Product review

November 2024

WiFi routers and mesh networks

Boost your internet performance by choosing a new router using our comprehensive test results and buying guide.

November 2024

TP-Link

Deco X58-4G

Price

Free* or $4/month

Score

Why is this free?

This report is free thanks to support from the Commerce Commission.

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Wireless broadband piggybacks off the mobile network to deliver your internet connection via cell towers. This Deco is the 4G wireless broadband router of choice for both One NZ and Contact, and it's a good one. It's lent for free on a 12-month contract from One NZ, or for $4/month from Contact. Note that we haven't tested the actual 4G service for either of these companies, only the quality of the router itself, so your mileage will vary depending on where you live and how your home's set up. The X58 also works with fibre, so if you want to switch to a wired connection later, you should be able to do that.

Test results

78
WiFi performance
82
Setup and ease of use
55
Security

Good points

Very easy to set up.
Very easy to customise.
Good wired performance.
Good long-distance performance.
Supplied by One NZ and Contact.
Supports 4G internet.
Supports WPA3 encryption.

Bad points

No obvious bad points.

Model

Provided by internet company

One NZ; Contact
Cost when provided by internet company

One NZ: Free on 12 month contract; Contact: $4/month or $99 upfront
Mesh system
Number of units in pack

Varies
Compatible with fibre
Compatible with ADSL/VDSL
Compatible with 4G/5G

More performance scores

Multi-device performance

66
Obstructed performance

57
Long-range performance

73
Wired performance

83

Specifications

Highest WiFi version

WiFi 6
Weight of main unit

580g
Ethernet LAN ports

2
USB port

No
Physical power button
Other buttons/switches

Reset
Aerials

Internal only
Wall mountable
Quick start guide included
Ethernet cables included

1 per device

Features

Can create guest networks

Yes
WPS available
Supports WPA3 encryption
Firewall
Quality of service (QoS)

Yes
Parental controls

Yes
USB drive sharing

No

Member reviews

3 Member reviews

Avoid the Deco X58-4G (review continued ...)

Pros

(As commented on above.)

Cons

Another dire disadvantage is that the user MUST have an account with tp-link to configure and run the system. This is perhaps OK while this product is supported. When support is stopped these devices will likely become useless paper-weights. Or if Google/Apple changes depreciate the app. This risk is artificially created because there is no way for the user to directly interface with the hardware. (Refer some of the comments on the website referred to in my other review.) This might also have been included in Consumer NZ's review (although not immediately obvious and easily overlooked).

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Richard & Kathrina

15 Feb 2025

Used 1 month or less

Avoid the Deco X58-4G (due to absoutely terrible interface) !

Pros

Hardware and performance have attracted positive comments, which can be found on the internet (including Consumer NZ).

Cons

Absolutely terrible method to configure the system. The user is forced (yes, FORCED) to use a mobile phone app to setup, configure, monitor, and administer the system. Who wants to do this via a tiny 6 inch phone screen instead of a computer screen with mouse and keyboard? Other devices all have a proper web interface, which is far superior. Only after purchase did I find the widespread dismay expressed at
" https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/531350?sortDir=ASC&page=3 ".
I will be returning this product. Consumer NZ should have highlighted this deficiency in their review.

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Richard & Kathrina

15 Feb 2025

Used 1 month or less

Manageability is an issue

Pros

It works in a fashion. Farmside/OneNZ will foist this on you for RBI so you don't have much choice. Good luck trying to manage your network with this device

Cons

Where do I start? Implementation was far from straightforward. Issues:
- You need a smartphone to set it up. No, you can't browse to a management interface on the device
- It's cloud-based, so you can't set it up ahead of time and cut over
- The default IP address range is completely different to "standard". You have to either change the range, or re-IP all your static IP devices
- The DHCP functionality is non-standard, particularly reserved addresses
- PCI information (the cell site identifier) is buried in a cryptic Advance Settings string.

Only use this if you have to.