TP-Link AX1500 travel router (TL-WR1502X) vs Archer AX12

The TP-Link TL-WR1502X travel router and Archer AX12 share the same Wi-Fi 6 AX1500 speed rating (1,201 Mbps on 5 GHz, 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, per TP-Link's spec sheets for both), but they are designed for completely different use cases. The AX12 is a full-sized home router. The TL-WR1502X is a pocket-sized travel router that runs off a USB-C power source.

The TL-WR1502X uses internal antennas instead of the AX12's four external antennas, which means significantly less range and weaker signal penetration through walls. It has only 1 gigabit WAN/LAN combo port and 1 gigabit LAN port, versus the AX12's dedicated gigabit WAN + 3 gigabit LAN ports. Where the travel router gains flexibility is in its multiple operating modes: router, access point, range extender, hotspot, client, and USB tethering. It can share a hotel's wired connection or a phone's mobile data with multiple devices. It also supports OpenVPN and WireGuard for VPN encryption on the go, and one-step captive portal authentication for hotel Wi-Fi.

The travel router has a USB 2.0 port for file sharing across connected devices, something the AX12 lacks entirely. It powers via USB-C, so you can run it off a power bank. But it is not a home router replacement. The internal antennas cover a hotel room or a small work area, not a 1-2 BHK apartment. It has no EasyMesh or OneMesh support, so it cannot expand a home mesh network.

Verdict: the AX12 is for your home. The TL-WR1502X is for travel, hotel rooms, and temporary setups. They solve different problems despite sharing a Wi-Fi speed class. Buying the travel router as a home router would be like using a laptop charger to power a desktop - technically possible in a pinch, but not what it was built for.