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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 NX505 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£240Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi speed:3000 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:yes

TP-Link Archer NX505 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and 1 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

TP-Link Archer NX505
7.6/10

Overall score

Score
7.6/ 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 58% of models
Score components

40%

7.7

Technical score

25%

7.6

Reviews score

25%

?

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

10%

?

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

â–²Better than 58% of routers
8.1

Value for money

Value for money
8.1/ 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–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components

70%

7.6

Overall score

30%

9.3

Price

â–¼Worse than 54%
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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 71% of models
Score components

26%

7.8

Wireless

20%

5.0

Ports

18%

9.4

Networking

14%

9.8

Security

12%

8.2

Hardware

10%

6.7

Management

â–²Better than 71%
7.6

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.6/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models

80%

8.2

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.
â–¼Worse than 62%
?

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
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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 NX505

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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 71% of models
Score components:

26%

7.8

Wireless

20%

5.0

Ports

18%

9.4

Networking

14%

9.8

Security

12%

8.2

Hardware

10%

6.7

Management

7.7
Reviews score
7.6
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
8.1/ 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–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components:

70%

7.6

Overall score

30%

9.3

Price

8.1
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
WPA3, WPA/WPA2
This router supports WPA3, WPA/WPA2 Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 74.6% 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
2
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 2 LAN ports, which is fewer than 84.5% of routers and the same as 5% 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
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 0 USB ports, which is fewer than 60.1% of routers and the same as 39.9% 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
Automatic
This router supports Automatic firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 72.7% of routers and equal to 2.7% 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 NX505 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA/WPA2, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA/WPA2 vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • 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 automatic failover
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 31.2% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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)
  • 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
  • Supports TWT
    This router supports Target Wake Time (TWT), while the average router does not. 42.6% of routers support Target Wake Time (TWT).
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA/WPA2, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA/WPA2 vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports automatic failover
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 31.2% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 9 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (9 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    9 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
  • 2 fewer LAN ports
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (2 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    2 vs 4
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • No DLNA support
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 50.4% of routers support DLNA.
  • Less capable NAS services
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    none vs SMB, media server
  • 2.53x more expensive
    TP-Link Archer NX505 is more expensive than the average router (£240 vs £95).
    £240 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
  • 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
  • 2.53x more expensive
    TP-Link Archer NX505 is more expensive than the average router (£240 vs £95).
    £240 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
  • 2 fewer LAN ports
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (2 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    2 vs 4
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • No DLNA support
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 50.4% of routers support DLNA.
  • Less capable NAS services
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    none vs SMB, media server
  • 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

8.0
Vincent VinTech
≈ estimated
17/10/2026
Hands-on review · 5G failover, power and price tests
Verdict
TP-Link Archer NX505 is a good backup or fiber-free internet option, though it is expensive and cheaper TP-Link models may suffice.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TP-Link Archer NX505

  • 5G modem with Nano SIM slot and plug-and-play setup
  • Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 with 2402 Mbps on the 5 GHz band
  • Two TS-9 sockets for external 5G antennas
  • EasyMesh compatibility for adding mesh units later
  • VPN server, parental controls and guest network included
  • Automatic failover with app and web management

What customers don't like about TP-Link Archer NX505

  • All three wired ports are limited to 1 Gbps
  • No USB port for storage or printers
  • No 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi 6 only
  • Premium price for AX3000 Wi-Fi speeds

Verdict

Archer NX505 is a 5G home router that takes a Nano SIM and turns a mobile contract into a household network. Plug it in, insert the card and it is ready, with download speeds on 5G of up to 6.47 Gbps according to the maker. Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 runs on 2.4 and 5 GHz, with 2402 Mbps on the faster band. The back holds one gigabit WAN/LAN port and two gigabit LAN ports, plus two TS-9 sockets for external 5G antennas. EasyMesh compatibility lets it join a larger mesh later. There is no USB port and no 2.5 Gbps socket, and the price is premium. It suits homes and offices without a fixed line that still need a dependable wired and wireless link.

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