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MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router vs TP-Link Archer BE3600

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems at a similar price

The TP-Link Archer BE3600 scores 6.5/10 overall, ahead of the MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router at 6.2/10.

The MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router leads on software and security and coverage.

The TP-Link Archer BE3600 leads on wi-Fi standard and bands and wired ports.

They score the same on value.

MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router

6.2/10verdict: wait for deal

The MERCUSYS MR80X suits people who want a low-cost Wi-Fi 6 router for a small home with a gigabit connection. It covers the basics well, with guest networks, a VPN server and WPA3 listed. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs multi-gig ports, a wide-coverage mesh out of the box or lots of wired devices.

Typically about £34.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

TP-Link Archer BE3600

TP-Link Archer BE3600

6.5/10verdict: buy

The TP-Link Archer BE3600 is for people who want a Wi-Fi 7 router on a tight budget. It suits a small home or flat where a 2.5GbE WAN link and a few wired devices matter more than 6 GHz. It is a poor fit for large or multi-storey homes that need confirmed range.

Typically about £74.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightMERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 RouterTP-Link Archer BE3600
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%6/107/10
Software and security25%7/106/10
Wired ports20%5/107/10
Coverage15%5/104/10
Value15%8/108/10
Overall6.2/106.5/10

Specifications

SpecMERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 RouterTP-Link Archer BE3600
Wi-Fi standard802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), compatible with 11ac/a/b/g/nWi-Fi 7 (802.11be); 5 GHz rated 2882 Mbps, 2.4 GHz rated 688 Mbps
Bands and speed classDual-band: 2402 Mbps (5 GHz) + 574 Mbps (2.4 GHz), 160 MHz channels, 1024-QAM; marketed as AX3000Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, no 6 GHz; BE3600 class
WAN port1x Gigabit WAN (1 Gbps)1x 2.5 Gbps
LAN ports3x Gigabit LAN (datasheet; V6 page lists 5x, so revision-dependent)1x 2.5 Gbps and 3x 1 Gbps (4 total), plus one USB 3.0 port
Mesh nodes in the box0 extra nodes (single router, no nodes in box)0 extra nodes (single router, EasyMesh compatible)
Rated coverageNo manufacturer-rated area; four 5 dBi fixed omni antennas and beamformingnot listed
Security and VPN featuresWPA3-SAE (needs client support), WPA/WPA2 Enterprise, SPI firewall, IP/MAC binding, 2.4 and 5 GHz guest networks, OpenVPN/PPTP/L2TP/IPsec server and clients, parental controls, QoS, IPTV tag VLAN, IPv6, Smart ConnectTP-Link HomeShield security, parental controls, VPN client and VPN server, QoS, port forwarding, DMZ, DDNS, Tag VLAN, Guest Mode

Strengths and weaknesses

MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router

  • + Wi-Fi 6 with 160 MHz channels and 1024-QAM
  • + VPN server and clients plus guest networks on both bands
  • + Owners describe it as very affordable and stable
  • − Gigabit-only ports, with three LAN ports on the datasheet
  • − No manufacturer-rated coverage area and no nodes in the box
  • − Owners report no repeater mode and no wall-mount holes

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want 2.5GbE or 10GbE wired ports
  • People who need many wired connections without adding a switch
  • Owners of larger homes who want a mesh kit with nodes in the box
Read the full MERCUSYS MR80X AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router review ›

TP-Link Archer BE3600

  • + Wi-Fi 7 support at a low price
  • + 2.5GbE WAN plus one 2.5GbE LAN port
  • + VPN server, Tag VLAN and Guest Mode included
  • − No 6 GHz band
  • − Range reported weak at 25 feet
  • − Firmware lacks several optimisation settings

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want a 6 GHz band or a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router
  • Anyone covering a large or multi-storey home with a single unit
  • Users who want detailed radio and optimisation controls in the firmware
Read the full TP-Link Archer BE3600 review ›

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