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Today I’m reviewing the HUAWEI WiFi BE3, a relatively new router from the company that has recently hit the market. Its key selling point is affordability – this is currently one of the most budget-friendly Wi-Fi 7 routers available. So, if you’re in the market for a router that supports the Wi-Fi 7 standard, or planning to upgrade soon without spending too much, the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 might be worth considering.
For a relatively low price, the device offers more than just Wi-Fi 7 support. It includes easy setup, dual-band operation with the option to merge both bands, solid coverage with a stable signal even through walls, decent internet speeds, four adaptive ports, Mesh support, and straightforward tools for parental controls and network security. Management is available through a web interface or a mobile app for both Android and iOS. And that’s not the full list – I’ll go into more detail about what else the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 has to offer in this review.
Specifications
- Model: HUAWEI WiFi BE3 (WUKUN-BE32)
- Frequency Range: 2.4 and 5 GHz (dual-band)
- Wi-Fi standards: IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ax/be (2.4 GHz), IEEE 802.11a/n/ac/ax/be (5 GHz)
- Maximum Wi-Fi speed:
- Wi-Fi 7 2×2 MIMO: 688 Mbit/s (2.4 GHz), 2882 Mbit/s (5 GHz), total theoretical simultaneous connection speed 3570 Mbit/s
- Wi-Fi 6 2×2 MIMO: 574 Mbit/s (2.4 GHz), 2402 Mbit/s (5 GHz), total theoretical simultaneous connection speed 2976 Mbit/s
- Maximum bandwidth: 160 MHz
- Antennas: MU-MIMO, 4 external antennas, non-removable
- Ports: 1×2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN (adaptive), 3×1 Gbps WAN/LAN (adaptive)
- Memory: 256 MB of RAM, 128 MB of Flash memory
- Operating mode: router, access point, bridge, Mesh
- Mesh support: yes (HUAWEI Link+ support)
- Branded app: HUAWEI AI Life (Android, iOS)
- Security: Wi-Fi encryption (WPA, WEP, WPA2, WPA3), HUAWEI HomeSec, brute-force protection, Wi-Fi scanning protection, firewall, parental control, guest network, VPN Pass-through, DMZ, Wireless Access Control, SSID hiding
- Buttons: WPS, Reset
- Backlight: LED operation indicator (red/green)
- Power supply: DC 12V/1A, power consumption 12 W
- Dimensions: 148.8 × 215.0 × 71.5 mm (folded antennas), 280.0 × 215.0 × 61.5 mm (unfolded antennas)
- Weight: 436 g
- Package contents: HUAWEI WiFi BE3 router, power supply, Ethernet cable, warranty card, user manual
Main features of HUAWEI WiFi BE3
The HUAWEI WiFi BE3 is a dual-band, multifunctional router designed for home use or small office setups. One of its key strengths is support for Wi-Fi 7, which offers faster data transfer speeds and lower latency compared to the previous Wi-Fi 6 standard. The manufacturer claims a theoretical maximum speed of up to 3570 Mbps – 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 2882 Mbps on the 5 GHz band when using Wi-Fi 7 with 2×2 MIMO. Even if you don’t currently own any Wi-Fi 7-compatible devices, the router is still a reasonable choice. It leaves room for future upgrades without requiring an immediate overhaul of your setup.
For devices that support Wi-Fi 6, the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 can deliver a maximum combined connection speed of up to 2976 Mbps – 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 2402 Mbps on the 5 GHz band using Wi-Fi 6 with 2×2 MIMO. Notably, for Wi-Fi 7 devices, the router supports Multi-Link Operation (MLO). This feature allows simultaneous connections to both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, helping to boost overall speed and reduce latency.
As mentioned earlier, the router operates on two frequency bands – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices and allows users to optimize their connections based on specific needs. The model also supports band merging, which can help maintain a more stable connection by automatically switching between bands as needed. However, it’s worth noting that the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 does not support the 6 GHz band, which is available in some Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers.
The device comes equipped with four external antennas that help deliver reliable Wi-Fi coverage and a stable signal, even through walls. This makes the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 a practical option for home use, especially in spaces where consistent connectivity across rooms is important.
The router features four adaptive WAN/LAN ports – one supports speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, while the other three are rated at 1 Gbps. Thanks to their adaptive design, any of the four ports can be used to connect to your internet provider, offering flexibility in how the network is set up.
Among the key features of the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 is support for Mesh networking via HUAWEI Link+. This allows users to create a seamless Wi-Fi system by pairing the router with other compatible Huawei models. The router also supports 4096-QAM modulation, which increases data throughput by up to 120% compared to the 1024-QAM used in Wi-Fi 6. Additionally, it includes Multi-RU (Resource Unit) support, enabling more efficient use of network bandwidth by dynamically reallocating traffic from congested channels to less crowded ones.
Security features are also included. In addition to standard WPA3 encryption, the router offers protection against brute-force attacks and Wi-Fi network scanning. It has a built-in firewall, supports creating a separate guest network, and includes parental controls. All these settings can be managed through an intuitive web interface or a dedicated app available on both Android and iOS. The app also provides visual diagnostics and a range of tools for analyzing and optimizing the network.
Regarding the hardware, the exact processor used in the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 isn’t officially disclosed. However, there are online speculations that it may be powered by the HiSilicon Hi5671 V700 chipset, which features two Arm Cortex-A510 cores running at 1.15 GHz. The router also includes a dedicated network processor, which helps reduce the load on the main CPU and improves data processing efficiency. This network processor is mentioned on HUAWEI’s official website. In terms of memory, the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 offers a typical configuration for a mid-range router: 256 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash storage.
Positioning and price
I’ve already covered the positioning of the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 earlier in the review. To reiterate, it’s one of the more affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers currently available – not the cheapest, but definitely among the lower-priced options. At the time of writing, the average price is around $72 or €65.
Package contents
The router comes in a relatively small branded cardboard box, which highlights some of the key features right on the packaging. The included accessories are basic:
- router
- DC 12V/1A power supply
- Ethernet cable (1 m)
- warranty card
- user manual
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Design, ports, build quality
The design of the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 is fairly typical for modern routers. It has a rectangular shape with fixed, foldable antennas, and all the ports and connectors are located on the back. One drawback is that the router can’t be placed vertically or mounted on a wall, limiting placement options.
The router is relatively compact in size: 148.8 × 215.0 × 71.5 mm with the antennas folded, and 280.0 × 215.0 × 61.5 mm with the antennas extended. It weighs just 436 grams.
The model comes with four fixed antennas that can be either raised or folded down to make the device more compact. Out of curiosity, I tested the connection speed with the antennas both up and down in a 24 m² room, and the difference in speed was negligible.
The connection ports, power input, WPS button, and reset button are all located on the back. All ports are adaptive, meaning the internet provider can be connected to any of them. However, note that the first port supports speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, while the other three are limited to 1 Gbps. All ports support auto-detection, so manual configuration or reassignment isn’t necessary, although the option is available through the web interface and app. The WPS button is designed for quick and easy network connections, allowing devices to connect without manually entering a password. The reset button, as expected, restores the router to its factory settings.
The front of the router is bare except for an LED indicator that lights up red when the router is either not set up or experiencing connection issues, and green when operating normally. This indicator can be turned off through the mobile app, but surprisingly, there doesn’t seem to be an option to disable it via the web interface.
On the bottom of the router, there is a sticker displaying the web interface address and a QR code for downloading the HUAWEI AI Life app.
The router’s casing is made of matte plastic. The build quality feels solid, with no creaks or loose parts. Ergonomically, the device is well-designed – it’s fairly compact, and the placement of ports and connectors is generally convenient. The only downside is that it can’t be wall-mounted, though for me personally, this isn’t an issue.
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Connection and initial settings
Setting up the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 is straightforward and takes just a few clicks. You connect the provider’s cable to any of the ports. I chose the first port, which supports speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, but in my case, it didn’t make much difference since my provider doesn’t offer speeds above 1 Gbps anyway.
You wait a few seconds while the router configures itself automatically. Then, you access the web interface, where you can fine-tune the settings or scan the QR code to download the HUAWEI AI Life app. I performed the initial setup through the web interface on my main work PC, which was connected to the router via cable. By the way, when you try to visit any website before setup, the router will automatically redirect you to the main page of the web interface, where you need to accept the agreements before completing the configuration. I won’t describe the entire process in detail here – it’s easier to show everything clearly with screenshots.
In the settings menu, it’s a good idea to enable band steering right away, as it’s turned off by default. Optionally, you can also adjust the channel bandwidth for the 5 GHz band to 20/40/80/160 MHz – by default, it’s limited to 20/40/80 MHz. The rest of the settings will be covered in detail in the next section.
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HUAWEI WiFi BE3 web interface
The web interface of the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 is simple and intuitive. It’s also worth noting that it’s not overloaded with settings, which will undoubtedly be a plus for most everyday users.
On the main page, users can find a brief summary of the router’s performance, the number of currently connected devices, and a QR code for downloading the HUAWEI AI Life app. There’s also a button to reboot the device.
On the “Internet” tab, you can configure your internet connection. Typically, everything is set up automatically here, with all necessary parameters being received directly from the internet service provider.
On the “My Wi-Fi Network” tab, you’ll find the basic Wi-Fi network settings: network name (SSID), band steering, 5 GHz priority, password, and signal strength level. You can also create a backup Wi-Fi network here for legacy devices that may have trouble connecting to the main network.
On the “Devices” tab, you can view all currently connected devices. It also displays devices that were previously connected to the network but are currently offline. You can allow or block internet access for each device and set speed limits as needed.
On the “Advanced Features” tab, you can find all other – including advanced – router settings. Here, you can view more detailed device information, check for and install firmware updates, and access additional LAN, VPN, IPTV, UPnP, and IPv6 settings. You can also fine-tune Wi-Fi settings, create a separate guest Wi-Fi network with restricted access, configure security options, and set up parental controls.
This section also allows you to change the web interface access password, set the network time, configure ports, run diagnostics, and reset the device. There are plenty of settings available – I’ve highlighted the key ones, and I’ll show the rest in screenshots.
HUAWEI AI Life proprietary app
As mentioned earlier, you can manage and configure the router not only via the web interface but also through the HUAWEI AI Life app. You can download the app by scanning the QR code located on the bottom of the router or found on the main page of the web interface. Alternatively, you can search for it directly in the App Store if you’re using an iOS device. For Android users, the app needs to be downloaded from HUAWEI’s AppGallery or their official website, since it’s not available on Google Play.
The app’s settings largely mirror those available in the web interface, though they’re presented in a more streamlined format. One notable difference is the ability to create a custom floor plan, monitor device activity, and track network signal strength. It’s a useful feature, particularly for larger spaces or setups involving multiple routers or mesh networks. For small apartments, it’s not essential, but still interesting to explore. The diagnostics section in the app is also more detailed and visually organized compared to the web version. Beyond that, most settings remain essentially the same.
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Tests of HUAWEI WiFi BE3
To test Wi-Fi signal strength and speed, I’ll use an iPhone 11 Pro Max connected to the router and run measurements in four different zones throughout my apartment. These zones are located in separate rooms, at varying distances from the router, with concrete walls in between. The test areas are as follows:
- next to each other, in one room (1 m)
- in the next room behind the wall (8 m)
- in the kitchen behind two walls (11 m)
- in the stairwell behind three walls (15 m)
Here are the test results:
- In the same room, about 1 meter from the router: 769 Mbps download / 640 Mbps upload
- In the adjacent room behind one wall, 8 meters away: 568 Mbps download / 500 Mbps upload
- In the kitchen behind two walls, 12 meters away: 516 Mbps download / 422 Mbps upload
- In the stairwell behind three walls, 15 meters away: 258 Mbps download / 174 Mbps upload
As shown, the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 delivers respectable speeds. It’s important to note that these results apply to Wi-Fi 6, since the iPhone 11 Pro Max used in testing does not support Wi-Fi 7. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any Wi-Fi 7-compatible devices available during testing. With devices that support Wi-Fi 7, the router is expected to achieve even higher speeds.
Regarding devices connected via cable, performance is as expected. The router delivers the maximum connection speed supported by the provider, which in my case is 1 Gbps. Below, I’ve included the result from my main work PC, which was constantly connected to the router via Ethernet.
And finally, the results from the Wi-Fi Analyzer, for a more complete picture.
You might be wondering about stability. In that regard, the router performed well. During testing, I used it as my main router. At the same time, two home work PCs (one wired, one Wi-Fi), three different smartphones, smart lights, and occasionally a PS3 and PS4 were connected. All devices maintained a stable connection without drops or speed degradation. No dead zones were detected throughout the testing period. The HUAWEI WiFi BE3 handled even older devices reliably – for example, where my older Redmi Note 8 Pro previously experienced Wi-Fi drops with a MikroTik hAP ac2 router, the BE3 maintained a steady connection with decent speeds. Overall, as mentioned earlier, this router suits home use well, especially in moderately sized spaces with multiple walls and several devices connected simultaneously.
Conclusions
To sum up, as I’ve mentioned earlier in the review, the HUAWEI WiFi BE3 is a solid Wi-Fi 7 router option for home use or small offices. It is affordable, easy to set up, and compact, delivering high connection speeds and stable coverage even through walls. Additional advantages include a user-friendly mobile app, parental control features, and the ability to extend coverage via Mesh support. On the downside, the router lacks a 6 GHz frequency band and doesn’t offer wall-mounting options.
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I have an AX3 and I want to update it to BE3, is it worth it in your opinion? I found it on offer for 72.16 EUR.
I also have an AX3 and didn’t upgrade, as long as it’s enough.