TP-Link broadens its tri-band Wi-Fi 7 lineup, introducing new routers and an outdoor satellite for enhanced wireless connectivity.
Let's Dive into TP-Link's Trio of Wi-Fi 7 Products
Hey there! TP-Link's recently announced three new wireless goodies that go hard with the fresh Wi-Fi 7 standard. The gang's all here: the Deco BE65 Outdoor, the Deco BE68, and the Archer BE600. So, kick back, grab a beer, and let's take a closer look at these gadgets.
First up, we got the Deco BE65 Outdoor. It's TP-Link's first-ever weather-resistant Wi-Fi 7 satellite. You might remember the Eero Outdoor 7, which dropped last year with Wi-Fi 7 support. But don’t count on the Deco BE65 Outdoor stepping off its game. The Eero Outdoor 7 could only groove to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, while the Deco BE65 Outdoor gets down with the lively 6 GHz band too.
According to TP-Link, the Deco BE65 Outdoor can produce up to 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, 4,324 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, and a flamin' hot 5,765 Mbps on the 6 GHz band, all while blanketing your crib with 3,000 square feet of coverage.
Now, this satellite ain't just a pretty face—it sports an IP65 weatherproofing, making it water and dust-proof, perfect for your backyard shindigs, porch hangs, or any ol' outdoor shed. You can choose between a wireless (MLO) or wired (two 2.5 GbE ports onboard) backhaul connection to connect with your primary Deco mesh network. Power can come from a traditional AC adapter or Power over Ethernet (PoE).
TP-Link set the Deco BE65 Outdoor's tag at a cool $299.99, a Benjamin less than the $399 MSRP of the Eero Outdoor 7—great for your wallet!
Next on the list is the snappily named Deco BE68 Wi-Fi 7 mesh router, currently available as a three-pack. This 14 Gbps tri-band mesh system kicks out 8,647 Mbps on the 6 GHz band, 4,324 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, and a modest 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band.
Each satellite boasts a single 10 GbE port, one 2.5 GbE port, and one GbE port. Plus, there's a single USB 3.0 port on each satellite to hook up a non-wireless printer or external storage. TP-Link assures us that you can connect up to 200 devices to the mesh router and it covers up to 8,100 square feet. The Deco BE68 holds an $699 MSRP but is currently going for $599.99 at Best Buy.
Last but not least, let's give the Archer BE9700 some love. At first glance, it could be its sibling, the Archer BE3600—but look closer and you'll spot two additional external antennas. Underneath the hood, there's even more action going on.
While the Archer BE3600 is a gentle duet on the dual-band Wi-Fi 7 scene, priced affordably at $99, the Archer BE9700 hits the stage as a fully-fledged tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router. Blow your speakers with speeds of up to 5,756 Mbps on the 6 GHz band, up to 2,882 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, and up to 1,032 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. TP-Link outfitted the Archer BE9700 with a single 10 GbE port on the router and three 2.5 GbE ports (one used for WAN).
The Archer BE9700 is ripe for the pickin' and purchasable now at Best Buy and Amazon for $249.99.
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Now let's throw some insights into the mix:
When it comes to the 6 GHz band support between the TP-Link Deco BE65 Outdoor and the Eero Outdoor 7, both pieces of hardware share similarities—they're both Wi-Fi 7 routers boasting the 6 GHz band, a key component of their tri-band Wi-Fi 7 capability. The support of the new 6 GHz spectrum enables faster speeds and lower latency compared to Wi-Fi 6 systems, offering improved performance, especially in less congested frequencies.
In terms of speed and range, historical performance tests with comparable models suggest the Eero Outdoor 7 outperforms the TP-Link Deco on average, implying stronger coverage and faster throughput outdoors for the Eero Outdoor 7 compared to the Deco BE65 Outdoor, despite sharing similar Wi-Fi 7 features.
However, the exact outdoor coverage isn't specified, but the Eero Outdoor 7's impressive range surpasses the TP-Link Deco's, hinting that the Eero Outdoor 7 may also offer broader outdoor coverage relative to the Deco BE65 Outdoor while maintaining weather resistance for outdoor spaces.
Gadgets such as the TP-Link Deco BE65 Outdoor and the Deco BE68, along with the Archer BE9700, boast data-and-cloud-computing capabilities through their integrated Wi-Fi 7 technology. The Deco BE68, for instance, allows the connection of external storage devices for increased storage options.
