eero 7 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 7 at 5.5/10.

The eero 7 leads on coverage.

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

eero 7

5.5/10verdict: wait for deal

The eero 7 is a Wi-Fi 7 mesh router for households that want easy setup and broad coverage without managing much. It suits people who will use it as a smart home hub, since it supports Zigbee, Thread and Matter. It is a weaker fit for anyone who wants every feature without a subscription or needs a 6 GHz band.

Typically about £169.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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

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

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

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	eero 7	TP-Link Archer BE3600
Wi-Fi standard and bands	25%	6/10	7/10
Software and security	25%	4/10	6/10
Wired ports	20%	6/10	7/10
Coverage	15%	6/10	4/10
Value	15%	6/10	8/10
Overall		5.5/10	6.5/10

Specifications

Spec	eero 7	TP-Link Archer BE3600
Wi-Fi standard	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); 5 GHz rated 2882 Mbps, 2.4 GHz rated 688 Mbps
Bands and speed class	Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (no 6 GHz)	Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, no 6 GHz; BE3600 class
WAN port	not listed	1x 2.5 Gbps
LAN ports	not listed	1x 2.5 Gbps and 3x 1 Gbps (4 total), plus one USB 3.0 port
Mesh nodes in the box	1 node per unit when sold singly; 2-pack and 3-pack available	0 extra nodes (single router, EasyMesh compatible)
Rated coverage	2,000 sq. ft. per router	not listed
Security and VPN features	not listed	TP-Link HomeShield security, parental controls, VPN client and VPN server, QoS, port forwarding, DMZ, DDNS, Tag VLAN, Guest Mode

Strengths and weaknesses

eero 7

+ Wi-Fi 7 with two auto-sensing 2.5GbE ports
+ Easy setup and good coverage, according to owners
+ Zigbee, Thread and Matter support built in
− Advanced features need a paid eero Plus subscription
− Dual-band only, with no 6 GHz band
− Signal weakens through thick walls, owners report

Skip it if:

Buyers who want advanced router features without paying a subscription
Buyers who need a 6 GHz band for busy, device-heavy networks
Homelabbers who need confirmed VLAN or VPN server support

Read the full eero 7 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 ›

More comparisons

Compare all Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems · Best Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems