TP-Link Deco AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Indoor/Outdoor Whole Home Mesh System 4-Pack (Deco XM73) - White

As the years roll on, there is more and more dependence on a sound Wi-Fi experience. We look at our router and modem setup, like the electricity that runs it, and it should just work. We don't want to worry about hiccups or instability. I, for one, have used several different setups within the last 10 years because I'm constantly chasing that feeling of plugging it in and forgetting about it. Unfortunately, there isn't a perfect setup out there that's immune to hiccups - it's just a matter of how many hiccups there are. This TP-LINK Deco AX5900 is my newest attempt - with the added feature of backyard Wi-Fi. The TP-Link Deco AX5900 is a sleek, high-performance tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 6E system that delivers strong connectivity throughout your home. Thankfully, the setup is straightforward. It has a user-friendly Deco app directs you through installation and network management. This system offers outstanding speeds and has a 6 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 2.4 GHz band. This provides smooth streaming, gaming, and browsing experiences even in homes with a high number of connected devices (TP-Link says up to 150!). Speeds up to 5.4Gps and includes a multi-gig 2.5 port for consistent speeds. My router is placed near our entertainment room TV, which has an Xbox, PS5, Switch Dock, Apple TV, Shield TV, and many more, plugged into a Gig port connected to the Deco. Everything works very well. The area where the Deco 5900 really excels is in its coverage. This setup covers over 7,000 square feet! This package includes an outside module for an excellent signal. For example, if you have a large backyard, you can go quite a ways from your home and still have coverage. We don't have an overly large backyard, but it's great to know the signal is so strong out there because we have Bluetooth speakers, a projector, and Wi-Fi lights that depend on a good signal. The tri- and connectivity reduces congestion and interference, providing a stable connection throughout your home. And it really does - no matter what walls we have between the nodes and the router, we get a stable connection throughout. Additional features include advanced protection with "HomeShield featuring IoT protection, cyber threat prevention, robust parental controls, and comprehensive reports," quality of Service (QoS) for prioritizing bandwidth, and WPA3 encryption for enhanced security. However, WPA3 encryption can be tricky when using some services (like Sonos, for example). Thankfully, you can revert to WPA2 if you'd like. The Internet of Things could be better, but we're slowly getting to the point where routers and modems can work together with whatever is thrown at them. An added bonus is the inclusion of Google Assistant or Alexa. It's nice to have that function, though it will hardly be used by our family due to the high number of devices that handle Google Assistant around the house. There are many options for router needs, and the Deco can be considered depending on what you're looking for. This package especially brings the added coverage you'll get outside - so if you're like my family, who spends a lot of time on the patio and backyard, this feature is appealing. The value is there, especially considering the prices for Wi-Fi 7 (which hasn't been implemented in many places yet), so I wouldn't worry about "future-proofing" when considering between Wi-Fi 6 and 7.

I was in a need of having a WiFi Mesh system which would give me the adequate coverage around the home and I’ve been using the Deco XM73 mesh system for a while now, and it has completely transformed the way I experience Wi-Fi at home. This 4-pack system, which includes three indoor units and one outdoor unit, covers my entire home with seamless and reliable internet, both indoors and outdoors. The Deco XM73 units come in a sleek white color that blends beautifully with my home decor. It has a minimalist, modern look that doesn’t stick out or clash with the furniture, making it a subtle yet stylish addition to any room. The speeds are incredible! With up to 5.4 Gbps, I’ve been able to stream 4K videos, engage in video calls, and play online games without a single glitch. Even when multiple devices are connected, the connection remains fast and smooth. This can cover up to 7,200 sq. ft. indoors and 2,900 sq. ft. outdoors, and hence I no longer have any dead spots. Whether I’m in the basement, the first floor, the second floor, or out in the yard, the Wi-Fi connection stays strong everywhere. It works the same even in the attic. This was exactly what I was looking for, to have uninterrupted coverage no matter where I am. My home has a lot of smart devices, and the Deco XM73 handles all of them without a hitch. I’ve connected more than 25 devices, from smartphones and laptops to smart TVs and home gadgets, and the network never slows down. It can support up to 150 devices, so I hope it will continue to be in use with increasing devices every year. Setting it up was super easy with the Deco app. I had everything up and running in just a few minutes, and the app allows me to manage and monitor the entire network effortlessly. I can even control it remotely, which has been really convenient and handy when deciding the kids online activities. The great thing is that the outdoor unit is weatherproof. Since I’ve mounted it in the backyard, it works perfectly rain or shine, and now I have strong Wi-Fi coverage outdoors for streaming music or working on the patio. The AI-powered mesh feature has been a lifesaver. It automatically connects me to the strongest signal, no matter where I move around in the house. I don’t need to worry about switching between networks, everything is seamless and automatic. The built-in HomeShield security has provided peace of mind. It protects all my devices and comes with great parental controls that let me monitor and manage my kids’ internet usage easily. All-in-all, after using the Deco XM73, I can confidently say it’s a fantastic solution for anyone needing fast, reliable Wi-Fi across a large area. The seamless setup, wide coverage, and smart features have truly improved my internet experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking to upgrade their home network!

The TP-Link Deco AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Indoor/Outdoor Whole Home Mesh System is an amazing upgrade to the mesh WiFi we currently had in our home. Our home is approximately 2,900 square feet and about 2/3 of an acre of property. The addition of the Outdoor Deco unit has extended our WiFi to well beyond our property line. Initial Thoughts: The setup of the Deco mesh system was bumpy to say the least. The first Deco unit I set up took several tries to actually get the Deco app to find it. The same with the other two Deco units, though the outdoor unit connected almost instantly. Using the Deco Mesh System: The Deco Mesh system seamlessly provides ample WiFi coverage in our home and -- with the addition of the Outdoor Deco -- not only ample but FAST WiFi coverage well beyond our property line. I placed the Outdoor deco in our screened-in porch (for now) because I wanted to try different locations before committing to a mounting spot. I live in Minnesota and, with our harsh winters and often times hot and humid summers, I wanted to keep the Outdoor unit as safe as possible. Once the bumpy setup was complete, the system is great. Our wireless devices seamlessly connect to whichever Deco unit they are closest to. We have gigabit internet service, and I was able to get approximately 830mbps downloading and 740mbps uploading pretty consistently throughout our home. Outside, I at the very end of our property line, I was still able to get 550mbps downloading and 430mbps uploading. I would estimate that is probably about half a football field away from the Deco unit (at the furthest point). Even my neighbor was able to see our Outdoor Deco which is pretty phenomenal considering the distance between our homes. The Verdict: Be patient with setup. I consider myself to be pretty tech-savvy and struggled a bit. But, once up and running, the system does exactly what it's designed to do and offers such great range of coverage, especially with the Outdoor deco. For the first time in years, I was able to actually get all our "Smart" garage door openers to not only connect to WiFi but also get streaming video (something I was not able to do previously). So, if you run into issues with setup, the app guides you well both in-app and with links to helpful tips, tricks, and Q&A. Overall, aside from the bumpy setup, this is an awesome system, and I would highly recommend it -- especially if you're looking for a way to get all your gadgets to work inside and outside your home.