Skip to content
sudopicks
esc

NETGEAR WAX210 AX1800 Dual-band Access Point vs TP-Link TL-WA1801

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against Wi-Fi access points at a similar price

The NETGEAR WAX210 AX1800 Dual-band Access Point scores 5.7/10 overall, ahead of the TP-Link TL-WA1801 at 5.3/10.

The NETGEAR WAX210 AX1800 Dual-band Access Point leads on uplink and power and software and security.

The TP-Link TL-WA1801 leads on management.

They score the same on wi-Fi standard and bands and value.

NETGEAR WAX210 AX1800 Dual-band Access Point

NETGEAR WAX210 AX1800 Dual-band Access Point

5.7/10verdict: good, not the best

The NETGEAR WAX210 is for home and small-office users who want a Wi-Fi 6 access point managed from a local web page. It suits anyone who already has a PoE switch or injector and wants no app or subscription. It will not suit buyers who need 6 GHz or a faster uplink.

Typically about £75 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

TP-Link TL-WA1801

TP-Link TL-WA1801

5.3/10verdict: good, not the best

The TL-WA1801 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 access point for small wired networks that need a few separate SSIDs. It suits home offices, flats and homelabs where VLAN-tagged wireless matters more than 6 GHz or multi-gig speeds. Buyers who need rock-solid stability or a long firmware record should read the owner reports first.

Typically about £67 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightNETGEAR WAX210 AX1800 Dual-band Access PointTP-Link TL-WA1801
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/106/10
Uplink and power20%5/104/10
Management20%6/107/10
Software and security20%6/104/10
Value15%5/105/10
Overall5.7/105.3/10

Specifications

SpecNETGEAR WAX210 AX1800 Dual-band Access PointTP-Link TL-WA1801
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bands and speed classDual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, AX1800 class (600 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, 1,200 Mbps on 5 GHz)Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, marketed as AX1800
Uplink port1 x 1 Gbps PoE port1 Gigabit port (supports passive PoE)
Power (PoE class)PoE (802.3af); PoE power consumption 15.2 WPassive PoE with 48V external supply rated 0.375A
ManagementLocal management through built-in web GUI, no app or subscription requiredWeb UI and Tether app (free, Android and iOS); SNMP and Ping Watchdog; multi-SSID with VLAN support
MountingCeiling or wall mount hardware included; fits 24 mm T-bar or freestanding on a flat surfacenot listed

Strengths and weaknesses

NETGEAR WAX210 AX1800 Dual-band Access Point

  • + Local web GUI with no app or subscription
  • + Standard 802.3af PoE at 15.2 W
  • + WPA3 support with ACL and MAC filtering
  • − Gigabit uplink only, no 2.5GbE
  • − No 6 GHz radio
  • − Some owners report admin access and setup problems

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need 6 GHz or a 2.5GbE uplink
  • Anyone who wants a trouble-free setup with extensive documentation
Read the full NETGEAR WAX210 AX1800 Dual-band Access Point review ›

TP-Link TL-WA1801

  • + Up to four VLAN-tagged SSIDs per band
  • + Web UI, SNMP and Ping Watchdog included
  • + PoE injector supplied in the box
  • − Single gigabit port, no 2.5GbE
  • − Owners report dropped connections and 5GHz problems
  • − Short firmware history; WPA3 support not listed

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need 2.5GbE uplink or standard PoE+ power
  • Anyone who requires confirmed WPA3 and guest isolation
  • Users planning to rely on client mode or the 5GHz radio
Read the full TP-Link TL-WA1801 review ›

More comparisons

Compare all Wi-Fi access points · Best Wi-Fi access points