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TP-Link Archer AX18 vs TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)

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

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

The TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack) scores 5.9/10 overall, ahead of the TP-Link Archer AX18 at 5.7/10.

The TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack) leads on coverage.

They score the same on wi-Fi standard and bands, software and security, wired ports 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

TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)

TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)

5.9/10verdict: good, not the best

The Deco X50 3-pack is for people who want whole-home Wi-Fi 6 across a large property without much fiddling. It suits households that value simple setup and wide coverage over advanced router controls. Buyers who need multi-gig wiring or a third band should look at other models.

Typically about £194.99 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 AX18TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/106/10
Software and security25%6/106/10
Wired ports20%5/105/10
Coverage15%5/107/10
Value15%6/106/10
Overall5.7/105.9/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link Archer AX18TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), backward compatible with 11a/b/g/n/ac/axWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax/ac/n/a on 5 GHz; 802.11ax/n/b/g on 2.4 GHz)
Bands and speed classDual-band: 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz (11ax) and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz (11n)Dual-band AX3000: 5 GHz 2402 Mbps (802.11ax, HE160); 2.4 GHz 574 Mbps (802.11ax)
WAN port1x Gigabit WAN (1 Gbps)not listed
LAN ports3x Gigabit LANThree Gigabit ports per unit, auto-sensing WAN or LAN
Mesh nodes in the box1 router; no extra nodes (not sold as a kit)3
Rated coveragenot listedUp to 604 m²
Security and VPN featuresnot listedSPI firewall, access control, HomeShield security, 1x 5 GHz and 1x 2.4 GHz guest networks, WPA/WPA2/WPA3 encryption

Strengths and weaknesses

TP-Link Archer AX18

  • + Wi-Fi 6 with WPA3-Personal support
  • + Guest network, parental controls and access control included
  • − 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 ›

TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)

  • + Rated coverage of up to 604 m² with three nodes
  • + Owners praise easy setup and range
  • + WPA3, tagged VLAN and guest networks listed
  • − Gigabit-only ports on every unit
  • − Dual-band only, with no 6 GHz
  • − Owners report limited advanced controls

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want 2.5GbE or multi-gig wired ports
  • Anyone who wants a 6 GHz band or Wi-Fi 6E or 7
  • Users who need detailed advanced router controls
Read the full TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack) review ›

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