eero vs. eero Pro: Which Should You Get?
Originally Posted: April 25th, 2020
Last Edited: April 19th, 2022
eero Wi-Fi 5 Model Comparison
This post discusses the previous Wi-Fi 5 eero and eero Pro models. See my review of the eero 6+ and eero Pro 6E for an updated version of this guide.
eero is one of the best known and well-reviewed mesh Wi-Fi systems. It’s easy to setup and simple to operate. It offers excellent coverage and performance. Even the cheapest kit is shockingly good.
Comparison of Eero Models
Currently, eero has three main products, and they come in different combinations based on what kit you purchase. The chart on the right is handy reference for some of the differences. All eero devices run the same software and you can mix and match the different units.
The eero and the eero Pro are the two options for your gateway, or main base station. These both feature two Ethernet ports for connecting to a modem, router, or an end device. In a typical eero setup, you would use one of these to connect to, or replace, your existing home router. They can also be used as a mesh node.
The eero Beacon can only be a mesh node, connecting wirelessly to an eero or eero Pro gateway. The Beacon does not have Ethernet ports. It cannot act as the main gateway. It only acts as a wireless relay, taking the signal from the base unit (or another Beacon) and extending it.
To figure out how many units you need, and which you should get, you need to know two things: coverage area and internet speed.
First, Determine Coverage Area
The most important part of picking an eero system is determining how big your coverage area is. Eero lists some general recommendations on their website:
Small homes and apartments: Since we recommend 1-2 eeros per floor, a great fit would be our eero and eero Beacon pack. This set includes one eero, which will replace your existing router and connect directly to your modem, and an eero Beacon to be placed at another spot in your home to help blanket your home in fast, reliable WiFi.
Most homes: If you have a home that has two or more floors, you will likely see best results from our eero and two eero Beacons pack. Again, the eero will replace your existing router and connect directly to your modem, while the two eero Beacons can be placed throughout your home to deliver the best-connected home experience.
Larger homes: If you have a larger home, meaning more than three floors, you may benefit most from purchasing a mix of our eero packages. Also, you can buy an additional eero or eero Beacon individually from our online store.
Wired homes: If your home is wired for Ethernet, the best fit is our eero Pro Pack. This set includes three high-powered eeros, each of which features a tri-band radio and two Ethernet ports. The eero Pro Pack is also a great fit if you just really want the ultimate in overall network performance.
They also have a short quiz you can take to determine which kit is right for you.
Eero Vs Eero Pro: It’s All About Speed
Eero - 400 Mbps or lower
The eero is the best pick if all you need is basic Wi-Fi.
You can buy them individually if you want to cover a small area, but the $199 kit with 3 eero units is the best deal for most people. This is the kit I would recommend if your home internet speeds are 300 Mbps or lower. Anything more than 400 Mbps and you are probably better of with the eero Pro. If you only have a small area to cover, you can probably get away with only one or two units instead. Eero officially recommends the base eero for internet speeds up to 550Mbps, but I think that’s a bit high.
Eero Pro - 400 Mbps or higher
The eero Pro is the best pick if you have higher internet speeds, Ethernet cabling, or a lot of Wi-Fi devices.
When you step up to the Pro model, you get an additional 5 GHz radio. You have the option of having one eero Pro as just your base unit, or having multiple. Each eero Pro will have that 3rd radio, which will help both the mesh nodes and client devices operate as fast as possible.
Another option is the eero Pro as your base unit, and extending the coverage with eero or eero Beacon units. The $399 eero Pro + 2 Beacons kit is a good deal if you need the best coverage in one area, but want your Wi-Fi coverage to reach further than a typical all-in-one router. The eero and eero Beacon’s do not have a 2nd 5 GHz radio, but with the eero Pro as your base unit, those mesh nodes will operate more efficiently.
eero Beacon - Add-on Node
If you need to extend your eero network further, you can always purchase an extra eero Beacon. Unlike most Wi-Fi extenders which don’t work very well and limit throughput, the eero Beacon is smart. The eero software enables you to dynamically add units, and it handles all the configuration for you. If you notice your Wi-Fi doesn’t reach as far as you want, an eero Beacon about halfway between that area and the main eero unit should solve your problem.
Overall eero Recommendations
Budget Options
Best Budget Option: (1x) eero 6 + (1x) eero 6 Extender - $199
If Range is More Important than Speed: (3x) eero - $199 (Wi-Fi 5 Model)
Budget Option for Larger Homes: (3x) eero 6 kit - $279
Performance Options
For Homes with Ethernet: (3x) eero 6 kit - $279
Best Performance for Smaller Homes: (2x) eero Pro 6 kit - $399
Best Performance for Larger Homes: (3x) eero Pro 6 kit - $599
Miscellaneous Mesh Minutia
Wi-Fi Works Best Over Short Distances
Typical home Wi-Fi routers, like you get from your Internet provider, have one wireless access point. The access point takes your wired internet connection and turns it into a wireless signal. As you move away from your access point, your signal gets weaker and the speeds get slower. With mesh networking, you can easily have multiple access points, or mesh nodes. The mesh nodes relay the signal, allowing it to reach further. This broader coverage is the main appeal of mesh networking. However, mesh networks usually come with trade offs — higher latency and lower maximum speeds.
Mesh systems are good for larger homes or old buildings with plaster, brick, or concrete walls. If you don’t have Ethernet cabling in your house, or want a simple way to get better Wi-Fi, it’s worth considering a mesh system. Before you throw your existing router away and get a mesh kit, you should try moving your router to a central location. Smaller houses or apartments can usually be covered with a single access point, and that can actually be more effective than mesh networking.
Dual-Band Vs Tri-Band
One big thing to look for when shopping for any mesh kit is whether they are dual-band, or tri-band. This refers to how many radios they have, and can have a big impact on their performance. Dual-band devices lack a second 5 GHz radio, which can help communication between the main base station and mesh nodes. A lot of popular mesh systems like the Deco X60 and the eero 6 lack a third radio. That can lead to slower performance and higher latency when under load, and when using wireless backhaul. Getting a tri-band system is more expensive, but they offer the most reliability and performance. If you want the best mesh network, you should consider a tri-band system like the eero Pro 6.
Wi-Fi 6
A big benefit of the new eero models is Wi-Fi 6 support. Wi-Fi 6 is the latest generation of Wi-Fi, and will be the best, most future-proof devices you can purchase right now. If you want more details on Wi-Fi 6 and what it’s benefits are, read my Wi-Fi 6 overview.
Mesh Wi-Fi speeds and eero Competitors
If you want a discussion of the eero system and how it compares to two of it’s closer competitors, the Deco and Velop, read my eero vs. Deco vs. Velop comparison. In that article I do a deep dive into the performance differences, and also go over the differences in the app and setup experience. If you want speed tests and updated comparison of all eero models, see my review of the eero 6+ and eero Pro 6E.
