TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi System Joins Exploding Home Mesh Router Market
We’ve seen the rise of mesh router systems like the Netgear Orbi, Linksys Velop, Google WiFi and many others. Now TP-Link is getting in on the action with the Deco M5. The networking company bills the Deco M5 as a “truly secure whole-home Wi-Fi system.”
TP-Link tries to hit all the right notes for families that want fast and secure networking by offering a number of useful features like HomeCare (which provides protection against malware and other network exploits via Trend Micro software integration), an SPI firewall, parental controls, monthly activity reports, and even provides remote access to your network using the Deco mobile app for your smartphone or tablet.
Getting to the more technical side of things, the Deco M5 is an AC1300 802.11ac MU-MIMO system that provides 400Mbps of throughput on the 2.4GHz band, and 867Mbps of bandwidth on the 5GHz band. The Deco M5 is sold as a system with three routers, although it doesn’t have a dedicated backhaul connection like the Netgear Orbi family of products. That means you’ll face signal loss with all three routers linked up (although you have the option to hard wire the units together to combat the signal loss problem).
According to TP-Link, a single router is capable of covering 1,500 to 1,800 square feet. With all three routers working together, coverage swells to accommodate a 2,400 to 4,500 square foot home.
“As home Wi-Fi networks are supporting more users and mobile devices than ever before, security across your home network becomes increasingly important,” said Dr. Terence Liu, Trend Micro vice president. “Through our integration in TP-Link HomeCare, Deco M5 Whole Home Wi-Fi Systems are equipped with a comprehensive package of security features, so you can trust that your home network is always protected.”
TP-Link Deco M5 is priced competitively with other mesh router systems, with a single router coming in at $129. The entire system, which consists of three routers, is priced at $299.
