Eero vs Google Nest Best Mesh WiFi System in 2024

In terms of range as well as performance, it goes without saying that Google Nest Mesh WiFi system is the better of the two. Google Nest WiFi users also have the advantage of having each Nest Wifi Points or satellites act as a smart speaker. So the choice is fairly simple.

Eero and Google Nest are both existing brands for mesh WiFi systems, so it’s no surprise that the two companies go head to head in the market again. Eero is owned by global juggernaut Amazon while Google Nest is part of Google’s acquisition of Nest several years ago. The end product is extremely satisfying regardless of which model you choose, though there are bound to be some differences as is the case with mesh WiFi routers.

Why should you get a mesh Wifi router?

If you’re frequently experiencing WiFi dead spots at your home, a mesh router and accompanying satellite(s) can help alleviate those concerns a great deal. It can also offer enhanced speeds as well as parental controls for the administrator of the home/office network.

Given that the systems are beginning to pick up pace in the industry, it goes without saying that plenty of customers are torn between the Eero and Google Nest.

So which one should you pick? How does each product differ from the other? We take a look.

Eero vs Google Nest Best Mesh WiFi System

 

 

1. Amazon Eero Mesh WiFi

Amazon completed the acquisition of Eero in early 2019, although no major changes were made as the company continued to develop and launch products in the market. Naturally, its presence on Amazon’s marketplace has also helped its popularity a great deal. Products like the Eero Pro continue to remain expensive in the market, though the company’s announcement of the standard Eero Mesh WiFi for almost half the price certainly generated immense popularity for those easy to operate WiFi mesh system.

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2. Google Nest Mesh WiFi

This is an evolution of the Google WiFi router that was originally launched in 2016. By including the Nest team’s expertise with this new mesh router, Google has also added some of its own unique features to the fold, making it a solid competitor to products like the Eero. The Nest WiFi is also available in a new design thanks to a recent refresh, though not a whole lot is different from previous-gen models.

Those looking to upgrade from the older Google mesh WiFi system should be aware that your settings and preferences aren’t carried to the new Google Nest router, which means customers will have to start fresh. There’s also a different app for the new Google Nest mesh router, which we will go through in this article.

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Eero vs Google Nest Mesh Wifi: Key Differences

Right from the start, it’s important to discuss one of the important aspects of modern-day routers – security and privacy. Google Nest Wifi and Eero both come with beamforming and support for 2.4 GHz/5 GHz dual-bands. However, while the Google Nest offering comes built-in with the WPA3 security protocol, the Eero Mesh Wifi only offers WPA2 security. Though this probably won’t make a huge difference to prospective users, it’s certainly worth knowing.

The gulf between the two becomes significantly wider when we look at the internal hardware. To start off, Google Nest Mesh Wifi comes with 1GB of RAM, accompanied by 4GB of storage. By comparison, the Eero comes with 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage onboard.

Thanks to Google’s most recent refresh, the Nest Mesh WiFi system now acts as a smart speaker as well. Google specifies that only the satellites (Nest Wifi Points) will function as a speaker, while the router doesn’t carry this functionality. This can effectively help you throw commands via Google Assistant to quickly check internet speed or even play music in multiple rooms. In effect, the Nest Mesh WiFi system not only extends the wireless range within your home, but also expands Google Assistant’s availability.

Given that the Eero is a more basic mesh Wi-FI router, it doesn’t come with smart speaker facilities as it doesn’t carry a microphone. However, you can enable Alexa support by pairing a voice-enabled Alexa device like the Echo or Echo Dot.

Customers will find that setting up both the Eero Mesh and Google Nest WiFi is relatively easy, though we prefer Eero’s simplicity in this regard.

Users will also observe faster data transfer speeds with the Google Nest Mesh WiFi as compared to the Eero offering mainly due to the improved hardware under the hood. While this shouldn’t make much of a difference to the average user, those seeking to utilize their internet speeds to the full potential are likely going to be more comfortable with the Nest WiFi.

Eero vs Google Nest Mesh Wifi: Range

Let’s face it, the reason why most people want to upgrade to a mesh WiFi router is to improve range, and not just marginally. Thanks to the superior hardware used by Google, the Nest Mesh can offer coverage or range of up to 2,200 sq ft as per the company’s estimates.

Meanwhile, the Amazon Eero mesh WiFi router can only cover 1,500 sq ft with its three-unit setup. This is a significant setback for those looking to cover the entirety of their homes. However, Eero has provided some alternative arrangements to make up for this as we’ll discuss below.

Google has doubled the number of antennas available inside from two to four. This makes it compatible with 4×4 MIMO networks. On the flipside, the Amazon Eero Mesh WiFi system limits itself to a standard 2×2 MIMO connection with two antennas. This was likely done to keep the costs down.

Eero vs Google Nest Mesh Wifi: Connectivity

This is yet another important aspect for several customers given that the availability of the ports on a router and its satellites determines what you can and cannot connect to your home network. For example, something like a gaming console can perform better when it has a dedicated wired connection with your router or satellite. However, this is not possible with the Google Nest WiFi satellites as they don’t come with Ethernet ports. However, the Nest WiFi router (main unit) comes with two Ethernet ports on board.

The Eero is significantly ahead in this regard as it provides two Ethernet ports each on the router as well as satellites, giving you plenty of options to set up a wired connection with your TV or gaming console. This effectively means customers get access to six usable Ethernet ports with the Eero whereas Google’s Nest mesh WiFi system only offers two ports.

Eero vs Google Nest Mesh Wifi: Other features

Primary to the setup process of both mesh WiFi systems are the mobile apps that need to be downloaded from either the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Google Nest Mesh WiFi users need to download the Google Home app which helps you right from the setup process to the very end, even allowing you to resolve any issues without interfering with the router physically.

Naturally, there are a ton of security features built-in as well, including parental controls and custom profiles for members of your household. It is also worth pointing that the Nest Mesh WiFi is backwards compatible with older Google Wi-Fi systems, though the process to bring over settings from your old Google Wi-Fi setup is currently not supported.

The same can be said about the Eero app which can also be used to control the company’s Eero Pro tri-band Mesh WiFi system. You simply have to plug in a cable from your modem onto the primary router, and follow the onscreen instructions on the app to complete the process. You can name your networks, and establish parental controls within the app as well.

Eero vs Google Nest Best Mesh WiFi System Verdict

As we’ve gone through the list of differences between the two Mesh WiFi routers in detail, the choice certainly isn’t any easier. This is mainly because the two belong to different price segments, although the features are significantly better on the Google Nest Mesh WiFi than on the Eero. For starters, the Google Nest offering comes with WPA3 security whereas the Eero Mesh WiFi settles for WPA2.

Given that we’ve also gone through the coverage and range these routers offer, customers can choose the variant that suits them the best. For example, if you have a large home with multiple storeys, perhaps it’s a better idea to go for the Google Nest Mesh system. On the other hand, if you only want connectivity within the same floor and to different rooms, the Eero will serve the purpose really well.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, both routers come with excellent mobile applications that make it easy for use for beginners. There’s no complicated setup process involved regardless of which variant you choose here. It’s also worth considering that despite being the cheaper offering. In order to extend range in the future, all you have to do is get individual satellites for the area you need it in.

Do you have any other questions about the two routers? Let us know in the comments below.