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TP-Link Archer A6 Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price in UK:~£35Avg. price in US:~$40Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:1200 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:yes

TP-Link Archer A6 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

7.4

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 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 65% of models
Score components

90%

7.2

Technical Score

10%

9.2

User score

â–²Better than 65% of routers
7.2

Technical Score

Technical score
7.2/ 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 59% of models
Score components

26%

6.6

Wireless

20%

5.4

Ports

18%

8.8

Networking

14%

9.5

Security

12%

6.0

Hardware

10%

7.5

Management

â–²Better than 59% of routers
9.2

User score

User score
9.2/ 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
★ Better than 98% of models
Score components

70%

8.9

User reviews

30%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(11482)
amazon
4.5
(3993)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(13878)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

★Better than 98% of routers
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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.
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Verdict

The TP-Link Archer A6 is an AC1200 dual-band Wi-Fi 5 router that delivers combined speeds of up to 1200 Mbps, with 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 300–400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. It features MU-MIMO technology for simultaneous data streaming to multiple devices, beamforming for concentrated signal strength, and four external high-performance antennas combined with one internal antenna for extended coverage. The hardware includes one Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports for high-speed wired connections, alongside support for WPA3 security and an integrated Access Point mode. Main pros include its highly affordable price point, easy setup via the Tether app, and reliable 5 GHz performance suitable for HD streaming. However, it lacks USB ports for file sharing, does not include built-in malware protection, and exhibits relatively slower throughput on the 2.4 GHz band compared to higher-end models.

Technical Specifications of router TP-Link Archer A6

Technical Score
Technical score
7.2/ 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 59% of models
Score components:

26%

6.6

Wireless

20%

5.4

Ports

18%

8.8

Networking

14%

9.5

Security

12%

6.0

Hardware

10%

7.5

Management

7.2
TP-Link Archer A6 has a technical score of 7.2 points, which is higher than that of 59.1% of products in this category.
User score
User score
9.2/ 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
★ Better than 98% of models
Score components

70%

8.9

User reviews

30%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(11482)
amazon
4.5
(3993)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(13878)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

9.2
TP-Link Archer A6 has a user score of 9.24 points, which is higher than that of 97.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
Popularity
10.0/ 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
★ Better than 92% of models
Popularity:
TP-Link Archer A6 has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than that of 91.9% of products in this category.
10
TP-Link Archer A6 has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than that of 91.9% 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%

7.4

Overall score

40%

10

Price

8.2
TP-Link Archer A6 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
TP-Link
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
â–² Better than 39% of models
This router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is more advanced than 39.5% of routers and equal to 25.3% 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
1,200 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
1,200 Mbps
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 1,200 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 52.1% of routers and equal to 5.8% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
â–² Better than 41% of models
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 40.9% of routers and the same as 31.6% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X
â–² Better than 65% of models
This router supports WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 64.5% of routers and equal to 5.7% 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
4
N. of LAN ports
4
â–² Better than 24% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 23.7% of routers and the same as 69.2% 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, App, Automatic
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App, Automatic
â–² Better than 79% of models
This router supports Web UI, App, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 78.9% of routers and equal to 19.9% 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.
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
1x 0.75 GHz
CPU clock speed
1x 0.75 GHz
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
This router runs at 1x0.75 GHz, which is slower than 60.8% of routers and on par with 0.9% of routers.
RAM capacity
64 MB
RAM capacity
64 MB
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 64 MB of RAM, which is less than 69% of routers and the same as 14.3% of routers.
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.007812 GB of internal storage, which is less than 72.7% of routers and the same as 20.6% of routers.
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
4
N. of external antennas
4
â–² Better than 72% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 4 external antennas, which is more than 71.9% of routers and the same as 17.5% of routers.
Show more

TP-Link Archer A6 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.
  • 2.49x wider wireless coverage
    Wireless coverage
    464 m²
    ★ Better than 92% of models
    Market range: <100 m² – >400 m²
    This router has wider wireless coverage than the average router (464 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    464 m² vs 186 m²
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X 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.
  • 4.1 W lower power consumption
    Power consumption
    4 W
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses less power than the average router (4 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    4 W vs 8.1 W
  • 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.
  • 2 more external antennas
    N. of external antennas
    4
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has more external antennas than the average router (4 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    4 vs 2
  • 15.5% higher user score
    User score
    9.2/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    TP-Link Archer A6
    the average router
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    TP-Link Archer A6 has a higher user score than the average router (9.24 vs 8.000).
    9.24 vs 8
  • 15.5% higher user score
    User score
    9.2/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    TP-Link Archer A6
    the average router
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    TP-Link Archer A6 has a higher user score than the average router (9.24 vs 8.000).
    9.24 vs 8
  • 53% more popular
    TP-Link Archer A6 is more popular than the average router (10 vs 6.5).
    10 vs 6.54
  • 2.57x cheaper
    TP-Link Archer A6 is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £90).
    £35 vs £90
  • 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.
  • 2.49x wider wireless coverage
    Wireless coverage
    464 m²
    ★ Better than 92% of models
    Market range: <100 m² – >400 m²
    This router has wider wireless coverage than the average router (464 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    464 m² vs 186 m²
  • 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.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X 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.
  • 4.1 W lower power consumption
    Power consumption
    4 W
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses less power than the average router (4 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    4 W vs 8.1 W
  • 2 more external antennas
    N. of external antennas
    4
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has more external antennas than the average router (4 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    4 vs 2
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 75% less RAM
    RAM capacity
    64 MB
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
    This router has less RAM than the average router (64 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    64 MB vs 256 MB
  • 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.
  • 93.8% less internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.007812 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
    This router has less internal storage than the average router (0 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.007812 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    1 x 0.75 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (1x0.75 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    1x0.75 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 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
  • 18.6% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    1,200 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1200 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 75% less RAM
    RAM capacity
    64 MB
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
    This router has less RAM than the average router (64 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    64 MB vs 256 MB
  • 93.8% less internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.007812 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
    This router has less internal storage than the average router (0 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.007812 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    1 x 0.75 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (1x0.75 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    1x0.75 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz

Graphic comparison of TP-Link Archer A6 and other routers

No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
11482 Reviews
amazon
4.5
3993 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
13878 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about TP-Link Archer A6?

  • Affordably priced and offers great value for a budget gigabit router.
  • Easy and quick installation process via a user-friendly web interface or the [TP-Link Tether app](https://www.tp-link.com).
  • Solid 5GHz band performance, suitable for high-speed streaming and gaming in small spaces.
  • Supports modern features like MU-MIMO and beamforming for better simultaneous device handling.
  • Compact and modern design with wall-mounting options.
  • Includes helpful security features like WPA3, built-in firewall, and parental controls.

What customers dislike about TP-Link Archer A6?

  • Middling to poor 2.4GHz performance with slower speeds and limited range.
  • Lacks any USB ports, limiting options for shared storage or wired printer connectivity.
  • Known to have occasional stability issues, including frequent disconnections or requiring regular reboots.
  • Antennas are non-removable, which limits physical customization.
  • Glossy black plastic casing is highly prone to fingerprints and dust.
  • Performance can struggle when many devices are connected simultaneously compared to higher-end models.

Video reviews

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

Compare TP-Link Archer A6 with other routers

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