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eero 6+ 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 eero 6+ at 4.2/10.

The eero 6+ leads on coverage.

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

The biggest difference is wired ports, where the TP-Link Archer BE3600 scores 7/10 to the eero 6+'s 3/10.

eero 6+

eero 6+

4.2/10verdict: skip

The eero 6+ is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh router for a home that wants smart home control built into the router. It suits buyers who connect few wired devices and mainly want wireless coverage. It is a weaker fit for anyone who needs several wired ports, network segmentation or free content filtering.

Typically about £139.99 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

CriterionWeighteero 6+TP-Link Archer BE3600
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%5/107/10
Software and security25%4/106/10
Wired ports20%3/107/10
Coverage15%5/104/10
Value15%4/108/10
Overall4.2/106.5/10

Specifications

Speceero 6+TP-Link Archer BE3600
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), AX3000 rating, 2x2 antenna arrayWi-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, 2x2 on each band, 160 MHz channels on 5 GHzDual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, no 6 GHz; BE3600 class
WAN portTwo auto-sensing gigabit (1 GbE) Ethernet ports for WAN and/or LAN1x 2.5 Gbps
LAN portsShared with the WAN ports; the two 1 GbE ports can be used as LAN; no separate LAN port count published1x 2.5 Gbps and 3x 1 Gbps (4 total), plus one USB 3.0 port
Mesh nodes in the box1 eero 6+ in the single-unit box; 2-pack and 3-pack sold0 extra nodes (single router, EasyMesh compatible)
Rated coverageUp to 1,500 sq ft per router; up to 4,500 sq ft with a 3-packnot listed
Security and VPN featuresZigbee, Thread and Matter controller; Alexa support; automatic channel selectionTP-Link HomeShield security, parental controls, VPN client and VPN server, QoS, port forwarding, DMZ, DDNS, Tag VLAN, Guest Mode

Strengths and weaknesses

eero 6+

  • + Thread, Zigbee and Matter controller built in
  • + 160 MHz channels on 5 GHz
  • + Rated for up to 4,500 sq ft with a 3-pack
  • − Only two gigabit ports, shared between WAN and LAN
  • − No 6 GHz band; dual-band only
  • − Content filters and ad blocking need a paid plan

Skip it if:

  • Homelabbers who need several wired gigabit or multi-gig ports
  • Admins who need VLANs, guest networks or a VPN server
  • Buyers who want content filtering without a subscription
Read the full eero 6+ 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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