TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 Router Hits All-Time Low At Just $79.98 And More Home Networking Deals

Now that the next-gen wireless dust has settled, it is no longer cost prohibitive to step into Wi-Fi 7 territory. Sure, there are premium models that cost a pretty penny, but as the holiday shopping season gets underway with early deals and discounts, you can find models that are more affordable, including an entry-level TP-Link model priced well under $100.

Head over to Amazon and you can find the TP-Link Dual-Band BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 router (Archer BE230) on sale for a low $79.98 (33% off, save $40.01). The sale price matches this model's all-time low, and it hits this price point often enough that you really shouldn't even consider paying more, though you have to time your purchase—it's not always on sale.

We know what some of you are thinking. Being a dual-band model that lacks a 6GHz band, is it truly a Wi-Fi 7 model? The short answer is 'Yes', as you still gain certain advantages over Wi-Fi 6E/6, the biggest of which is Multi-Link Operation (MLO). Exclusive to Wi-Fi 7 and the emerging Wi-Fi 8 protocols, this allows compatible devices to tap into both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands at the same time, rather than one at a time.

This matters because the 5GHz band is faster, but also more prone to signal obstructions. With MLO, your device can combine both bands and tap into the quicker 5GHz connection when the signal is strong, while seamlessly blending in the more reliable 2.4GHz band when you move farther away or walls block the signal. The result is a more consistent, higher-performing connection than you’d typically get from a traditional dual-band Wi-Fi 6E/6 router.

Other highlights of this affordably priced model include dual 2.5Gbps LAN ports plus another three 1Gbps LAN ports, four antennas that TP-Link claims offers reliable coverage for up to 2,000 square feet, and support for up to 60 devices at a time.

If it's tri-band or bust for your next home networking upgrade, then check out the TP-Link BE9700 Wi-Fi 7 router (Archer BE550 Pro)—it's on sale for $199.99 at Amazon (33% off, save $100). It's obviously more expensive, but it's also more performant and includes the 6GHz band, giving you three separate wireless lanes instead of two.

The advantage there is that virtually no older devices support the 6GHz band, so for a home with a whole bunch of smart devices, it is likely to be the least congested lane. It also supports wider channels (up to 320MHz) for more throughput, which in this case is up to 6,126Mbps. Meanwhile, the 5GHz band on this model is rated for up to 2,882Mbps and the 2.4GHz band for up to 688Mbps. And of course MLO comes along for the ride.

TP-Link's BE9700 also ups the ante on the wired side with a 10Gbps port, plus four 2.5Gbps ports. In short, this model is primed for high-speed connectivity, and it's just $20 removed from its all-time low price.

Here are some other Wi-Fi 7 networking models that are on sale:

• TP-Link Tri-Band BE1900 (Archer BE800): $399.99 (20% off, save $100)
• TP-Link Deco 7 BE23 Dual-Band BE3600 Mesh (3-Pack): $204.99 (18% off, save $45)
• TP-Link Deco 7 BE25 Dual-Band BE5000 Mesh (1-Pack): $99.98 (23% off, save $30.01)
• TP-Link Deco 7 BE25 Dual-Band BE5000 Mesh (2-Pack): $159.98 (20% off, save $40.01)