Update (02/20/19):
Using this for 8 months now and still rock solid. Most of the negative (or neutral) reviews are due to reviews lack of knowledge, or their disappointment that it's missing some advanced feature that 99.999% of home users could care less about. I'm very tech savvy, 25+ years as a network/telecom systems integrator, designing and configuring business network and telecommunication systems from the ground up. The last think I want to do at home is work on my network.... I just want to plug it in, configure a few settings and it work. That's exactly what this is.
Original Review:
This product was just released and installed, so these are my initial thoughts... I will update this review if/when my experience changes.
First, I can't imagine a router installation being any simpler. The included Quick Start Guide, is a booklet about the size of a business card, with one simple instruction repeated in every language known to man... That instruction is (I'm paraphrasing) "Download the app, and follow the instructions". Anyone who can download an app and read, can have this up and running in no time. I AM NOT EXAGGERATING!
The app is very well done, and makes advanced features like QOS, and Parental Controls simple for anyone to configure and use. With this app, you can manage your network using your mobile device from anywhere in the world, assuming you have an internet connection. I'm not sure if you can configure/manage through other means (web-browser, etc...); I haven't attempted it, because the app is so convenient and includes everything I need (much better than the Linksys app).
Although it's still early in my testing, performance is noticeably improved over my previous router (Linksys AC3200/EA9200 Tri-Band).
I have A LOT of devices on my network... (6-Laptops, 1-PC, 1-NAS, 8-SmartPhones, 3-Tablets, 1-XBOX One, 1-PlayStation 4, 1-Nintendo Switch, 7-Bose SoundTouch Speakers, 5-Arlo Cameras, 4-Tivo's, 1-SmartThings hub, 3-Amazon Echos, an Ecobee thermostat, a Rachio Sprinkler Controller, and some WiFi light switches). In my household (of 6), it's not uncommon to have 2 or 3 online gaming sessions, streaming videos, streaming music, and web surfing all happening simultaneously.
After installing the Deco's, the first thing I noticed was my Bose SoundTouch app and speakers (which have always been flaky) became very responsive and trouble free (again it's still early). Also, there's a noticeable improvement in areas were the WiFi signal begins to drop off. With the Linksys, in areas where my device would indicate a weak signal (25%-50%) the device would be very slow (1-5 Mbps downloads) and unstable, switching between WiFi and LTE. With the Deco, in areas where devices indicate a similar weak signal, it's still very stable, and performance is decent (20-30 Mbps downloads). Also... These areas of degraded signal strength are further out with the Deco's compared to my previous router, as the Deco's do cover more area.
For reference. I live in a single story, brick home (constructed in 1971), with 2800 sq ft of living space, plus an attached 2 car garage, and covered patio. I first connected only a single Deco, and tested coverage. The single unit was able to provide WiFi coverage to my entire living space. It would begin to drop off outdoors and in the garage. The single Deco's coverage was about the same (maybe a little better) as my single Linksys, but was much more stable. Adding the second Deco, increased the coverage and extended it to my outdoor spaces, garage, driveway, etc...
I'm still playing around with placement of the second unit.
I bought these on "Prime Day", and while several other mesh systems were discounted that day (Netgear Orbi, Linksys Velop, etc...) and I could have saved almost $100 with one of those, I choose the TP-Link. The main reasons was the security features offered. This system includes 3 years of Antivirus, Intrusion Prevention, and Content Filtering, in addition to some pretty slick QOS and Parental Control features.
Having these security features on your router doesn't mean you don't need antivirus on your computers. It's meant to be an extra layer of protection and for protecting internet connected devices that can't have antiviurs installed, like smart TV's, WiFi Speakers, and Smart Home Hubs/Devices, etc....
The Deco M9 also has a built in Smart Hub, which allows to to connect zigbee devices such as sensors, light bulbs, light switches, etc... and create automations and notifications based on triggers. I did set up an automation to notify me when a network security threat is detected, but haven't had any triggers yet, so I can't say how well it works. I probably won't use an other automation features, as I already use Samsung SmartThings and I think it has more features and supports more devices than the Deco M9. Although, it can be a great way to introduce your self to this technology without having to invest a smart hub.
So to recap...the system is super easy to install and manage, looks good, performs well, covers a large area, and includes a comprehensive and robust suite of security, QOS, and Parental Control features, plus a built in smart hub. Oh.... and it also has a 2 year warranty (most have 1 year, or worse 90 days). What more do you want?
If there is one negative that I found, it's that the units are not wall mountable without purchasing a third party wall mount kit. Seems like they could have easily included some mounting holes on the bottom to give customers that option.
| Wireless Type | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
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