Networking products vendors believe that a Mesh Wi-Fi System is the way to go if you need dependable wireless connectivity at homes and offices. Companies have been launching truckload of such products onto the market and the latest to join the bandwagon is networking products vendor TP-Link.
The company is known of brilliant routers such as the Archer series, which has won accolades from the world over. I personally use an Archer at home for my wireless networking needs and I have been more than happy with its performance. So when TP-Link said they would send the Deco M9 Plus Mesh Wi-Fi System, I waited with bated breath.
The package arrived and I was immediately impressed as soon as I opened it. Inside the box, I got two Deco M9 Plus units, power cords for each unit, and an Ethernet cable., You also get a quick installation guide, which essentially directs you to download the Deco app. The sheer build quality and design of the Deco M9 Plus was awesome. TP-Link claims it is the first Mesh Wi-Fi System that offers a smart hub functionality. The AC2200 tri-band smart home mesh Wi-Fi system Deco M9 Plus can connect over 100 devices, and take control of smart home devices.
As is the case with any mesh networking system, Deco units in different rooms work together to form one unified whole-home network to eliminate weak signal areas. This essentially means that devices on your network can automatically switch to the fastest Deco as you move through your house. Installing the devices was a walk in the park. All I needed to do was connect one unit to the main router in my house. Once it got connected, it was a blue pulsing light. Next, it asked me to find a spot in another room of the house to install the other unit. Again, I plugged it in and followed the directions. The whole installation process took me around 15 minutes.
Once the units are connected to each other, they sort of create a seamless online experience. And with support for IEEE 802.11r and 802.11k/v thrown in, roaming from one Deco to another is smooth as a hot knife on butter. In order to test out the wireless networking capability of the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus, I ran some speed tests through various devices and from various rooms of my house.
At any given time, there are at least 10 devices connected to my home network including two laptops, two smartphones, two tablets, one smart TV, one desktop PC, an Xbox 360 One, and a wireless printer. On paper, a two-pack Deco M9 Plus package is sufficient to offer seamless Wi-Fi experience to an area of up to 4500 square feet.
My apartment is around 750 square feet in size, and the wireless experience was insane. I never saw any drop in signal nor a lag when moving from one room to another. In fact, I was able to connect to my home network from my building’s parking area. Over the two weeks that I tested the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus, I never experienced bandwidth issues caused by my household’s wireless network usage pattern.
The Deco app is gem since it offers some great features such as parental controls, antivirus protection and controlling of smart home devices. The parental controls came in handy since I can now assure my 5-year-old and 8-year-old only access content made specifically for kids and not otherwise.
Also, since the Deco M9 Plus unit has a built-in smart hub, it brings all your smart home devices onto one platform. The device is compatible with smart bulbs, lights, switches, locks, sensors, plugs, cameras and more, including TP-Link and other brands.
For a price of AED 1399, it may seem a bit expensive when compared with routers available on the market. However, if you are looking for a wireless system that offers seamless wireless experience and the ability to control smart home devices, the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus should be on top of your shopping list.
Price: AED 1399
