The Quality of Service feature lets you prioritize activities like gaming or streaming, or set priority devices. Importantly, you can split the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands to show as two separate Wi-Fi networks. This is handy, as some smart home devices only operate on the former band. Similarly, there's a mixed mode for WPA2 and WPA3 security. Some devices don't work with the newer WPA3 standard, and some routers force you to choose one or the other, which can lead to issues. This mode ensures all your gadgets are on a compatible standard.
The web interface is basic and doesn’t add much, so I preferred using the easy-to-use app. However, it’s a little slow to update, and settings are limited. It didn’t recognize many devices and listed obscure hardware manufacturer names, making it tough to know which devices to add to my kid’s profiles.
It wasn’t the speediest performer, but this system is fast and dependable enough for the average home. If you have a connection that's 500 Mbps or better, it might be worth upgrading to the Deco X55 or Deco X60.
Specs Wi-Fi Version Wi-Fi 6 Bands 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Ports Two Gigabit WAN/LAN Size 4.33 × 4.33 × 4.49 inches
Best Outdoor Mesh Router
This large, cylindrical router comes with fixings that enable you to wall- or pole-mount it, or you can set it on a table. It's waterproof and dustproof, with an IP65 rating, and has worked fine despite a typical wet Scottish summer without any issues. TP-Link suggests it can cover around 2,500 square feet, and it has no problem filling my backyard with speedy Wi-Fi.
The base screws open to accommodate the power cable with a rubber seal, but you will need an outdoor socket or extension within reach. Even better, this router supports Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), so you can hook it up to your network and power it with a single Ethernet cable. It has two gigabit Ethernet ports.
I tested it in conjunction with the Deco X50 4G, and it formed a mesh with no problem. It delivered decent speeds on the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands, despite a large distance between it and the main router and the fact that it was relying on wireless backhaul. It offers basic security and parental controls, though you need to upgrade to Security+ at $5 a month or $36 for the year and Advanced Parental Controls at $3 a month or $18 a year to unlock all the features. There is support for Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so you can use voice commands with this router.
Whether you want to watch a movie on your phone while you sunbathe or crank the tunes up at your barbecue, this router is a great way to get a better Wi-Fi signal in your backyard.
Specs Wi-Fi Version Wi-Fi 6 Bands 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Ports Two Gigabit WAN/LAN (PoE) Size 4.3 x 8.5 x 4.8 inches
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