eero Pro 6E 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 Pro 6E at 5.4/10.

The eero Pro 6E leads on coverage.

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

They score the same on wi-Fi standard and bands.

The biggest difference is wired ports, where the TP-Link Archer BE3600 scores 7/10 to the eero Pro 6E's 4/10.

eero Pro 6E

5.4/10verdict: good, not the best

The eero Pro 6E is for households that want a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E mesh system. It suits people with a modest number of wired devices and a single fast line into the home. It is a weaker fit for anyone who wants a VPN server, many Ethernet ports or a documented VLAN setup.

Typically about £336.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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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 Pro 6E	TP-Link Archer BE3600
Wi-Fi standard and bands	25%	7/10	7/10
Software and security	25%	5/10	6/10
Wired ports	20%	4/10	7/10
Coverage	15%	6/10	4/10
Value	15%	5/10	8/10
Overall		5.4/10	6.5/10

Specifications

Spec	eero Pro 6E	TP-Link Archer BE3600
Wi-Fi standard	Wi-Fi 6E tri-band 802.11ax, 2:2:2, with 160 MHz channels in 5 GHz and 6 GHz	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); 5 GHz rated 2882 Mbps, 2.4 GHz rated 688 Mbps
Bands and speed class	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz	Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, no 6 GHz; BE3600 class
WAN port	1 x 2.5 GbE auto-sensing (WAN or LAN)	1x 2.5 Gbps
LAN ports	1 x Gigabit Ethernet auto-sensing (WAN or LAN)	1x 2.5 Gbps and 3x 1 Gbps (4 total), plus one USB 3.0 port
Mesh nodes in the box	1, 2 or 3 units depending on pack (1-, 2- and 3-pack)	0 extra nodes (single router, EasyMesh compatible)
Rated coverage	Up to 2,000 sq ft per unit; up to 6,000 sq ft for a 3-pack	not listed
Security and VPN features	Profiles, WPA3, WPA2, TLS v1.2+, VPN passthrough, IPv6, NAT, UPnP, port forwarding, DHCP, static IP, cloud connectivity	TP-Link HomeShield security, parental controls, VPN client and VPN server, QoS, port forwarding, DMZ, DDNS, Tag VLAN, Guest Mode

Strengths and weaknesses

eero Pro 6E

+ Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E with 6 GHz and 160 MHz channels
+ 2.5GbE port that works as either WAN or LAN
+ Rated up to 6,000 sq ft in a 3-pack
− Only two Ethernet ports per unit
− VPN passthrough only, no VPN server

Skip it if:

Homelabbers who need a built-in VPN server or documented VLANs
Buyers with several wired devices who want many LAN ports per unit
Anyone whose devices lack 6E support and who wants no 6 GHz band

Read the full eero Pro 6E 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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