The TP-Link Archer AX20 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It supports WPA3 security and OneMesh technology, allowing you to configure a mesh network with one of TP-Link's Wi-Fi extenders. It also has a USB port to connect a thumb drive and share files across your home network.
We bought and tested the Canadian version, which features a different port layout on the back and includes a USB port missing from the US version. While we expect similar performance from both models, we can't guarantee it. Please share your thoughts in the comments if you have the US version and your experience varies from our findings.
Our Verdict
The TP-Link Archer AX20 is decent if you live in an apartment, condo, or single-story home. It has a good range and speeds across a single floor, which is suitable for fast downloads and streaming 4k content. It also has decent wired connectivity with four 1 Gbps LAN ports. It's a reasonable size that will fit into most living spaces, and it also has screw head slots on the bottom, so you have the option to mount it on the wall or ceiling. That said, it lacks Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) support, so it can't use the often less congested DFS-only channels, which would help if you live in a congested wireless environment like an apartment building.
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Fast top speeds.
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Wi-Fi 6 won't take full advantage of new Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices.
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Lacks DFS support, so it can't avoid more congested channels.
The TP-Link Archer AX20 is a good router if you live in a multi-level house. It provides good coverage throughout your home with speeds fast enough for most high-bandwidth uses, like fast downloads and multiple people streaming 4k video. That said, it's a standalone router, so its speeds drop the further you are from it, but this likely won't be an issue unless you have a very large home or if your home has concrete or masonry walls.
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Good range.
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Fast top speeds.
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Compatible with OneMesh range extenders to create a mesh network with better range.
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Standalone router that may have deadzones in very large homes.
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Wi-Fi 6 won't take full advantage of new Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices.
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Lacks DFS support, so it can't avoid more congested channels.
The TP-Link Archer AX20 delivers good speeds suitable for an internet connection of up to ~700 Mbps. Unfortunately, it lacks Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) support, so it can't use the often less congested DFS-only channels, which would help if you live in a congested wireless environment. Also, it's only Wi-Fi 6, so it doesn't have a faster 6GHz band for your Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices to take advantage of.
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Fast top speeds.
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Wi-Fi 6 won't take full advantage of new Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices.
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Lacks DFS support, so it can't avoid more congested channels.
The TP-Link Archer AX20 has a good range for a standalone router. You can also add a compatible OneMesh range extender to create a mesh network for better range.
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Good range.
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Compatible with OneMesh range extenders to create a mesh network with better range.
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Standalone router that may have deadzones in very large homes.
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Wi-Fi 6 won't take full advantage of new Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
While the TP-Link Archer AX20 has no variants, we bought and tested the Canadian version, which has a different port layout on the back and a USB port that the US version lacks. We expect the two models to perform similarly, but without testing, we can't be sure. If you own the US version and your experience differs from our results, let us know in the comments.
Here's a photo of our unit's label.
Compared To Other Routers
The TP-Link AX1800 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 router is a mainstream model in a competitive mid-range price bracket. This router has several features, like the newest WPA3 security standard, support for TP-Link's OneMesh technology for connecting range extenders, beamforming, OFDMA, and more.
It offers network coverage performance and features similar to those of other Wi-Fi 6 routers in its price category. Notably, it performs similarly to the lower-end TP-Link Archer AX10 and slightly better than the ASUS RT-AX1800S and the TP-Link Archer AX21. It's a good choice if you want a solid-performing router and haven't yet upgraded many of your devices to a newer Wi-Fi standard like Wi-Fi 6E or 7.
Test Results
- CAT 5E Ethernet cable
- Power adapter
- User documentation
This router has a pair of screw head slots on the bottom, so you can easily mount it to your wall or ceiling.
This is a standalone router, so the mesh satellite position line on this graph isn't applicable.
This is a standalone router, so the mesh satellite position line on this graph isn't applicable.
