Routers around the 100 USD mark are very popular, and for a good reason: they offer the features most people need, solid Wi-Fi and decent wireless coverage. TP-Link Archer AX55 is one of the best-sold models at this price, and I was curious to test it myself and see what it offers in the real world. If you want to know whether the popularity of TP-Link Archer AX55 is well deserved and whether this router is a good fit for you, read this detailed review:
The packaging for TP-Link Archer AX55
On the back of the box, the company promotes the Wi-Fi 6 standard, its most important benefits, and other features that make this router interesting.
The back of the box promotes the router's main features
When you unbox everything, you find the following items: the router itself, its power adapter, a short CAT 5e network cable, the quick installation guide, troubleshooting instructions, and a sticker with the details for connecting to the default Wi-Fi network emitted by this router.
Everything you find inside the box
The unboxing experience offered by TP-Link Archer AX55 is quick and pleasant. Inside the package, you find all the information and accessories you need to set up your Wi-Fi.
Do you like how TP-Link Archer AX55 looks?
On the back of the router, you find the WPS/Wi-Fi button, the Reset jack, a USB 3.0 port, the WAN port, which can function at speeds up to 1 Gbps, four 1 Gbps Ethernet ports, the Power button, and the Power jack.
The ports on the back of the router
On the bottom, you find a sticker with details about the router you’re using and the default name and password for the Wi-Fi. The ventilation grids and two holes for mounting the router on the walls are also visible. TP-Link Archer AX55 has a dual-core Qualcomm IPQ0518 processor running at 1 GHz, 512 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of storage for the firmware. I received in testing the V1.0 hardware version of this router. I’ve learned from the company that there’s also a V2.0 hardware version in some regions, packing a Broadcom BCM6756 processor, which should deliver even better performance.
What you find on the bottom of TP-Link Archer AX55
The total theoretical maximum bandwidth offered by TP-Link Archer AX55 is split as follows: 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 2402 Mbps on the 5 GHz band when using the 802.11ax standard (Wi-Fi 6). The router also supports WPA3 encryption and 160 MHz channel width when using Wi-Fi 6. Wireless transmissions use 2x2 MU-MIMO on both bands.
The size of this router is 10.2 × 5.3 × 1.5 inches or 261.1 × 134.5 × 41.0 mm in width x depth x height. It also weighs around 500 grams or 1.1 pounds.
For more information about this product and its specifications, go to this page: TP-Link Archer AX55 AX3000 Dual Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router.
Setting up the TP-Link Archer AX55
TP-Link Archer AX55 tests whether it can connect to the internet using your provided settings. If everything works smoothly, it recommends that you connect it to the TP-Link Cloud Service. If you want to use all the features of this router and control it from anywhere on the internet, you should create a TP-Link ID.
Adding a TP-Link ID is a good idea
When you finish the initial setup, TP-Link Archer AX55 checks for firmware updates. I recommend installing the latest firmware for it. It will help you get the best performance possible from this router, and newer versions add features that didn’t exist in the initial firmware release.
Don't hesitate to update the firmware
The admin web interface available for TP-Link Archer AX55 is easy to understand and use. First, you get access to all the basic settings that people without technical knowledge can easily understand and fiddle with.
The web admin interface is easy to use
The Advanced tab is where the more knowledgeable users will want to go. This is where you find almost everything this router has to offer. Advanced features like DDNS, NAT Forwarding, and VPN Server are found in this tab. While no help documentation is available, all the settings are explained well. As a result, most people should be able to understand what they must do to change one setting or another. In addition, the Support options are available at the bottom of the interface, and it’s easy to provide feedback to TP-Link when needed. Another cool feature is that the user interface is available in more than 20 languages, making everyone’s life easier.
The Advanced tab is where you find all the goodies
The Tether mobile app for Android and iOS is free and easy to use. It offers access only to the basics you need, including some remote troubleshooting tools that might be useful. However, features like Network Performance Optimization or HomeShield can be activated and used only from this app. I’m not too fond of this approach, and I would prefer that TP-Link provided everything it has to offer in its web-based admin interface. The user experience would be simpler with everything in one place, instead of having tools and features scattered across different mediums.
The Tether app gives you access to some exclusive features
Using the TP-Link Archer AX55 was a positive experience for me. Downloads were fast, especially on the 5 GHz band. I did not have problems connecting my devices to the network, and the Wi-Fi signal was stable in my apartment. However, I did notice a worrying trend when uploading data to the internet, but only in some rooms.
If you want to know more details about this issue and the real-world performance offered by Archer AX55, including a comparison with other routers, go to the next page of this review, where I present detailed measurements.
The apartment where I tested TP-Link Archer AX55
I evaluated the quality of the wireless network managed by this router through measurements made in three different places:
Signal strength on Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz band)
Switching to Wi-Fi 6 on the 2.4 GHz band decreased the signal strength in all rooms. However, this trend is normal, and the overall signal strength remains solid.
Signal strength on Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz band)
Next, I ran the SpeedTest app and used it to measure the maximum speed you get when transferring data to and from the internet on the 2.4 GHz band. The downloads offered by TP-Link Archer AX55 were fastest in the room furthest from the router - a pleasing result.
SpeedTest - The download speed on Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz)
However, the upload speed could have been better, especially in Room 2.
SpeedTest - The upload speed on Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz)
Switching to Wi-Fi 6 meant that downloads were faster in some rooms. However, TP-Link Archer AX55 was mostly outperformed by the routers I’ve compared it to.
SpeedTest - The download speed on Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz)
The upload speed was problematic again, with a sharp drop when I took my laptops in rooms other than the one where the router was placed.
SpeedTest - The upload speed on Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz)
For the next set of measurements, I used the PassMark Performance test to transfer data between two computers connected to the network. Again, I was connected to the 2.4 GHz band with the Wi-Fi 4 standard turned on. TP-Link Archer AX55 delivered excellent download speeds in this test everywhere in my apartment.
Network downloads on Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz)
But again, the upload speed decreased significantly and was very problematic in Room 2.
Network uploads on Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz)
Switching to Wi-Fi 6, on the 2.4 GHz band, led to an increase in download speed in the rooms closest to the TP-Link Archer AX55.
Network downloads on Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz)
Uploads were again a lot slower. In Room 2, I could barely transfer any data.
Network uploads on Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz)
My tests revealed that TP-Link Archer AX55 has similar strengths and weaknesses to other W-Fi 6 routers equipped with a Qualcomm processor. For example, while downloads tend to be fast and very satisfying, the upload speed is slow. Unfortunately, Qualcomm chips can barely provide decent coverage for uploading data at reasonable speeds.
Signal strength on Wi-Fi 5 (5 GHz band)
Switching to Wi-Fi 6 meant that the signal strength lowered slightly but remained in line with other routers.
Signal strength on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz band)
I moved on to the SpeedTest app. Again, download speeds were excellent, as shown below.
SpeedTest - The download speed on Wi-Fi 5 (5 GHz)
Uploads were fast too. This time, TP-Link Archer AX55 defeated the routers I’ve compared it to, which is great.
SpeedTest - The upload speed on Wi-Fi 5 (5 GHz)
When I switched to Wi-Fi 6 on the 5 GHz band, download speeds increased slightly, and TP-Link Archer AX55 remained a solid competitor.
SpeedTest - The download speed on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz)
Uploads were excellent too, but the advances were negligible compared to Wi-Fi 5.
SpeedTest - The upload speed on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz)
For the next set of measurements, I used the PassMark Performance test to transfer data between two computers connected to the network. When using the Wi-Fi 5 standard on the 5 GHz band, TP-Link Archer AX55 once again delivered excellent download speeds. I was very happy with its performance.
Network downloads on Wi-Fi 5 (5 GHz)
Uploads were fast too, but at lower speeds than the downloads.
Network uploads on Wi-Fi 5 (5 GHz)
Switching to Wi-Fi 6 on the 5 GHz band meant I enjoyed even faster downloads, especially in Room 2.
Network downloads on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz)
Again, uploads were slower than the download speeds but remained at a solid level.
Network uploads on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz)
TP-Link Archer AX55 performs very well on the 5 GHz band. So it doesn’t matter if you use Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac); you’ll be happy with the performance you get, as well as the coverage it offers.
SpeedTest on Ethernet connections
TP-Link Archer AX55 also has a USB 3.0 port that can be handy for some users. I plugged a fast SSD drive into it and made some data transfers to and from the SSD. As shown below, the download speed was reasonable, while the upload speed was painfully slow.
The speed of the USB port
As expected, the TP-Link Archer AX55 has no problems handling 1 Gbps internet connections and 1 Gbps wired network connections for the devices you plug into it. However, its USB 3.0 port is on the slow side. While the download (or read) speed you get is decent for most people, the upload (or write) speed is painfully slow. This is an area that should be improved in future firmware updates.
HomeShield can be activated only from the Tether app
TP-Link Archer AX55 works with several VPN protocols
TP-Link Archer AX55 is more than just your basic Wi-Fi 6 router. It has plenty of neat features that make it useful to many users. After setting it up, you should delve into what it offers. You may find some tools or settings that make your experience better suited to your needs. However, be mindful of using the VPN server functionality. The dual-core processor of this router is underpowered, and enabling this feature might lower its performance significantly.
TP-Link Archer AX55: Who is it good for?
This wireless router is a suitable choice for:- Small to medium-sized apartments
- Internet connections of up to 1 Gbps
- Families with children who need parental controls and advanced security
- Users who want to control their router using Alexa or Google Assistant
Pros and cons
Here are the things I like about TP-Link Archer AX55:
- Excellent performance on the 5 GHz band
- OneMesh and Wi-Fi EasyMesh support
- WPA3 encryption and 160 MHz channel width
- You can control it remotely with a mobile app
- Great multilingual support
- Plenty of useful features
- Very slow uploads on the 2.4 GHz band
- The USB 3.0 port is slow
- The best features of HomeShield require a subscription
Verdict
TP-Link Archer AX55 ticks all the right boxes regarding features and performance, especially on the 5 GHz band, where it delivers excellent Wi-Fi coverage and speed. This router also makes it easy to extend your network using other TP-Link devices compatible with OneMesh, as well as routers from TP-Link or other brands compatible with the new Wi-Fi EasyMesh standard. However, keep in mind that the uploads can be slow on the 2.4 GHz band (a problem affecting all routers equipped with Qualcomm processors from all brands). Its hardware is also underpowered for enabling advanced features that require a lot of processing power, like a VPN server. If these limitations don’t impact you, you’ll be very happy with what TP-Link Archer AX55 offers.Unboxing the TP-Link Archer AX55
TP-Link Archer AX55 is a dual-band AX3000 wireless router with Wi-Fi 6, which comes in a traditional cyan cardboard box with the TP-Link logo and a picture of the device on the front cover. One of the most touted features of this router is the HomeShield security service built into its firmware. This is one of the first few differences that separate the Archer AX55 from its lower-priced siblings, like the TP-Link Archer AX23 I reviewed earlier this year.Hardware specifications and design
TP-Link Archer AX55 has a classic router design, with plenty of ventilation grids on top and four nondetachable external antennas. Unfortunately, the glossy plastic on the top, where the TP-Link logo is, tends to be a dust and fingerprint magnet. To keep the router clear and looking its best, you must wipe it regularly. Also, on the front, several LEDs signal the router’s functioning status and the Wi-Fi on each band.Setting up and using the TP-Link Archer AX55
Installing the Archer AX55 is done the same way as all other TP-Link routers. You can use a PC and a web browser for this task or the Tether app on your smartphone. The process starts with setting up the admin password for the router, choosing your time zone and the type of internet connection you’re using, and providing the necessary connection details. Then, you get to personalize the Wi-Fi and decide whether to use Smart Connect.Wireless network performance
My new test apartment is set up like in the diagram below. I’ve placed the TP-Link Archer AX55 in a central position to provide good coverage in all the rooms where I spend most of my time.- The router’s room - I record the maximum speeds when no walls absorb the wireless signal in the room where the router is placed.
- Room 1 - is separated by one wall from the router, so the wireless signal and the Wi-Fi speed I get should be lower here.
- Room 2 - is separated from the router by two walls absorbing the wireless signal. Also, the wall between Room 1 and Room 2 is twice as thick as the one between The router’s room and Room 1. As a result, Room 2 can be a difficult challenge for many routers.
How the TP-Link Archer AX55 performs on the 2.4 GHz band
As always, I first measured the signal strength using NetSpot, while connected to the 2.4 GHz band. When using the Wi-Fi 4 standard (802.11n), the signal strength delivered by TP-Link Archer AX55 was very good in all rooms.How the TP-Link Archer AX55 performs on the 5 GHz band
I switched to the 5 GHz band and started measuring the signal strength with NetSpot. When using the Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard, TP-Link Archer AX55 delivered excellent signal strength in all the rooms.Wired network performance & USB port
After evaluating Wi-Fi performance, let’s assess the performance you get when using Ethernet network connections. My internet connection offers a maximum of 1 Gbps for the download speed and 800 Mbps for the upload. When using SpeedTest, TP-Link Archer AX55 got very close to the maximum potential of my internet connection. Still, it was slightly slower than the routers I’ve compared it to.Extra features
TP-Link Archer AX55 has some advanced features that many are going to appreciate:- HomeShield - a cloud-based solution developed by TP-Link and Avira (which was acquired a few years ago by Norton), provides built-in web protection, intrusion prevention protection, IoT protection, and easy-to-use parental controls for setting advanced rules for how your children use your Wi-Fi. HomeShield has some free features and a HomeShield Pro plan that costs extra and can be activated only through the Tether app when using a TP-Link cloud ID.
- VPN Client and VPN server - you can set the router to work as a VPN server using OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec. You can also choose specific devices in your network and connect them automatically to specific VPN servers.
- OneMesh and EasyMesh - Archer AX55 works with other OneMesh devices for creating your own mesh Wi-Fi system using TP-Link devices. The router has Wi-Fi EasyMesh compatibility, meaning it can work with similar devices from other brands to create a mesh Wi-Fi network. Here’s how to set up TP-Link OneMesh Wi-Fi 6 routers and range extenders.
- Network Performance Optimization - a feature available only in the Tether app that analyzes the channel congestion in your area and suggests what you can change to improve Wi-Fi performance.
- Wi-Fi Detective - another tool present only in the Tether app, which scans and identifies all the devices connected to your network. This information is useful in detecting whether there are unwanted guests on your network and taking measures to block their access.
- Wireless schedule - you can set when the wireless network is automatically turned off. For example, you may not want it broadcasted while you sleep.
- Guest Network - you can enable two wireless guest networks with individual security and access settings, one on each band.
- DDNS - a service that allows you to connect to the router from the internet, even if your internet provider assigns you a dynamic public IP address. This router can work with the following service providers: TP-Link, NO-IP, and DynDNS.
- Smart Life Assistant - with the Tether mobile app’s help, you can integrate the router with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and control it using voice commands.
- IPv6 - support for IPv6 addresses replacing the old IPv4 ones.
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