The TP-Link Archer AX21 is actually meant to work as a standalone WiFi 6 router and isn't built to be part of a mesh system. According to the manufacturer's description, it's focused on delivering solid performance and good WiFi coverage, especially for medium to large homes. It supports dual-band connectivity and can hit speeds up to 1.8 Gbps, which is great for reducing buffering and keeping things smooth when you're streaming or gaming on multiple devices.
That being said, the Archer AX21 itself doesn't support mesh technology. If you're really set on creating a mesh network, you'd want to look at TP-Link's Deco series. Those are specifically made to work together to provide consistent WiFi coverage throughout your home.
On a positive note, the AX21 does a pretty good job on its own of spreading WiFi coverage, with features like four high-gain antennas and beamforming. Our research shows that many folks find its coverage more than sufficient for a single router setup, especially if their house isn't too large or complex.
But if you've got lots of areas with weak signal, adding range extenders or moving to a mesh system might be necessary to cover everything.
The AX21 can't become part of a mesh system, but it does have some cool features like compatibility with OpenVPN and PPTP. This lets you set up a VPN server on your router, which is handy if you need a secure connection to your home network while you're away. Folks who care about privacy and remote access find these VPN features pretty valuable.
So, if you're specifically looking for mesh capabilities, you'd probably want to check out TP-Link’s Deco line instead. They're designed for simple setup and work well to extend your network across your home.
Overall, the Archer AX21 is great for standalone use, but it's not what you'd need for a mesh setup.
Here's our "TLDR" Review
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