TP-Link RE505X review

TP-Link RE505X is an entry Wi-Fi 6 extender aimed at homes with a TP-Link router. TP-Link rates it AX1500, with up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, and it uses two external high-gain antennas. A Gigabit Ethernet port gives a wired connection where it is plugged in, and access point mode turns a wired drop into dual-band Wi-Fi. Paired with a OneMesh router such as the Archer AX55, it joins one mesh network under a single WiFi name with Smart Roaming; TP-Link is clear that it does not create a mesh on its own. Setup runs through the TP-Link Tether app with a signal indicator to help placement, and the unit measures 2.9 x 1.8 x 4.9 inches with 10W maximum power draw. TP-Link's spec table lists WEP and WPA/WPA2-PSK security without WPA3, and its US page showed no price, so its price is pending. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test the extender ourselves.

Who it is for

TP-Link OneMesh router owners on a budget

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• AX1500 Wi-Fi 6: up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz
• Two external high-gain antennas
• One Gigabit Ethernet port with access point mode
• TP-Link OneMesh with a compatible router
• Tether app setup with an intelligent signal indicator

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: OneMesh forms one network name with compatible TP-Link routers such as the Archer AX55
• Strength: Access point mode converts a wired connection to Wi-Fi
• Strength: Compact at 2.9 x 1.8 x 4.9 inches
• Weakness: TP-Link's US page showed no price, so we could not verify cost
• Weakness: OneMesh needs a compatible TP-Link router; it does not create a mesh on its own
• Weakness: TP-Link's spec table lists WEP and WPA/WPA2-PSK, with no WPA3

Key facts

• Price checked: Pending, no US price on TP-Link's page
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, AX1500
• Port: 1x Gigabit Ethernet
• Antennas: 2 external
• Mesh: OneMesh

Where it ranks

TP-Link RE505X is No. 9 in our Best Wifi Extenders verdict.