The need for total WiFi coverage in your large home might lead you to compare Eero Mesh vs. Google Mesh, two popular and viable options.
While both systems provide wider WiFi coverage, Eero Mesh is a better option if you want the faster WiFi6 standard.
However, Google Mesh WiFi is more affordable at only $175 for a 3-pack. Also, Google’s smart voice assistant makes it easier to manage your home’s smart voice-powered devices.
You could get faster speeds if you upgrade from a Google WiFi Mesh to a WiFi6-compatible Google Nest WiFi mesh.
We’ll compare the features of these popular mesh networks and give you upgrade options.
Google Mesh Vs. Eero Differences
The Google Mesh is a 2019 Google release that followed 2016’s Google WifFi. It’s a main router and add-on devices called Points.
The Points broadcast the router’s WiFi signal to dead zone corners of your home.
In the other corner, we have Amazon’s Eero mesh network system that came to the fore in 2017.
Eero mesh is one main router/node and nodes that feed off the main node.
These nodes connect to electrical points and stay powered to broadcast WiFi signals throughout the house past thick walls and into dead spots.
Note: These features only apply to the Google WiFi mesh. Updated systems, such as Google’s Nest WiFi, are faster and have upgraded features.
Band Frequency
While it may not have the biggest effect, the band frequency affects how you receive signals from both mesh systems.
Google WiFi supports dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency. On the other hand, Eero supports 2.4, 5 and 5.8 GHz tri-band frequencies.
The Eero is therefore able to move faster signal at the same time. The enhanced speed is better for overall performance.
However, you should note that you would have to be using the more updated Eero 6 Pro to get the 5.8 GHz capability. Still, other Eero devices have tri-band capability.
WiFi Standard
The WiFi standard in either device matters.
The Google Mesh system uses WiFi5, unlike the Eero, which supports WiFi 6(802.11ax). While it’s not a huge difference, it makes a significant difference when you have more devices in your network.
WiFi6 is a more modern WiFi protocol.
A WiFi6-enabled device provides higher speeds and more streams in dual-band devices. Also, a WiFi6 device is a better option in a home with devices performing high-demand activities such as streaming and gaming.
In the event of a bandwidth bottleneck or congestion, WiFi6-enabled devices are more reliable to still offer stable speeds.
Finally, more devices — smartphones and IoT devices — are now equipped with WiFi6. They might be WiFi5 back compatible, but WiFi6 would instantly boost their performance.
Coverage
Both systems are meant to provide whole-house coverage. We recommend a mesh system with broader coverage. It’s better for scalability.
You’d get wider coverage with the Eero than with Google WiFi mesh.
The Google WiFi mesh can comfortably cover 1300 square feet for one device. A 3-pack, which you ordinarily get for a whole house, covers about 3000-3500 square feet.
Conversely, one Eero device can give you up to 1500 square feet. A 3-pack will cover about 5000 square feet.
However, you can get wider coverage with more powerful devices, such as an Eero Pro 6E and Google Nest WiFi.
Speed
The coverage won’t matter much if they’re not backed by high speeds from your ISP. The mesh system can only broadcast the ISP’s speeds.
Here, Eero’s most modest mesh device, the Beacon, broadcasts about 350 Mbps. You can get as high as 2.3 Gbps with the Eero Pro 6E. Others like the Pro, 6 Pro, and 6+ provide 1 Gbps.
On the other hand, Google WiFi provides about 860 Mbps on its 5 Ghz band and 400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. However, some users’ tests have shown speeds as low as 90 Mbps.
Still, comparisons show Eero consistently performs better than Google WiFi.
Extra Features
Voice activation & assistant: While the Eero comes with Amazon’s Alexa and works with Zigbee, Google WiFi comes with Google Assistant.
Google Assistant lets you control connected devices and manage the WiFi network. Also, you can play music in any room you place on a Google WiFi device.
The Alexa assistance in Eero lets you manage your network, turn off Eero devices when they’re not in use and find devices.
MU-MIMO: Mu-MIMO allows a WiFi router to connect and talk to many devices simultaneously. It’s the basis of high-speed multi-user activities such as online gaming and streaming.
Eero has MU-MiMo capability, while Google Wifi does.
You must consider getting a modern Google mesh device like Nest to experience these activities with a Google WiFi device.
Security: Google Mesh devices and Eero have security features, such as parental control, cyber protection, and anti-malware.
However, the difference between Eero and Google Mesh is Eero has paid subscriptions. Sure, you’ll get a VPN, anti-malware and antivirus with your Eero mesh. But you must pay $30 for Eero Secure and $100 per year for Secure+, a decent price to protect your network and devices. We recommend it if you use your internet for business and sensitive online activity.
Google WiFi Vs. Eero Gen 2
Using mesh systems to run a smart home
The Eero Gen 2(Eero Pro) upgrades older Eero Mesh WiFi models. Unlike its predecessor, it has an upgraded 700 MHz CPU and two 5 GHz frequency bands.
The Eero Gen 2 is a great buy if you run a smart home. It supports Alexa and Thread protocol. Thread protocol support is vital in home-tech innovations such as smart locks.
Compared to Google WiFi, it also supports more features, such as beamforming and Mu-MIMO.
To rival the Eero Gen 2, upgrade from Google Mesh WiFi to Google Nest. A Google Nest mesh system can match the Eero Gen 2 features to run a smart home.
Google WiFi vs. Eero Mesh Setup
Google WiFi and Eero mesh setup are relatively easy.
They have a simple procedure you can complete from your smartphone through their apps.
- For the Eero, you must create an Eero account or sign into Eero with your Amazon account on your smartphone. You must also have the Eero app already installed.
- Connect the Eero primary gateway device to an existing router or modem. The connection is wired via an Ethernet cable.
- Connect the Eero to a power outlet. The Eero gateway LED light turns blue when it connects.
- Assign the Eero network a name and password. You can use your current name and password to make it easy.
- The Eero setup wizard guides you on ideal places to place the other Eero devices. We recommend placing each device two rooms away in an open location at eye level.
The Google mesh WiFi system setup is the same as the Eero setup.
It would be best to have a Google account, the Google Home app, a modem and reliable internet.
- Place the primary Google WiFipoint close to the modem. Put the power cable into the WiFi point.
- Connect the Ethernet cable to the primary Google mesh point. Connect the Ethernet cable’s other end to the modem.
- Plug the adapter into the power outlet and give it a minute. The WiFi point will have a blinking blue light until it’s ready.
- Open the Google Home app and add a new device. Tap “Set Up New Devices in your home’. The app will search for that first Google WiFi point you connected.
- Use the app’s QR reader and scan the QR code on the bottom of the Google WiFi mesh device. Create a name and secure password. Check for the light change from blue to white. A white light means the setup is successful.
- Place the other Google points into electrical outlets in a clear place, not more than two rooms away.
Conclusion
Amazon’s Eero is a better mesh Wi-Fi network system than Google WiFi. However, Google WiFi is more affordable and easy to set up.
They are both scalable if you want to boost coverage. There are more options for fast mesh WiFi devices if you choose Eero.
You may want to upgrade to Google Nest to get WiFi6 standard speeds like Eero.