By
Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor
Last updated

TP-Link Archer 8 Ultra and TP-Link Deco 8 Ultra

Prefer WhistleOut in Google

TP-Link will be the first manufacturer to sell WiFi 8 equipment in Australia, with pre-orders for its Archer 8 Ultra router and Deco 8 Ultra wireless mesh system starting on September 30. 

The Archer 8 Ultra is a standalone router capable of 19Gbps combined wireless speeds and 10Gbps wired speeds. It features 18 internal antennas. 

Meanwhile, the Deco 8 Ultra is a wireless mesh system capable of 22Gbps combined wireless speeds and 10Gbps wired speeds. TP-Link says a three-pack can cover up to 910 square metres, and support over 200 devices. 

Pricing has yet to be confirmed for either device. Given early WiFi 7 equipment pricing, it wouldn't be surprising to see the pair sell for over $1,000, however, especially given their high-end propostion. 

TP-Link says WiFi 8 is less about "incremental speed gains" and more about addressing "connectivity problems people actually notice", citing issues like weak coverage at range, congestion, and interference. Of course, the WiFi 8 standard has yet to be finalised, and there aren't any phones or laptops that support WiFi 8 yet. While WiFi 8 is backward compatible with WiFi 7 and WiFi 6 devices (and older), they won't take advantage of new features.

A TP-Link spokesperson told WhistleOut that older devices can still benefit from a Deco 8 Ultra mesh setup, however. 

"Improvements to network coordination, scheduling and interference management can lift efficiency for everything connected, whatever generation it's on," said the spokesperson. "That one depends on having more than one Wi-Fi 8 unit coordinating with each other, so it applies to a Deco mesh set rather than a single router."

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros
Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

Read full bio


Compare internet plans from the following providers...

Latest Internet Deals

Get the Tangerine nbn500 Speedy Max plan for only $59.90/mth!

WhistleOut Special Offer - SpinTel nbn25 just $41/mth for the first 6mths

Fast, reliable satellite internet starting at $75/mth with no upfront hardware cost!

MASSIVE SAVINGS with Dodo nbn! nbn500 for $62.99/mth for 6mths!!

Family Max nbn500/50 for just $74/mth for first 6mths for new residential customers

NEW Exetel's One plan 500/40 $80/mth. No gimmicks, just award-winning nbn.