eero 6+ vs TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack)

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems at a similar price

The TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack) scores 4.6/10 overall, ahead of the eero 6+ at 4.2/10.

The eero 6+ leads on wi-Fi standard and bands and wired ports.

The TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack) leads on software and security, coverage and value.

eero 6+

4.2/10verdict: skip

The eero 6+ is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh router for a home that wants smart home control built into the router. It suits buyers who connect few wired devices and mainly want wireless coverage. It is a weaker fit for anyone who needs several wired ports, network segmentation or free content filtering.

Typically about £139.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack)

4.6/10verdict: skip

The Deco E4 3-pack is for households that want Wi-Fi spread across a large home from three units on a broadband line of modest speed. It suits people who mostly connect over Wi-Fi and have few wired devices. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants gigabit wired ports, Wi-Fi 6 or a built-in VPN server.

Typically about £109 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	eero 6+	TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard and bands	25%	5/10	4/10
Software and security	25%	4/10	5/10
Wired ports	20%	3/10	2/10
Coverage	15%	5/10	7/10
Value	15%	4/10	6/10
Overall		4.2/10	4.6/10

Specifications

Spec	eero 6+	TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), AX3000 rating, 2x2 antenna array	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac/n/a on 5 GHz, 802.11b/g/n on 2.4 GHz)
Bands and speed class	Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, 2x2 on each band, 160 MHz channels on 5 GHz	Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; signal rates 867 Mbps (5 GHz) and 300 Mbps (2.4 GHz)
WAN port	Two auto-sensing gigabit (1 GbE) Ethernet ports for WAN and/or LAN	2 x 10/100 Mbps WAN/LAN ports per unit, auto-sensing
LAN ports	Shared with the WAN ports; the two 1 GbE ports can be used as LAN; no separate LAN port count published	No dedicated LAN port; the two 10/100 Mbps ports on each unit serve as WAN or LAN
Mesh nodes in the box	1 eero 6+ in the single-unit box; 2-pack and 3-pack sold	3
Rated coverage	Up to 1,500 sq ft per router; up to 4,500 sq ft with a 3-pack	Up to 4,000 sq ft for the 3-pack (test-based, not guaranteed)
Security and VPN features	Zigbee, Thread and Matter controller; Alexa support; automatic channel selection	SPI firewall, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK (no WPA3 listed), guest networks on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, parental controls, QoS, port forwarding, VLAN, IPv6; no VPN server listed

Strengths and weaknesses

eero 6+

+ Thread, Zigbee and Matter controller built in
+ 160 MHz channels on 5 GHz
+ Rated for up to 4,500 sq ft with a 3-pack
− Only two gigabit ports, shared between WAN and LAN
− No 6 GHz band; dual-band only
− Content filters and ad blocking need a paid plan

Skip it if:

Homelabbers who need several wired gigabit or multi-gig ports
Admins who need VLANs, guest networks or a VPN server
Buyers who want content filtering without a subscription

Read the full eero 6+ review ›

TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack)

+ Three units rated for up to 4,000 sq ft
+ Guest networks on both bands, plus VLAN and QoS
+ High retailer ratings from owners
− Ethernet ports are 10/100 Mbps only
− Wi-Fi 5 dual-band, with no WPA3 listed
− No VPN server listed

Skip it if:

Buyers with wired NAS, servers or desktops who need gigabit Ethernet
Anyone who wants Wi-Fi 6 or newer for a fast broadband line
Users who need WPA3 or a built-in VPN server

Read the full TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack) review ›

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