Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 or Tri-Band Wi-Fi 5 works well with mesh systems.
Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 or Tri-Band Wi-Fi 5 works well with mesh systems.
I'm considering a mesh router setup for my 3,000 sq.ft home and have looked at the TP-LINK Deco X60 2 Pack and the Deco M9 Plus 2 Pack. I'm interested in which offers better performance in practice. I've noticed the dual-band capability of the M9 Plus might let it connect to satellite services on a different frequency, but I'm unsure about the real-world impact compared to the dual-band Wi-Fi 6 model. Since both options are priced around $50 apart, cost isn't a major concern. Would you have any advice on which might work better?
It's difficult to estimate. Lacking a specific backhaul connection in a mesh setup might cut your theoretical capacity in half, though WiFi 6 can be three times quicker than WiFi 5. It also brings several improvements in reliability, speed, and data transfer (key reasons for its boost). I’d prefer WiFi 6 with a dedicated backhaul over WiFi 5, but definitely aim for both. I’m on the X68s, which have this dedicated link and deliver excellent results. Right now, during Black Friday, they’re just $30 more than the X60 on Amazon—so it makes perfect sense.