The TP-Link Archer AX18 AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 router that provides decent performance for smaller homes or apartments and is a good budget-friendly option (less than £35) for users seeking basic Wi-Fi 6 features.
TP-Link Archer AX18 Router Pros and Cons
TP-Link Archer AX18 Router Design
The TP-Link Archer AX18 is a budget Wi-Fi 6 router. Compact and convenient The Transmitter has an elegant design, measuring just 215 × 117 × 32 mm (8.4 × 4.6 × 1.3 inches), it is relatively compact and designed for smaller spaces and everyday use. The Archer AX18 forms factor features has four adjustable external antennas, well-placed ventilation holes to help keep airflow and a rather basic but solid a good looking chassis design. It can be wall-mounted, while parental controls and the TP-Link Tether app for easy network management are some of the vital functions of this router alongside the usual Gigabit ports.
Archer AX18 comes with 1 Gigabit WAN port and 4 Gigabit LAN ports for the wired connection, as well as a power port for the power adapter. These ports connect the router to an Internet modem (WAN) and to computers, smart TVs and game consoles (LAN) allowing for the efficient distribution of a high-speed, wired Internet connection.
TP-Link Archer AX18 Router Feature
- Wi-Fi 6 Technology: Archer AX18 comes equipped with latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 6, for faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion.
- Next-Gen 1.5 Gbps Speeds: Archer AX18 dual-band router reaches even faster speeds up to 1.5 Gbps (1201 Mbps on 5 GHz band and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz band)
- Connect More Devices: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices using revolutionary OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology while simultaneously reducing lag.
- Increased WiFi Coverage: Stream, surf, and game with the best in WiFi; Innovative WiFi 6 technology automatically maintains top speed as more devices connect.
- Increased Battery Life: Target Wake Time technology reduces your devices’ power consumption to extend their battery life. Easy Setup: Set up your router in minutes with the powerful TP-Link Tether App. Backward Compatible: Archer AX18 supports all previous 802.11 standards and all WiFi devices.
TP-Link Archer AX18 Router Specifications
TP-Link Archer AX18 is a next generation dual-band router built upon latest Wi-Fi 6 technology to provide significantly faster network speed and efficiency. Its wireless standard is Wi-Fi 6 (802. 4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies at up to 1. 2.4 GHz delivers speed up to 300 Mbps, 5 GHz delivers speed up to 1201 Mbps. Specific parameters are as follows:
| Brand | TP-Link |
| Model name | Archer AX18 |
| Special feature | Internet Security |
| Frequency band class | Dual-Band |
| Standards and Protocols | Wi-Fi 6 IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/a 5 GHz IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz |
| WiFi Speeds | AX1500 5 GHz: 1201 Mbps (802.11ax) 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps (802.11n) |
| WiFi Range | 2-3 Bedroom Houses |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 8.5 × 4.6 ×1.3 in (215 × 117 × 32 mm) |
| Wireless communication standard | 802.11ax |
| Compatible devices | Laptop, Personal Computer, Smart Television, Tablet |
| Recommended uses for product | Home, Small Office, Gaming, Streaming |
| Included components | Wireless Router Archer AX18 Power Adapter RJ45 Ethernet Cable Quick Installation Guide |
TP-Link Archer AX18 Router Performance
The Archer AX18 router also stood out in my tests. On the 2.4 GHz band, test throughput speeds of ~280 Mbps at 10 metres, and ~150 Mbps at 30 metres. On the 5 GHz band, speeds measured at 10 metres were approximately 950 Mbps, and at 30 metres, approximately 500 Mbps. These results indicate the Archer AX18 delivers performance close to its rated speeds at shorter distances, making it suitable for high-bandwidth applications.
The Archer AX18 also has terrific signal range. Featuring four powerful external antennas – this allows the router to extend H5 coverage up to 200㎡, which should easily cater for most homes. Archer AX18 can take advantage of simultaneous connections with OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology. The average speed is about 600 Mbps when simultaneously connecting 10 devices, and about 400 Mbps when connecting 20 devices, proving its strong multi-device ability. The Archer AX18 also does impressively in latency tests. On the 5GHz frequency band, the average latency is 15ms, suitable for online gaming and real time video calls.
TP-Link Archer AX18 Router Setup
Setting up the TP-Link Archer AX18 is remarkably straightforward. Upon opening the router’s packaging, locate the four small raised feet pads on the underside. Position the router feet-down on a flat surface. Rotate all antennas vertically upwards for optimal signal reception. Next, facing the side with the four antennas – this is the rear panel –Arranged in rows are five ports and a raised button. From left to right: Power port: The first circular port for connecting the power adapter. WAN port: The second port, roughly square-shaped, for connecting to a modem or Ethernet interface. Three LAN ports: Ports three to five, also roughly square-shaped, for connecting other wired devices.WPS/Reset button: Press and hold this button for 1 second, then immediately press the WPS button on the client device to initiate the WPS process. Press and hold this button for approximately 6 seconds to reset the router to its factory default settings. Beneath the router is a recessed label displaying: the router’s default network name (SSID), MAC address, and a QR code. Scanning this QR code connects you to the default Wi-Fi network.
TP-Link Archer AX18 Router Verdict
TP-Link Archer AX18 WiFi 6 Router - AX1500 Mbps, Gigabit Ethernet, VPN Server, Easy Setup, WPA3 Cybersecurity, Gaming Router for...
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