TP-Link Deco M5 vs TP- Link Deco M9 – Which Wi-Fi router system fits your needs
Selecting the best Wi-Fi router for your office and home has been made easier with this guide on TP-Link Deco M5 vs. TP-Link Deco M9. M5 stands out if you are keen on while M9 is unique for its
When choosing a mesh router system, it can become quite hectic because of all the top quality products currently available in the market. Some of the factors to look out for include the chipset specifications, speeds in both long and short range as well as the number of antennas fitted in the device. This article has narrowed down to TP-Link Deco M5 and TP-Link Deco M9 as two of the most reputable products in the market.
While they are designed by the same manufacturer, they still have subtle differences that make each stand out.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between TP-Link Deco M5 and TP- Link Deco M9?
Model |
TP-Link Deco M5 |
TP-Link Deco M9 (Winner) |
MU-MIMO |
No |
Yes |
Maximum Wi-Fi speeds |
1267 Mbps
|
2134 Mbps |
Chipset |
2 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 2 units, 2 power adapters, quad-core CPU |
3 nodes, 3 power adapters, quad-core processor, 802.11ac, 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports |
Antennas |
4 |
8 |
Coverage |
3,800 square feet+ |
4,500 square feet |
TP-Link Deco M5 vs TP-Link Deco M9 – How do they compare?
Hardware
In terms of their hardware design, both the M5 and M9 come with three units. For M5, they primarily come in white while M9 is also sold in white and comes in two units. It is arguably the faster tri-band that delivers good transfer speeds. It also has other tech-features like an anti-virus program called Trend Micro and other controls that can be configured through the app by TP Link.
Generally, they both have a compact design and white matte look that blends with right about any room. The radar design that is on top of these routers does stand out quite a bit but both these routers are easily unnoticeable and can be tucked away from sight.
Coverage
One of the factors that make one Wi-Fi system stand out from others is the area it covers. For TP-Link Deco M5, it is designed in such a way to cover all kinds of homes ranging from modern multi-story houses to those in the traditional ranch style. They also cover L-shaped homes and those that are up-to three floors up. In terms of the actual figures, M5 can cover more than 3,800 square feet with up to 100 devices connected on it. Each unit covers around 2,000 square feet and together can deliver more than expected of such a small sized mesh system.
For TP-Link M9, on the other hand, it certainly takes the lead as it covers a large area with minimal interruptions. While each house’s construction, layout and building materials ultimately matter, the M9 is able to cover up to 4,500 square feet with the option additional boosters for expansive areas.
Speed
When there are minimal connections to the system, the Deco M5 wins out by being quite fast for all kinds of uses like streaming online videos and playing games.
For Deco M9, on the flipside, it is the product to go for if you are likely to have many devices connected at once and you do not want to compromise on your speeds. The M9 is able to keep up with intense tasks like streaming of 4K/ high definition videos and playing online HD games. This is due to its technology (MU-MIMO) that is wired to manage high traffic to keep the speeds constant and as fast as possible. The impressive speeds can also be attributed to the additional band that is able to handle backhaul traffic.
Nonetheless, the speeds you get with both Deco M5 and M9 are more than enough for all kinds of purposes. If you have many connected users, you can consider using both routers for a stable and strong connection.
Here is a video explaining the differences between TP-Link Deco M5 and TP-Link Deco M9
Performance in speed tests
For the Deco M5, its ceiling speed is around 400Mbps when used on the latest wireless network (802.11ax). If used on older generations like 802.11n, the Deco M5 is able to deliver practical speeds of 150-300Mbps when reasonably placed from the router (30 feet). When in close proximity, it does 234Mbps on each node.
For the TP Link Deco M9 on the other hand, when at close proximity (like 5 feet) it delivers 570.5 Mbps. At 50 feet, it is still able to deliver really fast speeds of 498.01Mbps. When positioned 100 feet and 150 feet from the router, it can deliver 324.1Mbps and 166.6Mbps respectively.
Accessories
Beyond giving you quality Wi-Fi connection, M5 and M9 come with other additional features. For example, M5 comes with impressive voice control features. Using Alexa, you can easily switch on and off this router. You can also use Alexa to limit the time your children can spend connected to the internet. M5 also comes with parental controls that come in handy to protect younger ones from the dangers of unsupervised internet usage.
On the flipside, M9 comes with added features like a 3 year Trend Micro protector. For all this time, M9 will offer free protection against malware and viruses. This anti-virus also offers advanced Wi-Fi encryption. Another added accessory with M9 is its app that allows you to control all your devices through one. The app also lets you have parental control over the access your children get to certain websites.
TP-Link Deco M5 vs. TP-Link Deco M9- A comparison overview
TP-Link Deco M5
- 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...
For a quality mesh Wi-Fi system, you cannot go wrong with TP-Link Deco M5. First, it comes with three units that ensure you do not experience any dead zone no matter where you place it. In fact, the M5 covers more than 5,000 square feet and allows more than 100 devices to be connected to it. If you are looking for a router that doubles up well for office use, M5 is the system to go for because you do not need any additional boosters to cover a wide area. This in turn means you can use the same password and name even for wide range connectivity.
Secondly, M5 stands out in terms of its connectivity features because of the TP-Link Adaptive technology. This simply means that this router will constantly seek the fastest path for all connected devices. To add, it comes with comprehensive anti-virus software that is viable for up to 3 years. M5 also protects your children from unwanted sites by offering you the controlling interface to block out certain content. This option of filtering content gives you added control over what your children can access. Additionally, you can also have the Wi-Fi paused so that your children take regular breaks from surfing the web or playing online games.
In terms of its usability, M5 is one of the easiest routers to install. The TP-Link Deco app is easy to follow through on how to do the installation process. Finally, TP-Link Deco M5 stands out because it also comes with a 2 year warranty in case of any defects.
While M5 has all these impressive qualities, it still has its own imperfections. For instance, the heat vents are located at the bottom of the unit. This can prove to be insufficient ventilation at times. M5 also does not have the option of having it mounted on a wall.
Pros
- Works with modern voice controls like Alexa for easy use
- Comes with a 2-year warranty, 3 year anti-virus software and free technical support at all times
- Easy to install
- Seamless roaming in spaces of up to 5,500 square feet
Cons
- Does not have proper air ventilation to limit heating up of the unit
- No wall mount option
TP-Link Deco M9
- Whole home coverage – cover up to 4, 500 sq. Ft. With seamless, high-performance Wi-Fi and eliminate...
- Faster tri-band speed for more devices
Loaded with one of the fastest tri-band systems, TP-Link Deco M9 is one of the top quality mesh systems in the market. It comes sold as two units that are sleek, compact designed and all white. In fact, they only weigh 2.3 pounds and measure 6 x 6x 3.5 inches. The only drawback concerning its outward look is that one needs to buy a wall mount kit so as to have the units mounted on the wall.
Secondly, Deco M9 is impressive because it offers a seamless and fast connection even when multiple devices are connected to the system. Its coverage spans 4,500 square feet and this is more than enough for houses ranging from ranch-styled to modern, multi-story houses that are L-shaped among others. To add, if you choose to get extenders, Deco M9 is designed to unify all the connections as one. This means that you can easily bounce off from one connection to another depending with the strength. It is made all the easier by having one name and password that cuts across the entire Wi-Fi system. This is also made easier because the Deco M9 is highly compatible with a wide range of devices like Samsung Smart Things, OSRAM, Nest smoke detectors and OSRAM.
To add, Deco M9 can be considered advanced because of its app that lets you customize quite a lot. For instance, you can tweak the parental controls using the app. M9 is also compatible with Bluetooth and Zigbee technology. To add, the TP-Link’s App also offers Quality of Service customization options. This is as easy as pressing on certain buttons on the app and the system detects it.
Finally, Deco M9 is easy to install to have up and running within minutes. It comes with a detailed start guide that is quite precise and easy to follow. The app also proves helpful during the starting up process although the small booklet is quite comprehensive.
Nonetheless, Deco M9 is not without fault. For example, the LAN IP cannot be easily changed from its default one. This can prove to be the deal breaker for some. Also, it cannot be wall mounted without you purchasing additional tools.
Pros
- Easy to configure and install through the app
- Comes with TP-Link Home Care ATM for protection against cyber threats such as malware and viruses
- Advanced with Bluetooth and Zigbee technology
- Offers uninterrupted Wi-Fi connection for all kinds of purposes like 4K streaming and online gaming
Cons
- Cannot be wall mounted without additional accessories
- Recent versions do not come with the option of changing the LAN IP from its default address
Conclusion
People deviate towards mesh systems to get a seamless, fast and stable Wi-Fi connection. Dead zones are also usually a big concern with some. Both TP-Link Deco M5 and TP-Link Deco M9 have been designed to offer good connection, signals and speeds throughout homes and office areas. M9, for instance, is focused on offering fast and stable speeds for intensive tasks like HD streaming and playing online games with multiple users. M5 on the other hand, costs relatively less and is still a good performer.
Verdict: So, which one is better between TP-Link Deco M5 and TP-Link Deco M9?
For the tiny package it comes in, TP-Link Deco M9 offers a wide range of benefits. For instance, its tri-band technology makes sure you experience fast and stable connections even in large areas. Deco M5 also offers pleasant surprises regarding its performance and speed. However, it does not have MU-MIMO and M9 has added tech benefits. An example is how M9 can double up as a smart home hub to help you manage all your connected devices with ease.
Frequently asked questions
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What does backhaul traffic mean?
In case you have many connected devices that are streaming or downloading things on the internet, the system can be quite congested. A proper mesh system like M9 ought to have a backhaul dedicated channel that is able to keep up with such traffic by allocating some tasks to an available bandwidth.
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How do parental controls work on TP Link Deco M4 and M9?
Modern mesh-systems like that in M4 and M9 come loaded with a parental controls mechanism that you can use to limit the amount of time your children spend on the internet. They can also be used to filter out certain content from the entire connection.
