OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v3.0
Routers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Routers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Routers Methodology v3.0

TP-Link Archer AX72 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£90Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi speed:5400 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:yes

TP-Link Archer AX72 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

TP-Link Archer AX72
7.7/10

Overall score

Score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 65% of models
Score components

40%

7.8

Technical score

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.7, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

7.8

Sentiment score

â–²Better than 65% of routers
8.4

Value for money

Value for money
8.4/ 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 74% of models
Score components

70%

7.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–²Better than 74%
7.8

Technical score

Technical score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 74% of models
Score components

26%

8.1

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

8.5

Networking

14%

9.5

Security

12%

7.1

Hardware

10%

8.0

Management

â–²Better than 74%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.7.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • tp-link-archer-ax72
tp-link-archer-ax72
Where to buy
    N/A~ £90
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What owners say about the TP-Link Archer AX72

Based on 29 owners sharing their experience in online comments

31%positive17%mixed52%negative

Fast speeds and wired mesh earn praise, but weak coverage, slow throughput, and connection failures dominate complaints.

What owners dislike

  • Owners on 1 Gb plans see Wi-Fi top out around 600 Mb, and some report upload capped near 30 Mb.7
  • Owners say Wi-Fi signal is weak in the next room at about 5 metres, and on 5 GHz it can be poor across a two-storey house.4
  • Some owners say the internet light stays orange and the router will not connect, even after the ISP reset the port and PPPoE password.4

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of router TP-Link Archer AX72

Technical score
Technical score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 74% of models
Score components:

26%

8.1

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

8.5

Networking

14%

9.5

Security

12%

7.1

Hardware

10%

8.0

Management

7.8
Reviews score
7.7
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
8.4/ 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 74% of models
Score components:

70%

7.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

8.4
Brand name
TP-Link
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
This router uses Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which is more advanced than 58.5% of routers and equal to 25.9% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.2% of routers and equal to 65.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
5,400 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 5,400 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 80.2% of routers and equal to 3.7% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz channel width options, which is more than 66.5% of routers and the same as 27.4% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X
This router supports WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 60.6% of routers and equal to 4.5% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
This router includes DoS protection. 9.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 4.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
This router supports MAC address filtering. 1.7% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
This router supports URL filtering. 2.6% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 8.8% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
no
This router does not support dynamic routing. 46.2% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 24.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
yes
This router supports VLAN tagging. 33.6% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
This router includes QoS controls. 2.4% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
4
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 34.2% of routers and the same as 59.3% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
This router offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 25.7% of routers and on par with 56.1% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 0.8% of routers and the same as 89.4% of routers.
N. of USB ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 USB ports, which is more than 40.1% of routers and the same as 41.5% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 1.7% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI, App
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 29.7% of routers and equal to 60.9% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App, Automatic
This router supports Web UI, App, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 71.9% of routers and equal to 27.2% of routers.
Tether app
Traffic monitoring
yes
This router includes traffic monitoring. 13.9% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 7.3% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
This router does not offer captive portal features. 22.4% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
2x 1 GHz
This router runs at 2x1 GHz, which is faster than 49.1% of routers and on par with 7.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
512 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 512 MB of RAM, which is more than 61.4% of routers and the same as 21.4% of routers.
Internal storage
0.125 GB
Market range: <0.0039 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.125 GB of internal storage, which is more than 47.9% of routers and the same as 23.8% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
yes
This router offers hardware acceleration. 24.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
6
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 6 external antennas, which is more than 90.5% of routers and the same as 3.5% of routers.
Show more

TP-Link Archer AX72 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • 3.09x faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (5,400 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    5,400 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 45.2% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports OFDMA
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 41.5% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    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 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Wider channel widths
    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
  • 4 more external antennas
    This router has more external antennas than the average router (6 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    6 vs 2
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server, time machine NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, media server, time machine vs SMB, media server
  • 3.09x faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (5,400 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    5,400 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 45.2% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports OFDMA
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 41.5% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    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 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Wider channel widths
    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
    This router supports Target Wake Time (TWT), while the average router does not. 42.6% of routers support Target Wake Time (TWT).
  • 1 more spatial streams
    This router has more spatial streams than the average router (4 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    4 vs 3
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA/WPA2, 802.1X vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server, time machine NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, media server, time machine vs SMB, media server
  • 4 more external antennas
    This router has more external antennas than the average router (6 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    6 vs 2
  • 2x more RAM
    This router has more RAM than the average router (512 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    512 MB vs 256 MB
  • 79.5 mm wider width
    This router is wider than the average router (272.5 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    272.5 mm vs 193 mm
  • 79.5 mm wider width
    This router is wider than the average router (272.5 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    272.5 mm vs 193 mm

Video reviews

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

Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

blacktubi.com
19/08/2021
Not graded yet
geekculture.co
04/10/2021
Not graded yet

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TP-Link Archer AX72

  • High-speed Wi-Fi 6 performance with speeds reaching over 800 Mbps on 5GHz bands
  • Strong signal coverage and stability even through multiple walls or in larger homes
  • Straightforward and user-friendly setup using the TP-Link Tether app
  • Reliable and stable firmware that is frequently updated
  • Good value for money compared to higher-end models like the Archer AX73
  • Features like OFDMA and MU-MIMO effectively handle many connected devices without congestion
  • Includes a USB 3.0 port for easy media sharing and building a private cloud

What customers don't like about TP-Link Archer AX72

  • Advanced security features (HomeShield Pro) require a monthly or yearly paid subscription
  • Reports of unreliable performance on the 2.4 GHz band in some environments
  • Limited to 1 Gbps LAN ports, which may bottleneck 2+ Gbps fiber connections (pro model fixes this with a 2.5G port)
  • Mixed feedback on customer support responsiveness for technical issues
  • Wall-mounting screws are not included in the retail package
  • Some users reported higher than expected memory usage when multiple clients are connected

Verdict

The TP-Link Archer AX72 is a dual-band AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 router featuring a 1 GHz dual-core Qualcomm CPU, 512MB of RAM, and six high-performance external antennas for extensive coverage. It delivers combined speeds up to 5400 Mbps (4804 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz) and utilizes 4T4R, HE160 bandwidth, MU-MIMO, and OFDMA technologies to support over 100 simultaneous devices. Key pros include excellent 8K streaming performance, robust HomeShield security features, a USB 3.0 port for media sharing, and EasyMesh compatibility for seamless whole-home roaming. Potential cons involve the lack of multi-gig Ethernet ports (limited to standard Gigabit WAN/LAN) and some advanced security features being locked behind a paid HomeShield Pro subscription.

Compare TP-Link Archer AX72 with other routers

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

Graphic comparison of TP-Link Archer AX72 and other routers

No results found