Olympus PEN E-PL10
A Wi-Fi mesh for mega mansions.
As with most mesh systems, set-up is simple and revolves around downloading TP-Link’s Deco app which locates and automatically configures your primary node.
Over the past few years, TP-Link has greatly impressed us with its well-designed, well-built products, that are simple to set-up and use, come with reasonable price tags and often showcase the latest Wi-Fi technology before the competition.
The kit can either be used as a standalone router or access point that boosts coverage from your existing router. As with most mesh systems, set-up is simple and revolves around downloading TP-Link’s Deco app which locates and automatically configures your primary node. We found that simply turning on the other nodes was enough for them to be automatically added to the mesh but you can add them manually through the app too.
However, once they’re added you can’t easily check on whether they’re individually functioning properly without looking at each one’s status LED. With each node capable of large coverage, we didn’t notice that our second node had accidentally been unplugged because the signal from the first was so strong. This immediately poses an existential question to a Wi-Fi 6-based mesh – with individual Wi-Fi 6 routers so powerful, do you really need one when individual routers can cover reasonably large premises on their own? The answer is printed on the front of the box: this system covers “7,000 square feet” which equates to “4 to 7+ bedroom houses” i.e. mansions.
We downloaded large video files from a Synology DS1019+ NAS to a Wi-Fi-6-equipped Dell XPS 15 OLED laptop in a three-storey Sydney Town House, next to the nodes, at ground level, one floor up and two floors up. It averaged transfer rates of 253Mbps,
148Mbps and 119Mbps, respectively. While these aren’t bad for general web browsing and video streaming over Wi-Fi, they’re slow for Wi-Fi 6. Asus’ ZenWiFi mesh-router combo managed 427Mbps to the second floor and that used last-gen AC Wi-Fi. Frankly, we’re disappointed.
Analysing the transfers suggested that maintaining a strong connection was a struggle for the nodes but even then, peak speeds were a long way off Wi-Fi 6 expectations.
Beyond performance there’s still much to like. The usual features are all simple to access and set-up using the app. There are decent QoS controls, plus good traffic monitoring, internet security and family controls built-in.
At $749 it represents a hefty investment and because of the speed issues we can’t recommend it for buyers wanting to fill a family-sized premises with Wi-Fi because there are many, similar performing, cheaper, AC-based alternatives. However, if you have been struggling for basic coverage in your mega mansion, it might be just what you’re looking for.
Wide coverage is marred by poor performance and a high price tag. Nick Ross