Modern WiFi 7 mesh system

The new TP-Link Deco BE25 aims to offer the next level of home network technology with WiFi 7. It not only aims to provide lightning-fast Internet, but also seamless wireless network coverage throughout the entire home. But can it keep its promises in practice? In the TP-Link Deco BE25 test, we took a closer look at the modern mesh system.

Technical data

€ 428.90

lagernd, Lieferzeit Österreichweit bis 2 Werktage

Scope of delivery

• 3x Deco BE25 units
• 1x RJ45 Ethernet cable
• 3x power supply units
• Quick-Installation-Guide

TP-Link Deco BE25 Test: Design and workmanship

The TP-Link Deco BE25 has a simple but modern design. I particularly like the matt white housing of the flat, circular mesh system. This model could offer the perfect look for people who find the usually eye-catching design of classic routers off-putting. But the BE25 doesn’t just look good – it feels good too.

The build quality and choice of materials are of a high standard. The modern WiFi 7 standard is not the only reason why you should be able to enjoy the gadget for a long time. The workmanship also promises a long service life for the system. Laymen in particular are likely to ask themselves what the BE25 is all about when they first see it.

This is because TP-Link simply hides the most important technical features. The antennas are simply integrated out of sight, which makes the flat design possible. The only technical details are actually only visible at the bottom rear. This is where 2x 2.5 GB/s fast LAN ports and the input for the power cable are located.

The latter was the only thing that made me a little sour visually. After all, the power supply unit with the embossed company logo is nice to look at, but it is far too bulky for my taste. There is also an LED light on the front of the system that shows the current status of the BE25. This lights up red, yellow, blue or green depending on the status.

Overall, the design of the TP-Link BE25 impresses me with its combination of functionality and minimalist look. Only the clunky power supply unit bothers me a little. However, I have to emphasize the great workmanship. You can tell that this is high-quality technology. But at a price of 150 euros per mesh element, you can expect that.

TP-Link Deco BE25 test: Setup

Setting up the TP-Link Deco BE25 could hardly be easier. Even non-experts can set up the mesh system within minutes. This is mainly due to the support provided by the Deco app. You first need to download it to your Android or iOS device to set it up. If you already have an account with TP-Link, log in with your access data. If you don’t have an account yet, you can set one up.

Because one thing is certain: nothing works here without an account. You should keep that in mind. Then simply select the BE25 from the device list. Now scan the QR code on the bottom of the device and you’re ready to go. Depending on whether you have a modem or not, you connect the BE25 to the modem or directly to the “Internet socket” via LAN cable. If the BE25 also receives power via the mains cable, it will connect to the Internet.

Now give the Mesh WiFi a name and password. The smartphone then connects to the network and it is ready for use. If you want to add more units to the mesh, the app will continue to guide you. To do this, simply place it in the desired location and plug it into the socket. You can then simply integrate it into the Mesh system using the plus sign in the app.

The progress can be seen on the LED on the front. When starting and then booting up, the LED lights up yellow. When the set-up process begins, the LED starts to flash blue. When the unit connects to the Internet, the LED lights up blue continuously. If there is a constant Internet connection, it lights up green again. If the Internet connection is faulty after setup, the LED lights up red.

TP-Link Deco BE25 test: Deco App

The user-friendliness of TP-Link’s own Deco app deserves special mention. Even people without an affinity for technology should quickly find their way around. This is mainly due to the good overview. It’s easy to find your way around here. However, this does not mean that detailed settings are not possible.

Instead, you can also use advanced functions such as parental controls, guest networks and detailed network statistics. Unfortunately, the WiFi 7 system only uses two frequency bands (2.4 and 5 GHz). It’s a shame that despite WiFi 7, 6 GHz is not also offered. Nevertheless, the app promises that the frequency bands are at least used optimally.

Switching between the different units in the mesh network takes place smoothly without any disconnections occurring. The app also offers added value when it comes to monitoring the system. The connection strength is not only displayed on the start page. A speed test can also be carried out here.

TP-Link Deco BE25 test: Practical test

TP-Link provided us with the BE25 system in a bundle of 3 for the test. Accordingly, I was able to set up a mesh system with a total of three devices. I placed my “main Deco” in the living room (ground floor). I placed the second one in the office (upper floor) and the third one in my basement (lower floor). In the app, TP-Link provides practical tips on the correct placement of the BE25. The number of floors in your home plays a decisive role here.

In practice, the Deco BE25 is a powerful mesh system. Thanks to WiFi 7, an impressive speed is achieved, which is particularly noticeable with data-intensive applications such as 4K streaming, online gaming or video conferencing. With a maximum speed of up to 2882 Mb/s (5 GHz) or 688 Mb/s (2.4 GHz) (depending on the environment and provider), the system offers a significant increase in performance compared to WiFi 6 – at least in theory.

As I don’t yet have any devices at home that are compatible with WiFi 7, I haven’t yet been able to get the most out of the BE25. But I can certainly lose a few weeks about the signal strength. The reception between the three mesh elements was not very good, but it was good. But it was more than good enough. After all, I always had the best reception on the first floor, second floor and basement. And it was constant.

I was particularly impressed by the seamless transition between the various Deco units. You definitely don’t have to worry about connection interruptions when changing floors. In the speed test, the system tickled a download speed of 107 Mb/s and an upload speed of 54 Mb/s out of my 100 Mb line. Strictly speaking, I achieve similar values with my WiFi 6 router. However, this only applies to the first floor where it is located.

With the BE25, on the other hand, I had the high values on every floor. And I noticed a big advantage compared to my WiFi 6 router. The Deco BE25 scored with a ping of just 2 ms. This is significantly better than the 10 ms that my router produces. Gamers in particular should be very pleased with this extremely low latency. The use of OFDMA and MU-MIMO also ensures that multiple devices can be served efficiently at the same time without any delays.

However, it must also be pointed out here that the features are only possible with appropriate compatibility. The new technology also comes at a price: the power consumption of the device is slightly higher compared to older models, which could increase energy consumption in the long term. In addition, the TP-Link Deco BE25 is not cheap to buy. Accordingly, you should only consider buying it if you already have WiFi 7-compatible devices at home.

Conclusion

The TP-Link Deco BE25 is undoubtedly one of the most advanced WiFi mesh systems on the market. With support for WiFi 7, high performance and a user-friendly setup, it is aimed primarily at tech enthusiasts and power users looking for a first-class network setup at home. However, the high price and lack of tri-band technology may put some potential buyers off. However, for those willing to invest in the future of home networks, the Deco BE25 is a great choice.

However, if you want to wait and are still looking for a powerful mesh system, TP-Link also offers other, significantly cheaper models with the still perfectly adequate WiFi 6 standard. The best examples are the Deco X50 (review, € 190.00 *) or the Deco X1500 (€ 155.50). However, if you want to go one better, TP-Link has an even more powerful WiFi 7 mesh system to offer with the Deco BE65 (bundle of 3 for around € 697), which offers 6 GHz in addition to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, thus enabling tri-band connections.

€ 428.90

lagernd, Lieferzeit Österreichweit bis 2 Werktage