RACONTEURPH

TP-Link Archer BE220 Review—Affordable Wi-Fi 7 Performance for Every Home

Unlike smartphones, routers are technology products that consumers would replace less frequently. Most likely, users would replace routers mainly because they are broken. However, advanced users would replace their routers because they want to upgrade when a new standard is introduced. In 2024, the Wi-Fi Alliance introduced Wi-Fi 7. Since then, new devices capable of Wi-Fi 7 have started entering the market. In the router category, one of the latest models with Wi-Fi 7 capability is the TP-Link Archer BE220, the subject of this review.

The TP-Link Archer BE220 has a black matte exterior. On top of the body, holes help in emitting heat that can cause throttling and slow Internet connection. More heat emission holes are located underneath the device, where four rubber grips prevent it from slipping when placed on a table. For users who prefer hanging the router on the wall, a pair of Kensington Security Slots becomes handy during installation. Within the router chassis, the Archer BE220 has a 2.0GHz quad-core processor and 512MB RAM.

The TP-Link Archer BE220 is equipped with four movable (not removable) high-performance beamforming antennas that can be pointed toward various positions. All essential buttons and connectors are located at the back of the TP-Link Archer BE220, consisting of the power button, power jack, 1Gbps WAN port for Internet connection, four 1Gbps LAN ports, reset button, and WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button.

The TP-Link Archer BE220 has six LEDs: power, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, Internet, Ethernet, and WPS. For a wireless Internet connection, the first four LEDs should be emitting solid white light. The Ethernet LED also turns on when a LAN port is connected to an active PC through a LAN cable. The WPS LED becomes active when the WPS button is pressed. Use WPS when connecting client Wi-Fi devices, such as printers and cameras, to the Wi-Fi network without using a password. To reset to the default factory settings, press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds until the power LED blinks.

On paper, the TP-Link Archer BE220 promises to deliver up to 3.6Gbps (2882Mbps (5GHz) and 688Mbps (2.4GHz)) Wi-Fi speed, 49% faster than Wi-Fi 6 routers. With Multi-Link Operation (MLO), devices can connect across multiple frequency bands simultaneously, ensuring smoother streaming, lower latency, and uninterrupted gaming. Combined with 4096-QAM modulation, users enjoy higher data transmission efficiency, making 4K/8K streaming, VR gaming, and massive file transfers seamless experiences.

While we couldn’t reach the theoretical maximum due to our capped 10Mbps Internet speed and absence of a Wi-Fi 7-capable smartphone or PC, we noticed that our connectivity had become more stable (before, we were using a modem from Globe). To prove this, we ran the Wi-Fi diagnostics of the TP-Link Wi-Fi Toolkit mobile app, which is part of the TP-Link Tether app. During the test, the Archer BE220 had better signal strength (-30dBm) than the old modem (-50dBm). Note that signal strength is represented in -dBm format (0 to -100). This is the power ratio in decibels (dB) of the measured power referenced to one milliwatt. The closer the value is to 0, the stronger the signal.

The TP-Link Archer BE220 also has security features such as HomeShield, Private IoT Network, and WPA3 encryption. With TP-Link HomeShield, users get advanced network protection, parental controls, and customizable QoS. A Private IoT Network adds another layer of security for smart devices, while WPA3 encryption ensures privacy and data safety. For remote workers and security-conscious users, the router also supports VPN services like OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, and WireGuard. Users can also check network security through their phones by using TP-Link Tether’s Wi-Fi Toolkit.

Expanding coverage is hassle-free with EasyMesh support, allowing users to create a whole-home network with compatible devices. The Archer BE220 works seamlessly with all Wi-Fi generations, all ISPs, and offers voice control through Google Assistant. Setup is simple through the TP-Link Tether App, guiding users from unboxing to full configuration in minutes.

TP-Link is setting a new benchmark in home connectivity with the Archer BE220. Designed to bring next-generation speed, stability, and efficiency to everyday users, the Archer BE220 proves that premium performance doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag, selling for only ₱2,399.