I. Introduction: Wi-Fi 7 Evolves Rapidly with Xiaomi's New BE5000 Router
Wi-Fi technology has seen rapid evolution over the past 20 years, with none progressing as swiftly as Wi-Fi 7!
Following the official release of IEEE 802.11BE (Wi-Fi 7) in the first half of 2024, corresponding commercial products such as network cards and routers were promptly introduced. Mobile devices like smartphones and laptops with built-in wireless connectivity were also well-prepared in advance.
This new standard aims to meet the growing demands of users for network speed and quality. Wi-Fi 7 introduces several features, including 320MHz bandwidth, Multi-RU mechanism, 4096-QAM modulation technology, Multi-Link mechanism, and collaborative scheduling among multiple APs. It can utilize different frequency bands simultaneously, achieving a maximum transmission rate of 46Gbps, a significant leap from Wi-Fi 6E's 9.6Gbps, marking a 4.8-fold increase and greatly enhancing data transfer rates while offering lower latency.
Wi-Fi 7 sounds promising, but are the related products expensive?
Not quite. Entry-level Wi-Fi 7 routers are priced around 220 yuan, with network cards retailing for about 100 yuan. Compared to Wi-Fi 6/6E products, they are only slightly more expensive, ranging from 30 to 60 yuan. The price increase is relatively modest.
If you are considering purchasing a router and have a budget of 200-300 yuan, following the principle of "buying new rather than old," let me recommend the recently released Xiaomi Router BE5000, which has garnered significant attention.
Before testing, let's take a look at the general specifications of the Xiaomi router BE5000:
Wireless speeds support 2x2 MIMO 2.4GHz (up to 688Mbps) + 5GHz 3x3 MIMO (up to 4323Mbps) totaling 5011Mbps, 160MHz bandwidth, 4K QAM, 5 signal amplifiers, 6nm dual-core processor, and 512MB of memory.
Wired connections include 1 2.5G Ethernet port and 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports, supporting port aggregation, blind plug function for Ethernet ports. When connecting to high-speed NAS or other wired devices, you can also enjoy a smooth data transfer experience.
Next, let's take a look at the performance of this Xiaomi router BE5000.
Appearance: Continuity with BE3600 style, white body, five-antenna design.
In terms of appearance, the Xiaomi router BE5000 shares the same minimalist white design as the BE3600.
However, it is slightly longer with five non-extendable antennas on the top and built-in five signal amplifiers.
The LED indicator lights for the Xiaomi logo are retained, and the overall dimensions of the device are 271.9×40.9×220.8mm.
The antenna details, with "WiFi 7" printed on the last antenna.
The back features a large hollowed-out design, utilizing natural heat dissipation to handle the heat generated by the 6nm process Wi-Fi chip.
From left to right are: power socket, RESET reset button, 4 adaptive WLAN/LAN ports, MESH button.
It is important to note that the first to third ports are Gigabit WAN/LAN ports, the fourth is a 2.5G WAN/LAN port, all supporting blind insertion, IPTV, and port aggregation functions.
This Xiaomi router BE5000 supports a variety of wired/wireless hybrid networking methods, supporting up to 10 devices to create a seamless experience in large spaces, ensuring optimal signal points for devices like smartphones.
At the bottom, there are also grid openings.
The package includes a user manual, RJ45 Ethernet cable, and a 12V1A power adapter.
The Xiaomi router BE5000 teardown diagram shows that the 1st, 3rd, and 5th antennas are 5GHz high-gain WiFi antennas, while the 2nd and 4th antennas are 2.4GHz high-gain WiFi antennas.
Signal coverage and speed: The maximum transmission rate can reach 1.27Gbps, covering an area of 300-400 square meters in an office setting.
Our testing environment is in the office, with an area of approximately 300 to 400 square meters.
The red dot marks the placement of the Xiaomi router BE5000, while the black dots with numbers indicate the testing locations.
To ensure testing for the maximum wireless transmission speed, the PC used for testing is connected at a wired rate of 2.5Gbps, and the mobile device used for testing is the Xiaomi 14 that supports Wi-Fi 7. Throughout this process, we conduct tests on signal strength and transmission rates.
The key feature of Wi-Fi 7 routers is the support for MLO (Multi-Link Operation technology), which allows devices to send and receive data on different frequency bands and channels simultaneously.
This means devices can connect to the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands at the same time, boosting network speeds, reducing latency, and improving reliability.
To experience this feature, you need to enable the dual-band convergence option on the relevant router to activate the MLO function. In the Xiaomi router BE5000, this feature is enabled by default, allowing users to experience this new technology right out of the box.
Xiaomi 14 automatically connects to the 5G band of the Xiaomi router BE5000's Wi-Fi hotspot when connected, with a maximum connection speed of 2882Mbps under the technical standard of the seventh generation in the dual-band scenario.
At test point 1, there are no obstructions near the testing platform. The phone is connected at a speed of 2882Mbps, with a signal strength of -10dBm, a latency of 9ms, and a maximum transmission rate of 1.27GBps, equivalent to a download speed of 160MB/s, exceeding the transfer limit of a gigabit network card.PS: In the image, there are two APs with the same name, operating on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. We are only considering the data related to the 5GHz band with the highest speed. During testing, it is ensured that the bandwidth of the Xiaomi router 5000 is at 160Hz to maximize the router's transmission bandwidth performance.
At test point 2, the distance to the router is approximately 5 meters, with a wall in between.At this point, the phone is connected at a speed of 2882Mbps, with a signal strength of -41dBm, a latency of 8ms, and a maximum transmission rate of 795MBps, equivalent to a download speed of around 100MB/s.
At test point 3, the distance from the router is approximately the same, around 5 meters, with two walls in between.At this point, the mobile phone is connected at a speed of 2882Mbps, with a signal strength of -55dBm, a latency of 8ms, a maximum transmission rate of 755MBps, equivalent to a download speed of about 95MB/s.
The performance at this distance with two walls is similar to that of being separated by one wall. This is because the office environment walls do not contain steel bars; otherwise, it would act like a "Faraday cage," blocking not only Wi-Fi signals but also affecting mobile signals.
Based on these results alone, the Xiaomi router BE5000 demonstrates relatively ideal wall-penetration capabilities.
Test Point 4
At test point 4, despite being separated by just one wall, the distance from the router is around 15-20 meters, which still puts a significant strain on the router's connectivity.
At this point, the mobile phone is connected at a speed of 2882Mbps, with a signal strength of -50dBm, a latency of 8ms, and a maximum transmission rate of 696MBps, equivalent to a download speed of about 87MB/s, showcasing a very good connectivity even at a far distance.
Due to the less complex nature of office environments compared to residential settings, full coverage can be achieved in office spaces of around 300 to 400 square meters, with a minimum transmission speed of up to 696Mbps.
In summary: For just 50 yuan more than an entry-level Wi-Fi 7 router, you can enjoy a high-end experience.
When it comes to the Xiaomi router BE5000, it seems like an upgraded version of the BE3600. Besides speed, what are the differences in user experience between these two routers?
For Wi-Fi 7 routers, antenna configuration is a crucial factor as it determines the upper limit of transmission speed. For example, with 2x2 MIMO in the 5GHz band, the speed can reach 2882Mbps, typically found in entry-level setups. For users who don't require advanced features like setting up Mesh networks, this configuration is sufficient.
However, for more demanding usage needs, entry-level routers may fall short. The Xiaomi router BE3600, priced at only 229 yuan, cannot be expected to have top-tier specifications.
So, how does the performance of 4x4 MIMO fare? In the 5GHz band, the speed can reach 5764.7Mbps (6GB), a configuration usually seen in high-end routers like the Xiaomi router BE6500 Pro and BE7000, which start at around six to seven hundred yuan. If additional features like Docker, USB ports are desired, the budget can be limitless.
Careful readers may have noticed a significant price gap between entry-level and high-end Wi-Fi 7 routers. The Xiaomi router BE5000, utilizing a 3x3 MIMO combination, perfectly addresses the issue of insufficient performance in entry-level routers, ensuring the performance of Wi-Fi 7 and providing an experience close to that of high-end routers. This is the main goal of the Xiaomi router BE5000.
What's even more surprising is that the Xiaomi router BE5000 remains budget-friendly, with a starting price of only 279 yuan, just 50 yuan more than their entry-level Wi-Fi 7 router.
In testing, the Xiaomi router BE5000 boasts impressive specifications and performance. It effortlessly provides seamless coverage without dead zones in environments of 300 to 400 square meters. Even at the farthest point, it can deliver a transmission speed close to 700Mbps, making it perfect for smooth 4K video streaming and online gaming.
This also reflects Xiaomi's strategy of offering products in different price ranges within the same category, providing consumers with more choices to find the product that suits them best.
When it comes to value for money, you can always trust Xiaomi!
