Mesh WiFi is the best solution to poor WiFi signal for bigger houses due to how simple it is to install them and they actually work as promised. Introducing the new Deco X50 from TP-Link, a WiFi 6 AX3000 whole home mesh WiFi system with a claimed coverage up to 6500 sq ft.
There are a lot of of good things about the Deco X50 and affordability is the biggest selling point. In fact, if you used TP-Link entry-level mesh WiFi such as the Deco M4 previously, the Deco X50 which costs RM899 for the 2-pack model is a great upgrade with significant performance boost.
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Upgrading to WiFi 6 technology will provide faster speed and stronger coverage especially for your new WiFi 6 devices. This will also benefit older devices due to technology improvement in WiFi signal processing resulting in a WiFi network that can support plenty of devices while being faster.
I always liked how TP-Link mesh WiFi looks, I think are really clean and simple. The best part is the neutral design language will fit into most modern interior design without being obstructive. That’s really important as mesh WiFi should never be hidden in a cabinet for the best coverage.
Deco X50 Mesh Performance Test
Let’s jump right into the performance of the Deco X50. Thanks to WiFi 6 capability, the Deco X50 is much faster than the predecessors. The WiFi performance and stability has vastly improved over the Deco M5 or Deco M4 it replaces.
Ths biggest difference is probably the maximum WiFi speed. I can now get 800Mbps easily on my phone with the Deco X50 compared to an older Wireless AC mesh WiFi system. This is tested on a short distance without any obstruction to the main mesh point.
On the second location bedroom, I can still get a decent 300Mbps from the mesh node of the Deco X50 mesh WiFi system. It outperforms the Deco X20 rather significantly and it’s even slightly faster than the Deco X60.
Deco X50 Hardward and Specs
| WiFi Band 1 | 2.4Ghz WiFi 6 up to 574Mbps (2×2 40Mhz) |
| WiFi Band 2 | 5Ghz WiFi 6 up to 2402Mbps (2×2 160Mhz) |
| CPU | Qualcomm Quad-Core CPU |
| RAM | 512MB |
| Ports | 3 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN/WAN Port |
TP-Link did not tell us much about the specifications but we know it comes with a Qualcomm Quad-Core CPU and 512MB RAM. It also comes with a WiFi 6 radio that can support up to AX3000 with 160Mhz bandwidth supported on the 5Ghz band.
If you read my review of the Deco X60 in the past, the Deco X60 is powered by a 4 stream 5Ghz radio with 80Mhz bandwidth. However, the Deco X50’s 5Ghz radio is slightly different. It’s just 2 stream but the bandwidth is now doubled to 160Mhz to suit most WiFi devices in the market.
This means devices that supported 160Mhz mode will be able to enjoy a much faster speed. That include most laptop in the market that’s powered by the Intel AX200 WiFi 6 receiver and certain Android smart phones as well.
The Deco X50 is also the first TP-Link Mesh WiFi with more than 2 ports and that’s a great improvement. In fact, both the main unit and mesh nodes come with 3 ports on each of them and they are all functional. They can work in wired backhaul for better performance or connect other devices to them.
Installing Deco X50 Mesh WiFi
The best way to install the Deco X50 mesh WiFi is by connecting the main unit directly to the modem. This will ensure there will be no bottleneck caused by the router provided by the service provider and reduce interference. Then, put the remaining mesh nodes within 2-3 walls from the main unit.
Once that is done, the mesh nodes will wirelessly link with the main unit and work together to blanket your entire home with a single WiFi network. Devices will automatically switch between the coverage of the nearest mesh node as you move around in your house for the best signal coverage.
Roaming and Steering
TP-Link’s excellent mesh roaming technology is now known as AI-Driven Mesh and it works like magic. The network switching is almost unoticeable as I walk around in my house. My devices will always switch to the strongest mesh points seamlessly without any manual switching required.
That’s because Deco Mesh WiFi system support the 802.11r fast roaming feature in addition to the standard 802.11k/v roaming assist. Having 802.11r fast roaming technology can provide millisecond level roaming capability for supported devices like most high-end smartphones.
Firmware and Features
TP-Link software for their mesh WiFi has always been really good. The app is really easy to use and the software is very stable. Since the Deco Mesh WiFi is linked to TP-Link cloud, you can view the status of your home network easily even when you are away from home.
The star of the show is TP-Link’s HomeShield security software. It is a software suite including an antivirus, advanced parental control feature and a quality of service (QoS) feature. Some of the features are free but the Pro features will require a monthly subscription.
The best part of the HomeShield Pro software is the parental control feature. It can filter webpages based on category selected and it works really well. There are plenty of categories to choose from and TP-Link have a very extensive database of website for each categories.
The reporting feature in the app is also great. It will show usage trends, top blocked and top visited websites by each devices which will be really handy if you have young kids in your family. I find it really handy to monitor whether the kids in my family are using a ton of Internet when I’m not around.
Closing Thoughts
At RM899 for the twin-pack model, the Deco X50 is cheaper than other competing WiFi 6 AX1800 mesh WiFi in the market. That makes the Deco X50 an enticing value and will probably be really popular. It’s not the fastest mesh WiFi in the market but it is enough for those with a 300-500Mbps Internet connection.
So, for the vast majority of people, the Deco X50 will perform well, looks good and doesn’t cost a fortune. I guess TP-Link finally got a great WiFi 6 mesh WiFi with the right price and performance. TP-Link also listened to what consumers wanted and added more ports on their product.
TP-Link Deco X50
9.0
Tubi Rating
pros
- 3 Gigabit LAN/WAN on each unit
- Excellent fast roaming and mesh steering
- Easy to setup with Deco app
cons
- Monthly subscription required to get more features from HomeShield Pro
My experience is the x20 series decos are the worst of the line up. I would even go as far as recommending the cheap M5 a/c decos (at least you can manually preference each node). I ended up getting rid of all my M5s and x20 DSL & my x20 4G+. I replaced them with 3 x50s and 3 x68s. I have a 500Mbs fibre to the home and consistently get over that in every room in my 3 floor townhouse. The x20 slows any mesh system from TP-Link down significantly. I would avoid any x20 products even if they… Read more »
The Deco X20 is the entry series model from TP-Link so naturally there would be some compromises. I would recommend getting at least the X50 as well.
Hello Blacktubi. Nice review! I currenty have X20 (3 pack) in my house and planning to add 1 more. Already ordered X50 and planning to make it as my main node. Will it help boost signal to nodes or atleast speed to other nodes if I make it the main node? Current ISP speed 600mbps up and down. Thanks in advance mate! Cheers!
Yes, it will provide a faster backhaul to the Deco X20 mesh nodes but don’t expect a very signficant improvement.
Thanks for the info! Just in time, just arrived and will make it as main deco. Cheers!
Hi, I’m currently using deco x50-5G for my internet setup at my house, together with the Yes5G Flexi.
The speed is around 400–500 mbps, but there is still a dead zone in my house, or the speed is lower than 30 mbps.
So i think i want to pair my router with the mesh but do not know whether to buy the Deco X20 or the Deco X50. Can you suggest it?
Get the Deco X50. The Deco X20 is too slow for your 5G connection.
Hi, 1 question regarding the connection strength between each deco.
Currently I have M9 plus and plan to add another node. Distance between the 2 nodes are around 3 walls.
So which option is better; add another M9 plus or add 1 unit of X50? Looking for deco with strongest connection (between nodes).
3 walls is actually too far for Deco to function, keep it within 2 walls and realy on the signal from the node to reach the target signal deadzone.
Hi,
My store requires 3 LAN ports (1 WAN + 2 LAN). The LAN ports connect to my Living Room and Master Bedroom.
So right now, the Main Router, is an Archer C6, which connects to 2 Deco E4 via Ethernet Backhaul. the E4 in the Living Room acts as the Main Deco.
I was thinking of replacing the Main Router with a Deco X50, which then connects to the other 2 E4 via Ethernet.
Is this preferred? Do you have a better/optimal solution?
The Deco X50 is definitely much better than the Deco E4 and I assume the main unit is located at somewhere where you will use them the most.
Looking to upgrade my Wifi 5 mesh (BT Whole Wifi 2 disc) with either Deco X50 or Archer AX55
Just checked yours reviews for both these devices with 2 walls between and you stated 300mbs for both. My ISP connection is 280mbs with 4 people doing casual games and streaming.
The Deco cost £129 and Archer cost £75. Is the Deco worth the extra money for a house that is 40ft long with 2 walls between.
Yes, you’ll need the Deco X50 as it comes with 2 units. Buying 2 units of Archer AX55 will result in a higher cost than the Deco X50.
Hi BlackTubi, really appreciate on your sharing. I am now on 500mbps Unifi upgrade plan and previously used a pair of TP-Link Deco M9 Plus cuz double storey terrace house. Planning to upgrade to TP-Link Deco X50 cuz like others, I stupidly accept TM’s suggestion on upgrading to the new D-Link DIR X3060Z Router (with contract extension ofc). Quite hate it cuz there’s no band steering and AP steering, so had to manually change to different bands every time going down/up. And to make it worse, D-Link app is absolute cluttered and inferior comparing to TP-Link’s Deco. So, is it… Read more »
Do you still have your Deco M9 Plus? If yes, you might consider to use the Deco M9 Plus. The Deco X50 isn’t that much faster than the Deco M9 Plus. I got to agree with you, the free routers from most of the Internet service providers are always really bad.
Yep still got it. So, why is Deco M9 Plus still better than Deco X50 ya? Cuz theoretically WiFi 6 should be faster and stable right?
Now put aside Deco X50, what if I set up mesh connection using a pair of the TM Unifi’s D-Link DIR X3060Z (it’s a WiFi6 Mesh-ready Router), would it be better or worse comparing to Deco M9 Plus WiFi5 Mesh?
Planning to sell either one, but it’s really hard to decide. All this WiFi 5 vs WiFi 6 vs WiFi6E really hard to grasp and follow.
The Deco X50 is only slightly faster than the Deco M9 Plus. The true replacement model for the Deco M9 Plus is actually the Deco X68. That model will be a rather significant improvement.
I will recommend just using the Deco M9 Plus and connect it directly to the fiber modem from TM, skipping the D-Link Wi-Fi 6 router entirely for the best performance.
Hi, just wondering how is the plan goes? Do you use X50 or stick with M9 Plus. My dilema is quite same with you, either to buy another Dlink AX3000 router to pair mesh with supplied router from Unifi or upgrade to X50 + (already owned M4 3units)?