TP-Link Deco WiFi 6 Mesh System(Deco X20) - Covers up to 5800 Sq.Ft. , Replaces Wireless Routers and Extenders(3-Pack, 6 Ethernet Ports in total, supports Wired Ethernet Backhaul)

I got 3 kids with ipads, phones, game systems, tv's, etc.... so with all the wifi enabled devices i have, the wifi has more than enough bandwidth to keep all devices conected to the wifi without kicking anything off. I even added a 4th outdoor mesh router to cover my shop and pool with wifi, and everything stays connected easily, with good speeds. adding the routers to the mesh system was seamless and easy. plus the app works amazingly allowing you to create profiles and set up schedules for each profile. Covers my shop, pool, down stairs, and upstairs easily. Safe to say no dead zones at my house.

For years I've lived with pretty good WiFi from my network provider's Internet modem, with the exception that there were some dead zones in my house. In addition to that, it has dual-band 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz networks. When I encounter a Wifi dead zone with my phone, I would then have to manually try the 2.4GHz (slower) network, or switch the phone into 5G cellular mode. Frustrating - and not optimal. I looked into WiFi repeaters and extenders, but all the research to find a better working, and integrated, WiFi experience was leading me to build a Mesh Wifi network for my home. After watching lots of product reviews on-line, I finally decided on the Tp-link Deco X20 system. I purchased a 3-node solution. Node 1 is in my office and connected to my Internet modem. Node 2 in the living room with my home theater, and node 3 upstairs in my bedroom. Now I have decent and reliable Wifi signal throughout the house, with speeds ranging from 500mbps, to about 150mbps in the most distant areas. Set up was very easy. I chose to set up the X20 as a WiFi access point (AP mode), and not use the X20's router functions. This means that my Internet modem is still in charge of DHCP and assigning IP addresses to all devices downstream, and that all devices on my network can talk to each other, because they are all on the same subnet. In addition, the AP mode allows me to leave the original WiFi networks turned-on, and migrate these devices to the new mesh WiFi, as needed. Two important things to note about the Deco X20 system. First, the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz signals are combined into one SSID. If switching is required, the Mesh Wifi does this seamlessly in the background - so you don't have manually switch WiFi networks on your device. Second, the nodes have two wired network ports. In my office, one of these ports is used to connect the node to my Internet modem. However, it is possible to use the other network port, and the two ports on the other two nodes, for devices that are sitting close to the node. For example, upstairs I have the Deco X20 node sitting next to a Roku Ultra video streaming device, which has a network port on the back of the unit. Rather than telling the Roku to use Wifi to connect to the mesh Wifi network, I can just connect a short network cable from my Roku to the Deco X20 node, and the Roku now thinks it has a wired LAN connection. Wiring a device directly to the node, where it is convenient to do so, should provide a faster connection, because there is one less network hop for the data to jump through, to get onto the network. In short, the Tp-link Deco X20 this is a very good product, easy to set up, and I recommend it as an affordable way to get started building a mesh WiFi.

My house is really long, with a couple of additions. I've never been able to get WiFi signal in my garage or out on the back porch. With this system, I get a strong signal even out into my yard, with no lag or buffering. I'm super happy with the product. Easy to set up and works fantastic. Definitely worth the money.

UPDATE 29-Sep-2024:I'm totally satisfied. ZERO issues, works beautifully. I had this at 4-Stars to start as installation and set-up went smoothly however I wanted time for it to "bake-in" with use., now I'm at 5-Stars.There is a TP WiFi 7 model available that does cost less than other vendors, still expensive though.The WiFi 6E was $188 for the pair, WiFi 7 is $449 for a pair. That's a big jump, and yes, from what I've read you'll get higher performance. The question that needs to be asked: Do you need it for the extra price? If you can easily afford it, no reason not to.I've worked for 30 years as a network design/architect/consultant in the carrier industry. As described below, for my requirements the TP WiFi 6E is perfect. In 5 years, I may need to look into upgrading to a higher grade mesh. By then, prices will come down for a WiFi 7 and maybe when WiFi 8 is out that'll be a consideration.For now, WiFi 6E works. I give routers a 5-year life span as tech improves rapidly, but do you need annual upgrades? Not in my world, yet. I'm still waiting for 5G cellular service in my rural setting yet I do get 80Mbps down/19Mbs up (Verizon), and in some places in Colorado Springs I've clocked 1.3Gbps on my iPhone which is insanely fast. My iPhone does provide good hotspot backup if needed.If you have a "Brady Bunch" size family, maybe the WiFi 7 would better, and you may need more than 2 routers in the mesh depending on your house, basement, patio, number of devices and floors.The nice thing about the TP mesh is adding more as needed is easy, as it should be today.GENERAL: 16-Sep-2024I needed a new WiFi mesh solution. I'll explain why in a bit.For 99% of the users at home, basic settings should be fine. For those with bespoke setting requirements, they know what needs to be done. This isn’t a commercial grade device like from Cisco or Meraki although for small offices, I think the XE75 would be excellent.DETAILS TO CONSIDER:I’m using the TP Deca XE75 – be SURE to know this, not Deco AXE5400 as this is not a choice when registering via the app. I use just a pair in a 3,800’ slab-on-grade ranch. Each XE75 works at 2.4/5/6Ghz. There are 3 “Networks”: Router, Guest and IOT to isolate connections. Pricing was excellent at $219 for the pair + a $30 discount coupon! This is not a Base plus Extender, these are both full-function WiFi routers with the first one setup being the Main. They each have 3 UTP Gbit ports. I only needed UTP on the Main.Password, frequencies, ect settings are all transparent across the mesh network. You can click on each Wifi router in the mesh to see what is connected to each.Each SSID will have its own password. Be sure to use Upper/lower/a few numbers/a few special characters, and MAKE SURE TO JOT THEM DOWN!SSID Router and Router_6Ghz + Password you create - iPhone, laptop, printer, SAN/NASSSID Guest + Password you create: if I have visitorsSSID IOT + Password you create: all other connections like Hunter-Douglas PowerView (motorized Roman shades), TVs, 22KW Generac generator, DTV, DVD, etc that have vendor access for updates and such.SETUP:SUGGESTION: Unplug your ISP equipment before you start setting up the app. My iPhone just downloaded via my Verizon cell connection nicely. This gives your ISP equipment the 5 or more minutes to quiesce (shutdown, clear). When I connected to my ISP equipment and powered-up, I called my ISP, they saw the new device, authorized and in a few seconds I was back on-line.Download the TP App, and follow the instructions step-by-step.When setting up, each XE75 has a barcode on the bottom that needs to be scanned as you set them up – easier than typing in the code. It’s a tad fuzzy to scan, just don’t give up. I used an iPhone 13 Pro to scan and was surprised how difficult it was. Just follow the instructions at setting up the router EXACTLY (keyword=EXACTLY) as they say. The app will ask you to name it, I used Office from the choices, and I think you could do a custom name.With my ISP, I have to call and tell them a new router is being connected so they can authorize it for security. My ISP is a local company in Colorado, Kellin, that services remote areas hence microwave (plans in the next 12-18 months include going up-to 500Mbps - way more than I need), and support is seriously fantastic after more than 10 years. The UTP ports (3 on each route) support 1Gbps. The TP should work for all ISP, probably even StarLink although check first to be sure.The App set-up worked great as I followed the instructions EXACTLY as they specified.Next, I created PASSWORDS for Office, Guest and IOT networks.Next, I added the other XE75 to the mesh using the barcode reader, and boom, up it came, connected to the mesh and I named it Bedroom. On the App you’ll see: ISP icon---Office/MAIN icon----Bedroom icon (these are my locations) plus you’ll see how many devices are connected to each with a footnote number for each. Nice.Next, I started discovery for Router – my laptop runs at 6Ghz. BTW, UTP connections go to Router only that I can tell, not Guest or IoTNext, I started discovery for IOTNo Guests yet, however, they should connect as easilyUnder “More Settings” at the lower right corner of the app, click and you’ll see Wi-Fi Setting (Main Network), then Guest Network and IoT Network. Pretty straight forward; naming Wi-Fi Setting the same as the Main Network would make better sense at least to me.In Wi-Fi and Guest Networks you have 2.4/5Ghz and 6Ghz network options. In IoT you only have 2.4/5Ghz.I turned off 6Ghz for Guest as 2.4/5Ghz will be fine plus you’ll get better distance and plenty of bandwidth performance.If I need to connect my laptop to Guest or IoT, my laptop selects the highest frequency. My iPhone 13 doesn’t do 6Ghz. When I upgrade my iPhone in a year or 2, it’ll probably have 6Ghz.PERFORMANCE:My microwave ISP is 120Mbps Up/Down, plenty for me. I don’t game or have kids. I work from home as a consultant, do WebEx/Zoom/MS Teams video calls that are excellent quality, I’ll watch an Amazon Prime movie now and then, I use DirecTV not a streaming or cable service. So far, performance has been flawless. Generac has “issues” with mesh networks – this is on them to fix as it is 2024 and it is not a $50 device, but that is for another review. (Generac works great, it’s the 2.4Ghz WiFi set-up that is archaic.) If you do have a Generac, the best way is if the remote mesh router is near the Generac, turn it off and force the Generac to connect to the Base. Then, bring the remote router(s) back on-line. This seems to fix the stupid problem. And yes, it is stupid for a $17,000 device as it should have a great WiFi solution, it doesn’t. This is a problem for Generac with all mesh networks, not just TP. I did a lot of research and found a good work-around solution Reddit.For the price and performance, I think you’ll like this device. I only have the main and 1 remote. More remotes, no idea. My video calls, streaming with Amazon Prime (Netflix should be OK, I don’t have it) and gaming should be fine (I don’t game). Another thing that will affect performance over the Internet will be your ISP’s quality. They say like 1-Gig service however, that is the max you’ll probably get. During busy times performance may degrade based on how many people they support – it gets complicated with over-subscription to bandwidth during peak hours. Clearly, more users will be on between like 6PM and Midnight than at 1PM or 3AM in a residential area: streaming movies and gaming uses a LOT of bandwidth. That 1 Gig you subscribe to is not 100% all the time. This has nothing to do with TP or a home set-up.AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT – Why TP?2.4/5/6Ghz: What’s the difference? The higher the frequency, the more data that can be transmitted. Problem is, as the frequency goes up the ability to penetrate walls drops. 2.4Ghz carries less data however it penetrates walls better than 5Ghz and 6Ghz. I won’t get all wonky. Extenders are the reason they are needed in large houses/multiple floors to penetrate hence we have mesh networks today as single WiFi devices have distance problems at higher frequencies as more data is needed like for gaming, video, streaming, phone calls, ect all at the same time.I had to replace my Netgear Orbi 850 w/1 satellite. The Base unit UTP ports stopped working which means I lost ISP access and UTP devices. My hardware warranty ended 7 weeks prior. I paid over $600 in July 2023. I contacted sales to see if I could buy a refurb'ed 850 base at a decent discount. Nope. They just said your hardware warranty has ended - I was up-front and told them that. I connected my laptop to my ISP and it came right up. They wanted to troubleshoot. Waste of time. Duh. I’ve used Netgear for over 20 years, routers, WiFi and LAN switches. I upgrade when needed. This Orbi 850 issue and how they handled it was poor. This wasn’t a $50 device. And, now I have an Orbi 850 satellite I need to sell on eBay, the base will get recycled. Will I ever buy Netgear again? Extremely unlikely. I like the LAN switches, solid, reliable, lifetime warranty on the ProSafe products however I have all the Gigabit LAN switches I need as WiFi speeds get better.I tried the eero Pro 6E mesh Wi-Fi router, $184.00 + 20% rebate + $100 credit sending my Orbi back. Great deal. My ISP recommended eero. The set-up was a tad awkward (I wrote a review) and I got through it. Connected my devices and all. I noticed my laptop had really poor performance and disconnects. I decided to buy the eero Extender & wall mount total $95, neat set-up. Got it, however, my laptop kept going to the base router, never the Extender. The problem was the Extender only handles 2.4/5Ghz, not 6Ghz. I have no way to disable 6Ghz on my laptop, this is a deficiency and Lenovo support was no help. I called for eero support to see if a 2.4/5/6Ghz extender was available or if I could disable 6Ghz on the Base Router. No to each question. At least TP allows you to disable 6Ghz. The recommendation: buy a 2nd eero Pro 6E mesh Wi-Fi router, and now the price ~7 days later was $249. Not having an Extender at 2.4/5/6Ghz when the base equipment does is silly given we are now seeing WiFi 7 being released (EXPENSIVE though). I sent the eero stuff back for a refund. Had the eero Extender provided 6Ghz, I would have kept it as it did work really well, 2.4/5Ghz is fine for my house, and a new laptop would have cost a LOT more.If your device doesn’t do 6Ghz, eero would be fine. However, as with all technology we’ll see upgrades with new devices in the coming years. If you have a device that can’t disable 6Ghz, you'll have a problem.If you are still awake, I hope this helped.