Mesh Wi-Fi systems are now all the rage, as they provide a simple and user-friendly solution to expand and improve Wi-Fi performance across the home without the need for cumbersome range extenders to do so. However, even if mesh Wi-Fi is effective, it might have difficulties transmitting through thick walls, resulting in dead areas in the home.
Because of the advanced technology in the TP-Link Deco P9, this problem should be avoided, since it provides a stable and reliable wireless connection throughout the house.
Design
Unlike some mesh Wi-Fi systems, the Deco P9 comes in a set of two or three units, and each unit is similar to the others. There is a domain unit or additional points, as there is with some mesh Wi-Fi systems. In terms of design, the cylindrical P9 units are generally unremarkable, however, we must agree that they are significantly taller than competitors such as the Google Nest Wi-Fi and Tenda MW6. As a result, the units stand out in the space, and the fact that they are only available in one color – white – ensures that you will notice them no matter where you set them.
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On the top of each unit is a grille in the shape of the TP-Link logo, with a luminous logo in the center that serves as a status signal for quick troubleshooting in the event that something goes wrong with the connection. Please don’t be concerned; TP-Link recognizes that LED lights may be distracting – especially when placed in a bedroom – and has provided an option in the smartphone app that allows you to mute the indicator light throughout the night.
Performance
According to TP-Link, the Deco P9’s integrated powerline capability allows the system to expand wireless coverage even through thick walls. My home has one wall that significantly lowers the wireless signal in the bathroom and on our rear deck, so it seems like a nice idea to me.
Powerline networking, on the other hand, is not hindered by such impediments, but it is significantly slower than wireless networking. It’s hard to estimate how much slower your computer will be because it depends on the quality of your wiring, the distance between sockets, and the amount of interference generated by other electrical equipment. In addition to this, as I’ve already stated, the Deco app provides no indication of the speeds you’re achieving across different modes of transportation.
Nonetheless, I was able to test the connection in my usual manner, by first configuring the Deco P9 system according to the app’s instructions, then transporting my Surface Laptop (which has an integrated Marvell 2×2 MIMO 802.11ac adapter) around various rooms and measuring upload and download speeds from a NAS appliance that was directly connected to the router unit via Ethernet to confirm that the connection was stable.
Specifications
| WIRELESS | |
|---|---|
| Standards | Wi-Fi 5 IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz |
| WiFi Speeds | AC1200 5 GHz: 867 Mbps (802.11ac) 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps (802.11n) |
| Powerline Speeds | HomePlug AV2 1000 Mbps Powerline |
| WiFi Range | 4-6 Bedroom Houses (3-pack)TP-Link Mesh Technology Optional Ethernet backhaul work together to link Deco units to provide seamless coverage Powerline Technology Uses your home’s electrical wiring to create stronger connections between Deco units, reducing the impact of walls or other obstacles on signal 2× Antennas (Internal) Multiple antennas form a signal-boosting array to cover more directions and large areas Beamforming Concentrates wireless signal strength towards clients to expand WiFi range |
| WiFi Capacity | MediumDual-Band Distribute devices to different bands for optimal performance MU-MIMO Simultaneously communicates with multiple MU-MIMO clients |
| Working Modes | Router Mode Access Point Mode |
| HARDWARE | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm CPU |
| Ethernet Ports | 2× Gigabit Ports *Per Deco Unit Supports WAN/LAN auto-sensing |
| Buttons | Reset Button |
| Power | 12 V ⎓ 1.5 A |
| SECURITY | |
|---|---|
| WiFi Encryption | WPA-Personal WPA2-Personal |
| Network Security | SPI Firewall Access Control |
| Guest Network | 1× 5 GHz Guest Network 1× 2.4 GHz Guest Network |
| SOFTWARE | |
|---|---|
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
| Parental Controls | URL Filtering Time Controls |
| WAN Types | Dynamic IP Static IP PPPoE PPTP L2TP |
| Quality of Service | QoS by Device |
| Cloud Service | OTA Firmware Upgrade TP-Link ID DDNS |
| NAT Forwarding | Port Forwarding UPnP |
| IPTV | IGMP Proxy IGMP Snooping Bridge Tag VLAN |
| DHCP | Address Reservation DHCP Client List Server |
| DDNS | TP-Link |
| Management | Deco App |
| PHYSICAL | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 3.6 × 3.6 × 7.5 in (90.7 × 90.7 × 190 mm) |
| Package Contents | Deco P9 (3-pack) 3 Deco P9 Units 1 RJ45 Ethernet Cable 3 Power Adapters 1 Quick Installation Guide Deco P9 (2-pack) 2 Deco P9 Units 1 RJ45 Ethernet Cable 2 Power Adapters 1 Quick Installation Guide Deco P9 (1-pack) 1 Deco P9 Unit 1 RJ45 Ethernet Cable 1 Power Adapter 1 Quick Installation Guide |
| OTHERS | |
|---|---|
| System Requirements | Android 4.4 or later iOS 9.0 or later |
| Certifications | CE, FCC, IC, NCC, BSMI, IDA, RCM, JPA, JRF, VCCI, KC, RoHS |
| Environment | Operating Temperature: 0℃~40℃ (32℉ ~104℉) Storage Temperature: -40℃~70℃ (-40℉ ~158℉) Operating Humidity: 10%~90% non-condensing Storage Humidity: 5%~90% non-condensing |
| TEST DATA | |
|---|---|
| WiFi Transmission Power | CE: <20 dBm (2.4 GHz) <23 dBm (5 GHz) FCC: <30 dBm |
Verdict
It was a pleasure to work with the TP-Link Deco P9 throughout our testing. From its simplicity of installation to the strength and speed of its Wi-Fi signal, as well as the extras available through its mobile app, it was a pleasure to work with. Don’t forget about the powerline and Ethernet connectivity options available from each device.
When compared to our existing Sky Q mesh network at home, we didn’t see any significant improvements in coverage or speeds. If you already have a mesh network in place, this may not be the best option for you. The accessories that come with the Deco P9 are useful, but they are not necessarily worth spending a couple of hundred pounds to obtain.
If you live in an area where Wi-Fi is difficult to reach in every corner of every room, the TP-Link Deco P9 should be at the top of your list of potential purchases. But there are several very remarkable kits available right now, such the freshly updated Google Nest Wi-Fi solution and the Orbi suite of devices from Netgear, to name a couple of examples.
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