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expired Posted by CosmologicalConstant • Oct 15, 2020
expired Posted by CosmologicalConstant • Oct 15, 2020

Expires 10/31 for 100,000 Times Viewed # 1 Recommended GIGABIT ROUTER; $116 at Target TP-Link Archer AX3000 Dual Band WiFi 6 MU-MIMO Router

$116

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Update: This post has been viewed approx. 100,000 times on Slickdeals.

Target price of $129 less the 10% coupon is $116. Coupon Expires 10/31

#1 Rated by the New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutte...fi-router/

You can get the AX3000 (Archer AX 50) for $116 at TARGET (see below)
https://www.target.com/p/tp-link-...A-79847621

HOW TO GET IT FOR $116 AT TARGET (2 WAYS)
New price is $129 and then apply the 10% off one electronic item (Target circle coupon). Total came to $116 and change. If you are a target Redcard member get additional 5% Redcard discount[/QUOTE]

10% coupon can be found here (Expires October 31):
https://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=14448551&sdop=1&sdpid=141342461&sdfid=30&lno=1&trd=https%20www%20target%20com%20offers%20targ&pv=&au=&sdtrk=SiteSearchV2Algo1&u2=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Foffers%2Ftarget-circle[/QUOTE]

At Walmart, you can get the $99 AX1800 (Archer AX 20) model. Note that "PeteyTheStriker" who is very knowledgeable on routers has commented extensively on this thread has recommended the upgrade from the AX20 to AX50 if you can afford it. Through Target (see above, you can get the AX 3000 for $116)

WALMART
$99 AX1800 (Archer AX 20)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/TP-Lin.../210201077

FOR ONLY $17 More (Target), you can upgrade from the Archer AX20 (AX1800) to the TP-LINK Archer AX50, i.e., AX 3000,
https://www.target.com/p/tp-link-...A-79847621

COMPARISON OF AX20 ($99) VS AX50 ($129) [ Thanks - zpeedster_m ]; Note that "PeteyTheStriker" who is very knowledgeable on routers has commented extensively on this thread has recommended the upgrade from the AX20 to AX50 if you can afford it.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutte...fi-router/

TP-Link Archer AX50
The best Wi-Fi router
In our tests the TP-Link Archer AX50 created a speedy, responsive network even from across a medium house. You have to spend a lot more on a router—or a mesh kit if you have a very large home—to get anything even a little better. It's our first WI-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router pick.

The TP-Link Archer AX50 is reasonably priced, yet it can handle a growing selection of laptops and smart devices while surpassing the performance of routers that cost twice as much. It's generally speedy and able to reach long range, it has little lag even when the network is busy, and it's a great choice if you have a high-performance internet service plan. It's compatible with Wi-Fi 6, the latest wireless standard, and it comes with built-in security in the form of a lifetime subscription to updates.

TP-Link Archer AX20
If our main pick is unavailable
The Archer AX20 offers fewer features than our pick for a slightly lower price, but in most cases it can keep up in throughput, responsiveness, and ease of setup.

If our pick is out of stock or its price is more than $30 higher, you should consider the TP-Link Archer AX20 instead. The AX20 looks like the AX50 and offers a strong, responsive network that's nearly as good, especially if your house isn't larger than our 2,300-square-foot-test home. But it's not quite as fast at longer ranges, and TP-Link sacrifices a few advanced features and settings in its administration interface to meet the lower price

REVIEWS (Thanks "PeteyTheStriker")
https://play3r.net/reviews/networ...er-review/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXVGRKgaxYo

https://www.blacktubi.com/review/...cher-ax50/

https://techprojournal.com/tp-lin...ink_AX3000

Overall if you want a entry level to medium end router, you cant go wrong.[/QUOTE]

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE:

1. Donknows has a review on the AX3000 (Archer AX 50) this has thoroughly been discredited on this thread.

Quote from PeteyTheStriker :
As was mentioned by me and a few others, that DONGKNOWS review is poorly done. It is not an apples to apples comparison, he used a router with a brand new firmware comparing to an identical router with firmware over 6 months old which had major problems just like any other router around that time. It takes time to work out the bugs and TP-Link, Netgear, Asus to name a few all put out routers with bugged performance with their first set of Wifi 6 routers. So yeah..... Important to make apples to apples instead of reading something without understanding the testing. If he did it the correct way he would have had both side by side on the same firmware.The routers are identical outside USB 3.0 port and Homecare included on one, so you will get identical performance results with the same firmware.

2. CAT7, a CAT 6 or CAT5e cable is needed for gigabit Ethernet. Most cables made for the last 10 years are already 5e, so just saying that cables are usually never a bottleneck.
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Update: This post has been viewed approx. 100,000 times on Slickdeals.

Target price of $129 less the 10% coupon is $116. Coupon Expires 10/31

#1 Rated by the New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutte...fi-router/

You can get the AX3000 (Archer AX 50) for $116 at TARGET (see below)
https://www.target.com/p/tp-link-...A-79847621

HOW TO GET IT FOR $116 AT TARGET (2 WAYS)
New price is $129 and then apply the 10% off one electronic item (Target circle coupon). Total came to $116 and change. If you are a target Redcard member get additional 5% Redcard discount[/QUOTE]

10% coupon can be found here (Expires October 31):
https://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=14448551&sdop=1&sdpid=141342461&sdfid=30&lno=1&trd=https%20www%20target%20com%20offers%20targ&pv=&au=&sdtrk=SiteSearchV2Algo1&u2=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Foffers%2Ftarget-circle[/QUOTE]

At Walmart, you can get the $99 AX1800 (Archer AX 20) model. Note that "PeteyTheStriker" who is very knowledgeable on routers has commented extensively on this thread has recommended the upgrade from the AX20 to AX50 if you can afford it. Through Target (see above, you can get the AX 3000 for $116)

WALMART
$99 AX1800 (Archer AX 20)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/TP-Lin.../210201077

FOR ONLY $17 More (Target), you can upgrade from the Archer AX20 (AX1800) to the TP-LINK Archer AX50, i.e., AX 3000,
https://www.target.com/p/tp-link-...A-79847621

COMPARISON OF AX20 ($99) VS AX50 ($129) [ Thanks - zpeedster_m ]; Note that "PeteyTheStriker" who is very knowledgeable on routers has commented extensively on this thread has recommended the upgrade from the AX20 to AX50 if you can afford it.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutte...fi-router/

TP-Link Archer AX50
The best Wi-Fi router
In our tests the TP-Link Archer AX50 created a speedy, responsive network even from across a medium house. You have to spend a lot more on a router—or a mesh kit if you have a very large home—to get anything even a little better. It's our first WI-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router pick.

The TP-Link Archer AX50 is reasonably priced, yet it can handle a growing selection of laptops and smart devices while surpassing the performance of routers that cost twice as much. It's generally speedy and able to reach long range, it has little lag even when the network is busy, and it's a great choice if you have a high-performance internet service plan. It's compatible with Wi-Fi 6, the latest wireless standard, and it comes with built-in security in the form of a lifetime subscription to updates.

TP-Link Archer AX20
If our main pick is unavailable
The Archer AX20 offers fewer features than our pick for a slightly lower price, but in most cases it can keep up in throughput, responsiveness, and ease of setup.

If our pick is out of stock or its price is more than $30 higher, you should consider the TP-Link Archer AX20 instead. The AX20 looks like the AX50 and offers a strong, responsive network that's nearly as good, especially if your house isn't larger than our 2,300-square-foot-test home. But it's not quite as fast at longer ranges, and TP-Link sacrifices a few advanced features and settings in its administration interface to meet the lower price

REVIEWS (Thanks "PeteyTheStriker")
https://play3r.net/reviews/networ...er-review/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXVGRKgaxYo

https://www.blacktubi.com/review/...cher-ax50/

https://techprojournal.com/tp-lin...ink_AX3000

Overall if you want a entry level to medium end router, you cant go wrong.[/QUOTE]

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE:

1. Donknows has a review on the AX3000 (Archer AX 50) this has thoroughly been discredited on this thread.

Quote from PeteyTheStriker :
As was mentioned by me and a few others, that DONGKNOWS review is poorly done. It is not an apples to apples comparison, he used a router with a brand new firmware comparing to an identical router with firmware over 6 months old which had major problems just like any other router around that time. It takes time to work out the bugs and TP-Link, Netgear, Asus to name a few all put out routers with bugged performance with their first set of Wifi 6 routers. So yeah..... Important to make apples to apples instead of reading something without understanding the testing. If he did it the correct way he would have had both side by side on the same firmware.The routers are identical outside USB 3.0 port and Homecare included on one, so you will get identical performance results with the same firmware.

2. CAT7, a CAT 6 or CAT5e cable is needed for gigabit Ethernet. Most cables made for the last 10 years are already 5e, so just saying that cables are usually never a bottleneck.

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Oct 19, 2020
12,166 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Oct 19, 2020
PeteyTheStriker
Oct 19, 2020
12,166 Posts
Quote from aus :
Thanks for that info. What if I have 2 nodes connected via ethernet but a third one on it own without ethernet? Will the ones with ethernet maintain speed ok and the one on it's own isn't too far from one of the ethernet nodes. I mainly need that one to reach my backyard, pool/sprinkler/light controller.

Thanks!
There will be a performance hit, anytime you add a hop, but with wired ethernet it will be mitigated significantly. The ones wired will be no problem, the one on wireless making the hop to the ethernet connected node will lose some performance, but it wont be that bad since its the only one wireless.
Last edited by PeteyTheStriker October 18, 2020 at 10:06 PM.
Oct 19, 2020
993 Posts
Joined Jul 2018
Oct 19, 2020
Jsz0301
Oct 19, 2020
993 Posts
Quote from egenesis :
So ax20 is quad core and ax50 is dual core. So confused.
Different manufacturer designs and marketing.

The processor doesn't really matter in most situations for regular users, but in this case, the quad core isn't really a quad core relative to higher end designs such as the TP LINK AX6000 which has a legitimate 1.8ghz 64bit A53 quad core and two A7 1.5ghz co processors on each SoC radio.

AX20 is more or less a SoC dual core processor with radio and co-processors (all A7 1.5GHZ) built in to the design. The same is true for some AX routers such as the ASUS AX3000 which has a triple core A7 1.5GHZ + separate radio SoC and co processor (A7 1.5GHZ). technically "dual core" + co processors again , but marketing doesn't bother adjusting and Broadcom is sort of to blame.

The AX50 uses an Intel design, thus marketing just relays what they're given kinda.. It's likely not accurate relative to how Broadcom or Qualcomm presents products..and thus why you ask the question your asking.

For example Qualcomm has the older popular IPQ8065 SoC (no radios on this chip) that's marketed as a quad core internally, but this is factoring both the main 1.7ghz dual core "main processor" + 800mhz dual core co-radio or "Network Subsystem" processors on one centralized chip. The actual radios for this design are separate. which is a bit different than how broadcom designs competing products.

Low End SoCs that include radios can be found from both companies. AX20 is a prime example which only really requires a separate switch for a complete package.

Its more than likely that the AX50 Intel design is equivalent in some way to the Broadcom in the AX20 in terms of power.

tl;dr: Marketing.


Quote from JoyTan :
I must have missed that post. So, are the models on this thread, wifi 6 on the 5GHz spectrum so wifi 6 on 6GHz is the next big thing on wifi? If yes, when is "6 on 6" (my made up phrase) likely to become more widespread? 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years? I am trying to get a sense of how slow or fast wireless is evolving. Thanks for your insight and useful comments in this thread.
Yes, AX 6E is basically what AX should have been in terms of a jump.. Prob will take 2-3 years before 6E catches on as most people are limited to slower ISP speeds. Spectrum ISP for example hasn't moved above 100mbps for basic internet for what seems years now..But its the Same argument for 5G AX... Clients NEED to drive the market. Which isn't much the case ATM..

-AC (3x3 + 80mhz blocks) was a pretty big jump relative to wireless N 40mhz limitation. Made dual band 5G mainstream.
-AC wave 2 gave us 4x4 radios and 160mhz.
-AX is a better variation of AC Wave 2 with better signal DBA in current form.
-6E is AX on a whole new 6ghz spectrum with 14 80mhz or 7 160mhz blocks. (compared to 2 80mhz on 5G without DFS) Less congestion and actual valid use of 160mhz. (160mhz on 5G kinda sucks) Will make 2.4g, 5g, 6g Tri-band mainstream.
Last edited by Jsz0301 October 19, 2020 at 01:24 AM.
Oct 19, 2020
347 Posts
Joined Sep 2011
Oct 19, 2020
vtlrockz
Oct 19, 2020
347 Posts
Quote from PeteyTheStriker :
Unfortunately neither the AX20 or AX50 do vlan tagging so you would not be able to use it stand alone you would have to use it with their modem. Other routers in the Tp-Link line up have vlan tagging, but I just looked at the emulator and if its up to date I dont see vlan in their respective sections. Below is the link on how to setup the router with century link modem, and if you get a router capable of vlan tagging how to do it without their modem. The steps are identical for all router manufactures, just the menus might be in a slightly different place.

https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2721/
Thanks for the insight, but the specification have tag vlan mentioned under iptv. Here is the link for ax20 https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-n...fications. Does this mean it will work with centurylink without a modem?
Oct 19, 2020
355 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
Oct 19, 2020
AlbertY6916
Oct 19, 2020
355 Posts
The title and the description is misleading. THIS IS NOT THE AX50 THAT THE WIRECUTTER SUGGESTING.

There are firmwares/features different between the Walmart version of AX3000 and the Amazon AX3000 (AX50). They look the same but are different. Hence the price are different. Just make sure you don't need those features before you buy this. There is also a speed decrease comparing those two

Now the question is that can you flush the firmware to match the Amazon one to enable those features.
Oct 19, 2020
74 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Oct 19, 2020
northstar1
Oct 19, 2020
74 Posts
Got this from Target. Had them price match Walmart to bring the price down to $129 and then applied the 10% off one electronic item (Target circle offer) and the 5% Redcard discount. Total came to $116 and change. If you are a target Redcard member this might be a way to get it a few bucks cheaper.
Last edited by northstar1 October 19, 2020 at 07:26 AM.
Oct 19, 2020
4,325 Posts
Joined Dec 2005
Oct 19, 2020
satnav4
Oct 19, 2020
4,325 Posts
Quote from AlbertY6916 :
The title and the description is misleading. THIS IS NOT THE AX50 THAT THE WIRECUTTER SUGGESTING.

There are firmwares/features different between the Walmart version of AX3000 and the Amazon AX3000 (AX50). They look the same but are different. Hence the price are different. Just make sure you don't need those features before you buy this. There is also a speed decrease comparing those two

Now the question is that can you flush the firmware to match the Amazon one to enable those features.
This was addressed in the thread above. The firmware for the AX 3000 was updated after the firmware for the AX50. They have the same capabilities, but you get some extra software with the AX 50. The question is whether you want to spend $20 for the extra software. Was NYT testing the router or the software?
Oct 19, 2020
4,584 Posts
Joined Jun 2008
Oct 19, 2020
AndrewinMD
Oct 19, 2020
4,584 Posts
Quote from JoyTan :
why router do you use right now and which one do you propose to substitute it with?
I'm using a Netgear Nighthawk X4 right now, which has been fine up until now. However, since I'm teleworking full-time, and my daughter is doing "virtual school", the demand has increased on it.

I may wind up getting a mesh system like the Orbi as a replacement. Given past experience, I'd be more comfortable staying with Netgear than moving back to TP-Link.

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Oct 19, 2020
12,166 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Oct 19, 2020
PeteyTheStriker
Oct 19, 2020
12,166 Posts
Quote from AlbertY6916 :
The title and the description is misleading. THIS IS NOT THE AX50 THAT THE WIRECUTTER SUGGESTING.

There are firmwares/features different between the Walmart version of AX3000 and the Amazon AX3000 (AX50). They look the same but are different. Hence the price are different. Just make sure you don't need those features before you buy this. There is also a speed decrease comparing those two

Now the question is that can you flush the firmware to match the Amazon one to enable those features.
This has been covered, TP-Link makes no distinction between them even on their website. The hardware is identical besides a USB 3.0 vs 2.0 port if I recall from earlier posts. The software only difference seems to be one comes with homecare, the other you can buy through the tether app. As for performance only one review ever mentioned both in the reviews, and they tested the units 6 months apart with no direct comparison on latest firmware, to see if there were changes.

Quote from vtlrockz :
Thanks for the insight, but the specification have tag vlan mentioned under iptv. Here is the link for ax20 https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-n...fications. Does this mean it will work with centurylink without a modem?
Ooh that is interesting, I opened up the emulator for the AX20 and you are correct, the option to custom tag a vlan ID is there so it looks like the AX20 can do it. Very weird that the next step up AX50 cannot then. I even double checked to see if the emulator section had a firmware version drop down and did not see it. Very puzzling, but yes it looks like I was mistaken the AX20 can do custom vlan tags so it can be used stand alone with century link fiber.
Oct 19, 2020
12,166 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Oct 19, 2020
PeteyTheStriker
Oct 19, 2020
12,166 Posts
Quote from whatever2929 :
Very helpful and thanks.
Poster above mentioned that the AX20 has it listed in the specification for VLAN ID tagging. When I went to its latest firmware version in the emulator the option is there for the AX20.

So the AX20 can do the setup without a modem from Century Link, I double checked to make sure I didnt miss a newer version on the AX50 but still did not see that option under the AX50 in the emulator. There is newer firmware listed for the AX50 then is listed in the emulator, but I dont see specifically any mention of vlan tagging in the firmware updates, so can always gamble and see if it was added just not mentioned. Tp-Link does mention VLAN tagging under the AX50/AX3000 specification like the AX20, which just adds more confusion.

Very weird that a router one step down can do it, but not the newer more powerful router. Just wanted to give you the heads up, and I adjusted my initial post to prevent confusion.
Original Poster
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Oct 19, 2020
10,951 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
Oct 19, 2020
CosmologicalConstant
Oct 19, 2020
Original Poster
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10,951 Posts
Quote from northstar1 :
Got this from Target. Had them price match Walmart to bring the price down to $129 and then applied the 10% off one electronic item (Target circle offer) and the 5% Redcard discount. Total came to $116 and change. If you are a target Redcard member this might be a way to get it a few bucks cheaper.
Excellent. Will advance this to the original post with credit to you.
Original Poster
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Oct 19, 2020
10,951 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
Oct 19, 2020
CosmologicalConstant
Oct 19, 2020
Original Poster
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Almost 60K page views but yet not frontpage. Go figure!

Perhaps slickdeals doesn't get commissions from Walmart?
Oct 19, 2020
67 Posts
Joined May 2017
Oct 19, 2020
joaoh13
Oct 19, 2020
67 Posts
I noticed that the AX3000 USB port is black (2.0?) and the AX50 USB port is Blue (3.0?)

I can't confirm the specs on TP Link website, does anyone know?
Original Poster
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Oct 19, 2020
10,951 Posts
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Oct 19, 2020
CosmologicalConstant
Oct 19, 2020
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Quote from joaoh13 :
I noticed that the AX3000 USB port is black (2.0?) and the AX50 USB port is Blue (3.0?)

I can't confirm the specs on TP Link website, does anyone know?
The WLAN port is blue, and the USB port is standard black and white, on the AX20.

Why does the color matter?
Oct 19, 2020
67 Posts
Joined May 2017
Oct 19, 2020
joaoh13
Oct 19, 2020
67 Posts
Quote from JoyTan :
The WLAN port is blue, and the USB port is standard black and white, on the AX20.

Why does the color matter?
Usually a Blue USB means it's USB 3.0 spec (5Gbit/s data transfer rate) and Black USB means it's USB 2.0 spec (0.48Gbit/s data transfer rate).

If you plan to use an external HDD as a NAS device with your router you want a USB 3.0

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Oct 19, 2020
186 Posts
Joined May 2005
Oct 19, 2020
Bluelight
Oct 19, 2020
186 Posts
I had bought a TP-Link Archer AX3200 Wi-fi 6 Tri-Band MU-MIMO Router from Costco for $179 last week. It is a bit more costly than the OP routers, but appears to provide very good coverage and is a newer model. I guess I'll stick with it.

https://www.costco.com/tp-link-ar...97042.html

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