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Head-to-head · Best Wi-Fi 7 Routers

Netgear Orbi 870 vs TP-Link Archer BE550

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

TP-Link Archer BE550 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.3 vs 4.0). TP-Link Archer BE550 is best for: budget-conscious users wanting Wi-Fi 7 features. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Netgear Orbi 870
Ranked #7 in Best Wi-Fi 7 Routers
Netgear Orbi 870
4 sources$1,249.95as of Nov 6

The Netgear Orbi 870 Series runs tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with MLO support and 2.5Gbps wired backhaul on every unit. PCMag's John R. Delaney reported strong signals. Dong Knows Tech reviewer Dong Ngo called it an excellent buy for anyone needing 2.5Gbps bandwidth, but knocked the absence of true 10Gbps support and a price above the ASUS ZenWiFi BT8. It fits buyers who want high-end Wi-Fi 7 features and don't want to pay what the 970 series costs.

Strengths
  • — Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 support with MLO for improved performance
  • — 2.5Gbps wired backhaul throughout the mesh system
  • — Strong signal coverage and reliable mesh networking
Watch-outs
  • — No true 10Gbps support in router unit
  • — Only 2.5Gbps ports on satellites limit upgrade potential, per Dong Knows Tech
$1,249.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
TP-Link Archer BE550
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Wi-Fi 7 Routers
TP-Link Archer BE550
5 sources$238.99as of Nov 6

The TP-Link Archer BE550 is a cheaper way into Wi-Fi 7, with full support for the 6GHz band and 320MHz bandwidth. RTINGS.com found it capable of true multi-gigabit performance alongside compatible devices, and Dong Ngo's review called it a solid Wi-Fi 7 option for small homes. The knocks: 5GHz performance trails some competitors because of a 2T2R configuration, and 6GHz signal doesn't penetrate walls well. It suits buyers who want Wi-Fi 7 features without the premium price tag, while anyone needing maximum 5GHz performance should shop around.

Strengths
  • — Supports full Wi-Fi 7 standard with 6GHz band and 320MHz bandwidth
  • — Features four 2.5G LAN ports and one 2.5G WAN port for future-proof connectivity
  • — Delivers reliable 2Gbps performance when paired with compatible devices
Watch-outs
  • — 5GHz network performance lags behind some Wi-Fi 6 routers due to 2T2R configuration
  • — 6GHz signal penetration is limited through walls compared to 5GHz
  • — No visible external antennas, which may impact signal strength for some users
$238.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Netgear Orbi 870

The Netgear Orbi 870 is a mesh system with tri-band Wi-Fi 7, MLO and 2.5Gbps wired backhaul on every unit. Its satellites have only 2.5Gbps ports, where the Netgear Nighthawk RS700S lists 10Gbps WAN and LAN ports and the TP-Link Archer GE800 lists two 10Gbps ports. It costs more than both.

TP-Link Archer BE550

The TP-Link Archer BE550 supports the 6GHz band with 320MHz bandwidth, which the ASUS RT-BE58U lacks. Its wired ports are all 2.5G, while the ASUS RT-BE92U includes a 10Gbps port, and the RT-BE92U is also credited with better 2.4GHz performance than the BE550. The BE550 costs less than the RT-BE92U.

Specs side-by-side

SpecNetgear Orbi 870TP-Link Archer BE550
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7
BandsTri-BandTri-band
Max Speed21 Gbps9214 Mbps
Ethernet Ports1x 10GbE WAN, 4x 2.5GbE LAN (router); 4x 2.5GbE LAN (satellites)1x 2.5G WAN, 4x 2.5G LAN
Processor1.5GHz quad-coreQualcomm Network Pro 620
SecurityWPA3, NETGEAR ArmorWPA3, SPI Firewall, HomeShield
MIMOMU-MIMO2T2R (5GHz), 2x2 (6GHz)
USB PortsNone1x USB 3.2
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