Need more Wi-Fi power?
TP-Links similar Deco BE65 Pro boosts Wi-Fi output by 10 percent and costs $600 for two units.
It features 5 Gbps networking ports, but there are only three connections, total.
The companys three-piece mesh kits are $2,300 and $1,000, respectively.
At longer distances it switches to the 5.0 and 2.4 GHz bands.
By contrast, the Orbi 973 has a dedicated 5GHz backhaul band.
Those with Ethernet cables in their homes can use a wired backhaul that will make data fly.
Its theoretical peak throughput of 10.046 Gbps is marginally behind the Orbi 773s 10.768 Gbps.
In other words, the more you use the Deco BE63, the better it can be.
On the other hand, the well-connected among us might mourn the loss of a fourth networking connection.
By contrast, Netgears Armor usesBitdefenderclient software and costs $100 a year.
The connection was reliable and made data fly.
At 15-feet, the wireless throughput dropped to a still impressive 1.821 Gbps.
Its important to note that these three mesh systems cost much more than the TP-Link Deco BE63.
With 50 feet between the test system and the router, the connection transferred 610.7 Mbps.
At longer distances, the Deco BE63 had trouble keeping up.
Still, it had a 100 foot range.
The Deco BE63s passive cooling draws air in through underneath vents and expels hot air vertically.
Even during intense use, it never got above 108 degrees Fahrenheit and used 15.2 watts of power.
Theres an iOS version, but no way to use a connected online window to set it up.
After signing up for a TP-Link account and authenticating it, I tapped to begin the process.
I was greeted by a page showing what I needed.
With the Deco BE63 devices blinking blue, everything was ready to roll.
The app quickly found the new gear.
I finished by naming the room that the host router would live in.
The Deco BE63 includes a two year warranty and unlimited lifetime support.
In addition to setup help, the support site has lots for LAN fine-tuning tips.
At the time of review, it didnt have any Deco BE63-specific videos.
I wasnt expecting literature but the Deco BE63s 18-page manual barely covers the basics.
It lacks help with involved tasks like USB drive sharing, MLO optimization and finding the system log.
Luckily, TP-Links support site has more.
Theres also a separate place for the Parental Controls.
Theres also beta software for things like using aVPN.
Decos Advanced section has the details for setting up an IPTV server and tweaking the beamforming tweaks.
It, however, lacks fine tuning items like selecting short or long preamble or changing the CTS/RTS threshold.
Its internet Optimization routine looks for usage and interference to streamline operations.
It adjusts controls to make better connections.
The app delivers weekly reports on security and potential risks.
My favorite is the visual pie graph of the key in of connected devices.
Plus, IoT fans will love the interface for working with IFTTT, Alexa andGoogleAssistant home automation.
The Discover area is for things like usingMatterand adding surveillance cameras.
If anything goes south, the app has a convenient link in the app to TP-Links Support Center.
Thats one of the best technology bargains available today.
It really is Wi-Fi 7 mesh networking for the rest of us.
