Now that fast and uninterrupted internet connection is more important than ever in our homes, it would be wise to invest in a Wi-Fi system. This way, you won’t get disconnected from your video meetings anymore and feel embarrassed about it. Two reliable models that are worth looking into are the Nest Wifi and the eero Pro 6, both of which are impressive in their own ways. To help you choose the best model for your home, here’s an in-depth comparison that covers their speed, mesh expansion, and security features.
eero Pro 6 vs Nest Wifi Comparison Chart
Speed
The eero Pro 6 delivers faster speeds than the Nest Wifi.
The Nest Wifi is pretty fast at AC220 which means it should be able to manage gigabit speeds via the 5GHz band and can be expected to deliver around 1733 Mbps. But this still depends on the device you’re using. Unfortunately, this drops by around half when it’s part of a mesh connection because it has to share its speed with the devices as well as the mesh. You don’t have to worry though as it should still be fast enough to play your 4K videos.
As for the eero Pro 6, it has found a way around this problem by introducing another 5GHz band. This means that the router can allocate all of its speed to the devices you’re using. In addition, it has Wi-Fi 6 for even faster connection. It’s definitely able to trump the Nest Wifi in terms of gigabit speed, delivering 1201 Mbps on the low 5GHz band and 2402 Mbps on the high one. So if you have to deal with large file sizes or you share the internet with several people at home, definitely go for this one. It’s great as well that there are now many Wi-Fi 6 routers and devices it’s compatible with.
However, there is a downside to both the Nest Wifi and the eero Pro 6 and that’s the fact that they only have one additional gigabit port. So if you’re planning to connect more than one device via ethernet, you’re better off with other mesh wireless routers.
Mesh Expansion
It’s best to use the routers themselves to expand your mesh instead of extenders.
If you’re planning to expand your mesh, it’s best to buy the routers themselves versus extenders but the latter option should be alright if you don’t mind sacrificing some speed. With the Nest Wifi, you can opt for the Nest Wifi Points but as expected, they’re nowhere near as fast as the main router. They don’t come with an ethernet port either. While most people won’t be able to notice the slower connection, the drop might be significant if there are network-intensive applications that are running far away from the router. The upside of these Points, however, is that they double up as a smart speaker and are compatible with Google Assistant.
Similarly for the eero Pro 6, the ideal scenario is to have several of them around your home for the fastest possible connection speed. But the next best thing would be the eero 6 which is slightly slower but should be able to easily manage around 500Mbps. What’s great about eero is that all models are compatible with each other so if you have an old model lying around, you can use that to expand your mesh. Just know that anything older than the eero 6 might cause a significant drop in speed so it’s important to factor that in and see if it’s worth it.
Security Features
The eero Pro 6 has a more robust selection of security features compared to the Nest Wifi.
Possibly the biggest advantage that the eero Pro 6 has over the Nest Wifi are the additional features that come with its software. While you’d have to pay for a subscription to enjoy them, they’re worth the extra money because of the added security and protection that you get. If you’re worried about your privacy, you’ll be glad to know that with an eero subscription, you can gain much better control of your data and network.
There are two types of subscriptions you can choose from, the first one being the most basic eero Secure. This gives you access to content filtering, SafeSearch, and ad blocking for your entire network, plus you’ll be prioritized if you need technical support. If you want an even more secure experience, you can go for the eero Secure+ subscription which includes everything that was previously mentioned as well as accounts for 1Password, Malwarebytes, and Encrypt.me. Unfortunately, the only security feature you can get with Nest Wifi is SafeSearch which protects children from bad sites.
Verdict
The eero Pro 6 wins against the Nest Wifi.
eero Pro 6
Nest Wifi
The Nest Wifi is no doubt a capable Wi-Fi system with coverage and connection speed that should be enough for most people. However, the eero Pro 6 mesh Wi-fi system is the winner of this comparison for a couple of reasons. For starters, it’s a tri-band router with one 2.4GHz and two 5GHz bands so all of its speed is allocated to your devices. In addition, it has Wi-Fi 6 for an extra fast connection and is compatible with a lot of the newer routers and devices on the market. To top things off, its security features are far more robust than the Nest Wifi’s, providing users with higher control over their data, network, and privacy.
FAQs
Yes. The eero Pro 6 a tri-band router with one 2.4GHz and two 5GHz bands so that all of its speed can be allocated to your devices.
Yes. The eero Pro 6 is worth purchasing for its tri-band mesh, its Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, its compatibility with the new routers and devices, and its robust security features.
Yes. The eero Pro 6 is compatible with all older models so you can use the eero Pro with it to expand your mesh. Do note, however, that this could cause a drop in connection speed.
In terms of gigabit speed, the eero Pro 6 can deliver 1201 Mbps on the low 5GHz band and 2402 Mbps on the high one.