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

TP-Link's Deco M5 isn't the absolute fastest whole-home Wi-Fi system on the market, but it delivers very good performance and a strong set of...

Very good overall performance; Built-in antivirus and anti-malware protection for the entire network; Unobtrusive industrial design

No dedicated channel for data backhaul; Must use a smartphone or tablet for setup and configuration; Available in three-packs only

TP-Link's new Deco M5 mesh networking kit targets simplicity, but it's half-baked.

Unique circular design; Support for Ethernet-based Deco-to-Deco communication

Unstable Bluetooth mobile setup process; No web-based backend; Wireless AC devices have a 433Mbps limit; Shallow "advanced" features

Final Thoughts For their first entry into the whole-home WiFi market I think TP-Link has a very strong contender in the Deco M5 system. This is our first time taking a look at a system like this so we cannot compare it to others, but comparing it to typical routers we can definitely see some areas...

– 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

Like mentioned above, the setup and configuration of the TP-Link Deco M5 is by far the easiest Wi-Fi router that I have ever set up. This is perfect for those who just want to plug it in and go. There is no need to fiddle with obscure settings or constantly tweak things.

Covers up to 4,500 square feet; Excellent parental controls; Quick and easy setup from mobile device; 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; More on expensive side; No web UI access; No advanced routing settings

TP-Link Deco M5 is definitely an interesting WiFi system which takes advantage of the mesh technology, supports MU-MIMO data streaming, has a really good wireless performance (even if it's just dual-band) and it has an incredibly simple installation process.

Good Wireless Performance; Fast and Simple Installation Process; Really Well Done and Thorough Parental Controls; Ethernet + Wireless Backhaul; It Has A Competitive Price

The Antivirus as a Separate Paid Service After Three Years; Has Some Advanced Features; but the List is Short; App-Only Interface

Overall, we were very impressed with the TP-Link Deco M5. While it didn't match our high-end router in terms of flat-out speed, we think it offers a fantastic overall networking solution for most households.

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

At $299 for a set of three units, TP-Link's Deco M5 has more to offer than other similarly priced systems, like the Google Wifi , or the Luma . The most noticeable is the ability to keep the entire home network, including IoT devices, from online threats.

The Deco M5 Whole-Home Wi-Fi System is easy to use and delivers reliable Wi-Fi over a large area; The system has more features than most other systems, including the ability to protect the entire network against online threats

The M5 doesn't have a dedicated backhaul band, so it suffers from signal loss when its units are linked together wirelessly; It connects to TP-Link at all times and there's no access point mode for it to work well with an existing router

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

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...