TP-link offered new Deco X50-poe, ax3000 mesh wifi 6 system with simplified POE connection. How good this deco x50-poe compared with Orbi.
In this article:
- What this Deco X5-POE does
- Deco X55 vs Deco X50-POE
- Advantages of Deco with POE port
- Deco X50-POE vs Orbi
- Spec comparison table Deco POE vs Orbi
Deco X50-POE
With the emerging of wifi7 products, wifi6 products are still worth considering, particularly the ones with specific feature.
TP-Link offered various models of wifi 6 products including the deco series, ranging from its debut with its deco x20, deco x60, and followed by richer feature series with its AI-based driven mesh technology for unique networking environment based on your home environment. These AI-driven mesh technology series includes newer Deco x90, deco x95, deco xe75 wifi6e, and also deco xe200 with latest wifi 6e technology.
Let’s discuss this deco x50-poe and its previous version deco x55, and then later compare this poe model with other competing model offered by Netgear Orbi.
Deco X55 vs Deco X50-POE
Previously TP-Link introduced Deco X55 ax3000 mesh wifi 6 which typically sold in three deco x55 packs. The Deco X55 features a compact and sleek design. Each unit has a minimalist appearance, with a cylindrical shape and a clean white finish and black on the top body. The compact size allows for easy placement and blending into any environment.
On the other hand, deco x50-poe offers sleek, compact, but wider footprint than deco x55, and easy placement and installation you can mount on the ceiling, on the wall without worrying clutter of power outlets, or you can mount it on top of the table or book shelf.
Advantages of Deco with POE port
Having Power over Ethernet (PoE) connectivity in the TP-Link Deco X50-PoE offers several benefits compared to the Deco X55 without PoE. Please note that TP-Link will soon release its wifi7 based mesh POE product: the Deco BE65-poe.
POE-based Advantages
So what what are the advantages of POE-based mesh system? Here are some advantages of having PoE-based products including this Deco X50-poe.
Simplified Installation:
PoE eliminates the need for separate power adapters for each Deco unit. With PoE, you can power the Deco X50-PoE directly through an Ethernet cable, making installation easier and more streamlined. It reduces cable clutter and simplifies the setup process.
Flexible Placement Options:
With PoE, you have greater flexibility in placing the Deco units since they don’t need to be located near power outlets. You can strategically position the Deco X50-PoE units in optimal locations for better WiFi coverage without being limited by the availability of power sockets.
Centralized Power Management:
PoE allows for centralized power management. You can use a PoE switch or PoE injector to power multiple Deco X50-PoE units from a single power source, simplifying power management and reducing the number of required power outlets.
Reliable Power Supply:
PoE provides a reliable power supply to the Deco X50-PoE units. Since power is delivered over Ethernet cables, you don’t have to worry about power interruptions due to lose power connections or individual power adapter failures.
Scalability:
PoE simplifies scalability and expansion of your mesh WiFi network. It enables easy addition of new Deco units without the need for additional power infrastructure, making it convenient to extend your WiFi coverage as needed.
The inclusion of PoE connectivity in the TP-Link Deco X50-PoE offers convenience, flexibility, and scalability benefits, making it an attractive option for users who prefer a streamlined installation process, centralized power management, and more placement options.
Take a look at the comparison table (Table 1) below, which illustrates the specifications of the Deco X55 and Deco X50-PoE. Both models offer almost identical specs, with only a couple of differences worth noting.
Ethernet Ports
The first distinction lies in the Ethernet ports. The Deco X50-PoE features a multi-gig 2.5Gbps Ethernet port that can serve as a WAN connection. This enables you to connect to a cable modem with a 2.5Gbps port like the Arris Surfboard S33 or the Netgear CM2000 DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem. Alternatively, if a 1Gbps internet speed meets your requirements, you can utilize the 2.5Gbps port. This is for a high-speed connection to a 2.5Gbps-capable NAS device, such as the QNAP TS-932PX-4G High-Speed NAS that comes with Two 10GbE and 2.5GbE Ports.
One notable advantage of the Deco X50-PoE is its support for Power over Ethernet (PoE) on each Ethernet port, which the Deco X55 lacks. On the other hand, the Deco X55 provides three gigabit Ethernet ports, which proves advantageous when configuring the three-pack kits in a star backhaul topology, as you can establish wired Ethernet backhaul without the need for an additional switch.
Support POE
Considering the Deco X50-PoE, having two ports is sufficient as you can connect each Deco unit to a PoE switch using UTP cables to simultaneously transfer data and supply power.
The remaining technical specifications remain consistent between the two models, offering the same WiFi technology that delivers dual-band AX3000 capability. This ensures backward compatibility with legacy devices, including USB adapters.
Spec comparison table Deco POE
Both Deco series models can function as either a wireless router or a wireless access point. The Deco X50-PoE is particularly well-suited for use as a wireless access point. Its POE support allows for flexible installation, making it convenient to set up in locations where power outlets may not be readily available.
Table 1 Deco X55 vs Deco X50-poe
| Deco ax3000 series | Deco X50-POE | Deco X55 |
| Mesh wifi ax3000 | Yes | Yes |
| Signal rates (2402Mbps @5GHz + 574Mbps @2.4GHz) | Yes | Yes |
| Auto sensing WAN/LAN Ethernet Ports | 1x 2.5Gbps port 1x 1.0Gbps port | 3x 1.0Gbps Ports |
| Coverage | 6,500 sq ft / 3-pack up to 150 devices | 6,500 sq ft up to 150 devices / 3-pack |
| Power | 802.3at PoE 12V DC with DC adapter | 12V DC with DC adapter |
| Router Mode / Access Point Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $229.99 | $139.99 |
The deco x50-poe is tagged with more expensive than standard deco x55. Please remember that prices are always fluctuated over time.
Now, let’s take this POE version of Deco series and compare it with one of popular Orbi series.
Deco X50-POE vs Orbi
Like TP-link, Netgear offers various models of Orbi series ranging from entry level up to ultimate Orbi Rbke963 axe11000 wifi 6e series. To make the comparison fair enough, we take Orbi rbk752 as the competitor for deco. See also the gateway model: Orbi CBK752 which comes with built-in DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem.
Refer to the comparison table (Table 2) below, which highlights the specifications of both Deco and Orbi systems. It’s important to note that Orbi distinguishes between the router and satellite units, clearly identifying their roles within the system.
In the case of Orbi RBK753, the package includes one Orbi router and two Orbi satellites. The router unit features one Gigabit WAN port and two Gigabit LAN ports, while the satellite units are equipped with two Gigabit LAN ports.
Wifi technology
One notable difference lies in the WiFi technology utilized by each product. The Deco system is designed with dual-band AX3000 WiFi, while the Orbi system operates on tri-band AX4200 WiFi. As indicated in the comparison, the Orbi system offers approximately 40% higher aggregated bandwidth compared to Deco.
Furthermore, it’s important to consider the approach to backhaul connectivity. Deco does not employ dedicated WiFi backhaul, whereas Orbi does. With Orbi’s three radio bands, two of them cater to connected devices, providing speeds of up to 1200 + 600 Mbps (1800 Mbps). The remaining band operates at 5GHz and is exclusively dedicated to backhaul communication, offering a speed of 2400 Mbps between nodes.
With wired backhaul in use, not all the bands are utilized for device connectivity; instead, they serve as a reserve bandwidth. In the event of a disruption to the wired backhaul, the system can seamlessly transition to utilizing WiFi backhaul.
Ports
With the inclusion of a 2.5Gbps port, the Deco X50-PoE offers the flexibility to subscribe to multi-gig internet speeds. Alternatively, you can opt for the standard 1Gbps internet speed, similar to the Orbi RBK753, and utilize the multi-gig port for high-speed wired connections to NAS devices.
It’s important to note that the Orbi RBK753 is limited to internet speeds of up to 1Gbps. If you desire multi-gig internet speeds, you can consider the newer Orbi models such as the Orbi RBK852, Orbi RBK862, Orbi RBK863, and even the ultimate Orbi RBK963. These models feature multi-gig capabilities, with the Orbi RBK863 and Orbi RBK963 boasting a 10Gbps WAN port that can be connected to high-speed fiber optic modems or next-generation DOCSIS 4.0 cable modems supporting up to 10Gbps internet speeds.
Another notable advantage of the Deco system is its Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, allowing for flexible installation with just a single UTP network cable. This eliminates the need for separate power outlets, making it convenient to install Deco units in locations where installing power outlets may be challenging, such as on ceilings.
Spec comparison Deco POE vs Orbi
Take a look more details on the following comparison table below.
Table 2 Deco X50-POE vs Orbi Rbk753
| Mesh wifi 6 products | Deco X50-POE | Orbi RBK753 |
| Wifi technology | Dual band ax3000 with 2×2 MU-MIMO | Simultaneous Tri-band AX4200 with 8 streams MU-MIMO |
| Signal rates | 2402Mbps @5GHz 574Mbps @2.4GHz) | 2.4GHz @600Mbps 2×2 5GHz @1200Mbps 2×2 for WiFi devices connection 5GHz @2400Mbps 4×4 for dedicated backhaul |
| Coverage | 7,500 sq ft / 3-pack | 7,500 sq ft /3-pack |
| Ethernet Ports | 1x 2.5Gbps port 1x 1.0Gbps port | Router: 1x Gigabit WAN + 3x Gigabit LAN Satellite: 2x Gigabit LAN |
| Backhaul methods | Wifi backhaul and recommended using POE both for power and wired backhaul | Dedicated backhaul @2400Mbps Wired backhaul |
| Power | 802.3at PoE 12V DC with DC adapter | 12V/2.5A power adapters |
| Network protection | Home Shield for network threat protections | Netgear Armor powered by Bitdefender |
| Prices | $349.99 | $599.99 |
The prices listed may varies with the current ones listed on Amazon or Best Buy. Click the products link below for manufacture’s details and see the current prices and get the best deals from Amazon (#as).
- Click here for Deco X50-POE (#Ad)
- Or click here for Orbi Rbk753 (#Ad)
Related products
For faster wifi 7 environment network, instead of mesh wifi 7 products with costly prices, you may consider standalone wifi 7 router offered by TP-Link, Asus or Netgear. See Asus rt-be96u wifi 7 router vs tp-link vs netgear.