Julio Urquidi
News Editor
TP-Link re-introduced two of its new Broadcom-based "Archer" family AX routers that were announced last month, the Archer AX6000 and Archer AX11000.The new Archer AX1800 (shown above) is the least expensive Wi-Fi 6 router announced by anyone so far. At $130 MSRP, it's significantly cheaper than both the $350 AX6000 and $450 AX11000. The entry-level dual-stream Broadcom-based router is powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core CPU and has maximum link rates of 574 Mbps at 2.4 GHz (40 MHz B/W) and 1201 Mbps at 5 GHz (80 MHz B/W).
Other features include beamforming, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, Link Aggregation, band steering, VPN services, and compatibility with Alexa and IFTTT. Available interfaces on the AX1800 include one GbE WAN port, four GbE LAN ports, four external antennas and a USB 2.0 port.
TP-Link's release also mentioned the Archer AX1500, offering "slightly slower speeds" and even lower cost than the Archer AX1800. But there were no further details on the product.
Another first is the Deco X10, a Wi-Fi 6 mesh Wi-Fi system. Marketed as an AX2700 product, Deco X10 is a tri-band, dual-stream Wi-Fi 6 system that shares the same features as other TP-Link Deco family mesh products, including self-healing, seamless roaming and app-based setup and management.
TP-Link is also introducing the first AX Wi-Fi range extender, the RE705X. Using a Broadcom-based chipset, the dual-band, two-stream RE705X also uses a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor that pushes data at maximum link rates of 574 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 1201 Mbps at 5 GHz.
Features include APS, Beamforming, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, 1024 QDMA, Airtime Fairness, AP Mode, Power Scheduling, WPS setup, cloud-based firmware updates and a single gigabit Ethernet port.
A second TP-Link Deco product announced is the two-piece AC2200 Deco M9 Wi-Fi System. The new tri-band 802.11ac (aka Wi-Fi 5) Wi-Fi system is powered by a quad-core CPU and 512 MB of RAM, delivering maximum link rates of 400 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps at 5 GHz, with the second 5 GHz band used for backhaul operations.
Using the Deco App, Deco M9 also serves as a smart home hub for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Zigbee devices and is compatible with Alexa and IFTTT tech. Interfaces include a single USB port (reserved), two GbE ports, and six Wi-Fi antennas, as well as one antenna each for Bluetooth and Zigbee. The Deco M9 also includes wireless security services, powered by Trend Micro, that include antivirus and malware protection, malicious site blocking, and updates provided by Trend Micro.
And lastly, TP-Link is introducing a new solution called OneMesh. Customers will be able to firmware upgrade TP-Link OneMesh-compatible routers (the Archer A7 and C7, initially) to add mesh networking capabilities, without having to go out and buy a whole new Wi-Fi system.
Part of OneMesh announcement is TP-Link’s first OneMesh range extender, the AC1200 RE300. The new dual-band Wi-Fi 5 extender supports maximum link rates of 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps at 5 GHz. Mesh features include Seamless Roaming, APS, Band Steering and Centralized management, as well as non-mesh features like WPS, Signal Indicator for optimal installation, and LED control.
Note that a OneMesh network supports only one router and one mesh point. The mesh point can either be an extender like the RE300, or another OneMesh-enabled router.
Update 1/8/19: TP-Link clarified that OneMesh can support up to 10 nodes and that they plan to enable OneMesh on more routers during 2019. So OneMesh is basically TP-Link's version of ASUS' AiMesh.
Note that a OneMesh network supports only one router and one mesh point. The mesh point can either be an extender like the RE300, or another OneMesh-enabled router.
Update 1/8/19: TP-Link clarified that OneMesh can support up to 10 nodes and that they plan to enable OneMesh on more routers during 2019. So OneMesh is basically TP-Link's version of ASUS' AiMesh.
Availability and MSRP pricing for all the announced TP-Link products are as follows:
- Archer AX6000 – Available now for $349.99
- Archer AX11000 - January 2019 for $449.99
- Archer AX1800 – Q3 2019 for $129.99
- Deco X10 2-pack – Q3 2019 for $349.99
- RE705X – Q3 2019 for $99.99
- Deco M9 – Available now for $149.99 (1-pack) and $349.99 (2-pack)
- OneMesh – Firmware downloadable in April for Archer A7 and C7
- OneMesh RE300 – April 2019 for $49.99
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