TP-Link Archer BE3600 vs TP-Link Deco X55 (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 Archer BE3600 scores 6.5/10 overall, ahead of the TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack) at 5.7/10.

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

The TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack) leads on coverage.

The biggest difference is coverage, where the TP-Link Deco X55 (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 X55 (3-pack)

5.7/10verdict: good, not the best

The Deco X55 3-pack suits people covering a larger home with an app-managed Wi-Fi 6 mesh. It fits buyers whose wired devices and internet connection run at Gigabit speed or below. It is a weaker match for anyone who wants multi-gig ports or detailed manual control of the network.

Typically about £209.99 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 X55 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard and bands	25%	7/10	6/10
Software and security	25%	6/10	5/10
Wired ports	20%	7/10	5/10
Coverage	15%	4/10	7/10
Value	15%	8/10	6/10
Overall		6.5/10	5.7/10

Specifications

Spec	TP-Link Archer BE3600	TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); 5 GHz rated 2882 Mbps, 2.4 GHz rated 688 Mbps	Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/a 5 GHz, 802.11ax/n/b/g 2.4 GHz)
Bands and speed class	Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, no 6 GHz; BE3600 class	Dual-band AX3000: 5 GHz 2402 Mbps, 2.4 GHz 574 Mbps
WAN port	1x 2.5 Gbps	No dedicated WAN port; each unit has 3 Gigabit ports that auto-sense WAN or LAN
LAN ports	1x 2.5 Gbps and 3x 1 Gbps (4 total), plus one USB 3.0 port	3 Gigabit Ethernet ports per unit (9 across the 3-pack), shared with WAN auto-sensing
Mesh nodes in the box	0 extra nodes (single router, EasyMesh compatible)	3 Deco X55 units
Rated coverage	not listed	Up to 6,500 ft² for the 3-pack (marketing rating; wireless coverage not guaranteed)
Security and VPN features	TP-Link HomeShield security, parental controls, VPN client and VPN server, QoS, port forwarding, DMZ, DDNS, Tag VLAN, Guest Mode	WPA/WPA2/WPA3, SPI firewall, parental controls, QoS, guest networks for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, HomeShield (free Basic tier)

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 X55 (3-pack)

+ Three units with a 6,500 ft² rating and 150-device support
+ WPA3, guest networks, tagged VLAN and a free HomeShield Basic tier
+ Owners describe setup and the app as easy
− Gigabit-only ports, with no multi-gig option
− Owners report dropouts and devices falling off the mesh
− Management is app-only, with limited firewall and radio tuning

Skip it if:

Buyers who need 2.5GbE or 10GbE ports on the router or nodes
Anyone who wants detailed firewall and radio settings beyond the app
Buyers who want a Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 system

Read the full TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack) review ›

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