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TP-Link TL-WA1801 vs Zyxel NWA50AX PRO

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

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

The Zyxel NWA50AX PRO scores 6.8/10 overall, ahead of the TP-Link TL-WA1801 at 5.3/10.

The Zyxel NWA50AX PRO leads on uplink and power, software and security and value.

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

The biggest difference is uplink and power, where the Zyxel NWA50AX PRO scores 8/10 to the TP-Link TL-WA1801's 4/10.

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

Zyxel NWA50AX PRO

Zyxel NWA50AX PRO

6.8/10verdict: buy

The Zyxel NWA50AX PRO is a ceiling-mounted Wi-Fi 6 access point with a 2.5GbE uplink and PoE+ power. It suits buyers who have a PoE+ switch and want VLAN support with a choice of cloud or standalone management. It is less suited to anyone who needs 6 GHz or wants a quick setup with no configuration.

Typically about £67.31 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

CriterionWeightTP-Link TL-WA1801Zyxel NWA50AX PRO
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/106/10
Uplink and power20%4/108/10
Management20%7/107/10
Software and security20%4/106/10
Value15%5/107/10
Overall5.3/106.8/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link TL-WA1801Zyxel NWA50AX PRO
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/g/b/a (Wi-Fi 6)
Bands and speed classDual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, marketed as AX1800Dual-band 2.4 GHz (575 Mbps) and 5 GHz (2400 Mbps), marketed as AX3000; 20/40/80/160 MHz channel widths
Uplink port1 Gigabit port (supports passive PoE)1 x 1/2.5 Gbps LAN port (2.5GbE)
Power (PoE class)Passive PoE with 48V external supply rated 0.375AIEEE 802.3at (PoE+), 20.5 W rated PoE draw
ManagementWeb UI and Tether app (free, Android and iOS); SNMP and Ping Watchdog; multi-SSID with VLAN supportNebula cloud-managed or standalone; web GUI and CLI
Mountingnot listedMounting plate and mounting screws included; 140 × 140 × 37.5 mm, 352 g

Strengths and weaknesses

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 ›

Zyxel NWA50AX PRO

  • + 2.5GbE uplink with standard 802.3at PoE+
  • + Nebula cloud or standalone web GUI and CLI
  • + VLAN support and SNMP management
  • − No 6 GHz band; dual-band Wi-Fi 6 only
  • − Owners report Nebula-to-standalone setup is difficult
  • − Only one RJ-45 port

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need a 6 GHz band for current devices
  • Buyers who want a no-configuration setup with an easy standalone switch-over
  • Buyers without a PoE+ switch who do not want to power it another way
Read the full Zyxel NWA50AX PRO review ›

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