TP-Link AXE5400 Wi-Fi 6E Range Extender (RE815XE): a fast, affordable range extender
Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Learn more about how we test.
TP-Link AXE5400: 1-minute review
Asus RP-AX58: Specifications
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi speed: 5.4 Gbps
Port : 1x Gigabit Ethernet
Antennas: 4
Dimensions: 348x106x80mm
Wi-Fi 6E, which the Asus RP-AX58 has, is somewhat of the missing link in the Wi-Fi family. It was the first version of Wi-Fi technology to introduce the high-speed 6.0 GHz frequency band, in addition to the existing 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands used by previous generations of Wi-Fi. However, it never really took off, as many people were just starting out. upgrade to Wi-Fi 6, and it didn’t take long before the absurdly fast Wi-Fi 7 showed up and made poor old 6E a little irrelevant.
We liked TP-Link’s BE3600 range extender thanks to its ease of use and installation, but its dual-band Wi-Fi 7 performance was actually quite modest, with a maximum speed of 3.6 Gbps. The AXE5400 (model number RE815XE) costs about the same as the BE3600, but the use of Wi-Fi 6E means it can deliver tri-band Wi-Fi performance and 5.4Gbps speed that should be more than enough for use with most home broadband services.
TP-Link AXE5400: price and availability
- How much does it cost? $139.99/£119.14
- When is it available: NOW
- Where can you get it: United States, United Kingdom
The AXE5400 costs $139.99/£119.14, which is slightly cheaper than the TP-Link BE3600 with Wi-Fi 7, although the tri-band Wi-Fi 6E used by the AXE5400 actually offers higher performance with a maximum speed of 5.4Gbps.
It’s not currently on sale in Australia, however, where it appears TP-Link is skipping a generation and moving from an older Wi-Fi 6 model to the new BE3600 with Wi-Fi 7.
TP-Link AXE5400: Design
- Large and bulky design
- Four external antennas
- Easy to use app
It’s safe to say that the AXE5400 won’t quietly and unobtrusively blend into your home’s decor.
Its four large external antennas make it one of the largest and bulkiest range extenders we’ve come across, and with the antennas fully extended, the AXE5400 measures 348mm high, 106mm wide and 80mm deep (including the plug section which is inserted directly into a mains socket).
In fact, it’s so large that it blocked an adjacent power outlet when we installed it in our office. There are also a series of status LEDs on the front panel, which are useful when setting up the AXE5400, but also mean it can take up even more space in order to keep the front of the unit clear and visible.
The bulky design serves a purpose, however, as the large antennas help broadcast the range extender’s tri-band Wi-Fi signal far and wide and ensure that it clears out any annoying dead spots in your home. There’s an Ethernet port on the right side of the device to also provide a wired connection – although, of course, the AXE5400 still relies on Wi-Fi to connect to your main broadband router.
TP-Link AXE5400: Features
- Simple installation
- Useful status indicators
- Plugs directly into AC outlet
It may not support the latest Wi-Fi 7, but the AXE5400 includes plenty of features that allow it to deliver solid Wi-Fi performance, and also help people who may have never used a range extender before.
Using Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E allows the AXE5400 to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal on three separate frequency bands. The 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands provide compatibility with older PCs and mobile devices, while the high-speed 6.0 GHz band increases Wi-Fi performance to 5.4 Gbps, which is significantly faster than dual-band range extenders that use Wi-Fi 7, such as TP-Link’s BE3600 or the Asus RP-BE58.
And, as mentioned, the AXE5400 has a Gigabit Ethernet port to provide a wired connection as well. It also provides a feature called “adaptive path selection” – often simply called “roaming” by most other manufacturers – which can monitor a laptop or mobile device as you move from room to room, and decide when to return the Wi-Fi connection to your main router in order to maintain the best performance.
Like most range extenders, the AXE5400 will work with routers from any manufacturer, but it also supports TP-Link’s OneMesh system, allowing it to be used as part of a larger mesh network system if you already have a TP-Link router with OneMesh.
It’s also easy to use (although the annoying Christmas ads that seemed to appear in the app from time to time were rather shameless). The TP-Link Tether app can automatically detect the AXE5400’s Wi-Fi signal and guide you through the process of connecting to the three different frequency bands.
You can use the same name and password as your primary network from your broadband router, or create a new name and password just for the AXE5400. There’s even a signal test in the app to help you find the best place to place the AXE5400 to manage dead spots in particular rooms in your home. And, for more advanced users, there’s a web browser interface that offers more detailed control over your network settings.
TP-Link AXE5400: performance
- Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E
- 5.4 Gbps Wi-Fi
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet
Our offices are a good place to test range extenders, as we have an office located at the rear of the building that suffers from a very noticeable Wi-Fi dead spot – which is usually managed using some PowerLine adapters to provide a wired network connection instead.
TP-Link AXE5400 reviews
Ookla Speed Test – 2.4GHz (Download/Upload)
Within 30 feet, three partitions: 140 Mbps/140 Mbps
20GB Steam Download – 2.4GHz
Within 30 feet, three walls: 110 Mbps
Ookla Speed Test – 5.0 GHz (Download/Upload)
Within 30 feet, three partitions: 150 Mbps/150 Mbps
20GB Steam Download – 5.0GHz
Within 30 feet, three walls: 150 Mbps
Ookla Speed Test – 6.0 GHz (Download/Upload)
Within 30 feet, three partitions: 150 Mbps/150 Mbps
20 GB Steam Download – 6.0 GHz
Within 30 feet, three walls: 150 Mbps
Fortunately, the AXE5400 solved this problem in no time, providing a strong Wi-Fi signal on all three frequency bands as soon as I set it up in a hallway just outside this back office.
The desktop broadband runs at 150 Mbps, and even the AXE5400’s slower 2.4 GHz band managed to hit 140 Mbps with the Ookla speed test. Steam downloads were a bit slower at 110 Mbps, but that speed is still in line with the 2.4 GHz performance of other range extenders we’ve tested.
Switching to the 5.0 GHz band immediately improved performance, hitting the full 150 Mbps with both Ookla and Steam tests. And, of course, the faster 6.0 GHz band had no trouble maintaining those speeds as well.
If you only have older PCs or mobile devices that use Wi-Fi 5 or 6 on the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands, you may not need a tri-band range extender like the AXE5400.
But if you’re able to use that 6.0 GHz band, the AXE5400 is a quick and reliable way to get rid of Wi-Fi dead spots at a more competitive price than the new Wi-Fi 7 models.
Should you buy the TP-Link AXE5400?
|
Attributes |
Remarks |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Value |
Wi-Fi 6E may be the forgotten member of the Wi-Fi family, but that means you can get this tri-band range extender at a very competitive price. |
4.5/5 |
|
Design |
The sheer size of the AXE5400 and its four large antennas make it a bit of an eyesore and may even block an adjacent power outlet. |
3.5/5 |
|
Features |
The four antennas deserve their spot, however, providing tri-band Wi-Fi for maximum compatibility with older and newer PCs and mobile devices. |
4/5 |
|
Performance |
Tri-band Wi-Fi and a maximum speed of 5.4Gbps mean the AXE5400 can even outperform some of its dual-band Wi-Fi 7 rivals. |
4/5 |
|
Final score |
Good performance, maximum compatibility, and an easy-to-use app make it a great option for anyone who needs to fix a Wi-Fi dead spot. |
4/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider
If you’re undecided about the TP-Link AXE5400, I’ve compared its specs with two other options that might be a better fit.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
TP-Link AXE5400 |
AsusRP-BE58 |
TP-Link RE700X |
|
Price |
$139.99/£119.14 |
$99.99/$79.99/AU$150 |
$119.99/£56.99/AU$123.90 |
|
Wi-Fi |
Wi-Fi 6E |
Wi-Fi 7 |
WiFi 6 |
|
WiFi Speed |
5.4 Gbps |
3.6 Gbps |
3.0 Gbps |
|
Antennas |
4 (external) |
2 (internal) |
2 (internal) |
|
Ethernet ports |
1x Gigabit Ethernet |
1x Gigabit Ethernet |
1x Gigabit Ethernet |
|
Dimensions |
348x106x80mm |
150x72x87mm |
149x78x36mm |
