ELEGIANT 300Mbps Wireless Signal Booster WiFi Repeater review


REVIEW – When I  use my own mobile hotspot at work, I often lose connection to it as I roam about my floor which is quite large. Knowing that an extender/repeater could possibly provide a solution for better coverage and signal strength, I accepted the offer to test this device that boasted an easy installation and solution.

What is it?

The ELEGIANT 300Mbps Wireless Signal Booster WiFi Repeater is a device that can work as a signal relay or access point to provide extended wireless access to your router.

What’s in the box

1 x ELEGIANT 300Mbps Wireless Signal Booster WiFi Repeater

1 x Ethernet Cable

1 x Instruction Leaflet

1 x Contact Card

Design and features

The ELEGIANT 300Mbps Wireless Signal Booster WiFi Repeater is a small white box measuring 4″ x 1″ x 2.25″, with 4 antennas attached and a built-in AC plug.  The antennas are on hinges that allow you to move them around for the best signal strength. On the front of the device, there are 5 LEDs that represent the following from left to right:
1. Power
2. WPS
3. WLAN
4. WAN
5. LAN

It operates in 3 modes: Repeater Mode, AP Mode, and Router Mode. In the router mode, you can create a wireless network and share Internet access with to multiple Wi-Fi devices. In the repeater mode, you can extend the wireless coverage range, and in AP mode you can connect to a wired network and share your internet connection. It provides 360-degree coverage.


On one of the short side of the device, there are 2 Ethernet ports for the WAN and LAN connections.


On one of the long sides, there is a Reset button, a WPS button, and air vents.

Performance

The instruction booklet gave precise directions, and setup was easy once I connected to the Elegiant. I used my iPad Pro 12.9 to set up the device, and I did have to try a few times including starting over and refreshing the browser to get all of the settings to load completely. This started with the login screen. Since this could be caused by uncontrollable things like environmental interference, I will not blame the device. However, the distance between the Elegiant and my mobile hotspot was only about 2 feet. The actual configuration process was very easy and straightforward. For this review, I set mine up in the relay mode to extend the signal coverage. Here are some of the setup screens:



I work in a high security IT environment, and signal interference is very present. For several reasons, I was only able to place the repeater about 3 feet away from my mobile hotspot. Nevertheless, I was completely impressed by the performance of this device. It literally doubled my wifi range and that is despite the fact that when I move around my floor, there are multiple security doors in between me and the repeater. Based on this experience, I suspect that the other 2 modes will provide the same level of performance.

What I like

  • The small and compact size
  • The user-friendly browser GUI
  • The consistent wireless range it provides

What can be improved

  • The browser settings and how slowly and inconsistently they load.

Final thoughts

The ELEGIANT 300Mbps Wireless Signal Booster WiFi Repeater is a very useful device that performs a very useful and needed function and does it very well. The small footprint means that it can be present but hidden, and the range is superb for its specifications. I do know that there is an AC1200Mbps version that is available, and likely provides even more range and an even stronger signal. Based on the performance of this 300Mbps model, I am very pleased and now very eager to get the chance to test the 1200Mbps model.  For the price, this is a win.

Price: $19.99
Where to buy: Elegiant website or Amazon.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Elegiant.

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ELEGIANT 300Mbps Wireless Signal Booster WiFi Repeater review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 12, 2018 at 11:30 am.

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Comtrend PG-9172PoE/PG-9172PT Powerline Adapters with G.hn Technology review

What is it?

The Comtrend PG-9172PoE/PG-9172PT Powerline Adapters with G.hn technology provides network access in areas where it may be difficult to run network cables, to add data jacks, or access points. It utilizes existing electrical lines to extend the network, and it supports PoE- Power over Ethernet-enabled devices. It can also support devices that have their own power but need a network connection. Using the Comtrend also cuts installation costs and time, since the cable runs are not needed. Its G.hn technology manages any interference from the electrical wiring that can be caused by other appliances and equipment that are being used within the same or surrounding environment.

What’s in the box

Each adapter is sold separately and comes with:
1 x PG-9172PT or 1 x PG-9172PoE
2 x CAT5e Network cables
2 x Instruction booklets

Design and features

The Comtrend Powerline PG-9172PT module connects to your router or switch and it functions as the transmitter. Once you connect it with the included network cable to your router or switch and plug it into an electrical wall outlet, it powers up and immediately begins the process of connecting to your network. There are 3 LED indicators on the module for connection, network and security. It is recommended that the security option be used, and I installed and tested both secured and unsecured and both modes worked. There is also a pass thru electrical outlet on the module.


The second module the PG-9172PoE is the receiver module that you plug into the wall outlet in the room/area where you want to add the network connection. Depressing the “config” button for 3 to 5 seconds initiates the setup and connection to the transmitter.

On the first attempt, I plugged the receiver module into an extension cord despite the warning in the instructions not to do so. And just as should be expected, I had a bit of a difficult time getting the modules to connect. Once they did connect, I plugged in a Roku streaming box and it took some time for the Roku to recognize the network connection. The picture produced on the TV was just horrible reception. I then plugged the PG-9172PoE receiver module out of the extension cord and plugged it directly into the wall outlet. It immediately connected with the PG-9172PT transmitter, and the picture the Roku then produced was perfect. I also tried plugging in my Lorex PoE security camera, and that worked immediately as well.

For my last test, I was curious about the network speed at the receiver and how it compared to the WIFI signal in the house. My data plan is 20Mbps upstream and 300Mbps downstream. However, because of my location in relation to a core ISP site, I usually get even better numbers.
First, I connected my laptop wirelessly to my router and using the speedtest.net website, I ran a speed test. Here is the result:

Next, I disconnected the laptop from the wireless network and plugged in the network cable from the PG-9172PoE receiver and ran another speed test. Here is the result:

As you can see, the downstream speed of the modules is less than a quarter of the speed of the wireless connection, and slightly less than the upstream. However, both the upstream and downstream speeds were more than enough for any network, and any streaming of security cameras or media boxes.

What I like

I love the convenience of the Comtrend kit. The connection speed is more than enough for most uses, and the ability to add a network connection this easily to an area that would otherwise present much difficulty to do so, is just a great plus. No matter how many times I plugged out from the receiver and then plugged back in, the connection was always “up” and consistent. Both modules are lightweight and attractive enough that they blend right into any décor and as far as technology goes, in my opinion they are aesthetically attractive.

What can be improved

The only thing I would like to see improved is the ability for the Comtrend to provide even faster network downstream speeds, but this may differ by location and structural characteristics within the environment, and may not actually be a factor that needs improvement.

Final thoughts

I really like the Comtrend G.hn Powerline adapters and they have already become a permanent addition to my network. The stability of its network connection and the versatility that it adds to a network make it a winner all around. I can see myself buying at least another PG-9172PoE receiver module for an additional PoE camera that I want to add to my security network in another area of my house where adding network cabling is just a headache. Simply put, the Comtrend Kit just works.

Price: $49.99 for each module
Where to buy: Comtrend Powerline PG-9172PT on Amazon, Comtrend Powerline PG-9172PoE on Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Comtrend

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Comtrend PG-9172PoE/PG-9172PT Powerline Adapters with G.hn Technology review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 13, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Alfa AWUS1900 WiFi adapter review

Wifi is built into most laptops and tablets these days. Sometimes, however, you have a box you’re building or a desktop system that, for whatever reason, doesn’t have a decent Wifi adapter. Or, perhaps, it’s in a location that just doesn’t pick up your base station well enough for stable internet access. That’s when you may need an external adapter, like the Alfa AWUS1900. We recently were offered one, and I’ve given it a test. Let’s see how it measured up.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

The Alfa AWUS 1900 looks like a dead spider, at first glance – a body with all legs in the air. But the four antennas that attach to the main body pull in wifi signals from the ether with surprising power for such a small, light little unit. The main unit is the size of a .75″ thick stack of business cards (2.5″ x 3.5″), but there are four miniBNC connectors where angled antennas fit on it, plus a cable, which makes it appear far larger.

On the underside, there is a place to mount a holder for either a suction cup or a clip to use in attaching it to the best location. Without the holder, it sits on 4 rubberized bumpers. You can switch between flat on a surface, stuck to a surface, or clipped to a surface without much trouble.

The four antennas can be removed in seconds, as can the cable, making this something that you can pack up and have on hand for those times you’re just outside of “normal” wifi range. The base unit weighs a mere 2.14 oz., but with the antennas and cable, it’s a package of 6.4 oz. It’s bulkier than it is heavy, but the antennas will easily fit into pen loops in a gear bag. They may be a little long for some pockets, though. Be aware that this looks like a remote detonation device through an x-ray, so the TSA may want you to “Please step over here, and do not touch the table.”

I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15 inch, mid-2014) with built-in wifi. While the radio does a pretty good job with hotspots close by, I know there are more out there, and I was curious as to the speeds I was getting. (Fat City is a play on my name, Richbourg. My German prof in freshman year dubbed me that. When we moved from the suburbs, we had to change from Uverse (which suggested our former wifi network, Across the Uverse). I had to find some name for our network….)

I installed the software from the enclosed CD (since the site would not let me create an account and download the latest version!), let it reboot, and a new item appeared in the menu bar. I pulled down the list and – WHERE DID ALL THOSE HOTSPOTS COME FROM?!?!?!

Seriously, I had no idea there was this many in my neighborhood! (I live in an area of single-family homes, with large lots and loads of parklands and undeveloped areas. I know one of my neighbors doesn’t have internet access other than through the phone, let alone wifi. The retired couple on the other side seems pretty tech-agnostic as well. I’m stunned at all those hotspots.)

After signing into my network, I ran some tests through Speedtest.net. Thankfully, I can report that my internal wifi module was just as fast as the Alfa in most tests. I’d not want to have to figure out how to carry this package, but it’s nice to know that I’ll get good response if I do.


Software install aside, the unit was exactly like using my onboard wifi. I could easily stop and start the radio, change hotspots, and save wifi locations as favorites.

I was actually a bit surprised that there were Mac drivers. They cover the last seven or eight major MacOS releases, all the way up to 10.12. I’m curious to see if they update it this fall after 10.13 drops.

If you’re needing to access wifi from a long distance (say a remote building on your campus or your backyard geek-cave) this just may pull the signal in. And at $70, it’s not going to break the bank. If your current computer works well except for the internet connection, this may help you put off a full upgrade for a few months.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Alfa. Please visit http://alfa.com.tw for more info, or their storefront at Amazon to purchase.

 

Product Information

Price: $69.99
Manufacturer: Alfa, Inc.
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Windows or Mac computer with USB port
Pros:
  • Light weight but powerful
  • Wide range of support OSes for Driver install
  • Complete kit, nothing more to add
  • No external power needed
Cons:
  • Lightness makes it tend to feel "cheap"
  • Not really better than builtin response on higher-end laptops
  • Proprietary port on unit will make getting a replacement or longer cable difficult

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Alfa AWUS1900 WiFi adapter review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 21, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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TP-Link Deco M5 Whole Home Mesh WiFi System review


Here at Bob’s house, we’re awash in technology. Between computers and gadgets, we probably have 15-20 different Wi-Fi enabled devices. But I’m not a gearhead. I don’t like spending hours tinkering with network settings to keep everything up and running. When our current Wi-Fi router started to drag, I was offered an opportunity to test Deco’s M5 WiFi System. TP-Link promises whole-house coverage (up to 4500 square feet), drama-free network management, and a host of control features managed through a simple app. Will it bathe your home in glorious, trouble-free WiFi? Let’s find out!

Out of the Box

I like how TP-Link has designed the Deco packaging to set the stage for an easy experience. Upon opening the box, you’re greeted with the network pods and a friendly message to go and download the app to get started. All of the cables, power supplies, etc. are individually packaged in a second tray underneath. It’s a simple, classy setup that’s easy to follow.

The wifi pods are streamlined and elegant. Each is about the size of a home smoke detector, all white, with a little-whorled contour that adds a touch of art-deco design. There are no protruding antennas, only a single led light in the center of the device. The subtle design blends well in any corner of your house, and the low profile allows you to stash them easily in out-of-the-way places. You’ll see pics of the pods around my house a bit later in the review.

Rounding out the package, you get a power strip for each pod (also in white), and a network cable to connect to your modem.

Installation & Network Management Features

Installation and setup are all driven through the app you download for your Bluetooth-enabled Android or iOS device, which you will also use to manage your network. Download the app and it walks you through the process of connecting to your modem and establishing the network. You’ll connect the first pod to your modem using the provided cable. After setting up the new network, you identify the location of each pod as you set them up (office, living room, bedroom, etc.), and follow the instructions to bring each one online. It’s really easy and user-friendly, with the app providing all instructions (and troubleshooting) if necessary. The whole setup took me about 10 drama-free minutes to get fully operational. I’ve included some sample screen shots below:



Once installation is complete you have complete control over the network via the app. Real-time reporting provides continuous updates on upload and download speed availability as well as the health status for each pod. You can see all the devices that are connected at any given time, and are notified as new devices are added to the network. Network settings can be tweaked to prioritize specific activities such as gaming, streaming, or web surfing. TP-Link also provides antivirus protection for the whole network that includes blocking malicious content, preventing external intrusions, and quarantining infected devices. You’ll also be able to pull reports on all of these activities, including network usage by individual devices. 

You can also access and manage your network controls from anywhere that you have Internet access, at home or on the road. I was at the car dealership the other day, and was able to check in on my network and see what was happening. The screen shot below shows the current status snapshot I took while I was away:

Got kids in the house? You can completely control network usage and access to content for individuals in your household with an impressive degree of customization. First, you set up a profile for the individual user and assign an age level to set default access to various content (adult content, gambling, downloading, social networks, etc.). You can then customize that access to your desired preferences, and/or block access to specific apps/websites for that individual. Once you have the permissions established, you assign all the appropriate devices to that profile to lock it in. You can also define the number of hours of allowable network access per day (weekdays and weekends), and/or establish bedtime settings that will disable network access at specified times. The app interface makes this all a lot easier than it sounds with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to set up, manage and remove profiles.


Some Important Points about the Network and Hardware

While the features of the Deco M5 Wi-Fi System are excellent, there are several important elements that you’ll need to consider before you buy with respect to network and hardware requirements as well as the security package. I think these issues are important enough to address before we proceed.

Using this system requires you to set up a new network that, along with the app, are connected to TP-Link at all times. This gives you the benefits of continuous worry-free network security and remote access, but your data can be reported to the company and/or may be subject to privacy risks. This is true with any cloud-based service (such as Google’s suite of tools and enabled gadgets), so you’ll have to decide if this is a concern for you.

It’s also important to note that this system is not designed to augment/extend your current network. There is no support for access-point mode, so you can’t use your existing router. You must set up a new network on the system, so you’ll experience compatibility/sharing issues if you wish to continue to use your existing router and network for some devices. If you’re looking to extend your current network and use your existing hardware, this won’t be the right solution for you.

In my house, we have Verizon Fios as our internet provider and use a Verizon-provided modem/router combo. I also have an Apple Time Machine that can act as a router. Both are older & slower Wi-Fi units, so I was completely OK with ditching both and connecting the modem directly into the Deco. I’m also OK with the TP-Link connection because I find that remote access and the antivirus/security features are worth the trade off.

Finally, the network security features are provided by Trend Micro. You get three years for free with the system, after which it looks like you’ll need to pay for the service. I was unable to find pricing at the time of writing this review… the TP-Link site claims that the service is a $360 value, but I am not clear about what future pricing will be after the initial agreement expires.

Setup and Daily Use

As I mentioned before, I don’t like tinkering with technology. I like products that work as defined, are easy to use, and don’t require constant maintenance to keep operational. With a solid month of operation, I feel that the Deco M5 WiFi System delivers a hassle-free network experience.

I’ll set the stage for our test. Our home is a standard colonial, roughly 2500 square feet of total space. The cable modem is installed on the second floor in the middle bedroom, on the inside front wall of the house facing the street. We have three full-time household occupants (not including the dog) that are actively using tablets, laptops, smartphones, and gaming systems throughout the day and evening in addition to peripherals including a network printer and streaming media devices. We’ve always seen slower performance towards the rear of the house, especially in the backyard and the basement that were farthest away from the router.

The first Deco pod is installed & connected directly to the modem by the provided Ethernet cable:

I set up the additional pods towards the rear the back of the house to cover trouble areas. One is installed on the second floor in my son’s room to support his myriad of Wi-Fi gadgets (computers, peripherals, gaming systems, etc.) and to cover the back yard:

The final pod is installed on the opposite end of the house in our family room, which is the hub for most activities and subject to heavy usage of tablets, laptops, and accessories:

The difference in performance in all locations has been significant. After a month of continuous use, we have seen little to no latency in streaming, browsing and gaming devices that used to continually plague parts of the house. Where the old routers would occasionally need to be rebooted, we’ve seen no drops in Wi-Fi service since installing the new system. 

Here’s a quick example: the picture above shows my entertainment system which includes Wi-Fi for streaming services, but it’s about 10 years old at this point so signal strength is not great. Prior to installing the Deco Wi-Fi setup, we always had issues with downloading speeds, latency, downsampling of video quality, and connection problems with the old router. This was especially true when multiple devices were active on the network, which could be very frustrating when trying to catch up on shows ion Netflix or Amazon prime. With a pod installed right on top of the entertainment center, I now get full-band streaming with no issues… even when the rest of the family is gaming and streaming away in other parts of the house.

The Deco M5 leverages the latest in network technologies to optimize performance. It’s a dual-band system that supports throughput speeds of 400 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 867Mbps on the 5GHz band if you can support that kind of speed in your home. The Deco M5 Wi-Fi system utilizes adaptive routing technology, leveraging all three pods to adjust bandwidth to optimize delivery to each device on the network based on current use. It also supports MU-MIMO technology, which creates greater network stability and allows data-hungry users to play nicely with other devices on the network. This all leads to stability and consistency in performance, which I can say was borne out in our day-to-day testing.

I recognize that we’re not using the latest modem for our network, and could probably get more performance out of the system if I upgraded. In all honesty, however, we have found that the system is more than adequate for our needs and looks like it will support even higher bandwidth if I were to upgrade. The bottom line: when no one is complaining that the network is slow, Bob is a happy guy. And it’s been happy in my house for the past month, with no issues to report.

Conclusions and Pricing

The TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi System is simple to install, reliable provides outstanding coverage up to 4500 square feet, and provides a comprehensive range of control/management features in an easy to use package that also provides the benefit of hands-off antivirus and security. But is it the right choice for you home? That depends on what kind of user you are.

If you are a person who likes low-maintenance, plug-and-play solutions (think Apple products), then this will be great for you and your family. You’re probably going to be OK with letting the system do the work and not having to worry about it. Know that you are giving up some potential privacy issues due to the continuous connection to TP-Link for your network, but you’re probably doing that already with your Apple accounts and Google cloud-based tools. You’ll also be OK with ditching your old home network because you’re not that attached to it anyway. You’ll like this for all the reasons stated above.

If you are a power user that likes control of your systems, I’m not sure that this will be right for you. Your current routing hardware can’t be utilized here, and you may have some concerns about not having complete control over your network privacy. You’ll also not have the ability to tweak your network to the level of detail that you might like, especially if you have things tuned to certain devices that are heavy data users. If any of these examples seem like you, you’ll probably want to look into network extenders to provide the extra home coverage you are looking for.

Finally, you’ll want to consider the long-term fees for the security package. As I mentioned above, there’s no price set that I could find once you get beyond the initial three-year free period. TP-Link sets the value at about $10 a month based on the promotional materials. I like the idea of not having to mess with security for my network, but you’ll have to determine if its worth it for you.

In my opinion, the TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi system is a solid buy for the casual network user at $299. You can also buy an additional pod for further coverage for $129. You can check it out at TP-Link’s web site for more information.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by TP-Link. For more info visit their site and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $299.99
Manufacturer: TP-Link
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Easy to install.
  • Robust management and user control features.
  • Excellent coverage.
  • Consistent, reliable performance.
  • Excellent, hands-off antivirus and intrusion security.
  • Remote control features allow you to manage your network from anywhere.
Cons:
  • Need to replace your existing network.
  • Continuous data sharing with TP-Link could present some risks.
  • Long-term pricing for the security package is unclear.

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TP-Link Deco M5 Whole Home Mesh WiFi System review originally appeared on on May 26, 2017 at 9:26 am.

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TP-Link Deco M5 Whole Home Mesh WiFi System review


Here at Bob’s house, we’re awash in technology. Between computers and gadgets, we probably have 15-20 different Wi-Fi enabled devices. But I’m not a gearhead. I don’t like spending hours tinkering with network settings to keep everything up and running. When our current Wi-Fi router started to drag, I was offered an opportunity to test Deco’s M5 WiFi System. TP-Link promises whole-house coverage (up to 4500 square feet), drama-free network management, and a host of control features managed through a simple app. Will it bathe your home in glorious, trouble-free WiFi? Let’s find out!

Out of the Box

I like how TP-Link has designed the Deco packaging to set the stage for an easy experience. Upon opening the box, you’re greeted with the network pods and a friendly message to go and download the app to get started. All of the cables, power supplies, etc. are individually packaged in a second tray underneath. It’s a simple, classy setup that’s easy to follow.

The wifi pods are streamlined and elegant. Each is about the size of a home smoke detector, all white, with a little-whorled contour that adds a touch of art-deco design. There are no protruding antennas, only a single led light in the center of the device. The subtle design blends well in any corner of your house, and the low profile allows you to stash them easily in out-of-the-way places. You’ll see pics of the pods around my house a bit later in the review.

Rounding out the package, you get a power strip for each pod (also in white), and a network cable to connect to your modem.

Installation & Network Management Features

Installation and setup are all driven through the app you download for your Bluetooth-enabled Android or iOS device, which you will also use to manage your network. Download the app and it walks you through the process of connecting to your modem and establishing the network. You’ll connect the first pod to your modem using the provided cable. After setting up the new network, you identify the location of each pod as you set them up (office, living room, bedroom, etc.), and follow the instructions to bring each one online. It’s really easy and user-friendly, with the app providing all instructions (and troubleshooting) if necessary. The whole setup took me about 10 drama-free minutes to get fully operational. I’ve included some sample screen shots below:



Once installation is complete you have complete control over the network via the app. Real-time reporting provides continuous updates on upload and download speed availability as well as the health status for each pod. You can see all the devices that are connected at any given time, and are notified as new devices are added to the network. Network settings can be tweaked to prioritize specific activities such as gaming, streaming, or web surfing. TP-Link also provides antivirus protection for the whole network that includes blocking malicious content, preventing external intrusions, and quarantining infected devices. You’ll also be able to pull reports on all of these activities, including network usage by individual devices. 

You can also access and manage your network controls from anywhere that you have Internet access, at home or on the road. I was at the car dealership the other day, and was able to check in on my network and see what was happening. The screen shot below shows the current status snapshot I took while I was away:

Got kids in the house? You can completely control network usage and access to content for individuals in your household with an impressive degree of customization. First, you set up a profile for the individual user and assign an age level to set default access to various content (adult content, gambling, downloading, social networks, etc.). You can then customize that access to your desired preferences, and/or block access to specific apps/websites for that individual. Once you have the permissions established, you assign all the appropriate devices to that profile to lock it in. You can also define the number of hours of allowable network access per day (weekdays and weekends), and/or establish bedtime settings that will disable network access at specified times. The app interface makes this all a lot easier than it sounds with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to set up, manage and remove profiles.


Some Important Points about the Network and Hardware

While the features of the Deco M5 Wi-Fi System are excellent, there are several important elements that you’ll need to consider before you buy with respect to network and hardware requirements as well as the security package. I think these issues are important enough to address before we proceed.

Using this system requires you to set up a new network that, along with the app, are connected to TP-Link at all times. This gives you the benefits of continuous worry-free network security and remote access, but your data can be reported to the company and/or may be subject to privacy risks. This is true with any cloud-based service (such as Google’s suite of tools and enabled gadgets), so you’ll have to decide if this is a concern for you.

It’s also important to note that this system is not designed to augment/extend your current network. There is no support for access-point mode, so you can’t use your existing router. You must set up a new network on the system, so you’ll experience compatibility/sharing issues if you wish to continue to use your existing router and network for some devices. If you’re looking to extend your current network and use your existing hardware, this won’t be the right solution for you.

In my house, we have Verizon Fios as our internet provider and use a Verizon-provided modem/router combo. I also have an Apple Time Machine that can act as a router. Both are older & slower Wi-Fi units, so I was completely OK with ditching both and connecting the modem directly into the Deco. I’m also OK with the TP-Link connection because I find that remote access and the antivirus/security features are worth the trade off.

Finally, the network security features are provided by Trend Micro. You get three years for free with the system, after which it looks like you’ll need to pay for the service. I was unable to find pricing at the time of writing this review… the TP-Link site claims that the service is a $360 value, but I am not clear about what future pricing will be after the initial agreement expires.

Setup and Daily Use

As I mentioned before, I don’t like tinkering with technology. I like products that work as defined, are easy to use, and don’t require constant maintenance to keep operational. With a solid month of operation, I feel that the Deco M5 WiFi System delivers a hassle-free network experience.

I’ll set the stage for our test. Our home is a standard colonial, roughly 2500 square feet of total space. The cable modem is installed on the second floor in the middle bedroom, on the inside front wall of the house facing the street. We have three full-time household occupants (not including the dog) that are actively using tablets, laptops, smartphones, and gaming systems throughout the day and evening in addition to peripherals including a network printer and streaming media devices. We’ve always seen slower performance towards the rear of the house, especially in the backyard and the basement that were farthest away from the router.

The first Deco pod is installed & connected directly to the modem by the provided Ethernet cable:

I set up the additional pods towards the rear the back of the house to cover trouble areas. One is installed on the second floor in my son’s room to support his myriad of Wi-Fi gadgets (computers, peripherals, gaming systems, etc.) and to cover the back yard:

The final pod is installed on the opposite end of the house in our family room, which is the hub for most activities and subject to heavy usage of tablets, laptops, and accessories:

The difference in performance in all locations has been significant. After a month of continuous use, we have seen little to no latency in streaming, browsing and gaming devices that used to continually plague parts of the house. Where the old routers would occasionally need to be rebooted, we’ve seen no drops in Wi-Fi service since installing the new system. 

Here’s a quick example: the picture above shows my entertainment system which includes Wi-Fi for streaming services, but it’s about 10 years old at this point so signal strength is not great. Prior to installing the Deco Wi-Fi setup, we always had issues with downloading speeds, latency, downsampling of video quality, and connection problems with the old router. This was especially true when multiple devices were active on the network, which could be very frustrating when trying to catch up on shows ion Netflix or Amazon prime. With a pod installed right on top of the entertainment center, I now get full-band streaming with no issues… even when the rest of the family is gaming and streaming away in other parts of the house.

The Deco M5 leverages the latest in network technologies to optimize performance. It’s a dual-band system that supports throughput speeds of 400 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 867Mbps on the 5GHz band if you can support that kind of speed in your home. The Deco M5 Wi-Fi system utilizes adaptive routing technology, leveraging all three pods to adjust bandwidth to optimize delivery to each device on the network based on current use. It also supports MU-MIMO technology, which creates greater network stability and allows data-hungry users to play nicely with other devices on the network. This all leads to stability and consistency in performance, which I can say was borne out in our day-to-day testing.

I recognize that we’re not using the latest modem for our network, and could probably get more performance out of the system if I upgraded. In all honesty, however, we have found that the system is more than adequate for our needs and looks like it will support even higher bandwidth if I were to upgrade. The bottom line: when no one is complaining that the network is slow, Bob is a happy guy. And it’s been happy in my house for the past month, with no issues to report.

Conclusions and Pricing

The TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi System is simple to install, reliable provides outstanding coverage up to 4500 square feet, and provides a comprehensive range of control/management features in an easy to use package that also provides the benefit of hands-off antivirus and security. But is it the right choice for you home? That depends on what kind of user you are.

If you are a person who likes low-maintenance, plug-and-play solutions (think Apple products), then this will be great for you and your family. You’re probably going to be OK with letting the system do the work and not having to worry about it. Know that you are giving up some potential privacy issues due to the continuous connection to TP-Link for your network, but you’re probably doing that already with your Apple accounts and Google cloud-based tools. You’ll also be OK with ditching your old home network because you’re not that attached to it anyway. You’ll like this for all the reasons stated above.

If you are a power user that likes control of your systems, I’m not sure that this will be right for you. Your current routing hardware can’t be utilized here, and you may have some concerns about not having complete control over your network privacy. You’ll also not have the ability to tweak your network to the level of detail that you might like, especially if you have things tuned to certain devices that are heavy data users. If any of these examples seem like you, you’ll probably want to look into network extenders to provide the extra home coverage you are looking for.

Finally, you’ll want to consider the long-term fees for the security package. As I mentioned above, there’s no price set that I could find once you get beyond the initial three-year free period. TP-Link sets the value at about $10 a month based on the promotional materials. I like the idea of not having to mess with security for my network, but you’ll have to determine if its worth it for you.

In my opinion, the TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi system is a solid buy for the casual network user at $299. You can also buy an additional pod for further coverage for $129. You can check it out at TP-Link’s web site for more information.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by TP-Link. For more info visit their site and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $299.99
Manufacturer: TP-Link
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Easy to install.
  • Robust management and user control features.
  • Excellent coverage.
  • Consistent, reliable performance.
  • Excellent, hands-off antivirus and intrusion security.
  • Remote control features allow you to manage your network from anywhere.
Cons:
  • Need to replace your existing network.
  • Continuous data sharing with TP-Link could present some risks.
  • Long-term pricing for the security package is unclear.

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TP-Link Deco M5 Whole Home Mesh WiFi System review originally appeared on on May 26, 2017 at 9:26 am.

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