The most effective approach to ensure that your wireless network provides excellent performance is to ensure that you are making optimal use of all of the resources available to you. The TP-Link Archer AX90 allows you to get closer to your loved ones not only because it supports Wi-Fi 6, but also because it offers other features such as tri-band connection, access to DFS channels, and 160MHz support. The Archer AX90 may be configured in a variety of ways to ensure that it operates as quickly as possible, regardless of how much interference and traffic is present on the network.
When it came to Wi-Fi 6, TP-Link and its competitors stepped in with dual-band routers or routers that couldn’t support Wi-Fi 6 on all available bands. For many individuals, this is plenty and will provide them with all the speed they could ever need. Finding a quick setup while yet maintaining excellent device compatibility in a busy location like an apartment building, on the other hand, might be difficult for those who live in such a structure. Having said that, a crazed AX11000 router could more often than not overcome these barriers via raw power, but a more clever approach might go a long way toward overcoming them.
Price
The TP-Link Archer AX90 was initially made available in the United States towards the end of January 2021, first through Best Buy and then through Amazon. This is a little later than expected, since TP-Link introduced this router at CES 2020, with a delivery date of April 2020 scheduled to take place. Despite this, it has made its way to the market and is now accessible in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom and Japan, for purchase. There are certain nations, such as India, that are still labeled as “coming soon,” so you may have to wait a little longer in these cases.
According to the manufacturer, it is priced at $329.99, which is somewhat less expensive than the Netgear Nighthawk RAX70, which is the device’s closest competition. Nonetheless, any gadget may be available for purchase from time to time.
Design
TP-Link has a new type of powerful Wi-Fi 6 video gaming router. The top-of-the-collection Archer GX90 is really a tri-band design that guarantees to deliver up to 574Mbps of cellular throughput on its 2.4GHz network, around 1,201Mbps on its 1st 5GHz network, or more to 4,804Mbps about its second 5GHz network that’s specifically focused on gaming. That one includes a 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port, a 1Gbps WAN/LAN slot, and a three-interface gigabit LAN change onboard. The added connection comes in the proper execution of a USB 3.0 port and the USB 2.0 slot.
The Archer GX90’s Gaming Accelerator feature will automatically detect gaming-oriented traffic on the network and assign it an increased priority to provide the very best performance with online flash games. TP-Hyperlink expects the Archer GX90 to fetch $330 when it ships in past due to Q2.
Performance
The TP-Link Archer AX90 (AX6600) is a powerful piece of networking equipment, powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU. It is unlikely to have lag and should be able to handle large numbers of users.
Many current routers are dual-band, but the TP-Link Archer AX90 (AX6600) takes things to the next level by offering three bands. There are two 5GHz channels supported by this tri-band router, with speeds of up to 4,804 Mbps for 5GH-1 and 1,201 Mbps for 5G-2. It is a tri-band router with support for three 5GHz channels. T3’s preferred wireless router is somewhat faster, but this is still a respectable rate of performance.
When using the final 2.4GHz channel, the highest speeds are actually lower than on some other routers, reaching up to 574Mbps. The fact that your home is filled with technology that demands the 2.4GHz channel is something you should keep in mind. It’s also important to realize that, despite the fact that the 5GHz channels are quicker, they are not as long-range as the 2.4GHz channels.
Your devices are automatically assigned to a channel when Smart Connect is turned on, and this is determined by the purpose for which they require the network. The only thing you’ll see in your network settings is a single named Wi-Fi network; the router takes care of everything else. In order to provide the fastest possible speeds, items such as gaming consoles, cellphones, and laptops will be connected to the faster 5GHz channel, whilst technology such as Wi-Fi lighting will be connected to the slower 2.4GHz channel. You have the option of assigning devices manually if you so want.
In order to get the most out of the router, you’ll need high-speed fiber-optic internet access as well as devices that are compatible with WiFi 6, which is something that most modern phones and PCs are.
The TP-Link Archer AX90 (AX6600), which is best suited for homes with up to four bedrooms, has a considerable range, thanks to its array of eight antennas, which allows it to cover more directions and open up more bandwidth. The highest rates from my WiFi 6 compatible smartphone on the fastest channel were evidently provided by the router; the speed reached around 69Mbps.
Even when I was behind a very thick wall, my internet connection didn’t seem to have slowed significantly, maintaining a speed of 67Mbps. There was a more substantial decline further away, through two walls, but it was still just 58Mpbs, so it wasn’t anything remarkable. As a result of the router, the connection was remarkably steady across my house, and the whole experience was noticeably quicker than before.
Specifications
WIRELESS | |
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Standards | Wi-Fi 6 IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/a 5 GHz IEEE 802.11ax/n/b/g 2.4 GHz |
WiFi Speeds | AX6600 5 GHz: 4804 Mbps (802.11ax) 5 GHz: 1201 Mbps (802.11ax) 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps (802.11ax) |
WiFi Range | 4 Bedroom Houses 8× Fixed High-Performance Antennas Multiple antennas form a signal-boosting array to cover more directions and large areas Beamforming Concentrates wireless signal strength towards clients to expand WiFi range High-Power FEM Improves transmission power to strengthen signal coverage |
WiFi Capacity | Very High Tri-Band Allocate devices to different bands for optimal performance 4×4 MU-MIMO Simultaneously communicates with multiple MU-MIMO clients OFDMA Simultaneously communicates with multiple Wi-Fi 6 clients Airtime Fairness Improves network efficiency by limiting excessive occupation DFS Access an extra band to reduce congestion 8 Streams Connect your devices to more bandwidth |
Working Modes | Router Mode Access Point Mode |
HARDWARE | |
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Processor | 1.5 GHz Quad-Core CPU |
Ethernet Ports | 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN Port 1× 1 Gbps WAN/LAN Port 3× 1 Gbps LAN Ports |
USB Support | 1× USB 3.0 Port 1× USB 2.0 Port Supported Partition Formats: NTFS, exFAT, HFS+, FAT32 Supported Functions: Apple Time Machine FTP Server Media Server |
Buttons | Wi-Fi On/Off Button Power On/Off Button LED On/Off Button WPS Button Reset Button |
Power | 12 V ⎓ 3.3 A |
SECURITY | |
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WiFi Encryption | WPA WPA2 WPA/WPA2-Enterprise (802.1x) WPA3 |
Network Security | SPI Firewall Access Control IP & MAC Binding Application Layer Gateway HomeShield™ SecurityHome Network Scanner |
Guest Network | 1× 5 GHz-1 Guest Network 1× 5 GHz-2 Guest Network 1× 2.4 GHz Guest Network |
VPN Server | OpenVPN PPTP |
SOFTWARE | |
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Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
Service Kits | HomeShield™ |
Parental Controls | HomeShield™ Parental ControlsCustom Profiles URL Filtering Time Limit Time Schedule (Bedtime) Log Insight Monthly/Weekly Report |
WAN Types | Dynamic IP Static IP PPPoE PPTP L2TP |
Quality of Service | QoS by Device |
Cloud Service | Auto Firmware Upgrade TP-Link ID DDNS |
NAT Forwarding | Port Forwarding Port Triggering DMZ UPnP Virtual Server |
IPTV | IGMP Proxy IGMP Snooping Bridge Tag VLAN |
DHCP | Address Reservation DHCP Client List Server |
DDNS | TP-Link NO-IP DynDNS |
Management | Tether App Webpage |
PHYSICAL | |
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Package Contents | Wi-Fi Router Archer AX90 Power Adapter RJ45 Ethernet Cable Quick Installation Guide |
OTHER | |
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System Requirements | Internet Explorer 11+, Firefox 12.0+, Chrome 20.0+, Safari 4.0+, or other JavaScript-enabled browser Cable or DSL Modem (if needed) Subscription with an internet service provider (for internet access) |
Certifications | FCC, CE, RoHS |
Environment | Operating Temperature: 0℃~40℃ (32℉ ~104℉) Storage Temperature: -40℃~70℃ (-40℉ ~158℉) Operating Humidity: 10%~90% non-condensing Storage Humidity: 5%~90% non-condensing |
TEST DATA | |
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WiFi Transmission Power | CE: <20dBm{2.4GHz} <23dBm{5.15GHz~5.35GHz} <30dBm{5.47GHz~5.725GHz} FCC: <24dBm{5.47GHz~5.725GHz } <30dBm{2.4GHz &5.15GHz~5.25GHz&5.725GHz~5.825GHz } |
WiFi Reception Sensitivity | 2.4GHz: 11n HT20 MCS0:-95dBm 11ax HE20 MCS11:-64dBm 11ax HE40 MCS11:-62dBm 5GHz-1: 11ac VHT20 MCS0:-92dBm 11ax HE20 MCS11:-61dBm 11ax HE40 MCS11:-58dBm 11ax HE80 MCS11:-55dBm 5GHz-1: 11ac VHT20 MCS0:-95dBm 11ax HE20 MCS11:-61dBm 11ax HE40 MCS11:-58dBm 11ax HE80 MCS11:-55dBm 11ax HE160 MCS11:-53dBm |
Verdict
TP-Archer Link’s AX90 (AX6600) wireless router will increase the speed and coverage of a medium-sized or even a large home network. The fact that you must create an account in order to modify your settings is a little drawback, but it is a tiny price to pay considering how simple it makes it to operate and control the router. Getting the most powerful version of their security system will also cost you more money, but the basic version will be sufficient for the majority of people.
Despite the fact that this wireless router does not provide the absolute best speeds available (we have seen faster routers), it is by no means sluggish. It will almost certainly increase the efficiency of your networks as well as the performance of all of your internet-connected devices, such as your phone, laptop, or smart technology. It is a touch on the expensive side, but I believe it is well worth it.