TP-Link Deco AC and AX Mesh Routers (M4, P9, M5, M9+, X20, X50, X55, X60, X68, X75, X90, X95, etc)

[xiaofan]

Using this thread to consolidate discussions of TP-Link Deco series of mesh routers (not for Archer AC/AX routers).

TP-Link WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 will be covered in another thread.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...ter-and-deco-wifi-6e-7-mesh-solution.6953682/

TP-Link Singapore product page:
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/home-networking/deco/
Dual band AC -- M3, M3W, M4, S4, HC4, M5 (AC1300), S7 (AC1900)
Dual band AX -- X20 (AX1800), X25, X50 (AX3000), X55, X60 (AX3000) , X80 (AX6000)
Tri-band AC -- TP-Link Deco M9+ (AC2200)
Tri-band AX -- X68 (AX3200), X75 (AX5400), X90 (AX6600) and X95 (AX7800)
Dual band AC1200 + Power line AV1000 backhaul -- Deco P9
Dual band AX3000 + Power line G.hn 1.5Gbps backhaul -- Deco PX50
POE powered -- Deco X50-POE and Deco X50-Outdoor

 

[xiaofan]

Past discussions:
1) Deco M4
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/tp-link-deco-m4-pretty-good-for-the-price.6030292/
2) Deco M5
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/tplink-deco-m5.5679695/
3) Deco X20 and X60
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/tp-link-deco-x20-vs-x60.6251430/
4) Deco M9+ and M5 or other Deco with Singtel ONR
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/using-deco-series-m9-plus-m5-with-singtel-onr.6409924/
5) Deco M9+
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/tp-link-deco-m9-plus-or-d-link-covr-2202.6276913/
6) NordVPN is not supported by Deco
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/can-i-use-nordvpn-with-tp-link-deco-m5-mesh.6619424/

 

[xiaofan]

TP-Link Deco is probably no fight for Netgear Orbi or Asus Zenwif. But they are relatively cheap (other than triband AX Deco) and perform well enough for average home users.

As of now I can see they are still supporting the old Deco M4 in terms of FW support (I have 4 Deco M4 units even though I do not really use them after using Asus RT-AX82U which can cover my flat with good 5GHz wifi).

 

[xiaofan]

Older Deco M5/M9+ and Deco X20/X25/X60 V1 support HomeCare (free).
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/homecare/
Newer Deco X50, X55, X68 and X90 support HomeShield (basic version free, Pro version is not free with subscription required).
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/homeshield/

 

[xiaofan]

It seems to me Deco M4, M9+ and X20 are popular, listed as "Hot Buys" by TP-Link Singapore.
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/home-networking/deco/
Pricing info for reference.
Deco M4 AC1200 3-pack: S$179 (2-pack often got offer at S$99)
Deco M5 AC1300 3-pack: S$219
Deco M9+ 2-pack: S$239 (one of the cheapest triband AC mesh system)
Deco P9 with powerline backhaul 3-pack: S$299

Deco X20 AX1800 2-pack: S$189
Deco X20 AX1800 3-pack: S$299
Deco X50 AX3000 3-pack: S$439
Deco X60 AX3000 2-pack: S$329
Deco X60 AX3000 3-pack: S$529

Deco X68 AX3600 triband 2-pack: S$399
Deco X68 AX3600 triband 3-pack: S$599
Deco X90 AX6600 triband 1-pack: S$329
Deco X90 AX6600 triband 2-pack: S$649

From Challenger TP-Link page:
https://www.challenger.sg/brand/tp-link

 

[xiaofan]

TP-Link Global Support Youtube Channel has quite some simple video guide for setting up the routers.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLp_URaAod44UHCZWH56Bpw
Example:

 

[xiaofan]

TP-Link Singapore has some video as well.
https://www.youtube.com/user/Danleee2010/videos
Example: Deco setup for Singtel ONT users (Internet and Singtel TV), take note if you use Deco modles with only two Ethernet ports, you will no longer be able to use Ethernet backhaul if you have SIngtel TV box for Singtel ONT users.


For Singtel ONR users, you have to connect Singtel TV box to the ONR. And it is better to set up Deco router in AP mode to avoid Double NAT.

For other ISPs like M1, Starhub and MyRepublic, you can follow this video.

 

[xiaofan]

Deco X20 dual band vs X68 tri-band: if using Ethernet backhaul, go with X20; if using wireless backhaul, go with X68. Deco X68 is one of the cheapest triband WiFi 6 mesh routers now.

 

[Grandturismo]

Whats the diff between X50 & X60?

 

[xiaofan]

Whats the diff between X50 & X60?

Deco X60 is higher end than X50.
2 internal antenna, 4 streams in Deco X50
vs
4 internal antenna, 6 streams in Deco X60

Ref:
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/compare/?typeId=5700&productIds=52477,37806

 

[tuntun]

I prefer to use deco p9..is it still selling?

 

[xiaofan]

I prefer to use deco p9..is it still selling?

Yes. Deco P9 is good for coverage if you do not have LAN ports at the rooms as it can use power line as the backhaul. The performance of the mesh nodes will be limited though, typically 100-250Mbps.

Just an example from official TP-Link Lazada shop.

Check out TP-LINK Deco P9(3-pack) AC1200 Dual Band Gigabi...at 6% off!$309.00 only!Get it on Lazada now! | https://s.lazada.sg/s.04az5

 

[Grandturismo]

Deco X60 is higher end than X50.
2 internal antenna, 4 streams in Deco X50
vs
4 internal antenna, 6 streams in Deco X60

Ref:
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/compare/?typeId=5700&productIds=52477,37806

Which one would u recommend for a small house? Every room has data point

 

[xiaofan]

Which one would u recommend for a small house? Every room has data point

Between the two I will go with Deco X60 two-pack if your house is not big. It has the older HomeCare which is free.

Challenger pricing:
Deco X50 AX3000 2-pack: not so sure about pricing, A few other places selling at similar price to Deco X60 two-pack.
Deco X50 AX3000 3-pack: S$439
Deco X60 AX3000 2-pack: S$329
Deco X60 AX3000 3-pack: S$529

Ref: review of Deco X50
https://www.canbuyornot.com/reviews/tp-link-deco-x50-review-price/

 

[Grandturismo]

Between the two I will go with Deco X60 two-pack if your house is not big. It has the older HomeCare which is free.

Challenger pricing:
Deco X50 AX3000 2-pack: not so sure about pricing, A few other places selling at similar price to Deco X60 two-pack.
Deco X50 AX3000 3-pack: S$439
Deco X60 AX3000 2-pack: S$329
Deco X60 AX3000 3-pack: S$529

Ref: review of Deco X50
https://www.canbuyornot.com/reviews/tp-link-deco-x50-review-price/

Thinking of going X50 3 pack or Xiaomi AX3000 mesh system (will buy 3 to cover whole house if not enough)

https://shopee.sg/product/237295326/16303645761?smtt=0.1932239-1648859399.9
Price wise, xiaomi is 50% cheaper

Performance wise can advice?

 

[xiaofan]

Thinking of going X50 3 pack or Xiaomi AX3000 mesh system (will buy 3 to cover whole house if not enough)

https://shopee.sg/product/237295326/16303645761?smtt=0.1932239-1648859399.9
Price wise, xiaomi is 50% cheaper

Performance wise can advice?

In terms of Wireless performance, I tend to think Xiaomi AX3000 will be similar to TP-Link Deco X50 or potentially better, but this is just my guess, better to hear the user who has the first hand experiences.

 

[chopperman6]

Would want to get some advice here. Have a main router for my house now. There are some dead spots here and there, was thinking that mesh WiFi would help?

I have laid lan cables to all my bedrooms and was reading up a bit. It seems like the solution I need is to have wireless access points at my lan ports? i.e. Have the WiFi mesh device connect via lan cable to my main router? Would buying a mesh WiFi be an overkill?

 

[sadboy]

Would want to get some advice here. Have a main router for my house now. There are some dead spots here and there, was thinking that mesh WiFi would help?

I have laid lan cables to all my bedrooms and was reading up a bit. It seems like the solution I need is to have wireless access points at my lan ports? i.e. Have the WiFi mesh device connect via lan cable to my main router? Would buying a mesh WiFi be an overkill?

Since you already have LAN cables to all room. Using Mesh should help to fixed your dead spot.

As most mesh can be use as a router so you can removed your current router.

Otherwise just configure the mesh as AP mode (if you choose to keep your current router as the main router).

 

[xiaofan]

Would want to get some advice here. Have a main router for my house now. There are some dead spots here and there, was thinking that mesh WiFi would help?

I have laid lan cables to all my bedrooms and was reading up a bit. It seems like the solution I need is to have wireless access points at my lan ports? i.e. Have the WiFi mesh device connect via lan cable to my main router? Would buying a mesh WiFi be an overkill?

What is your current router and what is your budget?

In fact there is no such thing as overkill for wireless home network setup within a reasonable budget -- pay for the better ones within the budget you are comfortable with.

Since you already have the LAN ports in the rooms, you can use cheaper dual band Mesh solutions. For example, within the S$200 budget, TP-Link Deco X20 (S$179 a pair) may be a good choice as the lower end AX mesh solution. Outside of TP-Link brand, a pair of Xiaomi AX3000 or AX3200 local version (local warranty) may give a bit better wireless performance (about S$169 a pair) than the Deco X20.

Typically mesh solution will have better roaming solution than random cheap APs (router in AP mode) out there since they may better support roaming standards (802.11 k/r/v) or proprietary roaming solutions (eg: Asus AImesh).

Ref: 802.11 k/r/v roaming stanard
https://support.apple.com/en-sg/HT202628

But of course there are higher end dedicated AP solutions (eg: Ubiquiti Unifi APs) which may provide better roaming performance than the cheap comsumer mesh solutions.

On the other hand, if your budget is super low (say below S$50 for two nodes), then yes you can buy cheap routers from Carousell and configure them as APs in the rooms. It may work well for you as well even though the roaming performance may not be as good. And you may need to tune the position and the transmission power to get it work.

If you are into OpenWRT, then yes you can form pretty good mesh with the cheap Linksys EA7500 v2 (about S$40 a pair) by installing OpenWRT on them and use OpenWRT mesh solutions mentioned here.

 

[chopperman6]

What is your current router and what is your budget?

In fact there is no such thing as overkill for wireless home network setup within a reasonable budget -- pay for the better ones within the budget you are comfortable with.

Since you already have the LAN ports in the rooms, you can use cheaper dual band Mesh solutions. For example, within the S$200 budget, TP-Link Deco X20 (S$179 a pair) may be a good choice as the lower end AX mesh solution. Outside of TP-Link brand, a pair of Xiaomi AX3000 or AX3200 local version (local warranty) may give a bit better wireless performance (about S$169 a pair) than the Deco X20.

Typically mesh solution will have better roaming solution than random cheap APs (router in AP mode) out there since they may better support roaming standards (802.11 k/r/v) or proprietary roaming solutions (eg: Asus AImesh).

Ref: 802.11 k/r/v roaming stanard
https://support.apple.com/en-sg/HT202628

But of course there are higher end dedicated AP solutions (eg: Ubiquiti Unifi APs) which may provide better roaming performance than the cheap comsumer mesh solutions.

On the other hand, if your budget is super low (say below S$50 for two nodes), then yes you can buy cheap routers from Carousell and configure them as APs in the rooms. It may work well for you as well even though the roaming performance may not be as good. And you may need to tune the position and the transmission power to get it work.

If you are into OpenWRT, then yes you can form pretty good mesh with the cheap Linksys EA7500 v2 (about S$40 a pair) by installing OpenWRT on them and use OpenWRT mesh solutions mentioned here.

Thanks for the reply!

My current router is a TP Link EX221, budget wise is around 300-400 bucks.

'm looking at the TP Link Deco X60, was thinking if i need just a one pack or a two pack. my dead zone now is only my master bedroom, was thinking of just placing a deco x60 at my master bedroom. my master bedroom have a lan port.