Tenda Nova Mw6 Vs TP Link Deco M5 – Which is the better router for you?

The search for a mesh router system can be tough especially for first timers who do not know exactly what to look for. In this article, we are going to review arguable the tow best mesh routers: Tenda Nova Mw6 Vs TP Link Deco M5, and see which is the best one for you and your home.

The TP Link Deco M5 and Tenda Nova Mw6mesh routers are two of the top mesh systems in the wireless technology market today. They are widely compared due to their similarities and many people often wonder which the better of the two is. We have all been frustrated by slow internet and know how irritating it can be, especially in your own house. If you are tired of slow internet at home especially if you have a big house where internet doesn’t get to every nook and cranny, consider investing in a WIFI mesh network system.

The Tenda Nova Mw6and TP Link Deco M5 are widely compared due to their similarities and closeness in functionality. However, they vary in a number of things as seen in the following section

What are the Differences between the Tenda Nova Mw6 and TP Link Deco M5?

TP Link Deco M5 vs Tenda Nova MW6 – How do they compare?

Positioning and signal strength

The search for a mesh router system comes from experiencing dead zones in the house. Always select the router with the coverage area and minimal loss of data. When it comes to TP Link Deco M5 and the Tenda Nova MW6 , they differences between them are small.

The TP Link M5 was tested in a real world environment over a service package of 80 Mbps and the following range was recorded. The download speed was 76.7 Mbps while the upload was 5.16 Mbps when standing 1.52 meters away from the router with zero obstructions. When the distance was increased to 13 feet and a three stone wall obstruction added, the download speed was measured at 74.6 Mbps while the upload speed was measured at 5.13 Mbps. The Tenda Nova MW6  was also tested over a service package of 80 Mbps and the following speeds were found. A single node/unit measured a download speed of 117.5 Mbps with the upload speed at 11.40 Mbps. When the same node was measured at a far distance with stone wall obstructions, the speed was recorded at 7.6 Mbps of download speed with an upload speed of 1.3 Mbps. Two nodes at far range were recorded at 74 Mbps of download speed and an upload reading of 9.4 Mbps. Both these readings were recorded over the 5 MHz band channel.

Range and Performance

Both the TP Link M5 and the Tenda Nova MW6 come with dual bands that cannot be separated. The performance of a mesh router is measures by the speed of the router at different bands. The band channels are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. When the TP Link M5 was tested on a real world environment over a service package of 80 Mbps, the following range was recorded. The download speed was 76.7 Mbps while the upload was 5.16 Mbps when standing 1.52 meters away from the router with no obstructions. At a distance of 3.96 meters with an obstruction of three stone walls, the download speed was measured at 74.7 Mbps while the upload speed dropped to 5.13 mbps. The Tenda Nova MW6 was also tested under the same conditions and the following speeds were found. The download speed was 117.5 Mbps while the upload was 11.4 Mbps when standing in short range from the router with no obstructions. At a further distance with an obstruction of three stone walls, the download speed was measured at 74 Mbps while the upload speed dropped to 9.42 mbps. The Tenda Nova MW6 also features MU-MIMO technology which is responsible for sending the WIFI signals to a client device directly instead of an all directional broadcast.

Hardware Capacity

The TP Link comes with a lot of memory of 512 MB RAM and a flash memory of 4 GB. This is one of the best memory capacity in any router, with the only the Google Wi-Fi beating this number. The TP Link M5 is an AC1300 processor with a dual band 802.11 networking system that uses for independent data lanes. This is powered by a quad core processor CPU. This CPU processor is powerful and is able to transmit signals for very long range. On the other side, we have the Tenda Nova MW6. The Nova is a mesh router with a 2 x 2 dual band system powered by a powerful 716 MHz CPU processor. This CPU processor is powerful and is able to transmit signals for very long range. The Tenda Nova MW6 also comes with a lot of memory of 512 MB of RAM and a flash memory of 4 GB. The dual band on both of these systems is feature a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio band system.

Mobile app and other support systems

Both the TP Link M5 and the Tenda Nova MW6 have mobile apps that are compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems. In fact, almost all mesh router systems feature a mobile app for installing and managing the system.

The TP Link M5 features the TP Link Deco app that is known for its simple minimalist interface and the simple step by step installation process. The app’s firmware is regularly updated with new features and functionalities that make working with the router a fun easy process. The Tenda Nova MW6 also features an app that is compatible with both android and iOS devices. The first time setup and installation is done through the app. The Tenda Nova MW6 app is easy to understand because of the user friendly interface that it comes with. All router or node units can be seen and controlled from the app. You can see each router’s IP address, the devices connected.

Design and structure

The exterior design of these two routers are quite different. The TP Link M5 keeps the usual minimalist simplistic design. The newer M9 is bigger than the M5 but keeps the cylindrical seashell exterior design. It is shell white in color and has a plastic body. The design is modelled to fit into your home’s interior décor without looking out of place. There’s a single light LED on top of the router that acts as a status indicator. It measures 6.0 inches in diameter with a thickness of 1.5 inches. The cylindrical design also allows mobility in that, this router can be mounted onto walls or furniture to transmit the signal further and better.

The Tenda Nova MW6 is a cube with white sharp straight edges. This means that it can only be placed vertically and makes it difficult to mount. Thanks to the smooth and lovely crystal white finish, the router feels great to the touch and generally looks quite tidy. However, its unique design is hard to miss. The Tenda Nova MW6 measures 100 x 100 x100 mm and has two Gigabit Ethernet ports per unit; 1 WAN and 1 LAN port each,and a power jack. The top of the router features an LED status indicator light. It first starts with a pink color that changed to purple hen turns off during setup. After it is connected and working smoothly, a solid blue color lights up.The antenna sends and receives signals and helps to achieve a smooth flowing working signal. However, it is important to note that more antennas doesn’t necessarily mean a better signal because other factors affect the strength of a signal. The TP Link M5 comes with four internal antennas. These antennas are omnidirectional and are irremovable. The Tenda Nova MW6 on the other hand features six irremovable antennas that are housed inside each unit.

The TP Link Deco M5 vs Tenda Nova MW6 – A comparison review

Tenda Nova MW6

Tenda Nova Mesh WiFi System MW6 - Covers up to 6000 sq.ft - AC1200 Whole Home WiFi Mesh System - Gigabit Dual-Band Mesh Network for 90 Devices - Replaces Wireless Router and WiFi Extender - 3-Pack

• A Faster Way to WiFi: Tenda Mesh technology gives you a faster WiFi experience in all directions with the...
• Enjoy The Best Signal in Any Corner of The House: Ideal for replacing traditional Wi-Fi extenders &...

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The Orbi system is not a mesh network system but can do the same functions as a mesh system such as Google Wifi. It works similarly by extending and spreading your wifi network using satellite units. The satellites are only connected to the base and not each other. The Orbi supports Wi-Fi 6 and uses a second 5 GHz band that serves as a backhaul connection. When tested in a real world setting, the Orbi is a powerful beast that has a connection speed of 300 Mbps. The speed only drops to 95% at the farthest said distance. This is quite impressive and there has been no other mesh router that comes close.

The Orbi uses a three band system that allows for high fast speeds from anywhere in the house. Pros

• There is no loss of speed from the mesh forwarding system used
• The base and satellites work together smoothly
• There is no need for an account when installing and setting up

Cons

• It is huge
• Since it does not come in pairs, getting a second satellite is quite expensive

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TP Link Deco M5

TP-LINK (Deco M5) Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System, Single Unit, Dual Band AC1300, USB Type-C, 2 x LAN

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The TP Link Deco M5 was the first release by the Chinese company. It is a relatively powerful router with a dual band MUMIMO processor. When it comes to pricing, it is cheaper than other routers in its range. But the best feature of the M5 has to be the preinstalled security system that protects your system from hacks and harmful internet malware. It also feature self-healing property which ensures that the network continues to run well even after failure of one of the routers. This ensures there are minimal internet downtimes and is great for system.

A Deco M5 package comes with three hubs inside that should be placed at different points in the house rather than one room. One of the hubs is connected to the ISP’s modem and the rest act as secondary routers or Wi-Fi extenders. Apart from this, the M5 is a great purchase and should always be considered when searching for a mesh system.

Pros

• The TP Link M5 is easy and quick to install
• It supports both mobile app support systems
• It comes with an inbuilt security feature known as Lifetime Security
• It has a powerful connection at medium range
• It has amazing parental controls
• The firmware receives regularly updates with new useful features and functionalities

Cons

• It does not have web based support system
• There is no dedicated channel band control

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Conclusion

If you’re looking for a low budget router with superb features that are almost like premium mesh systems, the Tenda Nova MW6 would be a great choice. If you want an overall great router, go for the TP Link M5 as it offers more range and has better performance

Verdict: So which is better? The TP Link Deco M5 or Tenda Nova MW6

The TP Link M5takes the lead when it comes to choosing a reliable router for your home. This is because it offers faster speeds at both long and short range. The Tenda Nova MW6 is better for smaller and average sized homes.

FAQs

1. Does the Tenda Nova come with Zigbee technology?

No. the tenda nova is an entry level mesh router and does not support Zigbee technology.

2. Does the TP Link M5 overheat?

No. It comes with ventilation points located on the sides of the router.