What To Know
- Both the Deco HC4 and the Deco M4 feature a sleek and modern design that will blend seamlessly into any home décor.
- The HC4 is typically priced at around $150 for a two-pack, while the M4 is typically priced at around $100 for a two-pack.
- If you’re on a budget, the Deco M4 is a great option that still offers excellent performance and coverage.
In today’s digital world, a reliable and fast internet connection is essential for every home. With the increasing number of connected devices and the growing popularity of streaming media, traditional routers often struggle to provide adequate coverage and performance. That’s where whole-home mesh Wi-Fi systems come in. TP-Link, a leading manufacturer of networking equipment, offers two popular mesh Wi-Fi systems: the Deco HC4 and the Deco M4. In this blog post, we will compare these two systems to help you decide which one is right for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
Both the Deco HC4 and the Deco M4 feature a sleek and modern design that will blend seamlessly into any home décor. The HC4 has a slightly larger and more angular design, while the M4 is smaller and more rounded. Both systems come in a white finish and have LED indicators on the top that provide information about the system’s status.
Performance
The Deco HC4 and the Deco M4 offer similar performance in terms of speed and range. Both systems use the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, which provides speeds up to 1.8 Gbps on the 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. The HC4 has a slightly higher maximum speed of 2.4 Gbps on the 5 GHz band, but this is unlikely to make a noticeable difference in real-world usage.
In terms of range, both systems provide coverage of up to 5,500 square feet. However, the HC4 has a slightly better range due to its use of a more powerful amplifier.
Features
The Deco HC4 and the Deco M4 offer a similar range of features. Both systems support the latest security protocols, including WPA2 and WPA3, and they both offer parental controls to help you manage your children’s internet usage.
The HC4 has a few additional features that the M4 does not. These features include:
- SmartConnect: This feature automatically connects your devices to the best available band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) to ensure the fastest possible speeds.
- Adaptive Routing: This feature automatically optimizes the network traffic to ensure the best possible performance.
- VPN support: This feature allows you to connect to a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your privacy and security online.
Setup and Management
Both the Deco HC4 and the Deco M4 are easy to set up and manage. The systems come with a mobile app that guides you through the setup process. Once the systems are set up, you can manage them through the app or the web interface.
Pricing
The Deco HC4 is more expensive than the Deco M4. The HC4 is typically priced at around $150 for a two-pack, while the M4 is typically priced at around $100 for a two-pack.
Which One Should You Choose?
The Deco HC4 and the Deco M4 are both excellent whole-home mesh Wi-Fi systems. The HC4 offers a few additional features than the M4, but it is also more expensive. If you need the best possible performance and features, the HC4 is the better choice. If you’re on a budget, the M4 is a great option that still offers excellent performance and coverage.
Questions You May Have
1. What is the difference between the Deco HC4 and the Deco M4?
The Deco HC4 is a more powerful and feature-rich system than the Deco M4. The HC4 offers slightly faster speeds, a slightly better range, and a few additional features, such as SmartConnect, Adaptive Routing, and VPN support.
2. Which system is right for me?
If you need the best possible performance and features, the Deco HC4 is the better choice. If you’re on a budget, the Deco M4 is a great option that still offers excellent performance and coverage.
3. How do I set up the Deco HC4 or M4?
Setting up the Deco HC4 or M4 is easy. Simply download the Deco app, follow the instructions in the app, and you’ll be up and running in no time.
