TP Link Deco M4 Vs Google Mesh – Which router provides higher speeds?
There are a lot of mesh routers to choose from today. Among these routers, two of the most common routers are the TP Link Deco M4 and the Google Mesh. In the following article, we are going to review and compare the TP Link Deco M4 and the Google and see which is faster and which one best suits your needs.
Traditional routers are not built to transmit the signal over long distances. Therefore, you will find that if you live in a large house, there are a lot of corners and maybe rooms where the WIFI signal does not reach. To eliminate this problem, we have mesh routers. Mesh routers work by providing and spreading the signal equally to all points in your house. Because of this, mesh routers in more than one unit, usually three units. The TP Link Deco M4 and Google Mesh routers are very popular in the mesh network market today. Depending on your needs, either of these routers would be best for you. They are differ in everything from design to their hardware capabilities. The following table highlights some of these differences
Table of Contents
What are the differences between TP Link Deco M4 and Google Mesh
Model |
TP Link Deco M4 |
Google Mesh |
Radio Freq. Support |
Tri-band radios at 2.4GHz and 5Ghz (x2) |
Dual band WiFi radios Simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Processor |
Quad core CPU |
710 MHz Quad core |
Speed |
2.4GHz – 400Mbps
5GHz – 867 Mbps |
2.4 GHz – 400 Mbps
5 GHz – 600 Mbps |
Flash Memory |
4 GB |
4 GB |
RAM |
512 MB |
512 MB |
MU-MIMO |
No |
Yes |
Availability |
TP Link Deco M5 vs Google Mesh – 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 M4 and the Google Mesh, they differences between them are small.
The TP Link M4 comes with two dedicated channel bands: the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The bands offer different speeds and signal strength. The 2.4 GHz band provides up to 300 Mbps while the latter provides up to 867 Mbps. The M4 comes in a default pack of three units/routers. With them, you get 5500 square feet of coverage which is more than enough for large homes. In case the three are not enough, you can buy more units. When it comes to positioning, the two secondary M4 routers should be placed in dead zones in the house. They should be placed relatively high and away from any obstructions to get the best out of them.
Google Mesh Wifi also comes as a pack of three but provides shorter coverage compared to the M4. The three routers provide a coverage of 4500 square feet. It also comes with in two dedicated bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The first channel band provides a bandwidth of up to 300 Mbps while the latter provides a bandwidth of up to 600 Mbps. The routers should be placed and spread all over the house to get the best performance out of the system.
Hardware Capacity
TP Link Deco M4 is an AC1200 router with a quad core processor that provides a range of up to 1200 Mbps. Each of the nodes comes with a dual band 2 x 2 dual band WIFI connectivity with two channel bands, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The routers offer up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and up to 867 Mbps on the other band. On top of that, there is a Qualcomm QCA9563 WIFI chip that operates at a frequency of 750 MHz. This chip controls the Ethernet switches along the 2.4 GHz and provides WIFI 5 functionality. The TP Link M4 comes with 512 MB of RAM and a memory of 4 GB.
Like the Deco M4, the Google WIFI router is also an AC1200 router. Inside it, it has a quad core ARM 2 x 2 710 MHz processor with a dual band system of: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This powerful processor is able to support beamforming which is an essential tool for simultaneous communication between devices. It also supports Bluetooth Smart connection which is a great plus. When it comes to memory, the Google WIFI router has a RAM of 512 MB and a memory capacity of 4 GB. For wired connections, the router has ports located at the back bottom of the router. There are two gigabit Ethernet ports, one being the WAN port and the other a LAN port.
Mobile app and other support systems
The TP Link Deco M4 comes features the popular Deco App. The Deco App is the best mesh wireless router system with powerful parental control system. The app allows you to set time limits on the internet usage, block select devices from accessing the internet as well as providing reports on the amount of data usage and data used.
Google WIFI also has a mobile app for both android and iOS platforms. It provides useful features such as monitoring the status of your network. It shows all the connected devices and allows you to block devices from usage. The app also has an inbuilt speed test that shows you the healthy connections. On top of this, the app generates daily, weekly and monthly reports of the amount of data used, sites visited, time spend on the internet for different connected devices among others.
Design and structure
The TP Link M4 and Google Wifi are rather different when it comes to their exterior design.They are both cylindrical in shape and differ in size and overall finishing. The M4 is a vertical router that measure 7.5 inches in height and 3.6 inches in diameter. At the front bottom, the company logo is drawn in dark gray color. Apart from that, the top of each router is a plastic black perforated maze. The router due to its design is placed vertically. The LED indicator light is located at the top and is adjusted using the app. The exterior is white tough plastic material with a smooth and shiny finishing. For physical connection, each router comes with two gigabit Ethernet ports located on the side. There is also a power jack and a reset button located at the base of the router.
The Google WIFIa cylindrical router that measures 4.1 inches in height and 2.7 inches in diameter. It is quite small compared to the M4.The company logo is imbibed in dark grey color at the top base of each router. The Google WIFI router is aesthetically beautiful and fits perfectly with deco of your house. The router, due to its design, is placed vertically. There is an LED indicator light that runs across the circumference of the router at the center. It adds to the elegance and superb finishing of the router. The exterior is white tough plastic material with a smooth and shiny finishing. Each router comes with two gigabit Ethernet ports located on the side, one WAN and one LAN port. There is also a type C power jack and a reset button located at the back bottom of the router.
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. Each router or piece of the TP Link M4 comes with four internal antennas. The Google Mesh on the other hand features six irremovable antennas inside each unit. The antennas provide the long range and coverage.
The TP Link Deco M4 vs Google Mesh – A comparison review
TP Link Deco M4
- If you're looking to ditch your traditional router extender setup for a whole Home Wi-Fi system, put the...
- Better coverage than traditional Wi-Fi routers: Deco M5 uses 3 units working seamlessly to create a mesh...
The Deco M4 is a beautiful router with an elegant white look and a fantastic design.The TP Link M4 is an AC1200 rated router. This means it can connect to up to 100 devices and provides a range of up to 5500 sq. feet with the three piece pack. For most people, this is usually more than enough. Each router contains four internal antennas for boosting the signal. Another great feature of the M4 is the ‘self-healing’ feature it comes with. Self-healing works when one unit/piece fails. The feature allows for the remaining routers to reconfigure automatically without breaking the signal or disconnecting other devices. It is relatively fast and does up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and up to 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band.
Pros
- It is cheap and affordable
- The TP Link M4 uses recent technology such as type C power port
- It provides a consistent performance with minimal downtimes
- The router is easy to manage and install
- The Deco App is powerful and works seamlessly with amazing features
- It comes with an inbuilt security system that protects you from harmful internet malware
- The Deco app has a robust parental control system with a wide range of functionalities such as setting internet time limits for select devices
Cons
- The router is inconsistent in its performance
Google WIFI Mesh
- A new type of connected system that replaces your router for seamless wifi coverage throughout your home,...
- Network assist technology keeps your connection fast by always selecting the clearest channel and fastest...
The default pack features three pieces/routers. Other than that, the routers are small and elegant to fit into any home deco without seeming out of place.
Pros
- It is very easy to install and configure
- The TP Link M4 has a very beautiful design
- It offers great value for money as it is cheap and has super amazing features
- The Google WIFI mesh router is small and is not obtrusive to the interior deco of your home
- It features a versatile mobile app with amazing functionalities
- The router is cylindrical in design and is easy to mount.
Cons
- It has limited hardware control
- It features a lower AC rating
Conclusion
Both the TP Link deco M4 and the Google Wifi Mesh are wonderful routers that will eliminate dead zones in your house. If you’re looking for an affordable router for a midsize to large homes, the Google Wifi Mesh router is the most suitable router for you. On the other hand, the TP Link deco M4 is the better overall router, with better performance and faster speed.
Verdict: So which is better? The TP Link Deco M5 or Google Mesh
The Google Mesh takes 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 TP Link M4 is better for smaller and average sized homes.
FAQs
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Does the Google Mesh come with Zigbee technology?
Yes. Since only the Google Mesh was built to also act as a hub for smart home devices, it comes with inbuilt Zigbee technology to communicate with these smart devices.
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Does the TP Link M5 overheat?
No. It comes with ventilation points located on the sides of the router.
