Deals! 🛒
TP-Link today announced the availability of the Deco XE75 Pro AXE5400 Wi-Fi 6E Tri-Band Mesh system.
Let's call it the Deco XE75 Pro going forward.
You will likely hear a lot of cheap superlatives about this new mesh -- "lighting fast" is among sure bets -- but here's the real deal: It's the Deco XE75 with a 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig (WAN/LAN) port.
As I briefly mentioned in the review of the Deco X4300 Pro, there will be more "Pro" hardware coming from the networking vendor, and they all have one thing in common: The support for Multi-Gig.
Specifically, take an existing system (such as the Deco XE75 in this case) and add Multi-Gig support, and you get a new Pro version -- this Deco XE75 Pro you're reading about. The question, though, is always, "how many Multi-Gig ports are there?"
And here's the bottom line: Much that TP-Link tries so hard to create a "wow" effect, there's nothing earth-shattering about the Deco XE75 Pro. It's not even noteworthy, making the $100 extra cost over the previous version poorly justified, despite the overall affordability.
TP-Link Deco XE75: The same mesh with a single Multi-Gig port
The headline above says it all. The Deco XE75 Pro is the same as the Deco XE75 plus a 2.5Gbps port that can work either as a WAN (to host a fast internet connection) or a LAN (for a fast local device.)
"Or" is the keyword here since you can't have both. For that, you'd need two or more Multi-Gig ports.
While there will be TP-Link hardware with multiple Multi-Gig ports, a single-port approach will be prevalent. That's the case for all hardware vendors. If you don't believe me, here's the list of almost all other existing Multi-Gig home Wi-Fi broadcasters.
Like any wired standards, you need the same speed grade on both the in and out ends to truly experience it. With just a single port, this type of hardware is close to a Multi-Gig nothing burger. They are better than pure Gigabit hardware, but in real-world usage, they make almost no difference.
With that, let's check out the Deco XE75 Pro's hardware specifications.
Deco XE75 Pro vs Deco XE75: Hardware specifications
The two are identical with one exception, the Deco XE75 Pro has one 2.5Gbps port and costs $100 more. There's almost no situation where you'll see the benefit of that extra cost.
| TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro AXE5400 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6E System | TP-Link Deco XE75 AXE5400 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6E System | |
| Model | Deco XE75 Pro | Deco XE75 |
| Wi-Fi Designation | AXE5400 | AXE5400 |
| Mesh Availability (at launch) | Single router, 2-pack | 2-pack, 3-pack |
| Pre-Synced Hardware | Yes | Yes |
| Possible Dedicated Backhaul Band (default) | None (6GHz as default) | None (6GHz as default) |
| Wired Backhaul | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 4.1 × 4.1 × 6.7 in (105 × 105 × 169 mm) | 4.1 × 4.1 × 6.7 in (105 × 105 × 169 mm) |
| Weight | TBD | 1.43 lbs (650 gram) |
| Wi-Fi Designation | Tri-band AXE5400 | Tri-band AXE5400 |
| 1st Band (2.4GHz) | 2 x 2 AX Up to 574Mbps (20/40MHz) | 2 x 2 AX Up to 574Mbps (20/40MHz) |
| 2nd Band (5GHz) | 2 x2 AX Up to 2402 Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) | 2 x2 AX Up to 2402 Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
| 3rd Band (6GHz) | 2×2 AXE Up to 2402 Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) | 2×2 AXE Up to 2402 Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11ac/n/g/a/b | 802.11ac/n/g/a/b |
| Guest Network | Yes (One for each band) | Yes (One for each band) |
| Mobile App | Deco | Deco |
| Web User Interface | Simple (No local management) | Simple (No local management) |
| AP Mode | Yes (as a router or a mesh) | Yes (as a router or a mesh) |
| USB Port | None | None |
| Gigabit Port | 2x Auto-Sensing | 3x Auto-Sensing |
| Multi-Gig Port | 1x 2.5Gbps Auto-Sensing | None |
| Link Aggregation | No | No |
| Dual-WAN | No | No |
| Processing Power | 1.7 GHz Quad-Core CPU | 1.7 GHz Quad-Core CPU |
| Firmware Version (at review) | Not yet tested | 1.1.2 Build 20220224 Rel. 41924 |
| Release Date | August 2022 | April 2022 |
| Power Specs | Input: 100-240V (50/60Hz 0.8A) Output: 12V, 2.0A | Input: 100-240V (50/60Hz 0.8A) Output: 12V, 2.0A |
| Real-Word Power Consumption (router unit, per 24 hours) | Not yet tested | ≈ 156 Wh (as tested) |
| US Retail Price (at launch) | 399.99 (2-pack) $599.99 (3-pack) | $299.99 (2-pack) |
Deco XE75 Pro: That all-brag little-substance Multi-Gig approach
The Deco XE75 Pro feels awfully similar to other cheap Multi-Gi approaches.
The vendor will pick and choose to prop up the hardware. But it makes no sense if you pay attention. There's not much you can achieve with a single 2.5Gbps port.
Specifically, with that single low-grade Multi-Gig port, the Deco XE75 Pro can:
- Host a 2.5Gbps broadband connection. Or
- Host a 2.5Gbps local link, such as a server.
In either case, the best you can experience is still:
- Gigabit via one of its other 1Gbps LAN ports.
- Gig+ via Wi-Fi. (The Deco XE75 Pro's Wi-Fi caps at 2402Mbps of theoretical speed, which translate into Gig+ in real-world sustained speed, at best.)
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 take, and it's not fast enough to be qualified as Multi-Gig or multi-Gigabit.
Gig+ generally applies to the sustained speeds of Wi-Fi 6 or 6E -- via a 2x2 at 160MHz connection which has the 2400Mbps theoretical ceiling speed -- or Internet speed and is not used to describe wired network connections.
The point is, in most cases, you'll see no difference on a single client where the router will likely cap at Gigabit anyway, just like the case of the Deco XE75 (the non-Pro version.)
To be fair, if you have a 2.5Gbps broadband connection, the Deco XE75 Pro can deliver full Gigabit to two clients simultaneously. But most users don't have faster-than-Gigabit broadband, and if you do, you'd likely look for a real-deal router with two or more Multi-Gig ports anyway -- I speak from experience.
In short, there's no way to get a real Multi-Gig connection out of the Deco XE75 Pro, just like the case of the Deco XE75. And all that makes the new former somewhat of a ripoff.
Deco XE75 Pro: It’s the Deco XE75 at heart
The takeaway is this: other than the 2.5Gbps port, the Deco XE75 Pro is literally the same as the Deco XE75.
The two share the same firmware, Wi-Fi settings, network configurations, and features. You must use the Deco mobile app for the setup process and ongoing management. So on and so forth. You can find out more in my review of the Deco XE75.
Like all Deco sets, the new Deco XE75 Pro has little to offer in features and settings by default. If you want more, you'll have to pay for HomeShield Pro, which requires a subscription. But even then, the mesh still has much less to offer than TP-Link's Archer routers.
Pricing and availability
The Deco XE75 Pro AXE5400 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6E system is available now as a 2-pack or 3-pack with the suggested retail price of $399.99 or $599.99.
Considering the fact that the Deco XE75 proved an excellent system in my testing, it's safe to say the Deco XE75 Pro will likely pan out similarly. So the only question is if the 2.5Gbps port is worth the extra cost. And that's your call.
Happy Thanksgiving! I have been researching for several weeks, for a new WiFi mesh system to replace my aging ASUS RT-AC68U, using your fantastic reviews. Right now, I’m torn between using this XE75 system and ASUS’s XD5. I would be using wired backhaul. I need parental controls and am familiar with what ASUS offers in this realm with my current setup but understand I may have to subscribe to TP-Link’s to get what I want. Looking for feedback on this predicament.
In your case, Nate, if go with an Asus. Get the ZenWifi ET8 if you want Wi-Fi 6e. Good luck!
Thank you for your reply. presently both of these options are $199 at Amazon. The ET8 system is significantly more expensive still. does this fact change your opinion?
Nope. It’d be a pain to move from Asus to Deco in user experience.
Hi Dong – your site is amazing, thank you for all of the insights, expertise, and education!
I picked up a 2-pack of the XE75 Pro on Prime day for a great deal, even though I “only” have a 1G fiber connection. My provider *says* they will offer multi-gig and possibly 10G service in the next 1-2 years.
Question that isn’t quite answered here: If/when multi-gig (or 10G) comes, can I add a “cheap” multi-gig router (like the X55) that has two 2.5G ports to take advantage of multi-gig speeds?
I think the X55 Pro is better than the XE75 on the Multi-Gig front since it has two 2.5Gbps ports — assuming you use wired backhauling. Neither can deliver 10Gbps — but none can as described in this post. If you use the hardware in a wireless setup, generally, you’ll only get sub Gigabit sustained speed. More here.
But for now, the XE75 Pro should work well, it will not be much better than the non-Pro version though, other than than the fact it can *get* your Gigabit connection in full.
Yeah I gathered based on your other reviews and considered the X55. Feels like we are at a weird time for buying gear, with 6E as a short layover en route to 10G / Wi-Fi 7. Thinking the XE75 Pro will be fine for a while. Would greatly prefer an AP system but this isn’t my forever home 🙂
Using MoCA 2.5 for wired backhaul anyway, so there’s that bottleneck to deal with as well…
Playing devil’s advocate, if both the Normal and Pro versions were the same price would you not choose the Pro? Is there no benefit to use the 2.5Gbs connection to connect the main router to the mesh/satellite unit over a regular 1Gbs connection? Even though it’s not likely worth $100 more, surely there is some benefit to the 2.5Gbs connection, or why did they bother making the Pro version to begin with?
If the price is the same, I’d go with the Pro for sure, M. Generally, Pro is a bit better, especially when it has two Multi-Gig port like the case of the X55 Pro.
Hi Dong,
I am a virgin Media connection that is 1G i speed. Which mesh router would you recommend for me to get that will also future proof for the next 5 years?
Thanks,
Dennis
I don’t know, Dennis. That depends. You should start with this post.
If you have multi gig switch and wired backhaul, Is it useful to buy XE75 pro over non pro version?
Not really, Kevin, sine it has only one Multi-Gig port, unless you intend to use each units as an Access Point.
Thanks
👍
Great Article! I have an opportunity to buy the Pro for $25 more. I have a 600Mbps system and will use primarily as a Wireless system. Would the Pro be a good purchase if I know in the future I plan on making the house Wired?
No, Gabriel, it’d make little difference, if at all. But you’d know that if you actually read this post.
Hey Dong, thanks so much for all the helpful info on your site! I’m considering the Deco XE75 since there’s a deal right now and you can get the base model for $250 or Pro for $300. I was debating which one, but I think your article cleared that up nicely. I was thinking there could be any advantage to connect both XE75s to a 2.5 Gb ethernet switch also connected to my fiber jack, but it seems that’s not a supported configuration based on their FAQ: https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/1794/.
Nope, Stephen, that’s the case of all mesh systems. You can only take advantage of 2.5Gbs backhaul if you use the hardware in the AP mode. Generally, for a real Multi-Gig backhaul, you need the router unit to have two Multi-Gig ports.
So if intended usage is AP mode, so for router i use my existing one. For the satelites i connect to 2.5gbe switches at each satelite location (i got 3 x 2.5gbe switches), so in this setup i should get gig+ speed ya?
router > switch > (wired) XE75 > Switch> (wired) XE75 > (wireless backhaul) XE75 > switch
??
Yes, except for the last wireless backhauled node, which depends.
Would you agree this could be a value add for someone that runs these in wired backhaul Access Point mode, and therefore is able to provide 2.5G of bandwidth per node?
No, they should get an AP instead. There’s no value in building an expensive hotel only to use its parking lot.
Does anyone make a device that is only an access point with a 2.5gbe port on it that is significantly cheaper?
TP-Link has one. It’s part of the Omada family and includes a PoE injector.