Hey there! Considering upgrading your home WiFi with a mesh system? You likely already know about Eero, the leading brand when it comes to blanketing every corner of your home with speedy, reliable wireless connectivity. 🏡
Eero makes both a standard version and a higher-end Eero Pro model. From someone who eats, sleeps and breathes all things WiFi, let me walk you through a thorough comparison to help decide which system fits your home best!
I‘ll start by giving an overview of how mesh networks deliver something magical called whole-home WiFi, then break down what key features you can expect from Eero and Eero Pro. Get ready for some geeky WiFi wisdom!
Get Smart on Mesh Network Benefits
Imagine never having to worry about your video calls dropping when you walk from the kitchen to the living room. Or bandwidth choking when devices in 5+ bedrooms battle for connectivity.
That‘s the dream offered by mesh WiFi systems! 🌟
They use multiple wireless access points called nodes that relay signals via dedicated wireless links called backhaul. Nodes work cooperatively to form stretchy, flexible WiFi that bends around obstacles and reaches to every nook.
Gone are the frustrations of warbly extenders or misplaced routers! Intelligent mesh systems auto optimize to push bandwidth where you need it most.
Let‘s explore how Eero makes that happen.
Blanketing Homes with Eero Magic
The standard Eero mesh system delivers reliable WiFi throughout homes up to 5,000 sq ft by adding nodes. With AC1200 dual-band wireless (400Mbps 2.4GHz + 866Mbps 5GHz), it keeps 20+ devices streaming smoothly.
Eero‘s TrueMeshTM smarts make adding nodes for expansion plug-and-play. Cross-compatible hardware guarantees Eero systems scale easily as future demands grow!
Alexa integration even allows managing WiFi access with voice controls and setting up custom profiles. Pretty slick!
But while standard Eeros handle typical spaces well, the Eero Pro series steps up performance dramatically. Let‘s see how!
Eero Pro – Built for Speed
Pro models turn WiFi up to 11 with tri-band WiFi 6 support pushing wireless speeds beyond 1Gbps! That breaks barriers for high demand homes with 100+ connected devices (yes, I‘ve seen crazier set ups!) 🤯
Adding a third 5GHz radio allows nodes to dedicate a backhaul link without sharing precious bandwidth between devices. This enables full-duplex communications up to 2402Mbps across nodes.
That adds up to smoother 4K/8K media streaming, lag-free gaming, and blistering file transfers even for the most WiFi-congested living spaces I encounter!
Key Advantages:
- Tri-band 4×4 WiFi 6
- 1Gbps+ wireless throughput
- 6,000 sq ft coverage
- Zigbee smart home hub built-in
- Expandable over whole-home
Simply put – bigger spaces and appetite for bandwidth? Eero Pro is my top choice.
Okay, now that you know the core benefits, let‘s compare Eero models across some key metrics:
Eero vs. Eero Pro – Know The Differences
While both deliver excellent mesh WiFi, Eero Pro pulls ahead on a few fronts:
Wireless Performance
| Spec | Eero | Eero Pro |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Standard | 802.11ac Wave 2 | 802.11ax WiFi 6 |
| Frequencies | Dual-band | Tri-band |
| Wireless Bands | 2.4GHz, 5GHz | 2.4GHz, 5GHz x2 |
| Max Throughput | 1.2Gbps AC1200 | 1.5Gbps AX1500 |
| Spatial Streams | 2×2 | 4×4 |
| MU-MIMO | Yes | Yes |
The dedicated wireless backhaul means less congestion and contention between nodes and devices. This enables Eero Pro to deliver max throughput speeds consistently.
Independent performance tests found real-world wireless transfers averaged 40-50% faster compared to standard Eeros.
Range and Capacity
While coverage per node differs slightly (1500 sq ft vs 1750 sq ft), both systems can extend connectivity home-wide. However, more spatial streams and radio chains allow Eero Pro to handle 3x more simultaneous client devices – critical for 100+ smart home gadgets!
Advanced Capabilities
Eero Pro packs an integrated Zigbee smart home hub, allowing compatibility with and control of thousands of lights, locks and sensors. This builds on existing Alexa integration to make managing your connected home a breeze!
When it comes to robust WiFi that keeps the entire home happy, Eero Pro is the best fit for large, busy households in my book! 😁
Now let‘s move onto some best practice tips for setup and placement. This is key to enjoy stellar performance from your mesh…
Setting Up Your Eero Mesh – Follow These Steps!
Getting your Eero mesh to deliver exceptional wireless relies on 3 key steps:
1. Strategic Node Placement
While a single Eero node blankets up to 1500-1750 sq ft, optimal mesh depends on overlap between nodes. I recommend spacing units 50-60 feet apart to light up every inch with strong backhaul links.
Analyze device usage patterns and place nodes central to clusters of gadgets. For example, dedicate a node near home office spaces.
2. Connect Wired Devices to Router
Reserve wireless bandwidth for mobile devices by plugging TVs, game consoles and media centers into ethernet ports on the main router node when possible. This dedicates wired throughput to heavy streamers.
3. Run Speed Tests and Optimize
The Eero app makes it easy to run wireless speed assessments from nodes. If speeds drop between main router and nodes, tweak locations until you see a reliable 400-500+ Mbps to guarantee robust backhaul.
With intelligent node placement guided by speed checks, say goodbye to WiFi woes my friend!
The Last Word
At the end of the day, Eero Pro pulls ahead thanks to dedicated wireless backhaul and WiFi 6. This powers through performance barriers in large smart homes.
But standard Eeros still outclass most mesh systems for everyday spaces. So choose the 3-pack model if your needs are typical!
I hope this detailed comparison helps you make sense of the slight differences between Eero and Eero Pro tiers. 🤓 Regardless, choosing either over old-school extenders means you‘ll be enjoying wireless bliss in no time!
Stay connected!
Jeremy
