With Amazon's Eero Pro 6E, you pay more for simplicity and use than you would for a laundry list of standard features and power-user options on larger, rival routers. You'll want to make sure you have the room and funds to use at least two Eero Pro 6E routers in a mesh network, as a single router is not as powerful as others we've tried. But it's simple to connect multiple Eero Pro 6Es in a mesh network, and you'll get impressive performance across your home, with connected devices automatically switching between the two (or more) access points.
The Eero Pro 6E is a router that is impossible to misconfigure.
About the Eero Pro 6E
Here are the tested model's specifications:
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax tri-band (2:2:2)
Ethernet: 1x Gigabit, 1x 2.5Gbps
USB: None
CPU and Memory: 1GHz dual-core; 1GB RAM
What we like
Solid performance when it counts
We put the Eero Pro 6E through its paces in two separate homes and testing environments, and while it wasn't the fastest router we've ever tested, it performed admirably in normal usage situations.
To begin, we brought the router to a 2,000-square-foot, single-story residence and positioned it at the farthest corner we could reach. Then, we installed an iPhone 12 Pro in an adjacent room, connected it to the Eero's Wi-Fi network, and installed a second iPhone 12 Pro around 50 feet (and a few walls) away in the living room. We did not disable the house's competing wireless network because you are likely to encounter your neighbors' irritating, interfering wireless networks at your residence as well.
Then, we conducted the point-to-point test integrated into Ubiquiti's WiFiman software (iOS, Android) to transfer data in both directions between the two iPhones. We utilized three distinct download and upload measures to achieve consistent findings. In this, our longest-range test, the single Eero router performed satisfactorily. We saw speeds of approximately 30-36Mbps from a local iPhone to a distant iPhone, and 1-16Mbps in the opposite direction. We have tested routers in this exact configuration that were unable to push any signal to our iPhone from a vast distance. In addition, the Eero lacks external antennae, which hinders its long-range capabilities.
However, when we moved the Eero to a central area in the huge home (as you should do if you want optimal performance), the Eero performed significantly better. We measured download speeds ranging from 111 to 160 Mbps and upload speeds ranging from 147 to 252 Mbps. Compared to other routers we've tested in a comparable configuration, these results are exceptional. This means that we wouldn't recommend an Eero as the only router in your home unless you have a small footprint. However, the Eero makes a lot of sense in a mesh configuration where numerous high-speed access points are used to provide lightning-fast coverage across the entire home.
When connected to a mesh network, the Eero Pro 6E enhanced our Wi-Fi performance sevenfold in areas where it generally struggles.
Since we received a two-pack of Eero units to evaluate, we wanted to determine how effectively a mesh network may boost our long-range performance. We relocated the first Eero router to its original placement at the farthest end of our home and installed the second Eero router as a mesh access point in the same living room as our iPhone. In other words, could we give this device a boost by installing a new access point at the location where the signal began to degrade?
The solution was obvious: our formerly slow download speeds had increased to 79-218Mbps and our upload speeds to 71-210Mbps. In other words, employing the Eeros at a mesh network increased our average performance by around seven times in a region where our Wi-Fi suffered, based on a relatively aggressive type of testing that is not recommended for a typical house setup.
Then, we moved to a different residence and conducted another extensive test, our "stress test," which involved bombarding one Eero router with a 4K UHD Netflix stream from an Apple TV, a 4K Apple TV+ stream on an iPad Pro, a 12.6GB download from a wired desktop PC to a wired NAS box, the same WiFiman transfer test we ran previously, a Cloudflare Internet speed test, and World of Warcraft. Without diving into specifics, the single Eero router performed admirably in meeting all of these requirements, delivering faster speeds on average than any other router we've tested. This second test home was a two-story, 1,100-square-foot townhouse, so range was not a significant problem.
As before, we installed a second Eero device to build a mesh network connecting the two floors. We did not observe any speed increases or decreases, but neither did we experience any speed increases or decreases. Devices connected effortlessly to whichever access points Eero deemed optimal, and all of the varied measurements we took on this modified version of our testing were virtually identical. The Eero may not have the best range, but it is swift and intelligent.
Buy: Amazon's Eero Pro 6E + $100 Amazon Gift Card
Simple configuration and installation
Depending on your degree of networking expertise, configuring the Eero Pro 6E can be either simple or difficult, depending on your level of networking expertise. People who know nothing about routers or modems and simply want a stronger wireless connection up and running as quickly as possible will find the first configuration of the router to be largely straightforward. Since everything is app-based, you must use the Eero iOS or Android app to configure your router. You will not be able to just plug it in and access a website on a wireless or wired device.
There is no way to set up the router without an Eero or Amazon account. This demonstrates how user-friendly it is for novices, but how frustrating it is for advanced users who would prefer less onerous local access.
The setup process does an excellent job of guiding you through each step, which begins with waiting for the router's front light to show that it is connecting with your phone and/or account. The Eero software outlines (with visuals!) what you should and should not connect and when, making it simple to configure your router and modem to work together.
After entering a name and password for your Wi-Fi network, you will be requested to set up a second Eero router-turned-access point, if desired. Lastly, the Eero app will look for and update your connected router's firmware, and can even send you a notification on your phone when it's complete. It's a nice small detail that ensures customers are as secure as possible when they first start using Eero, without requiring them to discover some buried "update" setting in an app.
Consequently, you are only permitted one Wi-Fi name for your network. You cannot operate distinct 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz networks. Everything is grouped under a single name, and the router (supposedly) determines which devices use which frequency band at which time. However, adding a second (or third) Eero to a mesh network is simple.
Within the app, you can examine the data rate of your modem's connection (helpful for troubleshooting), obtain weekly metrics on your network's activities (peak speeds and total data downloaded), and see every device connected to your network (or set up a notification whenever something new connects). Then, you can attach these devices to user profiles, making it simple to manage parental controls and schedule internet access for every device a user touches (mainly, your sneaky kid). The Eero app includes an abundance of additional functionality and (really useful) capabilities that are uncommon among rival routers.
The Eero app also allows you to set up a guest network (there's only one, and you can't plan it to turn on or off at specified times), but you can invite someone to access it or your primary network by sharing a QR code. Power users may also appreciate the ability to select the DNS server for all connected devices (we recommend Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1), as well as the standard "reserve IP addresses for a device" and port forwarding settings typically found on routers.
It is a minor annoyance that certain app functionality, such as the router's DDNS capabilities, are locked behind a monthly membership. It would be preferable if Eero highlighted clearly, even with icons, what is "free" and what is "paid." Nevertheless, we appreciate that Eero's app includes just enough functionality, notifications, and guidance to satisfy the majority of users.
Buy: Amazon's Eero Pro 6E + $100 Amazon Gift Card
What we don’t like
Not geared for power users
Without a doubt, the Eero Pro 6E's performance is excellent under certain settings for a starting price of $299. But power users will find the router lacking. Competing routers can transmit a stronger signal over a larger distance, and even though their web-based user interfaces are poorly designed compared to Eero's app, they can do more.
Each Eero Pro 6E access point, for example, comes with only two Ethernet ports (1Gbps and 2.5Gbps).
That is a wonderful assortment of speeds, yet it is insufficient. If you have a large number of bandwidth-hungry devices that accept Ethernet connections, such as the majority of the components in your home entertainment center, you will want to connect them all to your network through a fast wired connection. To achieve this with the Eero Pro 6E, you'll need to purchase a separate network switch. Most other routers provide you with at least four Gigabit Ethernet ports, although more expensive, sophisticated routers may offer eight or more.
Although well-designed, the Eero app makes numerous selections for its owner. Again, this is good for non-technical users, but expert users may lose the opportunity to split their router's wireless capabilities into distinct 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz networks (essentially, handling device optimization themselves instead of trusting the Eero to do it). You cannot alter the wireless encryption techniques utilized by Eero. You must presume it uses at least the WPA2 wireless security protocol and search for WPA3 functionality under its "Eero Labs" option. WPA3 should be installed by default on a router of this price.
OpenVPN, USB ports for connecting supplemental storage or devices (such as printers), and the ability to manually set what channels you want your Wi-Fi networks to use (including DFS, if that's not an issue where you live), or even QoS (Quality of Service, which is also available in the "Eero Labs" section) are among the additional features that power users might miss on the Eero Pro 6E. Even the majority of power users probably don't utilize these features frequently, if at all, but we would expect a router costing this much to include them.
Some of the router's most unusual features, such as network-wide ad-blocking, data consumption notifications, and particular content filters for parental controls (including blocking of individual apps), are locked behind a $3/month ($30/year) subscription. A $300 router should not charge extra for capabilities that you could install into a Raspberry Pi and run yourself.
Amazon does not charge additional fees to Eero users for the Eero Pro 6E to serve as a Zigbee smart home hub. But what we dislike the most is that you can't do much with the router unless it's online. If your internet goes down, you cannot configure nearly as many settings or troubleshoot the issue as you could on a standard router.
Should you buy it?
Yes, if you only want solid, basic performance
The Eero Pro 6E from Amazon is a router that is impossible to goof up. It is a great standalone router for a medium-sized location, but it truly shines when connected with another pricey Eero Pro 6E to create a large, fast, and intelligent mesh network.
This is not the router we'd recommend for power users, not by a long shot, unless you're willing to accept some significant sacrifices for easier mesh networking. You're better off going the DIY route with a Ubiquiti Dream Router and some access points or getting one of Asus' ZenWiFi packages, which exchange a little hand-holding for a more customizable app- and web-based user interface.
Despite the fact that the Eero Pro 6E's pricey add-ons appear exploitative, the majority of users are unlikely to alter their router's settings, features, or dedicated app after the device is set up. The majority of households do not prioritize it.
There is something to be said for having a basic, clean software that can be accessed at any time to make adjustments to a home network's settings (or to check if it's functioning properly and/or who is using it). The Eero app isn't perfect, but it's still preferable than the web- or app-based user interfaces found on the majority of standalone routers. Eero from Amazon shines despite its hardware and software flaws. It is a strong mesh device that is less than flawless, but more than suitable for the purposes of the majority of individuals.
Buy: Amazon's Eero Pro 6E + $100 Amazon Gift Card
