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Eero vs Nest Wifi: 5 Must-Know Facts

  • Eero Wifi was purchased by Amazon in 2019, though the company was founded in 2015.
  • Nest Wifi is a product of Google that originated in 2016. It debuted as Nest Wifi in 2019 after rebranding its original name, Google Wifi.
  • Nest Wifi needs a designated router with individual access points, while Eero Wifi devices can all function as either/or.
  • Eero supports Wifi 6, while Nest is still limited to Wifi 5 or below.
  • Nest access points can double as smart speakers. Eero’s devices don’t offer this bonus feature.

As Wifi routers and access points continue to get more advanced, their differences become stark. Modern Wifi routers and access points offer more than just Internet connectivity. They deliver speed, convenience, flexibility, reliability, and adaptability, among countless other features.

Take Eero vs Nest Wifi, for example. Eero Wifi and Nest Wifi are two of the most popular in this regard: The former is an Amazon product, the latter is a Google product, and the two are undoubtedly some of the best Wifi systems on the market.

So, what about these two Wifi systems make them so great? And which one is the superior option? Picking the winner involves more than just comparing prices or brand names.

We will use side-by-side comparisons, key differences, must-know facts, and histories to put things in perspective.

Ultimately, you’ll see which wifi system is the best.

Eero vs Nest Wifi: Side by Side Comparison

Eero WifiNest Wifi
Parent CompanyAmazonGoogle
Price$599.99 (three pack)$349.99 (Router and two access points)
First Introduced2014; Acquired by Amazon in 20192016 (As Google Wifi); 2019 (as Nest Wifi)
WifiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Tri-Band (2.4 & 5 + 5 GHz)Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac); Dual-Band (2.4 & 5 GHz)
PortsEach Unit: 
Two RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (WAN/LAN) 
Each Unit: 
One RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (WAN), one RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (LAN)
SecurityWPA2, WPA3WPA3
Bluetooth5.0 LE5.0
Throughput4200 Mb/s Total2200 Mb/s Total
ModesAccess Point, Mesh, Wireless RouterMesh, Wireless Router
CPU1.4 GHz Quad-Core1.4 GHz Quad-Core
Memory1024 MB1 GB (Router); 768 MB (Satellite)
Power Consumption15 W15 W
Virtual Assistant SupportAmazon AlexaGoogle Assistant

Eero vs Nest Wifi: What’s the Difference?

Google Nest Wi-Fi on display
Nest Wi-Fi can connect up to 200 devices and support 4K video streaming.

©ZikG/Shutterstock.com

Connectivity

Eero and Nest offer several individual distinctions. For one, Eero establishes its network completely differently than Nest. The latter has a designated router, and specific access points are not interchangeable. Eero allows for any one of its devices to serve as either router or access point. This makes Eero much more versatile than Nest.

Wifi Support

Eero offers support for Wifi 6, while Nest supports up Wifi 5. This is an enormous distinction worth emphasizing: Eero can deliver faster speeds with Wifi 6, while Nest still hasn’t introduced a device capable of doing the same.

When choosing a Wifi system, don’t you want the one that can bring you the fastest internet connection possible? Nest deliberately chose to skip the upgrade for Wifi 6 to focus on making its Wifi 5 devices as perfect as possible, but it might be a choice that loses their business to Eero in the process.

Data rate

Eero has a leg up on Nest in a few other key ways, the most prominent of which is its throughput. With 4200 MB of throughput compared to Nest’s paltry-seeming 2200 MB, the fact that Eero nearly doubles Nest in this regard is quite significant.

Price

Of course, all of Eero’s improvements over Nest come with a much higher price tag: Three EEro 6 mesh wifi router devices cost nearly $600 total, while a Nest router and two access points come in at only $350.

Supports Top Speeds
Amazon eero 6 mesh Wi-Fi Router
$89.99
  • eero covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. with Wi-Fi and supports speeds up to 900 Mbps.
  • TrueMesh technology intelligently routes traffic to reduce drop-offs so you can confidently stream 4K video, game, and video conference
  • Wi-Fi 6 supports faster wifi than prior standards and permits 75+ connected devices
  • The eero app walk you through setup in minutes and allows you to manage your network from anywhere.
  • Free customer support is available 7 days a week
  • eero 6 connects compatible devices on your network with Alexa—so there’s no need to buy separate smart home hubs for each device
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/21/2023 06:25 pm GMT

Eero vs Nest Wifi: What are the Similarities?

For starters, it’s worth stating the obvious. Eero and Nest Wifi are mesh networks. This means they combine multiple Wifi access points to create one big network. Each router shares a single Wifi network that can seamlessly stretch to cover anything from a small apartment to a huge office building.

This differs from traditional Wifi networks, where routers are centralized in place as lone access points. Mesh is decentralized, allowing you to access Wifi from several different places at once. Not only does this give you more coverage, but it also improves your network’s strength and reliability while also eliminating dead zones.

blink vs nest
Mobile phone connecting to security camera.

©Phonlamai Photo/Shutterstock.com

Eero: The Complete History

When Eero emerged on the market in 2014, no one had paid much attention to the idea of a mesh Wifi network. That all changed as Eero began to gain attention from venture capitalists looking to get in on the ground floor of this potential game-changer. By the end of 2015, Eero had garnered more than 40 million dollars in funding… and another 50 million in the following year.

As one of the first and only companies providing reliable mesh networking in 2016, it’s not surprising that Eero quickly grabbed the attention of some of the biggest names in tech. The biggest was Amazon, which purchased the company in 2019 for an undisclosed (but undoubtedly enormous) price.

Since the acquisition, Eero has not stopped innovating and improving upon the Wifi mesh network it helped pioneer years earlier. Today, the company is one of the first to offer Wifi 6 support. They also stand out for their yearly subscription service, offering subscribers content management, threat detection and protection, and ad blocking software built into the Wifi.

The Rise of Nest Wifi

When Nest emerged onto the market in 2016, it did so under a different name: Google Wifi. Late to the mesh network game after Eero’s earlier debut, Nest — a.k.a. Google Wifi — wasted no time trying to make a case for itself over its competitor.

The first generation device debuted Wifi 5 support, 2×2 antennas, and beamforming support. With two Ethernet ports, a quad-core processor complete with 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of flash memory, and the ability to adjust and control devices via an app, Nest was worthy competition for Eero.

With its second generation, Google Wifi had officially rebranded as Google Nest Wifi. This was done as part of Google’s efforts to rebrand its entire suite of smart home products under the Nest brand name. This 2019 upgrade added a smart speaker to each access point, made improvements to the RAM and flash memory, and also saw tweaks and changes made to the strength and functionality of the router and access points. All in all, it was a safe second-generation product.

Concurrently, Eero continued to boom. While Nest’s rise has arguably been faster and sleeker than Eero’s, Eero’s rise has undoubtedly seen far more innovation.

Eero vs Nest Wifi: Which One Is Better?

Now that you’ve seen how Eero and Nest Wifi‘s specs stack up against one another, it’s worth reiterating the question: Which is better? Which one deserves more use? Eero is the most innovative, the most flexible, and the most advanced product. Sure, Nest might fall short of Eero’s advancements in several key areas — including Wifi 6 capabilities and the flexibility of Eero’s devices.

However, they aren’t totally out of the running here. Nest also boasts the Google brand name, which is just as significant as the Amazon name to many. Not forgetting they are cheaper and incorporate more enticing bonus features (like smart speaker capabilities).

Ultimately, these bonus features are nothing more than bells and whistles. What truly matters from a mesh Wifi network is whether or not it can function well. You don’t buy a product because of what it can offer beyond its key function — you buy a product because of what it was made to do. For this reason, Eero is the superior mesh Wifi system.

With Wifi 6, a higher throughput, and more flexible router/access point hybrids, Eero comes out above Nest. Should Nest upgrade to the next generation, perhaps this debate will be worth revisiting. For now, though, Eero is the true winner.

Check out EEro 6 mesh wifi router on Amazon.

Next Up…

Eero vs Nest Wifi: Which Is the Better Mesh Wifi System? FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Who owns Eero Wifi?

Eero started as an independent brand but was acquired by Amazon in 2019. This came after an impressive first five years on the market operating independently.

Who owns Nest Wifi?

Nest Wifi is — and always has been — owned by Google. As a matter of fact, it originated under the name Google Wifi. Its full name is now Google Nest Wifi.

Does Nest Wifi offer Wifi 6 support?

As of summer 2022, Nest Wifi does not offer support for Wifi 6. While there are rumors that Nest will debut a Wifi 6-capable device in the near future, an official announcement on this front remains to be seen.

What is a mesh wifi network?

A mesh Wifi network is a new and improved way to deliver wireless internet connectivity in a home, office building, or place of business. By joining together multiple Wifi access points, a mesh network effectively creates one big network that seamlessly switches from point to point without dead zones or blind spots.

What is Wifi 6?

Wifi operates on a spectrum, and for most routers and access points, this only includes 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz. Lately, though, some Wifi networks have begun to offer a 6 GHz option. This is Wifi 6: A 6 GHz Wifi connection with drastically improved speed and reliability.

Does Eero Wifi work with virtual assistants?

Yes, Eero works with both Alexa and Google Assistant, even though they’re owned by Amazon. The inverse is also true: Google Assistant works with Eero Wifi.

Which is better, Eero or Nest?

Eero is superior to Nest for its Wifi 6 capabilities and far more reliable connection, while Nest comes in at a cheaper price point and offers more bonus features. All in all, Eero is the true winner over Nest.

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More from History-Computer

  • Business Insider Available here: https://www.businessinsider.com/eero-wifi-router-amazon-acquisition-explained-2019-2
  • Tom's Guide Available here: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/what-is-mesh-wifi-router,news-24580.html
  • Golden Available here: https://golden.com/wiki/Eero_(company)-639GJZV
  • Eero: Available here: http://www.eero.com/experience
  • Google Available here: https://store.google.com/us/product/nest_wifi_specs?hl=en-US