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Archer AX53 vs TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router

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

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

The TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router scores 5.9/10 overall, ahead of the Archer AX53 at 5.8/10.

The Archer AX53 leads on wi-Fi standard and bands and coverage.

The TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router leads on software and security, wired ports and value.

Archer AX53

Archer AX53

5.8/10verdict: skip

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

TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router

TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router

5.9/10verdict: skip

The Archer C6 is for anyone replacing an ageing router with a single dual-band Wi-Fi 5 unit and four Gigabit LAN ports. It suits buyers who want a simple setup and a decent feature list, including guest networks, WPA3 and a VPN server. It is a poor fit if you need Wi-Fi 6, multi-gigabit ports or a rated coverage figure.

Typically about £43.78 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

CriterionWeightArcher AX53TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/105/10
Software and security25%6/107/10
Wired ports20%5/106/10
Coverage15%6/104/10
Value15%6/107/10
Overall5.8/105.9/10

Specifications

SpecArcher AX53TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac/n/a on 5 GHz; 802.11n/b/g on 2.4 GHz)
Bands and speed classDual-band AX3000: 5 GHz 2402 Mbps (802.11ax, HE160); 2.4 GHz 574 Mbps (802.11ax)Dual-band AC1200: 867 Mbps on 5 GHz, 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz (the same page also gives 400 Mbps for 2.4 GHz, a conflict on the manufacturer page)
WAN port1x Gigabit WAN (1 Gbps)1x Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps)
LAN ports4x Gigabit LAN (1 Gbps)4x Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps)
Mesh nodes in the box0 mesh nodes in box; single router, EasyMesh-compatible and works with OneMesh0 (one router in the box)
Rated coverageRated for 2-3 bedroom houses (TP-Link Malaysia page); four external antennasnot listed
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 securitySPI firewall, access control, IP and MAC binding, guest networks (one 5 GHz and one 2.4 GHz), VPN server (OpenVPN, PPTP), VPN client (OpenVPN, PPTP, WireGuard), WPA/WPA2/WPA3, parental controls

Strengths and weaknesses

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 Archer AX53 review ›

TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router

  • + WPA3, guest networks and VPN server included
  • + Four Gigabit LAN ports plus Gigabit WAN
  • + Owners report simple setup and good value
  • − No rated coverage figure published
  • − No USB port, according to owners
  • − Several hardware revisions share the same name

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want Wi-Fi 6 or newer
  • Anyone needing 2.5GbE or faster wired ports
  • People who need a USB port for storage or printer sharing
Read the full TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router review ›

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