TP-Link Archer AX73, AX5400 dual-band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 router with OneMesh technology

TP-Link Archer AX73 is a dual-band Gigabit router aimed at users who want a stable home or small office network with high speeds and decent control. Although it supports Wi-Fi 6 speeds according to the 802.11ax standards, it is listed in the catalog as a router with AC standard (Wi-Fi 5), so you can view it as a model on the border between the two generations. You get high wireless speeds – up to 4804 Mbps on 5 GHz with 802.11ax and Gigabit Ethernet for wired connections. The device relies on external antennas and offers conveniences like Samba server, print server, and QoS for better traffic control.

What you get

With AX73 you have a dual-band Wi-Fi network supporting 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, which means that virtually every normal wireless client will connect without issue. On 5 GHz with 802.11ax, speeds reach up to 4804 Mbps, while on 2.4 GHz – up to 1148 Mbps, which is sufficient for heavy streaming, online gaming, and many devices simultaneously. The four Gigabit LAN ports provide a stable connection for desktop PCs, consoles, and smart TVs, while the separate RJ-45 WAN port handles your internet connection. The USB port, combined with Samba server and print server, allows you to share files or a printer on the network without a separate NAS or print server. The built-in SPI firewall plus encryption options (WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK) add basic security for the home network.

• Support for multiple Wi-Fi standards – 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, ensuring compatibility with older and newer devices in the same network.
• Maximum wireless speed up to 4804 Mbps (802.11ax 5 GHz) and up to 1148 Mbps (802.11ax 2.4 GHz), suitable for 4K streaming, large files, and many connected clients.
• Improved performance with Wi-Fi 5 with 802.11n (1024 QAM) up to 1000 Mbps and 802.11ac (1024 QAM) up to 4333 Mbps, giving you higher speeds even with older standards.
• Four Gigabit LAN ports (4 x RJ-45) plus a separate RJ-45 WAN for stable wired connections to desktops, consoles, and IPTV boxes.
• Available USB port with Samba server and print server, so you can easily share an external disk or printer on the network.
• Four external antennas that help for better coverage compared to compact routers with internal antennas.
• Security through WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK and built-in SPI firewall, for basic protection of the home or office network.
• QoS function, allowing you to prioritize traffic for gaming, streaming, or work, instead of everything competing for the same bandwidth.

Who it is suitable for

This router is suitable if you want a stable wireless network with high speeds, several wired devices, and conveniences like shared disk or printer in a busy home or small office. It is a good choice for gamers and people who stream and download large files, as long as you have fast enough internet. If you are looking for something ultra-compact or with PoE/3G/4G features, you won't find them here.

The combination of high wireless speeds, Gigabit ports, and USB with network services makes TP-Link Archer AX73 a balanced router that can easily take on the role of the center of your home network.