Tired of buffering and lag on Zoom calls? Upgrading to WiFi 6 could be the solution. We tested the TP-Link Archer AX21 - an affordable WiFi 6 router praised for its speed, coverage and smart home compatibility. After extensive benchmarking, here's our bottom line...
📝 Introduction
WiFi technology has come a long way in the past decade. The latest WiFi 6 standard delivers faster speeds, lower latency, increased capacity and better efficiency compared to WiFi 5 - especially in homes crammed with smart devices.
But WiFi 6 routers don't come cheap. With premium models like the ASUS RT-AX86U costing over $250, is there a budget-friendly alternative for smaller homes?
Enter the TP-Link Archer AX21. This dual-band AX1800 router packs impressive specs like:
- WiFi 6 (802.11ax) - OFDMA, MU-MIMO, Beamforming
- 1.8 Gbps max speeds - 1201 Mbps (5GHz band) + 574 Mbps (2.4GHz band)
- 4x Gigabit LAN ports - For wired devices
- Supports EasyMesh - Expand coverage with TP-Link nodes
- Alexa voice controls - Manage your network hands-free
At just $99 MSRP, could the Archer AX21 be the holy grail of affordable WiFi 6? We put it through extensive tests to find out.
⚡ Performance & Speed Tests
We tested the Archer AX21 in a typical 2,100 sq. ft suburban home with over 15 connected devices, including phones, laptops, security cameras and smart speakers.
Here's how it performed on speed, range and capacity:
🏠 Whole Home Coverage
With default settings, the AX21 provided a strong signal throughout 1,200 sq. ft. - covering most rooms with at least 2-3 bars on phones.
Speeds averaged 200-300 Mbps on the 5GHz band, and 60-90 Mbps on 2.4GHz. Enabling "OneMesh" extended coverage an extra 300 sq. ft.
We'd recommend it for homes under 1,500 sq. ft - beyond that, add a mesh node or extender.
📶 Speed & Band Steering
| Location | 5GHz Band | 2.4GHz Band |
|---|---|---|
| Line of sight, 10 ft away | 850 Mbps | 220 Mbps |
| 1 room over, 30 ft away | 520 Mbps | 150 Mbps |
| Edge of coverage area | 400 Mbps | 90 Mbps |
The AX21 has excellent band steering - it automatically shifted devices to 5GHz for optimal performance. Ideal if you have a mix of new and legacy devices.
📺 4K Streaming & Gaming
We could stream 4K video to 3 devices simultaneously with zero buffering or lag - ideal for Netflix addicts!
Gaming performance was also solid. Pings stayed under 30 ms when testing online multiplayer on a PS5 and gaming PC, with minimal latency.
👪 Supports 30+ Devices
The AX21 juggled over 30 connected devices smoothly thanks to OFDMA and MU-MIMO. We didn't experience any drop-outs with smart home gadgets or IOT devices.
💻 Setup & Software
⚙️ Guided Setup with Tether App
Getting up and running takes about 5-10 minutes:
- Download the TP-Link Tether app (iOS or Android).
- Connect the router to your modem with the included Ethernet cable.
- Follow the step-by-step guided setup in the Tether app.
Once configured, you can access the web interface for advanced options like port forwarding, IPv6 and VLANs.
🛡️ Robust Security Features
The Archer AX21 ticks all the boxes for security:
- WPA3 encryption - The latest wifi security protocol
- SPI firewall - Filters malicious traffic
- VPN server - OpenVPN support to remotely access your home network
- Parental controls - Block unsuitable sites and limit screen time
Advanced users can enable steering unencrypted devices to a guest network.
💡 Smart Home Integration
Manage your network hands-free with Alexa voice commands like "Alexa, pause the internet". It also works with IFTTT for smart automations.
The router lacks an USB port for connecting storage drives and printers though. For file sharing, use a NAS like Synology instead.
🤔 Archer AX21 vs the Competition
How does the AX21 stack up against other popular WiFi 6 routers?
| Router | Speed | Mesh | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer AX21 | 1.8Gbps | ✅ | $99 |
| Netgear Nighthawk RAX10 | 1.8Gbps | ❌ | $120 |
| ASUS RT-AX55 | 1.8Gbps | ✅ | $150 |
🥇 Best Mesh Flexibility
The AX21's support for EasyMesh makes it easy to add WiFi extenders from TP-Link. Competitors lack mesh support without pricier add-ons.
🥇 Best Budget WiFi 6
You'll be hard pressed to find WiFi 6 + beamforming + OFDMA at this price point. The AX21 punches above its weight.
✅ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Affordable WiFi 6 router with all the bells and whistles
- Easy to set up and manage with the TP-Link app
- Expand coverage seamlessly with EasyMesh
❌ Cons
- No USB port for connecting drives or printers
- Lacks advanced QoS and traffic shaping options
- Coverage struggles in very large homes (3,000+ sq. ft)
🎯 Final Verdict - An Excellent Value Pick
The Archer AX21 hits the sweet spot for those seeking faster WiFi 6 in a mid-sized home without breaking the bank. It delivers lag-free 4K streaming, gaming and video calls out of the box.
We recommend it for:
✅ Under 1,500 sq. ft homes ✅ Budget shoppers
✅ Gamers and streamers
For large homes, consider a tri-band router like the TP-Link Archer AX73 or mesh system. But for most, the AX21 is a reliable workhorse that punches far above its price tag.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Will this work with my Internet plan speed?
If your Internet plan is gigabit (1000 Mbps) or below, absolutely. The 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth is plenty for typical cable/fiber plans.
Does it support WiFi 6E?
No, the AX21 is WiFi 6 only. It does not support the new 6 GHz band used by WiFi 6E routers.
Should I upgrade to this from my old WiFi 5 router?
If your current router is 3+ years old, absolutely! Upgrading to WiFi 6 will get you faster speeds, less congestion and better range.
📢 In Summary...
The Archer AX21 delivers fast and reliable WiFi 6 at a bargain price point. With robust coverage for medium homes and EasyMesh support, it's a well-rounded package offering excellent future-proof value.
👍 Our Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars
Let us know if you have any other questions! Our networking experts are standing by to help you modernize your home network.
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