Amazon eero 6
Another great mesh router from Amazon
The 1,800Mbps speed should be fast enough for streaming on most broadband connections
£279 FROM Amazon, amazon.co.uk FEATURES Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz, 1.2GHz, quad-core processor, 4GB flash memory, 512MB flash storage, 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports
Eero is now owned by Amazon, and rather than being ‘version 6’ as the name suggests, the eero 6 is the first model to introduce Wi-Fi 6 technology (aka 802.11ax).
At just £279 for a three-piece kit, you get a primary router and two ‘extenders’, which provide dual-band Wi-Fi 6 capable of covering homes up to 5,000sq ft in size.
There are plenty of faster mesh systems available (including the tri-band eero 6 Pro), but the eero 6 stands out as being one of the most affordable mesh systems to offer Wi-Fi 6, and the 1,800Mbps speed should be fast enough for basic web browsing and streaming video on most home broadband connections.
Each compact, pod-like design measures 90mm wide and deep, and 57mm high. The main router has a USB-C port on the back for power, along with two Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired network connections. One of the Ethernet ports needs to be connected to your existing modem or router in order to use your internet connection, so you just have one Ethernet port for a wired connection. The ‘extender’ units don’t have Ethernet, which is disappointing but understandable given the price. The eero supports Alexa and Zigbee. Oddly though, it doesn’t support Apple’s HomeKit as per the previous generations.
The app is straightforward. There’s a speed test that allows you to check the performance of your network, and you can monitor the data usage of each device. You can also create a guest network for visitors, and set up schedules to control internet access for different family members.
The app creates just a single network that combines the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, and while that helps to keep the initial set-up simple, it may deter more experienced users who prefer separate networks. And there’s no ‘QoS’ (quality of service) option that can give priority to devices that need max performance. Additional features, such as parental controls, ad blocking and security require an additional subscription costing either £2.99 per month or £9.99 per month, depending on which features you require.
Performance
The eero app uses Bluetooth on your mobile devices to connect to each eero unit and guide you through the set-up. As the app creates a single network that combines the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands you merely need to enter a single name and password.
It’s not the fastest mesh system, but the eero 6 supports a max speed of 1,800Mbps, which is more than adequate for a 100Mbps broadband service. And the router is designed to stream data efficiently to up to 75 different devices at once, which should keep even the most gadget-crazy homes happy.
Admittedly, you’re paying a bit of a premium for advanced features of Wi-Fi 6, but if you’re looking for an affordable Wi-Fi upgrade that is suitable for larger homes with lots of connected smart devices, the eero 6 fits the bill without costing a fortune.
Cliff Joseph