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You can think of TP-Link's new and, for now, Best Buy-exclusive Deco X4300 Pro Wi-Fi 6 mesh as the previous once Costco-exclusive Deco X60 plus a 2.5Gbps port and better 5GHz Wi-Fi specs.
And that's a big plus.
Like the case of the X60, eventually, you'll likely be able to find it at regular retail stores, including Amazon.
The new mesh, which currently costs $399, is clearly a hardware upgrade from the previous model. It's suitable for a large home with Gigabit-class Internet.
To be happy with it, though, you'll need to take the "Pro" notion with a grain of salt—like all Deco sets, the X4300 Pro is limited in network management and customization. There's nothing pro about it.
TP-Link and "Pro": According to the networking vendor, the Pro notion applies to its hardware that includes one or more Multi-Gig ports. Recently, TP-Link also released the Archer AX3000 Pro, which is basically the old Archer AX3000 with a 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port. There will be more similar "Pro" hardware in the near future.
The new mesh shares the same feature set as others in the Deco ecosystem, and this quick review is essentially a Deco X4300 Pro vs. Deco X60 matchup, focusing on their similarities and differences.
Dong's note: I first published this piece on June 21, 2022, as a preview and updated it into an in-depth review on July 24 after thorough hands-on testing.
TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro vs. Deco X60: A sensible upgrade
Out of the box, the Deco X4300 Pro immediately reminded me of the Deco X60.
Both include three identical routers, each taking a white round-tube design measuring 4.33 in (110 mm) wide and 4.49 in (114 mm) tall.
You use any of these hardware units as the primary router, and the rest will automatically become mesh satellites to extend the Wi-Fi coverage. That's generally how a Deco mesh set works.
However, there are some distinctive differences between these two mesh sets. Let's check out their hardware specifications.
Hardware specifications: TP-link Deco X4300 Pro vs. Deco X60
| Full Name | TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro AX4300 Mesh Router | TP-Link Deco X60 AX3000 Mesh Router |
| Model | Deco X4300 | Deco X60 |
| Mesh Availability (at launch) | 3-Pack (three identical routers) | |
| Dedicated Wireless Backhaul | No | |
| Wired Backhaul | Yes | |
| Dimensions | 4.33 in (110 mm) wide 4.49 in (114 mm) tall | |
| Wi-Fi Technology | Dual-band AX4300 | Dual-band AX3000 |
| 5GHz Wi-Fi Specs (channel width) | 3x3 AX: Up to 3800Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) | 2x2 AX: Up to 2400Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
| 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Specs (channel width) | 2x2 AX: Up to 600Mbps (20/40MHz) | |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi | |
| Wireless Security | WPA, WPA2, WPA3 | |
| Mobile App | TP-Link Deco (Android + iOS) | |
| Vendor Login Required | Yes | |
| Web User Interface | Yes (limited) | |
| Bridge Mode | No | |
| AP Mode | Yes | |
| USB Port | None | |
| Gigabit Port | 2x auto-sensing | |
| Link Aggregation | No | |
| Multi-Gig Port | 1x 2.5Gbps auto-sensing | None |
| Processing Power | 1GHz Dual-Core CPU | 1 GHz Quad-core CPU |
| Power Intake | 110-240V | |
| Power Consumption (over 24 hours) | ≈ 215 Wh | not tested |
| US Price (at launch) | $399 | $350 |
Lesser CPU, superior networking specs, 2.5Gbps port
From the table above, you'll immediately notice a few differences between the Deco X4300 Pro and the Deco X60.
The former has a seemingly less powerful CPU, which didn't seem to matter in my testing. What matters, however, is the fact it now comes with an additional 2.5Gbps port and better Wi-Fi specs.
The new Deco X4300 Pro's new Multi-Gig port is auto-sensing. Depending on the plugged-in device, a local client, or an Internet source, such as a Fiber-optic ONT or a Cable modem, it can work as a LAN or a WAN port.
Since there's only one such port, like a dozen others, there's no scenario where the Deco X4300 can't deliver a real Multi-Gig experience. Still, when hooked to a faster-than-Gigabit source, it can host more incoming bandwidth to provide multiple Gigabit-class connections simultaneously.
Realistically, on the wired front, each Deco X4300 unit still caps at 1Gbps. Wirelessly, we only have a 2x2 client, meaning the connection will be limited to the theoretical speed of 2.4Gbps on a good day, with Gig+ sustained rates.
What is Gig+
Gig+, or Gig Plus, conveys a speed grade faster than 1Gbps but slower than 2Gbps. So, it's 1.5Gbps, give or a couple hundred megabits per second, and it's not speedy enough to qualify as Multi-Gig Ethernet or multi-Gigabit. Intel coined the term to call its Wi-Fi 6E client chips—the AX210 and AX211—to describe their real-world speeds.
Gig+ applies to the sustained speeds of Wi-Fi 6 or 6E—via a 2x2 at 160MHz connection, which has the 2402Mbps theoretical ceiling speed—or Internet speed. It's generally not used to describe wired network connections.
TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro: Detail photos
Mind the marketing hype
Like the case of other vendors, TP-Link uses the 2.5Gbps port and the odd 3x3 Wi-Fi 6 specs to this port to prop up the Deco X4300 Pro. Keep in mind that none of those common superlatives—"ultra-fast", "ultra-low latency", "game-changer, "AI-driven mesh technology", etc.—was true.
At the core of it, the Deco X4300 features dual-band Wi-Fi. As a result, in an intended fully wireless setup, its performance will fluctuate significantly due to signal loss.
And if you want to cover "7000 ft2" (650 m2) as TP-Link claims, it's a sure thing that real-world speeds will slow down to a crawl.
Nonetheless, the new mesh proved to be quite a performer, clearly faster than the Deco X60.
Wired backhauling is recommended
The Deco X4300 supports wired backhauling—you can use network cables to link the hardware unit.
And in this case, you can expect Gigabit-class Wi-Fi performance from it when used with supported Wi-Fi 6 clients connected to the 5GHz band.
If you have Gigabit or slower broadband, the mesh even supports Multi-Gig backhauling—you can use its 2.5Gbps port for the job. In this case, only one of the satellites will work right away. If you want to use the second, you'll need a Multi-Gig switch.
But if you need Gigabit backhauling, you can daisy-chain the hardware units without needing a switch.
Similar to the case of all dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (or tri-band Wi-Fi 6E) mesh systems, I'd recommend wired backhauling if you intend to get the best and most reliable performance out of the Deco X4300.
Backhaul vs. fronthaul
When you use multiple Wi-Fi broadcasters—in a mesh network or a combo of a router and an extender—there are two types of connections: fronthaul and backhaul.
Fronthaul is the Wi-Fi signals broadcast outward for clients or the local area network (LAN) ports for wired devices. It's what we generally expect from a Wi-Fi broadcaster.
Backhaul (a.k.a backbone,) on the other hand, is the link between one satellite Wi-Fi broadcaster and another, which can be the network's primary router, a switch, or another satellite unit.
This link works behind the scenes to keep the hardware units together as a system. It also determines the ceiling bandwidth (and speed) of all devices connected to the particular broadcaster. It's the backbone of the system.
At the satellite/extender unit, the connection used for the backhaul—a Wi-Fi link or a network port—is often called the uplink. Generally, a Wi-Fi broadcaster might use one of its bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz) or a network port for the uplink.
When a Wi-Fi band handles backhaul and fronthaul simultaneously, only half its bandwidth is available to either end. From the perspective of a connected client, that phenomenon is called signal loss.
A Wi-Fi connection between two direct parties occurs in a single band, using one fixed channel, at any given time. This principle applies to all existing Wi-Fi standards, up to Wi-Fi 6E.
When a Wi-Fi band functions solely for backhauling, it's called the dedicated backhaul. Often, that means no other band will do this job, though that depends on the hardware.
In a mesh system, only traditional Tri-band hardware—those with an additional 5GHz band—can have a dedicated backhaul band without ostracizing clients of the same band.
Generally, it's best to use network cables for backhauling—wired backhauling, which is an advantage of mesh hardware with network ports. In this case, a satellite broadcaster can use its entire Wi-Fi bandwidth for front-hauling.
In networking, network cables are always much better than wireless in speed and reliability.
Familiar firmware with the same set of features and settings
As mentioned above, as part of the Deco family, you can expect the Deco X4300 Pro to deliver a similar experience as other Deco sets, including the Deco X60, the Deco X5700, or even the Wi-Fi 6E Deco XE75.
Sharing the same firmware as others, the Deco X4300 Pro proved, in my experience, to be the same as others regarding the setup process, Wi-Fi settings, and network automation.
To avoid repeating myself, the following are a few bullet points.
- Pre-synced hardware: You just need to pick one hardware unit and set it up as the router. Afterward, strategically place the other two around the home and turn them on. Within minutes, your mesh is ready.
- Easy setup, login required: To set up the mesh, you must use the Deco mobile app, which requires a log-in account—and all that implies. But the app works well and makes setting up the hardware a breeze. After that, you can use it to manage the network from anywhere in the world.
- Limited local web user interface: Like other Deco, the X4300 Pro has a web user interface accessible via its default IP address which is 192.168.68.1. This interface is minimal, as shown above. Still, it's unavailable until you have registered the mesh via a login account with the user—you need the account's password to get into the interface.
- Near-zero Wi-Fi settings: The system has just one main SSID and one Guest network. All you can do with these is change their name and password and turn on or off the band (2.4GHz or 5GHz).
- Limited network customization: There's not much you can customize your network with via the Deco X4300, and things are limited even within what you can do. Take Dynamic DNS, for example. You can only use a server of TP-Link defeats the purpose of staying independent from the vendor.
- Simple QoS, Homesield Pro required for more: The Deco comes with the Homeshield suite (formerly HomeCare), which includes rudimentary Parental Controls and QoS features. To unlock more advanced settings, you need to subscribe to HomeShield Pro, which costs $5.99/month or $54.99/year.
- Total Security Package: If you want online protection via the Deco, you'll need to subscribe to the Total Security package, which costs another $99.99/year.
So, if you want to get the most out of the Deco X4300—or any Deco, for that matter—you'll need to pay another $150/year. And even then, you won't get much. However, this type of "home networking as a subscription" has become a new trend among Eero, Netgear, and TP-Link.
Note its limited network customization and the add-on options.
But in the end, the point is the X4300 Pro is similar to any previous Deco set. If you have used one before, you'll find yourself at home with it, and you can use your existing TP-Link account.
The way it works, different Deco hardware only differentiate themselves via their hardware capability, performance, and cost. Their features and settings (Wi-Fi and network) remain the same.
TP-Link and your privacy
Having to sign in with an account generally means your hardware connects to the vendor at all times, which translates into inherent privacy risks.
On this matter, the Chinese networking company, among other things, insists that it's a "global multinational group" and offers this assurance:
"TP-Link takes privacy seriously and complies with U.S. policies to protect consumers."
TP-Link's Privacy Policy page.
Managing your home network via a third party is never a good idea. Privacy is a matter of degree. Data collection and handling vary vendor by vendor.
TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro vs. Deco X60: Improved performance
For this review, I used the Deco X4300 Pro for almost ten days and had no problem with it. The mesh proved reliable and delivered a pretty good performance.
Note that its router unit (left) did much better thanks to the 2.5Gbps LAN port.
On the charts above, it's important to note a few things:
- I tested the Deco X4300 Pro router's Wi-Fi speed with its 2.5Gbps port working as the LAN port, which boosted the throughputs significantly in my testing method. (Most other mesh routers on the charts do not have a Multi-Gig port as the LAN port for the testing.)
- For the router unit, I used a 4x4 Wi-Fi 5 client for the close-range test and a 3x3 client for the long-range tests.
- I tested the Deco X4300 Pro satellite via a wireless setup, with the unit placed 40 feet (12m) from the router with a line of sight. The satellite's performance is more indicative of what you can expect from this system than from others.
In terms of range, the Deco X4300 Pro had slightly better coverage than the Deco X60, though not by much.
It's tough to quantify this, but if you want to enjoy the 5GHz band, expect some 4500 ft2 (418 m2) out of the three units. If you don't have a slower speed, you can even increase the coverage to 5500 ft2. The point is you will not get 7000 ft2 as Tp-Link claims.
Of course, your mileage will vary depending on your place and how you arrange the hardware.
One sure thing is that wired backhauling will give you much better coverage and the best performance. In this case, via Multi-Gig wired backhauling, the mesh's performance will be similar to that of the router unit.
The screenshot above shows the best-case scenario for real-world Internet speeds using the router (left) and the satellite.
I got these numbers with the router hosting 10Gbps Fiber-optic broadband using its 2.5Gbps port as the WAN port. The satellite also connected to the router wirelessly. I used a 2x2 Wi-Fi 6 client connected to the 5GHz band within 40 feet of the broadcaster.
Internet speed fluctuates, but generally, when your broadband has enough bandwidth, you can expect somewhere between 500Mbps and 1Gbps from the Deco X4300 Pro within its optimal coverage.
TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro's Rating
Pros
Reliable and fast Wi-Fi performance, excellent coverage
User-friendly with pre-synced hardware, competitively priced
Wired backhaul support; can work in AP mode as a system
Eye-catching design
Cons
Requires an account with TP-Link to work
Only one Multi-Gig port
Zero Wi-Fi customization, limited network customizations, Parental Controls, and online protection require add-on subscriptions
Limited web interface, no USB port;
Conclusion
There's nothing earth-shattering about the new TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro mesh system. However, compared with the previous Deco X60, it sure is an improvement.
If you're looking for an easy option to host Gigabit broadband in a large home, preferably one wired with network cables, this new mesh is a safe choice in terms of performance and reliability.
As for features and especially privacy concerns, make sure you understand and are comfortable with what you're getting into before committing to this mesh or any TP-Link Deco set.
Would be good to know when they release the Deco X50-POE and x50-Outdoor (also POE) was supposed to be released last month
Agreed, Julian. 🙂