Amplifi HD Vs Eero – Which router provides longer range?
Finding a mesh router system can be a difficult task especially if you don’t understand the differences between the many options in the market today. The following is a detailed review of two of the most popular routers: Amplifi HD and Eero.
Having a large home is fantastic up until you find that there are rooms and certain corners of the house where the Wi-Fi signal does not reach. Here is where mesh routers come in. Mesh routers are simply Wi-Fi extenders that have been designed to boost the signal as far as possible without losing bandwidth. The best mesh routers have minimal bandwidth loss and have wide area coverage. Majority of the mesh routers today work the same way.
Two of the best routers you can buy for your home or office today are the Amplifi HD by the Ubiquiti Company and Eero mesh router by Amazon. Picking the most suitable one for you completely depends on your needs. In the table below, we are going to highlight some of their best features.
Table of Contents
What are the Differences between the Amplifi HD and Eero Mesh Router?
Model |
Ubiquiti’s Amplifi HD (Winner) |
Amazon’s Eero Router |
MU-MIMO |
No |
Yes |
Beamforming |
Yes |
Yes |
Chipset |
Triband Qualcomm QCA9880 |
1 GHz dual core processor |
Speed (Long range) |
421 Mbps – Download speed
499 Mbps – Upload speed |
400 Mbps – Download speed
867 Mbps – Upload speed |
Antenna |
5 (4 external and 1 internal) |
4 (fixed) |
Availability |
Amplifi HD vs Eero Mesh Router – How do they compare?
To select the most suitable router for you, consider the following key features.
Performance and range
Perhaps the most important factor to consider when buying a router is its performance. The Amplifi HD comes with two channels that are used simultaneously with the 2.4 Ghz band providing a speed of up to 450 Mbps and 1.3 Gbps on the 5 GHz band. These high speeds experience minimal loss when it comes to obstructions in the house. The Eero on the other hand is the much cheaper option of the two with a performance that matches it. It provides a total throughput speed of 321 Mbps which is rather decent.
Range
The Amplifi HD router provides some of the best wireless range you will find in the market. The regular package containing the router and two MeshPoint HDs provides superb coverage of 20000 square feet However, we expect such performance from a premium priced router.For range, each router provides a coverage of 1500 sq. feet. This means the default three piece package provides a range of about 5000 sq. feet. With that, the Amplifi router would be a suitable choice for anyone concerned most about the wireless range.
Ports
All routers come with ports for physical connections. The Amplifi HD’s size allows for more ports compared to the Eero. Because of this, the Amplifi HD is fitted with four gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, one WAN gigabit Ethernetport and a USB 2.0 port. There is also a power port. All the ports are located at the back of the router. The Eero router on the other hand is smaller and therefore has fewer ports. It has only two 1Gbps Ethernet ports placed at the back of the router. There is also an AC power port at the back and a reset button. The Amplifi HD is therefore a better choice for anyone focused on physical connections.
Fixed Antennas
Mesh routers and network devices generally come with built in antennas. Ubiquiti’s Amplifi HD comes with five antennas, with four of these being external and one being internal. These antennas do a great job at providing wide are coverage as we’ll see. The Eero mesh router comes with four internal antennas in each unit/piece. Because of this and other factors, it provides less are coverage compared to the HD router.
Hardware and Capacity
Hardware and capacity refers to the router’s processor type and abilities, its memory – both RAM and flash memory. The Amplifi HD being the premium option of the two comes with the more powerful processor. It is equipped with a robust single core processor CPU that powers the dual band channels. Furthermore, the processor is an 802.11 processor.
The Amplifi HD comes with 1 GB of flash memory and 512 MB of RAM. The flash memory stores the router’s firmware and other details. The Eero router on the other hand comes with a 700 MHz Quad-core processor. For memory, each router has a capacity of 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of eMMc flash memory for the routers’ firmware and updates. The Amplifi HD would provide better and consistent performance due to its large processing power.
Design and Structure
Different routers have different designs, shapes and size. The Amplifi HD and Eero Mesh router are miles apart when it comes to their exterior design. While many mesh systems contain identical routers inside the package, Ubiquiti’s Amplifi HD contains a main router and two external antennas to be placed at different spots in the house.
The main Amplifi HD router is a little cube shaped device with a small LCD display monitor at the front. They are white prongs that are connected directly to power/wall socket. On the other hand, we have the less expensive Eero mesh router. The Eero is an elegant router with a very simple design. The routers are small and also cube shaped with a small LED light at the top and the company’s logo imbibed at the top. It is bright white in color with a matte finish for tight grip and prevent dirt and fingerprints from getting stuck on the surface. The router measures 3.9 x 3.9 x 2.4 inches and weighs 180 grams.
Overall, both these routers are beautiful and attractive in design, it all boils down to your personal preference.The Amplifi HD’s design allows it to provide more range due to the presence of MeshPoints.
Wireless Connectivity
Wireless connectivity is paramount for a mesh router system. The Eero comes with a triband Wi-Fi radio system that allows the router to access its three simultaneous frequencies: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 5.8 GHz. On top of that, the router features a 2 x 2 MUMIMO technology, beamforming abilities and supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. With these features and a triband system, the router sets itself apart from the majority of the routers with a dual band system.
Three bands means more options for devices to connect to and therefore, devices do not have to compete for the network. Ubiquiti’s Amplifi HD on the other hand features a dual band Wi-Fi radio system. This means that the router can access its two frequencies at the same time: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Consequently, this means the router does not support 2 x 2 MUMIMO. However, like the Eero, Amplifi also supportsIEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
The Eero therefore offers much better connection for multiple devices compared to the Amplifi due to the presence of a triband system and MUMIMO support.
Mobile apps and other support systems
All mesh routers come with mobile apps for installation, configuration and management of you three routers. The Amplifi HD has the Amplifi App that is compatible for both android and iOS users. The router also supports web browser access and configuration. The app is smooth and works seamlessly. Ubiquiti is also known to have a 24 hour highly responsive customer support in case of any trouble. The Eero also features an app that is compatible for both android and iOS devices. The app is fast and easy to use with clear instructions and guidelines.
Amplifi HD vs Eero Router – A comparison review
Amplifi HD by Ubiquiti
- WHOLE HOME WiFi SYSTEM: Not Just a Wi-Fi router, it's a Wi-Fi system. The AmpliFi HD Kit includes a Wi-Fi...
- 802.11AC TECHNOLOGY FOR FASTER SPEEDS AND BETTER COVERAGE: AmpliFi HD is more than a wireless router:...
The Amplifi HD router system is the best and most recent mesh system release by Ubiquiti. This premium priced router features some of the best performance and range of all the routers in the market. It also features a very unique design not found in any other router. Contrary to other mesh routers, when you buy the Amplifi HD, it comes as a default package of three units. However, these units are neither identical nor do they work the same way as regular mesh routers. Inside the box, there is a router that acts as the main device to be connected to you already existing router or modem provided by the internet service provider. The router is cube shaped and features an LCD display monitor that displays basic details such as the time, date and temperature. The touch screen can be tapped to reveal other details such as the upload and download speeds and the IP address among others.
The AmplifyHD is a cube shaped router which features a stunningly beautiful design that complements the décor within many homes. It is equipped with a wide variety of hardware features that make the router quite functional. For instance, the LCD monitor on the device allows clear access to basic details including time, date or temperature.
The touch screen can be tapped to reveal other details such as the upload and download speeds and the IP address among others.It is light and compact at 410 grams. The two antennas are referred to as MeshPoints and also feature an attractive design.
The mesh points contain two internal antennas that provide a whopping area coverage of up to 20000 square feet. This makes the HD router the perfect choice for large mansions with large dense walls. It would also make for a wonderful office Wi-Fi extender due to this amazing range. However, the router system is quite expensive and therefore if you are on a budget, this might not be the best choice for you.
Pros
- It is very easy to install and setup this router using the dedicated Amplifi Mobile App
- The router comes with many ports: four LAN Ethernet ports, one WAN gigabit Ethernet port and a USB 2.0 port
- It provides a superb range of up to 20000 sq. feet
- The router comes with an LCD touch screen monitor that display important details such as IP and the Wi-Fi speed
- It comes with a dedicated band control
- It features a very attractive design
Cons
- The Amplifi HD is quite expensive
- The extenders or MeshPoints are too large and may be difficult to position in the house
Eero Mesh Router by Amazon
The Eero is the much more popular option of the two. This is because it is much more affordable and yet caters for needs of the majority. This powerful mid-range router system is sold as a default package with three identical routers inside. The routers are small enough to hold in your palm and feature a simple yet very attractive design.
All the routers are white in color with a small LED light at the top center of the routers. The LED is a status indicator for the router with different colors representing different problems or configurations. The Eero works like majority of the routers we have today. One of the units is connected to your preexisting router or modem through an Ethernet cable. The other units are placed where the dead zones exist or close the zones.
Each router provides a range of 1500 sq. feet. While the three work together, you get a range of about 5000 square feet which is perfect for medium to large size homes with two or three bedrooms. However, one of the most distinguishing factors of this router is the robust parental control known as Secure Plus. The only downside to this is you need to pay for this plan. With that, the following are its pros and cons.
Pros
- It is a very attractive router
- The design allows easy mounting on walls and otherstationary objects
- The router is very easy to install and setup
- It is quite affordable and offers great value for money
Cons
- It provides poor range especially if there is a lot of obstruction
Conclusion
The most suitable router for you depends on what you need from a router and the size of your house. If you have a large home, or mansion, you are left with little choice but to go for the Amplifi HD. However, if you have a medium size home with about three bedrooms and you’re on a tight budget, the Eero would be the best option for you
Verdict – Which is better?
With all factors considered, the Amplifi HD is a much better router than the Eero. It provides more range while still keeping its high speeds.
FAQs
-
Does the Amplifi HD come with MUMIMO?
No. The router features high throughput speeds and therefore does not need MUMIMO technology
-
Is there beamforming in the Eero router?
Yes. The Eero router comes with beamforming capabilities
