eero vs eero Pro Mesh WiFi System (2021): How Are They Different?

Amazon’s eero is one of the most well-regarded mesh WiFi systems to date. It combines fantastic performance, superb coverage, and affordable pricing, along with multiple configurations of routers and extenders. With the arrival of eero Pro, deciding between these first and second-generation mesh router options is more difficult, and one we’d like to help you with through our comparison below.

eero vs eero Pro Mesh WiFi System Comparison Chart

Design

eero Pro has a smaller profile than eero.

The distinctive shape of eero routers continue on to the newer Pro units, though eero Pro is drastically reduced in height. As a result, eero Pro takes up more tabletop space, though you wouldn’t notice it because of its slim profile. You’ll find eero to be more visible in your home, which isn’t a bad thing whatsoever since its minimalist white frame looks great.

Notice that the white LED indicator now sits at the front edge of eero Pro, making it slightly more noticeable than on the top of eero. Both mesh routers are compatible with the eero Beacon range extenders, which look similar to eero Pro but in a horizontal fashion. This design allows eero Beacon to be plugged in directly to wall outlets without additional cords.

Connectivity

eero Pro has a larger range than eero.

Amazon eero delivered great value in its relatively tiny package by being able to cover up to 1,500 sq. ft. whether as the primary router or range extender. Its best-selling option is the eero 3-pack consisting of three eero routers, which is recommended for homes up to 5,000 sq. ft.

The new eero Pro received a significant hardware upgrade, allowing it to cover up to 2,000 sq. ft. as the primary router or provide an additional 1,750 sq. ft. of coverage as an extender. Needless to say, larger homes will want the bigger coverage of eero Pro, though smaller homes will still benefit from its improved signal consistency.

Both eero and eero Pro only have two Gigabit Ethernet ports each, which can feel lacking if you need several wired connections, especially if you opt for the router+extender combinations.

Performance

eero Pro is faster and more reliable than eero.

Setting up either eero or eero Pro is a painless process. You’ll need to download the eero companion app and then simply follow the straightforward instructions. A nice touch to the entire installation walkthrough is that the app will also tell you whether the locations you place each router or Beacon is good or not for the network.

As a dual-band router, the original eero is recommended for homes with 350 Mbps connections. Amazon doesn’t reveal its actual top speeds, though it doesn’t really need to since the eero router is more than adequate for most homes. Note that your ISP subscription only indicates max download and upload speeds for wired connections.

However, those with faster connections, such as 500 Mbps or more, will benefit more from eero Pro, which should allow them to reach their ISP limits more closely even when connected wirelessly. This is because it can broadcast WiFi signals on three different bands, allowing it to be twice as fast as the original.

Moreover, the addition of the second 5 GHz radio helps the eero Pro routers communicate faster with other nodes. Its impact is better felt during high load scenarios where multiple devices are consuming big portions of your bandwidth. As a result, you’ll find eero Pro to deliver more consistent speeds and reliable performance than eero.

Software and Other Features

eero and eero Pro share the same app and similar features.

The eero software experience is one of the best ones today, as it’s simple to understand even if you have no practical networking knowledge. The eero WiFi app let’s you see important network stats, such as connection speeds, connected devices, data usage, and more. You can diagnose and fix issues for all devices as well as set up parental controls for your children’s phones and tablets.

As Amazon products, both eero and eero Pro are readily compatible with Alexa, and there are even bundles with free Echo Dots included. eero, eero Pro, and eero Beacon all play well with each other, too. Your home network can be made up of any combination of these devices, though it’s advised that you use the most powerful one (eero Pro) as the primary router since the entire network depends on its performance.

eero offers extra security and privacy features with eero Secure, a subscription service that gives your home network advanced protection from threats. It also includes features such as safe filtering, ad blocking, and an activity center that lets you monitor how devices are using the network. The more premium eero Secure+ plan further adds a password manager, VPN, and antivirus for desktop and laptop computers.

Verdict

eero is better for smaller homes while eero Pro is ideal for high-speed connections.

Needless to say, the eero Pro mesh WiFi system is easily more powerful than the original eero, so you should definitely get it if you have an ISP subscription higher than 400 Mbps. Its tri-band radios allow you to more fully utilize all of that bandwidth and get more stable performance even while streaming 4K videos on several devices. Homes with multiple floors or wider floor plans will also benefit more from the greater coverage afforded by multi-router packs of eero Pro.

If affordability is your priority, however, the first-gen eero mesh WiFi system is an unbeatable value. The eero 3-pack costs significantly less than the eero Pro + eero Beacon combo, while providing wider coverage. Though eero itself has a more limited range and only dual-band capability, it can easily handle multiple connected devices ensuring strong wireless signals for each.

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