Affordable Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router from TP-Link, examined in this review: Archer BE9700
TP-Link Archer BE9700: Affordable Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router Offers Top 6 GHz Performance
The TP-Link Archer BE9700, priced at an MSRP of $249.99 but available for around $220 on Amazon, is a cost-effective tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router that delivers impressive 6 GHz performance.
This tri-band router supports Wi-Fi 7 standards with 4x4 (Tx/Rx) up to 1,032 Mbps on the 2.4-GHz band, 2x2 (Tx/Rx) up to 2,882 Mbps on the 5-GHz band, and 2x2 (Tx/Rx) up to 5,765 Mbps on the 6-GHz band.
In congested traffic tests, the Archer BE9700 took the lead on the 6 GHz band, delivering 2,187 Mbps at six feet and 1,157 Mbps at 25 feet. It also achieved 2,507 Mbps at six feet and 1,203 Mbps at 25 feet with no network traffic on the 6 GHz band.
However, the Archer BE9700 underperformed on the 5 GHz band compared to competitors like the Asus RT-BE86U and the Netgear Nighthawk RS600, but still managed to break the 1,000 Mbps threshold at a distance of six feet. At 25 feet, it delivered less than 500 Mbps, while the Asus RT-BE86U led the field with 806 Mbps.
The Archer BE9700's design is similar to the TP-Link dual-band Archer BE3600, but with six antennas instead of four. It is primarily made of plastic and has a low-profile design. The router features a row of status LEDs on the top, ventilation holes for cooling, and additional ventilation holes and wall-mount cutouts on the back.
The router comes with a 10 Gbps WAN port, 4 x 2.5 Gbps LAN ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, and a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button. The setup process involves connecting to the router's SSID, entering the time zone, selecting the WAN port, and configuring connection settings. This can be done using TP-Link's Deco app or a desktop browser, with the latter being used in this instance.
The Smart Connect feature combines the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands under a single SSID, while the 6 GHz gets its own SSID. The user can choose to disable Smart Connect and assign each band a unique SSID.
The Archer BE9700 is one of the cheapest tri-band solutions available, making it a more affordable option for households that heavily skew toward 6 GHz devices. High-end tri-band Wi-Fi 7 routers like the Netgear Nighthawk RS600 can cost around $500, roughly double the BE9700’s street price.
In conclusion, the TP-Link Archer BE9700 offers a cost-effective tri-band Wi-Fi 7 solution with top 6 GHz throughput, making it a suitable choice for those who want good 6 GHz device support without paying premium $500+ prices for competition.
[1] https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Archer-BE9700-Tri-Band-Wi-Fi-6E/dp/B09B747497 [2] https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-be3600/ [3] https://www.netgear.com/products/routers/nighthawk-tri-band-wi-fi-6e-router/rs600.aspx [4] https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-be9300/ [5] https://www.techradar.com/best/wi-fi-6e-routers
This affordable tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router, the TP-Link Archer BE9700, showcases impressive 6 GHz performance that makes it a great choice for households with a high number of 6 GHz devices. With the integration of cutting-edge technology, this gadget offers a cost-effective solution for those seeking top-tier 6 GHz throughput without incurring premium prices associated with high-end options.
