Skip to content
sudopicks
esc

TP-Link Archer AX18 vs TP-Link Deco X55 (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 Archer AX18 and TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack) both score 5.7/10 overall.

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

The TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack) leads on coverage.

They score the same on wi-Fi standard and bands, 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 X55 (3-pack)

TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack)

5.7/10verdict: good, not the best

The Deco X55 3-pack suits people covering a larger home with an app-managed Wi-Fi 6 mesh. It fits buyers whose wired devices and internet connection run at Gigabit speed or below. It is a weaker match for anyone who wants multi-gig ports or detailed manual control of the network.

Typically about £209.99 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 X55 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/106/10
Software and security25%6/105/10
Wired ports20%5/105/10
Coverage15%5/107/10
Value15%6/106/10
Overall5.7/105.7/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link Archer AX18TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), backward compatible with 11a/b/g/n/ac/axWi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/a 5 GHz, 802.11ax/n/b/g 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, 2.4 GHz 574 Mbps
WAN port1x Gigabit WAN (1 Gbps)No dedicated WAN port; each unit has 3 Gigabit ports that auto-sense WAN or LAN
LAN ports3x Gigabit LAN3 Gigabit Ethernet ports per unit (9 across the 3-pack), shared with WAN auto-sensing
Mesh nodes in the box1 router; no extra nodes (not sold as a kit)3 Deco X55 units
Rated coveragenot listedUp to 6,500 ft² for the 3-pack (marketing rating; wireless coverage not guaranteed)
Security and VPN featuresnot listedWPA/WPA2/WPA3, SPI firewall, parental controls, QoS, guest networks for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, HomeShield (free Basic tier)

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 X55 (3-pack)

  • + Three units with a 6,500 ft² rating and 150-device support
  • + WPA3, guest networks, tagged VLAN and a free HomeShield Basic tier
  • + Owners describe setup and the app as easy
  • − Gigabit-only ports, with no multi-gig option
  • − Owners report dropouts and devices falling off the mesh
  • − Management is app-only, with limited firewall and radio tuning

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need 2.5GbE or 10GbE ports on the router or nodes
  • Anyone who wants detailed firewall and radio settings beyond the app
  • Buyers who want a Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 system
Read the full TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack) review ›

More comparisons

Compare all Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems · Best Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems