The growing presence of tools requiring high-performance WiFi connections is matched only by the complexity of having a good network everywhere at home. Being able to mesh your whole house is crucial. Besides, we want to be able to stream 4K Netflix in the upstairs bedroom while we play the PS5 in the living room… and vice versa! In order to help us in this organization, Devolo offers its new Repeater 5400 in WiFi 6. The solution to have WiFi everywhere? The answer in this test.
An elegant and discreet WiFi repeater
Unless you are a big fan of tech, it is rare that you want to proudly show off your network equipment at home. Devolo has understood this well with this Repeater 5400. It comes in the form of a small, sleek white case. The repeater can be placed horizontally or vertically (using two small discreetly integrated feet). Few things are indicated on its facade, except for an embossed Devolo logo. We then find on the slices a network logo with LEDs to check the correct operation. And finally at the back a reset button, a WPS button and two gigabite ethernet ports.
Features of the Devolo Repeater 5400
The Devolo Repeater 5400 is therefore a WiFi access point for extending your home network. As its name suggests, it is compatible with WiFi 6, but also 4 and 5 (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/k/v/r standards) on the 2.4 and 5Ghz channels. Its two ethernet ports are compatible with 10/100/1000 Mbits/s.
The repeater is equipped with WiFi 6, multi-user MIMO and connectivity up to 5400mbits/s (i.e. a theoretical speed of 675MB/s). Thus, its implementation of the Devolo Repeater 5400 provides access to a powerful network on which many devices can connect to it simultaneously.
Finally, the Mesh functionality makes it possible to extend the network transparently for the user. Thus, the various devices on the move in the house will be able to switch from one access point to another without interruption. Ideal for frictionless everyday use.
The Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 5400 in use
This is all well and good, but what does it actually mean? So let’s unpack the repeaters and plug it into our network. The configuration passes entirely on the Devolo Home Network application (available on iOS and Android). In a fairly classic way, the latter makes it possible to detect the module, then to create an ad-hoc wifi on which to connect your smartphone to finalize the installation.
Once the latter is finished by indicating our wifi network to repeat, everything is operational! We could also have speeded up the process even more by using the WPS button. In any case, we can then connect by cable what we want to the repeater or let it act as it pleases. The interest of the Mesh function being that our devices will naturally switch from the internet box / home router to the repeater in a transparent way. No loss of connection therefore, and real comfort of use.
In terms of connection speed, our tests at the other end of the apartment with and without a repeater show us a performance gain of around 20-30% in speed (there we were around 80-90Mbits/s, we are now greater than 100). And above all, no more white or difficult areas. In short, an excellent little device to optimize the power and the presence of the network in an apartment or small house around 100m2!
In conclusion, the Devolo Repeater 5400 is an ideal small device to ensure excellent network coverage in your apartment or house. Improved speeds and optimized coverage. What more ?