TP-Link Deco X50 AX3000 Whole Home AI-Driven Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System, Dual-Band with Gigabit Ports, Coverage up to 6,500 ft2, Connect up to 150 devices, 1 GHz Dual-Core CPU, HomeShield Security, Pack of 3

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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. While many router manufacturers require you to pay for parental controls, such as with the Eero 6 Plus, TP-Link bundles generous free controls. Moving to the second floor, speeds increased my more than 14-times, moving from a very slow and unreliable connection to a much faster one.

Mesh systems might be the best way to get a strong Wi-Fi signal where you need it, but the boxes can look ugly strewn around the house. A powerful router in its own right, this model can be used with any other Deco devices, not just X50 versions, as part of a mesh system, giving you options if you need to boost its signal. If you want a neater installation, the TP-Link Deco X50-PoE could be for you, as it can be wall- or ceiling-mounted, powered via Ethernet. These numbers clearly illustrate the gulf in performance between an affordable dual-band mesh and a high-end tri-band one. With clearer and stronger signals enhanced by BSS Color and Beamforming, Deco X50boosts broader whole home WiFi coverage with great performance.

Adding a mesh satellite into the mix, such as the TP-Link Deco X50-POE, improves speeds, as you can see in the graph below. This will work with SIM cards from any network, running over 4G or 5G, depending on what the signal is like where you live. With massive MIMO, optimized OFDM, and more, 5G technologies brings fast responsive network connections to tomorrow’s mobile devices, with only 1 ms latency.

If you’re more concerned with keeping the cost down, Netgear’s Orbi RBK352 offers a similar specification to the Deco X50. I quite like the way that the charges for parental controls and security are split, as you can choose the services that apply to you. This swiftly detects the Deco units and prompts you to choose a name and security settings for your new mesh.

Multiple Installation Options – Place it on a tabletop or install it on a ceiling or wall with the adaptive accessories. Combined with its ceiling- and wall-mount system, this is a satellite that’s designed to blend in with a home. A fat 160MHz channel width helps the Deco system overcome physical obstacles and interference from other networks.

TP-Link’s meshes all use the same software for installation and management, so if you’ve used a Deco system in the past you’ll know what to expect.Unlike traditional smart hubs, TP-Link Mesh Technology provides whole-home IoT coverage with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Zigbee integrated into a single system. Simple to use, packed full of features and good value for a router with a 5G modem built in, the TP-Link Deco X50-5G is a good device where you need a cellular connection for backup or your main internet. This makes the system a lot more affordable than tri-band systems such as TP-Link’s Deco X90 but it also means there’s less bandwidth available overall.