TP-Link Deco BE23 BE3600 Review

The Deco BE23 is available in a few purchasing options. You can buy a single node if you just need a standard router, or you can purchase a 2-pack or 3-pack and use the extra nodes to extend your WiFi signal across a broad mesh system. To compare this Deco product against other WiFi mesh systems, we purchased the 2-pack and pushed its capabilities to the limit in a series of real-world tests.

Node Speed

Buying a WiFi mesh system means using extension nodes to get a signal across a longer distance, so it's important to know just how much speed you're getting from those nodes. Unfortunately, the BE3600 system struggled to channel an excellent signal through its nodes compared to other mesh systems we tested.

We measured the download speed at 35 feet from the extension node, and we experienced perfectly good speed. But, at 60 feet from the node, the signal becomes almost unusable. It's perfectly normal to have a much weaker signal at 60 feet, but other mesh systems we tested could still support 4K streaming, video calls, and online gaming at that range.

For many uses, connection stability is even more important than speed. It's safe to say that the BE3600 provides an average level of stability. The speed frequently dips, and we monitored occasional signal dropouts, but it's quite sufficient as long as you stay within 30 feet of the node. If your home or office building is large enough that you might find yourself further than 30 feet from the node, consider investing in an additional node to boost the signal further.

Range

The TP-Link Deco BE23 BE3600 has an impressive signal range for a budget mesh system. We were able to get a strong enough signal to stream 4K video at a total distance of 110 feet from the router while connected to a node, which is enough to compete with the coverage capabilities of some of its highest-end competitors. It's not perfect, though the BE3600 definitely struggles a bit with throughput at the far reaches of its range.

At 110 feet from the router, this system only puts through about 22 Mbps of download speed. This is barely enough to stream a 4K video. We could load up the video just fine, but there was a noticeable delay when scrubbing or jumping through the video. By comparison, many other WiFi mesh systems we tested could support two connected devices streaming 4K videos at the maximum signal range.

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Router Speed

As a WiFi 7 system, the BE3600 is capable of exceptional download speeds. At close range, it has no problem handling a gigabit connection or better. The only problem is that those speeds fall off quite a bit once you're more than 10 feet away from the router.

At 35 feet, the connection speed falls to below half its maximum capability. This is still more than sufficient for almost any activity, though hardcore gamers or professional livestreamers might have cause for complaint. At 60 feet from the router, though, the signal becomes almost unusable for any kind of demanding activity. It'll be difficult to quickly stream 4K videos, let alone join video calls or play online multiplayer games.

Ease of Setup

An easy setup is a major claim to fame for TP-Link routers. From the moment you open the box, you should have no problem getting this system up and running in 10 minutes. Printed directions are included in the box, and scanning a QR code brings you directly to the companion app. After creating a network name and password, you just wait for a couple of minutes, and the process is complete. Even when you decide to set up the extension nodes, it's as simple as plugging them in — no extra setup necessary.

During setup, you have the option of taking some extra time to configure parental controls. Unlike other modern routers, this Deco system actually includes free parental control options. However, there are other features, such as advanced security, that do require additional subscriptions. Overall, though, this router provides everything you need right out of the box, with the option to dig deeper into the app to set up automatic reboot, IoT, and other configurations if you so choose.

Jitter and Latency

Jitter and latency reflect the stability and quickness of your connection. They are measured in “packet loss” and “ping,” which can ultimately give you an idea of how much your connection will stutter when you're trying to do any kind of online activity. Our testing showed that the Deco BE23 has a very stable connection at the router, but it can definitely have packet loss problems when you connect via a node. It's a generally acceptable level of jitter, but it could be troublesome for video calls or gaming.

Should You Buy the TP-Link Deco BE23 BE3600?

The TP-Link Deco BE23 BE3600 is an exceptional budget system and a great entry point for enjoying the benefits of WiFi 7 technology. It's worth buying, especially if you spend most of your time near the main router where the signal is lightning fast. If you need a very strong signal across a large area, though, a mesh system with better node throughput might be a better option. On the other hand, if you just want an affordable router with fast WiFi 7 speeds and don't need a huge coverage area, you can buy a single BE23 router without the extra nodes for half the price.

What Other WiFi Mesh System Should You Consider?

The TP-Link Deco BE23 BE3600 is an affordable way to tap into WiFi 7 technology, but if you're willing to spend more, the eero 7 is a generally superior WiFi 7 mesh system for most people. Keeping in mind that WiFi 7 is a growing technology that's still working out some kinks by way of firmware updates, it also makes perfect sense to consider a reliable WiFi 6 system like the eero 6+ or budget-friendly TP-Link Deco X55 AX3000.