Tp-Link Deco M9 Vs Google Mesh – Which is the fastest router?

Finding a top router for a large home, restaurant or work place may be a difficult process especially because there are a lot of mesh routers today. Two of the most popular and widely used routers are the Deco M9 and Google Wi-Fi. In the following article, we compare the two and see which is the better one for you huge space.

Mesh routers are the solution to any internet downtimes and dead zones in your house or office. Since the traditional routers/modem that are provided by the internet service provider provide little coverage, mesh routers are connected to them to boost and spread the signal evenly across the whole house. In case you’re struggling with this, the TP Link M9 Plus and Google WIFI mesh routers may solve all your problems. These two routers are very similar in design and performance. However, when it comes to cost, the M9 Plus costs a lot more. And this is because, it ahead of the Google device in speed, range and power. Other than that, there are many other differences between these two routers as seen in the following table.

What are the differences between TP Link Deco M9 and Google Mesh?

TP Link Deco M9 vs Google Mesh – How do they compare?

Both of these mesh routers are good in their own different way and depending on the user needs. When it comes to some of their features and some of the functionalities however, they differ slightly more. The following section describes the key features and highlights the differences between the routers

Design and structure

The TP Link M9 keeps the simplistic design of its predecessor, the M5, with the major difference being size.

It is shell white in color and has a plastic body The M9 is bigger than the M9 and keeps the cylindrical seashell exterior design. 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.

Google WIFI router on the other hand is also cylindrical in shape and measures 2.7 inches in height with a diameter of 4.1 inches. It is light and weights just about 0.74 lbs. This router can be placed anywhere in the room and can only be placed horizontally. It features an LED indicator light that runs through the circumference of the router. When it comes to mounting capability, both the M9 and the Google Wi-Fi can be mounted. This is because both are small in size, circular and can be placed either horizontally or vertically. They would also make for pretty home deco due to their unique circular shapes and LED lights.

The TP Link M9 comes with four internal antennas. These antennas are omnidirectional and are irremovable. Google WIFI mesh system has two high density antennas that are also not detachable. However, these antennas are relatively powerful compared to the Deco M9.

Hardware and processor capacity

One of the most important factors to consider is when selecting a mesh router system is the processor capacity. The processor is the component that controls everything in the router and where all the instructions are stored. The TP Link M9 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. 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.

Compared to the Google WIFI, this is a weaker system. The Google WIFI has powerful hardware. Its processor is a 710 MHz Quad Core chip. Each of these processors has two radio bands of 2.4 and 5 GHz. Both are also AC1200 mesh routers meaning their maximum data rate is similar at the different bands. The Google WIFI mesh router does not support MU-MIMO which is essential for high quality video and data streaming. The MU-MIMO feature also allows equal interaction with all the devices connected to the router. With it, the router equally distributes data so that all devices have equal speed and strength signal. Google WIFI claims that they do not the feature since their routers already run smoothly without it. We however recommend that you select a mesh router with this important feature.

Mobile app accessibility and other support systems

Majority, if not all, mesh network routers have mobile apps that are used to install and control various aspects and functions of the router. The TP Link M9 features the Deco app that is known for its clear cut interface and the easy step by step installation process. The app is regularly updated with new features and functionalities that make working with the router a fun easy process. The firmware of the router also receives regular updates for better functionality. The TP Link M9 system has a mobile app that is available for both Android and iOS users. During first time installation, ensure you have the app downloaded on your phone. The app opens the WIFI page which detects all the routers and displays the locations on the virtual floor plan. The app also shows you all devices that have been connected and display your upload and download speeds. Swiping the screen left takes you to a page where you can see all connected TP Link M9 routers and shows their IP addresses.

Google Wi-Fi also has a mobile app. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices. It is used during first time installations and managing the system after that. When launched, the app takes you to a home screen that display all the devices connected and your network name. It also shows a virtual map of your network, similar to the Luma app. Other functionalities include adjusting the LED indicator brightness, creating guest network accounts and parental control. There are not many complaints on the apps functionalities and working from users as they have both been optimized and work smoothly.

TP Link Deco M9 vs Google Wi-Fi – A comparison review

TP Link Deco M9

TP-Link AC2200 Deco M9 Smart Whole Home WiFi (Renewed)

• Whole home coverage – cover up to 6, 500 sq. Ft. With seamless, high-performance Wi-Fi and eliminate...
• Aster tri-band speed for more devices – three Wi-Fi bands with dynamic backhaul by TP-Link one mesh...

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The TP Link M9 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. It is quite affordable and should be a top consideration when looking for a mesh router for your home. This coupled with the amazing features it has to give it great value for money. For most people, this is usually more than enough. Each router contains four internal antennas for boosting the signal. Another great feature of the M9 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.

The Deco M9 is a great improvement from its predecessor, the Deco M5. With the TP Link M9, you only need three units to cover a space of 4500 sq. feet. This can be partly attributed to the four internal antennas fitted inside each router. But perhaps the best feature of the TP Link M9 is its ability to support smart home devices. It also acts as a hub for multiple devices. This means that you smart devices can be easily managed from the system through Alexa.

Pros

• The TP Link M9 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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Google Mesh

Google WiFi system, 3-Pack - Router Replacement for Whole Home Coverage (NLS-1304-25),White

• A new type of connected system for seamless WiFi coverage throughout your home, helping eliminate dead...
• Replaces your current router, and works your modem and internet service. It’s compatible with major...

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Google WIFI mesh router is wonderful at eliminating dead zones in the house. With a mesh coverage of up to 4500 square feet and a connection with more than 25 devices, the Google WIFI mesh router lets you stay connected on full bars in every room of the house. This area can be extended further using additional satellites. It also works with all internet service providers which is a great plus. This includes all means of connection such as fiber, DSL, satellite, cable and others.

Google Wi-Fi is one of the most popular and most convenient routers in the market today. It is a mesh router that beats out a lot of its big competitors such as Eero. It features a small cylindrical router with a striking techy design. There is an LED light that circles across the circumference of each router, like a belt. The small cylinder is small and measures 2.7 inches in diameter and 4.1 inches in height. It is shiny white in color with the Google logo imbibed at the top.

It is known for providing a strong signal all through the house and delivering seamless connectivity. Google Wi-Fi comes with a mobile app for first time installation and management of the system after that. Through the app, it is quite easy to manage the router(s). It comes as a one pack, two and three pack, each more expensive than the previous. However, the default pack features three router pieces.

Pros

• It is quite easy to install and configure
• It provides a strong signal and fast speeds all through the house
• The mobile app is amazing and detailed
• It features a very simple yet striking design with an LED running through the circumference

Cons

• It does not have a USB port
• There is no dedicated 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 Google Wi-Fi would be a great choice. If you want an overall great router, the TP Link M9 would be a better choice because it offers more range and has better performance.

Verdict: So which is better? The TP Link Deco M9 or Google Wi-Fi.

The TP Link M9 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 Google Wi-Fi Mesh Router is better for smaller and average sized homes, and for people on a budget.

FAQs

1. Does the Google Mesh router support MU-MIMO?

No. Google Wi-Fi authorities justified this by claiming that they do not the feature since their routers already run smoothly without it

2. Can the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands be separated for the TP Link M9 Surround?

No. The TP Link Deco M9 does not separate the two bands.