Choose between access points or a deco 5 mesh setup.
Choose between access points or a deco 5 mesh setup.
Hello! You're planning to enhance your home network, especially since the current Wi-Fi speed is very low. The TP-Link Deco M5 Mesh system you found seems suitable for covering larger areas and improving performance. It’s a good option if you need a reliable solution, though there are other Acesspoint models available that might offer better features or pricing depending on your needs.
It's reasonable for the cost. I recommend using Ethernet backhaul, but if there are major installation challenges, start with testing to assess any performance impact from meshing.
Your home features multiple levels over 1300 square feet or solid interior walls like brick or concrete. For best results, consider using mesh networking. Mesh works well with consistent 5 GHz coverage throughout the house. If your setup lacks Ethernet backhaul, ensure each mesh AP stays within a 5 GHz range. Any devices relying on 2.4 GHz may experience slow speeds and interference.
There are solid plans in place. I can position a device in each corner requiring WiFi, and they will reflect off one another. It seems Ethernet backhaul is using Ethernet connections instead of wireless, but a switch could handle it too. Direct connections might work as well.
The plan seems solid as long as you avoid creating a dead spot inside your home. However, it’s hard to confirm until you test with the actual hardware. I previously used the UniFi Design Center to model my mesh APs and visualize coverage: https://design.ui.com/signup. There could be other options available, but I went ahead with this since I believe Wi-Fi AP transmit power is regulated by local laws. For a decent Wi-Fi 5 or 6E device, you should achieve comparable range regardless of whether you use a switch or a managed switch—switching works fine and doesn’t need updates unless you implement advanced features like VLANs.