Tp Link Deco M9 Vs Google Wifi – Which router has better range for a large home?
If you have a huge house, then you have probably encountered down times and have dead zones areas in the house. To deal with this problem you can use either the TP Link Deco M9 or Google Wifi mesh routers. In the following article, we are going to compare them and see which has the better range for your home.
Having a large home is wonderful up until the WIFI signals fails to reach certain rooms and corners of the house. The Google WIFI system was released earlier but they still share a lot of similarities. The both work to perform the same main role: to eliminate WIFI dead zones in large homes, and they do this quite well. Google WIFI and TP Link are some of the best systems you can install in your home. They offer versatility as well as great value for money since they are budget friendly. As similar as they are in terms of functionalities, these mesh routers differ in a number of aspects as seen below.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the TP Link Deco M9 Vs Google Wi-Fi?
Model |
TP Link Deco M9 |
Google Wi-Fi |
Radio Freq. Support |
Tri-band radios at 2.4GHz and 5Ghz (x2) |
Dual 2.5GHz/5Ghz |
Speed |
2.4 GHz – 400 Mbps
5 GHz – 900 Mbps |
2.4 GHz – 400 Mbps
5 GHz – 600 Mbps |
Processor |
638 MHz Quadcore |
1.4 GHz Quadcore |
Flash Memory |
4 GB |
4 GB |
RAM |
512 MB |
1 GB |
Availability |
TP Link Deco M9 Vs Google Wi-Fi – How do they compare?
In the following section, we are going to see how they compare in terms of the features they have and what functions they perform.
Design
Both the TP Link M9 and Google WIFI systems have amazing attractive designs that are stylish and perfect for the modern home aesthetic. Their exterior designs are almost identical. It is clear that the TP Link M9 (which was released after Google WIFI) heavily borrowed from the design of the Google WIFI system. They are both white in color with the respective company logos inscribed in small fonts in a light grey color. The external material is made from tough hardened plastic. The material is covered in matte finish so as to not retain ay fingerprints. These mesh routers are both round and shaped like a cylinder. The unique designs ensure that you do not mistake them for any other system. However, many users have praised Google WIFI’s design for looking much better and more modern. The only major difference in exterior design is the swirling top of the TP Link M9 that resembles a seashell.
In size, the TP Link Décor M9 is larger than theGoogle WIFI system. The M9 measures 5.7 x 1.8 inches while Google WIFI router measures 4.17 x 2.70 inches. The Google WIFI weighs 12 ounces (about 340g) while the TP Link weighs just over 16 ounces. Both routers are fitted with an indicator LED light with different colors to indicate different functionalities or errors.
Hardware Capacity
To power this powerful system, the TP Link Deco M9 is fitted with a powerful quad-core chipset CPU. This CPU comes with 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of flash memory. The system supports Multi-user Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) data streaming to allow many different users to use the network at high speeds consistently. It also enables data to be transmitted simultaneously rather than sequentially which would be slower. And allows beamforming capability which helps in sending data to clients simultaneously instead of over a broad spectrum. Other features include Zigbee and Bluetooth features hat both help in connecting the system to smart devices in your home such as smart locks and smart lights.
The Google WIFI system on the other hand comes with a Quad-core ARM CPU with up to 710MHz. This CPU comes with 512 MB of RAM with a flash memory of 4 GB. This system also features beamforming abilities over radio bands of 2.4 and 5GHz. These allow data to be transmitted simultaneously rather than sequentially which would be slower. Other hardware abilities include Bluetooth Smart that allows you to connect the system with smart devices in your house.
Area of coverage
The TP Link M9 has a wide range that is guaranteed to reach every corner of your house. It has an amazing all-direction coverage of up to 75 meters. This value may however vary depending on the size and amount of obstructions. Many users have however said that this system is quite accurate when it comes to the coverage area stated by the company. The speed even at the farthest point on the router stays high and consistent, losing very few megabytes of data. Google WIFI mesh system also has impressive connectivity over large distances. The range however depends on the package size. With a large package size with many nodes and points, the range can go even further.
The largest package consisting of a router and three nodes has a range of up to 170 meters. This impressive feature is what makes the Google WIFI mesh system one of the best for large houses and spaces. You can also connect up to three hundred devices on the maximum package stated above. If you’re looking for something with a superior range, the Google WIFI mesh system would be the best choice for you.
Package Size
The TP Link Deco M9 comes as a one pack system and a two pack system. The two pack system contains two nodes and a router and covers an area of up to 4500 sq. feet. It can be expanded to larger packs by adding new identical nodes into the system. Each additional node adds another 2000 sq. feet of area to be covered. When it comes to the Google WIFI mesh system, it is almost similar in its working with the Deco M9. It comes in the following packs: single unit, two pack and a three pack size. The price increases as the size of the pack increases. The three pack contains one WIFI modem or router that you connect to your current router, and two secondary nodes placed in other points of the house. The maximum pack size covers up to 4500 sq. feet.
Ports
Ports are essential when it comes to routers and network connectivity. The TP Link M9 contains two gigabit local area network (LAN) ports for each node. One of these two ports acts as the World Area Network (WAN) connection to the main node. There is also a USB 2.0 port, a reset button and a power jack. For some, the ports are quite limited and could use some more for more physical connections. However, the TP Link is small in design and cannot fit any more ports unless they expand the router size. On the other end, the Google WIFI mesh system has two gigabit Ethernet ports: one WAN and one LAN just like the TP Link M9. There is no USB port in the Google WIFI routers. Other than these two ports, there’s a power jack and that’s about it.
If a USB connection is important for your day to day activities, the TP Link M9 would be most suitable for you.
Speed and performance
The speed and performance of any mesh systems is quite relative to the package size, your internet service provider WIFI speed or strength and the amount of obstructions and corners in the house or office. Extending WIFI signals also causes a loss in signal strength and speed and should always be considered. The general rule of thumb is the more the nodes or units used, the higher the network loss. When the TP Link was tested in a real world environment, it reached a data link speed of 400 Mbps while running on 2.4GHz band and reached 867 Mbps when running on the 5 GHz band. The 5 GHz backhaul channel is great and ensures that performance is consistent.
The google WIFI mesh system also has an impressive performance. It also comes with the two bands: 2.4GHz bandand 5 GHz band. When tested in a real world environment with a 100 Mbps WIFI package service, this system was able to hold up well and deliver strong signals to all rooms and even the basement. The users were able to stream 4K video from the basement and play games online on the console.
The TP Link Deco M9 vs Google WIFI – A comparison review
The TP Link Deco M9
- 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...
The TP Link M9 is one of the latest releases by the TP Link Company. It is known for providing a superb seamless connection to large homes and offices. But perhaps the most outstanding feature of this router is its ability to communicate with smart devices in your home such as smart light, smart locks and thermostats.
This mesh router system is also quite easy to install and manage. And this is because it comes with a highly effective and responsive mobile app. The app is available for both Android and iOS. When buying this router, it comes as a one pack system and a two pack system. The price increases as the size of the pack increases.
Pros
- It is easy to install and manage through the mobile app
- The TP Link M9 comes with a dedicated 5 GHz backhaul band
- It comes with an inbuilt malware and virus protection feature
- It can be connected with already existing smart devices in your house such as smart lights and thermostats
- It is compatible with IFTTT and Alexa
- It comes with very detailed parental control features to protect your kids from harmful content
Cons
- It is relatively expensive
- The two radio bands cannot be separated to work individually
Google WIFI
- 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...
It is hard to talk about mesh routers without mentioning the Google WIFI system. It is one of the best mesh systems beating older pioneers such as NetgearOrbi. It is readily available on online stores such as Amazon and Walmart at a relatively affordable price. It is known for providing a superb seamless connection to large homes and offices. But perhaps the most outstanding feature of this router is its ability to communicate with smart devices in your home such as smart light, smart locks and thermostats.
This mesh router system is also quite easy to install and manage. And this is because it comes with a highly effective and responsive mobile app. The app is available for both Android and iOS. When buying this router, it comes in the following packs: single unit, two pack and a three pack size. The price increases as the size of the pack increases. With that, the following are the pros and cons of this router
Pros
- It is easy to install and manage through the mobile app
- It features an excellent design
- It receives constant regular updates that improve performance and functionalities
- It is affordable and offers great value for money
Cons
- It has few advanced level features
- You have to have a Google account and smartphone to install and set it up
- No USB port
Conclusion
Google WIFI and TP Link Deco M9 are some of the best systems you can install in your home. They offer versatility as well as great value for money since they are budget friendly. If you’re looking for an affordable option, we recommend Google WIFI system.
Verdict: So which is better? The TP Link M9 or Google WIFI?
All factors considered, the TP Link M9 takes the lead when it comes to selecting the best mesh router system in your house. This may be partly due to the fact that it is a recent release than the Google WIFI. It offers more range and distance and loses minimal data speed when more nodes are used
FAQs
-
Why are there fewer ports in the Google Wi-Fi mesh router?
The Google WIFI routers and nodes have only two ports and they are all Ethernet ports. There are no other ports due to the small size design of the router
-
Does the TP Link M9 have a smart hub?
Yes. Unlike many mesh routers, the M9 comes with a smart hub that is compatible with Alexa. You can use it to easily control and communicate with smart devices in home.