Plus, it has Alexa support. I need your advice on what routers to buy. The only problem with it is a near-total lack of Ethernet ports, as the main router only has one free port and the nodes have none at all. Thankfully, there are solutions. In fact, the Deco X60 supports a maximum backhaul throughput of up to 3000Mbps.That’s a huge improvement from the Deco M5 with a peak throughput of 1300Mbps. This covers up to 3,800 square feet of otherwise WiFi-less real estate. TP-Link's Deco M9 Plus certainly comes away from this comparison looking like a better overall value than Nest WiFi. Deco X60: Common DC: AX3000 2,402 Mbps at 5 GHz, 574 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, × 2 * LAN/WAN … 5 Google Meet features for the best video calls possible. I wasn't lying when I said you'd have to empty your wallet to make your WiFi router work for everyone in your home. Deco Series Hardware Specification. You'll get up to 4,500 square feet of WiFi with that bundle. All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. They will also work with Amazon Alexa. What you pay for a mesh WiFi system depends on how much coverage you need. And if you have older Deco systems like the Deco M9 Plus, you can use them with the new Deco X20 and X60 to further expand Wi-Fi coverage. Mashable, MashBash and Mashable House are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Each system promises a different amount of square footage it can cover, which can be expanded by purchasing additional nodes beyond what comes with the default package. If everything works out, the nodes can extend your router's WiFi signal to the entire home without you needing to sign into another network as you move around. Mesh WiFi routers are perhaps the best blanket fix. The TP-Link Deco X60 is an excellent system, but you get what you pay for, so in this case, you need to consider your usage before committing to a Wi-Fi 6 system vs Wi-Fi 5. TP-Link's Deco M9 Plus certainly comes away from this comparison looking like a better overall value than Nest WiFi. Powered by its own proprietary technology, Mashable is the go-to source for tech, digital culture and entertainment content for its dedicated and influential audience around the globe. Speaking of the app, you have to use that to set up Nest WiFi. But it can be hard to know which fix is the right one for your particular situation. As for performance, Nest WiFi does what it sets out to do. My apartment is famously hostile to wireless networks, but Nest WiFi fixed that right up. TP-Link has Google beat when it comes to pricing. TP-Link brought a few new Wi-Fi 6 mesh router systems to Las Vegas this year. TP-Link Deco X60 comes with the latest WiFi 6 technology and this means a much faster and a more stable WiFi connection. From the Google Home app, you can even command it to play music. Of the two options, it's undeniably better for power users. Ask it for the weather and the Google Assistant will tell you the forecast. You can also use it to control other devices you have connected to it like you would with a regular Nest speaker. One router with one node has a list price of $300, but it's available at Walmart for just $200. Google Nest WiFi doesn't stand out in a living room. As I noted in my review last year, the process only takes a few minutes and is largely painless. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Though, I personally recommend the Deco M9 Plus simply because Ethernet ports are vital for things like online gaming, but that may not be a part of your lifestyle. These are special routers you can use to extend a network signal far beyond the range of the default device you probably got from your internet service provider. But that doesn't mean you should discount Nest WiFi, necessarily. Mashable, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Staying at home has probably taught you some harsh lessons about the strength of your own WiFi signal. They called it one of the best mesh systems for 2020. Under some circumstances, we have more than one Deco models (Deco M5, Deco M9 Plus, etc.) is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company. It apparently recognizes compatible devices like a smart thermostat without much trouble, too. Advice. But, if you think you need more, a bundle with a router and two nodes (5,400 square feet of coverage) is available for $350. Help me decide: TP Link Deco M9 vs X60. Bathing every room in your home with beautiful wireless internet is the objective of a mesh system, but it's not the only thing it can do. To that end, a Google Nest WiFi router with one node is $270. If you can locate the router where you primarily need the fastest connection, such as living room, or office, then you can have all the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 with a lower cost. If you've already bought into Google's ecosystem with Android or Nest devices and you're accustomed to using Google Assistant, it becomes even more of a no-brainer. The Deco X20 and Deco X60 have TP-Link Homecare which has built-in anti-virus protection and parental controls. The other option includes a second extension point and Walmart has it listed for $290, offering up to 6,500 square feet of coverage. Since each node has ethernet ports on it, you can also theoretically unclog your WiFi signal by using wired connections where appropriate. ©2020 Here's the skinny on all three of them. It's time to upgrade my 'traditional' extender network and set-up a Mesh network, mainly due to three factors: This is not the case for TP-Link's mesh setup. Otherwise, purchasing an individual node will cost you $150. We're using cookies to improve your experience. SEE ALSO: 5 Google Meet features for the best video calls possible. I've searched but have not found a similar thread yet. Nest WiFi nodes (but not the router) also function as Google Nest smart speakers. Image: Mashable composite; Google, TP-Link, Shutterstock / Oleksii Lishchyshyn. So it can help to get additional nodes to ensure you're getting the strongest signal coverage possible. They also require a mobile app for setup and management of connected smart devices. Better Business Bureau Accredited Business. I can personally attest that it works great and patches up big coverage holes created by a normal WiFi router. Deco P7 , Deco S4(2-pack) , Deco X60 , Deco X20 , Deco S4(1-pack) , Deco S4 , Deco M4(3-pack) , Deco M9 Plus , Deco M5 , Deco S4(3-pack) , Deco M4 All our Deco models can work together. You can't really lose with either one. Google's mesh WiFi system is a great option for those who just want WiFi coverage in their homes without a ton of fuss. And even the best mesh system can struggle in a relatively small apartment if there are lots of walls between a router and a node. Important notes: Most Deco series comes with Gigabit Ports except Deco E4 & E3. At the end of the day, it might just come down to whether you find marshmallows or hockey pucks more aesthetically pleasing. Google Nest WiFi is excellent, too, and both options can fix your spotty internet coverage in a matter of minutes. While a good mesh WiFi setup is a boon for your work-from-home life, it can also set you back hundreds of dollars. It's a little cheaper, promises more coverage, and gives users more versatility with Ethernet ports. The routers and nodes are physically identical, meaning each one has two Ethernet ports on it. It's important to note here that, if you have the means, it can never hurt to buy more nodes than you think you need for your mesh system. This section is dedicated for hardware geeks that wants detail comparison, it has listed CPU, RAM, Signal Rate & Ethernet Ports. TP-LINK Home Care is only available in mid and high-end series such as Deco M5, M9 Plus, X20 & X60. in hand and want to use them together in one network topology. WiFi can have a tough time passing through walls and other physical obstructions. Today, we're going to compare two recognizable and similarly priced models: Google Nest WiFi and TP-Link Deco M9 Plus. PCMag's review also rated the Deco M9 Plus for excellent performance, noting that the signal was strong even from 30 feet away. There are pros and cons to each mesh WiFi system depending on your situation, so it's best to be informed before making a purchase. You have to live wirelessly on Nest WiFi. TP-Link's Deco mesh routers get a Wi-Fi 6 upgrade in 2020. TP-Link Deco M9 Plus is also pretty inconspicuous. Both Nest WiFi and Deco M9 Plus have mobile apps and smart speaker functionality to add some additional bang for your buck. A typical mesh WiFi system comes with a router and at least one or two separate nodes that you plug in elsewhere in your home, ideally in areas that need a little extra signal boost. I haven't personally tested it, but PCMag spoke very highly of the app in its review.