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TP-Link Archer AX55 Review

Nathan Rizzuti Avatar
Updated Jan 27, 2024 5:19 PM

True Score

80
79
3

Experts

86
5,877

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The TP-Link Archer AX55 is a great router for homes of all sizes, as it has fast 5GHz download/upload speeds, long-range connections, and easy setup. However, it has a slow 2.4GHz upload speed and has high latency and limited port space, and aggregation features.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

Released in 2023, the TP-Link Archer AX55 is a mid-tier router geared for in-home use and offers many features common to the best routers on the market. The router is a dual-band device compatible with the Wi-Fi EasyMesh standard with backhaul and supportive of MU-MIMO. It supports 2.4GHz and 5 GHz, whose download speeds come in at 99 Mbps and 485 Mbps, respectively. The router’s connection range reaches 36.6 meters and has a latency of 120 ms.

Users can access two options for setup: a web interface and the TP-Link Tether App. Within the interface, users can access security features like anti-malware and parental controls, which are available for purchase. Users also have access to smart features, such as controlling the device through Alexa or Google Assistant.

Best For

  • Long Range

  • Small Business

  • Tp Link

  • Vpn

Consensus

our Verdict

The TP-Link Archer AX55 is a dual-band mesh router with four antennas and WiFi6 support, ideal for general home use. The download speeds are exceptional; on a 5GHz band, it maxes out at 485 Mbps, and 99 Mbps on a 2.4 GHz band, which is in the top third of the category. Additionally, the router reaches far ranges, stretching to 36.6 meters before the connection drops out. Users also will find no hardships setting up a connection, as the TP-Link Tethe App and web interface are intuitive to navigate. From these interfaces, users can access the security features of parental controls, set bandwidth priority, and view browsing history. But keep in mind that parental controls are a paid add-on.

However, the router struggles to upload at 2.4 GHz, which measures 54 Mbps, landing it in the bottom 5% of the category. It also has limited port space, providing only one USB port and 4 LAN inputs without link aggregation. The latency is also high, which clocks in at 120 ms, making it poor for gaming.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Good Download/Upload Speed
    • The TP-Link Archer AX55 is a great dual-band WiFi6 general home router with impressive speeds. Its download speed on a 5GHz band is 485 Mbps, and at 2.4GHz, it measures 99 Mbps, which is in the top third of routers in both respects.

    • Upload speeds are measured at 5GHz, which is 744 Mbps, which is in the top 5%.

  • Great Connection Range
    • The router is great for larger homes, as the connection range stretches to 36.6 meters.

  • Simple Setup and Easy Configuration
    • Setting the router up can be done in about 10 minutes through the mobile Tether App, which has a simple interface. The app guides users step by step through establishing a network. There’s also a web interface to set up if desired.

    • The interfaces make accessing the robust suite of parental controls, smart features, and security features like assigning bandwidth priority and anti-malware easy.

Reason to Avoid

  • Slow 2.4 GHz Upload Speed
    • On a 2.4GHz band, the router clocks in at 54 Mbps, which is in the bottom 5% of routers.

  • High Latency
    • The router takes a while to establish a connection between devices, as the latency is 120 ms, which is in the bottom 10% of the category.

  • Limited Ports
    • The router only has one USB port, which limits external connectivity. None of the four LAN ports are multi-gig or have link aggregation.

TP-Link Archer AX55 Specs

# of LAN Ports# of LAN Ports
# of Phone Ports# of Phone Ports
# of WAN Ports# of WAN Ports
App CompatibleApp Compatible
Available StorageAvailable Storage
Band TechnologyBand Technology
Data Encryption TypeData Encryption Type
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star Certified
Frequency BandsFrequency Bands
Integrated ModemIntegrated Modem
LAN PortsLAN Ports
MU-MIMO SupportMU-MIMO Support
Mesh SystemMesh System
Number of AntennasNumber of Antennas
Parental ControlsParental Controls
Processor CoresProcessor Cores
Processor SpeedProcessor Speed
Quality of Service PrioritizationQuality of Service Prioritization
WiFi RangeWiFi Range
WiFi SpeedWiFi Speed
Wired SpeedWired Speed
Wireless StandardWireless Standard

All Specs

Test Results

2.4 GHz Download speed (Mbits/s)98.635
2.4 GHz Upload speed (Mbits/s)53.53
5 GHz Download speed (Mbits/s)485.2
5 GHz Upload speed (Mbits/s)744.68
Router Range (ft)120
Latency (ms)0
6 Ghz Download speed (Mbits/s)0
6 Ghz Upload speed (Mbits/s)0

All Tests

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Product Comparison

TP-Link Archer AX55 Review

TP Link AC1750 Review

TP Link AC1750 Review

True Score

80
NR
76
78

Ranking

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21

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43

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43

#

31

/

43

#

29

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43

Market Context

Released in 2023, the TP-Link Archer AX55 is a mid-tier router geared for in-home use and offers many features common to the best routers on…

Released in 2023, the TP-Link Archer AX55 is a mid-tier router geared for in-home use and offers many features common to the best routers on the market. The router is a dual-band device compatible with the Wi-Fi EasyMesh standard with backhaul and supportive of MU-MIMO. It supports 2.4GHz and 5 GHz, whose download speeds come in at 99 Mbps and 485 Mbps, respectively. The router’s connection range reaches 36.6 meters and has a latency of 120 ms.

Users can access two options for setup: a web interface and the TP-Link Tether App. Within the interface, users can access security features like anti-malware and parental controls, which are available for purchase. Users also have access to smart features, such as controlling the device through Alexa or Google Assistant.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 is another dual-band router that’s not as fast as the TP-Link Archer AX55. The Archer C7 has download speeds of 299…

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 is another dual-band router that’s not as fast as the TP-Link Archer AX55. The Archer C7 has download speeds of 299 Mbps at 5GHz and 81 Mbps at 2.4GHz; the Archer AX55 has download speeds of 99 Mbps at 2.4GHz and 485 Mbpz at 5GHz. However, the Archer C7 AC1750 has a connection range of 41 meters, whereas the TP-Link Archer AX55 is 36.6 meters. The Archer C7 is more suited for larger homes, while the Archer AX55 is higher performing, as it has a better-performing interface and more impressive speeds. For another look into a great TP home router, check out our TP-Link Archer AXE75 review.

The TP-Link Archer AX55 has faster download speeds compared to the TP-Link Archer AX10. Both are mesh WiFi6 devices, but the Archer AX55 boasts 485…

The TP-Link Archer AX55 has faster download speeds compared to the TP-Link Archer AX10. Both are mesh WiFi6 devices, but the Archer AX55 boasts 485 Mbps on a 5GHz band and 99 Mbps at 2.4GHz. Comparatively, the AX10 yields 423 Mbps at 5GHz and 68 Mbps at 2.4GHz. Upload speeds are split. The AX55 has a higher 5GHz upload speed of 745 Mbps at 5GHz, but the AX10 ranks higher at 2.4GHz, with 150 Mbps, compared to the AX55’s 54 Mbps. Lastly, the AX10 completely lacks USB ports, while the AX55 has one. The AX10 is a more barebones option and more affordable unit, which works for smaller apartments, while the AX55 is ideal for larger homes. We also have a helpful TP-Link Archer AX21 review.

The TP-Link Archer AX55 is faster than the Synology RT2600ac in almost all respects. Its download speeds measured 485 Mbps at 5GHz compared to the…

The TP-Link Archer AX55 is faster than the Synology RT2600ac in almost all respects. Its download speeds measured 485 Mbps at 5GHz compared to the Synology model, which clocks in at 425 Mbps. But on 2.4 GHz, the Synology wins, given its 138 Mbps speed compared to the TP-Link’s 99 Mbps speed. Upload speed goes completely to the TP-link, with 745 Mbps at 5 GHz, compared to 203 Mbps from Synology. TP-Link also has a longer connection range of 36 meters, and the Synology drops off at 30 meters. However, the Synology has better latency, 100 ms, compared to the TP-Link’s 120 ms connection speed.

# of LAN Ports

4

# of Phone Ports

n/a

# of WAN Ports

1

App Compatible

Yes

Available Storage

n/a

Band Technology

Dual

Data Encryption Type

WEP, WPA, WPA-Enterprise, WPA-Personal

Energy Star Certified

n/a

Dig Deeper

TP-Link Archer AX21 Review →

Synology RT2600AC Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

79

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

86

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

80

Expert Scores

  • Techgear Lab
    85.5

    Category Trust Rating

    68
    The TP-Link Archer AX55 is one of the best all-around performing WiFi routers we tested,… Read More

    By:

    Matt Spencer
  • Digital Citizen
    65.65

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    TP-Link Archer AX55 ticks all the right boxes regarding features and performance, especially on the… Read More

    By:

    Ciprian Adrian Rusen
  • Consumer Reports
    47.6

    Category Trust Rating

    NR

    By:

    Unknown