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TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Router 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 C6 AC1200 Router at 5.9/10.

The TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Router leads on software and security and value.

The TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack) leads on wi-Fi standard and bands, wired ports and coverage.

The biggest difference is coverage, where the TP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack) scores 7/10 to the TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Router's 4/10.

TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Router

TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Router

5.9/10verdict: good, not the best

The Archer C6 is for anyone replacing an ageing router with a single dual-band Wi-Fi 5 unit and four Gigabit LAN ports. It suits buyers who want a simple setup and a decent feature list, including guest networks, WPA3 and a VPN server. It is a poor fit if you need Wi-Fi 6, multi-gigabit ports or a rated coverage figure.

Typically about £43.78 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 Deco BE26 (3-pack)

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 (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

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

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightTP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 RouterTP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%5/107/10
Software and security25%7/106/10
Wired ports20%6/107/10
Coverage15%4/107/10
Value15%7/106/10
Overall5.9/106.6/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 RouterTP-Link Deco BE26 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 5 (802.11ac/n/a on 5 GHz; 802.11n/b/g on 2.4 GHz)Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), speeds up to 5000 Mbps
Bands and speed classDual-band AC1200: 867 Mbps on 5 GHz, 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz (the same page also gives 400 Mbps for 2.4 GHz, a conflict on the manufacturer page)Dual-band: 4324 Mbps on 5 GHz and 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz
WAN port1x Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps)Two 2.5 Gbps auto-sensing WAN/LAN ports per unit
LAN ports4x Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps)No dedicated LAN port; the two auto-sensing WAN/LAN ports per unit can act as LAN ports
Mesh nodes in the box0 (one router in the box)3
Security and VPN featuresSPI firewall, access control, IP and MAC binding, guest networks (one 5 GHz and one 2.4 GHz), VPN server (OpenVPN, PPTP), VPN client (OpenVPN, PPTP, WireGuard), WPA/WPA2/WPA3, parental controlsHomeShield network protection, parental controls, IoT security, guest network, WPA/WPA2/WPA3 encryption, firewall and device blocklist

Strengths and weaknesses

TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Router

  • + WPA3, guest networks and VPN server included
  • + Four Gigabit LAN ports plus Gigabit WAN
  • + Owners report simple setup and good value
  • − No rated coverage figure published
  • − No USB port, according to owners
  • − Several hardware revisions share the same name

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want Wi-Fi 6 or newer
  • Anyone needing 2.5GbE or faster wired ports
  • People who need a USB port for storage or printer sharing
Read the full TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200 Router 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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