WiFi 7 routers (including WiFi 7 routers without 6GHz band support)

[Jun Jun]

Which router has better coverage tplink be800 or be805?

 

[xiaofan]

Which router has better coverage tplink be800 or be805?

Should be similar in terms of wireless coverage, both are pretty good.

Technically TP-Link Archer BE800 is a bit higher end than Archer BE805, but probably more on the CPU (Qualcomm IPQ9570 vs MediaTek MT7988A) and LAN ports side (2.5G LAN ports vs 1G LAN ports), not so much on the wireless coverage.

Archer BE805 is also lacking one FW feature -- no built-in OOkla SpeedTest utility.

 

[xiaofan]

Am currently using Xiaomi BE7000 with M1 1Gpbs plan. Now I’m planning to renew my M1 contract with either the 3Gbps with free router or 6 Gbps with free BE805

Can I ask for suggestion whether it will be worthwhile to replace the BE7000 with the Archer BE805?
If it is better to keep the BE7000, then I probably should opt for the 3 Gbps plan.

I previously used Xiaomi 6000 and the 2.4ghz wifi coverage was much better.
Now the BE7000 coverage is a hit n miss to my MBR.

Basically if you rely on 2.4GHz, that is not the right way, better to use a mesh.

You may want to post your floor plan. Some floor plans will really make it difficult to cover with single wireless router.

Xiaomi AX3600 and Xiaomi AX6000 may exceed the TX power limit, as far as I know, and that is why they may have very good coverage.

Newer generation of WiFi 7 routers will often have worse compatibility and maybe also wireless coverage on the 2.4GHz band, as per quite some test results posted online.

 

[Able]

It is an okay option with a powerful CPU. But take note China WiFi 7 routers have no 6GHz band.

But you may also compare with local models like TP-Link HB710 (Starhub, S$192 from Starhub. BNIB units can be even cheaper from Carousell), with dual 10G ports and triband BE18000.

Personally I feel the cost of local version of HB710 and Archer BE805 may make it not really worth buying mid-range and high range China WiFi 7 routers.

I'm planning to use the RT-BE88U as my main router in the DB. Now I need an access point (with Ethernet backhaul) to cover all the rooms. I'm currently considering either the BT10, as you suggested, or another RT-BE88U (China version). What are your thoughts?

Are the Asus ZenWiFi BT10 selling in Carousel ISP locked? They seem to be asking close to $500!

You mentioned the China version of RT-BE88U has minor behaviour differences - what are they?

Thank you.

 

[Jun Jun]

Should be similar in terms of wireless coverage, both are pretty good.

Technically TP-Link Archer BE800 is a bit higher end than Archer BE805, but probably more on the CPU (Qualcomm IPQ9570 vs MediaTek MT7988A) and LAN ports side (2.5G LAN ports vs 1G LAN ports), not so much on the wireless coverage.

Archer BE805 is also lacking one FW feature -- no built-in OOkla SpeedTest utility.

Because i saw one has 8 antennas the other has 10. Not sure if that affects coverage

 

[Jun Jun]

Should be similar in terms of wireless coverage, both are pretty good.

Technically TP-Link Archer BE800 is a bit higher end than Archer BE805, but probably more on the CPU (Qualcomm IPQ9570 vs MediaTek MT7988A) and LAN ports side (2.5G LAN ports vs 1G LAN ports), not so much on the wireless coverage.

Archer BE805 is also lacking one FW feature -- no built-in OOkla SpeedTest utility.

Because i still faced issue after they updated the be805 beta.

 

[BBCWatcher]

Suggestion: In the first post sticky, include a summary of ISP-provided wireless access points that are likely to be supported by OpenWRT in the future. That'll mean these wireless access points/routers are less likely to turn into e-waste quickly.

Current expectations are that OpenWRT's first Wi-Fi 7 support will be for devices powered by MediaTek Filogic 880 processors (MT7988 series). Indeed, the MT7988-based Banana Pi BPI-R4 is the first Wi-Fi 7 device that OpenWRT supports. Based on past experiences Broadcom-based devices are the least likely to get any OpenWRT support. Qualcomm-based devices might or might not. In other words, it'd be good to call out the MT7988-based devices in the list.

 

[Tvincent]

Basically if you rely on 2.4GHz, that is not the right way, better to use a mesh.

You may want to post your floor plan. Some floor plans will really make it difficult to cover with single wireless router.

Xiaomi AX3600 and Xiaomi AX6000 may exceed the TX power limit, as far as I know, and that is why they may have very good coverage.

Newer generation of WiFi 7 routers will often have worse compatibility and maybe also wireless coverage on the 2.4GHz band, as per quite some test results posted online.

this is my floor plan with the device placement.

 

[xiaofan]

this is my floor plan with the device placement.

With the floor plan and current router placement, it is expected that the wireless coverage will be bad fo the master bedroom.

Do you have LAN ports in the rooms? If yes, the patch panel is located near to the ONT, right?

 

[xiaofan]

I'm planning to use the RT-BE88U as my main router in the DB. Now I need an access point (with Ethernet backhaul) to cover all the rooms. I'm currently considering either the BT10, as you suggested, or another RT-BE88U (China version). What are your thoughts?

Are the Asus ZenWiFi BT10 selling in Carousel ISP locked? They seem to be asking close to $500!

You mentioned the China version of RT-BE88U has minor behaviour differences - what are they?

Thank you.

Asus ZenWiFi BT10 is not locked, it is a consumer model. It is a very good deal since two nodes pricing is below S$600 from Carousell.

As for Asus China router behavior differences, please check out the post in the first page of this thread. The minor differences should not affect the normal usage.

It is fine to go with two RT-BE88U since you can use Ethernet Backhaul. RT-BE88U is way better than ZenWiFi BT10 in almost every aspects, but the main thing is the missing of 6GHz band. Please also take note the second 10G port is a 10G SFP+ port, you may need to get a SFP+ to 10G RJ45 module.

ZenWiFi BT10 is more suitable if you need to use wireless backhaul, since it is a triband wireless router (with 6GHz band).

 

[xiaofan]

Suggestion: In the first post sticky, include a summary of ISP-provided wireless access points that are likely to be supported by OpenWRT in the future. That'll mean these wireless access points/routers are less likely to turn into e-waste quickly.

Current expectations are that OpenWRT's first Wi-Fi 7 support will be for devices powered by MediaTek Filogic 880 processors (MT7988 series). Indeed, the MT7988-based Banana Pi BPI-R4 is the first Wi-Fi 7 device that OpenWRT supports. Based on past experiences Broadcom-based devices are the least likely to get any OpenWRT support. Qualcomm-based devices might or might not. In other words, it'd be good to call out the MT7988-based devices in the list.

Basically none of the ISP provided WiFi 7 routers (TP-Link, Asus, Amazon eero, D-Link, etc) are expected to get OpenWRT support any time soon.

The only ISP bundled router with Filogic 880 chipset seems to be Archer BE805. But I do not see any real mentioning of it in the OpenWRT forum.

 

[Tvincent]

With the floor plan and current router placement, it is expected that the wireless coverage will be bad fo the master bedroom.

Do you have LAN ports in the rooms? If yes, the patch panel is located near to the ONT, right?

Yes, I do have LAN ports in the room and the patch panel is located near the ONT.

if I setup the mesh system by wireless method, I was considering to place 1 unit in the Bedroom 4. Will it enhance the coverage for the whole house?

 

[BBCWatcher]

Basically none of the ISP provided WiFi 7 routers (TP-Link, Asus, Amazon eero, D-Link, etc) are expected to get OpenWRT support any time soon.
The only ISP bundled router with Filogic 880 chipset seems to be Archer BE805. But I do not see any real mentioning of it in the OpenWRT forum.

This OpenWRT forum thread appears to be the one for the TP-Link Archer BE805. As long as the OpenWRT community starts releasing firmware before TP-Link stops releasing their updates, that'll work.

 

[xiaofan]

This OpenWRT forum thread appears to be the one for the TP-Link Archer BE805. As long as the OpenWRT community starts releasing firmware before TP-Link stops releasing their updates, that'll work.

Let's see how it goes. I will not add the comment as I am not optimistic to see OpenWRT support for Archer BE805 myself, judging from the lack of response from the above thread.

TP-Link now seems to be much better in terms of the commited duration of security updates. Often they will extend the support after the initial three years support, making the total support to be about six years.

https://www.tp-link.com/sg/support/faq/3182/

 

[BBCWatcher]

TP-Link now seems to be much better in terms of the commited duration of security updates. Often they will extend the support after the initial three years support, making the total support to be about six years.
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/support/faq/3182/

But it's pretty awful they're still marketing the BE805 yet only committing to security updates through September 30, 2026.

 

[coseas]

Any recommendation router for 1G+1G plan to get max speed through Wireless?

 

[xiaofan]

But it's pretty awful they're still marketing the BE805 yet only committing to security updates through September 30, 2026.

That is due to the Cyber Security Label scheme. The approval is only for three years. TP-Link will typically extend the duration after that, as per the same page.

Old product like Deco M4 and Archer AX20 have been extended.

https://www.tp-link.com/sg/support/faq/3182/

 

[Slacking1977]

Hi Xiaofan,

Any recommendation on wireless mesh for a 1700 sqft house with a lot of hard walls. Ethernet backhaul is possible
Thanks

 

[BBCWatcher]

That is due to the Cyber Security Label scheme. The approval is only for three years. TP-Link will typically extend the duration after that, as per the same page.

I don't see how that follows. How would a Cyber Security Label bar TP-Link from publishing a longer end date? That label sets minimum standards, not maximum ones.

Old product like Deco M4 and Archer AX20 have been extended.
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/support/faq/3182/

Maybe, but that's not what TP-Link has published. Thus far they're unwilling to put more than mediocrity in writing — and mediocrity is a charitable description.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi Xiaofan,

Any recommendation on wireless mesh for a 1700 sqft house with a lot of hard walls. Ethernet backhaul is possible
Thanks

I will recommend the following two options.

1) Ubiquiti Unifi

Please check out the Unifi thread. I am not an expert.

Thread 'New Ubiquiti setup! Still a work in progress.' https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/new-ubiquiti-setup-still-a-work-in-progress.5680023/

2) Netgear Orbi. Netgear Singapore offers free online consultation and paid on-site installation service.

https://netgearstore.sg/pages/installation-support

Take note I do not recommend Asus AImesh, TP-Link Deco Mesh and TP-Link EasyMesh in this case.