The TP-Link Archer AX55 combines dual-band Wi-Fi 6 with practical extras that still make sense in an ordinary home: four wired LAN connections, a USB port for a shared drive, and both phone and browser management. It is most appealing when those features solve a specific need without moving to a more expensive network.
Its boundaries are equally clear. All Ethernet ports are Gigabit, and there is no 6 GHz radio. The wider 5 GHz channels can help compatible clients, but they do not turn the AX55 into a multi-gigabit wired router.
Design and Configuration
- Single Archer AX55
- Four external antennas
- Black finish
The AX55 has a low, conventional case with four fixed external antennas. Allow space around the antennas and keep the router in an open position where it can serve the rooms that matter. A power adapter and Ethernet cable are included.
This is the Archer AX55, not the similarly named AX55 Pro. TP-Link also maintains separate hardware revisions under the AX55 name. Match firmware to the version printed on the device, and check that version’s feature list when a particular VPN protocol is essential.
- Wi-Fi 6
- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Up to 160 MHz on 5 GHz
The AX55 can use a 160 MHz channel on 5 GHz with compatible clients and available channels. That gives it more potential wireless bandwidth than an 80 MHz-only router, but the benefit depends on nearby networks, the client and the connection path. A device limited to 80 MHz will not gain the wider channel.
Tom’s Guide tested the AX55 in April 2024 with a Samsung Galaxy Book notebook and Keysight IxChariot. It measured 823.7 Mb/s at 15 feet, 288.4 Mb/s at 50 feet and 89.6 Mb/s at 75 feet.1 Those results come from its particular home and sample; they show why strong nearby performance should not be mistaken for the same speed in a distant room.
The combined AX3000 rating is not a single-device or Internet speed promise. The AX55 supports older wireless devices alongside Wi-Fi 6 clients, but it cannot provide the 6 GHz connection available from a Wi-Fi 6E or suitable Wi-Fi 7 router.
Connectivity and Storage
- 1 × Gigabit WAN
- 4 × Gigabit LAN
- USB 3.0
The dedicated Internet port leaves four LAN ports for computers, a console, a television or network storage. This is a useful arrangement when several devices sit close enough to use Ethernet and you would otherwise need a separate switch.
All five ports are Gigabit. A faster broadband plan, a 2.5-gigabit NAS or a faster switch does not change that limit. The wider Wi-Fi channel can improve the wireless link under suitable conditions, while traffic through a Gigabit port still has to fit that wired connection.
USB storage is a useful distinction from the current Archer AX21 V5. The AX55 supports file sharing, media serving and documented Time Machine functions with a suitable drive and setup. It can handle an occasional shared folder or backup destination, although it does not offer the drive-management flexibility of a dedicated NAS.
Software and Security
- Tether app and browser interface
- HomeShield
- VPN client and server
The Tether app suits everyday phone management, while the local browser interface provides detailed network settings. HomeShield adds security and family-management tools, with basic features included and optional paid plans for advanced protection and parental controls. Check the current plan features in the app if a particular restriction is a reason for buying.
The AX55 can act as a VPN client for selected home devices or as a server for remote access back home. Protocol availability depends on hardware and firmware. Current V4 documentation includes WireGuard as well as OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP/IPsec; the Amazon listing does not identify the hardware revision. If WireGuard is essential, confirm that detail before purchasing.
For an existing AX50 owner, the service package deserves attention. TP-Link marketed that older model with included HomeCare services, while the AX55 uses HomeShield with optional paid tiers. The AX50 already offered 160 MHz Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit ports and USB 3.0, so replacing a satisfactory one is not automatically a major connection upgrade.
Mesh Networking
- EasyMesh
- Wired or wireless backhaul with supported devices
EasyMesh allows compatible routers and extenders to form a coordinated network. The AX55’s current support includes Ethernet backhaul with appropriate firmware, giving a cabled extension a useful role when a distant room is hard to reach wirelessly.
Wireless mesh links share radio capacity with devices, so a satellite still needs a good connection back to the main router. Also check the product family: Archer EasyMesh and Deco are separate systems. A Deco unit can coexist with an Archer, but they do not combine into one managed mesh.
Alternatives
The Archer AX21 V5 is worth considering if 80 MHz Wi-Fi and Gigabit ports meet your needs and it costs meaningfully less. It omits USB storage sharing. The AX55’s case is stronger when you will use that USB port or have compatible clients that can benefit from wider 5 GHz channels.
If faster wired connections or 6 GHz are the real requirements, choose a router that supplies them directly. Adding accessories cannot make the AX55’s built-in ports exceed Gigabit speeds. Keeping a well-performing existing Wi-Fi 6 router is also reasonable when none of these features addresses a current limitation.
Verdict
The Archer AX55 is a useful choice for a home that wants capable dual-band Wi-Fi, several ordinary wired connections and a shared USB drive. I would choose it for that combination, with the Gigabit ceiling understood. It is less compelling as a replacement for a reliable Wi-Fi 6 router offering the same connections.