eero 6+ Review

The eero 6+ is a WiFi mesh system that strives to be a staple smart home device. It's a dual-band WiFi 6 router that can support gigabit connection speeds at close range. Each node in the system has two Ethernet ports, making it a versatile part of any network. Eero even asserts that their TrueMesh technology intelligently paths the ideal route for data through the home, ensuring a faster and more reliable connection. To put that to the test, we bought the eero 6+ system ourselves and put it through a gauntlet of analytical trials alongside other market-leading mesh systems.

Node Speed

What sets a WiFi mesh system apart from a typical router is its nodes. With a product like the eero 6+, you can designate one node to serve as the main router, while the other nodes serve to extend the signal's range. The distance between the router and the node inevitably weakens the signal somewhat, but the eero 6+ maintained a relatively high node speed compared to other mesh systems we tested.

We recommend the eero 6+ if you need a strong signal, no matter where you go in your house or office building. We clocked the signal throughput at 346 Mbps from 35 feet away from the node on the other side of a wall. The average consumer internet speed in the United States is just over 200 Mbps, so the eero's node speed limit is actually more than enough for most homes.

The eero 6+ nodes are incredibly stable, too. During our 10-minute node performance test, 35 feet from the node, the signal only dropped out two times. By the nature of WiFi, some split-second dropouts are inevitable. This is especially true with extension nodes at greater distances. While you're not likely to notice these dropouts whatsoever, it is still impressive that this eero system only lapsed a couple of times.

Range

Range is the eero 6+'s ultimate claim to fame. When connected to an extension node, we were able to get a usable WiFi signal at a maximum distance of 135 ft. from the router. The next best mesh systems in our lineup had a maximum range of 110 feet, making the eero capable of achieving a truly amazing range of coverage.

We found the eero's maximum range by connecting to the node from 105-110 feet, which placed us a total 135 feet from the main router. At this range, we still registered a download speed of 69 Mbps. Even at such an extreme range, we still connected two devices to the network and streamed 4K videos on each within moments.

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The ideal placement of a mesh system's node is about halfway between the router and its deadzone. The eero 6+ router can extend a powerful signal to 110 feet by itself, so if you want maximum range with minimum throughput loss, the best place for a node is 60-65 feet from the router. Of course, you can fine-tune the node placement within your own home to achieve the perfect level of range and signal strength for your needs.

Router Speed

The extension nodes in a WiFi mesh system can extend the signal range within your home or business, but the strongest connection will still come when you are closer to the main router itself. While the eero 6+ touts the longest range in our tests, it also provides some of the best router speeds we've seen, too.

On one hand, the eero 6+ falls ever-so-slightly short of providing true gigabit throughput. On the other hand, though, its performance at longer distances puts faster routers to shame. Some gigabit routers we tested fall to 500-600 Mbps or even lower at just 35 feet, but the eero 6+ still delivers 770 Mbps at that range. If you're not using an Ethernet cable or sitting within 10 feet of your router, this product is one of the best options available.

Ease of Setup

The eero 6+ is a straightforward and reliable mesh system. This means that it's also very easy to set up. There's no need to navigate complex web pages, subscribe to any extra security features, or manage any troublesome notifications or status messages. Unless you want to. It's a simple product that gives you everything you need right out of the box.

What the eero 6+ lacks, though, is device priority and parental control. If you value having a router that automatically manages what your children can and cannot do on the internet, this one doesn't make it easy. Eero does offer parental control through their “eero Secure” service, but it requires a subscription fee.

Jitter and Latency

We measured the packet loss (jitter) and ping (latency) of each WiFi mesh system. They all performed excellently, as expected of any modern router, but it's worth noting that the eero 6+ had a practically perfect packet loss reading at the router and the lowest average node ping. However, we did observe an occasional jitter spike when connected through a node. In reality, though, you're not likely to notice any major differences in stability between this mesh system and its other high-end peers.

Should You Buy the eero 6+?

The eero 6+ is a stable, reliable, and easy-to-use mesh system that is ideal for larger homes or shared office spaces. If you're paying for gigabit internet and want to spread a strong WiFi signal across many square feet or through multiple stories in your building, this is the router for you. If you like everything you've seen about the eero 6+, but the price just seems like too much, you have a couple of different purchasing options. Instead of the standard pack of three nodes, you can save money by buying this system in a 2-pack or even just a 1-pack.

What Other WiFi Mesh System Should You Consider?

WiFi 6 is still the reliable standard, but if you want to reap the benefits of the newer and faster WiFi 7 technology, consider checking out the eero 7 instead. If you're a gamer who's looking for the ideal network setup for online competition, we recommend the Asus ROG Rapture GT6 Wifi 6. For a more affordable option that still provides great connection performance over a large area, the TP-Link Deco BE23 BE3600 is a great introduction to what WiFi 7 has to offer.