Eero 3-Pack
Affordable, easy–to–use mesh Wi–Fi system
The app can email a QR code to help others connect
£249 FROM Eero, eero.com FEATURES Two Ethernet ports on each pod, Alexa–compatible, Bluetooth
Eero isn’t a big name in the networking market, but it was taken over by Amazon last year and now – surprise, surprise – you’ll see it recommended as ‘Amazon’s Choice’ if you ever go looking for a new router or mesh system on Amazon.
People in smaller homes can buy a single Eero for just £99, while larger homes can buy a three-pack for £249, which can cover areas up to 5,000 square feet.
Along with their dual-band Wi-Fi, each of the smart little white pods also has two Ethernet ports that can be used for wired connections too. However, the Eero routers don’t include a modem, so one of those Ethernet ports will be needed to connect the first Eero to your existing modem or router.
Getting started is quick and easy, as the Eero app initially uses Bluetooth to connect to each Eero and automatically set up your new Wi-Fi network for you. Just create a name and password for the network – the app can even email a QR code to other people to help them connect to the new network too.
The low price means the routers are fairly basic, only offering dual-band Wi-Fi on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands – and Eero studiously avoids making any claims about the speed of the system too. But the Eero 3-Pack performed well when we tested it. With the first Eero connected to our existing router, devices nearby in the same room saw a modest speed increase from 400Mbps to 440Mbps. We then installed the second Eero in a nearby hallway, and the third Eero in a back office at the far end of the hallway. Ordinarily, that back office only gets a Wi-Fi speed of around 75Mbps, but with the Eero helping out it leapt to 350Mbps.
Control charges
The Eero app has a fairly limited set of networking controls and features. It only creates a single combined network, with no option to separate the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The parental controls are fairly limited too. You can create a simple schedule to restrict internet access times for individual devices, but more advanced parental controls require a subscription of $2.99 (about £2.40) per month, or $9.99 per month (about £8) if you want additional security features. That cynical attempt to sell you a subscription is annoying, but if you’re after a reliable mesh Wi-Fi system that can cover large homes then the Eero 3-Pack provides good performance at a competitive price.
The limited features of the Eero app and the attempt to charge for advanced services are disappointing, but the Eero 3-Pack performs well for the price. CLIFF JOSEPH