Discover TP-Link's Deco Smart Home Mesh Wi-fi Solution

We have previously covered solutions for wirelessly networking your home detailing the various methods to achieve the best possible Wi-Fi coverage throughout your property but, in this article, we will focus on Mesh Wi-Fi.

What is Mesh Wi-Fi?

Mesh Wi-Fi has been around for a long time but has previously been restricted to business settings due to the cost and practicalities of configuring and setting up the equipment. This has all changed. The Deco series is the latest generation of mesh wireless products by TP-Link for homes and small businesses and has been designed for simple installation and integration with a broadband connection. With a user-friendly setup process that includes an application for a smart phone or tablet, you can have it configured and operational within minutes of powering up a Deco unit with additional units added one at a time to expand the Mesh Wi-Fi network around your property.

Why TP-Link Deco?

The Deco series of TP-Link wireless products comes in a variety of different flavours that address different usage models and budgets with the ability for different Deco products to work with one another. The main difference between the different products, beyond base specifications (memory and CPU etc), is the area of coverage with the P Series of Deco units offering a virtually unlimited area of coverage thanks to the integration of powerline backhaul. TP-Link Deco offers more than just whole home mesh Wi-Fi; each TP-Link Deco unit has built-in Bluetooth and Smart HUB functionality due to dedicated Bluetooth and Zigbee antennas. The inclusion of Bluetooth and Smart HUB functionality incorporates TP-Link into the heart of your home - providing seamless wireless broadband coverage to your devices, but also allowing you to connect smart devices such as doorbells, TVs, lightbulbs, and security systems to the internet for home automation and security both in the home and remotely. TP-Link Deco is compatible with the most popular Smart Home brands such as Hue Philips, Nest, Osram, General Electrics, and many more.

Is Mesh Wi-Fi safe?

TP-Link Deco mesh conforms to all wireless and mesh protocol standards and incorporates WPA2 security. But it does not stop there; TP-Link Deco units feature enhanced security with firewall and access control as standard and an optional TP-Link HomeCare plan (monthly subscription) that unlocks further enhanced security options such as antivirus, parental controls, and quality of service tools.

Which TP-Link Deco product do I need?

The TP-Link Deco product range is extremely flexible allowing you to mix-and-match different Deco products to form a seamless wireless network. You will need to consider the area of coverage, the number of floors, and any obstacles. TP-Link provide a loose recommendation based on the number of bedrooms that a property has so we have included their table below which also indicates the number of Deco units required to provide sufficient coverage. Some properties may feature severe obstacles, such as thick masonry walls, which will impede signal propagation so additional steps may be required to achieve seamless wireless connectivity – for this purpose, TP-Link P series Deco units should be considered.

What is the best place to position my TP-Link Deco units?

Similar to our article on optimal Wi-Fi router placement, you must consider where you place each TP-Link Deco unit for optimal connectivity between each Deco unit and whilst having line of sight is a good idea it is not always possible or necessary. You will need to download and install the TP-Link Deco application for your smart phone or tablet to complete the installation and configuration of the Deco units. The application will ask questions about the location of each Deco unit to offer recommendations on positioning and to optimise the signal propagation. As touched upon at the beginning of this article, the TP-Link Deco product range has been designed to be user friendly to allow home users to easily install and configure. If you can use a smart phone and an app, you can install TP-Link Deco.

Can I buy TP-Link Deco products from Freedomsat?

Yes, we are a TP-Link partner with access to their entire product range. Our Sales Department will be happy to discuss your requirements and provide a recommendation based on the information that you provide. We do not provide TP-Link HomeCare as this is a subscription product that you must purchase directly from TP-Link.