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TP-Link Deco X10 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 TP-Link Deco X10 at 5.2/10.

The TP-Link Deco X10 leads on coverage.

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

They score the same on software and security.

The biggest difference is wired ports, where the TP-Link Archer BE3600 scores 7/10 to the TP-Link Deco X10's 4/10.

Deco X10

TP-Link Deco X10

5.2/10verdict: good, not the best

The Deco X10 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system for households that want simple, app-led setup and broad coverage. It suits homes with modest wired needs and moderate wireless loads. Buyers who want faster-than-gigabit ports or a tri-band design should look at other systems.

Typically about £153.89 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

CriterionWeightTP-Link Deco X10TP-Link Archer BE3600
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%5/107/10
Software and security25%6/106/10
Wired ports20%4/107/10
Coverage15%6/104/10
Value15%5/108/10
Overall5.2/106.5/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link Deco X10TP-Link Archer BE3600
Wi-Fi standard802.11a/n/ac/ax on 5 GHz and 802.11b/g/n on 2.4 GHz; mesh protocols 802.11k/v/r; WPA/WPA2-PSK/WPA3Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); 5 GHz rated 2882 Mbps, 2.4 GHz rated 688 Mbps
Bands and speed classDual-band, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (AX1500; rated 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz)Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, no 6 GHz; BE3600 class
WAN portNo dedicated WAN port; each unit has two Gigabit Ethernet ports that auto-sense WAN/LAN1x 2.5 Gbps
LAN portsTwo Gigabit Ethernet ports per unit, shared with WAN1x 2.5 Gbps and 3x 1 Gbps (4 total), plus one USB 3.0 port
Mesh nodes in the boxPacks of 1, 2 or 3 units; the 3-pack has three units0 extra nodes (single router, EasyMesh compatible)
Rated coverageUp to 5,600 ft² (520 m²) for the 3-pack, 3,900 ft² for the 2-pack and 2,100 ft² for the 1-pack (US page); India page gives 3,900 ft² / 360 m²not listed
Security and VPN featuresWPA3, SPI firewall, blocklist, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz guest networks, parental controls, QoS, port forwarding, IPv6, TP-Link DDNS, IPTV, local and remote management; VPN client and server added in US firmware 1.3.0TP-Link HomeShield security, parental controls, VPN client and VPN server, QoS, port forwarding, DMZ, DDNS, Tag VLAN, Guest Mode

Strengths and weaknesses

TP-Link Deco X10

  • + Manufacturer rates the 3-pack for up to 5,600 ft²
  • + Owners report easy app setup and smooth roaming
  • + Guest networks, WPA3 and regular firmware releases
  • − Gigabit ports only, two per unit, shared with WAN
  • − Dual-band only; owners report shared backhaul limits under load
  • − Advanced HomeShield features reportedly need a paid subscription

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want 2.5GbE or faster wired ports
  • Households with heavy simultaneous traffic who want tri-band or 6 GHz
  • Anyone who wants advanced security features without a possible subscription
Read the full TP-Link Deco X10 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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