TP-Link Deco 4+

Had a puny VM router with extenders around the house, then purchased a three pack of P9s and have a house full of signal now. The app is pretty cool - it does what you expect and pretty intuitively.

You can name all your connected devices, block them individually or by group (give them owners and block and individual person’s devices - say, until they’ve done their homework), set age-groups for content filtering, and see which Decco device they are connected to. The last point is useful if you want to see that things are actually seamlessly handing off from one to the next - which they do very well.

Also, alerts when new devices join - that’s cool. The powerline backhaul seems to work peacefully with other TP-Link powerline extenders on the same ring; they aren’t aware of each other but they don’t interfere either.

I’m not sure why there is an Alexa integration - I haven’t tried it but it sounds a bit gimmicky, I wouldn’t want anything that doesn’t require authentication having control of my network - anyway, it’s optional.

Very easy set-up and much more reliable app than the tpPLC app which I found very glitchy.

Improvements: more object types (e.g. MacBook, Echo, etc.); and maybe a way to see what the devices have been doing (data transfer stats / logs maybe). I thought it might do more to help with device placement around the home to maximise signal, but my set-up gives me what I need so it’s a moot point.

Nice work TP-Link - very cool.

I only installed my X55 mesh today so can’t comment on long term, but setting up via the app was extremely easy. I am using my Decos in Access Point mode, I would have preferred if it was possible to select this mode BEFORE the main setup process as I didn’t want another DHCP server appearing, however it didn’t cause any problems.

Adding extra Decos (I have three) didn’t require any setup apart from giving them a location. My satellite Decos are using ethernet backhaul (they are all connected to the main Deco via the wired network), I would recommend this if you have the required infrastructure, otherwise you will be sharing the backhaul with wifi clients (these don’t have a dedicated wifi channel for backhaul) which could impact performance.

Prior to this mesh network I had two access points, the upstairs one using the ISP router’s built in wifi, and the downstairs one using a Netgear WAC104. Both had the same SSID so it was possible to “roam” between them, however I did get issues with wifi dropping out and buffering when streaming TV. The TP-Link network has fixed all these problems and is much faster, I just wish it was possible to monitor the wifi mesh via a web browser rather then the app.

I was haunted by poor performing Netgear Orbi tech for months and months, so finally decided to take the leap to TP-Link Deco technology. Looks great and performs even better - really pleased so far. However, it is all let down by this awful app. Sure, the install feature is simple and straightforward, but once installation is done with, the functionality of the app in access point mode is poor to say the least. It is slow and clunky, and visibility of key performance KPIs is non existent. I can’t see strength and speed of connection between decos, whether they are using the power line network, how strong the power line network is, which devices are attached to each access point, how strong their connection is, and much more Even though the latest release provided up speed and down speed indicators, non of them work. The Deco technology stack obviously supports different models working together very well, but why can’t the app cope with this. If only TP Link put the same amount of effort into their app development as their hardware and firmware development, this technology would be unbeatable. TP Link needs to pull their socks up big time with this app! Having said that, the performance of the hardware beats Netgear Orbi hands down, and the addition of powerline functionality is genius. Please TP Link - invest in the app and web interfaces ASAP.