ASUS
ASUS RT-BE86U
Wi-Fi 7 · 9.4 Gbps · Dual 2.5G WAN
88
/ 100
From $299
VS
TP-Link
TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack)
Wi-Fi 7 · Tri-band mesh · Dual 10 GbE
88
/ 100
From $999
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, ASUS RT-BE86U lands at 88 and TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack) at 88. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick ASUS RT-BE86U if…
- ✓Sub-$300 Wi-Fi 7 router
- ✓Dual 2.5 GbE WAN with link aggregation
- ✓AiMesh + AiProtection Pro
Pick TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack) if…
- ✓Dual 10 GbE + dual 2.5 GbE per node
- ✓Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with 320 MHz channels
- ✓MLO + 8 antennas — excellent coverage
ASUS RT-BE86U 88
vs 88 TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack)
Score breakdown
ASUS RT-BE86U
88 throughput 88
range 88
features 90
ease 88
value 0
TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack)
88 throughput 92
range 90
features 90
ease 0
value 86
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | ASUS RT-BE86U | TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Wi-Fi 7 tri-band 4x4 | Wi-Fi 7 (BE22000) 4×4 tri-band |
| Total bandwidth | 9400 Mbps | — |
| WAN | 2× 2.5 GbE | — |
| LAN | 4× 1 GbE | — |
| USB | 1× USB 3.2 | — |
| Coverage | ~3000 sq ft | — |
| Bands | — | Tri-band (2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz) |
| Channel width | — | 320 MHz |
| Ports | — | 2× 10 GbE + 2× 2.5 GbE per node |
| Antennas | — | 8 internal |
| Features | — | MLO + Mesh AI roaming |
ASUS RT-BE86U
Pros
- +Sub-$300 Wi-Fi 7 router
- +Dual 2.5 GbE WAN with link aggregation
- +AiMesh + AiProtection Pro
Cons
- −Tri-band only (no 6 GHz dedicated)
- −No 10G WAN
- −Plastic chassis
TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack)
Pros
- +Dual 10 GbE + dual 2.5 GbE per node
- +Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with 320 MHz channels
- +MLO + 8 antennas — excellent coverage
Cons
- −HomeShield subscription for advanced security
- −UI feels dated
- −Slightly less range than eero Max 7
FAQ: ASUS RT-BE86U vs TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack)
Which is better, ASUS RT-BE86U or TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack)? +
Both score 88 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is ASUS RT-BE86U worth the price? +
At $299, ASUS RT-BE86U delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in features.
Is TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack) worth the price? +
At $999, TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack) delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in throughput.
Does ASUS RT-BE86U or TP-Link Deco BE85 (2-pack) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.