Testing the TP-Link Deco Tri Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6E system was easy. We have tested many Wi-Fi systems and found setting up those systems could be overwhelming to some people, especially if you're not tech savvy or comfortable working with smart devices, routers and modems. However, TP-Link does a nice job of walking you through the setup process in the Deco app. You will not have to access your existing modems system settings or try to troubleshoot any issues. Just follow the Deco app instructions and you'll be up and running in no time.

In addition, if you activate the fast-roaming feature which allows devices to switch connections to different Deco seamlessly, you might experience some performance issues. When we turned on this feature some of our devices we're not working or would disconnect. We had to disconnect them from the Deco network and then rejoin the network to get them to work again. Also, if you activate the beamforming feature in the Deco app you might experience similar problems. It seems older devices on the Deco network will have performance issues and need to have their setting corrected if not done so by Deco during setup. When added all their bands together, each router has a total bandwidth of 5400Mbps. In terms of Wi-Fi speed, each can be as fast as its fastest band since a Wi-Fi connection takes place on a single band simultaneously. And while the new Archer AXE75's hardware is somewhat entry-level, that might be all most home users would need, and the router beat my expectations in testing -- more below. So its low cost can only mean better, more widespread Wi-Fi 6 adaption. As for Internet speed, in the best-case scenario, within 40 feet and a line of sight, I generally got between 500Mbps to 820Mbps on a Wi-Fi 6 laptop. For that anecdotal speed testing, the Archer AXE75 hosted a 10Gbps Fiber-optic broadband connection via its Gigabit WAN port. TP-Link Archer AXE75's best-case scenario Internet speed via Wi-Fi when hosting a 10Gbps broadband connection Do NOT turn off the power during the upgrade process, as it may cause permanent damage to the product.

The AXE75’s 6GHz throughput performance was pretty much in line with its 5GHz performance. It scored 921Mbps on the close-proximity test, while the Linksys Hydra Pro 6E managed 927Mbps. At a distance of 30 feet, the AXE75 delivered 397Mbps, beating the Linksys Hydra Pro 6E (379Mbps) but trailing the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 (401Mbps) and the Netgear RAXE500 (427Mbps). The Archer AXE75 did OK in my testing as a mini NAS server. When hosting a portable SSD, the WD My Passport, it delivered a read speed close to 100MB/s and a write speed over 50MB/s via a Gigabit wired connection. The TP-Link Archer AXE75's network attached storage performance when hosting a portable SSD. Fast performance, ease of use, and 6GHz Wi-Fi make the TP-Link Archer AXE75 a smart choice for users looking for a future-proof mainstream Wi-Fi router. Granted, it doesn’t offer multi-gig networking ports or link aggregation, but these features are typically found on more expensive routers. The AXE75’s impressive throughput and good signal range, combined with strong parental controls and a user-friendly mobile app, are enough to merit an Editors’ Choice award for the nascent category of affordable Wi-Fi 6E routers. But other than that, the setup process proved smooth in my trial. The app’s setup wizard covered all necessary steps in great detail, and I got the system up and running within less than 10 minutes without a hitch. Another unique feature the Deco AXE5400 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6e System offers today is its automatic networking function that optimizes the networking every time a Deco unit disappears or is added to the network. We moved the Deco around our house to find the optimal location. We just powered down one Deco and moved it to the second floor in our house. Then we powered it up and the entire network adjusted to the optimal networking settings. If you do this in your home, remember to wait for the networking to complete and Deco’s LED to turn green. It will take a while for the light to turn green. It did for us during testing.

I will preface by saying this was the first time in ten years I have had a dedicated Wi-Fi router. Most of the time, I was just using the Wi-Fi router included with the modem of my internet service provider. My experience with the TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6E router was interesting for its ability to handle connections directly to my phone, TV upstairs, and tablet. TP-Link has been known to be a technological leader in reliable networking devices and accessories for global markets—building on its predecessors like the TP-Link Deco XE75 router. During CES 2022, it touted a list of new broadcasters, including the top-tier Archer AXE200, the Quad-band Archer AXE300, and the super-cool AXE200 Omni.In real-world additional anecdotal testing, the Deco XE75’s performance generally topped at around 300Mbps at the satellite unit and close to 900Mbps at the router unit. Of course, the actual numbers fluctuated a great deal. Please verify the hardware version of your device for the firmware version. Wrong firmware upgrade may damage your device and void the warranty. ( Normally Vx.0=Vx.6/Vx.8 (eg:V1.0=V1.6/V1.8); Vx.x0=Vx.x6/Vx.x8 (eg:V1.20=V1.26/V1.28) And in testing, the router's 5GHz and 6GHz bands individually had sustained speeds equivalent to a wired Gigabit connection after overhead at a close range of 10 feet (3m) or closer. The rate degraded slightly at 40 feet (12 meters) out (within a line of sight), as shown on the charts. HomeShield includes the Free Basic Plan. Fees apply for the Pro Plan. Visit www.tp-link.com/homeshield for more information.