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MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router vs TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)

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

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

The MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router scores 6.2/10 overall, ahead of the TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack) at 5.9/10.

The MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router leads on software and security and value.

The TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack) leads on coverage.

They score the same on wi-Fi standard and bands and wired ports.

MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router

MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router

6.2/10verdict: good, not the best

The MERCUSYS MR80X suits people who want a low-cost Wi-Fi 6 router for a small home with a gigabit connection. It covers the basics well, with guest networks, a VPN server and WPA3 listed. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs multi-gig ports, a wide-coverage mesh out of the box or lots of wired devices.

Typically about £34.99 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

TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)

TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)

5.9/10verdict: good, not the best

The Deco X50 3-pack is for people who want whole-home Wi-Fi 6 across a large property without much fiddling. It suits households that value simple setup and wide coverage over advanced router controls. Buyers who need multi-gig wiring or a third band should look at other models.

Typically about £194.99 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

CriterionWeightMERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 RouterTP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/106/10
Software and security25%7/106/10
Wired ports20%5/105/10
Coverage15%5/107/10
Value15%8/106/10
Overall6.2/105.9/10

Specifications

SpecMERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 RouterTP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), compatible with 11ac/a/b/g/nWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax/ac/n/a on 5 GHz; 802.11ax/n/b/g on 2.4 GHz)
Bands and speed classDual-band: 2402 Mbps (5 GHz) + 574 Mbps (2.4 GHz), 160 MHz channels, 1024-QAM; marketed as AX3000Dual-band AX3000: 5 GHz 2402 Mbps (802.11ax, HE160); 2.4 GHz 574 Mbps (802.11ax)
WAN port1x Gigabit WAN (1 Gbps)not listed
LAN ports3x Gigabit LAN (datasheet; V6 page lists 5x, so revision-dependent)Three Gigabit ports per unit, auto-sensing WAN or LAN
Mesh nodes in the box0 extra nodes (single router, no nodes in box)3
Rated coverageNo manufacturer-rated area; four 5 dBi fixed omni antennas and beamformingUp to 604 m²
Security and VPN featuresWPA3-SAE (needs client support), WPA/WPA2 Enterprise, SPI firewall, IP/MAC binding, 2.4 and 5 GHz guest networks, OpenVPN/PPTP/L2TP/IPsec server and clients, parental controls, QoS, IPTV tag VLAN, IPv6, Smart ConnectSPI firewall, access control, HomeShield security, 1x 5 GHz and 1x 2.4 GHz guest networks, WPA/WPA2/WPA3 encryption

Strengths and weaknesses

MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router

  • + Wi-Fi 6 with 160 MHz channels and 1024-QAM
  • + VPN server and clients plus guest networks on both bands
  • + Owners describe it as very affordable and stable
  • − Gigabit-only ports, with three LAN ports on the datasheet
  • − No manufacturer-rated coverage area and no nodes in the box
  • − Owners report no repeater mode and no wall-mount holes

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want 2.5GbE or 10GbE wired ports
  • People who need many wired connections without adding a switch
  • Owners of larger homes who want a mesh kit with nodes in the box
Read the full MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router review ›

TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack)

  • + Rated coverage of up to 604 m² with three nodes
  • + Owners praise easy setup and range
  • + WPA3, tagged VLAN and guest networks listed
  • − Gigabit-only ports on every unit
  • − Dual-band only, with no 6 GHz
  • − Owners report limited advanced controls

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want 2.5GbE or multi-gig wired ports
  • Anyone who wants a 6 GHz band or Wi-Fi 6E or 7
  • Users who need detailed advanced router controls
Read the full TP-Link Deco X50 (3-pack) review ›

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