The TP-Link Archer AX21 lacks remarkable features and is not the fastest router available, but it does offer Wi-Fi 6 technology for less than $100. In our tests, this dual-band router with a quad-core CPU and 802.11ax circuitry provided outstanding throughput and signal strength. It is straightforward to implement and can be utilized in a mesh configuration.
The AX21’s sleek black enclosure resembles that of TP-Link’s Archer AXE75, but instead of a textured top and six antennas, it has a grillwork top and four fixed, non-removable antennas. Two holes on the bottom of the router enable it to be wall-mounted or placed on a desk. It has six minuscule LED indicators for power, radio band activity, internet connectivity, WPS, and USB activity on the front panel.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]Specifications
- Brand TP-Link
- Model Name Archer AX21
- Frequency Band Class Dual-Band
- Wireless Communication Standard 802.11n, 802.11ax, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11ac
- Compatible Devices Laptop
- Frequency 5 GHz
- Recommended Uses For Product Gaming, Home
- Included Components Power Adapter, RJ45 Ethernet Cable, Quick Installation Guide
- Connectivity Technology Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
Where to get TP-Link AX1800?
The rear of the device houses four 1Gbps LAN ports, one 1Gbps WAN port, WPS and reset controls, a USB 2.0 port, the power button, and an AC adapter connector. Link aggregation is not supported, and there are no multi-gigabit LAN/WAN or high-speed USB interfaces, but this is not surprising given the router’s low price.
The Archer AX21 is a dual-band AX1800 router with maximum data transmission rates of 574Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1,201Mbps on the 5GHz band (theoretically). It is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU and supports the vast majority of modern Wi-Fi 6 technologies, including Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) transmissions, WPA3 encryption, MU-MIMO data streaming, and direct-to-client signal beamforming.
Unlike the ZTE AX3000 Pro, the AX21 does not support 160MHz channel transmissions. It does support OneMesh technology, allowing you to build a mesh network with the AX21 and other compatible routers and extenders.
This is one of the few TP-Link routers without parental controls and HomeShield anti-malware protection. You have access to simple parental controls that allow you to set daily and weekly time limits, as well as block and allow lists for websites. The web console provides access to sophisticated settings such as NAT Forwarding, IPv6, and DHCP Server configurations.