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TP-Link Archer AX53 vs TP-Link Deco BE9300 (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 BE9300 (3-pack) scores 6.6/10 overall, ahead of the TP-Link Archer AX53 at 5.8/10.

The TP-Link Archer AX53 leads on software and security.

The TP-Link Deco BE9300 (3-pack) leads on wi-Fi standard and bands and wired ports.

They score the same on coverage and value.

The biggest difference is wired ports, where the TP-Link Deco BE9300 (3-pack) scores 9/10 to the TP-Link Archer AX53's 5/10.

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

TP-Link Deco BE9300 (3-pack)

TP-Link Deco BE9300 (3-pack)

6.6/10verdict: buy

The Deco BE9300 three-pack is for households that want a Wi-Fi 7 mesh with plenty of fast wired ports on every unit. It suits people who will run Ethernet to desktops, consoles or storage in several rooms. It is less suited to anyone who wants deep manual control of the network or full security features without a subscription.

Typically about £439 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 AX53TP-Link Deco BE9300 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/108/10
Software and security25%6/104/10
Wired ports20%5/109/10
Coverage15%6/106/10
Value15%6/106/10
Overall5.8/106.6/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link Archer AX53TP-Link Deco BE9300 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be)
Bands and speed classDual-band AX3000: 5 GHz 2402 Mbps (802.11ax, HE160); 2.4 GHz 574 Mbps (802.11ax)Tri-band 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz; signal rates 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz), 2882 Mbps (5 GHz), 5765 Mbps (6 GHz)
WAN port1x Gigabit WAN (1 Gbps)4 x 2.5 Gbps auto-sensing WAN/LAN ports per unit; one port can be WAN at a time
LAN ports4x Gigabit LAN (1 Gbps)The same 4 x 2.5 Gbps ports per unit can be used as LAN; one can serve as wired backhaul between units
Mesh nodes in the box0 mesh nodes in box; single router, EasyMesh-compatible and works with OneMesh3
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 securityWPA/WPA2/WPA3 encryption, firewall, device blocklist, separate 2.4/5/6 GHz guest networks, IoT network, MLO network, Parental Controls, QoS, Network Protection, remote management, Online Upgrade firmware updates

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 ›

TP-Link Deco BE9300 (3-pack)

  • + Wi-Fi 7 tri-band with a 6 GHz band
  • + Four 2.5 Gbps ports on every unit
  • + Wired backhaul between units is supported
  • − Full parental controls and IoT security need a paid plan
  • − No locally hosted web interface
  • − Limited QoS and traffic features

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want full parental controls and IoT security without a subscription
  • Anyone who wants a local web interface and detailed QoS or traffic control
  • Buyers who need a built-in VPN server
Read the full TP-Link Deco BE9300 (3-pack) review ›

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