WiFi 7 has been around for some time, and more affordable options are finally appearing on the market. The Mercusys MR27BE is currently one of the most budget-friendly WiFi 7 routers you can buy. It supports dual-band WiFi 7 BE3600 along with core WiFi 7 features such as Multi-Link Operation (MLO).
In my testing, the Mercusys MR27BE delivered a stable and reliable connection. While it doesn’t offer blazing-fast speeds or wide coverage, it performs well enough for small to medium homes. For users on internet plans under 300Mbps, this router handles everyday tasks smoothly with consistent performance.
Mercusys MR27BE
7.5
Tubi Rating
pros
- Affordable price
- Includes dual 2.5G ports
- Comes with WireGuard VPN support
cons
- Limited features on App
- Doesn’t come with power button
Hardware and Specs
| WiFi 2.4Ghz | WiFi 7 up to 688Mbps (40Mhz 2×2) |
| WiFi 5Ghz | WiFi 7 up to 2882Mbps (160Mhz 2×2) |
| CPU | Unknown |
| RAM | Unknown |
| Ethernet Ports | 1x 2.5G WAN + 1x 2.5G LAN + 2x Gigabit LAN |
The biggest surprise with the Mercusys MR27BE is the inclusion of two 2.5G ports—something rarely seen at this price point. This means the router can technically support internet plans up to 2Gbps, which are becoming more common in some regions. That’s impressive for a device priced at RM249 (around USD $60).
Beyond that, the hardware is fairly basic. There’s no USB port and no dedicated power button, while the build quality leans toward cost savings with simple plastic construction and no individual status indicators. On the practical side, it does include mounting holes for wall or ceiling installation, offering flexibility in placement.
WiFi Performance
While Mercusys cut corners on aesthetics, the WiFi performance is surprisingly solid. It’s only slightly slower than the TP-Link Archer BE230 that’s priced much higher. For smaller properties or environments with minimal interference, the MR27BE is more than adequate for casual web browsing, social scrolling and video streaming.
Is it worth upgrading to a basic WiFi 7 router? In many cases, yes. WiFi 7 brings meaningful improvements even compared to a WiFi 6 AX3000 router. You don’t necessarily need WiFi 7 devices to see the benefits, as newer routers offer enhanced signal processing that can boost speeds for older devices too. The Mercusys MR27BE will outperform most WiFi 6 AX3000 routers.
Short Distance 5GHz WiFi 7
Long Distance 5GHz WiFi 7
Short Distance WiFi 7 MLO
Long Distance 2.4GHz WiFi 7
On the short range test, I managed to get the full speed of my gigabit internet connection from the MR27BE thanks to the 2.5G WAN port. This means if you have a 1Gbps Internet connection, you should be able to get the full speed over the WiFi connection. As for the long range test, the Mercusys MR27BE is faster than both TP-Link Archer BE230 and Archer BE550, which is surprising.
In the MLO test, the Mercusys MR27BE turned out to be one of the slower WiFi 7 routers I’ve tested. This is likely because MLO isn’t a key focus on entry-level models, especially since many devices still do not support it. On the positive side, its 2.4GHz performance is excellent. In fact, it’s among the fastest we’ve seen from TP-Link WiFi 7 routers.
EasyMesh Feature
The Mercusys MR27BE also supports EasyMesh, allowing you to connect it with other EasyMesh-compatible routers to build a mesh WiFi system. It can link wirelessly with other routers, extending coverage across a larger home. I tested it with the TP-Link Archer BE400, and it worked well. This isn’t surprising, since Mercusys is part of TP-Link.
That said, the EasyMesh experience is not as fast or seamless as a purpose-built mesh system like the Deco BE22 I reviewed recently. Still, it’s a flexible option for those who prefer multi-router setups or want to repurpose older routers to reduce waste. It’s great to see this feature available even on a budget-friendly model.
Firmware and Features
The firmware and interface on the Mercusys MR27BE are surprisingly polished. Not a surprise as the Mercusys firmware is basically a clone from TP-Link with some features removed for differentiation. However, it uses the same architecture that’s highly stable and robust. The MERCUSYS App feels familiar, with an intuitive and user-friendly design.
Mercusys also includes basic parental controls, which can be quite handy. You can block websites by entering URLs and set bedtime schedules or daily usage limits. While it lacks advanced category-based filtering, this is still an upgrade from the basic free router from your service provider.
Additional features are another pleasant surprise. Mercusys MR27BE includes functions not usually found at this price point such as WireGuard VPN server and VPN client support. As for the Mercusys App, it can view connected devices and manage basic settings like the WiFi name and password.
Closing Thoughts
The Mercusys MR27BE is a solid affordable router for those upgrading from the free unit bundled with their ISP. While it won’t match the performance or coverage of higher-end models, it offers excellent value for the price. For users upgrading from a basic Wireless AC1200 router that’s four to five years old, the MR27BE can deliver nearly double the performance, along with modern features like WiFi 7 and dual 2.5G ports.