Best TP-Link "Smart Home" Wi-Fi Router
I recently purchased TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router (Archer AXE75) to setup a smart home by creating wireless connections to multiple devices (smart plugs, bulbs, Amazon Echos, ect). However, I am still unable to connect to every smart device in my home using the TP-Link AXE5400. Now this could be because it located in the basement where my desktop is setup and there are multiple walls between it and some of the smart devices AND in some cases that includes exterior lights.
So my question is simple, is the TP-Link AXE5400 the best wireless router for this role or is there a better wireless router manufactured by TP-Link better suited for creating a smart home and connecting longer distances (through walls)? Please let me know your thoughts.
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Hi @RWaszczuk
In your case, you can consider using a mesh network and place different network devices to expand the network.
If the Archer AXE75 you purchased is beyond the return period, you can consider adding a device that also supports easymesh to expand the Wi-Fi coverage.
However, if the AXE75 is far away from the smart device that has not been successfully connected to the network, you may want to consider connecting the two network devices via wires to ensure a stable network.
If you don't have to use a mesh network, you can also consider powerline products.
However, using powerline products requires ensuring that the network devices are in the same circuit environment. For details, please see:What is Powerline?
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Thanks for your response. To confirm, I can still return the AXE75. And yes, the router is tucked away in the basement, at the far corner of the house where my office is located. Are you suggesting I return the AXE75 and instead use powerline products instead? If so, which would you recommend?
To confirm, the smart devices leveraging the wireless router in my home would include:
- Amazon Echo (Bedroom/Office)
- Amaxon Spot (Living Room)
- Ecobee thermostat (Living Room)
- Amazon Smart Plugs (x3/Living Room)
- Philips Hue Smart Bulbs
- Hallway (x2)
- Downstairs (x1)
- Front Door (x1)
- Garage (x1)
- Backyard Patio (x1)
- iPhone
- iPad
- Roku (Downstairs)
Based on the number, and locations (where immobile), what would you recommend?
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Hi @RWaszczuk,
If you rely solely on WiFi to expand the network, your environment obviously needs multiple units to cover the network.
The Archer AXE75 you have purchased supports easymesh technology, so you can consider adding units that also support easymesh.
The suggestion for powerline products comes from the situation that "the router is hidden in the basement, in the farthest corner of the house where my office is located". If you don't want to deploy too many units and only want to use the network in a local location, you can consider powerline products. However, when using this type of product, the premise is that the room where the powline adapter connected to the router and the powerline extender are located must be in the same circuit environment to achieve network transmission.
For specific suitable products, you can filter according to the filter menu on the left side of the product.
In addition, you can also consider the deco mesh system.
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Assuming I decide to keep the AXE75, you mentioned it supports "easymesh technology", which I assume mirrors the deco mesh hardware, correct? If so, what hardware would I need to purchase in order to leverage the easymesh technology of the AXE75 in my house? Would it involve purchasing Deco hardware like the Deco E4R? If so, what would be the difference between them? I assume a Deco M5 is wall mounted while a Deco E4R sits atop a surface, but then what would be the difference between a Deco E4R and Deco M4R? As the diagram (in the link you provided) shows they are both placed on a surface.
Previously it was suggested I could leverage my old ASUS router with the easymesh technology, but I was confused how that could work as I only have one connection point in my house to the internet and it's being used by the modem next to my computer (where the router is located). Under those circumstances would an easymesh technology even function using my old router or Deco hardware?
This brings me back to powerline products. If by simply connecting to the house's power outlets creates one unified internet connection, would the circumvent my issue with one one physical internet connection? I assume I would connect the powerline to the internet cable, and then by plugging it into the house outlet it would convert every outlet in the house to an internet connection? TBH, not sure how the technology works, so I want to make sure I'm understanding it correctly.
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Hi @RWaszczuk,
For the difference between Deco Mesh and EasyMesh, please refer to the following link for more details.
Can Deco Mesh, OneMesh, EasyMesh and Omada Mesh products work together?
If your ASUS router also has the EasyMesh function, it is recommended that you consider adding a router compatible with EasyMesh.
Powerline products may not be sold in your area. You can click this link. If it is blank when you open it and there is no specific product, it means that this series of products is not sold in your area.
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I'll need to read up on them.
I don't believe my ASUS router has EasyMesh, only because it's ~10+ years old.
With regards to Powerline, I clicked the link and it did return results. There were 8 products of the AV2000, AV1000, and AV600 series.
Again, my key concern is that I only have one point to connect to the internet in the house, which is where I connect the modem and router, so anything that extends the router would not have access to an internet connection. So I'll need a product, possibly like Powerline, that turns the entire house into an internet connection at any outlet. If I understand it correctly.
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