The short version
Key points
- The Deco BE85 is a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh system aimed at large or multi-storey homes.
- Each unit includes two 2.5Gbps ports, two 10Gbps ports and a 10Gbps SFP+ port.
- A three-pack is rated to cover nearly 900 square metres.
- Pat found no Wi-Fi dead spots in his home and described the wireless backhaul performance as excellent.
- The system is considerably more capable than current Australian NBN connections and most home devices require.
A Wi-Fi 7 mesh system built for scale
TP-Link’s Deco BE85 is designed for large homes, multi-storey properties and networks with many demanding devices. It is a tri-band system using the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands, with Wi-Fi 7 features intended to improve throughput, latency, capacity and reliability compared with Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E.
Wi-Fi 7 supports channels up to 320MHz wide, compared with up to 160MHz on Wi-Fi 6E. The wider channels can carry more data, although compatible devices are required to take advantage of the newer features. The system is backwards compatible with older Wi-Fi standards.
Ports and hardware
Each Deco BE85 unit includes two 2.5Gbps ports, a 10Gbps WAN or LAN port, another 10Gbps port and a 10Gbps SFP+ port. The SFP+ connection can accept a compatible module for a direct fibre connection. There is also a USB 3 port and a WPS button.
Each tri-band unit has eight high-gain, multi-directional antennas, a quad-core CPU, MU-MIMO support and 12 front-end modules for amplifying and filtering the wireless signal. The units use two cooling fans, and Pat notes that the device and its power brick can become warm during operation.
Coverage and performance
TP-Link rates a three-unit system to cover nearly 900 square metres. The Decos can be connected using wired backhaul, or one unit can receive the internet connection while the others communicate wirelessly. Wired devices such as computers and game consoles can be connected to any Deco unit.
In Pat’s testing, there were no Wi-Fi dead spots in his home. He connected a PC to one Deco using a 2.5Gbps port, then connected a laptop with a 2.5Gbps adapter to the furthest Deco. He described the wireless backhaul performance as very strong.
Pat also says his four-bedroom, single-storey home is too small for three BE85 units, with two units likely to be sufficient. He was unable to saturate the system’s capabilities because his available connection and devices are considerably slower. He expects to receive a 1Gbps fibre connection in September, which would still use only a fraction of the available capacity.
Wi-Fi 7 multi-link operation
One of the BE85’s main features is Wi-Fi 7 multi-link operation, or MLO. Once enabled, MLO appears as a single Wi-Fi network option. Compatible devices can connect across the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands simultaneously.
According to Pat, MLO can increase throughput, reduce latency and improve reliability by allowing links to switch more efficiently when interference occurs. He highlights potential uses including cloud gaming, wireless virtual and augmented reality, high-resolution streaming and other latency-sensitive applications.
Management and intended users
The Deco BE85 is managed through TP-Link’s Deco mobile app and is intended to be simple to set up. The system includes HomeShield networking security and parental controls.
Pat describes the BE85 as excessive for most current Australian NBN connections and ordinary homes. He identifies large multi-storey homes with many devices, small businesses and buyers seeking the highest available performance as the most likely users. He also notes that the system is expensive, citing a three-pack price of $25,000 Australian dollars and around $1,900 for a two-pack.
TechManPat’s conclusion
I think the Deco BE85 is far ahead of what most Australian homes and NBN connections can currently use. My Wi-Fi was faster, the range was excellent and I had no dead spots, but my four-bedroom home would not need three units. I see it as a product for very large homes, small businesses, households with hundreds of devices, or people who simply want the best available mesh system and are prepared to pay for it.
This knowledge-centre summary is based on the linked TechManPat video and reflects the information available when it was published. Check current pricing, availability and policies before acting.
