Everyone uses wireless networking in some form or another, but most consumers likely don't spend that much time keeping up with the latest in networking technology. In part, that's because a lot of users probably do their best to forget about their routers once they've set them up, hoping that...

Very easy to use; robust network controls that parents will appreciate; excellent range

Flat-out speed not up to par with high-end routers; few tweaks available to power users

If you're looking to ditch your traditional router-extender setup for a whole-home Wi-Fi system, put the TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi System on your short list. It's a cinch to install and provides automatic malware and virus protection to every client connected to the network.

Solid throughput performance; Robust parental controls; Built-in virus and malware protection; Easy to install; Well-designed mobile app

No web interface; Does not support dedicated band control

Here at Bob's house, we're awash in technology. Between computers and gadgets, we probably have 15-20 different Wi-Fi enabled devices. But I'm not a gearhead. I don't like spending hours tinkering with network settings to keep everything up and running.

Easy to install; Robust management and user control features; Excellent coverage; Consistent; reliable performance; Excellent; hands-off antivirus and intrusion security; Remote control features allow you to manage your network from anywhere

Need to replace your existing network; Continuous data sharing with TP-Link could present some risks; Long-term pricing for the security package is unclear

TP-Link is the latest networking company to launch a mesh network system. It's called Deco because the aim is to ‘paint your home with Wi-Fi'.

Consumer-grade mesh networking solutions seem to be the name of the game in 2017 and TP-Link's whole home Wi-Fi system ticks a lot of the boxes that regular users will desire. Should it power your home's connectivity

Covers up to 4,500 square feet; Excellent parental controls; Quick and easy setup from mobile device

More on expensive side; No web UI access; No advanced routing settings

While many people are excited about Google WiFi, there's another name out there that is doing the same thing, and it's actually a bit cheaper. And that's the TP-Link Deco M5. Now TP-Link has been

In short, the TP-Link Deco M5 is a worthy entry to the low end of the mesh networking market. It's well priced at £230 for three nodes, and it includes network-based antivirus and excellent parental controls.

Great parental controls; Three-year antivirus built in; Strong wireless coverage

Slightly slow at close range; Pricier than BT Whole Home Wi-Fi

The Deco M5 Whole-Home Wi-Fi System is definitely an appealing option for those looking to get setup with a Wi-Fi mesh network. It is easy to setup, provides uniform coverage over the area it claims to, and is rather attractively priced.

» Easy setup; » Provides reliable and consistent Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home; » HomeCare anti-virus and other security measures are welcome features; » Parental controls are very thorough and easy to setup; » Access point mode now available for those that don't want to replace existing...

» As a router; the features are rather limited; » Advanced configuration options are lacking; » No USB ports and very limited LAN ports; » In access point mode; most of the advanced features are disabled; ; ; » Advertised as AC1300; which isn't all that fast these days; » Wi-Fi tested slower than...

We've seen many whole-home WiFi systems come out over the past year. These systems make sense for many people as they have multiple devices in different rooms of their home and a single router just can't provide enough speed for devices that are far away.

– Easy setup; – Better overall WiFi coverage than a normal router; – Small profile; – TPLink HomeCare included; – Great unboxing experience

– Not as many configuration options as a normal router; – Will need to buy a switch if you need multiple Ethernet ports

In short, the TP-Link Deco M5 is a worthy entry to the low end of the mesh networking market, and it includes network-based antivirus and excellent parental controls. We prefer Google Wifi's app and the way it can proactively change channels to improve wireless performance and avoid interference,...