Products
TP-Link Archer AX21
TP-Link Archer BE230
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 Jan 12, 2026 04:49 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 7 (be)
Multi Band
Dual Band (2.4 / 5)
Test Configuration
Standalone
Our Verdict
TP-Link Archer AX21
TP-Link Archer BE230
The TP-Link Archer BE230 is better than the TP-Link Archer AX21. They're both dual-band routers, but the former is Wi-Fi 7 while the latter is Wi-Fi 6. The BE230 delivers faster top speeds and a longer range. It also has a faster, 2.5Gbps WAN port compared to the AX21's 1Gbps WAN port, and it also features a USB 3.0 port for connecting a USB drive to your network.
Variants
- Archer AX21 (Black)
- Archer BE230 (Black)
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Black
Archer AX21
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Black
Archer BE230
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Amazon.com
Black
Archer AX21
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B&H
Black
Archer BE230
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B&H
Black
Archer AX21
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Black
Archer BE230
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Black
Archer AX21
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TP-Link
Black
Archer BE230
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TP-Link
Black
Archer AX21
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Walmart.com
Black
Archer BE230
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Main Differences for
Apartment/Condo
Apartment/Condo
Threshold
Apartment/Condo
7.2
7.8
Wi-Fi Specifications
6.3
8.3
Interior Short Range
7.7
8.1
Network Ports
7.1
8.4
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
7.2
6.9
Dimensions Photo
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Height
6.18" (15.7 cm)
6.42" (16.3 cm)
Width
10.24" (26.0 cm)
11.61" (29.5 cm)
Depth
5.91" (15.0 cm)
6.30" (16.0 cm)
Depth With Cables
7.48" (19.0 cm)
7.68" (19.5 cm)
Network Ports
7.1
8.4
Ports Photo
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WAN Port Speed
1.0 Gbps
2.5 Gbps
LAN Port Count
4
4
10 Gbps Ports
0
0
2.5 Gbps Ports
0
2
1 Gbps Ports
5
3
10 Gbps Ports (SFP+)
0
0
USB Ports
USB-A 3.0 Ports
0
1
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
7.1
Long Range Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Lowest Speed
102 Mbps
118 Mbps
Average 5GHz Speed
213 Mbps
321 Mbps
Average 6GHz Speed
N/A
N/A
Test Configuration
Standalone
Standalone
Interior Short Range
7.7
8.1
Short Range Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Highest Speed
669 Mbps
956 Mbps
Average 5GHz Speed
470 Mbps
732 Mbps
Average 6GHz Speed
N/A
N/A
Test Configuration
Standalone
Standalone
Wi-Fi Specifications
6.3
8.3
Wi-Fi Version
Wi-Fi 6 (ax)
Wi-Fi 7 (be)
6GHz Band
No
No
Multi Band
Dual Band (2.4 / 5)
Dual Band (2.4 / 5)
DFS Channels
No
Yes
MLO Implementation
Beacon Frame
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MLO Support
No
Yes
EMLSR/EMLMR Support
No MLO Support
EMLSR
Max Number Of Simultaneous Links
No MLO Support
2
TID-To-Link Mapping Negotiation Support
No MLO Support
3: Per-link mapping
Wi-Fi Coverage
Indoor Coverage - Same Story
Wi-Fi Coverage Map
Indoor Coverage - 1 Story Above
Wi-Fi Coverage Map
Wi-Fi Coverage Map (Dual Mesh)
Broad Coverage
Outdoor Coverage Map
Check Price
Black
Archer AX21
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Amazon.com
Black
Archer BE230
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Black
Archer AX21
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B&H
Black
Archer BE230
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B&H
Black
Archer AX21
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Black
Archer BE230
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Black
Archer AX21
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TP-Link
Black
Archer BE230
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TP-Link
Black
Archer AX21
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Walmart.com
Black
Archer BE230
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Walmart.com
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TP-Link Archer AX21
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TP-Link Archer AX21 vs TP-Link Archer BE230: Main Discussion
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