TP-Link has launched the Archer BE3600, the cheapest $99 Wi-Fi 7 router we've seen so far in the US since the first routers supporting the new standard began rolling out last year.

However, it doesn't have the new 6GHz band like more expensive routers, or like most of the Wi-Fi 6E routers already on the market. As a result, for many people, TP-Link's new router probably won't get your downloads much faster - if at all - than a much older router.

The new tricks may, however, mean a small increase in throughput or a more stable connection than routers built to older specs in congested areas, thanks to the way Wi-Fi 7 handles its data streams. But without impact on more than two 6 GHz wider data channels and a much more unoccupied space, you simply will not see many of the many advantages promoted in the Wi-Fi 7 marketing, and if you have a connection to the Internet with several concerts, you are likely They must connect it to something more prestigious.

However, there is something that will like it. Two of the five Ethernet ports offer 2.5Gbps connections, which is unusual at this price point, and they also support multi-link functionality, which doesn't offer a huge advantage in terms of throughput (again, there's no 6GHz band), but it could mean a more stable connection for your Wi-Fi 7-enabled phone or VR headset (if you have one), meaning future devices may switch to another if the band dies or gets too busy. It also supports the Wi-Fi Alliance's EasyMesh standard, which means you can create a mesh network with other router brands that support the same standard.

The best thing about this router is that it offers Wi-Fi 7 for under $100. This is a first and a good deal - if not, the lower end is usually around $300 these days (see TP-Link's Deco BE63 or Archer BE550).