Review of the TP-Link Archer AXE95 AXE7800 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router

CONS

• Pricey
• Middling file-transfer performance

TP-LINK ARCHER AXE95 AXE7800 TRI-BAND WI-FI 6E ROUTER SPECS

Consider opting for a Wi-Fi 6E router like the TP-Link Archer AXE95 if you are interested in utilizing the less congested 6GHz Wi-Fi radio band but are deterred by the high prices of the latest Wi-Fi 7 routers. Despite its initial cost, the AXE95 is a tri-band router that delivers rapid throughput performance, mesh features, and multi-gig networking. Additionally, it includes complimentary HomeShield parental control and network security software. Although the MSRP may seem steep, you can discover it at a significantly lower price if you search for deals. Regardless of where you purchase this model, its swift performance and multi-gig capabilities make it deserving of an Editors’ Choice accolade for Wi-Fi 6E routers.

Design: The Classic Eight-Antenna Aesthetic

The AXE95 is designed with a sleek black exterior, featuring a textured top and eight fixed, adjustable antennas. Measuring at 12.2 inches in width, 8.1 inches in depth, and 6.8 inches in height with the antennas fully extended. On the front of the router, there is an LED indicator that illuminates solid blue when the router is connected and functioning correctly, solid red when the internet connection is lost, solid orange when Wi-Fi is disabled, and pulses blue during a firmware update. Below the indicator, there are buttons for activating Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), toggling Wi-Fi, and turning the LED indicator on or off.

Behind the device, you will find three 1GbE LAN jacks, a 1GbE WAN/LAN jack, a 2.5GbE WAN/LAN jack, a USB 2.0 port, reset and power buttons, and a power connector. Additionally, there is a USB 3.0 port located on the right side. Internally, the router is powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core CPU and 512MB of RAM, and it supports various Wi-Fi 6E technologies such as OFDMA transmissions, direct-to-client beamforming, MU-MIMO simultaneous data streaming, 160MHz channel bandwidth, DFS, WPA3 encryption, and 6GHz transmissions.

The AXE95 is a tri-band AXE7800 router capable of achieving theoretical data rates of up to 574Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, up to 4,802Mbps on the 5GHz band, and up to 2,402Mbps on the 6GHz band. It is compatible with TP-Link’s OneMesh technology, enabling it to be integrated with other TP-Link networking devices in a mesh setup. Additionally, it is designed to work seamlessly with TP-Link’s HomeShield network security and parental controls software. The free Basic version of the software includes parental control features like age-based web filtering, site blocking, and the ability to pause internet access. For more advanced features such as time limits, time rewards, family time, and flexible bedtime, you can opt for the Advanced Parental Controls plan per month).

Free network security tools encompass router and wireless security scans, identification of IoT devices, Wi-Fi Access Control, and device isolation. By subscribing to the Security+ plan for per month, you will also receive IoT protection, web protection, and intrusion prevention. For an additional per month, the Total Security Package includes antivirus protection, a VPN, and a password-management utility.

You have the option to control the AXE95 through the Tether mobile application on both iOS and Android devices. However, in order to adjust more advanced settings like NAT Forwarding and DHCP Server settings, you will need to utilize the web console. Upon opening the mobile app, you will be directed to a Network screen showing the router’s name and status. By tapping on the router icon, you can access details such as MAC and IP addresses, as well as the current firmware version. Below the router icon, there are sections labeled Network Status, Clients, Report, and Guest Network.

You are able to manage the AXE95 via the Tether mobile app on iOS and Android devices. Nevertheless, to access advanced settings like NAT Forwarding and DHCP Server settings, you must use the web console. Upon launching the mobile app, you will be directed to a Network screen that shows the router’s name and status. Click on the router icon to view information such as MAC and IP addresses, along with the current firmware version. Below the router icon, there are sections labeled Network Status, Clients, Report, and Guest Network.

The Network Status panel indicates whether the router is online or offline. By tapping the panel, you can access the same information as tapping the router icon. The Clients panel shows the number of connected devices. Tapping on a client’s name reveals their name, the band they are using, total traffic usage, and when they joined the network. Additionally, you can assign high bandwidth priority, block the client, or add them to a parental control family profile. The Report panel provides weekly and monthly network security scan results and displays all parental control profiles. The Guest Network panel allows you to enable guest networking and set up passwords.

At the base of the Network screen, you will find buttons marked Network, Security, Family, and More. The Network button will bring you back to the main screen regardless of where you are in the app, while the Security button will start a security scan. Tapping the Family button will allow you to enter parental control settings and set up family profiles. The More button will take you to a screen where you can access Internet, Wi-Fi, QoS, and System settings. Additionally, you can optimize the network, perform diagnostics, and create a OneMesh network here.

Testing the TP-Link AXE95: 2.5GbE Makes a Difference.

I utilized the TP-Link Tether app for setting up the AXE95, however, the web console is also available for installation. Both options facilitate the process of establishing your new network. I accessed the app, clicked on the + symbol located in the upper right corner, selected Add Device, and then Wireless Router. I opted for Standard Router and proceeded to follow the provided instructions, which included powering off the modem, connecting the router to the modem, and then powering everything back on. I made use of the 1GbE WAN port to link to the modem and connected my desktop PC to the router using the 2.5GbE port.

Once the router status LED became a steady blue, I utilized my camera to scan the QR code located on the underside of the router. Subsequently, the application promptly detected it. I proceeded to establish a fresh local account, specify the LAN port to the application, and assign a name to my new network. Disabling the Smart Connect feature (which enables the separation of radio bands), I then set a password for the network. Following these steps, I was fully prepared to begin using the network.

The AXE95 represents the initial Wi-Fi 6E router we have evaluated with our recently enhanced testbed PC, hence we lack any throughput scores for direct contrast. In the 2.4GHz close-proximity test, the router achieved a score of 180Mbps, while it reached 60Mbps in the 30-foot test. On the other hand, it obtained a rapid 1,528Mbps in the 5GHz close-proximity test and 740Mbps in the 30-foot test.

In order to provide context for these scores, the TP-Link AXE75 achieved speeds of 121Mbps and 63Mbps on the 2.4GHz tests, and 918Mbps and 360Mbps on the 5GHz tests. It is worth mentioning that the AXE75 does not support multi-gig connectivity and was tested using a 1GbE LAN connection, while the AXE95 utilizes a 2.5GbE connection.

In the 6GHz throughput tests, the AXE95 achieved an impressive 1,448Mbps in the close proximity test, but only managed 383Mbps in the 30-foot test. The AXE75 scored 921Mbps in the close proximity test and 397Mbps in the 30-foot test during these tests.

In order to evaluate the read and write performance of file transfers, we conducted tests involving a 1.5GB folder containing various types of files such as photos, videos, music, and office documents. These tests consisted of moving the folder back and forth between a USB 3.0 drive and a desktop PC, both connected to the router. The AXE95 achieved speeds of 43MBps for writing and 45MBps for reading during these tests. In contrast, the Netgear RAXE500, which is also a Wi-Fi 6E router, recorded speeds of 70MBps for writing and 68MBps for reading.

We utilize an Ekahau Sidekick Wi-Fi diagnostic device along with Ekahau’s Survey mobile app to assess the wireless signal strength. This combination produces heat maps that display the signal strength of the router’s 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequencies across our testing environment. The position of the router is marked by a circle on the map, with varying colors indicating different signal strengths. The darkest green areas represent the strongest signal, while lighter yellow areas indicate a weaker signal. Gray areas on the map signify very weak or no detectable signal reception. (Please note that Ekahau is a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, the parent company of.

The Wi-Fi 6E emerges as the clear winner in the verdict.

The TP-Link Archer AXE95 is an excellent option for individuals seeking to incorporate 6GHz transmissions into their home network. It is simple to set up and maintain, providing impressive speeds for both 5GHz and 6GHz in testing. While its file transfer capabilities may have room for improvement, it boasts multi-gig connectivity, complimentary HomeShield parental controls, and network security software. Considering all these factors, it has been awarded our Editors’ Choice for Wi-Fi 6E routers.

The TP-Link Archer AXE95 is a great choice for those who want to introduce 6GHz transmissions to their home network. It is user-friendly and efficient, showcasing high speeds for both 5GHz and 6GHz during testing. Although its file transfer performance could be enhanced, it comes with multi-gig connectivity, free HomeShield parental controls, and network security software. Taking all these aspects into account, it has earned our Editors’ Choice accolade for Wi-Fi 6E routers.