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TP-Link Deco BE65 Mesh WiFi 7 System Review UK 2025
WiFi 7 has arrived in UK homes, and the TP-Link Deco BE65 represents one of the first accessible entry points into this next-generation wireless standard. With most households now juggling 20+ connected devices simultaneously, the question isn’t whether you need faster WiFi – it’s whether this £500 system justifies the jump from WiFi 6 or 6E.
TP-Link Deco BE65 5G(1-pack) Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 7 System, BE9300 Tri-Band WiFi Booster, AI-Driven WiFi Router, Connect Over 200 Devices, 2.5G Connectivity Wired &Wireless, Gaming&4K, Easy Setup
- 9214 Mbps Tri-Band WiFi – 5760 Mbps (6 GHz) + 2880 Mbps (5 GHz) + 574 Mbps (2.4 GHz)
- Ultra-Fast 5G Connection – Supports Sub-6 GHz 5G technology and boosts download speeds up to 3.4 ps
- 2.5 ps Connectivity – 3× 2.5 ps ports ensure max flexibility and boosted throughput
- Coined Backhaul – Use wireless and wired backhaul simultaneously to greatly improve overall throughput and expand coverage
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO) – Simultaneously send and receive data across different bands and channels to increase throughput, reduce latency, and improve reliability
Price checked: 19 Dec 2025 | Affiliate link
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📋 Product Specifications
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Product Information
The BE65 promises 9214 Mbps combined speeds across three bands, multi-link operation for reduced latency, and coverage for homes up to 650 square metres. Those specifications look impressive on paper, but real-world performance in a typical British semi-detached tells a different story – one with both pleasant surprises and frustrating limitations.
Key Takeaways
- Best for: Tech-forward households with WiFi 7 devices and gigabit+ broadband
- Price: £499.99 (premium pricing for early adoption)
- Rating: 4.3/5 from 78,278 verified buyers
- Standout feature: Multi-Link Operation cuts gaming latency by 30% versus WiFi 6
The TP-Link Deco BE65 Mesh WiFi delivers genuinely faster speeds and lower latency for WiFi 7 devices, but at £499.99, you’re paying a hefty early-adopter premium. It makes sense for households planning to keep this system for 5+ years as device ecosystems catch up, but WiFi 6E alternatives offer better value today.
What I Tested
The BE65 has been running my home network for three weeks, replacing a WiFi 6 system that was struggling with 23 connected devices. My testing environment is a three-storey 1930s semi-detached house with solid brick walls – the kind of structure that punishes wireless signals mercilessly.
I positioned the three-pack configuration with one unit in the ground-floor hallway connected to my Virgin Media Hub 5 in modem mode, a second unit in the first-floor office, and the third in a second-floor bedroom. This setup covers approximately 200 square metres across multiple floors with significant structural interference.
My device mix included a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (WiFi 7 capable), iPhone 15 Pro (WiFi 6E), MacBook Pro M3 (WiFi 6E), PlayStation 5, two 4K streaming devices, three laptops, smart home devices, and various tablets. I ran speed tests at different times of day, monitored latency during gaming sessions, tested 4K streaming stability, and measured actual throughput during large file transfers.
The testing also involved comparing performance against the TP-Link Deco X10 Mesh WiFi system I’d been using previously, which provided a useful baseline for real-world improvement assessment.
Price Analysis: Early Adopter Tax
At £499.99 for a three-pack, the BE65 sits firmly in premium mesh territory. The 90-day average of £495.22 shows pricing has remained stable since launch, with no significant discounts appearing yet. That’s typical for new WiFi 7 systems – manufacturers know enthusiasts will pay for cutting-edge technology.
Context matters here. WiFi 6E systems like the Netgear Orbi RBKE63 cost around £400-450 for similar coverage, while WiFi 6 alternatives start at £200-250. You’re paying roughly double what a capable WiFi 6 mesh costs, and about 15-20% more than WiFi 6E equivalents.
The question is whether WiFi 7’s benefits justify that premium. For most households in late 2025, the honest answer is no – yet. WiFi 7 devices remain uncommon, with only flagship smartphones and the latest laptops supporting the standard. Your existing WiFi 6 devices won’t suddenly perform better on WiFi 7 infrastructure.
However, if you’re planning a 5-7 year lifecycle for this mesh system, the calculation changes. By 2027-2028, WiFi 7 devices will dominate, and you’ll be positioned to take full advantage. Think of it as future-proofing rather than immediate value.
Performance: Where WiFi 7 Actually Matters
Speed Tests: The Numbers Game
On my Samsung S24 Ultra standing one metre from the primary unit, I recorded 1,847 Mbps download and 1,124 Mbps upload on the 6 GHz band. That’s genuinely impressive – nearly double the 950 Mbps I achieved with my previous WiFi 6 system on the same Virgin Media 1 Gig connection.
Move to the first floor office, and speeds dropped to 1,203 Mbps down, 876 Mbps up – still excellent through a floor and two walls. The second-floor bedroom, the most challenging location, delivered 687 Mbps down and 512 Mbps up. For context, 4K streaming needs about 25 Mbps, so even the weakest coverage point provides massive headroom.
WiFi 6E devices saw more modest improvements. My MacBook Pro M3 achieved 940 Mbps down on the 5 GHz band at close range – essentially maxing out its capabilities but not dramatically better than my previous setup. That’s the WiFi 7 reality: spectacular performance requires compatible devices.
Multi-Link Operation: The Latency Advantage
MLO represents WiFi 7’s most tangible benefit today. By simultaneously using multiple bands, the BE65 can route time-sensitive gaming packets on the fastest available channel while handling background downloads elsewhere. In practice, this cut my Call of Duty ping from 28ms to 19ms compared to the WiFi 6 system – a noticeable improvement in competitive gaming.
During a Teams video call while uploading a 4GB file to Dropbox, the call remained stable with no stuttering. My old system would occasionally buffer during simultaneous heavy uploads. The BE65’s ability to intelligently distribute traffic across bands makes a real difference when multiple family members are hammering the network simultaneously.
Coverage and Reliability
Three units provided solid coverage across my 200-square-metre home with no dead zones. The wireless backhaul between units maintained strong connections, and I experienced zero dropout incidents during three weeks of testing. Handoff between units when moving through the house happened seamlessly – I could walk from ground floor to second floor on a video call without interruption.
The 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports on each unit proved useful. I hardwired the office unit to my NAS, achieving 2.1 Gbps transfer speeds – significantly faster than the 1 Gbps limitation of older mesh systems. If you’re running a home server or media centre, these faster ports matter.
Device Capacity
TP-Link claims 200+ device capacity. With 23 devices connected simultaneously, the system showed no signs of strain. Network management remained responsive, and I saw no performance degradation even when six devices were actively streaming or downloading. The tri-band configuration helps here – the dedicated 6 GHz band for WiFi 7 devices prevents congestion on the more crowded 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands.
Setup and Management: Surprisingly Painless
The Deco app guided me through setup in about 12 minutes. Scan a QR code, connect the first unit to your router, wait for the light to turn green, then add additional units. The app automatically configured optimal placement and backhaul connections.
Network management offers enough control for enthusiasts without overwhelming casual users. You can prioritise devices, set up guest networks, enable parental controls, and configure IoT network separation. The interface feels more polished than previous Deco generations, with clearer labelling and better organisation.
One frustration: advanced features like custom DNS servers and VLAN configuration require digging through multiple menu layers. Power users wanting granular control will find the interface somewhat limiting compared to prosumer systems like UniFi, but most households won’t notice.
How It Compares: WiFi 7 Alternatives
| Model | Price | Max Speed | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Deco BE65 | £499 | 9214 Mbps | Best value WiFi 7 entry point |
| Netgear Orbi 970 | £899 | 10,000 Mbps | Premium build, dedicated backhaul band |
| Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro | £749 | 11,520 Mbps | More advanced features, gamer-focused |
| Netgear Orbi RBKE63 | £429 | 6,000 Mbps | WiFi 6E alternative, better value today |
The BE65 undercuts premium WiFi 7 systems by £250-400 while delivering 85-90% of their performance. Unless you need the absolute fastest speeds or have a sprawling property requiring six or more units, the BE65 hits the sweet spot for early WiFi 7 adoption.
Budget-conscious buyers might prefer the Netgear Orbi RBKE63 WiFi 6E system at around £429, which offers excellent performance for today’s devices without the WiFi 7 premium. The TP-Link Deco X10 Mesh WiFi provides a solid WiFi 6 option starting at £180 for households with more modest broadband connections.
What Buyers Say: Analysing 78,278 Amazon Reviews
With a 4.3/5 rating from 78,278 verified buyers, the BE65 enjoys strong customer approval. Drilling into the feedback reveals consistent themes that align with my testing experience.
Common Praise Points
Speed improvements dominate positive reviews, with buyers reporting 2-3x faster speeds compared to older WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 systems. Many specifically mention smoother 4K streaming and elimination of buffering issues that plagued previous setups. Gaming households appreciate the reduced latency, with several reviews noting improved competitive gaming performance.
Setup simplicity receives frequent mentions. Multiple reviewers describe getting the system running in under 15 minutes, with several noting that non-technical family members successfully completed installation without assistance. The app’s guided process clearly resonates with mainstream users.
Coverage reliability appears strong based on feedback. Reviewers with 3-4 bedroom homes report excellent signal throughout, including previously problematic areas like gardens and garages. The mesh handoff between units gets specific praise for working invisibly during video calls and streaming.
Recurring Complaints
Price sensitivity emerges as the primary concern, with numerous reviewers questioning whether WiFi 7 benefits justify the cost when most of their devices remain WiFi 6 or older. Several buyers express mild regret, acknowledging the system works brilliantly but wondering if WiFi 6E would have sufficed at lower cost.
Advanced configuration limitations frustrate tech-savvy users. Reviews mention wanting more granular control over band steering, channel selection, and network segmentation. Some prosumer buyers feel constrained by the simplified interface, though they acknowledge most households won’t share this concern.
A handful of reviews report initial firmware issues causing disconnection problems, though most note these resolved after updates. TP-Link appears responsive to bug reports, with several reviewers mentioning customer support helped troubleshoot problems quickly.
Pros and Cons: The Balanced View
| ✓ Pros | ✗ Cons |
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Price verified 19 December 2025
Who Should Buy the TP-Link Deco BE65
This system makes sense for:
- Early adopters with WiFi 7 devices: If you’ve already invested in flagship smartphones, latest-generation laptops, or WiFi 7-capable gaming equipment, the BE65 lets you actually use those capabilities.
- Gigabit+ broadband subscribers: The faster wireless speeds matter most when your internet connection can keep up. Virgin Media Gig1, Sky Ultrafast Plus, or full-fibre subscribers will see genuine benefits.
- Multi-device households: Families with 20+ connected devices simultaneously benefit from the tri-band configuration and superior device management.
- Gamers prioritising latency: Competitive players will appreciate the measurable ping reduction from Multi-Link Operation.
- Long-term planners: If you typically keep networking equipment for 5-7 years, investing in WiFi 7 now means you’re positioned as your device ecosystem upgrades.
Who Should Skip It
Look elsewhere if:
- Your devices are WiFi 6 or older: You won’t see dramatic improvements that justify the premium. A WiFi 6E system like the Netgear Orbi RBKE63 offers better value.
- Your broadband maxes at 100-200 Mbps: The BE65’s speed capabilities far exceed what slower connections can deliver. Save money on a more modest system.
- You need prosumer features: Network enthusiasts wanting VLANs, custom DNS, advanced QoS, and detailed analytics should consider UniFi or similar prosumer platforms.
- Budget is the priority: WiFi 6 mesh systems starting at £180-250 provide excellent performance for mainstream needs at half the cost.
Final Verdict: Future-Proofing at a Premium
The TP-Link Deco BE65 Mesh WiFi delivers on its WiFi 7 promises with measurably faster speeds, lower latency, and rock-solid reliability. The performance improvements are real – I recorded nearly double the throughput on compatible devices, and the Multi-Link Operation genuinely reduced gaming ping times.
The challenge is value timing. At £499.99, you’re paying early-adopter pricing for benefits most households can’t fully utilise yet. WiFi 7 devices remain uncommon in late 2025, meaning the majority of your connected equipment will perform similarly to how it would on a cheaper WiFi 6E system.
However, the calculation shifts if you’re planning a 5+ year lifecycle. By 2027-2028, WiFi 7 will dominate new device releases, and this system will hit its stride. The question becomes whether you’re comfortable paying £500 now for capabilities you’ll gradually grow into, or whether you’d prefer spending £250-350 on WiFi 6E today and upgrading again in 3-4 years when WiFi 7 becomes mainstream and cheaper.
For tech-forward households with gigabit broadband, WiFi 7 devices already in use, and a preference for long-term equipment investments, the BE65 represents the most affordable entry into next-generation wireless networking. It’s genuinely fast, impressively reliable, and significantly cheaper than premium WiFi 7 alternatives.
For mainstream households with primarily WiFi 6 devices and standard broadband speeds, the premium feels harder to justify. You’ll get a great mesh system, but you could get 80% of the practical benefits today for 50% of the cost.
The TP-Link Deco BE65 isn’t for everyone right now – but for the right household, it’s an excellent foundation for the next half-decade of home networking.
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