TP Link Deco M5 Vs Asus Lyra– The best router for your house
If you have a large home, you have probably encountered WIFI signals dead zones. This is because traditional routers do not have a large area of coverage. If you are looking for the best mesh network systems, consider the TP Link Deco M5 or Asus Lyra Trio system. In this article, we are going to look at the two and see which is the most suitable for you.
The TP Link Deco M5 and Asus Lyra are very popular in the mesh network market today. They have both been around for a long time. Depending on your needs, either of these routers would be best for you. They are built differently to suit different users. 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 the TP Link Deco M5 Vs Asus Lyra?
Model |
Asus Lyra |
TP Link Deco M5 |
Radio Freq. Support |
Dual Band 2.5GHz/5Ghz |
Tri-band radios at 2.4GHz and 5Ghz (x2) |
Processor |
750 MHz Quad core |
Quad core CPU |
Speed |
400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and;
867Mbps on the 5GHz band |
400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and;
867Mbps on the 5GHz band |
Flash Memory |
32 MB |
4 GB |
RAM |
128 MB |
512 MB |
Ports |
One Gigabit Ethernet WAN port and one Gigabit Ethernet LAN port |
Two Gigabit ports per unit and one USB Type C power port, and one Bluetooth 4.2 |
Availability |
TP Link Deco M5 vs Asus Lyra– How do they compare?
Hardware Capacity
It is very important things to look at when the hardware capacity when selecting a mesh system to install. The hardware will tell you the performance of the router without necessarily checking for performance reviews on the internet. 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 Asus Lyra. The Lyra is an AC1750 mesh router with a 3 x 3 dual band system powered by a powerful 750MHz CPU processor. This CPU processor is powerful and is able to transmit signals for very long range. The Asus Lyra comes with a lot of memory of 128 MB of RAM and a flash memory of 32 MB. 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 Asus Lyra 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 Asus Lyra router 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 Asus Lyra app boasts a user friendly interface that is easy to understand and use even for first time users. All router or node units can be seen and controlled from the app. You can see each router’s IP address, the devices connected. In addition to this, the Asus Lyra can be accessed through the browser. This unique capability makes this router stand out. However, there are a few features and functionalities that cannot be accessed through the browser. Simple tasks such as turning on/off the LED can be done through the browser.
Exterior design and structure
When it comes to design, the two devices differ quite a lot. 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 Asus Lyra has one of the most distinct designs in the mesh systems market today. It’s shaped like a futuristic space ship with three pillar design. Each pillar harbors an antenna inside it. In fact, the main reason for this design is to accommodate the different angled antennas inside the router. Thanks to the smooth and lovely finish, the router feels great to the touch and generally looks quite tidy. However, its unique design is hard to miss. The Lyra measures 3.1 by 5.5 by 5.1 inches and has two LAN ports and a power jack. The inside of each pillar features and LED that indicates the status pf the router.
The TP Link M5 comes with four internal antennas. These antennas are omnidirectional and are irremovable. These antennas are omnidirectional and are internal. The Asus Lyra on the other hand features 3 dual band MIMO internal antennas and one Bluetooth antenna. The Asus Lyra’s external design is actually based on the antennas with each of its three edges housing one antenna each.
Range and Performance
Both the TP Link M5 and the Asus Lyra 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. The M5 measured a speed of 75 Mbps when tested over an 80 Mbps service package over a distance of 13 feet with wall obstructions. The Asus Lyra was also tested under the same conditions and the following speeds were found. The download speed was 54.6 Mbps while the upload was 5.01 Mbps when standing 5 feet away from the router with no obstructions. At a distance of 13 feet with an obstruction of three stone walls, the download speed was measured at 77.5 Mbps while the upload speed dropped to 4.42 mbps.
The Asus Lyra also features beamforming technology which is responsible for sending the WIFI signals to a client device directly instead of an all directional broadcast. It however does not support MU-MIMO.
The TP Link Deco M5 vs Asus Lyra Trio – A comparison review
TP Link Deco M5
When you buy the M5, it comes as a default three piece unit. The units should be placed at different points or rooms in the house that are Wi-Fi dead zones. The three communicate and connect and form a mesh network throughout your home. On top of that, it comes with other amazing features such as malware protection, powerful parental controls and a simple beautiful interface that is easy to configure and manage.
The Deco M5 is a dual band MUMIMO router that is simple yet striking in its design. It is a cylindrical router with a swirled top and an LED light at the tip of this swirl. MUMIMO allows multiple devices to communicate and be managed simultaneously without any lags or difficulties. Furthermore, the LED light at the tip acts as a status indicator. Different colors represent different statuses or problems.For instance, red means there’s no internet connection while orange and blue glow during setup and configuration. Green indicates that everything is working well. The Deco M5 also comes with HomeCare System. HomeCare is a preinstalled antimalware and antivirus system that comes with each hub. The M5 is sold as a package with three identical hubs. They are white with a matte finish to prevent fingerprint marks and other dirt from sticking on the surface.
Pros
- The TP Link is affordable and offers great value for money
- It is easy to install and configure
- The Deco M5 has a wide range coverage
- The Deco app is one of the best mesh router apps and works seamlessly
- It comes with a powerful inbuilt security system for secure connections and protection against malware and viruses
- It feature a powerful parental control system
Cons
- It is a bit slow compared to other routers in its range
Asus Lyra Trio
- Aiprotection classic Features advanced parental controls powered by Trend Micro with website filters and...
- The ASUS lyra app enables PC-Free setup, network management and Diagnostics for full network control
The Asus Lyra is not your usual looking mesh router. It is one of the most unique designs and this is mainly because of the positioning of the antennas. As the ‘trio’ suggests, the routeris a triple pillar setup that houses the three main antennas of the system. Compared to the M5, it can be considered to be a bit slower. It is a 3 x 3 Wi-Fi 5 rated router known for providing wide are coverage and secure connections. Each package comes with a default of three router pieces, all identical in physical design and features. Each router or hub comes with two gigabit Ethernet ports whereby one is LAN port and the other is a WAN port.
The Asus Lyra can be considered a faster router compared to other routers in its range. It is an AC1750 router with dual band channels of 2.4 and 5 GHz. It provides a bandwidth of up to 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 450 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. Each of the three routers comes with a 3 dual band Multi input and Multiple Output (MIMO) antennas and one Bluetooth antenna. The Asus Lyra is perfect for a large two or three story house. Furthermore, it provides a coverage of 375 sq. meters. The Asus Lyra is quite affordable and we recommend it for people on a tight budget. When it comes to its exterior design, it is cylindrical and ideal for mounting.
Pros
- It is easy to setup and manage
- The design is uniquely beautiful and striking
- It comes with a lifetime security protection software known as Lifetime Trend Micro
- It supports both web and mobile app access
- It is quite affordable
Cons
- It has been reported to be inconsistent in its performance
Conclusion
In conclusion, both these routers are great depending on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a low budget router with superb features that are almost like premium mesh systems, the Asus Lyra would be a great choice. If you want an overall great router, the TP Link M5 would be a better choice because it offers more range and has better performance
Verdict: So which is better? The TP Link Deco M5 or Asus Lyra
The TP Link M5 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 Asus Lyra is better for smaller and average sized homes.
FAQs
Does the TP Link M5 overheat?
No. It comes with ventilation points located on the sides of the router.
What package is best for the Asus Lyra?
The Lyra comes with a standard base unit of three devices (a main router and two secondary). You can add more units depending on the size of your house.
