducing a number of new standard routers in its Archer series. The Archer AX11000 is a unit aimed directly at gamers, with aggressive styling and combined tri-band speeds of up to 10756Mbps. The standard array of QoS settings are tagging along here as well, helping to prioritize gaming traffic and kill latency.

The Archer AX6000, meanwhile, ratchets things down a bit with speeds of up to 1148Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 4804Mbps on the 5GHz band. The AX6000 also aims to maintain your connection in busy Wi-Fi areas by intelligently ignoring interference from your neighbors' wireless routers.

Rounding out the family is the Archer AX1800, which offers Wi-Fi 6, without any extra bells or whistles, at a budget price.

The Deco X10 is expected to launch in Q3 2019 at a cost of $350 for a two-pack. Meanwhile, the Archer AX11000 and AX6000 launch this month at $450 and $350, respectively. Finally, the Archer AX1800 is set to launch in Q3 2019 for $130.

Using LAN cabling is the ideal solution for hooking up devices to your routers and access points. When this simply isn't possible, Synology makes it so you can use a Wi-Fi dongle with the DS119j NAS. I'm going to show you how to achieve this with but a few steps to follow.

Important: Synology has since removed the option for Wi-Fi networking in DSM. We're looking into this, but for now you may want to pass on picking up an adapter until we're able to get them working once again with the NAS.

Products Used In This Guide

• Amazon: Synology DS119 ($100)
• Amazon: TP-Link TL-WN722N ($15)

How to connect your NAS to Wi-Fi

1. Firstly, check your dongle is supported.
2. Plug your Wi-Fi dongle into an available USB port.

3. If using a supported dongle, head to Control Panel > Wireless > Network Map Configuration.
4. Choose Join Wireless Network.
5. Follow the on-screen wizard, filling in your LAN password.

Your NAS should now be connected to the wireless network. Interestingly, if you want to be a little more advanced, the Synology DS119j can even act as an access point for devices to connect to it directly with specific and supported Wi-Fi dongles.

Our top equipment picks

Synology's latest affordable NAS is the DS119j, sporting just a single drive bay. While I'd usually recommend a two-bay NAS at the very least for RAID configurations and data redundancy, if you're only using the NAS as an additional backup location, the DS119j is ideal.