TP-Link Archer C6 vs AX12: is Wi-Fi 5 still worth buying in 2026?

The TP-Link Archer AX12 is the better buy in 2026. It is a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) almost at a similar price point as the Archer C6, which is a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) router. For that small price difference, the AX12 gives you OFDMA, WPA3, a faster processor, and better multi-device handling.

The C6 delivers AC1200 speeds: 867 Mbps on 5 GHz and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, per TP-Link's India product page. The AX12 delivers AX1500 speeds: 1,201 Mbps on 5 GHz and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. The real-world gap on a 100 Mbps broadband plan is small in raw speed, but Wi-Fi 6's OFDMA is the meaningful difference. OFDMA lets the router serve multiple devices in a single transmission cycle. Wi-Fi 5's MU-MIMO can send to multiple devices simultaneously on the downlink, but each device still waits its turn for uplink. In a home with 10-15 devices, the AX12 will feel snappier under load.

The C6 has one advantage: 4 gigabit LAN ports versus the AX12's 3. If you wire a desktop, a smart TV, a gaming console, and a NAS, the C6 connects all four without a switch. The C6 also has a longer track record with years of firmware maturity, and it has received EasyMesh support via firmware update. But it lacks WPA3 natively, and its processor is weaker than the AX12's 1 GHz dual-core.

Verdict: the C6 is only worth buying in 2026 if you find it heavily discounted or if you specifically need a 4th LAN port and refuse to buy a small switch. At or near full price, the AX12 is the better router for similar pricing.