Our Editor's In-Depth Review of TP-Link X20 Mesh Router System
Depending on how you intend to use it, the TP-Link Deco X20 AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System is either an excellent choice or a letdown.
On the one hand, the new system is very user-friendly and has a hardware configuration that enables you to deploy it virtually anywhere. On the other hand, its performance can be rather bad because of its underwhelming hardware specifications.
The Deco X20 is the dual-band AX1800 mesh system's entry-level economic model. It comes with single-stream Wi-Fi 6 that offers up to 574 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 1201 Mbps on the 5GHz band. It is available in single, 2-pack or 3-pack.
TP-Link Deco X20 AX1800 Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System
- WiFi 6 functionality at a reasonable price
- Bandwidth of up to 1800Mbps
- Seamless whole-house coverage
- Antivirus u0026amp; security features
- Amazon Alexa voice commands
- Compatible with other Deco models
- Ultra-low latency
- One unified network
- Deco app easy setup
● Throughput: 1800 Mb/s Total
2.4 GHz: 600 Mb/s
5 GHz: 1200 Mb/s
● Operation Modes: Mesh
● Supported IEEE Standards: 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n
Connectivity
● Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Dual-Band (2.4 & 5 GHz)
● Number of Antennas: 2 x Internal (Amplified)
● MU-MIMO Support: Yes
● Beamforming Support: Yes
● Wireless Security: WPA3
● Virtual Assistant Support: Amazon Alexa
Hardware
● CPU: 1.0 GHz Quad-Core
● Memory: 512 MB (Router)
● Flash Memory: 128 MB NAND (Router)
Pros: What we liked about the Deco X60 – Our Performance Test Reports Reveal
The Deco X20 is your best pick if you're looking for a less expensive option than the Deco X60. The X20, like its sister device, comes with WiFi 6 technology, which can improve your home's WiFi performance by up to 1800 Mbps. Even though it isn't as fast as the X60's 3600 Mbps, the X20 already offers enough bandwidth for superb game streaming and immersive streaming video. Deco boasts no buffering and perfect audio and video, and the Deco X20 has been evaluated to link beyond 150 devices without slowing down performance.
Given its lower price, the X20 outperforms the competition when it comes to range. If your space is less than or equivalent to 200 sqm, a single pack can eliminate any WiFi dead-zone within your home. Even if you move around a lot, your WiFi connection will be consistent throughout your space. If you reside in a bigger area, don't worry; every Deco WiFi mesh system may be expanded. You may also acquire the X20 in a 2-pack or 3-pack variant, which can cover up to 370 and 530 square meters, respectively.
Are there security and parental controls?
Aside from its speed and smooth coverage, the X20's next best feature is undoubtedly the protection it provides. You can already customize your home network with increased security thanks to the built-in TP-Link HomeCare. When you do have kids in the house, you can limit the amount of time they spend on video games and even ban access to unsuitable content. Every device linked to your network is also protected from internet dangers by the security system.
How we setup and managed the X20 easily
We also appreciate how user-friendly the Deco X20 is. It takes only a few minutes to set up! All you have to do is install the Deco app on your iPhone or Android phone, then implement the on-screen directions as the program walks you through the process step-by-step. Do not uninstall the Deco app until your home network is fully operational because you can use it to administer your network when you are away. If you spend most of your time at home, we recommend pairing the X20 with Amazon Alexa to take advantage of voice commands.
How we found the performance
With the capacity to expand a Wi-Fi network into unreachable areas of a home, the Deco X20 was an unexpectedly excellent performer.
Two streams of 600.5Mbps each operate on the 5GHz channel (1201Mbps in total). On the 2.4GHz channel, there are two streams, each with a speed of 287Mbps (574Mbps in total). The nicest thing about the TP-Link Deco series is its flawless roaming performance, which includes complete support for 802.11k/v/r. For the entire mesh WiFi network, only one WiFi name is used. When I connect my phone to the mesh WiFi network, the system will automatically direct it to the best available network.
On both wireless and wired connections, my download and upload speeds have been adequate. My network's maximum throughput of 300mbps is consistently achieved by my Ethernet-connected PC.
Cons: What we did not like so much about the TP-Link Deco X20 and what we felt could be improved
– No dedicated backchannel for data
– Lack of customization options
– Coverage is lower than some competitors
– No band-splitting option
Deco X20 Resources, Specifications, Setup Video, FAQ's and Firmware
TP Link Deco X20 Official Site
Why it's Important to have a Fast Broadband Connection
Singaporeans use the internet more than ever because it gives them access to entertainment, the ability to work, and quick ways to talk to each other. All of these things depend on how fast your broadband connection is.
But what kind of high-speed Internet connection is best for you?
All of these things show how important it is for your family to have a fast broadband connection so that they can go about their daily lives without problems. But your family's needs can be different depending on their ages and what each person does online.
What is bandwidth? And Why it is Important.
Your bandwidth is the most information you can get in a certain amount of time. This is shown in megabits per second or Mbps. Mbps is the number, in millions, of bits of information that your connection can get in one second.
Do you and your family watch much online TV or play many online games? Does your family often use more than one thing at once? If so, you should use a connection with high bandwidth. Families with four or more people should also have a high bandwidth connection. These higher data transfer rates are great for streaming movies and TV shows in 4K UHD and other high-quality formats, as well as for online gaming, like massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) like Final Fantasy XIV or real-time first-person shooters (Online FPS) like the Call of Duty series.
With high bandwidth, everyone in the house can connect to the internet without any problems. If your connection bandwidth is too low, you might have a lot of buffering, freezing, and lagging. This could make it hard for you to enjoy these activities. For a stable internet connection, gamers should always connect their device directly to their router, like with a LAN cable, instead of relying on WiFi. Streaming entertainment systems should also be connected directly with a cable.
How Much Bandwidth Do You Need?
Here are a few quick tips to help you figure out how much bandwidth you need.
Video Streaming: Sites like Netflix, YouTube, and Twitch recommend a 5Mbps connection for full HD content and a 25Mbps connection for 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) content per device.
Smart Home Devices: Most experts say that you should add 5 Mbps to your plan for every 10 smart devices you have. However, some products, like cameras, will need a bit more.
Gaming: You don't need as much bandwidth as you think to play games. Most games require just about a 10Mbps connection per device. If your game is slow, it's probably because of latency.
To figure out how much bandwidth you need, you can do some quick math and make a rough estimate of how many devices will be connected to your network at the same time.
Get the Right Home Internet and WiFi Connection for You
Once you know what level of bandwidth you need, you can go to MyRepublic's website to find a variety of fast, high-bandwidth broadband packages. Check out MyRepublic's broadband plan for fast, reliable, and secure internet that can handle all of your online needs, even those that require a lot of bandwidth. There's something for everyone in MyRepublic's home internet plans. Surf, stream and game to your heart’s content.
Our tech editor's final say on the TP-Link Deco X20 AX1800 whole home mesh WiFi 6 system – Overall, its a reliable and stable mesh system with great coverage
When I first took it up, I was pleased by the Deco X20's size and weight. The small cylinder's discrete appearance, all-white construction, and inclusion of white power and main wires conceal the clutter in your room.
I liked how the LED indicator cast a glow from underneath the unit. When it's solid yellow, the system is starting up. A pulsing blue light comes on when it's ready to be set up. Everything is fine when the light is green, but if it blinks red, the device has lost its Internet connection.
Each unit has two gigabit LAN ports on the back, one for the WAN connection and the other for a networking appliance like a storage system or a wired connection to a Deco X20 satellite. It doesn't have a USB port for a printer or a direct connection to a storage device, so you can't group ports to get more throughput.
Even though it's not the fastest mesh networking kit on the market, the TP-Link Deco X20 is easy to set up and does a great job of sending data over medium distances, where most of its competitors fail.
If you're searching for that next best WiFi 6 router to compare against the TP Link Deco X20, we reckon you would like to check out a top contender: see our review on the Asus ZenWiFi AX Mini XD4, and also you may be keen on our top list of the 10 Best Mesh Wifi 6 Routers in Singapore (2022). The TP-Link Deco X20 is a good choice if you want a cheap Wi-Fi 6 mesh kit that can fill a home with moderate data. The Deco X20 strikes a good balance between price and the ability to move data around a home safely and securely. Packages of two or three units can cover both medium-sized and large homes.
