If your home WiFi is struggling to keep up with streaming, smart devices, and more – you‘re not alone. Traditional wireless routers often leave areas with weak signals and dead zones. Upgrading to a mesh network system may be the answer for faster, more reliable coverage. As an industry leader since 2014, Eero‘s line of mesh WiFi products can eliminate frustrations with buffering video, lagging connections, and routers that just don‘t reach far enough.
But with both standard Eero and high-performance Eero Pro systems now available, how do you decide what‘s right for your home? As a technology specialist who has installed countless home networks, let me walk you through how to pick the perfect Eero kit.
A Bit of Background on Eero‘s Trailblazing Mesh Platform
Founded in 2014, Eero was one of the very first companies to make whole-home mesh networking accessible for mainstream consumers. Their innovative software automatically optimizes WiFi signals for reduced congestion and lag. Eero‘s ease of use made it possible for anyone to upgrade to a robust mesh system using simple apps on your phone.
Since launch, 16 million Eero devices have been sold to date. The global mesh WiFi system market is projected to grow 17% annually, reaching $18 billion by 2025.
So why has mesh become so popular compared to older router designs?
Reason #1 is the better coverage. My example below illustrates how mesh systems blanket homes with WiFi while traditional routers leave weak spots:
And #2 – mesh allows near seamless roaming between access points as you walk around the house. This means no more dropped video calls or lagging laptops as you move room to room!
Now let‘s see how Eero and Eero Pro compare when it comes to delivering fast, reliable whole-home connectivity.
Speed Showdown: Eero vs. Eero Pro Bandwidth and Throughput
Having enough bandwidth matters – especially as more devices compete for your home‘s pipeline to the internet. For smooth 4K video streaming alone, you need 25Mbps per TV. Gaming and video calls take at least 10 Mbps each too.
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With dual-band Eero nodes peaking at 1.2 Gigabits per second (Gbps) total available bandwidth, you get plenty of capacity for around 40-50 devices.
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However Eero Pro truly futureproofs your network with over 3 Gbps of tri-band bandwidth – enough for 100+ laptops, tablets, streaming boxes and smart home gadgets!
Let‘s look at observed real-world throughput from wireless speed tests:
| System | Speed (2.4GHz) | Speed (5GHz) | Speed (5GHz) * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eero | 130 Mbps | 300 Mbps | n/a |
| Eero Pro | 400 Mbps | 850 Mbps | 800 Mbps |
*Eero Pro‘s extra 5GHz radio for node-to-node backhaul
Clearly the Eero Pro‘s upgraded WiFi 6 radios push speeds way beyond standard Eero‘s capabilities – delivering faster connections to all your devices.
That tri-band design also dedicates an entire frequency just for Eero nodes to communicate behind the scenes – preventing any slowdowns.
Comparing Coverage: How Far Will Signals Reach?
In a small 1 bedroom apartment, a single Eero or Eero Pro is likely sufficient. But most homes require a mesh of multiple access points spaced around – boosting coverage in troublesome basement, backyard and garage areas.
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The Eero mesh kit includes 1 router plus 2 satellites, blanketing up to 5,000 sq ft.
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For larger homes, the Eero Pro kit with 1 gateway + 2 nodes covers up to 6,000 sq feet.
How are those coverage estimates calculated? Well Eero rates each satellite node at 1,500 sq ft (Eero) or 1,750 sq ft (Eero Pro). My diagram below visualizes an example of how placement can eliminate WiFi dead zones:
Additionally, the Eero Pro supports wired Ethernet connections if you want to strategically place a node in a tricky area.
Having set up countless mesh installs over the years, I always recommend drawn floorplans to identify likely dead zones, then use the mobile app‘s placement test tools. Start with gateway in central area, then move the satellites around, running speed tests to optimize coverage.
Comparing Features: What‘s Under the Hood?
Here is an expanded overview of hardware capabilities inside both Eero models:
| Specification | Eero | Eero Pro |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Standard | 802.11ac Wave 2 (WiFi 5) | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) |
| CPU | 700 MHz quad-core | 1.4 GHz quad-core |
| Memory | 512MB DDR3 RAM | 1GB DDR4 RAM |
| Antennas | 2×2 MIMO dual-band (four antennas total) | 4×4 MIMO tri-band (12 antennas total) |
| Frequency Bands | – 2.4GHz – 5GHz | – 2.4GHz – 5GHz – 5GHz (wireless backhaul) |
| Band Steering | Yes | Yes |
| Beamforming | Implicit CLI | Explicit CLI |
| Peak Speed Per Band | – 400Mbps 2.4GHz – 866Mbps 5GHz |
– 1201Mbps 2.4GHz – 2402Mbps 5GHz |
| LAN Ports Per Node | 2 x auto-sensing gigabit ethernet | 2 x auto-sensing gigabit ethernet |
| Smart Home Connectivity | Apple HomeKit compatible | Built-in Zigbee smart home hub |
You can see Eero Pro really steps up technical capabilities under the hood. Tri-band WiFi 6 delivers both faster peak speeds and increased capacity for all those devices thirsty for bandwidth.
The dedicated wireless backhaul is key too – allowing satellites to sync without cutting into client device speeds over 5GHz like single-channel systems can.
And while Eero already supports HomeKit for some automation control, having Zigbee integration built right in is a nice addition for Eero Pro owners wanting smart lighting, locks, sensors and more.
Setting Up Your Eero System
Both Eero and Eero Pro feature superb ease of use from the moment you open the box. Packaging includes:
- 1 x gateway unit
- 2 x satellite nodes (nodes have different shapes to distinguish from gateway)
- 3 x power cables
- 1 x 2m ethernet cable
With everything standardized and color coded, installation is simple. The process I guide all my clients through goes like this:
- Download Eero app for iOS or Android
- Plug gateway into modem and wall outlet nearby to centrally locate
- Connect app and walk through prompts to set up network name and password
- Place node 1 in preferred location 1 per diagram/floorplan
- Place node 2 in preferred location 2, 50+ feet from node 1
- Run app tests to confirm node connections
- Retest speeds and coverage in problem areas
- Celebrate whole-home mesh internet! 🎉
Total set up time averages just under 1 hour – drastically faster than the multi-hour headache of wiring up old school extenders.
Ongoing, the Eero app allows monitoring devices activity, pausing internet access, setting parental controls and even sharing WiFi access with guests. Whether you pick standard or Pro hardware, it only takes a few taps to manage network or add features.
To Summarize Key Differences…
Eero
- Dual-band WiFi 5 routers
- Best suited for internet plans < 400 Mbps
- Covers homes up to 5,000 square feet
- Supports 75 or fewer devices
- Easy to install 2-pack starts at $259
Eero Pro
- Cutting-edge tri-band WiFi 6 system
- Ideal for gigabit fiber optic internet
- Blankets homes up to 6,000 square feet
- Handles 100+ devices without slowing
- Robust 3-pack starts at $599
Final Recommendations on Which Eero System Is Right for You
For smaller homes and online speeds under 100Mbps – I‘d go with standard Eero to maximize value. The affordable dual-band mesh kit delivers plenty fast WiFi for basic needs. Upgrade to Eero Pro later as internet speeds increase.
Larger households with 125Mbps+ plans – Step up to Eero Pro to futureproof your network. Tri-band WiFi 6 powers seamless 4K streaming, VR gaming, video calls simultaneously across the house. Prioritize node placement near home office or media rooms to directly wire devices.
Homes over 5,000 sq ft on multi-gig plans – Wire in your main Eero Pro gateway right next to fiber line/modem. Cat6 ethernet backhaul linking nodes allows max throughput speeds. I love recommending Eero for rural settings or challenging renovation layouts – flexible expansion options keep customers connected!
At the end of the day, it comes down to budget and speed requirements rather than house size alone. Be realistic about current usage needs before overspending on leading edge gear. Eero products retain resale value if you later upgrade.
I‘m always happy to offer professional advice too – just reach out! Helping transform sketchy WiFi into a smooth, lag-free network is what I‘m passionate about.
