OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS

Tenda MX12 Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price in UK:~£140Avg. price in US:~$140Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi speed:3000 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:yes

Tenda MX12 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

7.5

Overall score

Score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 71% of models
Score components

90%

7.5

Technical Score

10%

8.0

User score

â–²Better than 71% of routers
7.5

Technical Score

Technical score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 71% of models
Score components

26%

7.6

Wireless

20%

4.9

Ports

18%

8.8

Networking

14%

9.2

Security

12%

7.8

Hardware

10%

7.1

Management

â–²Better than 71% of routers
8.0

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

8.1

User reviews

30%

7.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
(190)
amazon
3.5
(134)
amazon
3.3
(6)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(554)
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(193)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

â–¼Worse than 71% of routers
  • tenda-mx12
  • tenda-mx12
  • tenda-mx12
  • tenda-mx12
  • tenda-mx12
  • tenda-mx12
  • tenda-mx12
  • tenda-mx12
  • tenda-mx12
tenda-mx12
tenda-mx12
tenda-mx12
tenda-mx12
tenda-mx12
tenda-mx12
tenda-mx12
tenda-mx12
tenda-mx12

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Verdict

The Tenda Nova MX12 is a dual-band AX3000 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 system featuring a powerful 1.7GHz quad-core Broadcom processor and 256MB of RAM, delivering concurrent speeds up to 2976Mbps (2402Mbps on 5GHz and 574Mbps on 2.4GHz). It supports MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies to handle over 160 simultaneous devices, offering expansive coverage of up to 7,000 sq. ft. with a three-node setup and including 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports per unit for high-speed wired backhaul. Main pros include seamless roaming with a single SSID, easy management via the Tenda Wi-Fi app, and enhanced security with WPA3 encryption. Potential cons include a lack of backward compatibility with older Tenda Nova models like the MW3 or MW6 series and some reported stability issues when integrating with certain ISP-specific routers.

Technical Specifications of router Tenda MX12

Technical Score
Technical score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 71% of models
Score components:

26%

7.6

Wireless

20%

4.9

Ports

18%

8.8

Networking

14%

9.2

Security

12%

7.8

Hardware

10%

7.1

Management

7.5
Tenda MX12 has a technical score of 7.5 points, which is higher than that of 70.8% of products in this category.
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

8.1

User reviews

30%

7.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
(190)
amazon
3.5
(134)
amazon
3.3
(6)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(554)
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(193)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

8.0
Tenda MX12 has a user score of 7.97 points, which is lower than that of 71.1% of products in this category.
Popularity
Popularity
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 63% of models
Popularity:
Tenda MX12 has a popularity score of 7.7 points, which is higher than that of 62.5% of products in this category.
7.7
Tenda MX12 has a popularity score of 7.7 points, which is higher than that of 62.5% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price
Value for money
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 70% of models
Score components:

60%

7.5

Overall score

40%

9.8

Price

8.2
Tenda MX12 has a value-for-money score of 8.2 points, which is higher than that of 70.1% of products in this category.
Brand name
Tenda
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
â–² Better than 65% of models
This router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which is more advanced than 65% of routers and equal to 26.7% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
â–² Better than 25% of models
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.8% of routers and equal to 68.1% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
3,000 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
3,000 Mbps
â–² Better than 73% of models
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 3,000 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 72.7% of routers and equal to 4.8% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz
â–² Better than 73% of models
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz channel width options, which is more than 72.8% of routers and the same as 24.8% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3
â–² Better than 63% of models
This router supports WPA3 Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 63.3% of routers and equal to 1% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
DoS protection
yes
â–² Better than 13% of models
This router includes DoS protection. 12.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
SPI intrusion protection
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 6.1% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
MAC address filtering
yes
â–² Better than 2% of models
This router supports MAC address filtering. 2.2% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
URL filter
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router supports URL filtering. 3.4% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
IPv6 support
yes
â–² Better than 12% of models
This router supports IPv6. 11.5% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
no
Dynamic routing
no
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
This router does not support dynamic routing. 52.5% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
yes
Inter-VLAN routing
yes
â–² Better than 77% of models
This router supports inter-VLAN routing. 76.7% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
yes
VLAN tagging
yes
â–² Better than 38% of models
This router supports VLAN tagging. 38.2% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
QoS
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router includes QoS controls. 3.2% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
3
N. of LAN ports
3
â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 3 LAN ports, which is fewer than 76.6% of routers and the same as 14.5% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
â–² Better than 27% of models
This router offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 27.1% of routers and on par with 59.9% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
N. of WAN ports
1
â–¼ Worse than 9% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
0
N. of USB ports
0
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 0 USB ports, which is fewer than 60.8% of routers and the same as 39.2% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Category Benchmark
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI, App
Management interface
Web UI, App
â–² Better than 33% of models
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 33.4% of routers and equal to 57% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, Automatic
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, Automatic
â–² Better than 35% of models
This router supports Web UI, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 35.4% of routers and equal to 37.8% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
Traffic monitoring
yes
â–² Better than 18% of models
This router includes traffic monitoring. 18.1% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Real-time usage via app.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
â–² Better than 9% of models
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
Captive portal
no
â–¼ Worse than 24% of models
This router does not offer captive portal features. 23.5% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
4x 1.7 GHz
CPU clock speed
4x 1.7 GHz
â–² Better than 84% of models
This router runs at 4x1.7 GHz, which is faster than 84.2% of routers and on par with 2.6% of routers.
RAM capacity
256 MB
RAM capacity
256 MB
â–² Better than 49% of models
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 256 MB of RAM, which is more than 48.7% of routers and the same as 15.4% of routers.
Internal storage
?
Hardware acceleration
yes
Hardware acceleration
yes
â–² Better than 31% of models
This router offers hardware acceleration. 31.4% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
0
N. of external antennas
0
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.6% of routers and the same as 40.4% of routers.
Show more

Tenda MX12 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    Mesh Wi-Fi
    yes
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports OFDMA
    OFDMA support
    yes
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 35% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    This router supports a newer Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 2.03x faster Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    3,000 Mbps
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (3000 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    3,000 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA3
    â–² Better than 63% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA3 vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    4 x 1.7 GHz
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x1.7 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    4x1.7 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • Supports inter-VLAN routing
    Inter-VLAN routing
    yes
    â–² Better than 77% of models
    This router supports inter-VLAN routing, while the average router does not. 23.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    MU-MIMO
    yes
    â–² Better than 52% of models
    This router supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.7% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    Mesh Wi-Fi
    yes
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports OFDMA
    OFDMA support
    yes
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 35% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    This router supports a newer Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 2.03x faster Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    3,000 Mbps
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (3000 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    3,000 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    MU-MIMO
    yes
    â–² Better than 52% of models
    This router supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.7% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • Wider channel widths
    Channel widths supported
    20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    This router has a higher supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • Supports TWT
    Target Wake Time (TWT) support
    yes
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    This router supports Target Wake Time (TWT), while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support Target Wake Time (TWT).
  • 96 more connected devices
    Maximum connected devices
    160
    â–² Better than 81% of models
    Market range: <0 – >250
    This router supports more connected devices than the average router (160 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
    160 vs 64
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA3
    â–² Better than 63% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA3 vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • Supports inter-VLAN routing
    Inter-VLAN routing
    yes
    â–² Better than 77% of models
    This router supports inter-VLAN routing, while the average router does not. 23.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    4 x 1.7 GHz
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x1.7 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    4x1.7 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • Suitable for gaming
    Suitable for gaming
    yes
    â–² Better than 63% of models
    This router is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 36.9% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • 4 more internal antennas
    N. of internal antennas
    4
    â–² Better than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (4 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    4 vs 0
  • 8 newer release date
    Release date
    2023
    ★ Better than 93% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This router was released more recently than the average router (2023 vs 2015). The average router release year is 2015.
    2023 vs 2015
  • 116 mm narrower width
    Width
    86 mm
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    Market range: <100 mm – >300 mm
    This router is narrower than the average router (86 mm vs 202 mm). The average router is 202 mm wide.
    86 mm vs 202 mm
  • 1 fewer LAN ports
    N. of LAN ports
    3
    â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (3 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    3 vs 4
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    none
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    none vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Web UI, Automatic
    â–² Better than 35% of models
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • No dynamic routing
    Dynamic routing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 52.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    N. of USB ports
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • No DLNA support
    DLNA support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 54% of routers support DLNA.
  • No network services filtering
    Network services filter
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    This router does not support network services filtering, while the average router does. 93.2% of routers support network services filtering.
  • 55.6% more expensive
    Tenda MX12 is more expensive than the average router (£140 vs £90).
    £140 vs £90
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • No network services filtering
    Network services filter
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    This router does not support network services filtering, while the average router does. 93.2% of routers support network services filtering.
  • No PPTP server
    PPTP server
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This router cannot act as a PPTP server, while the average router can. 62.4% of routers can act as a PPTP server.
  • No dynamic routing
    Dynamic routing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 52.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 1 fewer LAN ports
    N. of LAN ports
    3
    â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (3 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    3 vs 4
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    N. of USB ports
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    none
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    none vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Web UI, Automatic
    â–² Better than 35% of models
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • No DLNA support
    DLNA support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 54% of routers support DLNA.
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    N. of external antennas
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    0 vs 2
  • 142.5 mm higher height
    Height
    190 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
    Market range: <30 mm – >180 mm
    This router is taller than the average router (190 mm vs 47.5 mm). The average router is 47.5 mm tall.
    190 mm vs 47.5 mm
  • 41 mm thicker design
    Thickness
    86 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
    Market range: <28 mm – >98 mm
    This router is thicker than the average router (86 mm vs 45 mm). The average router is 45 mm thick.
    86 mm vs 45 mm

Graphic comparison of Tenda MX12 and other routers

No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
190 Reviews
amazon
3.5
134 Reviews
amazon
3.3
6 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
554 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
193 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about Tenda MX12?

  • Excellent value for money and highly cost-effective for a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system.
  • Strong signal penetration through thick walls, floors, and ceilings.
  • Fast speeds with AX3000 dual-band technology, reaching up to 2976 Mbps.
  • Simple 'plug and play' setup for most users with an easy-to-use mobile app.
  • Provides wide coverage (up to 7,000 sq. ft. for a 3-pack) and effectively eliminates dead zones.
  • Includes three Gigabit Ethernet ports on each node for flexible wired connections.
  • Seamless roaming allows devices to stay connected while moving throughout the home.

What customers dislike about Tenda MX12?

  • The Tenda WiFi app is often reported as 'janky' or less intuitive compared to competitors.
  • Nodes can occasionally be difficult to pair initially, sometimes requiring manual resets.
  • Performance and functionality (like guest networks) can be limited when switched to Access Point mode.
  • Lack of advanced features or deep customization options for power users or IT professionals.
  • Reported issues with nodes randomly locking up or disconnecting in some environments.
  • Some users noted connectivity delays or 'spinning wheels' when waking up mobile devices or smart TVs.
  • Lack of USB ports on the nodes for connecting external storage or printers.

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

C
cnet.com
14/11/2021
Summary of the review
Can Bargain Mesh Routers Do the Job? We Test Them Out

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Compare Tenda MX12 with other routers

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)