TP-Link Archer BE3600 vs TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack)

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

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

The TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack) scores 6.6/10 overall, ahead of the TP-Link Archer BE3600 at 6.5/10.

The TP-Link Archer BE3600 leads on value.

The TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack) leads on coverage.

They score the same on wi-Fi standard and bands, software and security and wired ports.

The biggest difference is coverage, where the TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack) scores 7/10 to the TP-Link Archer BE3600's 4/10.

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

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TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack)

6.6/10verdict: buy

The TP-Link Deco BE26 3-pack is for households that want Wi-Fi 7 mesh across a larger home. It suits people with a multi-gig internet connection or a few wired devices who want 2.5 Gbps ports on every unit. It is a better fit for home users who want built-in parental controls and security tools than for admins who need advanced network segmentation.

Typically about £299.99 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	TP-Link Archer BE3600	TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard and bands	25%	7/10	7/10
Software and security	25%	6/10	6/10
Wired ports	20%	7/10	7/10
Coverage	15%	4/10	7/10
Value	15%	8/10	6/10
Overall		6.5/10	6.6/10

Specifications

Spec	TP-Link Archer BE3600	TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); 5 GHz rated 2882 Mbps, 2.4 GHz rated 688 Mbps	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), speeds up to 5000 Mbps
Bands and speed class	Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, no 6 GHz; BE3600 class	Dual-band: 4324 Mbps on 5 GHz and 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz
WAN port	1x 2.5 Gbps	Two 2.5 Gbps auto-sensing WAN/LAN ports per unit
LAN ports	1x 2.5 Gbps and 3x 1 Gbps (4 total), plus one USB 3.0 port	No dedicated LAN port; the two auto-sensing WAN/LAN ports per unit can act as LAN ports
Mesh nodes in the box	0 extra nodes (single router, EasyMesh compatible)	3
Security and VPN features	TP-Link HomeShield security, parental controls, VPN client and VPN server, QoS, port forwarding, DMZ, DDNS, Tag VLAN, Guest Mode	HomeShield network protection, parental controls, IoT security, guest network, WPA/WPA2/WPA3 encryption, firewall and device blocklist

Strengths and weaknesses

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 ›

TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack)

+ Wi-Fi 7 with three nodes included
+ Two 2.5 Gbps ports on every unit
+ EU V1 firmware adds DoT/DoH and internet backup
− Dual-band only, with 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz
− No dedicated LAN port on any unit
− Listed features centre on home controls, not advanced networking

Skip it if:

Buyers who want a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh system
Admins who need VLANs or a VPN server on the router
Anyone wiring many devices to each node

Read the full TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack) review ›

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