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The best way to make sure your wireless network works well is to make sure you use all of its resources in the best way possible. The TP-Link Archer AX90 helps you get closer thanks to Wi-Fi 6 and other features like tri-band connectivity, access to DFS channels, and 160MHz support. The Archer AX90 can be set up in different ways so that it works as quickly as possible no matter how much noise or traffic there is.
TP-Link and its competitors jumped right into Wi-Fi 6 with routers that could use Wi-Fi 6 on only one or two bands. This is fine for many people and gives them all the speed they could ever want. But if you live in a busy place like an apartment building, it can be hard to find a fast setup that works well with all your devices. Still, a great AX11000 router could usually get around these problems by sheer force, but a smarter solution could go a long way.
TP-Link Archer AX90 specifications
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wireless Standards | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Speeds | 6000 Mbps (1201 Mbps @ 2.4GHz, 4804 Mbps @ 5GHz) |
| Ethernet Ports | 1 x 2.5Gbps WAN port, 4 x Gigabit LAN ports |
| Processor | 1.5GHz quad-core CPU |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Antennas | 8 high-gain external antennas |
| Compatibility | Works with Alexa and IFTTT |
| Security | WPA3 encryption, TP-Link HomeCare for advanced security features |
| Dimensions | 10.4 x 10.4 x 2.4 inches |
TP-Link Archer AX90 review: Design
The Archer AX90 has a sleek black body and a cool design. Its eight huge antennas are spread out over three sides, making it look intimidating. It is 10.91 inches long, 7.32 inches wide, and 2.16 inches high. It weighs 1.96 pounds. The bottom of the device works well as a way to get rid of heat.
The 2.5 Gbps WAN port gives you access to multi-gigabit wireless speeds, but the maximum speed for each of the four ethernet ports is 1 Gbps. When the Archer was connected to my PC with an Ethernet cable, it got symmetrical download and upload speeds of 973 Mbps. The big footprint gives you enough space to plug cables in and out easily. You can by this router from its official webiste.
TP-Link Archer AX90 review: Setup and software
You don’t need a cloud account to use this router, which is good news. You only need one for remote management. The bad news is that it could take less time to set up. We’ve said this in other reviews of TP-Link routers, and we still think that the steps should be split into Basic and Advanced options.
TP-Link Archer AX90 review: Performance
Starting with the 5GHz band, we found that the second band was quite a bit faster. This is because the second band has more bandwidth and uses higher channels that are less used and cause less interference.
From 2m away in the same room, we measured 676.65Mbps on the TP-Link Archer AX90. That’s fast, but I’ve tested routers like the Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 gaming router that were even faster.
TP-Link Archer AX90 review: Price and competition
The RAX70 is an AX6600 router from Netgear that has three bands. On paper, it looks a lot like the AX90, except for a few small design differences. Both routers should work about the same, so choosing between them comes down to software and price. The RAX70 usually costs $349.99, but it’s often on sale for less than $300.
Final Words
The Archer AX90 from TP-Link is a good tri-band router. It has a bit of an uneven bandwidth, with the best performance coming from the second 5GHz band, but there’s not much to complain about here. Even though some of the security and parental controls require a subscription, this is a great mid-range router at a great price.
TP-Link Archer AX90 Ratings
TP-Link Archer AX90 review: The Good and The bad
The Good
- Super-fast speeds thanks to Wi-Fi 6
- Connect to the internet at lightening rates with its 2.5Gbps WAN connector.
- Eight high-gain external antennas ensure robust and dependable Wi-Fi coverage.
The Bad
- Pricey compared to other Wi-Fi 6 routers
- Large size may not fit in smaller spaces
FAQS
How fast is TP-Link Archer AX90?
Connected or not. AX90 has premium wired connections as well as amazing wireless speeds of more than 6.6 Gbps. Your ISP’s gigabit speeds are fully used by a 2.5 Gbps port and a 1 Gbps port.
What is the range of TP-Link AX90?
The tri-band Archer AX90 worked well at a distance, with speeds of 593.60Mbps on the first floor (5m away) and 419.51Mbps on the second floor (10m away). Since my house has a lot of network interference, it’s clear that the higher bands used here help. Not much was learned from testing on the 2.4GHz band.
Is TP-Link Archer a good router?
The TP-Link Archer AX55 made our test house’s network fast and easy to use. To get even a little bit better, you have to spend a lot more on a router or a mesh kit if you have a big house. It’s our most recent pick for a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router.