Conclusion:

The TP-Link Deco M5 Whole-Home Wi-Fi System is definitely an appealing option for those looking to get setup with a Wi-Fi mesh network. It is easy to setup, provides uniform coverage over the area it claims to, and is rather attractively priced. I would say the total setup time was 15 minutes, but that was due to a little hurdle I ran into getting the third unit connected... The first two connected with ease, so I assume I had some sort of Bluetooth issue as I went to put the third unit in service. The app leads you through the initial setup with simple instructions making the process very easy, and then once you are up and running the app continues to be quite intuitive to use for setting up security, parental controls, and configuring the networking features you might find on a typical router.

While the speeds achieved were not the fastest I have seen (rated for 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz + 867 Mbps on 5 GHz), the uniform coverage throughout my @3300 square foot home was impressive. Adaptive Routing Technology (ART) seems to do its job, as when I would wander around the house I could see that the Wi-Fi signal on my phone might drop from 4 bars to perhaps 2 bars as I was in a stairwell, but would pop right back up to 4 bars when I reached the next floor. The Wi-Fi never goes dead, but it seems like you can see it passing you from one physical device to another, all while maintaining your connection on the same SSID.

The parental controls and security features are definitely nice features of the Deco M5 system, and the configuration via the mobile app is very straightforward. You can easily secure your connected devices from viruses and other threats, while also creating profiles to make sure that children with connected devices stay out of trouble. In addition to generally blocking certain categories of apps/sites, you can block specific web destinations, create time limits for web usage per day, and create a curfew so no will be tempted to sneak online during the hours you determine to be "bed time".

What I really wound up liking about the Deco M5 system is that there is now an access point mode. Reading some reviews from earlier in the year indicated that this was one of the common negative remarks people had to report about the system, and it seems as if TP-Link took the comments to heart, and added that feature with a recent firmware update. The access point mode allows the system to join your existing network, allowing you to keep your existing router in service if all you really wanted to add was solid Wi-Fi coverage. The thing about access point mode is that you are pretty much only adding Wi-Fi coverage, as the bulk of the advanced features are only available in router mode. Things like parental controls and HomeCare disappear when you are in access point mode.



While I really like the Deco M5 system, there are some things I'd like to see improved and/or changed. The rated speed of AC1300 is rather pedestrian these days, My home has been using an AC3150 Wi-Fi router without issue in terms of having plenty of bandwidth for everyone, and it is presently hard to predict if we could always get by with an AC1300 system. Additionally, while the 4500 square feet of coverage trumps a typical single location Wi-Fi access point, it would be nice to see that number increased. The two unit Amped Wireless Ally claimed 15,000 square feet of coverage, and considering how much Wi-Fi I had in the backyard, I know it is possible to do better than 4500 square feet and still not have any external antennas.

Additionally, as a router, some users may be looking for more advanced processing features, as well as more LAN ports and perhaps a USB port available for storage or printer sharing. Many of these mesh systems offer comparable feature sets, but for example, the Amped Wireless Ally included a single USB 3.0 port and 3 LAN ports on the base unit, which seems like an acceptable quantity of each.

Shopping around finds the Deco M5 system available for sale at many popular outlets. At Amazon.com the 3-unit system sells for about $241, while the individual units sell for about $100. Right now Amazon.com also has a $20 off coupon that can be applied to the 3-unit system, bringing it down to about $221. While the features and specifications aren't all similar, comparing this to other mesh network Wi-Fi systems, the price of the Deco M5 is very competitive. Google Wi-Fi's 3-unit system is about $270, the Luma 3-unit system is about $300, the eero 3-unit system is about $360, and the Linksys Velop 3-unit system is $499. Some of these systems offer comparable coverage and speeds, while others do go higher on both features. All things considered, the Deco M5 is definitely an economical approach to mesh Wi-Fi.

With the ease of setup and use, the uniform coverage of decent Wi-Fi it provides, the advanced security features, and the appealing price; the TP-Link Deco M5 Whole-Home Wi-Fi System earns the Bigbruin.com "Recommended" and "Good Value" award.



Pros:

» Easy setup
» Provides reliable and consistent Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home
» HomeCare anti-virus and other security measures are welcome features
» Parental controls are very thorough and easy to setup
» Access point mode now available for those that don't want to replace existing router
» Attractively priced compared to other popular Wi-Fi mesh network systems

Cons:

» As a router, the features are rather limited
   » Advanced configuration options are lacking
   » No USB ports and very limited LAN ports
» In access point mode, most of the advanced features are disabled
» Wishlist - Greater range would be nice - many comparable systems offer more than 4500 square feet of coverage
» Wishlist - More bandwidth would definitely be nice
   » Advertised as AC1300, which isn't all that fast these days
   » Wi-Fi tested slower than other comparably advertised devices

Please drop by the Bigbruin.com Forum and feel free to post any comments or questions.