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TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX73)

Curated from 173 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: February 21, 2025

TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX73)

Brand: TP-Link

Price: $99

Snoop Score:

4.4

Sentiment

5.0

Popularity

1.3

Technical

5.3

Buy on Amazon for $99 See All Routers Reviews

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Snoop's Take

The TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX73) is a high-speed, dual band router engineered for the modern home with heavy streaming, gaming, and multi-device operation. It offers blazing speeds up to 5400 Mbps, advanced WiFi 6 technology, and an array of connectivity options to keep your network robust and nimble. Consumers have had mixed experiences with this router. While one user noted, "literally 0 issues with them, rock solid devices," others grumbled about intrusive features such as forced data sharing through HomeShield. The sentiment reflects a community that appreciates the router’s performance but isn’t shy about calling out its less-than-user-friendly quirks. The blend of reliability and controversial management practices keeps the debate as lively as ever. In summary, if you’re after cutting-edge speed and extensive coverage and can stomach some privacy trade-offs, this router is a solid pick. However, the invasive analytics may give pause for those who demand absolute control over their network data.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Routers

Never had a problem with.
Positive Feedback

Here is the kicker though, I have the Avira / Home Shield services completely turned off... The router doesn't care, and sends ALL your traffic to be "analyzed" anyhow.
Negative Feedback

4.4

TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX73)

Buy on Amazon for $99

Home Entertainment

9 / 10

Remote Work and Learning

5 / 10

Smart Home Integration

7 / 10

Large Household Coverage

9 / 10

See how this compares to all Routers

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Reliable performance in TP-Link routers

“Never had a problem with.”➕

“Mine has been reliable so far haven't had any issues.”➕

“I don't see any of this TP-Link hate you are mentioning.”➕

“Haven't seen the hate posts.”➕

Responsive technical support and firmware updates

“Not pro grade, obviously, but for the price and support I would 100% buy again.”➕

Reliable performance and stable connectivity

“Love em. Got 2 of them to use as just access points and never had an issue.”➕

“I had/have this router, but not in use right now. There was a previous post, where I had recommended”➕

“Now after updating and got EasyMesh enabled, I connect it to a different brand WiFi 6 router via ethernet backhaul and the transition worked flawlessly.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Invasive Home Shield feature sends excessive data to third parties

“Here is the kicker though, I have the Avira / Home Shield services completely turned off... The router doesn't care, and sends ALL your traffic to be "analyzed" anyhow.”➕

“Who greenlit shipping this? If non-subscribers still send EVERY request to TPLink aren't wasting a tremendous amount of resources unless they plan to do something else with the data?”➕

“I also have tried blocking / redirecting the DNS queries, but this results in the router getting stuck in retry loop (thousands of requests a minute), and a big spike in router CPU usage as a side effect.”➕

“But yah this "feature" is very invasive.”➕

DNS configuration issues can lock the router or increase CPU usage

“very frustrating as I have to resort to using the DHCP method only, which means PiHole never catches any of these router pings :(.”➕

“It seems they purposely built this to hide the router itself from PiHole.”➕

“it's insane.”➕

Connectivity problems with multiple IoT devices

“But I started to have problem with it when I added more IoT devices and Sonos to my room.”➕

OneMesh network limitation allows only one router to act as the main unit

“You can't use two routers in a OneMesh network.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
BOSCH PR20EVS Colt Palm Router	$79	6.9	Details	Buy
BOSCH 1617EVS 2.25 Horesepower Electronic Fixed-Base Router	$149	6.4	Details	Buy
TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router V4 (Archer AX21)	$59	5.7	Details	Buy
TP-Link AC1900 Smart WiFi Router (Archer A8)	$49	5.6	Details	Buy
ASUS RT-AX1800S Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router	$69	5.6	Details	Buy
TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router	$129	5.0	Details	Buy
ASUS RT-AX3000 Ultra-Fast Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Router	$109	5.0	Details	Buy
TP-Link Dual-Band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router Archer AX55	$71	4.9	Details	Buy
TP-Link Deco AX3000 WiFi 6 Mesh System	$149	4.6	Details	Buy
TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX73)	$99	4.4	Details	Buy
NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router RAX54S	$159	4.3	Details	Buy
TP-Link Archer C54 Renewed WiFi Router	$19	3.8	Details	Buy
NETGEAR 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router (R6700AX)	$64	3.5	Details	Buy
DBIT N300 Easy Setup Wireless Wi-Fi Router	$19	3.0	Details	Buy
TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router (Archer A54)	$29	2.1	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

Discussion on chipset variations among TP-Link routers

“Ax55 has a Qualcomm Chip. Ax53 has intel.”➕

Third‑party firmware flashability and limitations

“That's why you flash the router with Openwrt or something else.”➕

“Just slap open wrt on them.”➕

“Except only a small amount of their lineup is supported by openwrt.”➕

“You'll get a ton more features, like wireguard support, wider USB support, and better port management, ie VLAN tagging.”➕

Positive performance experiences with TP‑Link devices (other models)

“What I totally did not expect, is how much better my old 2.4ghz devices run on it!”➕

“Good ax speeds on supported devices, 2Ghz band has good range and even 5Ghz band surprised me with range.”➕

“I say you should keep it for now.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Variability of OpenWrt support across TP-Link models

“Any reccomendations for a TP-Link router with OpenWrt support?”➕

“You’ll never go back.”➕

“TPLInk routers change hardware silently all the time, different revision might have a very different hardware.”➕

“I would not say they are 'good'.”➕

High-end TP-Link router model comparisons and trade-offs

“One is stronger and other is 6e and should be good for next 5 yrs.”➕

“Personally, I am leaning towards the 7800 as I want the wifi6E which will help unclutter your wifi bands.”➕

“as i said it really strong performer.”➕

“I saw that AXE7800 on $60 discount.”➕

Discussion of alternative router brands and solutions

“Asus, Firewalla, Ubiquiti are my 3 alternative choices.”➕

“Does Ubituiti have any good options for $250 or less that include wifi?”➕

“Yes! The UniFi Express is a great little router and is actually on sale for $110 for a few more days.”➕

“UDR or UX would be your best bets.”➕

Subscription service inquiry on the AX73

“Is the subscription worth it on it?”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Enhanced security through alternative firmware (OpenWRT)

“Since the Chinese derived software is no longer installed on my router, am I safe from TP-Link router security vulnerabilities?”➕

“IMO, you are much safer running OpenWrt on a router made by any manufacturer - not just TP-Link.”➕

“I had no idea how easy it was to install & configure OpenWRT or I would have done it years ago.”➕

“I'd prefer a GL.iNet router but I'm biased.”➕

Firmware update frequency concerns compared to competitors

“My router (AX6000) seems rock solid for the past couple months in terms of coverage, no drops, etc.”➕

“I actually think tplink is better with software and hardware than netgear so maybe don’t need as much updating.”➕

“I’d say TP-Link and Eero lead the pack, with ASUS close behind.”➕

Mixed opinions on TP-Link business grade equipment

“I don't have a terribly strong opinion of the reliability of the consumer devices, but have had good experiences with their customer service.”➕

“Sounds like a misconfigured device and a shitty firewall.”➕

“Don't get me wrong, TPLink has a bad reputation for some gear, like their routers and access points, but these particular models we've had good luck with.”➕

“If it's blasting multicast, either igmp was not properly configured or the upstream protocol and device generating the traffic was working as intended.”➕

Performance and connectivity issues in TP-Link Archer routers on gigabit plans

“Did I pick a slower router?”➕

“Are your devices connected to the 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz network when running the tests on the TP-Link?”➕

“I have the router automatically covert the 2.4G and 5G together, but the Tether app says it's on 5G.”➕

“If it doesn't its something with the wifi signal and where the equipment is located.”➕

Potential government regulation and router bans

“Maybe in the near future they will only allow state approved routers.”➕

“Gotta get your Federally Approved Router with a built in FreedomLibertyAntiCommunism chip.”➕

“If they go through with it, it will be ban on the sale of TP-Link routers.”➕

“Say that TP-Link is banned, why would you want to change your router?”➕

Security vulnerabilities and firmware update issues

“This is the router equivalent of plugging a windows XP computer directly to the internet.”➕

“Tp-link’s software is like Swiss cheese when it comes to security.”➕

“That's why they're so cheap.”➕

“tp-link routers have like... the crappiest of firmware out there.”➕

Router usability challenges for average consumers versus prosumers

“Good for prosumers, bad for consumers.”➕

“That’s a huge overestimation of the skill level of the average user.”➕

“IT people don't particuarly want to come home and config routers.”➕

Concerns over Chinese ownership and geopolitical implications

“It’s really not about security “as is”, it’s about the fact that this brand is based in China.”➕

“Every router has some kind of vulnerability, whether known about or not.”➕

Potential ban risk and firmware update concerns for TP‑Link

“TP link is inches from being banned in the US fyi”➕

“Every firmware update is like a game of Russian roulette.”➕

“Yes there’s an ongoing investigation, but it’s still a long ways away from being banned.”➕

“Banned as in can't use the device you own, or banned as in can't buy anymore?”➕

Mixed opinions on the Tether app performance

“And the Tether app is awfully bad.”➕

“I feel like Tether app is best among Netgear and Linksys.”➕

“I love Tether App ❤️ it’s the sole reason I equipped my entire house with tp-link routers.”➕