Products
TP-Link Archer AX21
TP-Link Archer A8
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Updated Jan 08, 2026 03:08 PM
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Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Updated Dec 11, 2025 04:15 PM
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Amazon.com
Wi-Fi Version
Wi-Fi 6 (ax)
Multi Band
Dual Band (2.4 / 5)
Test Configuration
Standalone
Wi-Fi Version
Wi-Fi 5 (ac)
Multi Band
Dual Band (2.4 / 5)
Test Configuration
Standalone
Our Verdict
TP-Link Archer AX21
TP-Link Archer A8
The TP-Link Archer AX21 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router, and the TP-Link Archer A8 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 5 router. They deliver very similar performance, with the Archer A8 actually having slightly better range despite it being Wi-Fi 5.
Variants
- Archer AX21 (Black)
- Archer A8 (Black)
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Black
Archer AX21
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Black
Archer A8
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Black
Archer AX21
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Black
Archer A8
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Black
Archer AX21
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Black
Archer A8
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Black
Archer AX21
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Black
Archer A8
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Archer AX21
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Black
Archer A8
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Main Differences for
Apartment/Condo
Apartment/Condo
Threshold
Apartment/Condo
7.2
7.1
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
7.2
6.7
Dimensions Photo
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Height
6.18" (15.7 cm)
7.48" (19.0 cm)
Width
10.24" (26.0 cm)
9.61" (24.4 cm)
Depth
5.91" (15.0 cm)
7.01" (17.8 cm)
Depth With Cables
7.48" (19.0 cm)
8.15" (20.7 cm)
Network Ports
7.1
7.1
Ports Photo
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WAN Port Speed
1.0 Gbps
1.0 Gbps
LAN Port Count
4
4
10 Gbps Ports
0
0
2.5 Gbps Ports
0
0
1 Gbps Ports
5
5
10 Gbps Ports (SFP+)
0
0
USB Ports
USB-A 3.0 Ports
0
0
USB-A 2.0 Ports
0
0
USB-C Ports
0
0
USB-C Speed
N/A
N/A
In The Box
In The Box Photo
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Wall/Ceiling Mount
8.0
8.0
Mount Photo
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Mount Type
Screw Head Slot
Screw Head Slot
Wi-Fi
Interior Long Range
6.9
7.2
Long Range Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Lowest Speed
102 Mbps
146 Mbps
Average 5GHz Speed
213 Mbps
257 Mbps
Average 6GHz Speed
N/A
N/A
Test Configuration
Standalone
Standalone
Interior Short Range
7.7
7.7
Short Range Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Highest Speed
669 Mbps
601 Mbps
Average 5GHz Speed
470 Mbps
471 Mbps
Average 6GHz Speed
N/A
N/A
Test Configuration
Standalone
Standalone
Wi-Fi Specifications
6.3
6.1
Wi-Fi Version
Wi-Fi 6 (ax)
Wi-Fi 5 (ac)
6GHz Band
No
No
Multi Band
Dual Band (2.4 / 5)
Dual Band (2.4 / 5)
DFS Channels
No
No
MLO Implementation
Beacon Frame
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MLO Support
No
No
EMLSR/EMLMR Support
No MLO Support
No MLO Support
Max Number Of Simultaneous Links
No MLO Support
No MLO Support
TID-To-Link Mapping Negotiation Support
No MLO Support
No MLO Support
Wi-Fi Coverage
Indoor Coverage - Same Story
Wi-Fi Coverage Map
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Indoor Coverage - 1 Story Above
Wi-Fi Coverage Map
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Wi-Fi Coverage Map (Dual Mesh)
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Broad Coverage
Outdoor Coverage Map
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Check Price
Black
Archer AX21
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Amazon.com
Black
Archer A8
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Amazon.com
Black
Archer AX21
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B&H
Black
Archer A8
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Walmart.com
Black
Archer AX21
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BestBuy.com
Black
Archer A8
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B&H
Black
Archer AX21
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TP-Link
Black
Archer A8
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Black
Archer AX21
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Black
Archer A8
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TP-Link
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TP-Link Archer AX21
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TP-Link Archer AX21 vs TP-Link Archer A8: Main Discussion
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