Tp-Link Deco M5 Review
What is Mesh Wifi?
The mesh WiFi system provides stronger WiFi coverage than a standard wireless router. Deco M5 twin packs, which I’m reviewing today, include 2 units that each contain the main mesh router as well as a single node.
TP-Link Deco M5 can replace your ISP’s router. For the vast majority of Malaysians this means you will be able to remove the older router and simply connect the Deco M5 device directly from Unifi/Maxis Fibre.
What about the remaining units you wonder? These are the mesh nodes. They wirelessly connect with the main unit, then join together to provide a reliable WiFi network that blankets your entire home. TP-Link claims that the Deco is capable of supporting up to 100 devices, and can also support 32 mesh nodes. If you need more WiFi coverage, you can simply buy more Deco units.
The greatest thing about TP Link Deco wireless WiFi is the ease-of-use. The WiFi network has only one name, so I don’t have to worry about my phone losing the connection.
Tp-Link Deco 5 Router Review: The Mesh Network comes with an Antivirus Side.
Much more than a me-too product, the Deco M5 delivers both innovation and performance.
TP-Link makes a strong entry into the whole-home Wi-Fi game with its Deco M5. This router performs very well and has one uncommon feature: integrated antivirus/antimalware (from Trend Micro) that can protect all the devices on your network. You will need to purchase a $300 3-pack if you wish one. It’s not currently available.
TP-Link says that one unit will eventually sell for $129, which is good news if you live in smaller apartments. A Deco M5 is all that you need to have a studio apartment. This router is slower than Netgear’s more expensive Linksys routers but still offers great value.
The nodes, like all of the mesh routers in our review to date are functionally identical up until you setup the system. When you configure the system, one node is transformed into a router while others become access points for your home. Each node uses the same SSID (Service Set Identifier, essentially) and clients are directed to the node that has the best connection to the internet.
A multicolor LED on top of the router reports its status: amber while starting up, flashing amber if offline, blue during Bluetooth pairing, and green while functioning normally.
Each node has two gigabit ethernet ports that auto-configure as WAN (for connection to your broadband gateway) or LAN (for connection to the rest of your network). A single multicolored LED on top indicates status (yellow for startup, blue for pairing, and green for normal operation). The Deco M5 has one USB-C port, but that’s only for power. You won’t be able to plug in a storage device or printer and share them over your network, nor will you ever be able to plug in a USB Z-Wave or ZigBee dongle to use this router as a smart home hub.
.Tp-Link Deco M5 Review
