In depth
At a glance
The TP-Link Deco X55 is still a useful mesh option when reliable coverage matters more than the newest wireless standard. It combines dual-band Wi-Fi 6 with three Ethernet connections on each small unit, giving you some flexibility to connect nearby devices or wire the nodes together.
Its limitations are clear: there is no 6 GHz band, and every Ethernet port is Gigabit. The X55 suits an ordinary home network much better than one built around multi-gigabit broadband or very fast local storage.
Each X55 is a short white cylinder with internal antennas, making it relatively easy to place on a shelf or side table. Leave its ventilation clear and allow room for power and Ethernet cables. A well-positioned node is more useful than one hidden where a weak signal can barely reach it.
The same unit can serve as the main router or an added node. A single X55 can start a network or expand a compatible Deco system; larger packs give you more placement options. Match the pack to the layout rather than assuming three nodes are always better than two.
The X55’s 5 GHz radio can use a 160 MHz channel with compatible clients and available channels. That gives it more potential bandwidth than an 80 MHz-only connection, but devices limited to 80 MHz do not receive that benefit. Its AX3000 rating combines separate radio ceilings rather than describing one device’s download speed.
HighSpeedInternet.com’s published tests of a three-unit kit used an iPhone 12 Pro Max and a local server. The phone reached 739 Mb/s two feet from the main unit and 373 Mb/s at a third node in the dining room, across several rooms.1 Those results describe that layout and an 80 MHz Wi-Fi 6 client; they are not a guarantee for every node position.
There is no third radio band reserved for links between nodes. Wireless backhaul shares the two available bands with connected devices, making placement and the traffic passing through each node important. For a home with Ethernet already installed, a wired link can remove much of that dependence on the wireless path.
The ports automatically take WAN or LAN roles. The main unit uses one for the Internet connection, leaving two for local devices or connections to other nodes. A satellite connected wirelessly can use all three for nearby equipment; a wired backhaul connection consumes one of them.
All of those links are Gigabit. Paying for faster broadband or attaching a 2.5-gigabit NAS does not change the X55’s port limit. There is also no USB port for a shared drive, so network storage needs its own Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection.
The third port is a useful difference from the earlier Deco X20, which has two per unit. The X55 also offers a higher advertised 5 GHz rate, with 160 MHz support. Those are practical reasons to consider it when expanding a basic network, although an X20 installation that already meets your needs does not need replacement simply for a larger wireless rating.
Setup requires the Deco app and a TP-Link account. The app groups the network’s nodes and clients together, which is convenient for routine household management. The X55 also has supported browser-management functions, although their scope depends on firmware and they do not remove the app requirement for initial setup.
HomeShield combines included basic features with paid options for advanced security and parental controls. Check the current service details if a particular time limit or protection feature is essential, rather than relying on an older review’s plan description.
Software support has changed since the X55’s earliest reviews. Current specifications document VPN client and server functions for OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP/IPsec, and V1.6 firmware also documents WireGuard. Check the hardware label and install the corresponding firmware if a specific protocol matters to your setup.
The X55 can act as the household router or supply Wi-Fi as an access point behind an existing router. Compatible Deco models can be added to the same managed network, so expansion does not have to mean buying another identical pack.
Each node keeps its own hardware limits. A newer main unit does not give an X55 a 6 GHz radio or faster Ethernet. Archer EasyMesh devices also belong to a separate mesh family, even though they share the TP-Link brand.
The Deco BE63 is more useful if you need 6 GHz Wi-Fi 7 or multiple 2.5-gigabit connections at each location. Its extra capabilities justify consideration when the devices and broadband service can use them; they bring less value to a modest Gigabit network with older clients.
Before replacing a working Deco system, consider whether repositioning a node or adding Ethernet backhaul would solve the problem. If your existing X20 units are adequate and you only need another location covered, compatible expansion may make more sense than discarding the entire setup.
The Deco X55 is a sensible choice for extending everyday Wi-Fi through a home that is staying within Gigabit networking. I would particularly consider it where Ethernet can link the nodes, leaving wireless capacity for devices. For faster wired connections or 6 GHz clients, choose a system that supplies those features directly.
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Independent sources cited in this article.
Three-node tests reported on the February 2025 page using an iPhone 12 Pro Max, an 80 MHz Wi-Fi 6 client, and a local server. Main-node and dining-room satellite paths differ. The original test date, hardware revision and firmware were not established.