The Archer AX50 looks exactly the same as the Archer AX10 we reviewed earlier this year. It is two-tone gloss and matte black, with a textured grille, four adjustable antennas, and six small LED indicators. It measures 1.5 x 10.2 x 5.3 inches (HWD) and has four gigabit LAN ports around the back, as well as a WAN port, a USB 3.0 port, a power button and power jack, a reset button, and a Wi-Fi/WPS button. None of the ports are multi-gigabit ports, but the AX50 supports link aggregation, a nice feature for a router in this price range.
Like the Archer AX11000 gaming router and the Deco X20 mesh system, the Archer X50 comes with TP-Link’s HomeCare suite of antimalware, parental control, and QoS software. The anti-malware software can apply malicious content filters, quarantine infected clients, and display security alerts; QoS settings include presets for gaming, streaming, surfing, and chatting, and bandwidth priority Homecare’s parental controls include presets for Child, Pre-Teen, Teen, and Adult, with age-appropriate website filters for social networks, games, chat rooms, and other adult content.
Website filters are available for social networks, games, chat rooms, and other adult content. You can also view browsing history and set access schedules and time limits for each client. The TP-Link Archer AX50 has the same feature set as other draft-stage WiFi 6 routers released at the same time, so expect to see new TWT (Target Wake Time) features that work well with low-power devices (devices will “wake up” only when needed) and the highly regarded Expect OFDMA technology.
Like the Asus RT-AX58U and Netgear RAX40, the TP-Link Archer AX50 left a little to be desired. Sure, the applications are easy to use and the web-based interface offers most of the expected features, but there are a few “rookie” design mistakes (no silicone feet, and yes, the router has already tipped over on the floor), and wireless performance is fine but only under certain It can only be used under certain conditions.