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TP-Link Archer AX18 vs eero 7

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

all judged against Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems at a similar price

The TP-Link Archer AX18 scores 5.7/10 overall, ahead of the eero 7 at 5.5/10.

The TP-Link Archer AX18 leads on software and security.

The eero 7 leads on wired ports and coverage.

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

Archer AX18

TP-Link Archer AX18

5.7/10verdict: good, not the best

The Archer AX18 suits people who want a plain Wi-Fi 6 router for a small to average home on a gigabit connection or slower. It covers the basics: WPA3, guest network, parental controls and automatic firmware updates. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs multi-gig ports, a VPN server, VLANs or a mesh system.

Typically about £50.21 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

eero 7

eero 7

5.5/10verdict: good, not the best

The eero 7 is a Wi-Fi 7 mesh router for households that want easy setup and broad coverage without managing much. It suits people who will use it as a smart home hub, since it supports Zigbee, Thread and Matter. It is a weaker fit for anyone who wants every feature without a subscription or needs a 6 GHz band.

Typically about £169.99 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 Archer AX18eero 7
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/106/10
Software and security25%6/104/10
Wired ports20%5/106/10
Coverage15%5/106/10
Value15%6/106/10
Overall5.7/105.5/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link Archer AX18eero 7
Wi-Fi standard802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), backward compatible with 11a/b/g/n/ac/axWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bands and speed classDual-band: 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz (11ax) and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz (11n)Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (no 6 GHz)
WAN port1x Gigabit WAN (1 Gbps)not listed
LAN ports3x Gigabit LANnot listed
Mesh nodes in the box1 router; no extra nodes (not sold as a kit)1 node per unit when sold singly; 2-pack and 3-pack available
Rated coveragenot listed2,000 sq. ft. per router

Strengths and weaknesses

TP-Link Archer AX18

  • + Wi-Fi 6 with WPA3-Personal support
  • + Guest network, parental controls and access control included
  • + Firmware listings run into September 2026
  • − Gigabit-only wired ports, no 2.5GbE
  • − Dual-band only, with no 6 GHz
  • − No VPN server, and VLAN support not published

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want 2.5GbE or 10GbE wired ports
  • Anyone needing a router-hosted VPN server or published VLAN support
  • Households needing mesh nodes or a published coverage rating for a large home
Read the full TP-Link Archer AX18 review ›

eero 7

  • + Wi-Fi 7 with two auto-sensing 2.5GbE ports
  • + Easy setup and good coverage, according to owners
  • + Zigbee, Thread and Matter support built in
  • − Advanced features need a paid eero Plus subscription
  • − Dual-band only, with no 6 GHz band
  • − Signal weakens through thick walls, owners report

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want advanced router features without paying a subscription
  • Buyers who need a 6 GHz band for busy, device-heavy networks
  • Homelabbers who need confirmed VLAN or VPN server support
Read the full eero 7 review ›

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