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TP-Link Archer AX18 vs TP-Link Deco XE75

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 TP-Link Deco XE75 at 5.4/10.

The TP-Link Archer AX18 leads on software and security, wired ports and value.

The TP-Link Deco XE75 leads on wi-Fi standard and bands and coverage.

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 XE75

TP-Link Deco XE75

5.4/10verdict: good, not the best

The Deco XE75 is for households that want a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E mesh covering several floors with little tuning. It suits people who value coverage and fast wireless speeds over wired performance and fine control. It is a weaker fit for anyone who wants multi-gig ports or detailed network management.

Typically about £339.98 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 XE75
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/107/10
Software and security25%6/104/10
Wired ports20%5/104/10
Coverage15%5/107/10
Value15%6/105/10
Overall5.7/105.4/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link Archer AX18TP-Link Deco XE75
Wi-Fi standard802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), backward compatible with 11a/b/g/n/ac/axWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Bands and speed classDual-band: 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz (11ax) and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz (11n)Tri-band 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz; up to 5,400 Mbps combined
WAN port1x Gigabit WAN (1 Gbps)not listed
LAN ports3x Gigabit LAN3 gigabit ports per unit
Mesh nodes in the box1 router; no extra nodes (not sold as a kit)1, 2 or 3 units depending on pack
Rated coveragenot listedUp to 7,200 ft² (rated)
Security and VPN featuresnot listedWPA/WPA2-PSK/WPA3 encryption, HomeShield, parental controls, QoS

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 XE75

  • + Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E with a 6 GHz band
  • + Rated coverage up to 7,200 ft²
  • + Owners praise fast speeds and multi-storey reach
  • − Only gigabit ports, three per unit
  • − Drops and reboots needing a power cycle are common
  • − Limited controls and some troublesome firmware updates

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want 2.5GbE or faster wired ports
  • Homelabbers who need detailed traffic control and manual channel selection
  • Anyone who needs a hands-off network with no resets or firmware risk
Read the full TP-Link Deco XE75 review ›

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