许多人正在将他们的路由器升级到Wi-Fi 6。他们受益于速度的提高、处理更多同时连接的更强大的路由器以及无线覆盖范围(wireless coverage)的改善。但是，根据您购买的路由器和您家的布局，您可能仍然会遇到一些Wi-Fi 性能(Wi-Fi)不佳的死角。它们比Wi-Fi 5 路由器的世界要少，但这种情况仍然存在。一种解决方案是购买另一台路由器并设置网状Wi-Fi系统，或购买范围扩展器(range extender)。如果您正在寻找Wi-Fi 6范围扩展器(range extender)，您可能已经看到TP-Link AX1500 RE500X在商店，线上和线下(online and offline)。要了解 RE500X范围扩展器(range extender)是否适合您，请阅读此评论：
TP-Link AX1500 RE500X：它对谁有好处？
这个范围扩展器(range extender)是一个不错的选择：
- 已拥有 Wi-Fi 6 路由器但无法完全覆盖其家或公寓的用户(home or apartment)
- 网络中有许多设备的用户需要具有强大硬件的范围扩展器(range extender)
- 需要带有以太网端口的(Ethernet port)范围扩展器(range extender)来连接一个非无线设备的人
- 已经拥有支持 OneMesh的(OneMesh support)TP-Link 路由器(TP-Link router)的用户
优点和缺点
以下是我们喜欢TP-Link AX1500 RE500X 的地方(TP-Link AX1500 RE500X)：
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- (Robust hardware)具有可处理许多客户端的三核处理器的(tri-core processor)强大硬件
- OneMesh 支持可以轻松与其他 TP-Link 设备链接
- 它可以扩展 Wi-Fi 6 网络
- 在 2.4 GHz 频段上表现出色(GHz band)
- 有用的以太网端口
- 强大的多语言支持
- 它也可以通过移动应用程序进行设置和控制
还有一些缺点需要考虑：
- 价格偏高
- Wi-Fi 6 性能可以使用一些改进
- 不支持 WPA3 加密
- (Firmware)使用OneMesh时，(OneMesh)固件更新应该更容易执行
判决
对于想要扩展Wi-Fi 6网络的人来说， (Wi-Fi 6)TP-Link RE500X 范围(TP-Link RE500X range)扩展器是一个有用的选择。它拥有强大的硬件，可以处理许多网络客户端，并且兼容 TP-Link 的OneMesh 生态系统(OneMesh ecosystem)。这意味着将其添加到由具有OneMesh的 TP-Link 路由器管理的网络实际上需要几秒钟的时间。虽然它确实有几个弱点，但TP-Link RE500X是一款相对均衡的增程器(range extender)，可以满足大多数用户的期望。
TP-Link AX1500 RE500X 拆箱
TP-Link RE500X 范围(TP-Link RE500X range)扩展器采用简单的青色纸板箱(cardboard box)，顶部带有公司徽标和设备图片。(company logo)TP-Link 在传达此范围扩展器(range extender)的主要功能和规格方面做得非常出色。如果你在商店里看到RE500X ，
阅读印在盒子侧面的所有信息应该可以很好地了解该设备。
TP-Link RE500X使用的包装
取出增程器(range extender)既快速又轻松。在包装盒内，您可以找到增程器(range extender)本身、快速安装指南(installation guide)、保修信息(warranty information)和一些故障排除技巧。
拆箱TP-Link RE500X 范围(TP-Link RE500X range)扩展器
打开范围扩展器(range extender)的包装后，将其插入 Wi-Fi 路由器附近的电源插座(power outlet)，并阅读用户手册进行设置。
硬件规格和设计
如您所见，TP-Link RE500X Wi-Fi 6 范围扩展器(range extender)相当大，外观简洁。它的尺寸约为 3.1×1.4×5.9 英寸或 78×36×149 毫米宽x 深(x depth) x 高(x height)，重 7.93 盎司或 225 克。这对于范围扩展器(range extender)来说相当沉重。
TP-Link RE500X很大很重
但是，它不是一个难看的设备。TP-Link 标志(TP-Link logo)是谨慎的，范围扩展器(range extender)左侧边缘(left edge)的LED(LEDs)也是如此。在其右侧，您可以找到Reset和WPS按钮，以及以 1 Gbps工作的(Gbps)以太网端口(Ethernet port)。
范围扩展器(range extender)上的LED 和按钮(LEDs and buttons)
在底部，您会找到一张贴纸，上面有您刚购买的增程器和插头的详细信息。(range extender)我们测试了EU 变体(EU variant)，它的插头与美国(USA)使用的插头不同，如下所示。
TP-Link RE500X 底部
侧面的大型通风网有助于冷却RE500X内部的硬件：该公司吹嘘使用运行在 1.5 GHz的三核(GHz)SoC(SoC running)。我们怀疑它使用的是Broadcom BCM6750芯片，但我们没有收到该公司的官方确认。范围扩展器(range extender)是双频的，支持 Wi-Fi 6，有两个内置天线，并使用 2x2 MU-MIMO 进行无线传输。由于其OneMesh 支持(OneMesh support)，它是扩展现代 Wi-Fi 6 路由器（尤其是TP-Link路由器）提供的(TP-Link)网络覆盖范围(network coverage)的不错选择。
TP-Link RE500X上的以太网端口(Ethernet port)
总的最大理论带宽划分如下：2.4 GHz 频段为 300 (GHz band)Mbps，5 GHz 频段(GHz band)为1201 Mbps。虽然RE500X支持Wi-Fi 6标准，但它不支持(t offer support)WPA3加密(WPA3 encryption)。相反，它仅适用于WPA2，这可能对迁移到新密码加密标准(password encryption standard)的用户不利。
关于TP-Link AX1500 RE500X(TP-Link AX1500 RE500X)的一个有趣的事实是它的最大功耗(power consumption)为 10.8W，这比TP-Link Archer AX10等一些路由器的功耗要高得多。如果您想了解有关此范围扩展器(range extender)的更多信息，请访问：TP-Link AX1500 RE500X 规格(TP-Link AX1500 RE500X Specifications)。
设置和使用TP-Link RE500X Wi-Fi 6 范围扩展器(range extender)
如果您有支持 OneMesh的(OneMesh support)TP-Link 无线(TP-Link wireless)路由器，添加和设置TP-Link AX1500 RE500X非常容易，尤其是通过WPS完成时。但是，也可以使用笔记本电脑和网络浏览器(web browser)或适用于 Android 和 iOS的Tether 应用程序进行设置。(Tether app)
由于 OneMesh ，设置范围扩展器很容易(range extender)
有关其工作原理的详细信息，请阅读本指南：如何设置TP-Link OneMesh Wi-Fi 6路由器和范围扩展器。
OneMesh功能(OneMesh feature)使范围扩展器(range extender)可以轻松地与您的 TP-Link 路由器集成。可用的设置很少且易于理解。此外，RE500X 会(RE500X)自动从您的路由器克隆所有设置，无需额外的努力。
OneMesh设置很少(OneMesh)且易于理解
我不喜欢的是OneMesh 也不(OneMesh doesn)处理固件更新。属于OneMesh 网络(OneMesh network)的设备需要单独更新。因此，在进入OneMesh 部分(OneMesh section)时，您无法从路由器的固件更新RE500X。相反，您必须登录RE500X的固件并从那里进行更新。顺便说一句，我建议您在安装此范围扩展器(range extender)后立即执行此操作，以从最新的安全修复和性能改进中受益。
更新TP-Link RE500X(TP-Link RE500X)上的固件是个好主意
TP-Link AX1500 RE500X可与其他制造商的路由器和不支持 OneMesh(OneMesh support)的旧TP-Link路由器配合使用。用户界面简单，类似于许多TP-Link路由器的用户界面。此外，它支持 22 种语言，即使您不会说(t speak)英语(English)也能轻松浏览。
TP-Link RE500X的管理员用户界面(admin user interface)
如果您想从互联网上的任何地方远程控制RE500X ，您必须添加一个(RE500X)TP-Link ID并将其用于在Web 浏览器(web browser)或Tether应用程序中管理(Tether)范围扩展(range extender)器。
对于远程控制，您需要一个TP-Link ID
用户文档(user documentation)随时可用。在每个设置页面的右上角，都有一个问号(question mark)。单击(Click)或点击它，您会看到该页面上所有内容的定义和解释。初学者会非常喜欢这种方法。
帮助文档(Help documentation)很容易获得
我们将TP-Link RE500X 范围(TP-Link RE500X range)扩展器设置为在 5 GHz 频段(GHz band)上使用Wi-Fi 6，在 2.4 GHz 频率上使用(GHz frequency)Wi-Fi 4 。我们将几个设备连接到它的Wi-Fi，我们没有遇到任何问题。此外，当您需要连接位于路由器无法(router doesn)提供良好Wi-Fi的房间内的(Wi-Fi)智能电视(Smart TV)、台式机或控制台时， RE500X上的以太网端口(Ethernet port)会很有帮助。
正如您稍后将在本次评测中看到的，我们对RE500X在 2.4 GHz 频段(GHz band)上的表现感到满意。它设法显着提高了需要改进的房间的Wi-Fi速度。(Wi-Fi)然而，当使用Wi-Fi 6 标准时，它的性能表现平平，除了(Wi-Fi)覆盖范围(coverage area)更大之外并没有提供明显的好处。
如果您想了解更多关于TP-Link AX1500 RE500X提供的真实性能，请转到本评论的下一页。
TP-Link RE500X review: Extending Wi-Fi 6 networks -
Many рeople are upgrading their routers to Wi-Fi 6. They benefit from improved speeds, stronger routers that handle more simultaneous connections, aѕ well as imprоved wireless coverage. Howeνer, depending on the router you buy and the layout of уour home, you may still encоunter ѕome dead spоts where the Wi-Fі is underperforming. They аre fewer than іn the world of Wi-Fi 5 routers, but such situations still exiѕt. One solution iѕ buying another router and setting up a mesh Wi-Fi system, or purchaѕing a range extender. If уou’re looking for a Wi-Fi 6 range extender, chances are you’ve seen the TP-Link AX1500 RE500X in shopѕ, both online and offline. To find out if the RE500X range extender is a good choice for you, read this reνiеw:
TP-Link AX1500 RE500X: Who is it good for?
This range extender is a good choice for:
- People who already own a Wi-Fi 6 router, but it doesn’t fully cover their home or apartment
- Users with many devices in their network that need a range extender with powerful hardware
- People who need a range extender with an Ethernet port for connecting one non-wireless device
- Users who already own a TP-Link router with OneMesh support
Pros and cons
Here are the things we like about TP-Link AX1500 RE500X:
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- Robust hardware with a tri-core processor that can handle many clients
- OneMesh support makes it easy to link with other TP-Link equipment
- It can extend Wi-Fi 6 networks
- Good performance on the 2.4 GHz band
- Useful Ethernet port
- Great multilingual support
- It can also be set up and controlled from a mobile app
There are some downsides to consider as well:
- The price is on the higher side
- Wi-Fi 6 performance can use some improvement
- No support for WPA3 encryption
- Firmware updates should be easier to perform when using OneMesh
Verdict
The TP-Link RE500X range extender is a useful choice for people who want to extend Wi-Fi 6 networks. It has powerful hardware that can handle many network clients, and it is compatible with TP-Link’s OneMesh ecosystem. This means that adding it to a network managed by a TP-Link router with OneMesh literally takes seconds. While it does have a couple of weaknesses, the TP-Link RE500X is a relatively well-balanced range extender that meets the expectations of most users.
Unboxing the TP-Link AX1500 RE500X
The TP-Link RE500X range extender comes in a simple cyan cardboard box, with the company logo and a picture of the device on top. TP-Link does an excellent job at communicating the main features and specifications of this range extender. If you see the RE500X in shops,
reading all the information printed on the sides of the box should give a pretty good idea about the device.
The packaging used for TP-Link RE500X
Taking the range extender out is quick and painless. Inside the box, you find the range extender itself, the quick installation guide, warranty information, and some troubleshooting tips.
Unboxing the TP-Link RE500X range extender
After you unpack the range extender, plug it into a power outlet close to your Wi-Fi router, and read the user manual for setting it up.
Hardware specifications and design
As you can see for yourself, the TP-Link RE500X Wi-Fi 6 range extender is quite large, with a spartan look. It has a size of approximately 3.1×1.4×5.9 inches or 78×36×149 mm in width x depth x height, and it weighs 7.93 ounces or 225 grams. That’s quite heavy for a range extender.
TP-Link RE500X is quite large and heavy
However, it is not a bad-looking device. The TP-Link logo is discreet, and so are the LEDs on the left edge of the range extender. On its right, you find the Reset and WPS buttons, as well as an Ethernet port working at 1 Gbps.
The LEDs and buttons found on the range extender
On the bottom, you find a sticker with details about the range extender you just bought and the plug. We tested the EU variant, which has a different plug than the one used in the USA, as you can see below.
The bottom of the TP-Link RE500X
Large ventilation grids on the sides help cool the hardware found inside the RE500X: the company brags about using a triple-core SoC running at 1.5 GHz. We suspect it is using a Broadcom BCM6750 chip, but we didn’t receive official confirmation from the company. The range extender is dual-band, has Wi-Fi 6 support, two internal antennas, and uses 2x2 MU-MIMO for wireless transfers. It is a good choice for extending the network coverage offered by modern Wi-Fi 6 routers, especially TP-Link ones, due to its OneMesh support.
The Ethernet port on the TP-Link RE500X
The total maximum theoretical bandwidth is split as follows: 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1201 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. While the RE500X works with the Wi-Fi 6 standard, it doesn’t offer support for WPA3 encryption. Instead, it only works with WPA2, which may be a downside to users who have migrated to the new password encryption standard.
One interesting fact about the TP-Link AX1500 RE500X is that it has a maximum power consumption of 10.8W, which is quite a lot, more than that of some routers like the TP-Link Archer AX10. If you would like to learn more about this range extender, visit: TP-Link AX1500 RE500X Specifications.
Setting up and using the TP-Link RE500X Wi-Fi 6 range extender
If you have a TP-Link wireless router with OneMesh support, adding and setting up the TP-Link AX1500 RE500X is really easy, especially if done through WPS. However, the setup can be performed also using a laptop and a web browser, or the Tether app for Android and iOS.
Setting up the range extender is easy due to OneMesh
For details about how it works, read this guide: How to set up TP-Link OneMesh Wi-Fi 6 routers and range extenders.
The OneMesh feature makes it easy for the range extender to integrate with your TP-Link router. The settings available are few and easy to understand. Also, the RE500X automatically clones all the settings from your router without the need for extra effort.
The OneMesh settings are few and easy to understand
What I didn’t like is that OneMesh doesn’t also handle firmware updates. The devices that are part of the OneMesh network need to be updated individually. Therefore, you can’t update your RE500X from your router’s firmware when going to the OneMesh section. Instead, you must log in to the firmware of the RE500X and update it from there. By the way, I recommend that you do that immediately after installing this range extender to benefit from the latest security fixes and performance improvements.
It is a good idea to update the firmware on the TP-Link RE500X
The TP-Link AX1500 RE500X works with routers from other manufacturers and older TP-Link routers without OneMesh support. The user interface is simple and similar to that of many TP-Link routers. In addition, it is available in 22 languages, making it easy to navigate even if you don’t speak English.
The admin user interface for TP-Link RE500X
If you want to remotely control the RE500X from anywhere on the internet, you must add a TP-Link ID and use it for managing the range extender in a web browser or the Tether app.
For remote control, you need a TP-Link ID
The user documentation is readily available. On the top-right corner of each settings page, there’s a question mark. Click or tap on it, and you see definitions and explanations for everything on that page. Beginners will enjoy this approach a lot.
Help documentation is easily available
We set the TP-Link RE500X range extender to use Wi-Fi 6 on the 5 GHz band and Wi-Fi 4 on the 2.4 GHz frequency. We connected several devices to its Wi-Fi, and we did not encounter any problems. Also, the Ethernet port on the RE500X can be helpful when you need to connect a Smart TV, a desktop, or a console that’s located in a room where your router doesn’t offer good Wi-Fi.
As you will see later in this review, we were pleased with how the RE500X performed on the 2.4 GHz band. It managed to significantly improve the speed of the Wi-Fi in the rooms where it needed improvement. However, when using the Wi-Fi 6 standard, its performance was underwhelming and did not provide significant benefits other than a larger coverage area.
If you want to know more about the real-world performance offered by TP-Link AX1500 RE500X, go to the next page of this review.
