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Today, TP-Link announced the official availability of its second Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi travel router, the TL-WR3002X. As the name suggests, it’s an upgrade to the TL-WR1502X, which was released in mid-2024.
This quick preview will help you choose between the two. After all, they are very similar routers, looking identical to begin with. While they are different in hardware specs, chances are that they will be very similar in real-world usage. It’s worth noting that the company will likely also ship its Wi-Fi 7 version, the TL-WR36002BE, later this year.
TP-Link TL-WR3002X vs. TL-WR1502X: The same physical size but double in almost everything else
The TL-WR3002X shares the same physical size and design as its older cousin, the TP-Link-WR1502X. However, on the Wi-Fi front, the new router supports the 160MHz channel width on the 5GHz band and Wi-Fi 6 on the 2.4GHz (instead of Wi-Fi 4), allowing it to double the theoretical bandwidth.
While that sounds great, in reality, chances are the two will have the same real-world Wi-Fi bandwidth. That’s because the 160MHz can get complicated due to other uses of DFS, and the performance of the 2.4GHz band has remained relatively the same since Wi-Fi 4.
What’s potentially significant is the fact the TL-WR3002X features a 2.5Gbps WAN port, meaning it can handle broadband beyond Gigabit. Addtionally, it comes with a USB 3.0 port for cellular tethering. So, it can handle the Internet much faster overall. Finally, there’s a microSD slot to host storage space for a mobile network-attached storage (NAS) feature.
That said, the new TL-WR3002X is undoubtedly an improvement over the previous TL-WR1502X. The table below shows the two’s hardware specs.
TP-Link TL-WR3002X vs. TL-WR1502X: Hardware specifications
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | TP-Link TL-WR3002X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router | TP-Link TL-WR1502X AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router |
| Model | TL-WR3002X | TL-WR1502X |
| Dimensions | 4.09 × 3.54 × 1.10 in (104 × 90 × 28 mm) | |
| Weight | 5.4 oz (153 g) | |
| Wi-Fi Technology | Dual-Band AX3000 | Dual-Band AX1500 |
| 2.4GHz Band (channel width) | 2.4GHz 2×2 AX: Up to 578 Mbps | 2×2 Wi-Fi 4: Up to 300Mbps |
| 5GHz Band (channel width) | 2×2 Wi-Fi 6: Up to 2.4Gbps (20/40/80/160MHz) | 5GHz 2×2 Wi-Fi 6: Up to 1.2 Gbps (20/40/80MHz) |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | |
| Wireless Security | WPA, WPA2, WPA3 | |
| Built-in Cellular Modem | None | |
| Mobile App | TP-Link Tether | |
| Web User Interface | Yes | |
| Networking Features | Advanced VPN (OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, WireGuard) Server and Client, Device-based QoS, Dynamic DNS | |
| Operating Roles | Router Mode Access Point Mode Range Extender Mode USB Tethering Mode 3G/4G USB Modem Mode Client Mode Hotspot Mode (WISP Mode) | |
| Firmware Version (at review) | not yet tested | 1.0.0 Build 20240109 rel.69467(5553) |
| USB Port | 1x USB-C (power) 1x USB 3.0 (cellular tethering and storage) | 1x USB-C (power) 1x USB 2.0 (cellular tethering and storage) |
| Card slot | 1x microSD (up to 512GB) | None |
| Gigabit Port | 1x LAN | 1x LAN, 1x WAN |
| Multi-Gig Port | 1x 2.5Gbps WAN | None |
| Dual-WAN | No | |
| Link Aggregation | No | |
| Power Intake | USB-PD via USB-C (9V minimum) | |
| Power Consumption (per 24 hours) | not yet tested | ≈ 105 Wh |
| US Launch Price (Check street prices) | $99.99 | $59.99 |
A familiar TP-Link router
Other than the better hardware specs, the new TP-Link TL-WR3002X will be pretty similar to the previous version in terms of features, settings, and overall experience.
Per TP-Link, the travel router comes with a web user interface, accessible via the default 192.168.0.1 IP address and the optional Tether mobile app for the initial setup and ongoing management. In other words, you can handle it the way you would any standard router. If you have used a TP-Link Archer router before, you’ll find yourself right at home with the TL-WR3002X.
Designed for mobile usage, the new router can work as a standard router, a Wi-Fi repeater, or it can host a cellular connection via a modem or a smartphone using its USB 3.0 port. It also features built-in VPN clients in case you need to make the on-the-go party part of a remote network.
TP-Link TL-WR3002X's PRELIMINARY Assessment
Pros
Compact design with 2.5Gbps WAN port and 160MHz channel width support
Useful features tailored to travelers, including multiple operation modes and VPN support
Full web interface with a useful optional mobile app; standard USB-C charging
Cons
No built-in cellular modem or SIM slot
No battery option
Availability and pricing
The TP-Link TL-WR3002X Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Travel Router is available today with the suggested retail price of $99.99. If you actually buy it today or soon, though, it’ll come with a 20% launch discount, making it an excellent deal. Judging from the TL-WR1502X, I’d say this new router is a viable option for those travelling in a small group. So consider one today!
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