TP-Link ax1500 vs. ax3000 – Which is the better Wi-Fi 6 router?
Due to the introduction of the latest wireless networking standard, Wi-Fi 6, a new generation of premium routers, like TP-Link ax1500 and ax3000, have saturated the market. They feature improved throughput, overall speeds, and more user space, among many other advantages.
Since 2013, 802.11ac, also known as Wi-Fi 5, has been the leading wireless network in the industry. It provided a maximum theoretical throughput of 5.4 megabytes and allowed multi-band connectivity to its users.
However, the 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) ushers in a new era of wireless connectivity. Apart from blistering throughput, this network standard delivers enhanced battery life for user devices, more device spaces, increased efficiency, and improved security. TP-Link is a premium manufacturer of business and consumer networking products. Let us look at its newly introduced and affordable Wi-Fi 6 routers, TP-Link ax1500 and TP-Link ax3000 and compare them.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between TP-Link ax1500 and ax3000?
Model |
TP-Link ax1500 |
TP-Link ax3000 (Winner) |
Speed and performance |
2.4GHz-300Mbps
5GHz-1201Mbps |
2.4Ghz-574Mbps
5GHz-2402Mbps |
Chipset |
1.5GHz Broadcom BCM6750 Triple-Core CPU, 256 MB of RAM, 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN port |
Intel dual-core CPU, 256MB RAM, 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 1 Gigabit WAN port, and 1 USB 2.0 port |
Coverage |
Up to 1100 square feet |
Up to 1800 square feet |
MU-MIMO and beamforming technology |
Yes |
Yes |
TP-Link ax1500 vs. ax3000 – How do they compare?
Speed and performance
Theoretically, TP-Link ax1500 can deliver combined speeds of up to 1500Mbps with 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1201Mbps on the 5GHz band. TP-Link ax3000 on the flip side can provide 574Mbps on its first band and 2402Mbps on the 5GHz band, giving a maximum of 3000Mbps.
Beyond their theoretical speeds, there is a need to test them against throughput speed tests. For the ax1500, when tested in close-range of about 5 feet, its 2.4GHz channel provided a maximum speed of 297Mbps while its 5GHz channel delivered1174Mbps. On the other hand, the TP-Link ax3000 provided a maximum speed of 128Mbps on its 2.4GHz band and 730Mbps on its 5GHz band when tested at a close range of more than 10 feet.
TP-Link ax3000 is, therefore, a better performing router than TP-Link ax1500.
Technology
The TP-Link ax1500 router is a Wi-Fi 6 powered router equipped with a 1.5GHz tri-core CPU and comes with 5 Gigabit ports. Furthermore, this router also features four non-removable antennas and backward compatibility with other TP-link routers.
TP-Link ax3000 is also a Wi-Fi 6 router with four streaming channels for fast and stable internet connections. Likewise, the router has a USB port and supports 160MHz channels for blistering speeds when streaming high-quality videos and playing online games.
TP-Link ax3000 is, therefore, a more powerful router than TP-Link ax1500.
Coverage
When using your internet connectivity to perform important tasks, you want a network that provides extensive coverage within your environment for increased convenience and flexibility. Generally, TP-link ax3000 offers better coverage than TP-Link ax1500 with network coverage of up to 1800 sq. Ft. compared to ax1500’s 1100 sq. Ft. As a result, connected devices can enjoy uninterrupted internet connections from their backyard to their bedroom.
Storage ports
If you want to upload data on the internet from external devices, like printers or external hard drives, most routers have USB ports for use with USB-enabled devices. You may also use cloud services, if provided by your router manufacturer like Netgear, to store your data.
The TP-Link ax3000 has a single USB 2.0 port compared to the ax1500 that has none. As a result, more devices can connect to the ax3000 at a time compared to the ax1500.
TP-Link ax1500 vs. ax3000 – A comparison review
TP-Link ax1500
- OneMesh Compatible Router - Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders
- Wi-Fi 6 Router: Archer AX10 comes equipped with latest wireless technology WiFi6 featuring OFDMA...
As one of the most popular Wi-Fi 6 routers from TP-Link, the ax1500 offers impressive wireless performance, efficient network connectivity, brilliant processing, and simple installation. It is a powerful dual-band router powered with Wi-Fi 6 technology and features a sleek and attractive design. The router offers a maximum speed of 1500Mbps and supports MU-MIMO and beamforming technology along with OFDMA. Additionally, it is compatible with Alexa and is available at a very reasonable price.
TP-Link ax1500 sports a powerful 1.5GHz tri-core processor, one Gigabit WAN port, 4 Gigabit LAN ports, and powered by a 12V power adapter. It also has network coverage of about 1100 square feet and can handle 10-15 devices connected simultaneously. Furthermore, it has a QoS setting and parental control feature for added control and management of the users on the network.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Powerful processor
- Supports MU-MIMO and beamforming technology
- Affordable
Cons
- No USB connectivity
TP-Link ax3000
- Wi-Fi 6 Router: Wi-Fi 6 (802. 11ax) technology achieves up to 3x faster speeds, 4x capacity and 75% lower...
- Next-gen 3 Gaps speeds: 4-Stream Dual Band router reaches incredible speeds up to 3 Gaps (2402 Mbps on 5...
If you are looking for a reliable router supporting Wi-Fi 6 technology, TP-Link ax3000 is a perfect choice. It features a compact, modern, and lightweight design and comes with four fixed external antennas. The router also has 4 Gigabit WAN ports, 1 Gigabit LAN port, and 1 USB 2.0 port for NAS functionality.
Ax3000 has a powerful Intel dual-core processor, 256MB RAM, and can deliver up to 3000Mbps with 574Mbps on its 2.4GHz band and 2402Mbps on its 5GHz band. Likewise, the router has an easy to use web interface, and users can use the TP-Link Tether Mobile App to install and manage it. Other impressive features of the Archer ax3000 are its in-built VPN with flexible parental controls and exceptional QoS settings, Alexa integration, and enhanced battery life with its Target Wake Time feature.
Pros
- Blistering performance
- Extensive coverage
- Unique network customization settings
- Compact and lightweight design
- Easy to use web interface
Cons
- Only supports USB 2.0 connectivity
Conclusion
Whether you are using a mesh system or a standalone router, Wi-Fi 6 technology allows users to experience fast and stable connections across wide ranges. Although Wi-Fi 6 routers have saturated the market, you should choose one suitable for your connectivity needs.
Final verdict: So, which is better, TP-Link ax1500 or ax3000?
TP-Link ax3000 is a better choice than TP-Link ax1500 as it offers faster performance and wider network coverage. It also features USB 2.0 connectivity and comes with powerful hardware to support its fast and stable speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to replace the TP-Link ax1500’s antennas?
Yes, you can replace the four external antennas of the router.
Can you use these routers to set up a mesh system?
No, it is not possible to use these routers in a mesh system as they are not OneMesh enabled, meaning you cannot seamlessly turn off Wi-Fi source signals.