Our Take
The Archer AX55 is TP-Link's budget-friendly entry into WiFi 6, aimed at households upgrading from an ageing router without paying flagship prices. It offers dual-band AX3000 speeds, gigabit wired ports, and mesh compatibility, making it a sensible pick for streaming, gaming and multiple connected devices in a typical family home rather than a sprawling property.
Key Features
Dual-band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) rated up to AX3000, split across 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
160MHz channel bandwidth support on 5GHz for higher theoretical throughput on compatible devices
Four Gigabit LAN ports plus one Gigabit WAN port, no USB port included
OFDMA and MU-MIMO for handling multiple connected devices more efficiently
EasyMesh support, so it can be paired with compatible mesh nodes to extend coverage later
WPA3 encryption for stronger wireless security
Our Verdict
A solid, sensibly priced choice for anyone replacing an old dual-band router in a typical UK home, especially if future-proofing with mesh expansion matters. Gamers or heavy downloaders wanting maximum wired throughput, or anyone needing USB sharing, should look at a higher-tier or tri-band model instead.