With the Deco XE75, TP-Link is launching a high-performance mesh system with tri-band mode and WiFi 6E standard. The additional 6 GHz range should provide a much more stable connection. This feature should be particularly useful for residents of apartment buildings or people who are surrounded by many WLANs. Other features of the XE75 include the simultaneous use of up to 200 devices and coverage of up to 670 m² when using the three-pack. TP-Link HomeShield is also on board, which includes various network security and management services.
This time we take a closer look at the TP-Link XE75 in a set of three. The focus is on two questions: firstly, the potential of using the 6 GHz band and secondly, whether a multi-storey household can be fully covered with the three-pack.
Technical data
| Model | Deco XE75 |
| WiFi Standard | – WiFi 6E – 6 GHz: IEEE 802.11ax – 5 GHz: IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/a – 2.4 GHz: IEEE 802.11ax/n/b/g |
| WiFi range | – up to 670 m² |
| WiFi speed | – AXE5400 – 6 GHz: 2402 Mbps (802.11ax, HE160) – 5 GHz: 2402 Mbps (802.11ax, HE160) – 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps (802.11ax) |
| WiFi capacity | – Tri-band – 2×2 MU-MIMO – OFDMA – 6 streams – Up to 200 devices simultaneously |
| WiFi encryption | – WPA-Personal – WPA2-Personal – WPA3-Personal |
| Working modes | – router – Access Point |
| Security modes | – SPI Firewall – Access control – 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz guest network |
| HomeShield security | – Real-time IoT protection – Blocker for malicious websites – Intrusion protection system – DDoS attack protection – Home network scanner |
| Advanced features | – Reboot schedule – Tapo/Kasa onboarding – IoT network and device isolation – Static routing function – Node/band connection preference |
| LAN ports | 3× Gigabit ports |
| Smart home compatibility | Google Home, Amazon Alexa, HomeShield |
| price | Single device: € 165.90 *, Bundle of 2: € 211.93 *, Bundle of 3: € 268.96 * |
Scope of delivery
- Set contains three Deco units including power supply units
- One RJ45 Ethernet cable included
- Additional information material included
The TP-Link Deco X75 set consists of three Deco units, three power supply units and an RJ45 Ethernet cable. To ensure an optimal connection, at least or ideally several Deco units should be connected via LAN. The package is completed by the usual set of documents, consisting of a quick start guide and individual information sheets.
Design and workmanship
- Elegant combination of minimalism and aesthetics
- Clean finish with efficient ventilation
- LED indicates current operating status
In contrast to the X1500 (our test), the TP-Link Deco XE75 has a more upmarket design, while the cylindrical shape and matt white surface are largely retained. The glossy black lid is particularly striking, with a grill-like pattern and central TP-Link logo on its circular surface. With this color scheme, the XE75 clearly stands out from the otherwise pure white device series. Similar designs are more likely to be found in smart speakers. But regardless of this, the XE75 also conveys a combination of minimalism and aesthetics.
If we look at the build quality, the Deco XE75 is also right up there. Similar to the more expensive BE25, the solid workmanship is also impressive here. The system doesn’t rattle or wobble on the table and the feel conveys an impression of durability. If you look at the underside, you will notice the countless ventilation slots, the design of which is somewhat more “aggressive” than the Deco X1500 and is clearly integrated into the design line of the X75. This ensures efficient air circulation, which is of course also an important prerequisite for consistently high performance under continuous load. The only disadvantage: The associated power supply units of the Deco XE75 are quite clunky and look a little old-fashioned.
As far as the connections are concerned, they are all located on the back of the device. In detail, this means three Gigabit ports and the power connection as the lowest option. Unlike the Deco BE series, however, there is no WPS switch here. If we take a look at the underside, we can see the device labels and the reset button. Barely visible under the Deco lettering on the front is the small LED light, which indicates the status of the system as an orientation aid. It lights up yellow during the start-up process and flashes blue during the set-up process. If there is a connection to the Internet, the LED lights up blue continuously. If the Internet connection is stable, the LED lights up green again. If there is a problem with the connection after setup, this is indicated by a steady red light. In this way, it is always clear to see what stage the Deco XE75 is at.
Setup
- Simple set-up via the Deco app
- Sensibly structured process with pictures
- TP-Link account is required for use
As with the TP-Link Deco BE25 (our test), the setup process here is also very simple and user-friendly. The manufacturer provides the Deco app for Android and iOS for this purpose. Step-by-step instructions with short, clear videos and illustrations guide you through the entire set-up process. To begin, you must either log in with your TP-Link ID or create an account. Good to know: No setup is possible without such an account.
After logging in, you can either create a new network or add a Deco via the menu bar. Alternatively, the setup wizard starts automatically during the initial setup. As a rule, the first Deco XE75 is first connected to the existing modem or Internet socket via LAN cable and then the enclosed power supply unit is plugged in. The network is then automatically detected in the app. Optionally, the QR code on the bottom of the device can also be scanned. To be on the safe side, the modem should now be restarted once to avoid any network problems in advance. The next step is to assign the Deco to a room and then assign a Wi-Fi name and password. Once the setup procedure has been completed, the smartphone automatically establishes a connection to the new mesh network. From this point on, the system is ready for use.
If you want to add a Deco later, you can do so easily using the plus symbol in the app – regardless of which model it is. Once it has been positioned and plugged into the socket, it is automatically linked to the account or mesh system.
Deco App
- Serves as a setup and management app
- Good usability with modern UI
- Numerous configuration options
The Deco app is usually at the heart of the configuration process. It is characterized by a modern, well-structured interface so that even technology newcomers should find their way around easily. Even after the initial setup, the app remains the linchpin. This is because it offers a wide range of setting options without appearing overloaded. The “Network” section provides an initial overview of the connected decos, including the network topology and the associated devices. If required, a speed test is also available and the existing WLAN can be adjusted accordingly.
There is also a separate tab for security. Here, network scans can be carried out and certain devices can be isolated. In the further section on parental controls, you can monitor or restrict the online activities of your children. It doesn’t matter where they are accessing from – whether they are on the home network at home or on the move.
Numerous other functions are available under the “More” menu item, including setting up a guest network or a network for IoT devices and temporarily activating the WPS of a Deco. The only thing that is a little confusing at first is the “Advanced” menu item. Among other things, this is where you can set the operating modes, such as router or access point mode. There are also the beamforming and fast roaming features, some of which are still deactivated at the factory. We therefore recommend that you first take a look at the options and make any necessary adjustments to optimize Wi-Fi performance.
Practical test
- Very fast connection thanks to WiFi 6E
- Stable coverage across three floors
- 6 GHz band can be used for clients
The test environment
For our practical test, we used the TP-Link Deco XE75 set of three to test the coverage and data throughput in a building with a living area of around 300 m² or a total area including outdoor area of around 500 m². As the Internet entrance and the modem are located under the roof, the “main Deco” is placed in the living room (2nd floor). Another Deco will be stationed one floor below in the office (1st floor), while the third unit will be located in the kitchen (ground floor). No separate Deco unit is planned for the basement. Incidentally, as this is an old building, there are several smaller rooms. A direct comparison with a modern house with fewer rooms is therefore likely to be difficult.
During installation, it is only necessary to ensure that the Deco units are separated from each other in terms of surface area in order to achieve optimum coverage. The devices should also be positioned freely in the room and not directly in front of the window. This prevents the radio waves from “fizzling out” or attenuating the signal.
Is the network coverage sufficient?
The TP-Link Deco XE75 also proves to be mature in the everyday test for covering a house. Thanks to the vertically distributed positioning across three floors, the WLAN signal works without any problems. Even in more distant rooms and outside the direct line of sight of a mesh unit, this test worked straight away. The signal strength on the smartphone was always at least good, in most cases even very good.
A noticeably poorer signal was only recorded in the basement area, which is not surprising given the fact that concrete walls block signals. Regardless of this, the coverage is also successful over longer distances, meaning that a constant connection is also available outdoors, whether in the pool or garden. Even the pool robots use the Wi-Fi during the cleaning process without any problems as long as they are above water. In a direct comparison with our reference model Deco BE65 (our test) with WiFi 7, the XE75 had to admit defeat in the end, as the signal there was “a corner better”.
What speeds are achieved?
As the regular Internet connection in the house does not provide any meaningful information about the performance level of the Deco XE75, an environment with a gigabit connection is used. The test apartment is generously proportioned but still has angled areas – ideal conditions for testing the performance of the mesh system.
As a result, the TP-Link Deco XE75 in the three-pack proved to be quite stable and impressed with very good data rates in the home network. A stable 990 Mbit/s was achieved close to the router, which corresponds to the full bandwidth. Over 950 Mbit/s was also possible in neighboring rooms without any problems. Only in an unfavorable corner behind a thick wall with a steel door was there a noticeable loss. Although the signal was still weak, it dropped to 220 Mbps. The latter is likely to be the exception rather than the rule, which is why we give the mesh system a very good speed up to the gigabit range.
It was particularly impressive that the backhaul between the decos also ran smoothly and quickly via the 6 GHz band. The XE75s have their own 6 GHz network for the clients. However, if you don’t actively need this network, you can deactivate it in the app so that the entire frequency band is available as a backhaul for the decos.
TP-Link Deco XE75 test: Conclusion
The TP-Link Deco XE75 set of three proved to be an extremely well-balanced and powerful mesh system in the test, which should be of particular interest to homeowners. It impresses with a maximum coverage of an impressive 670 m² with stable transmission rates, which we were able to verify in the test, as well as with three dedicated Gigabit ports per unit. The tri-band mode is also impressive, as it offers access to the still little-used 6 GHz band and therefore ensures less interference. You are independent and can freely decide whether the 6 GHz band is used exclusively as a backhaul for the mesh units or whether it should also be made available to the clients. This point therefore pays off, especially in busy environments with many WLANs. For comparison: Although the TP-Link Deco BE25 has WiFi 7, it does not support this frequency band.
Overall, it can therefore be said that the Deco XE75 offers slightly more scope than the Deco BE25 by using the 6 GHz band. On the other hand, the XE75 only offers Gigabit ports, while the BE25 already offers 2.5 Gigabit ports. If you want to combine the best of both worlds, you would therefore have to go for the Deco BE65 with WiFi 7 and 2.5 Gigabit ports – but the price would then be considerably higher. If an affordable entry-level mesh system is important to you, the X50 or X1500 could be the right choice – especially if your own devices do not yet support WiFi 6E or 7.
In short, the Deco XE75 is the perfect addition to TP-Link’s model range and, thanks to WiFi 6E, is still one of the future-proof solutions. In terms of price-performance ratio, they are currently one of the best options on the market.
- WiFi-6E support
- Tri-band mode with flexible backhaul
- Three gigabit ports
- Very good coverage
- Simple setup via app
- No 2.5 Gigabit ports
- No USB port for additional functions
TP-Link Deco XE75
Design and processing
Ease of use
Performance
Equipment
Price-performance ratio
95/100
The TP-Link Deco XE75 is positioned as a popular mesh system with WiFi 6E support and comprehensive configuration options via app.
