What are the Top 3 TP-Link Routers?

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By

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Jun 18, 2024 4:42 PM
best tp link router guide that shows the top best router model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

When you’re looking for the best TP-Link routers, performance, reliability, and ease of use are critical factors. They should excel on the 5 GHz band, offering fast speeds and broad coverage. These models are ideal for gaming and streaming, with features such as mesh network compatibility and easy setup through user-friendly apps. They ensure robust performance and extended coverage for your home network. While TP-Link offers some excellent options, we also have a guide for the top routers regardless of brand if you’re interested.

Our buying guide evaluated 37 routers, certifying three top-performing models through thorough analysis. We reviewed 193,620 customer and expert reviews. Our rigorous process, using our scientific True Score system, ensures that the winning products are reliable and meet your high standards.

To identify the top TP-Link routers, we analyzed over 200 sites, evaluating testing methodologies and customer feedback. Our review process highlighted 2 essential test results, 2 desirable features, and 1 crucial specification. By combining expert reviews and our true score system, we created a buying guide that showcases the best routers for performance and reliability.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must be TP-Link

? Test Criteria

  • 2.4 GHz Download Speed: A download speed on the 2.4 GHz band of at least 50 Mbits.
  • 5 GHz Download Speed: A download speed on the 5 GHz band of at least 200 Mbits.

? “Nice To Haves”

  • Router Range: A range of at least 50 feet before the signal from the router begins to become noticeably weaker.
  • Latency: A latency of 30 ms or less.

Latest Updates

  • 06/18/2024: Republished the list to include the best TP-Link routers based on our True Score system.

Top TP-Link Routers For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    TP-Link Archer GX-90

    • Best For Streaming

    Gamer-focused, offering dedicated gaming bandwidth, high speeds, and essential features for a competitive edge; a great choice for immersive online gaming experiences.

    TP-Link Archer GX-90 Review →

    True Score

    85
    84
    7

    Experts

    90
    8k

    Customers

    SAVE $50
    $249.99
    $199.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    TP-Link Archer AXE75

    • Best For Mesh

    Future-proof with 6 GHz support, solid speeds, and tri-band capabilities; perfect for seamless streaming and advanced network setups.

    TP-Link Archer AXE75 Review →

    True Score

    81
    80
    4

    Experts

    86
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $10
    $159.00
    $149.00

    Category Snapshot

    Routers

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      12 Brands, 37 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      Netgear, Asus

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $45-$600

    • Average True Score

      79.42

    • Important Test Criteria

      Download & Upload Speed (bits/second)

      Range (feet/meters)

    • Most Trusted Testers

      router top trusted testers

    • Top Router Experts

      James Morris, Matt Spencer

    • Typical Warranty

      1 year

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – AKKO

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    TP-Link Archer AX55

    • Best For Long Range

    Excellently priced with superb performance; ideal for high-speed streaming and gaming with added mesh and MU-MIMO support for expansive coverage.

    TP-Link Archer AX55 Review →

    True Score

    80
    79
    3

    Experts

    86
    6k

    Customers

    SAVE $40
    $149.99
    $109.66

By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 2 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these routers and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a router that will meet your needs.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
2.4 GHz Download Speed> 50 Mbits/sYesThe maximum speed that the router can reach when downloading on the 2.4 GHz band.
5 GHz Download Speed> 200 Mbits/sYesThe maximum speed that the router can reach when downloading on the 5 GHz band.
Router Range > 50 ftNo (Nice to have)How far a device can be from a router before the signal starts degrading. It is worth noting that 2.4 GHz reaches further than 5 GHz.
Latency< 30 msNo (Nice to have)The delay that is created by a signal being sent by the router and then received.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 120+ router reviewers and found that 46 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for routers.

  1. James Morris – Kit Guru, LinkedIn
  2. Matt Spencer – TechGearLab, LinkedIn
  3. Brian Nadel – Tom’s Guide, MuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every router review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Router Test Data & Results

Disclaimer:

Evaluating router performance is more than hardware analysis. While hardware tests are straightforward, the challenge lies in contextualizing the results within the limits of real-world usage. Routers operate under conditions that testers cannot fully standardize, including variations in Internet Service Providers (ISPs), network traffic congestion, discrepancies between advertised and actual internet speeds, and the physical layout of homes. These factors introduce a degree of unpredictability, making it hard to draw universal conclusions. As such, our router recommendations aim to provide useful general guidance, accommodating a wide range of home environments and internet setups.

1. 2.4 GHz Download Speed (Mbits/s)

The oldest and slowest of the bands on a router is the 2.4 GHz band, but it sticks around for a reason. Generally speaking, while this band features the slowest available speeds and has the lowest bandwidth, but also reaches out the furthest. It’s not the best band to connect to connect if you need high speeds, but if you just need to be connected for light browsing or anything that’s low bandwidth, it works. Alternatively, if you own a lot of old devices, this band may be the only band they can “see” and therefore, use.

Given the age of the band, top speeds on 2.4 GHz cap out very quickly. We recommend a speed of at least 50 Mbits/s, but if you aren’t really going to be using this band for anything other than checking web pages, you can go lower. It’s worth noting, though, that this might lead to a more frustrating and laggier time on modern sites with lots of scripting and high-quality images.

2.4 GHz Download Speed (Mbits/s; higher is better; 0 = No Data)

2. 5 GHz Download Speed (Mbits/s)

The much faster 5 GHz band offers up much greater bandwidth and is much, much better at meeting high-speed demands. Streaming high-quality video, using streaming services, gaming, downloading large files and games – the 5 GHz band is what makes all of these activities quick and bearable. It reaches a lower range than the 2.4 GHz band, but it’s also much faster, so you’ll use it more, especially on newer devices that actually support the band.

Given how much you’ll be using this band, we recommend a speed of at least 200 Mbits/s to ensure you’re able to enjoy streaming and gaming on at least a few devices simultaneously. Any lower and you start to run into real bottleneck concerns, such as endless buffering, lagging, or drops in connection.

5 GHz Download Speed (Mbits/s; higher is better; 0 = No Data)

3. Router Range (ft)

Router range is exactly what the name suggests: how far can you get from the router before you start experiencing issues with your connection? The complicating factor is the simple fact that range depends on the band you’re using. 2.4 GHz is a band that offers greater range, so it gives tests results that show a greater range than tests that use the 5 GHz band. In general, our research found most publications used the 5 GHz band, so our recommendations are based on that.

As such, we recommend your router have a range of at least 50 ft. This gives you a good “bubble” around the router that you can connect to, but it’s important to know that things like the walls in your home can cause issues. Thicker walls block more signal, thinner walls block less. Some materials will also do a better job than others will at stopping signal, so if you see a router with a range of 65 ft, know that it might not reach that far in your home. It could reach further – or not nearly as far. This is also why you get dead zones in your home – it’s a matter of geometry and materials.

Router Range (ft; higher is better; 0 = No Data)

4. Latency (ms)

On a router, latency refers to how long it takes for the router to send out and receive a signal. The longer it takes, the more delay there is between you sending and receiving data, which can introduce lag in video games and also makes video conferencing harder since the person you’re speaking with now has to contend with your delay and vice versa. If you’ve ever spent a call talking over someone because you don’t know they started talking a second ago, that’s latency.

For that reason, we recommend a latency below 30 ms. As low as you can get it is obviously preferable, but latency is another aspect of your internet connection that is hard to manage. Latency differs to every single place you connect to, and every ISP has its own latency they “add” because you have to connect to their service too. Latency creeps in from your ISP, from the site you’re requesting data from, from your router, and from your own onboard Wi-Fi antenna – and that’s just to name a few sources. If you’re gaming, you also have a delay introduced by your connection to game servers and the delay that exists on a hardware level when you input commands.

Latency (ms; lower is better; 0 = No Data)

  1. Ignoring Compatibility with Your ISP: Choosing a TP-Link router without ensuring it’s compatible with your internet service provider (ISP) can lead to connection issues. Verify that the router is approved for use with your ISP before purchasing.

  2. Overlooking the Router’s Standard: Opting for a TP-Link router with an outdated Wi-Fi standard can limit your network’s performance. Ensure the router supports at least Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), with Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E being preferable for future-proofing.

  3. Neglecting Security Features: Skipping advanced security features can expose your network to cyber threats. Select routers with robust security protocols, such as WPA3 encryption, built-in firewalls, and regular firmware updates.

  4. Underestimating Coverage Requirements: Not considering the size and layout of your space can result in inadequate coverage. Evaluate your area and choose a router that provides sufficient range. For larger or more complex spaces, consider a TP-Link mesh Wi-Fi system.

The Best TP-Link Routers Tests Compared

Product
True Score
2.4 GHz D/L Speed
5 Ghz D/L Speed
6 GHz D/L Speed
Range
Latency

TP-Link Archer GX-90

  • Best for Streaming

85
  • 75.39 Mbits/s

  • 279.62 Mbits/s

  • 0

  • 40 ft

  • 20 ms

$199.99
$250
$50
81
  • 65.05 Mbits/s

  • 309.1 Mbits/s

  • 317.9 Mbits/s

  • 60 ft

  • 9 ms

$149.00
$159
$10

TP-Link Archer AX55

  • Best for Long Range

80
  • 98.64 Mbits/s

  • 485.2 Mbits/s

  • 0

  • 120 ft

  • 0

$109.66
$150
$40

TP-Link Router Questions (FAQ)

What features should I look for in the best TP-Link router?

When choosing the best TP-Link router, look for features such as dual-band or tri-band support, high-speed performance on the 5GHz band, robust security protocols, easy setup through a user-friendly app, and compatibility with mesh networks. Additionally, ensure it has adequate coverage for your home or office.

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