TP-Link Deco E4 is an affordable mesh Wi-Fi system offering enhanced coverage and stable connectivity. It is well-suited for households with network plans below 100Mbps. Currently available on Amazon at €74.99 for a 3-pack, it represents excellent value for money.
TP-Link Deco E4 Pros and Cons
TP-Link Deco E4 Design
The TP-Link Deco E4 looks similar to the Deco M4 that we’ve also reviewed, with the tall cylindrical design. Each unit measures 90.7 x 90.7 x 190 mm and feature an LED-status indicator on the top node. If the light annoys you, you can easily turn this LED off, but because it’s so subtly placed, we suggest leaving it on. Unlike the Deco M4, the TP-Link Deco E4 is equipped solely with a Fast Ethernet port. Despite its AC1200 rating, the Ethernet port’s limitations cap the maximum WiFi speed at 100Mbps. Consequently, I would only recommend this model for users with network connections of 100Mbps or slower.
1x WAN port and 1x LAN port behind the Deco E4 (100 Mbit each). A power socket is situated at the bottom, featuring a small clip to secure the power cord. It looks clean and sexy overall. It’s also very heavy for a budget router. This weight helps prevent the device from toppling over if your Ethernet cable is rigid. There is no physical WPS button.
TP-Link Deco E4 Feature
- Deco E4 three-pack delivers Wi-Fi to an area of up to 4,000 square feet (EU version). And if that’s not enough, simply add more Decos to the network anytime to increase coverage.
- Provides fast and stable connections with speeds of up to 1167 Mbps and works with all internet service provider (ISP) and modem
- Provides lag-free connections for up to 100 devices and devices can automatically switch between Decos for the fastest possible speeds
- Compatible with Amazon Echo/Alexa: Control your home network using voice commands and more fun to use different apps and devices
- Parental Controls – to ensure a safe Internet experience for your child, you can restrict access to certain web sites based on a pre-defined profile created by you for each child.
- Simplified setup process allowing you to enjoy more stable wifi connections in a few minutes.
TP-Link Deco E4 Specifications
Brand | TP-Link |
Model name | Deco E4(3-pack) |
Special feature | Alexa Compatible, Parental Control |
Frequency band class | Dual-Band |
Standards and Protocols | Wi-Fi 5 IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz |
WiFi Speeds | AC1200 5 GHz: 867 Mbps (802.11ac) 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps (802.11n) |
WiFi Range | 3-4 Bedroom Houses (3-pack) |
Ethernet Ports | 2× 10/100 Mbps Ports |
Dimensions (W×D×H) | 3.6 × 3.6 × 7.5 in (90.7 × 90.7 × 190 mm) |
Compatible devices | Gaming Console, Personal Computer, Security Camera, Smart Television, Smart Thermostat, Smartphone, TabletGaming Console, Personal Computer, Security Camera, Smart Television, Smart Thermostat, Smartphone, Tablet |
Package Content | Deco E4 (3-pack) 3 Deco E4 Units 1 RJ45 Ethernet Cable 3 Power Adapters Quick Installation Guide |
TP-Link Deco E4 Performance
The TP-Link Deco E4 is a Fast Ethernet device, which means it’s more about coverage than speed. I ran the Speedtest. net app on iPhone X supporting Wireless AC1200.
To get a better sense of the Deco E4′s performance, I tested (four times) in four different places: A (next to Deco E4, ~10 feet), B (dining room), C (kitchen), and D (bedroom). Not surprisingly, the Deco E4 maxed out at 100Mbps, meaning it was only a good choice for those with internet connections that are slower than 100Mbps. I believe the Deco E4 is ideal for VDSL users or those on slower broadband plans who desire a Mesh WiFi system for enhanced coverage and a superior WiFi experience.
TP-Link Deco E4 Fireware
The sole method for controlling the TP-Link Deco E4 is via the TP-Link Deco App. All Deco devices connect to your TP-Link ID via the cloud, enabling network management even when you’re not at home. The app functions well, and we encountered no issues during use. You can view all connected devices and even monitor their current speeds.
And on the feature side of things, the Deco E4 is pretty barebones as an entry-level model. That said, it does have some useful networking features, such as port forwarding, DDNS and address reservation. It also has guest WiFi and blacklist feature. I’d love to see TP-Link include a network map in here; it would be super handy for the average user.
A highlight is the parental control, which provides an option for fine-grained blocking. We can decide the access level of each user. Except unlike TP-Link’s built-in Homecare parental controls, it doesn’t work on HTTPS-encrypted sites. It also provides a basic Quality of Service (QoS) function, allowing you to prioritise specific clients for faster access.