OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
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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 NX500 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£260Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi speed:3000 MbpsLAN port speeds:2.5 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:yes

TP-Link Archer NX500 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications, 1 expert and video reviews and 2 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

TP-Link Archer NX500
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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 68% of models
Score components

40%

7.7

Technical score

25%

7.7

Reviews score

25%

8.2

List score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.9, the mark of a weaker model in this category

▲Better than 68% of routers
8.2

Value for money

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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 57% of models
Score components

70%

7.7

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

▲Better than 57%
7.7

Technical score

Technical score
7.7/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 69% of models
Score components

26%

7.8

Wireless

20%

6.1

Ports

18%

8.7

Networking

14%

8.0

Security

12%

8.1

Hardware

10%

8.0

Management

▲Better than 69%
7.7

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.7/ 10
✕
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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 61% of models

7.7

Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.4

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 61%
8.2

List score

List score
8.2/ 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 (2)
List score: in 2 of 83 lists (2%)
▲Better than 82%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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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Technical Specifications of router TP-Link Archer NX500

Technical score
Technical score
7.7/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 69% of models
Score components:

26%

7.8

Wireless

20%

6.1

Ports

18%

8.7

Networking

14%

8.0

Security

12%

8.1

Hardware

10%

8.0

Management

7.7
Reviews score
7.7
List score
8.2
Value for money
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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 57% of models
Score components:

70%

7.7

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

8.2
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
3,000 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 3,000 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 65.9% of routers and equal to 6.6% 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
WPA/WPA2, WEP
This router supports WPA/WPA2, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 96.5% of routers and equal to 1.6% 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
?
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
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 0 LAN ports, which is fewer than 98.3% of routers and the same as 1.7% of routers.
LAN port speeds
2.5 Gbps
This router offers 2.5 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 82.4% of routers and on par with 9.6% 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
?
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
yes
This router supports Power over Ethernet (PoE). 98.5% 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.
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
?
RAM capacity
?
Internal storage
?
Hardware acceleration
yes
This router offers hardware acceleration. 24.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
?
Show more

TP-Link Archer NX500 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Faster LAN ports
    This router has a higher LAN port speed than the average router (2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 45.2% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Newer cellular modem
    This router uses a 5G cellular modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    5G vs none (external modem required)
  • Supports OFDMA
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 41.5% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Supports Power over Ethernet (PoE)
    This router supports PoE, while the average router does not. 1.7% of routers support PoE.
  • 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)
  • Includes SIM slot
    This router has a SIM slot, while the average router does not. 11.5% of routers have a SIM slot.
  • Outdoor-ready design
    This router is suitable for outdoor use, while the average router is not. 2.8% of routers are suitable for outdoor use.
  • 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)
  • 71.4% faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (3,000 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    3,000 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 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
  • 136 more connected devices
    This router supports more connected devices than the average router (200 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
    200 vs 64
  • Supports TWT
    This router supports Target Wake Time (TWT), while the average router does not. 42.6% of routers support Target Wake Time (TWT).
  • Faster LAN ports
    This router has a higher LAN port speed than the average router (2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
  • Newer cellular modem
    This router uses a 5G cellular modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    5G vs none (external modem required)
  • Supports Power over Ethernet (PoE)
    This router supports PoE, while the average router does not. 1.7% of routers support PoE.
  • Includes SIM slot
    This router has a SIM slot, while the average router does not. 11.5% of routers have a SIM slot.
  • More advanced integrated modem
    This router uses a 5G integrated modem, while the average router uses none (external modem required).
    5G vs none (external modem required)
  • Outdoor-ready design
    This router is suitable for outdoor use, while the average router is not. 2.8% of routers are suitable for outdoor use.
  • 11 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (11 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    11 vs 0
  • 4 years newer release date
    This router was released more recently than the average router (2023 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    2023 vs 2019
  • 94 mm narrower width
    This router is narrower than the average router (99 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    99 mm vs 193 mm
  • 4 fewer LAN ports
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (0 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    0 vs 4
  • No VPN server support
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 68.8% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • Narrower temperature range
    This router is rated for -30 to 60 C, while the average router is rated for 0 to 40 C.
    -30 to 60 C vs 0 to 40 C
  • 2.74x more expensive
    TP-Link Archer NX500 is more expensive than the average router (£260 vs £95).
    £260 vs £95
  • 138.6 mm higher height
    This router is taller than the average router (190 mm vs 51.4 mm). The average router is 51.4 mm tall.
    190 mm vs 51.4 mm
  • Weaker Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA/WPA2, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA/WPA2, WEP vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • 45 mm thicker design
    This router is thicker than the average router (99 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    99 mm vs 54 mm
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • 2.74x more expensive
    TP-Link Archer NX500 is more expensive than the average router (£260 vs £95).
    £260 vs £95
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • No VPN server support
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 68.8% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • Weaker Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA/WPA2, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA/WPA2, WEP vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • 4 fewer LAN ports
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (0 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    0 vs 4
  • Narrower temperature range
    This router is rated for -30 to 60 C, while the average router is rated for 0 to 40 C.
    -30 to 60 C vs 0 to 40 C
  • 138.6 mm higher height
    This router is taller than the average router (190 mm vs 51.4 mm). The average router is 51.4 mm tall.
    190 mm vs 51.4 mm
  • 45 mm thicker design
    This router is thicker than the average router (99 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    99 mm vs 54 mm

Video reviews

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

9.0
Broadband Savvy
≈ estimated
20/03/2026
Hands-on review · speed, Wi-Fi and gaming tests
Verdict
TP-Link Archer NX500 is easy to set up and fast over Wi-Fi with low latency for games, though it costs more than some rivals.
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TP-Link Archer NX500

  • IP66 weatherproof housing for pole, wall or window mounting
  • AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 with 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz
  • 5G modem with download speeds up to 4.67 Gbps
  • 2.5 Gbps PoE port accepts 802.3af, 802.3at and passive PoE
  • Connects up to 200 devices
  • Works from minus 30 to 60 degrees Celsius
  • 10 m Ethernet cable, PoE adapter and mounting kit included

What customers don't like about TP-Link Archer NX500

  • Only one Ethernet port, a switch is needed for more wired devices
  • Premium price
  • Wi-Fi 6 only, no 6 GHz band
  • Wi-Fi tops out far below the 5G link speed

Verdict

Weatherproof to IP66, the Archer NX500 Outdoor brings a 5G modem and AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 to a pole, wall or window. Wi-Fi speed is 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, and 5G downloads can reach 4.67 Gbps. The single 2.5 Gbps port carries both data and power, since it accepts 802.3af, 802.3at and passive PoE. Up to 200 devices can connect, and EasyMesh compatibility allows extra units to share one Wi-Fi name. Lightning protection of ±6 kV, ±15 kV ESD protection and an operating range of minus 30 to 60 °C suit harsh sites. A 10 m Ethernet cable, PoE adapter and mounting kit are included. With only one Ethernet port, additional wired devices need a switch, and the price is premium.

Compare TP-Link Archer NX500 with other routers

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