TP Link Deco M9 Vs Netgear Orbi – Which router has better speed?
The search for a mesh router system can be tough especially for first timers who do not know exactly what to look for. In this article, we are going to review arguable the tow best mesh routers: the TP Link Deco M9 and the NetgearOrbi, and see which is the best one for you and your home.
The TP Link Deco M9 and NetgearOrbi mesh routers are two of the top mesh systems in the wireless technology market today. They are widely compared due to their similarities and many people often wonder which the better of the two is. WIFI mesh network systems were introduced to improve network connectivity. Routers can often be slow and suffer dead zones even over short range. The NetgearOrbi and TP Link Deco M9 are widely compared due to their similarities and closeness in functionality. However, they vary in a number of things as seen in the following section
Table of Contents
What are the Differences between the NetgearOrbi and TP Link Deco M9?
Model |
TP Link Deco M9 |
NetgearOrbi |
Processor |
638 MHz Quadcore |
Quad-core ARM 710MHz
|
WIFI bandwidth/speed |
1,733Mbps |
3000 Mbps (combined) |
Ports |
1 WAN & 3LAN Satellite – 4 WAN USB 2.0, power |
1 WAN, 3 LAN (Router), 4 LAN (Satellite) |
Radio Freq. Support |
Tri-band radios at 2.4GHz and 5Ghz (x2) |
Tri-band 802.112.4 GHz, 5 GHz (AC3000) |
Availability |
The TP Link M9 vs NetgearOrbi – How do they compare?
Hardware Capacity
The hardware will tell you the performance of the router without necessarily checking for performance reviews on the internet. The hardware capacity of any mesh router system is one of the most important things to look at when selecting a mesh system to install.
The TP Link M9 is an AC2200 processor with a triband 802.11 networking system that uses for independent data lanes. This is powered by a quad core processor of 638 MHz. 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 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. On the other side, we have the NetgearOrbi. The Orbi is a AC3000 mesh router thatfeatures a powerful quad core ARM processor of 710 MHz.This CPU is powerful and is able to transmit data over long distances. It also has a lot of memory with 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB in flash storage memory. On top of this, the wireless connectivity is a tri band 802.11 system, equipped with beamforming technology and MU-MIMO capability
Design and structure
The TP Link M9 is a very stylish mesh router with the signature cylindrical with a curled top design. It has a similar design to its predecessor, the M5, with only a few tweaks and improvements. The M9 is slightly larger, both in diameter and thickness. The M9 keeps the classic curled top design with an LED light at the tip of the curl. The TP logo is imbibed on the face of the router and adds a touch of class. The exterior of this router is made from white hard toughened plastic material. On top of that, the router has three ports at the bottom for physical connections: one USB 2.0 port and two gigabit Ethernet ports. There is also a traditional power jack contrary to the type C used on its predecessor, M5.
On the other hand, the NetgearOrbi features a very unique design. It is a slightly large router that weighs 889 lbs. When placed, the router is designed to lie vertically. The design also limits mounting which may be a limitation for some. The exterior of the router is made from white plastic material known as pylon. And for physical connections, the router has four ports: four gigabit Ethernet ports where one is WAN and three are LAN ports. At the back, there also a sync button, a USB 2.0 port and a power DC port.
The NetgearOrbi on the other hand spots a different look. It is white in color but also has a blue LED light ring that runs across its body to indicate it is on and functioning. When it comes to shape, the Orbi has a unique thin oval shape that is long in height. It measures 6.7 x 3.1 x 8.9 inches and weighs a whopping 850 g. In size, the NetgearOrbi is larger than theTP Link Décor M9 system. Both routers are fitted with an indicator LED light with different colors to indicate different functionalities or errors. The TP Link M9 has a whopping eight antennas which is an upgrade from the four in its predecessor the M5. These antennas are omnidirectional and are internal. On the other hand, we have the NetgearOrbi that comes with 6 antennas. These antennas are located inside the unit and are not removable. They are also amplified to boost the signal as far as they can. One of the six antennas is a Bluetooth antenna to support Bluetooth capabilities. When not in use, this antenna is usually dormant.
Performance and range
These two routers are almost similar when it comes to the performance as highlighted in this section. The performance of a mesh router is basically the speed at which the router accesses the internet at different bands. Both the TP Link M9 and the NetgearOrbi come with dual bands that cannot be separated. The band channels are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The TP Link M9 was tested on a real world environment over an internet service provider bandwidth speed of 80 Mbps and the following speeds were recorded. The download speed was 76 Mbps while the upload was 5.12 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 75.6 Mbps while the upload speed dropped to 5.0 mbps. The TP Link M9 features beamforming technology which is responsible for sending the WIFI signals to a client device directly instead of an all directional broadcast
Mobile Apps and accessibity
Each of these router devices comes with a mobile app for both Android and Apple users. The apps provide different functionalities for the user and each has its own perks and letdowns. The Google Wi-Fi app provides the widest range of features such as: pause kids devices connected to the router, prioritize different speeds for different devices, speed test, allows new separate network for guests and allows you to add other admins for the network other than you, among others. The Google Wi-Fi router arguably has the best mobile app among the three routers.
The NetgearOrbi mobile app is known for its fast set up time when setting up the router. Everything is set up in under ten minutes using this app. The Orbi app has the following functionalities: allows network sharing with guests, blocking specific users or devices from connection and use, schedule internet access times and allows viewing and managing the status of the router from anywhere in the world. The TP Link M9 on the other hand features the TP Link Deco app that is known for its clear cut simple interface and the simple step by step installation process. The app s regularly updated with new features and functionalities that make working with the router a fun easy process.
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 NetgearOrbi mesh system has three gigabit Ethernet ports: one WAN and one LAN and one USB 2.0 port just like the TP Link M9. There’s also the power and sync buttons and the rest button around the back. The presence of a USB port is a major plus for both since not many mesh routers have this port.
The TP Link Deco M9 vs Google WIFI – A comparison review
Netgear’sOrbi
- Ultra-performance Mesh WiFi network blankets every inch of your home in super fast and seamless WiFi...
- Eliminates WiFi dead zones and buffering - 5,000 square feet of consistent coverage - with speeds up to...
The Orbi system is not a mesh network system but can do the same functions as a mesh system such as Google Wifi. It works similarly by extending and spreading your wifi network using satellite units. The satellites are only connected to the base and not each other. The Orbi supports Wi-Fi 6 and uses a second 5 GHz band that serves as a backhaul connection. When tested in a real world setting, the Orbi is a powerful beast that has a connection speed of 300 Mbps. The speed only drops to 95% at the farthest said distance. This is quite impressive and there has been no other mesh router that comes close.
The Orbi uses a three band system that allows for high fast speeds from anywhere in the house.
Pros
- There is no loss of speed from the mesh forwarding system used
- The base and satellites work together smoothly
- There is no need for an account when installing and setting up
Cons
- It is huge
- Since it does not come in pairs, getting a second satellite is quite expensive
The TP Link Deco M9
- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz ; 900Mbps for 5GHz),...
- Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect...
The TP Link M9 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 TVs and locks. 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. With that, the following are the pros and cons of this router
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
Conclusion
NetgearOrbi 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 NetgearOrbi.
Final Verdict -So which is better? The TP Link M9 or NetgearOrbi?
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 it google counterpart. The NetgearOrbi is a better option for people on a tight budget that want midrange performance.
FAQs
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Does the Deco M9 have beamforming and MU-MIMO technology?
The TP Link M9 is already powerful enough and does not need beamforming technology. However, it does have MU-MIMO technology for high speed data streaming
-
Is there a USB port on the NetgearOrbi router?
Yes. The Orbi is one of the few routers with a USB port
