Michael Hession/NYT WirecutterTop pickThe TP-Link Archer BE230 is the latest in a long line of relatively inexpensive Wi-Fi routers that have provided solid, speedy Wi-Fi signals in our test house. It proves that you don’t need to buy the most expensive router to keep all your family’s devices reliably connected to the internet 24/7.The Wi-Fi 7–compatible TP-Link Archer BE230 offers the best combination of price, features, and performance of any current router we’ve tested. Wi-Fi 7 was more of a buzzword than an easy-to-recommend technology until now. We mentioned the Archer BE230 as a model we liked in a recent previous version of this guide, but after seeing its price drop, and comparing its test results against those of its newer peers, we can now recommend it as the top-pick router for most people.The Archer BE230 can handle a busy network, and it’s reliable. It also has some future-proofing, notably Wi-Fi 7 and a pair of 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports. This means it’s ready for 2-gigabit internet service (2,000 megabits per second) once that becomes commonplace, and it properly supports a wired gaming PC or NAS that uses a 2.5 GbE port.It supports (most functions of) Wi-Fi 7. This router is ready for Wi-Fi 7–connected phones and laptops, and it will therefore stay relevant longer than the five- to eight-year-old routers that some folks have in their homes now. The BE230 can also use new features, such as MLO (Multi-Link Operation), that improve connectivity if your laptop or phone supports them. However, the BE230 doesn’t support the 6 GHz radio band, which we discuss below.It’s ready for multi-gig internet. Over the past couple of years, 2-gig has surpassed 1-gig as the fastest internet speed available to most US residents. The Archer BE230’s 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports can connect to 2-gig fiber service or a 2-gig cable modem. The second 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port can connect to a gaming PC or a NAS as well. As home internet speeds get faster, this router won’t be a bottleneck like those equipped with only a 1 Gigabit Ethernet connector. Green means good. Like most routers, the Archer BE230 uses lights to indicate that it is powered on and broadcasting on two frequencies. Michael Hession/NYT WirecutterWi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 speed-test results (Mbps) The TP-Link Archer BE550 and BE230 kept triple-digit speeds going through four walls when the other tested models slowed down. Wirecutter StaffIt delivers fast Wi-Fi at long range and close to the router. The Archer BE230 performed better than competitors at long range with the signal passing through several walls. The Acer Predator T7, for example, costs almost three times as much as the BE230, but our top pick was almost 250% faster in our long-range tests.Browsing the web on a busy network The Archer BE230 maintained a responsive Wi-Fi network even when the network was busy with our simulated 4K streams, web browsing, and large-file downloads. Wirecutter StaffIt’s responsive, even when the network is busy. Many home networks are prone to lag and delays, making you wait for sites to even start loading. In our responsiveness test, which shows how routers handle the added stress of multiple devices accessing the network simultaneously, the Archer BE230 posted short lag times better than those of the Acer Predator T7 Mesh router, even though it’s considerably less expensive. It also bested comparably priced routers such as the TP-Link Archer BE260 and Netgear RS100. Based on these tests, we can say that the Archer BE230 won’t keep you waiting, even when multiple family members are using the Wi-Fi at the same time. A gigabit WAN port and four LAN ports are standard for most home routers. In contrast, the Archer BE230 has two faster, 2.5 Gbps ports that you can use to connect to a faster modem and network-attached storage simultaneously. You can also hook up a portable SSD to the router’s USB 3.0 port for simple file sharing. Michael Hession/NYT WirecutterIt has all the wired connections you need. The Archer BE230 provides five Ethernet ports: two 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports for connecting your cable modem, fiber terminal, or network-attached storage, plus three Gigabit Ethernet ports for other wired devices. That’s enough for you to hardwire your most demanding gear — streaming set-top boxes, TVs, and game consoles — if you keep your router close by.The Archer BE230 also has a USB 3.0 port for connecting a shared portable hard drive or SSD. This setup can’t replace a full-featured NAS unit, but it can help you back up your laptops regularly. In contrast, less expensive routers are limited to much slower data transfers over USB 2.0 (as with the Archer AX21, for example) or lack USB connectivity entirely (like the Eero 6).It’s easy to set up. All routers walk you through the initial setup, but TP-Link’s administration page for the Archer BE230 is neither too simple nor too complicated. TP-Link provides enough information and settings for you to customize the network for your home’s needs, or you can just use the defaults. The overall setup, whether you handle it through TP-Link’s Tether smartphone app or the administration website, is quick. Note that you have to sign up for a TP-Link Cloud account if you want to use Tether.TP-Link’s smartphone app lets you quickly configure settings. Tether for iOS and Android allows you to customize the router’s parental controls, security, and performance. You’ll need the app to access basic parental controls such as time limits, content filtering, and bedtime settings. (I’ve written about how I used parental controls, among other tools, to stop my teen from gaming all night.) If you want to prioritize functions such as streaming over gaming or vice versa, QoS (quality of service) settings are also included and easy to adjust.You can expand its reach with TP-Link’s OneMesh and EasyMesh Wi-Fi extenders. We recommend the compatible TP-Link RE315 if you need to add a single extender. You can also use TP-Link’s EasyMesh feature to connect multiple TP-Link routers and extenders in your home to create a DIY mesh network. However, if you have more than one dead spot in your home, you might want to upgrade to a full mesh-networking system instead.Its warranty is longer than others. TP-Link covers this router with a two-year warranty, which matches the coverage period for our other picks. Similarly priced routers from Acer, D-Link, Linksys, Netgear, and Ubiquiti have one-year warranties.Flaws but not dealbreakersIt isn’t exactly aesthetically pleasing. Four adjustable but nonremovable antennas connected to the back and side panels make the Archer BE230 stand out visually, and not necessarily in a good way. Its antennas and its bulky chassis are guaranteed to clash visually with nearly any decor, even though its color scheme is an inoffensive, basic black. If you’re looking for a more unobtrusive router, the Eero 6 is much smaller and easier to ignore.It doesn’t support the 6 GHz radio band. While this isn’t a drawback for most people, the Archer BE230 isn’t a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router like our upgrade pick, the TP-Link Archer BE550. Therefore, you won’t be able to get the same theoretical top speeds as with the BE550, though you’d have to be using a Wi-Fi 6E or 7 laptop in the same room as a supported router in order to take advantage of 6 GHz radio bands. In any case, the Archer BE230 tested faster than some tri-band Wi-Fi 7 routers, particularly on long-range connections.It requires an online login for setup through TP-Link’s Tether app. The BE230 allows for setup via its built-in web interface, but if you want to use the Tether app, you have to create a TP-Link login. A lot of the functionality of the Archer BE230 and some of its settings are found only in the Tether app, so if you want to have parental controls or monitor IoT (Internet of Things, aka smart home) security, for example, you need a TP-Link Cloud online account. You can set up a burner email address for this purpose if you don’t want the account connected to your primary email.While some shoppers actively look for routers that don’t have any online logins because they’re worried about companies mining their data and tracking them, more router companies are requiring online accounts for convenience, remote monitoring, and paid subscription services. If you’re concerned about such things, we suggest alternatives like our former upgrade pick, the Synology WRX560, which you can set up and administer without an online account.Some features are locked behind optional paid subscriptions. Advanced parental-control software costs $3 per month or $18 per year. TP-Link also offers a separate $5-per-month or $36-per-year plan for Security+ network protection and IoT security. If you don’t pay, you still get some basic functionality, such as the ability to block websites and to manually toggle internet access on your kids’ devices, but advanced settings, automatic timed internet control, most protection, and reporting are disabled after the one-month free trials. That said, the Archer BE230 will continue to provide solid Wi-Fi connectivity even if you don’t sign up for the added plans.
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