EERO Vs Google Wi-Fi – Differences, In common and My Verdict 2021
It’s a comparison of the first generation Google WiFi and second generation EERO: Do you think still Google WiFi would be able to beat EERO? You will get socked when you see a Verdict
With the advent of the Mesh WiFi Routers, we’ve forgotten the wireless routers, extenders, and of course, access points at some points.
Today, I decided to compare the world’s most popular WiFi Mesh systems available on the market – Google WiFi And EERO.
Before the EERO, none of the rivals even knew the potential of a multiple-node system. Then, Google came in the field and became the main competitor as Google has a big team behind.
After EERO, Google launched its first generation Mesh WiFi system named “Google WiFi,” which was more secure, stable, inexpensive, and more potent than EERO. Therefore, EERO had to respond to Google by launching the 2nd generation Mesh WiFi system, no doubt! Which had to be more powerful and stable than ever.
Let’s take a look at the upside and the downside of The EERO and Google WiFi.
Upside:
EERO
- The EERO mesh wifi system is beautiful, easy to set up, and comes with beacons.
- Automatic troubleshooting, it detects issues, then resolve them and resets in the background.
- Sending a token through a text message allows friends to access the WIFI.
- At night, the LEDs (router + beacon) turn into a nightlight.
- Great customer support.
Google WiFi:
- Google WiFi is also easy to set up, inexpensive, and a set of 3 units.
- The powerful app which lets you do everything, even you can change the LED’s brightness.
- Automatic Firmware updates.
- Nice app – thorough and fully functional.
- Prices are fair enough.
Downside:
EERO
1. There is no Gigabit Ethernet Ports on the beacons.
2. You can’t set it up until you have a smartphone.
Google WiFi
1. Google WiFi has no dedicated backhaul.
2. Lack of advanced features, which you may see in EERO.
Note: Somewhat I also noticed that Google tries to collect some user’s data, I don’t know why; perhaps it might have helped them to improve users’ experience.
What are the similarities you see in Google WiFi and EERO?
I would say the Google WiFI and the EERO both are good entry-level mesh WiFi system because both provide what they promise to their users. Both devices are capable of providing basic to advanced networking control.
Let’s point out some common features:
1. Gigabit Ethernet Ports:
Both the devices come with two Gigabit Ethernet Ports. However, If EERO is concerned, you only get these ports on its main point, the other two points don’t have any ports.
On the other hand, Google WiFi also has two ports, but with great advantage as its other two units also have the same Gigabit ports. It means you have the flexibility to connect more device to it.
2. Bridge Mode:
People often use bridge mode when it comes to extending the range of the existing router, and the good news is both EERO and Google WiFi support bridge mode. However, there are a few disadvantages that you might face when the bridge mode is used.
In Google WiFi’s case, you can lose so many features as it will not have any ability to control the network, meaning the lack of its utility; thus you miss out some important features such as WAN network settings, DNS settings, Guest WiFi, device Prioritization.
While the EERO works fine in bridge mode, however, you will not be able to use its “Family Profiles” feature. Other than that, It works well.
3. Beamforming:
Beamforming technology is related to speeds and stability. The good thing is both devices support this technology, in the result, you get faster speeds and a more stable connection. The beamforming allows the router to transmit the signal in the direction of the client’s connected devices. Therefore, more rapid and reliable communication.
4. LED Light:
This is the last similarity which I found in both devices. The EERO and The Google WiFi both have an LED for showing the status, whether it is a power status or connected status. It serves purposes.
The EERO houses the LED on edge, while Google WiFi has the LED in the narrow section.
Some basic features comparison: EERO Gen 2 Vs. Google WiFi Gen 1
EERO GEN2:
Setup:
Installation of EERO is quite simple and well instructed.
Software:
It provides necessary features like family usage, automatic updates, and priority of the devices.
Performance:
There is no limitation for the devices you connect; you are free to join multiple devices with ease.
Design:
It is the set of 3 units. All the 3 units are beautiful and small, on the back side, you get 2-gigabit ethernet ports.
Google WiFi:
Setup:
Setup of Google WiFI is simple and easy too. However, Instructions are not as good as EERO.
Software:
It lets you control devices, device prioritization, guest WiFi, and can pause and resume them.
Performance:
Being a 1st generation, It may slow if compared to EERO. However, it also depends on your service provider (ISP).
Design:
Google WiFi’s units are small and look good. It has 2 Gigabit ports in the narrow section.
Major Differences: The EERO Vs Google Wi-Fi
1. Connectivity:
It plays a major role when it comes to keeping a robust, reliable and stable connection.
Both devices use different technology, thus inequalities in the performance.
1.1 Bands:
The EERO has the ability to work with simultaneous 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. The 1s generation of EERO was a dual-band router, but the second generation has the capability of “tri-band Mesh” technology.
Other rivals like Velop, Orbi, Lyra, and many more, have introduced their WiFi systems and featuring the tri-band WiFi radios with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards. Eero did the same and added an extra band for better performance and now allows you to connect multiple devices at once without the hassle.
Since EERO was the world’s first company that launched the “Home WiFi System.” Therefore, It had to take one step further, that could set the Eero apart from the rivals, which is its ability to steer backhaul traffic dynamically through the nodes. Aforementioned, It also supports beamforming technology.
However, one thing which I don’t like in 2nd generation EERO is it has no ethernet ports on the beacons.
As I said earlier, The Google WiFi features a dual-band radio, which means it is slower than Eero. I must say the first generation of Google WiFi can easily beat the first generation of EERO in terms of speeds and performance.
Moreover, It can operate simultaneously 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz with the capability of IEEE 802.11a/b/c/ac standards. It also comes with Bluetooth 4.2.
Hardware:
If we compare both of the devices in terms of hardware, then you might see better hardware in Google WiFi. However, The connectivity and stability still are with EERO as it has an extra radio band.
Google WiFi and EERO both are having the same hardware. Google WiFi and EERO have a quad-core Qualcomm Atheros IPQ4019 chipset that clocked at 717Mhz along with 512 MB RAM.
You can use both the devices as a smart home hub. Somewhat the EERO has some benefits as it has the Bluetooth LE4.2. Whereas Google WiFi also have Bluetooth 4.2 width ZigBee technology.
Theoretically, Google WiFi’s data transfer rate is up to 300Mbps on 2.4Ghz and on 5Ghz you get around 867Mbps. While EERO can go up to 240Mbps using 2.4Ghz band and up to 600Mbps using 5Ghz radio bands
Feature & Performance:
The lack of Gigabit Ethernet ports on the beacon units is the biggest disadvantage of the EERO, therefore why would people spend extra money buying the EERO pro pack? It had better buy the first generation of EERO instead. EERO also promised us that the 1st generation of EERO would be kept updated. In my opinion, It is better to connect the first generation Eero’s nodes to the second generation of the EERO for better performance.
Like Linksys Velop, Google WiFi also uses IEEE 801.11s Mesh technology. Mesh technology allows Google WiFi to communicate with other units and work together to provide a great range.
The Verdict: Which one should you buy?
Whether you buy the EERO or Google WiFi, both devices allow you to connect more units or nodes. But, I would advise you, don’t add more than six units; otherwise, it is nothing but a waste of time.
If you ask me what my opinion is, I would love to recommend the “Google WiFi” rather than “EERO” because I found google mesh network user-friendly and straightforward. If you have a small or medium home, you can go with Google WiFI. And if you have a medium to a larger home with lots of dead spaces, you can go with EERO. It depends on you and your needs.