One of TP-Link mesh wifi 6 products at middle network segment is TPlink deco x90 ax6600 which is still worth it. How this tplink deco x90 vs asus xt8 perform, which one is better value?
In this article:
TP-Link Deco X90
TP-link was successful with its deco x20 and deco x60 as its debut in mesh wifi 6 systems, the products that work at lower network segment. TPlink deco x90 ax6600 was showcased in its website for a while before finally released to the market.
The market had seen the emergence of several AX6000 mesh WiFi products that had become dominant. This includes Orbi RBK750, Velop MX5, and Asus ZenWiFi XT8. With X90 released, this product had the main competitors for asus xt8, orbi rbk750, and linksys velop mx5 series.
Deco x90 Design
In contrast to the previous Deco X60 and X30 series, which had a cylindrical round body, the Deco X90 has a sleeker round cylindrical body with a layered enclosure that adds to its style. Despite its tower form factor, the Deco X90 remains compact with a small footprint. This design enables the antenna to be placed at a higher location, resulting in wider signal coverage and less interference with machine boards that are slightly further apart.
The newer model of this product was the deco x95 series with few features upgrades including wider aggregated bandwidth and more Ethernet ports. The body appearance is exactly the same as deco x90, except that it comes with more Ethernet port interfaces.
Dedicated backhaul
Out of all the Deco series that had been released before Deco x90, only this Deco X90 has been designed with a dedicated backhaul approach. Typically, tri-band mesh WiFi products utilize a dedicated backhaul on one of its two 5GHz radio bands. This is consistent with all the Orbi series, which have three radio bands and always use a dedicated backhaul at 5GHz. Although the previous Deco M9 series was also designed with a tri-band mesh, it used a dynamic backhaul approach instead of a dedicated one. It remains to be seen how the Asus XT8 uses its backhaul link approach.
You’ll find in the wifi 7 technology, the backhaul is using aggregated multi-link radio bands. Check here wifi 7 products Deco BE85, BE95 and also Orbi RBE970 series. The lower models with budget friendly is Deco BE63, see Asus BT6 vs Deco BE63.
Operation mode
If you currently have a wifi network from a wireless gateway (wireless router with built-in modem) such as Motorola MG8725 or perhaps Netgear CAX30 and Motorola MG8702, while you don’t want to buy a new modem, the deco x90 can be connected to the gateway by enabling this deco x90 product to work as a wireless AP instead of wireless router (the default setting).
However, there will be few features that cannot be enabled such as NAT, parental control, and QoS, it’s a shame if you force this device to work as an AP. If so, it’s a good idea to use a wireless AP device such as the Omada series.
If you so, how to enable this deco x90 to work as an AP? Connect the WAN port of the deco to one of the Ethernet LAN ports on the gateway and enter the configuration menu to change the function of the router to AP, because the default is as a wifi router. You don’t to worry either to use straight through or cross through UTP cable because most current Ethernet ports are auto sense type.
AI-Driven Mesh
TP-Link claims that the Deco X90 is equipped with AI-driven mesh technology. This technology utilizes a complex algorithm that enables the X90 to learn all the elements involved in a WiFi network, including user behavior and client quality. This allows the X90 to provide a solid WiFi environment that covers all corners of your home uniquely.
AI technology is widely applied to various smart devices today, including security cameras that can recognize human faces and detect motion by humans and vehicles only. This enables cameras to ignore other motions of night animals such as ferrets or dogs, reducing false alerts.
While the Asus XT8 may not be equipped with this AI technology, it’s possible that they have implemented a complex routing technology for the best route to ensure optimal backhaul. This is one of the AI technology features.
AI-driven Antennas
The TP-Link Deco x90, and also the newer model Deco X95, come designed with the internal antennas with the taste of Artificial Intelligent (AI)-based Technology with its AI-driven Smart antennas.
AI-Driven Smart Antennas on the Deco X90 and X95 refer to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms to optimize the positioning and direction of the device’s antennas. The Deco X90 / X95 utilizes advanced technology to analyze network traffic and identify the location of connected devices. The device then intelligently directs its antennas towards the connected devices to provide the strongest possible signal and optimize overall network performance. This feature helps to eliminate dead zones and improve signal strength and quality, resulting in a more reliable and stable WiFi connection.
The Deco X90 AX6600 is not vastly different from other AX6000 products like the Asus Zenwifi XT8 AX6600. There are only a few minor differences between the two, such as port interfaces and security protection. Let’s take a closer look at how these two products compare technically.
Deco x90 vs Asus xt8
Before the released of the Deco X90, the top-level mesh WiFi 6 product offered by TP-Link was the Deco X60, which competed with the Asus Zenwifi XT8 AX6600. However, they weren’t considered comparable, as the Deco X60 was in the AX3000 network segment. With the released of the Deco X90, the Asus XT8 was comparable, and it may be worth upgrading your existing legacy WiFi AC network at home.
Please refer to table 1 below to better understand the differences between these two products. This hich provides a spec comparison between the Deco X90 and the Asus Zenwifi XT8.
Now let’s see how the specs are compared by using table 1 below.
Backhaul design
Both the Deco X90 and the Asus Zenwifi XT8 are equipped with the same AX6600 tri-band mesh WiFi system, with each radio band having the same bandwidth. The main difference between the two lies in their backhaul approach.
The Deco X90 is designed with a dedicated backhaul, similar to the commonly used Orbi tri-band series. It uses one of its two 5GHz radio bands as a dedicated backhaul, offering 4,800Mbps @5GHz radio band. Additionally, the Deco X90 allows for optional wired Ethernet backhaul.
In contrast, the Asus Zenwifi XT8 offers greater flexibility as it allows you to select which of its two 5GHz radio bands is used as a dedicated backhaul. The XT8 also offers the option of wired Ethernet backhaul. When connecting multiple XT8 nodes, it’s recommended to select the 4,800Mbps @5GHz backhaul for larger bandwidth backhaul.
Wired Backhaul
Wired Ethernet backhaul is a concept common to both the Deco x90 and the Asus xt8 mesh wifi systems. To set up a wired backhaul between two Deco x90 units, you can use a Cat5e or Cat6 UTP cable with RJ45 connection at each end. One end of the cable should be connected to the Deco x90 that’s connected to your modem. And the other end to the Ethernet port of the other Deco. Make sure the cable length is no more than 300ft (100m). 100 m is the maximum length for UTP cable to operate without a signal booster. Once the cable connection is established, the wired backhaul will operate automatically and the wifi backhaul will be disconnected.
It’s worth noting that with the wired backhaul in operation, the wifi backhaul does not function as a connected device connection. Instead, it serves as a backup in case the wired backhaul is disrupted. When the wired backhaul is restored, the wifi backhaul will resume operation, effectively providing a failover system.
Spec comparison table Deco vs Asus
Table 1 TP-Link Deco X90 vs Asus XT8 Zenwifi
| Mesh wifi model | TP Link Deco X90 | Asus XT8 Zenwifi |
| Wifi technology | Simultaneous tri-band ax6600 mesh wifi-6 system with 8-streams (for connected devices) | Simultaneous tri-band ax6600 Mbps wifi 6 with 8-steams |
| Signal rate | 4,804 Mbps on 5 GHz (1) + 1,201 Mbps on 5 GHz (2) + 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz | Up to 574 Mbps @2.4GHz up to 1201 Mbps @ 5GHZ-1 up to 4804 Mbps @ 5GHZ-2 |
| Antennas | 4x high gain antennas + 2 smart antennas | 6x internal antennas |
| Coverage | 6,000 sq ft | 7,000 sq ft / 2-pack |
| Ethernet | 1x 2.5 Gbps port + 1x gigabit port per Deco unit (WAN/LAN auto-sensing) | 1x RJ45 2.5G BaseT for WAN 3x RJ45 Gigabits BaseT for LAN |
| USB port | N/A | 1x USB 3.1 gen 1 |
| Backhaul | Dedicated Wifi backhaul @5GHz with smart antennas Optional wired Ethernet backhaul | Selectable which @5GHz radio band is used as backhaul link or optional wired Ethernet backhaul |
| Security | WPA/WPA2-PSK/WPA3 encryptions TP-link Home Shield | WPA2 supports Free AiProtection Commercial Grade Security & Advanced Parental Controls powered by Trend Micro |
| Processor | 1.5 GHz Quad-Core CPU | 1.5GHz quad core processor with 256MB Flash + 512 MB RAM |
| Price | $175.00 (2-pack) | $347.99 |
Ethernet interfaces
Both products, Deco x90 and Asus xt8 Zenwifi ax6600, come equipped with a 2.5Gbps WAN port. This allow you to connect to high-speed DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems that have multi-gig Ethernet ports. For example, such as Arris Surfboard s33, Netgear CM2000, or Motorola Mb8611.
Security protection
Aside from their technical similarities, both Deco x90 and Asus xt8 Zenwifi ax6600 have built-in security protection software. Deco x90 comes with TP-Link’s basic plan for HomeShield, with an additional cost for the Pro plan. Meanwhile, Asus xt8 offers free business-grade Aiprotection software powered by Trend Micro for network threat protection.
Deco x90 has some additional features such as WPA3 security encryption readiness, but it does not have a USB port, while Asus xt8 does. These minor differences aside, the technical specifications of both products are quite similar.
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Related products
For compact all-in-one wifi 6 routers with built-in cable modem, you may consider budget friendly Arris SBG8300 or Netgear C7800.
If you are a loyal eero products, you may consider the next generation of eero with wifi 7 standards. Check here eero Max 7 that comes with smart home hub.