The TP-Link Deco BE85 is not only able to send 70% more data than other routers, but it also has a lot of features that make Wi-Fi 7 work better. The BE85 is ahead of its time because it has ultra-wide 320MHz data channels, 4K QAM operations, and the best selection of ports on the market right now. The Deco BE85 can go faster than wired Ethernet connections and can break through the 1Gbps barrier. This makes it a must-have for people like me who use a lot of data.
TP-Link Deco BE85: Description
There is always a cost to something new. The Deco BE85 can easily do better than Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6e routers, but only one device can use its features when it comes out. More to the point, the BE85 devices don’t have any high-end features and can’t be fully customized. However, these are minor issues compared to the fact that they can speed up almost any network.
The BE85 is one of the most expensive routers on the market. A three-piece set costs $1,500, which is dangerously close to what the average U.S. homeowner pays each month for their mortgage. Should you skip a payment to improve your Wi-Fi at home? Our review of the Deco BE85 will help you decide if it is one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems on the market today and if it is worth the high price to have one of the first mesh routers with Wi-Fi 7.
Specifications Table
The TP-Link Deco BE85 is a state-of-the-art whole-home mesh Wi-Fi system that makes sure your internet works smoothly and reliably in every room. With three high-performance units working together, there are no dead spots or buffering, and all of your devices can connect quickly and reliably.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi Speed | Up to 22 Gbps |
| Wi-Fi Bands | 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz |
| Number of Streams | 12 |
| Wireless Backhaul | Yes |
| Wired Backhaul | Yes |
| WAN Ports | 1 x 10 Gbps Ethernet/Fiber Combo WAN/LAN port, 1 x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN port, and 2 x 2.5 Gbps ports |
| LAN Ports | 4 x 1 Gbps LAN ports |
| Range | Up to 5,500 square feet per unit |
| Number of Devices Supported | Up to 200 |
| Security | WPA3 |
| Official link | Visit Website |
TP-Link Deco BE85: Design
The Deco BE85 is like other TP-Link mesh kits in that it is made up of white cylinder-shaped towers. Each one has a big “7” on the front, and at 5.0 x 5.0 x 9.2 inches, it is one of the largest home networking devices. They are about the same size as Netgear’s Orbi RBKE963 oval towers, but they make Amazon’s Eero devices look tiny. The Deco BE85 doesn’t have a bunch of blinking lights, but instead has a single LED bar under it. It’s so subtle that we often couldn’t tell what color it was or what the status of the network was during the day. When everything is green, the network is online.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Dimensions | 5.0 x 5.0 x 9.2 inches |
| Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Wi-Fi Chipset | Qualcomm Networking Pro 1220 |
| Processor | Quad-core 2.2GHz |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Flash Storage | 512MB |
| Number of Antennas | 8 per unit |
| Data Streams | 12 |
| Data Channels | 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz, and 6.0GHz |
| Backhaul Channel | 6GHz |
| Technologies | Wi-Fi 7, MLO, 320MHz data channels |
| Client Hardware | OnePlus 11 phone |
| Maximum Devices Supported | 200 |
When everything is red, the network is not working. In the Deco app, it’s easy to turn off the light. With the Qualcomm Networking Pro 1220 Wi-Fi chip, TP-Link has made a powerful Wi-Fi mesh kit. A quad-core 2.2GHz processor is added to it. It has 1GB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage for its firmware and settings. It can support up to 200 devices at once.
The tri-band router creates active networks on the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz, and 6.0GHz bands that make the most of the 802.11be standard. Each unit has eight antennas that are amplified on the inside. It can move 12 separate data streams, and it uses AI to keep optimizing and streamlining the data path from the router to the satellite and back. There is a way to set aside the 6GHz band as a dedicated backhaul channel for moving data from the nodes to the host router.
But you can get even better performance by connecting the router and nodes with Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables. It is up to date with the exciting new technologies that Wi-Fi 7 brings, like the ability to combine multiple data channels using Multi-Link Operation (MLO). These are nothing compared to the fact that 320MHz data channels, which can make data move quickly, are available. To use these improvements, you need Wi-Fi 7 client hardware, and right now there is only one: the OnePlus 11 phone I used to test.
TP-Link Deco BE85: Features
The TP-Link Deco BE85 is a Wi-Fi 7 mesh system with up to 22 Gbps speeds and three bands. It’s made to cover your whole house without gaps, even if it’s big or has more than one floor. The Deco BE85 offers the best performance possible with its 12-stream Wi-Fi, 10 Gbps wired ports, and Multi-Link Operation (MLO). It also works with both wired and wireless backhaul, so you can choose the connection that works best for you.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7, up to 22 Gbps speeds, three bands |
| Coverage | Covers large homes with multiple floors |
| Performance | 12-stream Wi-Fi, 10 Gbps wired ports, Multi-Link Operation (MLO) |
| Backhaul | Wired and wireless |
| Setup | Easy to set up and run |
| Control | Deco app, parental controls, device management, traffic prioritization |
| Security | HomeShield |
It’s easy to set up and run the Deco BE85. You can control your network with the Deco app, which lets you do things like set up parental controls, manage devices, and set the order of traffic. The Deco BE85 also comes with HomeShield, which is a set of security features that help keep your network safe.
TP-Link Deco BE85: Performance
The TP-Link Deco BE85 is a tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 7 system that can reach speeds of up to 22 Gbps. It has two 10 Gbps WAN/LAN ports and two 2.5 Gbps ports, which make it perfect for high-speed internet connections at home. The Deco BE85 also supports Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which lets it send and receive data across multiple bands and channels at the same time to improve throughput, reduce latency, and make it more reliable.
When it comes to performance, the Deco BE85 has always been better than expected. In our tests, it could reach speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps on the 6 GHz band, 860 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, and 130 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. Even the most demanding users will have more than enough speed. The Deco BE85 has great coverage as well. In our tests, it had a strong enough signal to cover a large home. We were able to stream HD videos and play online games without any lag or buffering.
TP-Link Deco BE85: Pricing and availability
At the moment, the three-piece TP-Link Deco BE85 kit can only be bought at Best Buy and Amazon. It costs $1,500 and can cover 9,600 square feet, according to TP-Link. A two-pack costs $1,000, and by late summer, the company will start selling single units. The price of the Deco BE85 is the same as that of Netgear’s Orbi RBKE963, which uses Wi-Fi 6e. It is one of the most expensive pieces of home networking equipment on the market. It is, however, the first Wi-Fi 7 mesh kit. It’s likely that the price will go down and there will be alternatives that cost less soon. For now, it’s a one-of-a-kind speed demon that costs a lot.
TP-Link Deco BE85: Pros and Cons
The Deco BE85 has Wi-Fi 6 technology, which gives it faster speeds, more capacity, and less latency. This makes it perfect for activities that use a lot of bandwidth, such as 4K streaming and online gaming. Its easy-to-use app makes setup, network management, and parental controls simple, so you can make your home Wi-Fi experience safe and unique.
Pros
- Quick setup
- Top performance
- First Wi-Fi 7 mesh router
- 320MHz ultra-wide data channels
Cons
- Very expensive
- Needs more customization options
Final Words
Welcome to the Wi-Fi 7 era, which promises data speeds that are so fast that they leave older Wi-Fi protocols and even wired gigabit Ethernet in the dust. The TP-Link Deco BE85 is the first of a new generation of mesh kits. It is also the best router you can buy, and its top real-world speed is close to 2Gbps. It has inputs for the fastest home broadband connections and is a router that won’t be outdated for at least five years.
In other words, the Deco BE85 is the only mesh kit you should buy today if you need speed and have money to spend. In the next few months, you can expect to see a wide range of Wi-Fi 7 devices, such as traditional, gaming, and even a few cheap routers. For now, the only game in town is the Deco BE85, which is also the fastest mesh networking kit in the world. If you can afford it, you should put it next to your home’s data modem.
FAQs
The best mesh Wi-Fi 6 system with powerline is the TP-Link Deco PX50. Most people will find that TP-Link’s Deco PX50 is the best mesh Wi-Fi system. It’s easy to set up, has good speeds that should be faster than your broadband speed, and is a good balance between price and the newest technology.
But if you live alone or care a lot about gaming or streaming 4K content and want the fastest speeds possible, you might want to think about a traditional network router instead. Most of the time, these routers are faster and have better specs than mesh systems.
