The TP-Link Deco X5700 AX5700 Tri-Band Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System is similar yet totally different from the Deco X60 I reviewed earlier this year. And that’s a great thing.
Indeed, this one is arguably the best purpose-built mesh system TP-Link has had to offer yet. With tri-band, 160MHz channel bandwidth support, Multi-Gig WAN, and optional wired backhaul, the X5700 hits all the right notes.
But like all Deco sets, the X5700 is far from perfect due to the potential privacy risk and the lack of a real web interface. It also doesn’t have the same features and settings found in formidable contenders from Netgear or Linksys.
To cut to the chase: If you’re living in a large home of around 4500 ft2 (408 m2), don’t mind the fact that you must use the app and a login account and want something that’s plug-n-play yet still delivers fast Wi-Fi, this TP-Link Deco X5700 is an easy recommendation.
Currently, at some $390 for a 2-pack, it’s an excellent deal. So, get a pair!
TP-Link Deco X5700's Rating
Pros
Excellent Wi-Fi performance and coverage
Tri-band with multi-gig port and 160MHz channel width support
User-friendly, comparatively affordable
Good-looking
Cons
Spartan Wi-Fi customization, network settings, and features
Only one Multi-Gig port per hardware unit
App and login account required
HomeShield Pro requires a monthly subscription, limited web interface, impractical design
No USB or additional Gigabit network ports
Contents
Deco X57000: TP-Link’s first Wi-Fi 6 mesh built for performance
The new Deco X5700 looks totally different from the X60. It now comes in a 2-pack (instead of three units), and the hardware is much taller.
The two hardware units are identical. Each is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 broadcaster. Use one as the router to connect to an Internet source, like a modem, and the other will work as the satellite that automatically extends the Wi-Fi network.
Cool but slightly impractical design, no USB port
The Deco X5700 router is aesthetically pleasing, despite looking somewhat like a glorified roll of toilet paper from certain angles.
But the design can be problematic. This cylindrical box tapers toward the base, making the whole thing a bit unstable, especially when its ports are all occupied.
That’s not to mention the small base with a little opening for the power cable to reach the underside’s power port. If somebody trips on that wire, well, they will send the X5700 flying.
The router comes with two auto-sensing network ports — you can use either as a WAN port, and the other will function as a LAN. On the satellite unit, both will work as LAN ports.
And that’s it. The X5700 has no USB port — it won’t work as a mini NAS server.
Non-pre-sync hardware, still, simple setup process
The setup process of the Deco X5700 is the same as that of the X60. Basically, download the TP-Link Deco app on your phone, sign in with a TP-Link account, and follow the onscreen instruction.
There’s one minor difference. Unlike the case of the X60, the hardware of the X5700 is not pre-synced out of the box. As a result, you’ll need to manually use the app to link them to form a mesh system.
Nonetheless, it took me just about 10 minutes to get the two up and running. Once set up, you can use the phone to manage your home network from anywhere.
A note on privacy
The way TP-Link Deco mesh works, you link your Wi-Fi system with a TP-Link’s account and then manage your home network via TP-Link. As a result, TP-Link can potentially keep tabs on your online activities.
That’s the case with most canned mesh systems on the market. While the degrees might vary, they all pose privacy risks. Here’s TP-Link’s Privacy Policy. It’s always a good idea to know for sure what you’re getting into.
A pseudo web interface
The Deco X5700 does have a local web interface like the case of the X60. You can reach it from a connected computer by opening a browser to tplinkdeco.net, or the default IP, which was 192.168.68.1 in my case (a bit different from the usual 192.168.1.1 found in most TP-Link routers.)
However, this interface is not necessary for you to manage your home network. Rather, it’s an easy tool to check the system’s status, update its firmware, and other basic settings.
Generally, if you go with TP-Link’s Deco product line, you must use the app to manage the network — and all that implies in terms of privacy.
That said, if you expect to have the same level of access as the interface of other standalone routers, such as the Archer AX6000 or AX11000, you’ll be quite sad. I was.
TP-Link Deco X5700: Hardware specifications
The X5700 is the first Deco — and first purpose-built mesh hardware on the market for that matter — that comes with 2 important things for a fast-performing system:
- The support for the 160MHz channel width
- A Multi-Gig network port
That makes a big difference in its performance — more below.
| Full Name | TP-Link Deco X5700 AX5700 Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi Router |
| Model | Deco X5700 |
| Mesh Availability | 2-Pack (Identical Routers) |
| Dimensions | 8.3 × 5.1 × 4.8 in (210.5 × 130 × 123 mm) |
| Processor | 1.5GHz Quad Core |
| Wi-Fi Technology | Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) AX5700 |
| 5GHz-1 Wi-Fi Specs | AX: 3×3, up to 3843 Mbps |
| 5GHz-2 Wi-Fi Specs | AX: 2×2, up to 1201 Mbps |
| 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Specs | 2.4GHz AX: up to 574 Mbps |
| Channel Width Support | 20/40/80/160MHz |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi |
| Wireless Security | WPA2, WPA3 |
| Mobile App | TP-Link Deco |
| Web User Interface | Yes (Limited) |
| Bridge Mode | No |
| AP Mode | Yes |
| USB Port | None |
| Regular Network Ports | 1× Gigabit port (WAN/LAN) |
| Multi-Gig Port | 1x 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN |
| Link Aggregation | None |
It doesn’t have everything, though.
For one, it’s a 3×3 and not a 4×4 system. Also, the 3×3 specs are available to only one of its two 5GHz bands. The other is a low-end 2×2 one. So in a wireless setup, when one of those bands is working as the backhaul, the connection speed will still likely cap the speed of the slower one, which is 1200Mbps.
And if you’re wondering if you can use a cable to link the two hardware units, the answer is yes. In fact, this is the first mesh system that supports a Multi-Gig backhaul: You can use the 2.5Gpbs ports for this purpose.
Unfortunately, since there are only one 2.5Gpbs on each unit, in this case, you will see no difference in real-world speeds than using the Gigabit ports for wired backhaul.
TP-Link Deco X5700: Detail photos
A familiar set of (limited) network settings and features
Like the case of the Deco X6, the Deco X5700 has a decent set of network settings and features for a canned mesh system. So, you’ll be able to do the common stuff, such as port forwarding, IP reservation, and so on.
It’s a bit more restrictive than its older cousin, however. For example, Dynamic DNS support now only works with a TP-Link server and not popular DDNS services. There’s no longer a monthly report on bandwidth usage.
Most importantly, the Deco X5700 doesn’t support HomeCare, including protection, QoS, and Parental Control. Instead, it now has HomeShield (likely a new version of HomeCare) that’s available at both free and subscription levels.
The free level doesn’t give you much, with a basic QoS and an Internet access restriction feature called Time Spent Online Per Day. To have better control and protection, you’ll have to opt for the HomeShield Pro that costs $6/month.
Almost zero Wi-Fi settings
It’s an understatement to say the X5700 doesn’t offer a lot of Wi-Fi customization. Indeed, you can do just the following:
- Change the name and password of your main Wi-Fi network. You can only use a single SSID.
- Turn the bands (2.4GHz or 5GHz) on or off.
- Customize the Guest Wi-Fi the way you do the main.
- Pick you the Wi-Fi security encryption between variants of WPA2 and WPA3.
And that’s it. There’s no option to separate the bands into different Wi-Fi names, nor can you find out which 5GHz band works as the backhaul. There’s no way to pick a channel or channel bandwidth of your liking, either.
In short, with the Deco X5700, you have to trust the hardware to do the right thing by itself in terms of Wi-Fi performance. And for the most part, it does — more below.
So in all, while the Deco X5700 isn’t the worst in terms of features and settings, it’s pretty close.
TP-Link Deco X5700: Excellent performance
But the new mesh system excels at what matters most: Performance.
In my testing, it’s among the fastest Wi-Fi 6 mesh, thanks to the support for 160MHz channel width and its 2.5Ghz port, which I used to connect to my test server.
Again the X5700 is the first mesh hardware that has both of these high-speed-related elements. And its number showed.
Super-fast as a single router
As a single unit, a Deco X5700 is the fastest among routers of canned mesh systems.
At a close range of fewer than 10 feet (3 m), my 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 client is connected at 2.4Gbps of negotiated speed and delivers the sustained rates of higher than 1400Mbps.
Farther out, at 40 feet away, the same client still could manage to have the 2.4Gbps of negotiated speed. But now, its real-world performance slightly reduced to 1100Mbps.
These numbers were better than those of many standalone routers.
The router did well with Wi-Fi 5 clients, too. At the close range, my 4×4 test machined averaged faster than 800Mbps, and farther out, my 3×3 client registered some 630Mbps.
And Deco X5700 had a good range, too, comparable to that of a high-end standalone router. A single unit can handle some 2000 ft2 (186 m2) to 2500 ft2 (232 m2) of space depending on the environment. And you can double that with a 2-pack.
Excellent mesh in a wireless setup
The Deco X5700 satellite unit did well in a wireless mesh configuration, too, though not as well as the router. It was impossible to know which 5GHz band, the 3×3 or the 2×2, the system used as the backhaul at any given time.
However, in either case, the Wi-Fi output at the satellite is the same anyway, which is 1200Bbps. And that proved to be the case.
My Wi-Fi 6 client got sustained speed between 600Mbps and 760Mbps within 40 feet from the mesh point in testing. On the Wi-Fi 5 front, my 3×3 client had a sustained speed of around 500Mbps within that range, which was quite impressive.
The Deco X5700 passed my initial 3-day stress test without disconnections or other issues at all.
However, the satellite seemed to disconnect from the main router on the fourth day, and I had to restart it. And then, the system worked fine until I concluded my testing, which lasted almost another week.
That said, the disconnection might have been a fluke, and the mesh appeared overall reliable.
Wired backhaul makes a little difference
Out of curiosity, I set up the Deco X5700 with a wired backhaul. Interestingly, both the Gigabit and 2.5Gbps ports delivered the same real-world performance. And the numbers were just slightly faster than those of the wireless setup in the context of my test methodology.
That said, it’d help to use this system via wired backhaul, especially where there are many thick walls or in a large home where you need to place the hardware units really far from each other. But at home, with a lot of open space, this is a great mesh system, even if running network cables is not an option.
Conclusion
With the lack of settings and features out of the way, this Deco X5700 AX5700 Tri-Band Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System is the best TP-Link had to offer to date.
If you’re a fan of TP-Link, you’ll love it. And if you haven’t tried a product from this vendor before and live in a large home, this one can be a good first buy. In fact, it’ll make an excellent one. Just make sure you can live with the privacy risks.
Do you know if I can use X5700 in India, which has 220V power sockets. I want to know if the adapter supports 220V.
They generally all can do 100V to 240V, Ravi — you can also check by looking at the adapter. But India and the U.S. have different wireless regulations, it’s not a good idea to use a router made for one part of the world in another.
Would you pick the AX5700 over the AX3600? I’ve been looking at both to replace my aging standalone router. Currently about a $40 difference in price with the AX5700 being more expensive.
If you intend to go wireless, then I’d always pick the higher AX number, Kyle. If your home is wired, you can go with any.
Thank you. Just moved to a new home and haven’t had a chance to run Ethernet yet, so it’ll be mostly wireless for the time being. Only one device will be connected via LAN so these should be fine.
I tried AX5700, it’s a great router, stable, fast, tested for speeds up to 500Mbps 30ft away from the router through walls. However I will be going back to my Dec M9 Plus, I am not ready to pay for the home shield feature which is more important to me than higher speeds. I can live with M9 Plus’s 400Mbps speeds. AX5700’s Deco app removes even simple features like testing internet between router and the modem. App experience is very basic.
Hi there,
I currently have the TP-Link Archer AX11000, but am looking to buy the TP-Link Deco X5700 because my 20 Google home speakers keep dropping throughout my 2,000 square foot home. I have 1.2GB download speeds from Xfinity and connect ~50 devices to WIFI at once. Please let me know if I should pull the trigger on the mesh system or if there even is something that can sustain 20 Google speakers at once.
Thanks, Nick
The Deco is not an upgrade to the other, Nick. Check out this post on mesh and this one about routers.
Another great write-up. Currently looking to install a mesh system to cover our three-floor townhouse better. Currently have a gigabit ISP service, that may be upgraded to 2 gig in the next year. And currently need a wifi backhaul, but will be converting that to a wired backhaul via MoCA after some upgrades later this year. So this unit looks like it may supply the fixability we need to cover our needs now and in the future. Only one question. When the unit is used with wired backhaul, can the dedicated 5ghz backhaul then be used on the client side, like the Asus Zenwifi AX XT8 AX6600? If “yes”, then which would be better between the two? (And yes, I know the your overall review score for the Asus is higher, but also a bit more expensive. ) Or does that just come down to number of lan ports, usb and management interface — personal preferences? Thanks!
Only the Orbi has a permanent backhaul band, Steve. Check out this post.
Dong, great reviews all around! I have AX5700 on order. I am wonder whether I can use Powerline Ethernet over power adapters (for example TP-link AV2000) for the worse back haul purpose? I live in a 3 story house with router and modem in basement (floor-1) and the second node on two floors (on floor-3) above. Greatly appreciate your advice.
You *can*, but that’s not ideal, D. More in this post about Powerline.
Hello Dong, thanks for all of your hard work. Your site is amazing. I just wish I understood half of it.
After looking at all of the tri band system reviews, I decided to give this one a try.
Is it possible it is no longer available? For the life of me I can’t find it.
The above mentioned Deco x90 seems to be out and it is shockingly expensive, but the Deco x 5700 ax5700 has completely eluded me.
thanks for any advice
You can understand ALL of it, Jay. Just spend some time reading the posts with attention. 🙂 As for the Deco, I don’t know, but chances are it’s not discontinued. You can find it at Cosco I believe.
I was waiting for the x90 but this, out of nowhere it seems, appears to be the best WIFI 6 mesh router TP-Link has to offer..
Or should I still wait for the x90?
It’s your call, Ron. I have no idea how the X90 is going to be. 🙂
The X90 looks like it’s now available @ Best Buy. It is about $160.00 more than the AX5700 though. As far as I can tell, both are similar in specs. I guess you would have to decide if the 6600 MPS vs 5700 MPS is worth the extra $. Maybe Dong can let us know if there’s any performance difference between the two, or if the X90 has any additional specs that the AX5700 is missing?
I’d say it’s probably not worth it, Allen. I might check the X90 out but at the outset, chances are you’ll have the same XP as you do the AX5700.
Hi Dong,
Can you tell me whether or not you have obtained the memory and ram specifications of the AX5700, if not, would you be able to gather this information and share it? TP-Link published the processor details but, they have been pretty tight lipped on the other two specs.
No, Allen, I go with the vendor on the specs.
All cloud managed routers, force you into creating and account.
The crazy thing here is that this is not a cloud managed system. It is managed locally with IP 192.168.1.1.
So TP-link has no excuse asking for an account.
It’s both, Christian. And the IP is not what you mentioned. But Deco line has always been purposely made to be cloud managed.
Hi Dong, great review.
As this unit supports 160mhz, does it mean that Deco finally enabled DFS channels? If so, can this be manually selected?
Yes, Paul. And read the review. 🙂
Interestingly you take offense about only has one 2.5G port. The way I look at it is neither a positive or negative if they are WAP. If you are using it in a router mode, I would be surprise if many people have more than 1G to their ISP. And if you are using it as a WAP, well don’t you have a switch? As far as I know most of the WAPs and Mesh devices don’t come more than 2 ports. I personally have two switch w/ two 2.5G ports and two 10G ports. So using those 10G port as a true back-haul and connect the Deco to one of the 2.5G make more sense to me.
Take offense how? Did you read the review at all? 🙂
I meant that when You says, “Unfortunately, since there are only one 2.5Gpbs on each unit, you will see no difference in real-word speeds than using the Gigabit ports for wired backhaul.” It’s not exactly unfortunately in my view. As I see it, it’s neither positive or negative.
It’s neither negative nor positive, it’s just unfortunate. In this context.
Would you put this system up against the XT8?
They are very different, Mark, but yes, I would, in terms of performance and reliability.
I do have a couple more questions, you said that the wired backhaul did not do much for speeds. Does this mean that this wireless backhaul is stong enough to send large files and movies across to a NAS? Also, My house is about 2000-2400 sq, you said a single node would be stong enough for this size house. Would using two cause some type of interference? I would like strong signal throughout at the ability to wire some things with dumb switches from point to point. I have been looking at mesh systems as I think they play nicer with each other and I will not run into the problems I have now with my Linksys EA9500 and RE9000, they seem to compete for my wireless devices and then I just get lack luster performance. I will also not go with Linksys again, they have gone downhill quickly!
It’s strong enough if your home is open space and you don’t put the units too far from each other, Mark. It doesn’t hurt to have wired backhaul with these, it only helps. Just a matter of degrees. Your home is small for a mesh. Read more here. https://dongknows.com/mesh-wi-fi-system-explained/