Product review
Wireless routers
We've tested 12 store-bought routers and 10 ISP-supplied models to assess their WiFi performance and security, plus how easy they are to set up.
February 2019
TP-Link
Deco M5
Price
$199
Score
61
OK
Price
$199
Score
61
OK
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While this mesh router is dual-band you can't specify which WiFi signal you're connected to, so it will just choose the best. It has very good fibre speeds and very little interference from obstructions on the 2.4GHz network.
Test results
- 70WiFi performance
- 43Ease of use and setup
- 50Security
Good points
- Good WiFi performance.
- Very good fibre speed.
- Very little interference on 2.4GHz signal.
Bad points
- Somewhat difficult to use.
- Only OK for security.
- Poor at channel switching.
Model
- Avg price
$199
Speed test results
- Fibre
8.1/10
- WiFi performance 2.4GHz
n/a
- WiFi performance 5GHz
7.0/10
- Obstruction 2.4GHz
Nominal interference from obstruction
- Obstruction 5GHz
Noticeable interference from obstruction
- Channel switching ability
Poor at channel switching
Specifications
- Fibre
Yes
- WiFi bands (GHz)
2.4 & 5
- Antennas
None external
- Antenna placement
Internal
- Dimensions (WxDxH) [mm]
120 x 120 x 38
- Weight (g)
220
Features
- Mesh
- MIMO
Not stated
- Beamforming support
- Ethernet LAN ports
1
- USB ports
0
- Media sharing via USB
- DLNA
- Installation wizard
- Quality of Service
- Parental controls
- Parental control features
Preset categories filter and app, website filter
- Firewall
- Guest network WiFi
Yes
- WPS support
- 3G/4G passthrough
- VOIP
- Wall mountable
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