Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Now $120 off, the TP-Link Deco M5 blankets your home with high-speed Wi-Fi

By Lucas Coll Published October 5, 2021

Mesh Wi-Fi systems are quickly replacing traditional routers when it comes to setting up simple home wireless networks. The advantages of mesh Wi-Fi systems are twofold: They’re dead simple to set up and operate, and the multiple nodes that mesh networks use deliver much wider coverage than typical wireless routers.

Nonetheless, wireless mesh routers can be quite expensive, but the excellent TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi system is a top-rated and highly affordable alternative that would be a welcome addition to any home. The Deco M5 utilizes high-speed, dual-band AC1300 Wi-Fi for a combined throughput of up to 1,267 Mbps, providing 400 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band for light tasks such as browsing and 867 Mbps on the 5.0GHz band for heavier jobs like video streaming or online gaming.

The Deco M5 package comes with three nodes, eliminating the need for range extenders that can compromise the security of your home Wi-Fi network and create dead zones if your TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi system network is struggling to cover a bigger space. These nodes each deliver a wireless coverage of 1,500 square feet for a combined Wi-Fi “blanket” of 4,500 square feet, making the TP-Link Deco M5 system an ideal solution for medium to large homes or offices.

Mesh systems are known for their ease of use and the TP-Link Deco M5 is no exception — you can set up and activate your home network in minutes with the companion Deco mobile app. This app also makes it simple to remotely manage and monitor your network from the convenience of a tablet or phone — no fussing around with complicated and confusing PC interfaces. Built-in TP-Link HomeCare actively monitors and protects your network against security threats as well.

The TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi system typically costs $300 but is currently on sale from Amazon for $250. However, a limited-time promo code lets you take another $50 off, bringing the price down to just $200 for a total savings of $120. Simply add the item to your Amazon cart and enter the code 50RADIO at checkout to receive the extra discount.

Former Deals and News Writer

Lucas Coll has been a freelance writer for almost a decade and has penned articles on tech, video games, travel, cars, and…

Computing

Shopping for a Back-to-school laptop? These are the laptops I’d recommend

Whether it's lectures, late-night assignments, or streaming after class, these laptops are built to make the next few years a little easier.

Best laptops for back to school 2026 featuring Apple 2026 MacBook Neo

A laptop is probably the one purchase that'll have the biggest impact on the school year. It'll be there for lectures, late-night assignments, group projects, Netflix binges, and everything in between. The trick is finding one that fits both the workload and the budget. After narrowing down the options, these are the five laptops I'd actually recommend for Back-to-School, whether the priority is getting the most value, joining the Apple ecosystem, or investing in a machine that'll comfortably last through graduation.

Acer Chromebook Plus 515

Computing

These are the compact printers I’d actually recommend for back-to-school

From dorm room paperwork to instant selfie prints, there's a tiny printer for every need.

Computer Hardware, Electronics, Hardware

Everything is digital until the one professor who still wants a printed essay, or the lease you need to sign in ink, or the photo you want to stick on your dorm room’s wall. That's usually the exact moment you remember you don't own a printer anymore, and the nearest one is a library machine with a line out the door.

I looked at four compact printers that solve that problem without taking over your desk and breaking the bank. Two are built for documents, one is a proper all-in-one for actual home office work, and one has nothing to do with homework and everything to do with turning your camera roll into something you can hold.

Computing

Shopping for back-to-school? These are the webcam lights I’d actually turn on before a Zoom call

From a budget clip light to a proper desk setup, there's a webcam light here for every price.

Head, Person, Face

Between online classes, group project calls, and the occasional job interview over Zoom, your webcam will be doing a lot more heavy lifting in school than it ever did at home. The problem is that most laptop cameras are bad in low light, and a single overhead bulb or a window behind you turns every call into a game of "wait, can you see me okay?"

A good webcam light fixes that faster than moving your whole desk around. I picked five, starting with the most affordable and working up to the one that's genuinely overkill for a Zoom call but still worth knowing about.