pros and cons

Pros

• Outstanding Wi-Fi 7 coverage
• Blazing fast wireless speeds
• Easy setup

Cons

• It’s expensive
• The nodes are massive
• Some features are locked behind a subscription

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Last year, I moved from a one-bedroom apartment to a three-story condominium and quickly learned my old Wi-Fi setup wasn’t going to cut it: the wireless signals were struggling to cover every floor equally. At my ISP tech’s recommendation, I picked up a mesh system to combat the issue, specifically the TP-Link Deco BE25. It worked — I immediately saw faster, more reliable connections across a wider coverage area.

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So, when I got the chance to review the TP-Link Deco BE77 system, I jumped at the opportunity. On paper, this is a more powerful version of the mesh routers I already use, so after a few weeks of testing, it became clear that the Deco 7 Pro is superior in nearly every way. 

It’s a premium system best suited for large homes, big families with lots of devices, and anyone who wants the most reliable wireless connection possible.

Large and in charge

The TP-Link Deco 7 Pro comes with either two or three nodes. They have a tall, cylindrical design that’s 7.80 x 4.65 x 4.65 inches. Because of the size, you might have difficulty finding a comfortable spot for them; they’re not as stout as the Deco BE25. Fortunately, I was still able to find suitable spots around my condo for all three.

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Each unit is finished in a bright white and has a stylized “7” on the front, boldly highlighting its Wi-Fi 7 support. Along the bottom is a multicolor LED that displays the node’s status. Solid green, for example, means the connection is stable, while a pulsing red indicates the unit has lost its link to the router. 

Up top is a ventilation grill. These nodes have robust hardware (the details of which I’ll get into later), and they can get a little warm. Never hot enough to cause concern, though I do recommend placing the nodes in a well-ventilated area.

Around the back is a generous selection of ports. Each node includes three Ethernet ports with different speed ratings. There’s a standard 1Gbps port, a faster 2.5Gbps port perfect for gaming or NAS storage, and a 10Gbps RJ45/SFP+ combo input. 

That last one is unique because it consists of two standardized ports. One is for traditional Ethernet cables, while the other is for fiber optic cables. This port is useful for advanced home networks or small business environments.

Plug and play

Installation is incredibly easy. All you really need is a few minutes. Start by installing the Deco app on your phone, creating a TP-Link profile, and then starting a new network. 

From there, plug in a node, wait for the LED to start blinking blue, connect it to your modem, create a name and password, and the app handles the rest. Setup is even simpler if you already own other TP-Link products.

Instead of building a network from scratch, I tapped the Plus icon in the app, selected the new node, and followed the on-screen instructions. The Deco app walks you through placement and automatically links to the existing system.

During testing, the main Deco 7 Pro node suddenly lost its connection to my modem. I don’t know what happened. Everything looked fine in the app. Thankfully, TP-Link lets you mix and match models. I was able to connect my old Deco BE25 node to the modem and reconnect the Deco 7 Pro to the network without any hassle. So if you like, you can combine the older products with the new line to create a massive wireless network.

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The Deco app offers a wide range of tools for managing networks. Users get parental controls, guest networking, and device isolation for smart home products, among others. One feature I very much enjoyed was Network Optimization, which analyzes the wireless environment for interference. If the software detects a problem, you can instantly optimize network settings to improve signal strength.

Blazing speeds

Now, how does the TP-Link Deco 7 Pro hold up in real-world testing? Simply put, it’s fast. Each node houses six 6 GHz omnidirectional antennas that radiate signals in all directions, nine front-end modules to boost signal strength, and two RIFCs (radiation frequency integrated circuits) to ensure lightning-fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds.

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To see what the TP-Link Deco 7 Pro could do, I ran multiple speed tests using Ookla and the Deco app’s built-in speed test tool. As you can see in the table, the node supports incredibly high download speeds, allowing me to reach the peak of my internet connection. A 375 Mbps Ookla score is a significant drop, but it’s still fast. That’s enough speed to simultaneously stream 4K content, play online, and work remotely without issue.

A big part of what enables those speeds is the three Wi-Fi bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. I primarily used the combined 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and enjoyed consistent connections with no drop in quality. For most homes, this band will be enough. However, if it ever becomes congested, the 6 GHz band provides plenty of bandwidth. The mesh system supports up to 200 devices at once.

Coverage is another standout. With all three nodes deployed, the system blankets up to 8,500 square feet. I was able to enjoy a strong, stable connection standing 100 feet away outside my house. That’s not something you can get with a typical stock router.

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Another key feature is Seamless AI Roaming. As you move through your home, the nodes automatically track your device and switch it to the closest connection point, keeping you online without interruption.

ZDNET’s buying advice

TP-Link Deco 7 Pro is a premium mesh system, and the price tag reflects that. On Amazon, the two-pack Deco 7 Pro normally retails for $550, but you can apply a $50 coupon to lower the price. The three-pack is more expensive, currently priced at $700. If you’re willing to invest in a top-notch wireless network, the Deco 7 Pro is worth the entry price. 

Keep in mind that if you want every single feature, you will have to pay extra for a subscription that unlocks them. The Total Security Package, for instance, typically costs $130 a year and includes antivirus, a VPN, and new-device alerts.