Eero Pro Vs Eero Beacon-Finding a Wi-Fi Extender with fast internet speeds.
Wi-Fi extenders offer higher internet speeds, wide coverage and enable users to connect many devices in their network, the units, will, therefore, blanket your home or office with faster internet signals.
Given the influx in the market of the different Wi-Fi extenders, users might find themselves at crossroads unable to choose a Wi-Fi extender that can cater to their needs. The excerpt below has, therefore, sampled two Wi-Fi extenders and critically analyzed them to determine the one that offers the best service. Continue reading as we have shared our findings.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Eero Beacon and the Eero Pro?
Model |
Eero Beacon |
Eero Pro (Winner) |
Coverage |
1,500 sq. ft. |
6,000sq. ft. |
Speeds |
240mbps download speeds at 2.4GHz
600mbps upload speeds at 5GHz |
240mbps download speeds at 2.4GHz
600mbps upload speeds at 5GHz |
Connectivity |
2.4/5.2 Ghz |
2.4/5.2/5.8 Ghz |
Warranty |
1 year limited warranty and service |
1 year limited warranty and service |
Eero vs Eero Beacon- How do they compare?
Capacity
The capacity of an internet extender relates to the number of devices that it can comfortably handle while streaming the higher bandwidth applications. And as regards the above, both the eero and the eero pro have the same capacity as they can both accommodate up to 128 devices, but if there are some devices in your network that are utilizing the higher bandwidth activities then the number of devices that can be accommodated will sharply reduce to 30.
So since both Wi-Fi extenders seem to tally in capacity they both come in different sizes, and here the eero beacon measures 4.76×2.91×1.18in inches while the eero pro seems to be a bit larger as it measures 4.75×4.75×1.24 inches. Eero beacon is also a dual-band meaning that it can operate in two frequencies which are the 2.4GHz and the 5GHz bands
Eero Pro, on the other hand, is a Tri-band, which means that it has incorporated three frequencies, this, therefore; means that the unit can broadcast a 2.4GHz band and also broadcast 2 other separate 5 GHz bands. The above eero pro feature makes it easily adaptable for use in different regions. Still, on capacity, the eero beacon can only be adopted by users who use a wireless network only, you should, therefore, not expect to find Ethernet ports on this unit.
On the other hand, the eero pro has incorporated at least two Ethernet ports, thus during purchase be sure to pick the one that will meet your needs.
Positioning in relation to signal strength
How you position your Wi-Fi extender will greatly determine the signal strengths that the connected devices receive. And while some of the Wi-Fi devices require an elevated position to offer the best signal strengths, they will radiate signal strengths in a downward motion. For the eeros pro, however, things are a little bit different and here you will have to place it in a middle level because it has been designed to radiate signals in an upward motion.
Therefore, to get the best signal strengths don’t place your eeros pro on a lower or ground level and also avoid the high shelves and cabinets. Find the mid-point between your ceiling board and the ground. Also, ensure that there are no any forms of obstruction; your space should thus be open. The same also applies to the eero beacon, only that you need to ensure the devices are not placed inside a media console and avoid metal surfaces.
Application and other support systems
The Eero beacon uses a phone application for setting up, and here you only have two options the eero ios or android application. And remember that you cannot use the eero beacon to begin a network, you will, therefore, need either a 1st or a 2nd generation eero. And before you start the download process ensures that you have a reliable internet service provider.
And though the company claims the setup process is easy people who lack an email address or have forgotten their passwords might have a problem unless they decide to go with the text message confirmation option. So the first step will be to download the eero application, you will then be prompted to create an account and here you will have to give out your legitimate email address and phone number.
You will then receive a verification code that you will use to create the account. The eero will then guide you to set up the account in three easy steps after which you will create your eero network. The next process will involve adding eeros into your network and here we are talking about the eero beacon.
The best part of the latter process is that eeros will first try to understand the layout of your home, and consequently come up with the best positioning of your eeros. And the last step will be to connect devices to your network. So the major difference between the eeros beacon and the eeros pro as regards the application used in setting up is that the eeros pro process is pretty simple, check below.
Setting up your eero pro is one of the simplest processes; mind you here you don’t get the option of using the Ethernet cables. To begin the process, first ensure that your device is ios or android supported, connect to a reliable internet service provider and access the eero application app store or Google play.
Also, ensure that you have a modem and then proceed with the signing up process and add your email address and phone number (local).
The eeros application is particularly responsive and intuitive because, for one it allows users to monitor and control their network, the provided dashboard enables users to have a look at everything that is happening with the eeros nodes, and any other device that has been connected to the network and when other devices join your network, you will be notified.
Some Wi-Fi devices do feature automatic firmware updates but for the eeros, it is a tad bit different because you will have to access the function in the application, reboot and apply the updates to the nodes that make up your network. Customization of your eeros hardware can be done from anywhere thus you don’t have to be in close proximity to the device.
Structure and design
The eeros pro features a sleek sophisticated design, from a distance the device looks small and simple, which might lead you to misinterpret its capabilities. The unit is very powerful when compared to the beacon as it can broadcast on three wireless bands, a feature that raises the bar for its predecessors.
At the back of the unit, you will find two auto-detecting Ethernet ports, one is for use by the hardware devices such as the video games console and the other will be used by the modem. For the eero beacon, its structure is a little bit different, because for starters it comes as an adapter, meaning that for you to use it then there must be a reliable wall plug nearby.
On the underside of the device it has been equipped with a light, don’t expect to find Ethernet ports or the ports for the USB cable as the unit is 100% wireless and setting it up is via a mobile application.
The Eero pro and the Eero beacon- A Comparison overview
The Eero Pro
- Whole-home WiFi system - The Amazon eero Pro mesh WiFi system (3 eero Pros) replaces the traditional WiFi...
- eero 2nd generation - With the most intelligent mesh WiFi technology and powerful hardware, the eero 2nd...
The Eero Pro Wi-Fi extender has been equipped with an intelligent mesh Wi-Fi technology offering Wi-fi speeds that are 2x faster like its predecessor. The unit has been made in such a way that It is backward compatible with the first-generation Eero products. When installed in a home the eero pro offers a mesh network, and combined with its ability to cover up to five bedrooms then users will be able to enjoy faster internet speeds.
Eeros pro strives to ensure that users experience some of the most advanced services thus updating is automatic and is usually done once every month. Setting up the eeros pro does feature some little complicated logistics but once done the mobile application used makes managing your internet connection quite easy.
Pros
- Offers a mesh network thus blankets the home
- Offers internet coverage to five bedrooms and more
- The provided internet speeds are two times faster
- The unit is scalable and features a tri-band power
Cons
- Users have to pay for the premium package to access the parental control feature
- The unit offers slow speeds and poor configurability
The Eero beacon
- eero home WiFi extender - Add Amazon eero Beacons to any existing eero network to instantly increase WiFi...
- eero Beacon wall plug-in - Designed to expand your existing eero mesh WiFi system, eero Beacons simply...
The Eero beacon has to be the simplest Wi-Fi device created given that it has obliterated the use of cables. If you have a big house or office then the eero beacon is your go-to device because here there are no provisions for the Ethernet ports and all you need to do to scale up your network is invest on more of the eero nodes and strategically place them in your home to achieve a comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage.
The unit has also incorporated some intelligent technology as it adjusts to the brightness of any room, just to offer some little bit of light. And to effectively use your eero beacon, you will have to establish a network then proceed to add enough eero beacons to cater to your Wi-Fi needs and the devices that depend on the network.
Security features for the eero beacon have been beefed up and users will only be issued with a one-time password to be used for the eero application access and the only devices that will be allowed to connect to your network are those that are WPA2 compatible. Users of the eero beacon will also be able to access the parental control feature, where they can pause or set schedules for their kid’s devices connected to the network.
The Wi-Fi unit also provides the opportunity for users to stream games, do some work or respond to emails from the farthest corner of your house and at the same be able to access the best internet signals and long-range coverage.
Pros
- Using the unit is pretty simple as you just need to plug it in a wall socket
- Features a led light that adjusts with the overall lighting of the room
- Has been equipped with the parental control feature
- users can add as many beacons as they want without them conflicting with each other
Cons
- Offers faster speeds but has to be rebooted all the time
- The unit tends to lose internet connection frequently
Conclusion
Before you purchase either of the eero pro or beacon thoroughly counter check on the differences because they are subtle but important. For individuals who don’t want the cumbersome Ethernet wires and port the eero pro is your device, however, you should also know that you will be able to achieve the best speeds when gaming and live stream channels to your TV set, a thing that is very rare to the eeros beacon.
The Eero Pro offers higher Wi-Fi speeds same as the eero beacon, but the pro is a tri-band meaning that you have been provided with up to three frequencies. While the beacon is a dual-band, and here you only get to access two frequencies.
Verdict; So which is better? The Eero Pro or the Eero Beacon
The Eero Pro takes the lead when compared to the eero beacon simply because it gives users varied options. For starters the Wi-Fi extender is a tri-band, offering connectivity to up to three frequencies, and unlike the eero beacon which only caters to wireless devices, the eero pro has been furnished with two Ethernet ports and one USB port used to charge the unit. There aren’t many differences between these two units but the ones available make a major difference as regards usability.
FAQs
-
Will my eero pro support gaming?
Eero pro is good at streaming and gaming given that it has been equipped with two Ethernet ports, one for the modem and the other for other hardware like the gaming consoles.
-
What is the best distance between two eero beacons?
The best placement shouldn’t feature more than 50 feet from each other, however, your home layout will decide the number of eeros that you can add to attain the best signal strengths.