Test TP-Link Deco XE75 : un bon kit Wi-Fi 6E

The TP-Link Deco XE75 kit is made up of two identical boxes and aims to broadcast a Wi-Fi 6E network throughout the home. The devices adopt a design similar to the rest of the Deco range of Wi-Fi routers and also have three RJ45 ports.

The kit, consisting of two boxes, is offered at a price of around 400 euros. A bill that is still very high, especially when you know how little interest Wi-Fi 6E has in Europe, at least in terms of speed. We will take advantage of this test to review the mobile application in detail, which has been given a significant facelift.

TP-Link Deco XE75Fiche technique

Model TP-Link Deco XE75 Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E Maximum Wi-Fi speed 5.4 Gbit/s Wi-Fi coverage Up to 670 m² Maximum number of connected devices 200 Mesh system Yes 4G compatibility No 5G compatibility No Number of ports Ethernet 3 Maximum Ethernet speed 1 Gbit/s Voice assistant Amazon Alexa Network security WPA2 Price 455 € Product sheet

This test was carried out using a product lent by the brand.

TP-Link Deco XE75Design et ergonomie

Visually, the Deco XE75 boxes are closer to the X20 model than the X90. They take the form of discreet white plastic cylinders, surmounted by a black surface imitating the wavelets of a drop of water. The boxes remain relatively compact and will fit perfectly into most interiors.

Source: Edouard Patout for Aroged

A relatively imposing logo is present on the front. It is accompanied by a status LED which, fortunately, can be deactivated. The only button on the devices is located on the bottom and will switch the boxes to factory configuration. The base of the XE75 is also perforated to allow air to circulate.

Source: Edouard Patout for Aroged

Moreover, there is no difference between the different modules provided in the box. They can therefore serve as both a router or a satellite, or even be used completely independently. On the connection side, there are 3 gigabit RJ45 ports and we regret the absence of 2.5 Gb/s ports. Unfortunately, this lack will not allow you to take full advantage of the speeds offered by Wi-Fi 6/6E.

Source: Edouard Patout for Aroged

The boxes are powered with a proprietary connector identical to what was found on previous models. TP-Link therefore does not change its recipe and once again offers sober and compact devices, and again giving pride of place to plastics.

TP-Link Deco XE75Fonctionnalités

First good surprise at the launch of the Deco mobile application: it has been completely updated with a new interface that is much clearer and more modern. Initial kit setup is as always relatively easy, with a guided process that adapts to the user’s existing hardware.

The home page lets you know the status of the network at a glance and displays the number of connected devices. Quick access to Wi-Fi network settings is also offered as well as an interface dedicated to connected devices compatible with the Deco solution.

Surprisingly at the level of Wi-Fi: the 6 GHz band is, by default, reserved for the connection between the boxes. Out of the box, it is therefore impossible to connect a device to Wi-Fi 6E. A strange choice for a kit that promotes this compatibility on its box, but this choice is not completely meaningless.

Indeed, Wi-Fi 6E does not really revolutionize speeds compared to Wi-Fi 6. It may then be appropriate to reserve this band for the mesh link to take full advantage of the other two for mobile devices. Be that as it may, the user retains the possibility of modifying this operation to use the 6 GHz band in a “normal” way.

When it comes to advanced network options, the Deco XE75 kit doesn’t really do any better than its predecessors. The available settings will suit the vast majority of uses, in particular to replace an internet box, but the kit does less well than some of its competitors such as Netgear or Asus.

The various threat analysis and parental control modules are still there and just as easy to use. Most of the features are available for free, but you will have to go through a subscription to unlock the most advanced ones.

TP-Link Deco XE75Performances

The TP-Link Deco XE75 kit inaugurates our new test protocol for Wi-Fi kits and routers. The speed tests are carried out between two computers running Windows and compatible with the Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E standards. We first evaluate the raw throughput, in both directions, using the iperf utility.

Source: Edouard Patout for Aroged

In order to evaluate performance in conditions closer to reality, we also perform file transfers, always in both. Each test is carried out in optimal conditions, approximately 1 meter from the router and then at two more distant locations in order to gauge the range of the signal through partitions and load-bearing walls.

Before going any further, it should be remembered that TP-Link has decided to equip its Deco XE75 boxes with simple gigabit RJ45 ports. In fact, our speed tests are limited by these ports and do not “really” reflect the kit’s Wi-Fi capabilities.

On iperf, we easily saturate the RJ45 port with a downstream speed that tickles the gigabit both in Wi-Fi 6 and in Wi-Fi 6E. By changing rooms, the speed manages to stay around 700 Mb / s for downloading and a little over 400 Mb / s for uploading. Outside, the flow logically drops and stabilizes above 200 Mb/s.

File transfers mirror our iperf measurements well with similar throughputs in the vast majority of cases. The Deco XE75 therefore delivers the performance expected for a device of this type, obviously taking into account the limitations induced by its gigabit ports.

In practice, a single box is enough to cover a home of around 80 m2, offering stable speeds of around 300 Mb/s. Adding a second box will improve coverage, but will only be necessary in large dwellings or on several floors. Note also that it is possible to connect the boxes using a cable, in order to keep all the bands of the Wi-Fi network for customers.