TP-Link Deco WiFi 6 Mesh System(Deco X20) - Covers up to 5800 Sq.Ft, Replaces Wireless Routers and Extenders(3-Pack, 6 Ethernet Ports in total, supports Wired Ethernet Backhaul)

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The Nokia X20 went on sale in May 2021, at least in the UK, though we know the phone will be available in the US at some point too. On the router, then, that leaves you with just one Ethernet port for wired devices, so it’s likely you’ll need to buy a separate Gigabit Ethernet switch. On our same-floor testing, where we set up the satellite 40-feet from the host router and the test station another 50-feet away, the Deco X20’s prospects improved with 65.5Mbps available. That might not sound like much in view of the Asus ZenWiFi AX’s 125.8Mbps performance, but it beat the Netgear Orbi RBK852 (39.1Mbps). The good news, however, is that the screen is bright enough in sunny conditions, with a measured peak luminance of 635cd/m² with the adaptive brightness setting engaged. The phone’s contrast of 1,241:1 isn’t bad, either. Nokia X20 review: Performance and battery life

Acutual 4G downlink speeds vary between households. Factors affecting 4G speeds include the internet service level, real-time network capacity, equipment and client limitations, environmental factors. The TP-Link Deco X20 may not be the fastest mesh system out there, but it offers relatively good coverage and comes with some nice features including lifetime parental controls and anti-malware software that will help keep your clients and network safe. Moreover, TP-Link’s Deco mobile app allows you to install and manage the system easily using your phone, making it a solid option for covering your home with Wi-Fi 6 on a budget. As the name suggests, mesh systems are also designed to support multiple nodes, which can be deployed in a “daisy-chain” configuration, rather than each one needing a direct connection to the router. This makes it easy to extend a wireless connection over a huge area by simply placing nodes at regular intervals around your home or workplace. Will a mesh system work with my router?HomeShield includes the Free Basic Plan. Fees apply for the Pro Plan. Visittp-link/homeshieldfor more information. Each Deco X20 unit is set up as the host or satellite in the installation process, and each have four internal antennas. As is the case with its competitors, none can be aimed or replaced. Based on Qualcomm’s Networking Pro 400 chipset, the Deco X20 is powered by a 1GHz quad-core processor. It carries 4GB of RAM and 1GB of solid-state storage of its firmware and commands. Able to connect up to 150 devices, the Deco X20 has an AX1800 rating, meaning that it's rated at a peak throughput of 1.8Mbps. Most mesh systems can present a wireless guest network alongside your normal domestic network. Devices connecting to this will be able to connect to the internet, but can’t talk to other devices on your home network. This means visitors can’t snoop through your shared folders or unwittingly bring malware onto your home network. There are some welcome software features too, including a simple firewall, a QoS setting that lets you prioritise specific devices, and time limits for kids’ devices. It’s a compact, simple and effective wireless solution and, if you shop around, you may well find it for a bargain price.

Based on its size and price tag, the Deco X20 was a surprisingly strong performer with the ability to extend a Wi-Fi network into unreached parts of a home. Using my 100-year-old home and Ixia’s IxChariot networking benchmark, I created a busy network. The Deco X20 didn’t start out strongly with 522.1Mbps of throughput to the test system 15-feet from the host router. That’s well behind other Wi-Fi 6 mesh kits, like the Netgear Orbi RBK852 (at 883.6Mbps), the SURFboard mAX Pro (820.3Mbps) or the Asus ZenWiFi AX (701.0Mbps).

Less Hassle, More WiFi Coverage

Most mesh systems are designed to replace your existing router. If you’re currently using a combined modem router, you can normally set this into modem mode, allowing the mesh system to handle router duties.

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test. So this isn’t quite a phone for mobile gamers, or people who’ll need lots of power for anything. But it’s not ideal for other users either, as scrolling through menus feels just a bit slower than on many other phones, thanks to irregular stutters and freezes.Four streams in total is an entry-level system, although between three satellites (as I had), that’s a total of 12 Wi-Fi 6 streams spread out throughout your home. It’s worth pointing out that this router also has to share its client-facing network to communicate between satellites; buy a more expensive system, such as the Orbi RBK852 and you get a third Wi-Fi 6 network dedicated for communication between satellites.