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TP-Link Archer AX53 vs eero 6+

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 AX53 scores 5.8/10 overall, ahead of the eero 6+ at 4.2/10.

The TP-Link Archer AX53 leads on wi-Fi standard and bands, software and security, wired ports, coverage and value.

Archer AX53

TP-Link Archer AX53

5.8/10verdict: good, not the best

The Archer AX53 is a single Wi-Fi 6 router for people in a small or medium home who want a broad feature list. It suits households that want parental controls, guest networks and a built-in VPN server. It is a weaker fit if you need multi-gig wired ports, a USB port or a mesh that isn't tied to TP-Link.

Typically about £59.98 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

eero 6+

eero 6+

4.2/10verdict: skip

The eero 6+ is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh router for a home that wants smart home control built into the router. It suits buyers who connect few wired devices and mainly want wireless coverage. It is a weaker fit for anyone who needs several wired ports, network segmentation or free content filtering.

Typically about £139.99 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 AX53eero 6+
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/105/10
Software and security25%6/104/10
Wired ports20%5/103/10
Coverage15%6/105/10
Value15%6/104/10
Overall5.8/104.2/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link Archer AX53eero 6+
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), AX3000 rating, 2x2 antenna array
Bands and speed classDual-band AX3000: 5 GHz 2402 Mbps (802.11ax, HE160); 2.4 GHz 574 Mbps (802.11ax)Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, 2x2 on each band, 160 MHz channels on 5 GHz
WAN port1x Gigabit WAN (1 Gbps)Two auto-sensing gigabit (1 GbE) Ethernet ports for WAN and/or LAN
LAN ports4x Gigabit LAN (1 Gbps)Shared with the WAN ports; the two 1 GbE ports can be used as LAN; no separate LAN port count published
Mesh nodes in the box0 mesh nodes in box; single router, EasyMesh-compatible and works with OneMesh1 eero 6+ in the single-unit box; 2-pack and 3-pack sold
Rated coverageRated for 2-3 bedroom houses (TP-Link Malaysia page); four external antennasUp to 1,500 sq ft per router; up to 4,500 sq ft with a 3-pack
Security and VPN featuresWPA3; guest networks (one 5 GHz, one 2.4 GHz); VPN server (OpenVPN, PPTP); VPN client (OpenVPN, PPTP, WireGuard on V2); SPI firewall, IPS, DDoS prevention, HomeShield securityZigbee, Thread and Matter controller; Alexa support; automatic channel selection

Strengths and weaknesses

TP-Link Archer AX53

  • + Dual-band AX3000 with 160MHz channels on 5GHz
  • + WPA3, guest networks, VPN server and IPS included
  • + Praised for parental controls and the Tether app
  • − Gigabit ports only, with no USB port
  • − Some owners report sluggish interfaces and dropped devices
  • − OneMesh only works with TP-Link products

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need 2.5GbE or faster wired ports
  • Anyone wanting Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 and a 6GHz band
  • People who want a USB port or a mesh mixing different brands
Read the full TP-Link Archer AX53 review ›

eero 6+

  • + Thread, Zigbee and Matter controller built in
  • + 160 MHz channels on 5 GHz
  • + Rated for up to 4,500 sq ft with a 3-pack
  • − Only two gigabit ports, shared between WAN and LAN
  • − No 6 GHz band; dual-band only
  • − Content filters and ad blocking need a paid plan

Skip it if:

  • Homelabbers who need several wired gigabit or multi-gig ports
  • Admins who need VLANs, guest networks or a VPN server
  • Buyers who want content filtering without a subscription
Read the full eero 6+ review ›

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