GL.iNet Flint 2 GL-MT6000 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 GL.iNet Flint 2 GL-MT6000 scores 6.7/10 overall, ahead of the TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack) at 4.6/10.

The GL.iNet Flint 2 GL-MT6000 leads on wi-Fi standard and bands, software and security, wired ports and value.

The TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack) leads on coverage.

The biggest difference is wired ports, where the GL.iNet Flint 2 GL-MT6000 scores 8/10 to the TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack)'s 2/10.

GL.iNet Flint 2 GL-MT6000

6.7/10verdict: buy

The Flint 2 is for homelabbers and sysadmins who want a configurable single router with fast VPN throughput. It suits people who are comfortable with OpenWrt-style settings and want 2.5G wired ports. Beginners and anyone covering a large or multi-storey home with one unit should read the owner feedback first.

Typically about £152.99 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	GL.iNet Flint 2 GL-MT6000	TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard and bands	25%	6/10	4/10
Software and security	25%	7/10	5/10
Wired ports	20%	8/10	2/10
Coverage	15%	5/10	7/10
Value	15%	7/10	6/10
Overall		6.7/10	4.6/10

Specifications

Spec	GL.iNet Flint 2 GL-MT6000	TP-Link Deco E4 (3-pack)
Wi-Fi standard	IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6)	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac/n/a on 5 GHz, 802.11b/g/n on 2.4 GHz)
Bands and speed class	Dual-band: 1148Mbps (2.4GHz), 4804Mbps (5GHz)	Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; signal rates 867 Mbps (5 GHz) and 300 Mbps (2.4 GHz)
WAN port	1 x WAN (2.5G), 1 x WAN/LAN (2.5G)	2 x 10/100 Mbps WAN/LAN ports per unit, auto-sensing
LAN ports	4 x LAN (1G), plus one flexible 2.5G WAN/LAN port	No dedicated LAN port; the two 10/100 Mbps ports on each unit serve as WAN or LAN
Mesh nodes in the box	1 router, 0 mesh nodes	3
Rated coverage	not listed	Up to 4,000 sq ft for the 3-pack (test-based, not guaranteed)
Security and VPN features	not listed	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

GL.iNet Flint 2 GL-MT6000

+ Two 2.5G ports, one WAN and one flexible WAN/LAN
+ WireGuard rated up to 900Mbps; can also act as a VPN server
+ Owners report quiet running and draw of around 13 to 16 watts
− Owners describe a steep learning curve for beginners
− Runs warm under high WireGuard load, with no passive cooling
− Single unit with no mesh nodes; patchy coverage in multi-storey homes

Skip it if:

Beginners who want a simple app-led setup
Owners of large or multi-storey homes needing several mesh nodes
Buyers who want Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 with a 6GHz band

Read the full GL.iNet Flint 2 GL-MT6000 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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