Product review

November 2024

WiFi routers and mesh networks

Boost your internet performance by choosing a new router using our comprehensive test results and buying guide.

November 2024

TP-Link

Deco X55

Price

$414

Score

Why is this free?

This report is free thanks to support from the Commerce Commission.

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On balance, this mesh system is the networking solution we'd recommend to the most people. It provides quick WiFi, especially through walls and around corners, and impressive Ethernet speeds too. It comes in a 2-pack, so you can set one up as a satellite to extend your coverage. And, best of all, it's fairly affordable. We think it's a great first mesh system for consumers looking to make the jump.

Test results

90
WiFi performance
70
Setup and ease of use
71
Security

Good points

Easy to set up.
Very easy to customise.
Good security.
Good multi-device performance.
Good performance through a concrete wall.
Excellent wired performance.
Good long-distance performance.
Supports WPA3 encryption.

Bad points

No obvious bad points.

Model

Provided by internet company

-
Cost when provided by internet company

-
Mesh system
Number of units in pack

2
Compatible with fibre
Compatible with ADSL/VDSL
Compatible with 4G/5G

More performance scores

Multi-device performance

73
Obstructed performance

88
Long-range performance

77
Wired performance

94

Specifications

Highest WiFi version

WiFi 6
Weight of main unit

460g
Ethernet LAN ports

2
USB port

No
Physical power button
Other buttons/switches

Reset
Aerials

Internal only
Wall mountable
Quick start guide included
Ethernet cables included

3 (1 per device)

Features

Can create guest networks

Yes
WPS available
Supports WPA3 encryption
Firewall
Quality of service (QoS)

Yes
Parental controls

Yes
USB drive sharing

No

Member reviews

4 Member reviews

Great product

Pros

Just moved into a large home (400m2), and needed a mesh system as the wifi coverage from just the regular router was terrible.

I bought the 3 pack. It does exactly as I wanted it to. I now have good wifi and internet speeds no matter where I am in our large two story home.

Had no issues setting up. I didn't need to be a tech genius to do so. It uses an app on your phone.

I have one of the units plugged into our router (starlink), and the other two units positioned halfway through the house. Works great. A few people told me these things are much better than "wi-fi extenders".

Cons

None. Does everything I wanted them to.

Recommend it?

Yes, I recommend this product.

Jack G.

18 May 2025

Used 3 - 6 months

Will it work with Starlink

Pros

Looks good, but will it work for me

Cons

no comment on compatibility with Starlink. We have neither copper or fire available and the other wireless systems are too slow to use.

Recommend it?

Maybe, it depends on what you're after.

Ian D.

10 May 2025

Used 1 month or less

Thanks to John Miller ...

Pros

I have just bought the Deco XE75 (after reading these reviews!) and don't think I would have got it set up successfully without John's tips here.

I've only had the system going for a few minutes, but I have high hopes!

Cons

There was a bit of fiddling about to get set up, but I suspect this is just as likely to be issues on the Spark side as well.

Recommend it?

Yes, I recommend this product.

Anake G.

29 Mar 2025

Used 1 month or less

Outstanding performance

Pros

I needed a router to replace my venerable Spark-supplied Huawei HG6306, which simply wasn't giving the speed I was paying for. My Spark Fibre Essential plan promised 311 Mbps up and 109 Mbps down, but the Huawei was only giving me 90 up and 67 down. After switching to this Consumer-recommended Deco pair, I'm now getting 360 down and 87 up, in my upstairs office, with the satellite unit on the ground floor giving me 300 down and 41 up. - a HUGE improvement. Thanks, Consumer!

Cons

Setup was a somewhat fraught experience, and required a factory reset and restarting from scratch - thanks to the outdated Spark setup advice for non-Spark modems, which asked me to adjust the VLAN setting to 10 - but I found no such setting. Instead, on my second attempt to install, I found an unmentioned 'Mode' selection; I selected 'New Zealand UFB' (the only one that seemed relevant) and the Deco was then happy to get an internet connection and complete the LAN setup.