TP-Link’s new Archer AX53 is a versatile Wi-Fi 6 router that provides a good balance of performance and affordability for your home networking needs. The Archer AX53 offers a reliable Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 speed, ensuring a smooth and efficient internet experience for users with various demands.
The Archer AX53 features a familiar design used on the AX23 and the AX50. Its compact form factor ensures that it doesn’t occupy too much space. Unlike the predecessor, the AX53 model doesn’t produce much heat with just a slight warm during my week long testing period.
It’s also possible to wall-mount or ceiling mount the product which will be great if you are planning to use this product as a wireless access point. The Archer AX53 comes with a 3 years hardware defect warranty with a one to one replacement policy.
Archer AX53 Wi-Fi Performance
The Archer AX53 delivers a reliable and consistent Wi-Fi 6 performance. I am able to obtain Wi-Fi speed more than 800Mbps from a short distance on my 1Gbps Internet connection. Its efficient performance guarantees smooth HD streaming, lag-free gaming, and seamless video conferencing.
When testing the Wi-Fi speed from a further distance after 2 walls, the 5GHz Wi-Fi 6 radio still provide a rather decent performance of 295Mbps. While it’s not as good as other premium wireless routers, this is fast enough for day to day browsing, conference calls or even 8K movie streaming.
The router also support Wi-Fi 6 160MHz mode which will provide faster speed to Wi-Fi 6 devices that supported 160MHz bandwidth such as laptops fitted with the Intel Wi-Fi 6 wireless adapter. During my test, the speed is 20% faster when running speed test with 160MHz mode enabled on the router.
In fact, despite being slightly more affordable, the Archer AX53 performs similarly to the Archer AX55 we reviewed previously. The only difference is the Archer AX53 doesn’t come with USB port which means it cannot support USB file sharing over the network for connected devices.
Hardware and Specs
Under the hood, the Archer AX53 boasts a Qualcomm dual-core CPU similar to the one used on the Archer AX55. While it is just dual-core, it comes with a separate dedicated NPU to accelerate network tasks. The CPU is mainly used just for powering all the remaining features of the product.
A noteworthy feature of the Archer AX53 is its OneMesh compatibility, which allows you to create a seamless mesh Wi-Fi network by pairing it with other OneMesh extenders. This ensures a stable and consistent connection, eliminating dead zones and providing smooth roaming experiences.
On the rear of the product, you get the familiar single Gigabit Ethernet WAN port and 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. We also validated that this router supported the maximum speed of a typical Gigabit Ethernet connection at 940Mbit/s. Unlike the AX50 and AX55, the AX53 does not come with a USB port.
HomeShield Pro
The Archer AX53 also comes with TP-Link’s HomeShield Pro, an advanced security suite that offers malware protection and parental control for your home network. This feature guards against potential threats, ensuring a safe online experience for all users connected to the Internet via the router.
For families with children, the HomeShield Pro’s parental control allows parents to block content access based on categories, set time usage limitations, and schedule internet access times. This comprehensive suite of controls helps create a safe and controlled online environment for kids.
However, the advanced HomeShield Pro feature will require a monthly subscription on the TP-Link app. Luckily the HomeShield Basic tier should come with enough features for most users. For those require the advanced reporting and restriction, the HomeShield Pro subscription might be worth considering.
Setup and App
Setting up the Archer AX53 is a breeze, with the user-friendly TP-Link Tether app guiding you through the entire process. The app also allows users to manage their network settings, monitor connected devices, and access essential features such as guest Wi-Fi, QoS, and Wi-Fi access restrictions.
For Malaysians, you will need to select the right IPTV profile when using this router with Unifi, Maxis Fibre and CelcomDiGi Fibre. The IPTV profile is not needed if you are using a non VLAN ISP such as TIME Fibre Internet. You can access this when doing the initial setup of the Archer AX53 router.
Archer AX53 Verdict
The Archer AX53 is a reliable Wi-Fi 6 router that delivers a great balance of performance and value for your home networking needs. The OneMesh compatibility and HomeShield Pro parental control make it an ideal choice for families seeking a secure and reliable home networking solution.
It offers a consistent Wi-Fi performance that’s fast and stable even for a mid-sized to bigger family. The signal is also strong enough to cover a typical double storey home but you might need to add-on the OneMesh extender for those staying in a bigger condominium.
TP-Link Archer AX53
8.5
Tubi Rating
pros
- Reliable Wi-Fi 6 performance
- Robust parental control feature
- Easy to use TP-Link Tether app
cons
- Doesn’t come with USB port
- OneMesh is limited to TP-Link products
Hi, currently using tplink ac1200, i stay at double story house which the ping not stable when gaming 300mbps, because the router is in first level, does change to ax53 could solve the problem?
Yes, change to the Archer AX53 and get a Wi-Fi 6 wireless adapter.
For unifi 100Mbps and 300Mbps, currently using Archer AX20 AX1800, will I get any significant benefit it upgrading to this Archer AX53 sir? For single storey terrace house with usage of around 6 people? Or just stay with AX20 still worth it? So far, my AX20 performing decently. Just wonder how it might be if upgrading to AX3000 router…
The upgrade from AX1800 to AX3000 isn’t that significant. In fact, some high end AX1800 routers might perform better than low end AX3000 routers. I will suggest getting at least to AX5400 for a more noticeable improvement.
For Unifi 300Mbps, the Archer AX20 is enough for your usage.
Thanks sir for your kind reply. I just got upgraded to 500Mbps recently via the Unifi SWU 3.0 package, so still decent to use my current Archer AX20, or upgrade to better one? The installer did give a new set of Fibrehome SR1041F AX3000 WiFi 6 router and mesh, but I insist to just still use my old Archer AX20 (my terrace house not that big so I think no need the mesh configuration). So what I am doing now is it good? Or just better to use the new Fibrehome SR1041F that TM just give me, or just use… Read more »
I believe the Archer AX20 should perform better than the Firehome SR1041F. However, if you are looking for an upgrade, I reckon at least the AX5400 series from TP-Link. AX3000 is not really a big upgrade from AX1800.
I see. Thanks. I see similar price for Archer AX73 and Mercusys MR90X. Difference is AX73 is AX5400 while MR90X is AX6000. Is there any slight difference between the two AX numbers? Read thru all your reviews but they both seems equally good. Which is one you more prefer? The UI for Mercusys exactly same as TP-Link & Tether app Ui or different? Both can set limited speed bandwidth for guest network tak?
WHile the user interface is exactly the same, the Archer AX73 comes with more features. The speed limit feature only available on AX73
Hi! Wonder if this model can support 300-500mbps Unifi Plan? Thank you
Yes, it’s perfect for 300-500Mbps.
Hello sir,
between Ax20 or Ax53
which is more good in terms of
Speed and wifi coverage
The Archer AX53 is the superior model.
Will it be a decent upgrade from Unifi’s DIR 842? it started to slow down quite terribly
It’s a huge upgrade from the D-Link DIR-842.
Is the router AX53 better than my current deco m5? My unifi plan is 100MB.
I don’t think it is going to be a huge upgrade. If you are used to having a mesh, upgrading to a better mesh is the proper choice.
Previously I got AX72 as main router..And recent Unifi SWU 3.0 free Dlink AX3000 to setup as main and mesh router….If I getting AX53 to pair with AX72….Will it better than Dlink combination?
It will be much better than the D-Link combination. In fact, I am confident that you will feel the D-Link AX3000 is slower than your Archer AX72.
Found out AX53 don’t have MU MIMO, while AX3000 have this feature.. Will it effecting the performance?
All Wi-Fi 6 routers support MU-MIMO feature.
Just discovered AX53 don’t have MU-MIMO, while AX55 have this feature…Will you see the difference with feature? Or I can neglect this and go for AX53?
All Wi-Fi 6 routers support MU-MIMO.
is this router good for coverage?
The coverage is decent but not as good as the flagship router from TP-Link.
which one is better between tplink ax53 dan asus AX1800HP? Why? Coverage jaringan?
They are more or less the same. The Archer AX53 is Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 so it might be slightly better.
Does Archer AX53 have a heat sink?
Yes it has a heatsink
Hi, Which one should I choose, AX53 or AX55? Are the two models the same in terms of memory and CPU? I dont need USB feature.
Yes, they are pretty much the same everything else apart from the USB.
Thanks!
Is this a good replacement for my 6 year old Asus RT-86U or should i consider a different model like the AX73? Thanks
I will suggest the Archer AX73 instead, it is a much better product.
ok, thanks for the recommendation!