TP-Link Archer BE230 / BE3600 — Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router

Step into Wi-Fi 7 without the premium price tag. Archer BE230 (also marketed as BE3600 in some regions) is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router that brings next-gen speed, lower latency, and smarter multi-link reliability to homes and small offices.

Highlights

• Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz dual-band design
• BE3600 class combined rates up to ~3.6 Gbps (2.4 GHz up to ~688 Mbps + 5 GHz up to ~2,882 Mbps)
• Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for higher throughput and lower latency by using multiple bands/links together
• 2× 2.5 GbE ports (1× WAN + 1× LAN) for multi-gig internet and LAN
• 3× Gigabit LAN ports for additional wired devices
• USB 3.0 port for file/media sharing and local backup
• 4 external high-gain antennas with beamforming for stronger, more focused coverage
• TP-Link HomeShield (security & parental controls)
• EasyMesh support to create a mesh network with compatible TP-Link devices
• WPA3 security, Guest Network, VPN client/server (e.g., OpenVPN/WireGuard/L2TP/PPTP)

Wireless Performance

• Standards: IEEE 802.11be/ax/ac/n/g/b/a (Wi-Fi 7/6/5 and earlier for backward compatibility)
• Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (no 6 GHz radio)
• Channel widths: up to 160 MHz on 5 GHz
• Modulation: 4K-QAM (Wi-Fi 7)
• Spatial streams: 2×2 per band
• Beamforming & OFDMA: improved efficiency for dense environments
• Target Wake Time (TWT): better battery life for supported client devices

Next-Gen Wi-Fi 7 Technologies

• Multi-Link Operation (MLO): aggregate and/or switch across links to reduce latency and improve stability
• 4K-QAM: packs more data per symbol for higher peak throughput on compatible clients
• Improved Interference Handling: better performance in congested 5 GHz environments with DFS channel support (region-dependent)

Ports & Buttons

Software Features

• TP-Link HomeShield: network security (malicious site blocking, IoT protection), QoS, and parental controls
  Note: some advanced features may require a subscription.
• VPN: Client & Server modes (e.g., OpenVPN, WireGuard, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec)
• Guest Networks: separate SSIDs for visitors
• QoS: device or application priority for smoother streaming/gaming
• IPv6: supported
• EasyMesh: works with compatible TP-Link routers/extenders to extend coverage seamlessly
• Management: TP-Link Tether app (iOS/Android) and web UI

Security

• Encryption: WPA3/WPA2 (personal)
• SPI Firewall and access control
• Device Isolation for guest networks

Use Cases

• Apartments & smaller homes: robust coverage with four high-gain antennas
• Multi-gig ready: 2.5 Gbps WAN for fiber/cable plans up to 2.5 Gbps
• Work & play: smooth 4K streaming, cloud backups, and responsive gaming with MLO and QoS
• Expandable coverage: add EasyMesh nodes for whole-home Wi-Fi

What’s in the Box

• Archer BE230 / BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Router
• Power adapter
• RJ45 Ethernet cable
• Quick Installation Guide

Compatibility

Works with all major ISPs (modem or ONT may be required). Backward-compatible with Wi-Fi 6/5/4 client devices; Wi-Fi 7 features (e.g., MLO, 4K-QAM) require compatible clients.

Important Notes

• This model is dual-band only (no 6 GHz). For top-end Wi-Fi 7 speeds over 6 GHz and 320 MHz channels, consider a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router.
• Actual throughput, coverage, and latency vary based on client capability, environment, and ISP service.
• Feature availability (e.g., DFS channels, VPN types) can depend on region and firmware.