TP-Link Deco M5 AC1300 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System covers 5500 square feet and 100 Devices

After a decade of waiting for fibre optic broadband, I finally received a 1Gbps connection to my home. However, the initial experience was underwhelming. Despite the upgrade, I was only achieving around 70Mbps in my third-floor room, located on the opposite side of the house from the modem. Given that my PC supports Wi-Fi 7, there were clearly no limitations on the device end. The issue appeared to be the standard modem provided by Sky, which performed poorly.I began researching mesh systems and initially considered the Deco XE50, but decided against it due to its Wi-Fi 6 limitation, the same as my existing Sky modem. I instead opted for the Deco XE75 Pro, which supports Wi-Fi 6E. Although it cost approximately £120 more at the time, I deemed it a worthwhile investment given the performance gap and future-proofingThe improvement was immediate and significant. In the same room that couldn't even reach 100Mbps, I now consistently receive speeds exceeding 600Mbps, occasionally peaking at 800Mbps (via Ethernet connection to the wireless hub). The range of the XE75 Pro is exceptional, especially considering the physical distance from the main pod. I purchased the three-pack version, which ensures seamless handover between pods for mobile devices and always connects to the fastest and most stable node.The accompanying Deco app is intuitive and offers a solid range of functions, including device prioritisation, firmware updates, security protocol options, guest network creation, and even VPN support (VPN is an add-on for a monthly subscription).Overall, I’m thoroughly impressed with the Deco XE75 Pro. It delivers on performance, range, stability, and features. If you’re paying for high-speed internet, it only makes sense to invest in hardware that allows you to benefit from it. In my view, this device is worth every penny.

I've been a long-time user of the TP-Link Deco system, and the Deco XE75 Pro has solidified my trust in their products. It offers an outstanding balance between performance and price, making it a perfect upgrade for anyone seeking improved network performance without breaking the bank.Why I UpgradedI chose this model to enhance my internal backhaul speeds, especially for data movement to my home NAS. While I considered the newer 7G systems, this option provided a significant performance boost at a fraction of the cost. It also saved me from the hassle and expense of installing Ethernet cabling throughout my home—a win for both my budget and convenience.Performance and CoverageThe improvement in speed and reliability has been remarkable. The mesh system effortlessly covers my 12+ room house, ensuring no dead spots and consistently strong connections. Internal data transfer speeds are incredibly fast, making tasks like NAS backups a breeze. The system integrates seamlessly with my existing Deco devices, creating a unified and efficient network.App and FeaturesThe TP-Link app is straightforward and functional, handling essential tasks like setup and device management with ease. However, it could benefit from more advanced controls, such as manually assigning devices to specific nodes. While this lack of customization can be mildly frustrating, it doesn’t overshadow the product’s overall reliability and bulletproof performance.VerdictThe TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro delivers excellent coverage, fast internal speeds, and reliable operation, all at a price that feels more than fair. If you're looking to upgrade your home network without venturing into the premium price bracket, this is a fantastic choice. Despite some app limitations, the product excels where it matters most, making it a worthy investment for any connected household.Rating: 5/5

This review is for the XE75 Pro 3 pack.I bought these to replace a BT Smarthub 2 900MB Complete wifi setup consisting of the SH2 and 3 additional discs.Firstly, the setup of these was simple with a BT FTTP. Just plugged one into the modem on the wall in router mode, added the BT username and password and bang, it works. Fast wifi. My phone connected to this (wifi) saw download speeds of 3-400, where as on BT i could get around 100. The AP's are again easy to setup, I placed them in positions I used to have the complete wifi in and they were often redundant, no devices seemed to need them as the signal from the main one was often sufficient. My son's PC (main reason for switching as his room is where wifi signals go to die) used to have a BT disc in there and could manage maybe 10 - 15 meg with that setup, now didn't need a disc and could connect to a disc in the office and get 100 meg. Another plus for these is the dedicated iot newtork at 2.4ghz, and the guest network. I spent some time moving iot devices to the dedicated network, turned off the mesh option for static devices and arranging the AP's for best signal, i ended up daisychaining them rather than them all trying to connect back to the main router. My problems with these though are that they don't work well with BT hardware (the BT TV Pro box) and Google Nest devices (of which i have many). The BT TV box firstly would connect and then drop out randomly, like wise with the Google nest devices. The BT issue is apparently something to do with multicast support, and the nest, some people have had success turning off some features in the Deco's and using AES security, but it didn't seem to work for me. MAybe I should have given them more time and played with settings some more, but I didn't have these issues with the B hardware, so for now i am returning them.i may try the ASUS T8 or T9 after christmas as these may work better for me.