Eero Pro 6 is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 gigabit mesh system. I used it for three weeks straight as my primary internet setup and tested it across multiple parameters. Priced at $300 for the two-pack and $400 for the three-pack variant, is it a worthy investment to make? Let's find out through this detailed review of Amazon's Eero Pro 6.
Eero Pro 6 Specs
| Wireless Standard | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Aggregated Speed | AX4200 |
| 2.4GHz Speed | 574 Mbps |
| 5GHz Speed | 1201 Mbps + 2402 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi Range | Up to 3,500 Sq Ft |
| Device Support | Up to 75 devices |
| Ports | 2 x Gig-E & 1 x USB-C |
| App Support | Yes |
| QoS Prioritization | Yes |
| MU-MIMO | Yes |
| Security Standard | WPA3, WPA2 |
| Processor | 1.6GHz Quad-Core |
| RAM | 1GB |
| NAND Storage | 4GB |
| Dimensions | 5.6 x 5.4 x 1.9 inches |
| Weight | 1.49 lbs |
| Release Date | November 2, 2020 |
Eero Pro 6 Review: After 3 Weeks of Use
I paired the Pro 6 with the MB8611 modem connected to Cox’s Gigablast plan. I tested this setup under several scenarios, including gaming, streaming, browsing on multiple devices, and handling smart home gadgets.
This review is based on my detailed observation and three weeks of experimenting with the Eero Pro 6.
Note: Eero Pro 6 has been replaced by its successor, Pro 6E. Check out my detailed comparison to decide if upgrading is worth it.
Eero Pro 6 Speeds & Suitability
Amazon says its Eero Pro 6 mesh WiFi is designed for traditional and commercial setups with Gigabit Internet. The major difference between this and its predecessor is it features an additional 5 GHz band that keeps mesh network transmissions separate from your regular internet traffic and, therefore, faster speeds.
The Pro 6 has an aggregated speed of 4200 Mbps, which is split into three frequency bands as follows:
| 6 GHz: 2402 Mbps | 5 GHz: 2402 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 1201 Mbps |
In 5 GHz mode, the mesh system pulled 939.34 Mbps in download at just 5 feet away. The upload speed reached 36.67 Mbps. While at around 75 feet, the download speed clocked at 563 Mbps, and the upload speed marked 23 Mbps.
Similarly, the speed values for the 2.4 GHz band stayed in the range of 150-300 Mbps at various distances. It is a massive upgrade over any home ISP gateways or conventional dual-band WiFi routers.
With such speeds, carrying out heavy-duty tasks like browsing, TV streaming, and handling other connections felt like a breeze. I even played the Valorant game on the PC and could play it with latency as low as 21ms.
WiFi Coverage
To test the Eero Pro 6's WiFi range, I kept the satellite halfway between two floors to get faster speeds across my 2-story house.
My place is mansions-style with large bedrooms, hallways, and dining rooms, with an area of around 3,700 Sq Ft, and the internet connection still sits around 300 Mbps on the outskirts. It’s only possible due to its high-performing satellites.
Connections Capacity & Performance
Eero Pro 6 mesh WiFi system claims to handle bandwidth-intensive tasks over 75 devices, which sounds a bit of an exaggeration.
I connected over 52 devices, including two smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, security cameras, a PlayStation 4, and all the smart home gadgets.
Despite connecting 52 devices simultaneously, the speeds it delivers were up to the mark, and I didn’t experience any visible lags or latencies, thanks to MU-MIMO support. Apart from that, the productivity of my workspace skyrocketed with faster internet connections.
Hence, my tests reveal that activities like gaming, 4K streaming, video conferencing, attending online classes and others went like a breeze.
Design & Connectivity
The Eero Pro 6 system I tested has two stylish minimalistic-design nodes with dimensions of 5.6 x 5.4 x 1.9 inches, making them considerably bigger than previous Eero models. However, compared to other popular mesh systems, they're smaller.
Besides, many heat dissipation vents at the bottom help it stay cool even after using it for long hours.
You will find two Gigabit ports on its rear side, one staying occupied with the modem, while you can plug in any other device to experience faster internet speeds. If your work/setup demands more wired connections, you'd need an Ethernet switch, or you may also consider getting a mesh system with multiple Ethernet ports.
Security Features
Like most Eero systems, Eero Pro 6 doesn’t have the free anti-malware tools or parental controls you see in mesh systems.
With subscription prices ranging from $2.99 per month to $29.99 per year, the Eero Secure Plan lets you apply specific content, create individual profiles, and block entry of any unwanted personnel or viruses.
Upgrading to a $9.99 monthly plan, you will get everything, including malware protection, Encrypt.me VPN protection, and others.
Similar is the case with Eero parental controls. Subscribing to the plans mentioned above gives you advanced control over what your kids do over the internet. You can manually block any potentially age-inappropriate websites, pause the WiFi anytime, and create a schedule for them to be online.
The only missing links here are QoS settings, which let you allocate bandwidth to client devices for online gaming, video streaming, and large file downloads.
Hardware Setup
Hardware is the forte of the Eero Pro 6. Its 1.6 GHz Quad-Core processor handles high-speed transmissions. Plus, 1 GB RAM and 4 GB flash memory add a cherry.
With such advanced hardware specifications, it can easily transmit faster data from one point to another by eliminating network congestion in a large house, thereby qualifying as a good mesh WiFi to use in a large house.
Eero Pro 6 Setup
Most mesh systems are designed for easy and quick installation, and setting up Eero Pro 6 is nothing different. I started by downloading the Eero app, available on Android and iOS devices, and created an account.
Next, I tapped into the setup section and followed the step-by-step instructions provided on the app after connecting the router and node with the modem.
After a few seconds, an LED light on the front starts blinking, and the app instructs you to set up a location for your node and allocate a username and password to the network. You will find the necessary details on the rear side of your mesh system.
Within seconds, the device is up and running, and you can browse the web and perform other activities without any issues.
If this seems a tad complicated, Eero also includes voice controls powered by Alexa. Just tap on the microphone icon on the app and instruct Alexa to complete the setup. You will be required to input the user credentials manually, and you are good to go.
Eero Pro 6 User Reviews
Here's what current users of Eero Pro 6 have to say about their experience with it:
Frequently Asked Questions
Eero Pro 6 is a solid tri-band WiFi mesh system with decent speeds, greater coverage, and consistent throughput. Its tri-band setup is great for consistent performance and delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps. Plus, it boasts a compact and minimalistic design that conceals a room.
Compared with its predecessor, the Eero Pro 6 mesh router offers better and wider coverage. In general, the 3,500 Sq Ft coverage of the mesh system is greater than any options out there.
Like other electronic devices, Eeros can get warm while operating and running despite having heat-dissipating vents at the bottom.
Yes, the Eero WiFi system is totally worth it. Priced at $299.99 for a two-pack model, it delivers a seamless mesh performance, delivers plenty of speeds, and reduces network congestion. However, it should have offered better security features and QoS functionality.
Here’s how to get your Eero network online:
– Download the Eero app for Android or iOS
– Create an Eero account or log in with your Amazon account
– Set up the gateway
– Create your Eero network and add Eeros to your network
– Connect devices to your network
Eero Pro 6E is the better choice among the two by boasting more robust and powerful radios, double the RAM, and a superior range. Besides that, the former has an added 2.5 Gbps Ethernet jacks that support a fast Ethernet backhaul.
Conclusion
Eero Pro 6 is a slightly pricey yet reliable mesh router on the market. I can definitely recommend it for speeds, coverage, ease of installation, and use. The only thing I think could have been better is the security suite it comes with.
If you're looking for a better alternative, choose its successor, Eero Pro 6E. It brings the latest Wi-Fi 6E and a multi-gig port to handle higher speeds.
