TP-Link Deco X20 Mesh WiFi Review
Technology has revolutionized the way WiFi connection used to work. Gone are the days of those bulky looking routers taking a significant amount of space on yourself. With everything being reduced to smaller sizes, a compact router is yet another great advancement.
The Deco X20 is one such WiFi system. The model comes with a Mesh design and delivers the speed of the fastest wireless networks. This system is a dual-band mesh WiFi that can broadcast WiFi 6, WiFi 5, and WiFi 4.
Deco X20 WiFi is perfect for catering to the internet need of different individuals. Be it for a person in a small studio or a fancy two-story house, this mesh WiFi can be a great choice for your house.
Deco X20 – Unboxing the packaging
Packaging creates the first impression in the customers’ minds, and Deco has done a great job. The size of the box depends on the number of units you order. The box is not just pretty to look at; it is filled with a lot of necessary installation information.
You can find pictures and information guiding you about using the Mesh WiFi at the side of the box.
Once you are done with the most satisfying unboxing procedure, look out for the following items along with the Deco X20.
- Power cable
- Network adaptor
- Installation guide
Make sure these three additional accessories, along with the main WiFi mesh, is present in the box.
Hardware and design
The Deco X20 has a unique round design that is quite rare to find in the market. These circular units are about 4 inches in height and 4 inches in diameter. It quite lightweight, weighing only about 3 pounds.
As a mark of originality, check for the logo of TP-Link beneath the model. Alongside it, there will be an LED that is an indicator of whether the router is working or not. You don’t have to be worried about the blinking light disturbing your sleep. It can be easily turned off or even programmed to be turned off during night time.
There are no complaints when it comes to the looks of Deco X20. Its chic and stylish round design fits in easily with the décor of your room. You can even fit it in your living area without the worry of it appearing out of place.
To prevent it from sliding, at the bottom, you will also find four rubber feet. This helps the machine stay stable on a flat and slippery surface. One minor flaw with the model is that it does not come with holes that can help you mount it on a wall. You can only place it on something.
Another thing that you can find on the bottom is a small button called the ‘Reset Jack.’ It helps in troubleshooting when you think you have made some wrong settings and to start afresh.
You will find two Ethernet ports at the hind side of the model, with 1 Gbps capacity, along with the power jack. Each station in Deco X20 is powered by Qualcomm IPQ8070 SoC with four cores, running at 1 GHz and 512 MB RAM. It also provides 128MB of storage for the firmware.
Deco X20 has antennas that are internally located. Two have a bandwidth of 2.4 GHz, and the other two have a bandwidth of 5 GHz. Theoretically, the 2.4 GHz antenna is supposed to provide a bandwidth of 574 Mbps, while that of 5Ghz is supposed to provide a bandwidth of 1201 Mbps.
Setting up Deco X20
The Deco X20 is not much of a hassle when it comes to installation and setting up. All you are required to do is install the Deco App on your smartphone. You can find it for both the Android and iOS versions. Before beginning, make sure you have a TP-Link cloud account. If not, you can easily create it using your mobile app or your computer.
Once you are in the Deco app, you will be met with the installation wizard. The first step is to choose the model that you have bought. The setup wizard will then ask you about the type of internet connection you own and the Deco X20 units’ location. It is better not to rely on the app for entering your internet settings automatically. Put in the details on your own.
Once your WiFi network is created, you need to choose a username and password for establishing a secure connection. If you wish to add more units to the system, you can do it with ease at the end of completing the system installation. In fact, once you have set up one Deco system, the others will get detected automatically, without the need for any manual installation.
You also don’t have to stay on the lookout for any firmware updates for your Deco. It will detect any new updates automatically and ping you the same with a notification. Keep the firmware updated to the latest versions. This helps you rectify any bugs or provide an improvement in the performance quality of the machine.
About the Deco App
The Deco app is a very intuitive and well-organized application that you can own on your phone. It is designed to provide better assistance in a simplified manner for your Deco X20.
The home screen of the app shows you the devices that you have connected to the internet network. This screen also goes by the name of ‘Homecare’ screen. It lets you control many functional aspects like the anti-virus and other security features from the ‘More’ screen.
The ‘More’ screen runs the tab for advanced control options. Though there is quite a few advanced options link, some users might still find it limited. So, if you are a power user, the advanced options list might appear restricted for you. For instance, there isn’t any setting option that allows you to use the WiFi with different names for the two bands. You also don’t have control over whether you can switch off WiFi 6 or not.
The Deco app will provide you with monthly usage statistics at the beginning of the month. It will include information regarding which device spent the most time on the internet, the maximum internet speed reached over the month, the number of new devices connected to the network, etc. It also gives the internet history on the ‘Parental Controls’ section for your child’s usage.
If you are using the router with an outdated or older computer or laptop system, you might have to update the drivers for WiFi 6.
Performance of the wireless network
The most fundamental feature of the Mesh WiFi system is the delivery of a strong WiFi network output. The Deco X20 provides the same without any complaints. Be it a small room or a 2000 sq feet house with multiple levels; the WiFi coverage will be remarkable.
This mesh WiFi speeds can reach up to 800 Mbps, which is quite convincing and convenient to work with. However, this performance will depend on the placement of the WiFi system. Keeping the same in a central location of the house, equidistant from all the rooms, can help deliver the perfect speed in every room.
Performance of the wired network
The Mesh system of Deco X20 provides a satisfying performance in the wired network setup as well. It is better than a lot of other ethernet options available in the market. However, if you are a power user, you might want to choose a different one.
Additional features
Apart from the basics covered so far, you can also find some additional advanced features in the Deco X20.
Anti-virus
The Deco X20 is powered by the TrendMicro anti-virus for the homecare module. This feature provides you with the ability to have access to security tools and filter out any malicious content. It will also prevent any external attack of virus and put any infected device to quarantine.
Speedtest
The speed test option lets you check the speed of the internet connection on different occasions. You can keep a check on the speed being delivered during your work.
Parental control
Parental control is yet another useful feature of the Deco X20. It is a straightforward, cloud-based system that enables you to block any inappropriate content online. This way, you can manage the content your child can have access to while using the internet. You can also set limits on the usage of the internet.
Guest network
You have the option of adding a guest network to the Deco X20 as well. You can have a set up that can emit a signal at 2.4 or 5 GHz simultaneously.
TP-Link DDNS
This is a special service that comes with all the TP-Link internet systems. It basically allows the Deco X20 to connect with the internet. It helps you do so even when the internet provider gives a dynamic IP address.
Amazon Alexa Integration
The Amazon Alexa Integration option helps you connect your device to the amazing Alexa device from Amazon. With this, you can control your Deco X20 with voice commands as well.
The advanced features in the Deco X20 are not a lot to make it compete with the other mesh WiFi systems available in the market. However, they provide excellent performance output that can be enjoyed by the users.
Who should buy the Deco X20?
The mesh WiFi technology is becoming a go-to choice for many people. The features and security that come with the system are quite remarkable. You can opt for the Deco X20 Mesh WiFi if;
- You have a big home that faces coverage issues.
- You need a simple and less complicated mesh WiFi system that can be installed and used with ease.
- You need WiFi that you can control by voice commands.
- You want to put parental control on your child’s net usage time and the content they watch over the net.
- You want a network system for the enhanced security of your home.
- You are interested in the WiFi 6 standard system.
Pros
- Fast WiFi connectivity for longer range and better output
- Two antennas for the emission of 2.4 and 5 GHz network strength
- Supports the latest WiFi 6 standard
- Easy to use mobile app that makes controlling the mesh Wi-Fi convenient
- Parental control
- A strong security system for people with smart homes
- Only one unit needs to be installed manually, and others connect automatically
- Can function smoothly with other Deco Mesh devices
Cons
- Only ethernet ports are available, no USB port
- High variability on the 2.4 GHz band
- Limited advanced options
Final Verdict
The TP-Link Deco X20 is a great choice when it comes to mesh WiFi devices for home-usage. Its aesthetic look with internal antennas makes it a nice fit for your modern home design.
Not just the design, the features offered at its price make it a valuable purchase.
It is well balanced in terms of wired and wireless connectivity with a higher value for money. The advanced features, however, could have been made better and more elaborate.
The modern-day feature of controlling your device with voice commands using Amazon’s Alexa, it something that appears very attractive.
In short, anyone looking for a mesh WiFi for supporting WiFi 6 in their homes can opt for this device without second-guessing it.