TP-Link’s new mesh router is a reminder that it’s okay to have only Wi-Fi 6

TP-Link has launched a new competitively priced Wi-Fi 6 router that might make you think twice before upgrading to Wi-Fi 6e or Wi-Fi 7. The Deco X55 Pro is a complete home Wi-Fi 6 mesh router system. It’s available now in a three-pack on Amazon and TP-Link Web Store At an introductory discounted launch price of $239.99 (if you use promo code 20DECOX55PRO). Once this promotional offer ends on July 31, the Deco X55 Pro will switch to its standard $299.99 price.

Each node of the three-pack mesh router comes with two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and TP-Link advertises the Deco X55 Pro’s Wi-Fi 6 capabilities that can deliver wireless speeds of up to 3 Gbps and have “AI-powered… Mesh facility. System that is designed to automatically switch between network sources for a better connection.

TP-Link claims the mesh router trio covers up to 6,500 square feet, which should be a large enough Wi-Fi net to cover most homes, helping to eliminate weak signals and dead zones in those areas. Found where less robust systems may have difficulty accessing – such as bathrooms, garages and basements. It can also support more than 150 devices, according to TP-Link, which is more than even some more expensive Wi-Fi systems like the Eero Pro 6e’s advertised 100-plus devices.

It’s a dual-band Wi-Fi system, which means it only supports the common single 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find tri-band systems available at a similar price – for example, the Wi-Fi 6-capable Eero Pro 6 offers an additional 5GHz band, but will still cost you $399 Despite the product being almost three years old. If you want to explore the Wi-Fi 6e, the TP-Link Deco XE75 Tri-Band System is also available for $299, though it’s for two rather than a three-pack of base stations. This will give you a 6GHz band to play with, but the Deco XE75 Duo doesn’t have quite as big a range as this Deco X55 Pro Triple-Pack, and there aren’t many 6GHz-compatible devices available yet.