TP-Link Smart Hub & Whole Home WiFi Mesh System

WiFi mesh changed my entire wireless networking experience. We live in an older home built in the 70s (i.e., faraday cage). We've tried a host of router options over the past few years, with Apple's Airport being the best at providing WiFi coverage, albeit lacking coverage on a second floor at the opposite end of the house. Coverage outside was good only for a few feet from the house as well. We tried powerline extenders and even have some devices connected via Cat 6, too, and while they added a little umph, it just didn't result in remarkable change.Enter the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus. The app made this a simple, truly step-by-step setup. The only problem I had was that there were no instructions regarding the password parameters when setting up an account. After a few guesses, I got beyond it and into setup. Each step matched my action exactly. I'd estimate about 10 minutes total setup, including unpacking and the password gaffes. Add 4 minutes more for a firmware update and all was good. Scratch that. All was great.My internet download speed skyrocketed. While the Airport could pull 150 mbps+ wireless within 20 feet, that number dropped throughout the house, with some rooms struggling to pull 15-20 mbps, despite pings under 18 ms. With the Deco M9 Plus, I average 160-165 mbps across the entire house. I'm hitting 180-190 mbps standing next to the primary unit next to the modem (and this unit is still not placed in the ideal location due to my modem's location). And get this, outside my house, on the deck, I've pulled down 239 mbps. Heck, I'm hitting 120+ mbps at the end of the driveway. I'm running a simple Netgear 300 mbps modem (no bells and whistles) with Comcast service. I can now run multiple streaming services, FaceTime, and conduct internet browsing concurrently without lag or impact.I am only running the two units this mesh system includes. I almost bought an additional M5 so I could ensure further coverage (you can add multiple components from different TP models to the M9 and link them via the app), but there's no need in this ~2600 sq ft home.Sure it's only been a week (barely), and yes, I rarely write reviews (I don't write reviews). I spent a lot of time looking at PCMag, CNET, etc reviews and went back and forth between Google's mesh, Orbi, and other products. I went to a number of brick and mortar stores to talk WiFi shop with salesfolk (Orbi came highly recommended), but I'm really happy with the immediate change I'm experiencing with TP-Link.After the improvement I experienced moving from a Motorola WiFi router to the Apple Airport, I figured I'd just stick with Apple, but it doesn't compare any longer. Sure, the Deco M9 Plus is pricey, but I really feel like this is a good investment and the effects justify the expenditure. I'm interested to see where I'm at in a year with this, but if current performance is any indicator, then I should remain satisfied.

I started my mesh network with the Deco M5s and I chose them over other mesh products because they supported WIRED back channel connectivity (something Orbi, Google, etc. did NOT support at that time). Sine my home is wired for Cat5e it would been silly not to have utilized it.FYI the Deco M9s tri-channel are now even better suited to wireless placements than the M5s were before. The M9s also add a smart home hub (but for me it does support enough devices yet to justify replacing my Samsung "SmartThings" hub).My TPLink mesh network easily supports mixed M5s and M9s, mixed wireless and wired back channels, and all work flawlessly together.There are NO remaining dead zones at my home and my numerous smart devices all stay connected. My Ring.com cameras work better with this system compared to the other mesh network gear I have tired (most of which were indeed problematic with smart cameras like Ring).My roaming devices (e.g. iPhones, tablets, etc.) all work better with my M5/M9 mesh setup compared to the results I see when I'm visiting family and friends (who have other mesh products) where the cutover between those units can hang quite noticeably.I especially like the included virus software, it has been a life-saver to have protection at the network level which has gone a long way to protect both the kids and less 'tech-y' adults in the home from... well let's just say themselves.I also love the the QoS, usage summaries, attack summaries, and user profiles groups.The APP is easy to use, it supports all the key features needed and I find that I like it a lot. You will have to be ok with the APP as there is no HTTP interface to this system. There is also a small lag when the APP starts but I do not personally find that to be an issue.All the mesh systems I have seen have many pros and cons as MESH is still an evolving space.Most of my tech buddies have eyed up other systems like Google, Orbi etc. (at greater cost) chasing the fastest aggregate speed specs they can find. All this despite the fact their devices won't even get to use it as their cable modem connections are slower (aka none of they have Gbit service with their internet providers yet).In summary, TPLink is truly a hidden GEM in the MESH system arena. It just works! Additionally, it supports what is important to most the households holds (that I I know of) e.g. numerous devices, roaming that really roams, wired or wireless, 4K streaming. Add in it’s very affordably cost which reduces any fear about buying enough units to eliminate all dead spots in any sized house. Quite frankly I have it found to be the best value in mess by far!