Author's Note: This is an express review version referred from the official review.

Description

Model: Archer AX20 Ver 1.20
Firmware Version: Archer AX20(US)_V1.20_200326
ISP: Unifi Pro [800 down/200 up]
WiFi 6 Client: Archer TX3000E
TP-Link Archer AX20 (MY): Product Site
Archer AX20 Emulator: Play Now
Last Updated: 20 October 2020



The Archer AX20 is an entry-level WiFi 6 router from TP-Link. In general, TP-Link is well known for providing a decent specs at low cost of ownership. I personally bought this router from Sri Komputers @ Plaza Lowyat. The router costs me RM 279 with reference of the official price tag sold in Lazada and Shopee. I highly recommend to buy the unit from their official e-store, if you choose to buy the unit through online in order to ease the RMA process in case if you receive a faulty unit.

Specification

The Archer AX20 powered by a quad-core Broadcom BCM6755 clocked at 1.5GHz. The similar processor is being used to power ASUS's RT-AX56U. The 256MiB RAM is quite decent for its price along with provided on-sheet data rate of 574Mbps for 2.4GHz and 1201Mbps for 5GHz. - Source 1 & Source 2.

User Experience



Speaking of the design, TP-Link come with a refreshed design that fit for the modern requirement (small, portable and powerful) from their old boring design. From my point of view, I personally like the non-removable antenna than removable antennas, of course routers were meant to be placed in an open space. Unlike their Deco Series, the Archer AX20 has a few LED indicators for each ongoing activity executed by the router.



Archer AX20 features five gigabit RJ45 ports, with the WAN labelled in blue and LAN in oranges. A single USB 2.0 port were given as standard. If you have more devices, say PCs or NAS that requires more physical connection, you can use a dedicated unmanaged switch (any brands would do the trick).

Setting up the router is similar to other TP-Link routers and only credentials you are required to have is your ISP's provided username and password. It is recommended to use a strong password for router admin credentials and a different stronger wireless password to protect your home network from intruders. I am recommending disabling WPS and UPNP feature.



The admin dashboard is pretty simple and informative. When I said informative, the icons were well mapped and somehow this reminded me of D-LINK's router GUI. If you are a first time TP-Link user, it is easy to access to each features by using the icons as a guideline to further customize the router as per your agile requirement.



By default, the Archer AX20 utilizes the latest WPA3 wireless encryption protocol. However, if you're using an older devices, it is recommended to stick with WPA/WPA2 mode. You can further customize wireless settings under Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.



If you're using a pi-hole at home, you can further disable the DHCP server in the Archer AX20 and make the Pi-Hole to handle the DHCP assignments. So far, I haven't really face any conflicts, and everything is just work, as expected.



Almost all the features working as expected. I am using Cloudflare's Family DNS, 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 for my Pi-Hole and 2606:4700:4700::1113 & 2606:4700:4700::1003 for the purpose of this review. It works.



I've used Archer TX3000E as my WiFi 6 client to actually perform a throughput test during the peak hour. Since almost everyone in my taman are working from home, the signals are quite congested. Based on the conducted test under 80MHz channel width, I able to 700Mbps and above. The distance of the benchmark PC and the router is 10 meters and separated by two rooms in between.



In order to use the Tether app, you're required to have a TP-Link Cloud ID account. The Tether app isn't fancy in terms of feature or GUI as ASUS Router App, but it does execute the purpose of its creation. Personally speaking, I do approve this the way the application designed since I don't really need to go through page by page just to access a feature.

The best and the worst of Archer AX20

The best:
[1] - Affordable
[2] - Customizable
[3] - Great wireless coverage
[4] - Stable

The worst:
[1] - No OpenVPN client
[2] - WPS and UPNP feature enabled by default

Conclusion



To conclude the review, the Archer AX20 is suitable for 100 to 500Mbps users. Although the router able to hit above 800Mbps, you have to have a right client to fully utilize its potential. However, if you don't really care about the wireless speed and only rely on wired connections, regardless what ISP package currently subscribed, the Archer AX20 simply the best. If you ask my verdict if this router worth for the money, I would simply say, YES.

Hi mate. Thanks for your feedback. Makesure to update your firmware to the latest version. In the recent firmware update, onemesh feature is added and will be further helpful if you want to expand your wireless coverage in your home.

One thing best feature.This AX20 support OneMesh even AX50 don't have this function. Just buy another OneMesh device. But its not like Asus Aimesh which is mesh work with another asus router. Tplink OneMesh

I can say that's where ASUS's genius firmware and hardware design works. Not an ASUS fanboy, but I like the way they standardize all of their router lineup to support aimesh by default. Apart from frequent bug fixes, they do serious in providing good after-sales experience.

Bro... yes been using this router for months now . so stable with nil issues.

regarding the firmware upgrade ...
how/what is the best easy method.?
Latest Firmware Version:
1.2.0 Build 20201023 rel.69987 ? select this ?

login ax20 , Click Upgrade followed by Online upgrade and wait
or ? tq.






This post has been edited by Momo33: Mar 6 2021, 12:47 PM

Try the firmware update through the web administration GUI. Usually, it works. If it didn't go to TP-Link Malaysia site and download the newer firmware issued for the Archer AX20. Be sure to check the revision of your AX20. Currently, there are two revision, Version 1 and Version 1.20.

Jjuggler

Just a short stupid question:

Should I replace the old TIME complimentary Router (AC1200) with AX20 (top-up RM270-RM300) to achieve a more stable high speed WIFI in Condo (~1200sqft) unit? I'm on TIME 500Mbps plan.
My WIFI connection is acting up recently and it's impacting my work such as conf. calls.

This post has been edited by kimhoong: Mar 30 2021, 03:11 PM

Hi there mate. First of all, allow me to correct you that no question is stupid if you are looking for an answer. I truly welcome such attitude.

Now getting back to answering to your queries, before you proceed to change the router, are you sure your router is the culprit here? My question to you is really simple. If possible, conduct a speedtest from your client device and your router through a wired connection (LAN connection). If you able to achieve your full speed through LAN, then the culprit of your 'weak' wireless coverage probably due to wireless (esp. 2.4GHz) signal is being congested (based on your queries, you are staying in a condo). This is a free method. Usually this is the method I always suggest. Perform a network mapping to your home. Use a free tool like Wi-Fi Analyzer (Download it from google playstore if you are using android) and scan through your home network. See which channels from the respective bands (2.4ghz and 5ghz) is being most in use there. Then try to switch to a different channel (the channel that prefers least by your neighbors) for the bands to check if it solves the issue. Also, make the wireless mode for both bands to be fixed in N only for 2.4GHz and N/AC mixed for 5ghz band. Then if this method fails, then I can suggest you to get a router. The Archer AX20 certainly the best router from tp-link when it comes to budget. It also has OneMesh feature recently implemented, so in case if you need more wireless coverage, then you can add another AX20 to expand it.

Sorry for the delayed response mate. Feel free to ping me your update.

Assuming my current gear ie dlink DIR842 router placed on 1st floor paired with Asus rtn12hp as repeater on ground floor, would the Ax20 alone placed on 1st floor be able to cover the whole house?

If not can I use back the DIR842 as repeater?

Contemplating if I should instead invest I. DECO M4 as well...

Built up is approx 2900 sqf

This post has been edited by Scissorshand: Apr 17 2021, 02:24 PM

Sorry mate for the delayed response. I would suggest you to top up further for a pair of RT-AX55U. AiMesh certainly better than other available mesh's out there. Or if budget is your concern, go with a pair of AX20 for their OneMesh capability.

This review of AX20 should help https://youtu.be/yRLlAVS1tgw