TP-Link Deco S4 3-pack allows you to enjoy seamless roaming throughout the house, with a single network name and password. With advanced Deco Mesh Technology, units work together to form a unified network with a single network name. Devices automatically switch between Decos as you move through your home for the fastest possible speeds. Deco Mesh technology gives you a better WiFi experience in all directions with faster WiFi speeds and strong WiFi signal to cover your whole home. Get everything you need to know in TP-Link Deco S4 3-pack review.
Specifications – TP-Link Deco S4 3-pack
| POWER | |
|---|---|
| AC adapter input | 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 0.4A |
| AC adapter output | 12V ⎓ 1.5A |
| HARDWARE FEATURES | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm CPU |
| Interface | 2 Gigabit Ethernet Ports (WAN/LAN auto-sensing) per Deco unit |
| Button | 1 Reset button on the underside |
| External Power Supply | 12 V/1.5 A |
| Dimensions | Φ3.6 in. x 6.4 in. (Φ90.7 mm x 162.3 mm) |
| Antenna Type | 2 internal dual-band antennas per Deco unit |
| WIRELESS FEATURES | |
|---|---|
| Wireless Standards | IEEE 802.11 ac/n/a 5 GHz, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz |
| Frequency | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz |
| Signal Rate | 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz 867 Mbps on 5 GHz |
| Transmit Power | FCC: <30 dBm |
| Wireless Security | WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK |
| Advanced Functions | ● Router/ Access Point Mode ● Optional Ethernet Backhaul ● Guest network ● TP-Link Mesh Technology: MU-MIMO Auto Path Selection Self-Healing AP Steering Band Steering Beamforming |
| SOFTWARE FEATURES | |
|---|---|
| Quality of Service | WMM |
| IPv6 | Support |
| WAN Type | Dynamic IP/Static IP/PPPoE/L2TP/PPTP |
| Management | Local Management, Remote Management |
| DHCP | Server, Client |
| Port Forwarding | Support |
| Access Control | Blacklist |
| Firewall Security | SPI Firewall |
| Protocols | Supports IPv4 and IPv6 |
| Advanced Features | Parental Controls Quality of Service |
| Advanced Functions | Monthly Reports Cloud FW Update Expand WiFi by adding more Deco units |
| Guest Network | 2.4 GHz guest network x 1 5 GHz guest network x 1 |
| Beamforming | Support |
| APP | Easy setup via Deco App |
| OTHERS | |
|---|---|
| Certification | FCC, RoHS |
| Package Contents | ● Deco S4 (3-pack): 3 Deco S4R units 1 RJ45 Ethernet Cable 3 power adapters 1 quick installation guide |
| Smartphone/Tablet Requirements | iOS 9.0 or later, Android 4.4 or later |
| Environment | Operating Temperature: 0℃~40℃ (32℉~104℉) Storage Temperature: -40℃~70℃ (-40℉~158℉) Operating Humidity: 10%~90% non-condensing Storage Humidity: 5%~90% non-condensing |
Compare TP-Link Deco S4 vs Deco X20 vs Deco X60
| Deco S4(3-pack) | Deco X20(3-pack) | Deco X60(3-pack) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band Type | Dual-band | Dual-band | Dual-band |
| Speed | AC1200: 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz; 867 Mbps on 5 GHz | AX1800: 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz; 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz | AX3000: 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz; 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz |
| Ports (Supports IPv4 and IPv6) | 2*Gigabit Ethernet Ports (WAN/LAN auto-sensing) per Deco unit | 2*Gigabit Ethernet Ports (WAN/LAN auto-sensing) per Deco unit | 2*Gigabit Ethernet Ports (WAN/LAN auto-sensing) per Deco unit |
| 3-Year Free Built-In Antivirus & HomeCare | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Robust Parent Controls & QoS | Robust Parent Controls & QoS | Robust Parent Controls & QoS | Robust Parent Controls & QoS |
| Works with Alexa | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Work with All Deco Models | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HD Streaming and Online Gaming | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Key features – TP-Link Deco S4 3-pack (review)
TP-Link Mesh: With advanced Deco Mesh Technology, units work together to form a unified network with a single network name. Devices automatically switch between Decos as you move through your home for the fastest possible speeds.
Whole Home Coverage: Deco uses a system of units to achieve seamless whole-home Wi-Fi coverage up to 3,800 sq.ft.†— eliminate weak signal areas once and for all! And if that’s not enough, simply add more Decos to the network anytime to increase coverage.
Connect More Devices: Deco can handle traffic from even the busiest of networks, providing lag-free connections for up to 75 devices†.
Fast Dual-Band WiFi: Deco S4 provides fast and stable connections with speeds of up to 1167 Mbps† and works with all internet service providers (ISP) and modems.
Easy Setup: Setup is easier than ever with the Deco app there to walk you through every step.
Parental Controls: Parental Controls limit online time and block inappropriate websites according to unique profiles created for each family member.
How does this work when it is in access point mode? Do they have to be wired into the main modem?
Yes, in access point mode you wire them via Ethernet cable to your main modem. This is different than using it as a true mesh system where the individual units transfer data wirelessly from one to the other back to the modem. I set mine up as access points, one on each floor of my three story home. I had single Ethernet drops on each floor from my AT&T main router so it was relatively easy. Like most isp providers, the unit from AT&T is a combination modem/router, so I turned off the wireless capability on it so it wouldn’t interfere with the Deco units. The primarily advantage of this setup is wired backhaul, which is generally faster than the wireless backhaul when used as a mesh system. Obviously the disadvantage is the need to have the Ethernet cables in place to support it. In my case coverage and speed have improved greatly. Wish I had done it years ago.
When you add a new device to the WiFi network which password do you use (mesh or WiFi password)
You use the mesh password. This doesn’t preclude you from logging in to the provider’s wifi router, but for simplicity’s sake you should use the mesh network as your primary connection. The mesh network essentially extends the wifi connection as if you had a long, long ethernet cable from your internet router. The mesh network also assigns its own dynamic IPs, so you would also want to re-configure any wifi printing devices, televisions, etc. to connect to the mesh network, so that everything is on the same network SSID.
TP-Link Deco S4 3-pack customer review
Big Google Fan here, but…
I debated between this and Google’s WIFI, and overall it came down to cost. The TP-Link is almost $90 Cheaper (At my time of Purchase) then Google’s WIFI.
Layout:
– I have a 2500 Square Foot Home
– 3 Floors
– Verizon FIOS at one end of the house and bad internet at the back end.
– How I set it up, you need to connect one to your main router (Pictured, Note: Once all is connected, you will want to disable your Routers internal WIFI, there is a such thing as too much WIFI)
– Then I hooked one up down in the basement and connected it directly to the PS4 (The PS4 non-pro model only supports a 2.4GHz signal, so hooking this up directly to it with a WAN make it like it’s god a 5GHz LAN Connection)
– The last one I hooked up in the Master Bedroom.
– Overall I made a Triangle of WIFI.
Setup:
– Setup overall was simple, plugged the main unit into my Router Directly.
– Downloaded the TP-Link app, and took under a minute for it to detect.
– You need to sign up for TP-Link account
– It created a secondary Network, so most routers do 192.168.1.1. This will make another which you can change. This is important to know because if you are using any devices with a Static address (Like a Network / Wireless Printer or even a Home Desktop, you IP Scheme is going to change)
– Also and VERY important, if you leave it create the 2nd VLAN, for Alot of at home devices it won’t matter, but if you Work from Home and you need to connect thru VPN, your VPN will no longer work. Why you ask, this network you’ve create is now a “Double-NAT”. VPN will not work through this type of setup, so you need to create “Flat Network” if you use and need VPN for work.
Performance:
– We have 4 Kids, and like 25 overall devices and I notice blazing speeds no matter the scenario of who was using what.
– the pS4 is the biggest factor, so if there is say a 15GB Game Download or Update, it would have normally have told us it could take several hours to download (Again, PS4 only supports 2.4GHz unless you bought the PSPro). Now with it getting 5GHz and a Direct LAN / Cable connection, my test went from 5-6 hours to 12 – 15 minutes for this large file.
Bad:
The biggest pain for me in this was well, ALEXA! This has NOTHING to do with the performance of the TP-Link at all. We have 6 Alexa Speakers and a few smart Plugs. There is no way in the Alexa app to mass change the WIFI Network or Password, you need to basically go around to each device and almost set them up like they are new. The Speakers set back up pretty easily, but the plugs, the app treated them as new Plugs, not existing and I needed to re-do all our Alexa Routines.
Overall:
I would highly recommend this Mesh WIFI for a home, but like me, if you have some smart home devices (Alexa, Security Cameras, Nest Thermostat), just be prepared to redo all those devices as if they just came out of the box.
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