Rankings
The TP-Link Archer BE6500 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router offering up to 6.5 Gbps throughput and six beamforming antennas for robust coverage in small-to-medium homes. Its main trade-offs are the absence of a 6 GHz band and missing advanced features like link aggregation or dual-WAN. Best suited for users seeking high-speed Wi-Fi 7 performance without needing tri-band support.
The TP-Link Archer BE230 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router delivering up to 3.6 Gbps total throughput with four antennas, MLO and two 2.5 Gbps ports, ideal for medium-size homes. However, it lacks a 6 GHz band and its 5 GHz range drops off beyond short distances. Best for gamers and streamers in smaller spaces who need fast wired connections.
The Amazon eero 6 is a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that provides whole-home coverage up to 5,000 sq ft and supports over 75 devices with easy app setup. Its dual-band speed ceiling of 500 Mbps per node and limited wired ports may constrain power users, ideal for families prioritizing simplicity and coverage.
Google Nest Wifi is a second-generation mesh system delivering AC2200 dual-band speeds and up to 4400 sq ft coverage with integrated Google Assistant. It trades off Wi-Fi 6 and tri-band capabilities for ease of use and modest port count. Best for families in medium-size homes who value plug-and-play setup and voice-assistant integration.
The eero 7 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router delivering up to 1.8 Gbps speed and 2,000 sq ft coverage with 2.5 GbE ports. It lacks a 6 GHz band and tri-band capacity, limiting future-proofing. Suited for users wanting the latest Wi-Fi 7 performance in modest-size homes.
The TP-Link Archer A6 is an AC1200 dual-band Wi-Fi 5 router offering up to 867 Mbps on 5 GHz, gigabit Ethernet, MU-MIMO and beamforming for reliable performance in medium-sized homes. It lacks Wi-Fi 6, supports MU-MIMO for only two devices, and provides no USB connectivity, which may limit future-proofing. It suits budget-conscious households needing solid dual-band Wi-Fi without advanced enterprise features.
| Attribute | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
867 Mbps | 3,600 Mbps | 6,500 Mbpsbest | 1,800 Mbps | 1,800 Mbps | 2,200 Mbps | |
— | — | 2,400 sqft | 2,000 sqft | 5,000 sqftbest | 2,200 sqft | |
5 | 4 | 6best | — | — | — | |
— | 4best | 4best | — | 4best | — | |
— | — | — | — | 0.512 GBbest | — | |
4best | 4best | 4best | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
— | — | — | — | 4 GBbest | — | |
1best | 1best | 1best | — | 1best | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Connectivity(2) | ||||||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 dual-band | Wi-Fi 7 | 802.11ax | 802.11ac |
Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz,5 GHz | 2.4 GHz,5 GHz | Dual-band | Dual-band | Dual-Band |
Security(1) | ||||||
Security Protocols | WPA/WPA2/WPA3 | WPA3,HomeShield | WPA,WPA2,WPA3,Enterprise | — | — | WPA3 |
Design(1) | ||||||
Antenna Count | 5 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — |
Performance(3) | ||||||
Maximum Wireless Speed (Mbps) | 867 Mbps | 3600 Mbps | 6500 Mbps | 1800 Mbps | 1800 Mbps | 2200 Mbps |
Coverage Area (sqft) | — | — | 2400 sqft | 2000 sqft | 5000 sqft | 2200 sqft |
Processor | 1.2 GHz | Quad-core | Quad-core | — | Quad-core 1.2 GHz | — |
Ports(1) | ||||||
LAN Ports | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
General(1) | ||||||
Warranty (years) | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | — | 1 years | — |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Archer A6 for its solid AC1200 performance, easy Tether app setup, and robust antenna array that delivers reliable coverage in medium-sized homes. However, they caution that the router's Wi-Fi 5 platform and limited two-device MU-MIMO may feel dated for users seeking the latest Wi-Fi 6 speeds and higher simultaneous device capacity.
While direct user reviews are not provided, the consensus among everyday users is likely positive about the straightforward setup, stable speeds for everyday browsing and HD streaming, and good coverage in typical homes. Common concerns probably revolve around limited range in larger spaces and the lack of Wi-Fi 6 capabilities for future-proofing.
Professional reviewers consider the Archer BE230 a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 router for close-range, bandwidth-intensive use cases, praising its fast 5 GHz speeds, robust 2.4 GHz signal, 2.5 Gbps ports, and superior VPN and USB performance. However, they point out the critical omission of a 6 GHz band and the steep drop-off of 5 GHz throughput at longer distances, which limits its suitability for large or multi-story homes without mesh expansion.
Everyday users value the router's ability to deliver gigabit-level speeds near the device, its strong 2.4 GHz coverage for IoT gadgets, and the convenience of the Tether app. The most common criticism revolves around limited long-range 5 GHz coverage and the lack of a 6 GHz band, prompting many to consider adding EasyMesh nodes for broader coverage.
Professional reviewers commend the Archer BE6500 for its impressive Wi-Fi 7 speeds, six-antenna coverage and fast 2.5 Gbps wired ports, but they criticize the lack of a 6 GHz band, the omission of link aggregation or dual-WAN, and its relatively high price, positioning it as a solid yet premium-priced option.
Professional reviewers praise the eero 6+ for its gigabit‑class 1 Gbps speed, 160 MHz channel bandwidth, and 4,500 sq ft. coverage, calling it the most affordable eero system that reliably supports work‑from‑home and smart‑home environments. They note its dual‑band limitation and lack of Wi‑Fi 6E as drawbacks for very high‑density or future‑proof setups.
Everyday users appreciate the fast, stable Wi‑Fi that handles dozens of devices, the straightforward app setup, and the built‑in smart‑home hub that simplifies Alexa device integration. Common complaints revolve around occasional congestion on the dual‑band network, the need for extra extenders in larger homes, and sensitivity to router placement for optimal performance.
Professional editors position the eero 6 as a solid, budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 mesh solution that excels at eliminating dead spots and handling many devices, but they recommend the Pro 6E or Wi-Fi 7 models for users demanding higher throughput, tri-band performance, or advanced wired connectivity.
Typical users celebrate the easy installation, reliable whole-home coverage, and seamless Alexa integration, while recurring complaints focus on the modest wireless speed ceiling and limited wired ports for power users.
Professional reviewers commend the Nest Wifi AC2200 for its intuitive app-based installation, solid AC2200 throughput, and sustainable construction, describing it as a reliable, easy-to-use solution for typical households. However, they criticize its reliance on legacy Wi-Fi 5 hardware, the absence of tri-band capability, and limited wired ports, noting that it falls behind newer Wi-Fi 6/6E competitors for power users and gamers.
Everyday users praise the system's plug-and-play setup, strong signal coverage across multi-story homes, and the convenience of the built-in Google Assistant speaker. Common complaints revolve around occasional speed drops, reduced performance through thick walls, and occasional buffering, especially when the mesh is stretched beyond its optimal coverage area.
