TP-Link Deco S4 3-pack review – does it support online gaming?

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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.

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TP-Link Deco S4 3-pack review – does it support online gaming?
TP-Link Deco S4 3-pack review – does it support online gaming?

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Specifications – TP-Link Deco S4 3-pack

POWER
AC adapter input100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 0.4A
AC adapter output12V ⎓ 1.5A
HARDWARE FEATURES
ProcessorQualcomm CPU
Interface2 Gigabit Ethernet Ports (WAN/LAN auto-sensing) per Deco unit
Button1 Reset button on the underside
External Power Supply12 V/1.5 A
DimensionsΦ3.6 in. x 6.4 in. (Φ90.7 mm x 162.3 mm)
Antenna Type2 internal dual-band antennas per Deco unit
WIRELESS FEATURES
Wireless StandardsIEEE 802.11 ac/n/a 5 GHz, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz
Frequency2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
Signal Rate300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz
867 Mbps on 5 GHz
Transmit PowerFCC: <30 dBm
Wireless SecurityWPA-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 ServiceWMM
IPv6Support
WAN TypeDynamic IP/Static IP/PPPoE/L2TP/PPTP
ManagementLocal Management, Remote Management
DHCPServer, Client
Port ForwardingSupport
Access ControlBlacklist
Firewall SecuritySPI Firewall
ProtocolsSupports IPv4 and IPv6
Advanced FeaturesParental Controls
Quality of Service
Advanced FunctionsMonthly Reports
Cloud FW Update
Expand WiFi by adding more Deco units
Guest Network2.4 GHz guest network x 1
5 GHz guest network x 1
BeamformingSupport
APPEasy setup via Deco App
OTHERS
CertificationFCC, RoHS
Package Contents● Deco S4 (3-pack):
3 Deco S4R units
1 RJ45 Ethernet Cable
3 power adapters
1 quick installation guide
Smartphone/Tablet RequirementsiOS 9.0 or later, Android 4.4 or later
EnvironmentOperating 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 TypeDual-bandDual-bandDual-band
SpeedAC1200: 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz; 867 Mbps on 5 GHzAX1800: 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz; 1201 Mbps on 5 GHzAX3000: 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 unit2*Gigabit Ethernet Ports (WAN/LAN auto-sensing) per Deco unit2*Gigabit Ethernet Ports (WAN/LAN auto-sensing) per Deco unit
3-Year Free Built-In Antivirus & HomeCare
Robust Parent Controls & QoSRobust Parent Controls & QoSRobust Parent Controls & QoSRobust 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.

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