[Network|Eero Pro] Review “Plug and Forget System”

This original article was published on my other blog back in March 2019. I made a minor edits/correction, now that I have bit more knowledge about Network throughput.

This was my 7 months day to day use experience of Eero Pro (second generation) Mesh network system.

Background

Previously, I have had invested in Orbi mesh system and had been using it for 9 months. It was a great system initially, but network instability became a major hinderance especially upon adding HEOS WiFi Multiroom speaker system to the house, which requires stable network; otherwise, HEOS app loses device from its list and required re-connection i.e. essentially not usable. After online search, I concluded the issue lied on my network i.e. Orbi rather than HEOS itself. So I’ve decided to give a try on Eero given its positive review especially when it comes to network stability.

For my 3800 sqft, essentially 2 story house (one main floor with one walkout basement), I chose the highest tier Eero system, Eero Pro.

The above system is rated for 5+ bedroom home. The cheaper alternatives exist for smaller home using 1 Eero + 1 or 2 Eero Beacon.

FACT: Beacon does NOT offer ethernet port connection.

★★★★★Features★★★★★

Stability

This is the main reason I started to seek alternative to Orbi system. Not once have Eero failed during my 7 months of daily use. I had never required to reboot my network because of Eero. HEOS speakers were always connected without a single drop.

Not once have Eero failed during my 7 months of daily use.

Simplicity

Simplicity in the world of technology may be interpreted as pros as well as cons, depending on the user. From network configuration standpoint of view, Eero is almost a plug and play. Just plug ethernet cable and power cord then downloaded Eero app on my iOS devices. From there, just follow step by step instruction. Key here is that once the system is up and running, I didn’t need to change anything setting as it was already fast and stable.

Aesthetics

Eero devises are small and not intrusive.

★★★★☆Features☆★★★★

Area of coverage

3 Eero Pro was almost sufficient covering somewhat WiFi unfriendly old construction 3800 sqft ranch style home with walk out basement from end to end except basement bathroom and storage area. I am fairly certain if I purchased extra Eero beacon, they could have covered these missing area but it was not worth for us as no-one really used internet in these area. Having said this there was area suffered with speed down to 50 Mbps where Orbi AC3000 was able to keep 200 Mbps.

I have originally attributed this issue to speed but according to Tomshardware, Eero actually showed better (though by small margin) peak performance than Orbi yet speed loss at distance were much substantial on Eero so what may be inferior to Orbi is range. Both speed and range contributes to performance.

Yet, I really felt Eero had better range coverage because there was no perceivable connection drop with Eero. This; however, may be coming from instability of Orbi. In another word, speed, stability and range can be confused or really equally important for daily experience.

Speed

This is one of the most important aspect of network system and translates into measurable performance of the system particularly in time limited setting as in most online review sites do.

Eero gave me peak speed well over 250 Mbps download speed for internet test for our 300 Mbps ISP service. However, once we are distant from the router, Eero dropped speed below 50 Mbps no matter what time of day it is.

Eero rates max speed 600 Mbps at 5GHz. Although I did not get a chance to fully test this, this is what we would expect from 2×2 MIMO WiFi system given wireless physical link will cap at 866 Mbps; hence, 70% efficient system would give 600 Mbps. In reality, majority of WiFi client supports only 2×2 MIMO even WiFi 6 client, and this won’t likely to change for awhile so unless you are looking for simultaneous devices at peak speed, this may be sufficient. Nonetheless, knowing there are many alternatives at this price point having 4×4 MIMO support, WiFi 6 support for potentially higher peak speed, and some laptops and desktops having 3×3 MIMO, where Eero Pro’s can be bottleneck.

Scalability

Unlike Orbi, I did not need forth unit with my Eero to at least cover the areas I needed for my home. 3 Eero Pro did the job. So I didn’t have to buy any additional satellite but I knew Eero had additional node options if I needed more coverage.

As of today, Eero does not have WiFi 6 component; however, as some of my articles have/will show not only WiFi 6 may not be needed yet, but they could be inferior to high functioning WiFi 5 mesh system. Nonetheless, those of you looking for highest/latest specs on paper, that option is not yet available.

★★★☆☆Features☆☆★★★

Flexibility/Customizability

iOS app of Eero is far easier to use, and provide more options within than Orbi’s very basic iOS app. However, this does not mean Eero actually has more customizability/flexibility.  The reality is actually opposite. Orbi was better here.

Instead of using iOS App, if one logs into Orbi through browser interface, you see far more options/setting. Also no mesh system matches customizability of dedicated router system.

However, since Eero simply works, if one is looking for plug and go, this may be really not an important feature at all. In fact, Asus AiMesh system provides extensive customization but that makes harder to trouble shoot the system.

Security

As of April 2020, this partly falls under combination of value and flexibility. Internet security/privacy is one of important aspect of home network and I believe all major companies have some sort of optional/add-on security for your network. Some companies e.g. Asus, Ubiquiti UniFi provides free security service; whereas, Eero requires subscription ($2.99/mo or $9.99/mo).

Value

Almost $500 for 3 Eero Pro setup. Relatively speaking, the price point is compatible to competitor Wi-Fi 5 mesh system but specs are underwhelming for the price.

Conclusion

Even though the speed of Orbi AC setup beaten Eero Pro setup and Orbi had more customization options, its unpredictable Wifi drop made the system unusable. In the end, Eero Pro had taught me how important the stable and reliable Wifi network is. If you need a mesh network, just works and stable, Eero is the one for you.