Review of the TP-Link Deco BE85 BE22000 Tri-Band Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 7 System.

CONS

• Pricey
• Some features require a subscription

TP-LINK DECO BE85 BE22000 TRI-BAND WHOLE HOME MESH WI-FI 7 SYSTEM SPECS

The TP-Link Deco BE85 is a three-piece mesh system designed for large houses, utilizing the latest Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) technology to provide strong wireless networking throughout the entire space. It includes basic HomeShield network security and parental control software, and can be easily installed and managed using the Deco mobile app. The system offers numerous high-speed networking ports, as well as a USB port for each node, a feature not commonly found in other mesh systems. Despite its relatively high price, it is still more budget-friendly compared to the Eero Max 7 and Netgear Orbi 970 Series Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems. The Orbi system delivers better overall performance, but the Max 7 may be a preferable option for individuals seeking to connect to and manage their smart home devices.

Every Connection Accommodated: A Port Designed for Each.

The Deco BE85 three-pack has been evaluated, featuring three identical nodes that offer Wi-Fi coverage for homes up to 9,600 square feet. If three nodes are excessive, a two-pack is available for, providing coverage for up to 6,400 square feet. The nodes are white, cylinder-shaped, 9.2 inches high, 5 inches wide, and equipped with eight high-gain internal antennas. A status LED on the base indicates power with a solid yellow glow, readiness for setup with a pulsing blue light, proper connection and functionality with a solid green light, and a connectivity issue with a solid red light.

The back panel houses all the ports of the node, such as a 10GbE WAN-LAN port, a 10GbE SFP+/RJ45 WAN-LAN combo port for both copper and fiber connections, two 2.5GbE LAN ports, a USB 3.0 port, and a power port. Additionally, there is a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button located here. On the bottom of the node, you will also locate a small reset button. This system supports a combined wired and wireless backhaul to enhance throughput speeds. If your home setup allows you to connect the nodes with an Ethernet cable, it can manage communications between nodes and free up wireless bandwidth for client traffic.

The BE85 is a BE22000 system, capable of achieving maximum theoretical transmission rates of up to 1,376Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, up to 8,640Mbps on the 5GHz band, and up to 11,520Mbps on the 6GHz band, totaling approximately 22,000Mbps. This system is equipped with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technologies, such as 6GHz transmissions, 4×4 MU-MIMO streaming, direct-to-client beamforming, WPA3 encryption, Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) data transmissions, 4K-QAM, and 320MHz channels. Additionally, it supports Alexa and Google voice commands, as well as Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which will be further discussed.

Complimentary parental controls consist of age-appropriate content filters, the option to restrict access to certain websites, and a feature that allows you to schedule internet shutdown at specific times on particular days. To access more advanced parental controls like SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode, Flexible Bedtime, Time Limits, Time Rewards, and Insights, a subscription of per month or per year is required.

The BE85 includes fundamental network security tools for detecting router and wireless security vulnerabilities. By opting for the Security+ plan at per month or per year, users can access extra features like Web Protection, Intrusion Prevention, and IoT Protection. For a fee of per month or per year, the Total Security package offers antivirus protection, a VPN, a password manager, and a PC cleaner utility. However, the price increases to per year after the initial year.

The Deco mobile app used by the BE85 is the same as the one used by the Deco X4300 Pro, which we assessed earlier this year. Within the Network screen, there is a network map displaying icons for each node. By tapping on a node, you can view the client devices connected to it, the current upload and download speeds, as well as the IP and MAC address for that node. Additionally, you will find a button for testing internet speed using the Speedtest utility, and another button for Wi-Fi settings, allowing you to modify SSIDs and passwords. In the Wi-Fi settings section, you can also activate an MLO network, utilizing all three bands and having its own SSID and password. Although MLO is a significant enhancement of Wi-Fi 7 compared to previous versions, it may not be practical to use at the moment due to the limited client support available.

Below the map, there is a section displaying all connected client devices. By selecting a device, you have the option to assign bandwidth priority, include it in a member profile, block it, or isolate it from communicating with other devices. Additionally, at the bottom of the screen, there is a Smart Home panel where you can add devices like TP-Link Kasa plugs and Philips Hue lights for remote control through the app.

Below the Smart Home panel, you will find buttons labeled Network, Security, Parental Controls, and More. The Network button will take you back to the opening screen, while the Security button will lead you to a screen where you can perform a security scan and check for security risks. By using the Parental Controls button, you can set up user profiles, apply web filters, restrict access to the network, and monitor each user’s online activity. Clicking on the More button will direct you to a screen where you can adjust Wi-Fi and LAN settings, establish a separate IoT network for smart devices, configure QoS settings, disable the node LEDs, and enhance network performance. Advanced settings include VPN Server and VPN Client configurations, NAT forwarding, USB sharing, and IPTV/VLAN settings.

Testing the Deco BE85: Fast, But Not the Fastest.

The setup process mirrored the simplicity of previous Deco systems. Although I had the app already installed, newcomers to Deco will need to download the app and set up an account. By tapping the + icon on the welcome screen, I initiated the creation of a new network and selected the BE85 from the Deco models list. After turning off my modem, I linked a Deco node to the modem via the 10GbE port and powered everything on. Upon confirming the pulsing blue LED on the Deco, I patiently waited for the app to detect the router, following which I assigned it a location. The app then configured the internet connection for DHCP, prompting me to assign a name and password to the new network. Subsequently, I connected my phone to the network and connected the satellites, which seamlessly integrated into the network.

The BE85 demonstrated strong performance on our throughput tests, although it did not outperform the Eero Max 7 or Netgear Orbi 970 Series. In the close-proximity test, the BE85 achieved a score of 2,085Mbps, which was slightly slower than the Eero Max 7 (2,149Mbps) and the Netgear Orbi 970 Series (2,209Mbps). However, at a distance of 30 feet, the BE85 outperformed the Eero Max 7 with a score of 779Mbps compared to 670Mbps, while the Netgear Orbi 970 Series took the lead with 916Mbps.

The BE85 satellite node outperformed the competition with a score of 1,922Mbps on the close-proximity test. Following closely behind, the Eero Max 7 node scored 1,795Mbps, while the Netgear Orbi node scored 1,470Mbps. In the 30-foot test, the BE85 node achieved a score of 999Mbps, trailing slightly behind the Eero Max 7 (1,062Mbps) and Netgear Orbi (1,040Mbps) nodes.

We evaluate the strength of wireless signals using an Ekahau Sidekick diagnostic tool along with the Survey software from the company. This combination produces a visual representation of Wi-Fi signal strength across the area we are testing. The heat map shows the locations of the router and nodes as circles, with different colors indicating signal strength: dark green for the strongest signal, lighter yellow for a weaker signal, and gray for a very weak or undetectable signal.

The Deco BE85 system effectively provided robust Wi-Fi coverage across the entire household.

Judgment: An Expensive Preview of the Wi-Fi 7 Era.

The TP-Link Deco BE85 offers impressive throughput, strong signal strength, and a wide range of high-speed ports, including a rare USB connector. These features make it a compelling choice for those looking to adopt the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology. While the price tag o may be considered high, it’s important to note that new technology, especially in the realm of Wi-Fi, often comes with a premium cost.

The Eero Max 7 mesh system, which has won the Editors’ Choice award, comes at a higher price point. However, in exchange, you will receive a Wi-Fi 7 network that is slightly faster and offers better home automation support. On the other hand, if speed is your top priority, the Netgear Orbi 970 Series has achieved some of the highest scores we’ve seen from a mesh system, despite being the most costly option among the three.