Wi-Fi 6: Because Your Memes Need to Load Faster
The TP-Link Archer AX21 is a router that promises to fix all your internet woes, but mostly just makes you question your life choices. It's fast, it's cheap, and it has more antennas than a conspiracy theorist's basement. But is it worth your hard-earned cash? Let's find out.
What We Liked 👍
- Actually faster than my ISP
- Four antennas for maximum drama
- Surprisingly easy to set up
- Doesn't look like a spider
What Could Be Better 👎
- Feels like a toy
- Still won't fix your bad Wi-Fi
- No built-in espresso machine
The Great Wi-Fi Hope, or Just Another Box of Disappointment?
Let's be real, you're here because your current router is about as reliable as a politician's promise. The Archer AX21 arrives like a knight in plastic armor, ready to slay your buffering demons. But before you get too excited, remember: no router can fix your ISP's terrible service or your neighbor's 15 smart fridges hogging the bandwidth.
The setup was suspiciously straightforward, which made me immediately suspicious. I half expected to need a PhD in network engineering, but nope - plug it in, follow some basic instructions, and voila! You're online. The web interface is clean enough that even your grandma could navigate it, though she'd probably still call you to ask why her email isn't working.
Wi-Fi 6: Not Just a Fancy Number
The AX21 actually delivers on the Wi-Fi 6 promises. My devices connected faster than I could say 'why is my phone updating again?' Speed tests showed improvements, though not quite the 1.8Gbps promised (because let's be honest, when do we ever get the advertised speeds?). The real win was the stability - no more random drops when someone opens the microwave.
Should You Buy This Aluminum Foil Hat of a Router?
If you're coming from a router older than your first smartphone, yes. It's affordable, performs well, and won't make your home look like a tech support horror show. Just don't expect miracles - your cat videos might load a second faster, but you'll still procrastinate just as much. For the price, it's a solid upgrade that might actually make your internet less terrible.
