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Key Points:
- The TrueMesh technology allows you to place multiple points in your home, and the signals of each point to overlap to deliver full coverage in your home.
- The Pro has tri-band frequencies, which allows communicate without taking away speed from user devices.
- Look at Mesh systems if you are wanted to expand you WiFi range.
Have you been plagued by network connectivity or speed issues at home? A mesh WiFi network might just be what you need to fix your network problems. Not only does the device connect to multiple devices, but it extends the normal range of your WiFi.
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One company that has been doing well is Eero. In the last few years, they have kept up with the ever-changing networking field, especially the latest change, WiFi 6. While the Eero and Eero Pro focus on retaining high-speed internet and stable connection, the Eero targets affordability. So, what sets them apart? Read on to learn more.
Eero vs. Eero Pro: Side By Side Comparison
| Eero | Eero Po | |
| WiFi standard | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ac) Dual-band | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ac) tri-band |
| LAN ports | 2 on the router 1 used for WAN | 2 on the router 1 used for WAN |
| Frequencies | 2.4GHz and 5.2GHz | 2.4GHz, 5.2GHz, and 5.8GHz |
| Dimensions | 3.85 x 3.85 x 2.36 inch | 4.76 x 4.76 x 1.26 inch |
| Price | $199 (3-Pack) | $599.00 (3-Pack) |
| Release Date | November 2, 2020 | March 23, 2022 |
Eero
- FAST STANDALONE ROUTER - The eero mesh WiFi router brings up to 1,500 sq. ft. of fast, reliable WiFi to your home.
- WORKS WITH ALEXA- With eero and an Alexa device (not included), you can easily manage wifi access for network profiles to take focus away from screens and back to what’s important.
- EASILY EXPAND YOUR SYSTEM - With cross-compatible hardware, you can add eero products as your needs change.
- WORKS WITH YOUR INTERENT SERVICE PROVIDER- eero replaces your wifi router and works with most major internet service providers.
- SET UP IN MINUTES - The eero app guides you through setup and allows you to manage your network from anywhere.
| Pros | Cons |
| Covers up to 5,000 sq ft. | Dual-band |
| Quick and easy installation | Some security features require a subscription |
| Supports HomeKit and Alexa | |
| Expandable |
Eero Pro
- Premium Wi-Fi 6 performance supports faster Wi-Fi than prior standards and permits 75+ connected devices
- Covers up to 6,000 sq. ft.
- Support for wifi speeds up to a gigabit
- eero app walks you through setup in minutes and allows you to manage your network from anywhere
- Free customer support available 7 days a week
- eero Pro 6 doubles as a Zigbee smart home hub, making it easy to connect and control compatible devices on your network with Alexa
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to set up | Only a single spare Ethernet jack |
| User friendly | No Ethernet ports on add-on units |
| Consistent coverage | |
| Integrates Zigbee smart home hub |
Eero vs. Eero Pro: What’s The Difference?
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Speed
While the standard Eero system is no slouch, the Pro system takes speed to a new level. One of the most significant advantages of the Pro is the third 5GHz band available for the points to communicate at full speeds without sacrificing speed to user devices. But, of course, the speed you receive does depend on the speed you are getting from your internet provider.
The standard Eero offers speeds up to 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 866.6Mbps at 5GHz. Because the standard version does have to share the 5GHz band with its other connection points, the speed on the 5GHz will be cut in half. However, this speed is still plenty for most people who can comfortably stream 4K media.
Suppose you need even more speed than that. The Eero Pro will get you there. Because it does not need to share the 5GHz band with the connection points, you will be able to get the full 866.6Mbps. While you will not always get that speed in reality, Eero recommends looking at the Pro version if your internet speed is over 550Mbps
Software
One of the most considerable advantages that come along with any Eero product is the software. Whether you have the standard or pro version, the software experience should be mostly the same. Eero software should update automatically when there is a new version released. If you do happen to go with either of these, make sure to download the Eero app for iOs or Android before you disconnect the old system, it will make the installation process much more manageable.
Coverage
The Eero Pro again has a slight advantage in this category. It has a range of 1,750 sq ft, while the Eero standard covers 1,500 sq ft. Keep in mind this is the range of one pod. If you want to cover a larger area, Eero recommends going with one of their 3 packs.
In my opinion, the 3 pack is the best way to go with your money. Although it will be a higher upfront cost than just one, it will save you from ordering multiple when you have to upgrade in the future. But if you need to upgrade in the future, do not worry. All of Eero’s products are compatible with each other.
The Eero and the Eero Pro have two gigabit RJ45 Ethernet ports if you need a wired connection. Keeping your wired devices connected will be easier than ever since you can plug into the nearest router.
How the mesh wifi system works
Traditionally, if you used one router to cover your entire home and needed to boost your WiFi signal to expand coverage, you would typically get a range extender. However, setting up extenders is quite tricky. That’s not to mention they do not extend the full power of the router.
Enter the mesh network. Mesh wifi extends the router‘s range while retaining the same power and connectivity level as the original router. This makes it much simpler to set up and smoother to use.
The Eero mesh network uses patent technology to deliver what they claim to be better performance than other mesh network companies. This technology is called TrueMesh. With this, you place multiple points in your home, allowing the signals of each point to overlap to deliver full coverage in your home.
©Craig Russell/Shutterstock.com
Eero vs. Eero Pro: 4 Must-Know Facts
- Both wifi mesh systems feature support for up to WiFi 6.
- The Eero Pro has tri-band frequencies, allowing the pods to communicate with each other without taking away speed from user devices.
- Mesh WiFi systems are a much better way to expand your WiFi’s range than the old-fashioned WiFi extenders.
- The Eero standard and Eero Pro have two gigabit RJ45 ethernet ports to keep your wired devices connected without being next to the router.
Eero vs. Eero Pro: Which is Better
Eero is undoubtedly one of your best Mesh WiFi systems, regardless of which version you are looking at. Unless you are looking for top-of-the-line performance or coverage that’s more than 1,750 sq ft with one pod, the Eero standard will be more than enough speed and coverage. A 3-pack of the standard costs about $400 less than a 3-pack of the Eero Pro. However, if you are consistently uploading and downloading massive files and need to create a mesh network to boost your reach, the Eero Pro might be worth the extra investment for the tri-band speed.
Up Next…
Keep reading to see more of our articles about wifi and related devices.
- The 5 Best Routers For A Large House (2022) – Reviewed and Ranked. Have a lot of space that needs to be covered? Read this article to see some great options.
- The 5 Best Router and Modem Combos: Reviewed and Ranked. Check out our ranked options for you.
- The 6 Best Mesh Routers Available For Sale Today. We’ve broken down the top 6 mesh options for your home or business.
