TP-Link 以其价格合理的家庭网络(home networking)产品而闻名。他们不仅生产无线路由器，还生产网状WiFi系统。他们在这个利基市场中最畅销的产品是Deco M5，它现在有一个新的v2 变体(v2 variant)，与第一个模型相比，它带来了一些生活质量改进。我们非常喜欢测试TP-Link Deco M5 v1，我们很想知道 v2 是否是更好的模型。阅读此评论，了解TP-Link Deco M5是否是您智能家居的绝佳选择：
TP-Link Deco M5 v2：它对谁有好处？
这种全家庭网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)适合以下情况：
- 设计很重要且人们需要不碍事的隐蔽网络设备的家庭
- 灵活的家庭网络，您经常在其中添加或删除设备和/或覆盖区域
- 想要从移动应用程序远程控制他们的网状WiFi 系统的人(WiFi system)
- (Secure)使用内置的反恶意软件保护和入侵防御系统保护(protection and intrusion prevention systems)智能家居
- 想要语音控制家庭网络的(home network)Alexa供电设备的所有者
- 希望获得出色的家长控制以保护在线孩子的父母
优点和缺点
TP-Link Deco M5具有以下优势：
- 2.4 GHz 无线(GHz wireless)频段上的出色速度
- 有竞争力的价格
- 深思熟虑的设计，结合了简约和优雅(simplicity and elegance)
- 通过TP-Link Deco(TP-Link Deco)移动应用程序轻松设置
- 出色的防病毒保护
- 易于使用的有用的家长控制
- 它与Amazon Alexa 和 IFTTT(Amazon Alexa and IFTTT) (If This Then That)集成
还有一些弱点需要考虑：
- 使用三年后，您必须为内置的杀毒软件付费
- 它无法充分利用 1 Gbps 互联网(Gbps internet)连接
- 它不提供基于 Web 的管理界面
判决
TP-Link Deco M5是一款平衡网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)。它看起来很棒，并且在 2.4 GHz 无线(GHz wireless)频段上提供了出色的性能。构成该系统的设备设计优雅而简约，与其他类似系统相比，其价格具有竞争力。TP-Link Deco M5还包括一流的安全性和家长控制(security and parental controls)，有效且易于配置。TP-Link Deco M5 网状 WiFi 系统的第二(TP-Link Deco M5 mesh WiFi system)版(Version two)是此类最佳系统之一，我们向所有对经济实惠的解决方案感兴趣的人推荐它。
拆箱TP-Link Deco M5 v2 全家网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)
TP-Link Deco M5以一个、两个和三个设备的包装出售。我们收到了用于测试的两件装变体。该系统包装在一个漂亮的纸板箱中(cardboard box)，以白色和绿色为主要颜色。在顶部，您可以看到组成套件的设备图片，并提及其最重要的功能。
当你取下盖子时，你会看到另一个白色盒子。在内部，您可以看到构成TP-Link Deco M5 网状 WiFi 系统(TP-Link Deco M5 mesh WiFi system)的设备。
在它们下面(Beneath)，有几个包装精美的小盒子，里面有配件。
拆箱后，您会得到以下物品：Deco M5站、电源适配器、以太网电缆(Ethernet cable)、保修、固件许可证和快速设置指南(setup guide)。
TP-Link Deco M5 提供的拆箱体验是一款值得购买的高端设备。一切看起来都很棒，整个体验都很愉快。(The unboxing experience offered by TP-Link Deco M5 is worthy of a premium device. Everything looks great, and the whole experience is pleasant.)
硬件规格和设计
TP-Link Deco M5 和 v1的(TP-Link Deco M5 and v1)v2 变体(v2 variant)之间的差异几乎是看不见的：它们使用不同的电源连接器(power connector)（ v1 的USB Type C与 v2 的传统电源插孔(power jack)），v2 的固件略有改进，提供更大的覆盖面积(coverage area)（v2 为 510 平方米，v1 为 418 平方米）。分歧到此结束。外观相同，硬件也相同。每个TP-Link Deco M5 设备(TP-Link Deco M5 device)都有一个高通 IPQ4019 四核(Qualcomm IPQ4019 quad-core)处理器，运行频率为 638 MHz，具有 32 MB 的固件闪存存储空间(storage space)和 256 MB 的RAM。每个Deco M5的直径为 4.7 英寸或 120 毫米，高度为 1.3 英寸或 38 毫米。每个单元有四个内部天线、两个1 Gbps以太网(Ethernet)端口和电源连接器(power connector)。
TP-Link Deco M5支持所有现代网络标准，包括最新的 802.11ac Wave 2。它具有 2x2 MU-MIMO 实施方案，并为 2.4 GHz 频段提供 400 (GHz band)Mbps的最大理论带宽，为 5 GHz 频段(GHz band)提供867 Mbps的最大理论带宽。为了连接您的智能手机和其他移动设备，TP-Link Deco M5使用蓝牙 4.2(Bluetooth 4.2)芯片。
在每个Deco M5的底部，您都有重置(Reset)插孔、通风格栅和四个橡胶支脚，用于将它们放置在平坦的水平表面上。不幸的是，它们不能安装在墙上。
我们喜欢每个Deco M5 设备(Deco M5 device)的设计。外观谨慎而优雅。您可以将它们放在现代客厅(living room)中而不会使其变得丑陋。相反，他们愉快的外表会受到客人的钦佩。
如果您想了解更多关于这个全家WiFi系统(WiFi system)的官方规格，请访问此页面：TP-Link Deco Specs。
设置和使用TP-Link Deco M5全家庭网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)
TP-Link Deco M5 网状(TP-Link Deco M5 mesh)系统的设置和管理(setup and administration)仅使用适用于Android和iOS的TP-Link Deco移动应用程序完成。您还需要一个 TP-Link Cloud 帐户(Cloud account)，您可以在此处(here)或从应用程序创建该帐户。一个缺点是缺乏双重身份验证(two-factor authentication)，以提高您帐户的安全性。我们希望TP-Link将来会添加此安全功能(security feature)。在您注册或使用您的TP-Link Cloud 帐户(Cloud account)登录后，您可以开始设置过程(setup process)。设置向导(setup wizard) 易于使用，从选择您拥有的Deco 模型(Deco model)开始。
然后，您将获得所有必要的设置说明，并要求您设置以下元素：您正在设置的Deco M5的位置、您的(Deco M5)互联网连接(internet connection)的详细信息，以及它所使用的无线网络(wireless network)的名称和密码即将播出。
TP-Link Deco M5适用于以下类型的互联网连接：动态 IP(Dynamic IP)、静态 IP(Static IP)和PPPoE。
设置第一个站后，您可以添加其余设备。您所要做的就是选择它们的放置位置。该应用程序可帮助他们复制您为第一台设备所做的设置。要记住的一件事是Deco M5电台的发现是使用蓝牙(Bluetooth)完成的。因此，您需要在智能手机或平板电脑上保持(smartphone or tablet)蓝牙(Bluetooth)开启。否则，设置过程(setup process)将不起作用。
当您完成TP-Link Deco M5 网状(TP-Link Deco M5 mesh)系统的设置后，移动应用程序会自动检查固件更新，如果找到，它会要求您下载并安装最新版本。您应该执行更新，因为较新版本的固件可以提高性能、修复稳定性问题和安全漏洞。固件更新需要一些时间，并且需要重新启动网状系统(mesh system)中的所有站。
然后，您终于可以使用TP-Link Deco移动应用程序来查看和配置(view and configure)所有设置。在应用程序的主屏幕上，您会看到连接到网络的设备列表。您还有几个快捷方式和菜单。在屏幕的右下角，还有一个黄色按钮，中间有四个白色方块。
当您点击它时，您可以访问所有主要功能和配置选项。可用的高级设置不多，一切都可以轻松设置。您可以设置端口转发(port forwarding)、DDNS、LED 控制(LED control)、通知、WPS、QoS、家长控制(Parental Controls)、防病毒(Antivirus)和操作模式(operating mode)等功能。
所有设置都得到了很好的解释，因此您在设置TP-Link Deco M5 网状 WiFi 系统(TP-Link Deco M5 mesh WiFi system)时应该没有问题。我们将大约二十台设备连接到网络，我们在测试公寓(test apartment)的所有房间都享受到稳定的信号和良好的速度。我们连接了台式电脑、笔记本电脑、平板电脑、智能手机、智能插头、智能灯泡、Xbox One控制台和无线打印机。他们都连接到网络没有问题。我们还能够通过网络共享内容(share content)，没有任何问题。
每个月初，TP-Link Deco移动应用程序都会提供一份报告。它包括有用的统计数据，例如您网络中上网时间最长的设备、您的网络中实现的最高互联网速度(internet speed)、连接到网络的新设备数量、阻止的恶意攻击以及您孩子的互联网历史记录（如果是家长(Parental Controls)）已设置控件。
高级用户不会意识到的一个缺点是TP-Link不提供对 Web管理用户界面(administration user interface)的访问，就像其他网格系统一样。这意味着您只能使用移动应用程序提供的基本设置。
在通过网络传输数据时，我们还研究了网络传输(network transfer)的可变性。下面您可以看到当我们在笔记本电脑上使用 5 GHz 无线(GHz wireless)网络时，在与中央Deco M5 站(Deco M5 station)一墙之隔的房间中，网络传输是如何进行的。(network transfer)我们获得了比其他网格系统略高的平均速度和可变性。(speed and variability)
当我们搬到与主站隔着两堵墙的房间时，平均速度下降了，可变性增加了一点。然而，速度从未接近于零，这是我们对这个网状WiFi 系统(WiFi system)的预期。
在 2.4 GHz 频段上使用(GHz band)WiFi时也发现了类似的趋势。
总体而言，我们对 TP-Link Deco M5 及其提供的功能感到满意。我们喜欢它的设置简单、运行良好、外观以及通过其移动应用程序提供的功能。有一些负面影响，但大多数用户不会受到它们的影响。唯一可能引起注意的重要问题是，您需要在使用三年后为防病毒服务付费。此外，尚不清楚这项服务在到期后将花费多少。(Overall, we are pleased with TP-Link Deco M5 and what it has to offer. We enjoyed how easy it was to set up, how well it worked, how it looks and the features it offers through its mobile app. There are a few negatives, but most users are not going to be affected by them. The only important issue that may raise some eyebrows is the fact that you need to pay for the antivirus service after three years of use. Also, it is not clear how much this service is going to cost after its expiration date.)
如果您想了解更多关于TP-Link Deco M5 v2的速度、它在基准测试中的表现以及它捆绑的额外功能，请转到本评论的第二页。
Review TP-Link Deco M5 v2: A beautiful whole-home WiFi system!
TP-Link is famous for itѕ affоrdably priced home networkіng products. They manufaсture not only wireless routerѕ but also mesh WiFi systems. Their top-selling product in thіs niche is Deco M5, which now has a new v2 vаriant, which brings several quality-of-life imprоvements comparеd to the first model. We very much enјoyed testing TP-Link Deco M5 v1, and we were curioυs to see whether v2 is an even better model. Read this revіew and find out whether TP-Link Deco M5 is a great choice for your smart home:
TP-Link Deco M5 v2: Who is it good for?
This whole-home mesh WiFi system is a suitable choice for:
- Homes where design matters and people need discreet networking equipment that does not get in the way
- Flexible home networks where you often add or remove devices and/or coverage areas
- People who want to remote control their mesh WiFi system from a mobile app
- Secure smart homes with built-in anti-malware protection and intrusion prevention systems
- Owners of Alexa powered devices who want to voice control their home network
- Parents who desire excellent parental controls to protect their children online
Pros and cons
TP-Link Deco M5 has the following strengths:
- Excellent speed on the 2.4 GHz wireless band
- Competitive pricing
- Well thought out design that combines simplicity and elegance
- Easy to set up through the TP-Link Deco mobile app
- Excellent antivirus protection
- Useful parental controls that are easy to use
- It is integrated with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT (If This Then That)
There are also some weak spots to consider:
- After three years of use, you have to pay for the built-in antivirus
- It is not able to fully utilize 1 Gbps internet connections
- It does not offer a web-based interface for administration
Verdict
TP-Link Deco M5 is a balanced mesh WiFi system. It looks great, and it offers excellent performance on the 2.4 GHz wireless band. The design of the devices that make up the system is elegant and minimalistic, and its pricing is competitive when compared to other similar systems. TP-Link Deco M5 also includes top-notch security and parental controls that are effective and easy to configure. Version two of the TP-Link Deco M5 mesh WiFi system is one of the best systems of this type, and we recommend it to everyone interested in an affordable solution.
Unboxing the TP-Link Deco M5 v2 whole-home mesh WiFi system
TP-Link Deco M5 is sold in packs of one, two, and three devices. We received the two-pack variant for testing. The system is packaged in a beautiful cardboard box with white and green as the main colors. On the top side, you can see a picture of the devices that make up the kit, and mentions of its most important features.
When you take the cover off, you see another white box. Inside you see the devices that make up the TP-Link Deco M5 mesh WiFi system.
Beneath them, there are several small, nicely packaged boxes with accessories.
When you unbox everything, you get the following items: the Deco M5 stations, their power adapters, an Ethernet cable, the warranty, the license for the firmware, and the quick setup guide.
The unboxing experience offered by TP-Link Deco M5 is worthy of a premium device. Everything looks great, and the whole experience is pleasant.
Hardware specifications and design
The differences between the v2 variant of TP-Link Deco M5 and v1, are almost invisible: they use a different power connector (USB Type C for v1 vs. a traditional power jack for v2), and v2 has slightly improved firmware which offers a larger coverage area (510 square meters for v2 vs. 418 square meters for v1). The differences end here. The looks are the same and so is the hardware. Each TP-Link Deco M5 device has a Qualcomm IPQ4019 quad-core processor, running at 638 MHz, with 32 MB of flash storage space for the firmware, and 256MB of RAM. Each Deco M5 has a diameter of 4.7 inches or 120 mm and a height of 1.3 inches or 38 mm. There are four internal antennas per unit, two Ethernet ports at 1 Gbps, and the power connector.
TP-Link Deco M5 offers support for all the modern networking standards, including the latest 802.11ac Wave 2. It has a 2x2 MU-MIMO implementation, and it offers a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 400 Mbps for the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps for the 5GHz band. To connect to your smartphone and other mobile devices, TP-Link Deco M5 uses a Bluetooth 4.2 chip.
On the bottom of each Deco M5, you have the Reset jack, the ventilation grids, and four rubber feet, for placing them on flat horizontal surfaces. Unfortunately, they cannot be mounted on walls.
We like the design of each Deco M5 device. The looks are discreet and elegant. You can place them in a modern living room without making it ugly. On the contrary, their pleasant looks are going to be admired by your guests.
If you want to know more about the official specifications of this whole-home WiFi system, go to this page: TP-Link Deco Specs.
Setting up and using the TP-Link Deco M5 whole-home mesh WiFi system
The setup and administration of the TP-Link Deco M5 mesh system are done only using the TP-Link Deco mobile app for Android and iOS. You also need a TP-Link Cloud account, which you can create here or from the app. One downside is the lack of two-factor authentication, to increase the security of your account. We hope that TP-Link will add this security feature in the future. After you register or log in with your TP-Link Cloud account, you can start the setup process. The setup wizard is easy to use, and it starts with choosing the Deco model that you own.
You then get all the necessary setup instructions, and you are asked to set the following elements: the location of the Deco M5 that you are setting up, the details of your internet connection, and the name and the password for the wireless network that it is going to be broadcast.
TP-Link Deco M5 works with the following types of internet connections: Dynamic IP, Static IP, and PPPoE.
Once the first station is set up, you can add the remaining devices. All you have to do is choose where they are placed. The app helps them copy the settings you have made for the first device. One thing to keep in mind is that the discovery of Deco M5 stations is done using Bluetooth. Therefore, you need to keep Bluetooth turned on on your smartphone or tablet. Otherwise, the setup process does not work.
When you are done setting up the TP-Link Deco M5 mesh system, the mobile app automatically checks for firmware updates and, if any are found, it asks you to download and install the latest version. You should perform the update, as newer versions of firmware improve performance, fix stability problems and security vulnerabilities. The firmware updates take some time and involve a restart of all the stations in the mesh system.
Then, you can finally use the TP-Link Deco mobile app to view and configure all settings. On the main screen of the app, you see the list of devices that are connected to the network. You also have a couple of shortcuts and menus. In the bottom-right corner of the screen, there is also a yellow button with four white squares in the middle.
When you tap on it, you get access to all the main features and configuration options. There are not many advanced settings available, and everything can be set up with ease. You can set features like port forwarding, DDNS, LED control, notifications, WPS, QoS, the Parental Controls, the Antivirus, and the operating mode.
All the settings are nicely explained so you should have no issues in setting up the TP-Link Deco M5 mesh WiFi system. We connected about twenty devices to the network, and we enjoyed a stable signal and good speeds in all the rooms of our test apartment. We connected desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart plugs, smart bulbs, an Xbox One console, and a wireless printer. All of them connected to the network without problems. We were also able to share content through the network, without issues.
At the beginning of each month, the TP-Link Deco mobile app offers a report. It includes useful statistics like the devices from your network with the most time spent online, the top internet speed achieved in your network, the number of new devices connected to the network, the malicious attacks blocked, and the internet history of your child if Parental Controls are set up.
One downside that is not going to be appreciated by advanced users is the fact that TP-Link does not offer access to a web administration user interface, as is the case with other mesh systems. This means that you are stuck with only the basic settings offered by the mobile app.
When transferring data through the network, we also looked at the variability of network transfers. Below you can see how a network transfer was made when we used the 5 GHz wireless network, on a laptop, in a room that was separated from the central Deco M5 station by one wall. We got a fast average speed and variability that was slightly higher than that of other mesh systems.
When we moved to a room separated by two walls from the main station, the average speed dropped, and the variability increased a bit. However, the speed never fell close to zero, which is what we expected from this mesh WiFi system.
Similar trends were noticed when using the WiFi on the 2.4 GHz band.
Overall, we are pleased with TP-Link Deco M5 and what it has to offer. We enjoyed how easy it was to set up, how well it worked, how it looks and the features it offers through its mobile app. There are a few negatives, but most users are not going to be affected by them. The only important issue that may raise some eyebrows is the fact that you need to pay for the antivirus service after three years of use. Also, it is not clear how much this service is going to cost after its expiration date.
If you want to know more about the speed of TP-Link Deco M5 v2, how it fared in benchmarks and what extra features it bundles, go to the second page of this review.
