Page 5 - Conclusion
After our first look at a mesh system built on the 802.11ax standard, I have to say the TP-Link Deco X90 is a two-node setup that accomplishes what it set out to do. From the start, the Deco X90 nodes are an eye-pleasing design that looks modern and clean. Its white plastic body does take up a bit more space than you might think, but at least it does not stand out as obvious pieces of technology around your home. As for the connections, it is nice to see a faster 2.5G Ethernet port. When it comes to the software and user configuration, TP-Link has simplified the process with a straightforward, generally easy to use mobile application. Finally, its performance is still noticeably improved over other mesh routers still using the older Wi-Fi 5 standard, and has the potential to match some of our other powerful single router units. It also delivered very solid download and upload speeds around my house. In observation, the TP-Link Deco X90 provided solid signal strength in our tests. However, the one issue that still affects mesh routers is the backhaul connection, which unfortunately could bottleneck your throughput in certain circumstances. This could be overcome by utilizing the wired backhaul functionality between the two units, but not everyone may have the necessary infrastructure to do so in their living quarters. Other areas of improvement include the lacking customization and configuration options in their mobile application. Whether the utility does not make some features available, or it requires a HomeShield subscription service, power users may look elsewhere if they want to tinker with their home network. Finally, I would have liked to see a USB port on each of the node routers. At the time of this review, the TP-Link Deco X90 can be found for $400 USD, which is a pretty penny to pay. Even so, the TP-Link Deco X90 is still a fast mesh router that could be useful if you have a large area to cover.
TP-Link provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
APH Networks Review Focus Summary:
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks, but should be considered before purchasing.
6/10 means A product with its advantages, but drawbacks should not be ignored before purchasing.
-- Final APH Networks Numeric Rating is 6.7/10
Please note that the APH Networks Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other publications.
The TP-Link Deco X90 is a simple mesh router that offers fast speeds and a straightforward setup to stay connected all over your house.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware
3. Configuration and User Interface
4. Performance Tests
5. Conclusion
