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PCMag examines MSI’s $299.99 Roamii BE Lite mesh system, positioning it as one of the most affordable entry points to Wi-Fi 7 technology while highlighting notable performance tradeoffs. This two-node system covers 5,800 square feet with triangular white towers (9.4″ tall) featuring a 2.5GbE WAN port and two 1GbE LAN ports per node, though lacks USB connectivity found in competing systems.
While supporting key Wi-Fi 7 features like Multi-Link Operation and 4K QAM, the Roamii BE Lite makes two significant concessions: no 6GHz band and limited 240MHz channel width (versus 320MHz in premium models). PCMag’s testing revealed these limitations translate to real-world performance gaps – the system delivered 937Mbps at close range (versus 2,288Mbps from TP-Link’s BE63) and 524Mbps at 30 feet. Satellite nodes showed similar deficits, though the system provided strong whole-home coverage in signal strength tests.
The review praises MSI’s inclusion of free Trend Micro-powered FortiSecu software offering parental controls and network security, including age-based web filtering and ransomware protection. Setup proves straightforward via mobile app with QR code pairing, though PCMag notes sluggish response times when adjusting settings.
Ultimately, while the Roamii BE Lite brings Wi-Fi 7 to budget-conscious buyers, PCMag suggests springing for their Editors’ Choice TP-Link Deco BE63 ($349.99) delivers substantially better performance with full tri-band support. The MSI system works best for users prioritizing cost over cutting-edge speeds in medium-sized homes where its coverage strengths can shine.
For the full review, including detailed speed tests and coverage analysis, check out PCMag’s complete evaluation.
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