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TP-Link, among other things, unveiled its second gaming router, the tri-band BE11000 Archer GE650, at CES 2025.
While seemingly lesser in physical and hardware specs, this new router might just be everything that the first, the Archer GE800, wasn’t—in a good way.
This quick preview will give you an idea of what to expect from it.
Archer GE650: A compact and powerful-enough Wi-Fi 7 gaming router
The new Archer GE650 is one of a handful of gaming routers from TP-Link. However, it’s actually the second true gaming route besides the GE800. That’s because, like the more powerful predecessor, it, too, comes with real gaming-related features.
Specifically, per TP-Link, on the gaming front, it has:
- Game Acceleration:
- Accelerate Game Applications with QoS
- Accelerate Game Devices with Gaming Port
- Game Servers Acceleration by GPN
- Game Panel and Statistics:
- Network Status
- Router Performance
- RGB Settings
- Accelerated Games and Gears
- Comprehensive Gaming Traffic Reports
- Dedicated Gaming Band: 5 GHz Gaming Band
In other words, the new router has game-specific features in its firmware and a matching exterior.
And the look is the first thing you’d notice.
An eye-catching and much more compact design
Indeed, the ARcher GE650 is a much more compact router compared to the GT800. In fact, it’s so much smaller that it can fit in the gap between the previous mode’s massive antennas.
The small size also suggests that it has no internal fan, which means it won’t be as noisy. TP-Link told me that it has a better thermal design and won’t be hot, either. But that remains to be seen.
While compact, the GE650 remains a full Multi-Gig router. However, it doesn’t have any 10Gbps ports. Instead, it has two 5Gbps and three 2.5Gbps ports. The lack of a top-tier Multi-Gig can be disappointing, but 5Gbps is fast enough in most cases unless you have 10Gbps broadband. By the way, the GE650 is one of a few routers with 5Gbps ports. The table below shows its hardware specs vs. its predecessor.
Hardware specifications: TP-Link Archer GE650 vs Archer GE800
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | TP-Link Archer GE650 | TP-Link Archer GE800 |
| Dimensions | TBD | 11.5 × 8.1 × 8.8 in (292 × 207 × 224 mm) |
| Weight | TBD | 4.87 lbs (2.21 kg) |
| Processing Power | TBD | Quad-core CPU, 2GB RAM |
| Wi-Fi Bandwidth | Tri-band BE11000 | Tri-band BE19000 |
| 1st Band (channel width) | 2×2 AX: Up to 574Mbps (20/40MHz) | 4×4 2.4GHz BE: Up to 1376Mbps (20/40MHz) |
| 2nd Band (channel width) | 2×2 5GHz BE: Up to 4323 Mbps (20/40/80/160/240MHz) | 4×4 5GHz BE: Up to 5760Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
| 3rd Band (channel width) | 2×2 6GHz BE: Up to 5764Mbps (20/40/80/160/320MHz) | 4×4 6GHz BE: Up to 11520Mbps (20/40/80/160/320MHz) |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/axe Wi-Fi | |
| Wireless Security | WPA / WPA2 / WPA3 | |
| Multi-Link Operation (MLO) | Yes | |
| Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) | TBD | Not at launch (to be added via firmware) |
| Web User Interface | Yes | |
| Mobile App | TP-Link Tether (optional) | |
| Real Gaming-Related Features | Yes | |
| Operating Roles | Router (default) or Access Point | |
| Mesh-Ready | Yes (EasyMesh) | |
| USB Port | 1x USB 3.0 | |
| Gigabit Port | None | |
| Multi-Gig Port | 2x 5Gbps 3x 2.5Gbps | 1× 10GBASE-T 1x 10GBASE-T/SFP+ Combo 4× 2.5 2.5GBASE-T |
| Link Aggregation | Yes | |
| Dual-WAN | No | |
| VPN Server Support | OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, WireGuard | |
| VPN Client Support | Yes (standard and WTFast GPN) | |
| VLAN | VLAN tagging only | |
| Internal Fan | No | Yes |
| Power Input | 100-240V | |
| Power Consumption (per 24 hours) | TBD | ≈ 585 Wh (as tested) |
| Release Date | mid-2025 | June 27, 2024 |
| Firmware (at review) | not yet reviewed | 1.1.3 Build 20240528 rel.85215(5553) |
| US Launch Price | TBD | $599.99 |
As shown in the table above, the Archer GE650, for the most part, is a lesser version of the GE800. However, thanks to the compact design, it might beat the older cousin in usability. The lack of noise alone can be a great bonus.
GE650: A typical Wi-Fi 7 router in TP-Link’s Archer family
While classified as a gaming router, the Archer GE650 is, first and foremost, a typical Archer router. As such, it’ll likely have the same firmware as the rest of the lineup.
Specifically, you can access its web user interface via the default IP address, 192.168.0.1, for setup and ongoing management, the way you would any standard Wi-Fi router.
In addition to the gaming features mentioned above, the router is expected to have the standard set of networking features, including Dynamic DNS, port forwarding, VPN (server or client), and all options for WAN access (dynamic, statics, PPPoE, etc.) Addtionally, it comes with the basic version of HomeShield, which includes QoS and lights parental control, with a more advanced version and online protection available via premium add-ons, as shown in the tab below.
| Security | Security+ | Total Security Package | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | At home | At home and on the go | |
| Availability | Included with all TP-Link Archer or Deco routers | Paid subscription | |
| Monthly Price | Free | $4.99 | n/a |
| Annual Price | Free | $35.99 | $69.99 |
| Mobile App Required | Yes | ||
| Features | Router security scan, wireless security scan, IoT device identification, Guest network, Camera security, Wi-Fi access control, Device isolation, Quality of Service (QoS) | All features of Security, plus: Web protection, Intrusion prevention, IoT protection, comprehensive report | All features of Security+, plus: Antivirus protection for PCs and mobile devices, Unlimited VPN, Password management for PCs and mobile devices. |
| Notes | Unavailable when the router (or mesh system) is working in the access point (AP) mode. Internet Security is provided by Norton 360 Deluxe TP-Link Edition, F-Secure Total, or Avira Prime, depending on the router model. | ||
| Standard | Advanced PC | Total PC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | At home | At home and on the go | |
| Availability | Included with all TP-Link Archer or Deco routers | Paid subscription | |
| Monthly Price | Free | $2.99 | TBD |
| Annual Price | Free | $17.99 | TBD |
| Mobile App Required | Yes | ||
| Features | Create profiles, Preset age template, Pause the Internet, Content filter by URL, block specific website, Bedtime, Insight report | All features of Standard, plus: Flexible bedtime, Time limits, Office time, Time reward, Family time, Blocked apps, App time limits, Always allowed apps, Safe search, YouTube restrictions, Comprehensive insights and reports | All features of Advanced PC, plus: KidShield app for Parental Controls on the go, Device settings management, Payment management, Lock device, Keep track of locations, Additional insights and reports |
| Notes | Not available when router (or mesh system) is working in the access point (AP) mode | ||
In terms of Wi-Fi 7 support, it’s safe to say the Artcher GE650 will have the MLO feature right out of the box, with the AFC’s ability to be determined. Per TP-Link, the new router will give users the option to have a virtual MLO SSID on top of the main SSID(s). In all, you’ll be able to create at least three types of SSDs, including:
- A primary SSID for each of the three bands, or you can use SSID for all of them via Smart Connect.
- An MLO SSID for all or any two of the three bands.
- A Guest SSID for each of the bands.
Overall, while the performance of the new Archer GE650 is to be delivered, you can expect to have a very similar experience to any typical TP-Link Archer router in settings and Wi-Fi configurations. After that, the game-related features are the bonuses.
Availability and pricing
During the show, TP-Link told me that the Archer GE650 BE11000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 gaming router would be available by mid-2025, and pricing would be announced then. It’s safe to say, though, that it won’t be more expensive than the GE800. It’s my educated guess that it’d cost around $300, which is slightly more than the similarly specced non-gaming Archer BE550.
As you might have noticed, the details of the new router are still sketchy. Check back for more updates and, likely, an in-depth review based on hands-on testing and real-world usage.
Why am I seeing some wifi 7 routers that only have AX on the 2.4Ghz band?
Because some sea animals don’t swim, I guess. It is what it is, Paul. Other than not having this band in an MLO link, that’d make no difference.
I keep hearing that TP-Link is going to get banned in the U.S. do you have any insight on that?
That’s not a sure thing. More here.
Please take me off your email list. 3rd request !!!!!!!!
There’s a link within the email iself where you can unsub or manage your subsciption. We don’t keep your information per our privacy policy. We didn’t subscribe for you nor can we unsub for you. Also, we didn’t get the first two requests.