Whether youโre setting up your smart home or simply upgrading your home network, choosing the right mesh Wi-Fi system is paramount. Today, we delve into the world of Eero to make that choice simpler, comparing two popular options: Eero and Eero Pro. The goal? To provide clear, helpful insights that will guide you to the right decision.
TL;DR: While both Eero and Eero Pro offer excellent connectivity and coverage, Eero Pro takes the cake with a tri-band system, faster speeds, and enhanced performance. Itโs a good fit for larger homes and heavier internet usage. However, the standard Eero still holds its own, offering budget-friendly dual-band connectivity and reliable coverage.
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Table of Contents
Eero and Eero Pro: Understanding the Basics
Eero is Amazonโs popular line of mesh Wi-Fi systems, designed to provide robust and consistent internet coverage throughout your home. The standard Eero and the more premium Eero Pro both accomplish this task admirably but do so with different specifications and features. Letโs break them down:
Eero
The Eero is an affordable, dual-band router that can serve as either the base of your mesh network or an extension of it. Hereโs what you need to know:
- It supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), ensuring solid speeds for most online activities.
- It uses a dual-band system, operating on 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.
- Itโs compact and aesthetically pleasing, making it an unobtrusive addition to any room.
Eero Pro
The Eero Pro is an upgrade over the standard Eero in several ways:
- It supports Wi-Fi 5, but with superior performance thanks to its tri-band system (2.4GHz, 5.2GHz, and 5.8GHz).
- It offers higher speeds and can handle more devices simultaneously.
- Itโs slightly larger than the Eero but shares its sleek, modern design.
Which is Right for You? Eero vs Eero Pro
For Smaller Homes or Lighter Usage: Eero
If you live in a smaller home or apartment, or if your internet usage is relatively light, the standard Eero might be all you need. Its dual-band connectivity can handle streaming, web browsing, and light gaming with ease, and its compact size makes it easy to place in any room.
For Larger Homes or Heavier Usage: Eero Pro
On the other hand, if you live in a larger home or regularly stream 4K video, game online, or have many connected devices, I recommend the Eero Pro. Its tri-band system can manage more devices and offers faster speeds. Plus, its larger coverage makes it better suited to larger homes.
Comparing Eero and Eero Pro: Key Considerations
Speed
Eero Pro offers superior speeds compared to the standard Eero, making it a better choice for heavy internet users.
Coverage
Both Eero and Eero Pro provide excellent coverage, but the Eero Proโs additional 5.8GHz band allows it to handle more devices and cover a larger area.
Price
The Eero Pro is more expensive than the Eero, making the latter a more budget-friendly choice.
Setup and User Experience
Both the Eero and Eero Pro offer simple setup through the Eero app. You can easily connect your Eero devices, manage your network settings, and even set up guest access. The app also offers parental controls, allowing you to manage your childrenโs online activity and set healthy boundaries.
Additionally, both devices offer a sleek and minimalist design that wonโt be an eyesore in your home. Their compact sizes make them easy to place discreetly, and they blend in well with most home decors.
Alternatives and Other Considerations
While Eero and Eero Pro are both excellent choices, you may also want to consider the Eero 6 or Eero Pro 6. These newer models support the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, which can further improve your home networkโs speed and reliability.
Conclusion
In the end, the decision between Eero and Eero Pro comes down to your specific needs. If youโre looking for a reliable, affordable Wi-Fi system for a smaller home or lighter internet usage, the standard Eero will likely meet your needs. However, if you have a larger home, heavy internet usage, or many connected devices, I recommend going for the Eero Pro.
The Eero Proโs tri-band system, faster speeds, and larger coverage make it a robust solution for high-demand home networks. Itโs a bit more expensive, but the enhanced performance may well be worth the investment.
FAQ
What is the difference between Eero Pro and Eero?
Eero Pro offers faster speeds, a tri-band system, and can handle more devices compared to the standard Eero. However, itโs also more expensive.
Is Eero Pro the same as Eero 6?
No, Eero Pro is not the same as Eero 6. While theyโre both part of the Eero line, Eero 6 supports the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, which Eero Pro does not.
What is the difference between Eero systems?
Different Eero systems offer different speeds, coverage areas, and numbers of bands. For instance, Eero Pro offers faster speeds and a tri-band system compared to the standard Eero.
What are the different types of Eero?
Eero offers several types of systems, including the standard Eero, Eero Pro, Eero Beacon, and newer models like Eero 6 and Eero Pro 6. Each has unique features, with the Pro and 6 versions offering faster speeds and larger coverage areas.