Eero vs. Luma vs. Plume-Which is a better mesh network system among the three?
With smart devices dominating the market, people understand the relevance of a strong internet. If you are searching for a mesh network, this Eero vs. Luma vs. Plume comparison guide is for you.
Being a father of two teenagers is one of the most challenging tasks I have to deal with every day. Since I wanted to give them the best lifestyle I could afford, I bought them tablets and installed Wi-Fi in my home. They basically spend most of their free time in their rooms using the internet. The lack of having control over what content they were consuming online made me reconsider my Wi-Fi options. When I discovered that I could block some of the sites my children could access by switching to mesh networking, I started comparing different models. This is what we found from comparing Luma, Plume, and Eero.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Eero, Luma, and Plume?
Name
|
Eero (Winner) |
Luma |
Plume |
Radio bands
|
3 |
2 |
3 |
Speed |
Download speed-123 Mbps
Upload speed-112 Mbps |
Download speed-90.8 Mbps
Upload speed-88 Mbps |
Download speed-169 Mbps
Upload speed-21 Mbps |
Coverage
|
2000 sq. ft. |
1500 sq. ft. |
2000 sq. ft. |
Cloud based technology |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Applicable |
Call to action
|
Eero vs. Luma vs. Plume- How do they compare?
Wireless connectivity
One of the factors that you can use to gauge the internet speed of a mesh network is its wireless connectivity capabilities. Eero, Luma, and Plume have different aspects when it comes to this. While Eero and Plume are tri-band Wi-Fi systems, Luma is a dual-band mesh network.
When a mesh network system has a third band, it can manage different connections more efficiently than one which relies on two bands. The third band is normally dedicated to handling backhaul traffic. Working with a tri-band mesh network system prevents you from experiencing inconsistent internet speed even if you connect multiple devices to the router. Both Eero and Plume have better wireless connectivity compared to Luma.
Design
Eero, Luma, and Plume also differ when it comes to their designs. Eero comes in the form of a square-shaped unit that has some rounded corners. Its compact design makes it easy to position at different spots in your home. Luma mesh units do not appear very different from Plume. They are both hexagon-shaped units that come in threes.
Both of these mesh networks come in different colors. Plume, however, has large pods that require more space compared to the rest of the units. The silver finishing of the Plume mesh network makes it look classy. Since one of the sides of the Plume pod is smaller than the other, you can grip it comfortably.
Subscription
Most manufacturers of mesh networks nowadays do not only focus on selling the hardware. They view Wi-Fi as a service users should subscribe to. Though you can buy the hardware and manage it yourself, some mesh network providers choose to manage your home network on your behalf to facilitate secure browsing. That is why companies that produce Eero, Luma, and Plume encourage potential customers to subscribe to their plans.
Getting a subscription plan from any of these brands can also help enjoy access to numerous features. For Eero, the plan is known as the Eero plus, and it can make your wireless connection more secure. By subscribing to the Eero Plus plan, you can unlock features such as threat scan, antivirus software, and VPN services.
If you choose to work with Luma, you should consider subscribing to the Luma Guardian plan. This comes with advanced features that can boost Wi-Fi security. For instance, it contains an encryption system and ISP speed monitoring services. Subscribing to the Luma Guardian plan also gives you a chance to enjoy the available discounts and a two-year warranty extension for your Luma hardware.
Plume, on the other hand, offers an adaptive Wi-Fi service, which can manage your Wi-Fi traffic consistently. Subscribing to the Plume plan can help you receive constant monitoring of your devices for things signs of malware and hacking. The only way you can get to enjoy functionalities such as speed testing, the ability to set guest passes, and parental control is by subscribing to the plume plan.
Eero vs. Luma vs. Plume- A comparison overview
Eero
No products found.
Most of the tri-band routers are known to be efficient, and Eero is no exception. Having a third radio band prevents the drop in internet speed even if you move further away from the router. Adding Eero beacons to this unit can help you expand your internet coverage over a large area. You can easily plug in the Eero beacons into an outlet directly for you to expand your network.
If you are not new to using mesh networks, then you are probably searching for one with advanced features. That is what you can get from choosing Eero since its features are what makes it superior to other mesh network systems. This offers bridge mode giving you the chance to utilize the device with your current router.
It also features Mu-MIMO technology and parental controls. Using Eero, therefore, gives you the chance to keep track of the internet usage of all the connected devices. Parental controls also give you the flexibility of setting time restrictions or even scheduling the network connection of particular devices. Being able to protect your kids from consuming certain content online can give you peace of mind.
Multiple use-Multiple output and multiple input is also a crucial feature that good mesh network systems should possess. This enhances the transmission of data across different devices. Using Eero, therefore, makes you connect to multiple devices without experiencing any slow internet speed. Apart from setting restrictions on particular devices, you will also like the simple installation process of Eero.
The three Eero beacons included in your package also feature an LED, which sometimes can serve as a night lamp. This night light contains an automatic dimmer and a light sensor. The LED on the system turns red when you have a poor Wi-Fi connection. For you to make use of all the Eero functions, you have to subscribe to the Eero Plus plan. During the set-up, one of the Eero pieces can act as the main router, which connects to the modem. This can generate excellent network connectivity. Most people also like the compact design of Eero beacons.
Pros
- It comes with three radio bands that make it more efficient
- Has a lot of advanced features
- Easy set-up
- Compact design
Cons
- It is not a cost-effective option
Luma
- Fastest home on the block: Ultra-fast WiFi delivered to every square inch of your house. No dead zones....
- Serious security: All-day, every-day security automatically scans and neutralizes any virus or malware,...
Mesh networks keep on getting better every day as manufacturers incorporate the recent features to make them more efficient. Since Luma is one of the oldest mesh network systems to be invented, most people find its features a bit outdated compared to what other models have.
Most of the features available in Luma are, however, user-friendly. For instance, it is equipped with MU-MIMO technology and parental controls. When using this mesh network, you can also protect your kids from adult related content on the internet by making use of web filtering functionality. This lets you block particular websites such that specific devices cannot access them. The manufacturer does not charge you extra to make use of web filtering options.
The mesh network also gives you the freedom to set specific time schedules for particular devices. You can even prioritize bandwidth on specific devices or add more Luma devices for you to expand your Wi-Fi coverage. Since all of the Luma units are identical, feel free to use any of them as the router. The problem with this mesh network is that it does not offer a lot of customization options like other models.
When we tested Luma to evaluate its performance, we realized that the network speed keeps on declining with time. The set-up is, however, easy since the Luma app has simple guidelines that you need to follow to complete the installation. Though buying this system can help you save some funds, you may not enjoy some of the features available in other mesh networks.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Web filter options are free
- It is pocket friendly
Cons
- Has outdated features
Plume
No products found.
Do you need a strong Wi-Fi connection for your small office? One of the options that you should consider is Plume. This is a three-pack mesh network that can boost the Wi-Fi signal in business premises and home. Most users who choose it reveal that it gives them control over their network.
Plume is an American based company that is dedicated to helping you solve your network problems. It supplies mesh units not only within the country but also across the globe. The units from this company are referred to as superpods, and they can blanket an extensive area with Wi-Fi. You will like the excellent plume app that allows you to configure your network as you please.
Unlike most of the mesh networks, this makes use of cloud-based software, which can help you protect your system against cyber-attacks. It also enables you to get rid of advertisements from internet content so that you can stream without any interruptions. This is possible since Plume gives you access to the in-built ad blocker.
Though we found Plume to be competitive, we realized that one had to subscribe to its plan to get access to some features. For instance, you cannot be allowed to use features such as parental controls without subscribing. The design of Plume units makes them stand out among the rest of the mesh networks. Its pieces have a hexagon shape and come in grey color.
You can easily plug these units into any main socket in a room. They also contain at least 2 Ethernet ports and have a light that indicates the status of your network. According to the manufacturer, you should use a single superpod for two rooms. Ensure you position them far away from the external wall so that you can maximize the Wi-Fi signal.
Plume units are quite large such that they can occupy the space of more than one plug. You can take at least ten minutes for you to set up this mesh network system since everything is straightforward. Start by downloading the app on your device, then follow the app guide carefully for you to complete the installation process.
According to most users, Plume superpods work as expected. They continue boosting the coverage by using Artificial Intelligence software, which enhances the performance based on your internet use. For instance, if you spend most of your time streaming video content through your smart TV, the bandwidth assigned to your TV can improve over time. Another interesting functionality available in the Plume mesh network is the home pass feature. This gives you the chance to set guest passwords that are only available at particular durations.
Pros
- It gives you maximum control of your home Wi-Fi
- The unit makes use of a cloud-based software
- It facilitates secure browsing
Cons
- Most features need a subscription
Conclusion
People nowadays are choosing mesh Wi-Fi systems since they offer extensive Wi-Fi coverage and high speeds. Despite this, not every mesh network is ideal for your home. It is, therefore, essential to compare different brands for one to find a model that will not disappoint. We looked at Eero, Luma, and Plume and came up with the guide above.
Verdict: So, which is better? Eero, Luma or Plume
After comparing the three mesh network systems, we discovered that Luma has a long way to go to keep up with mesh network systems such as Eero and Plume. Though these two mesh networks are highly competitive, we found that Eero is a better option since it has reliable throughput performance, reliable speeds, and numerous features. Choosing Eero was a smart move for us since it not only met our internet needs but also gave me complete control over our home network. We also found it quite useful since it could integrate with most of our smart home devices such as Alexa. This made us conclude that Eero is better than Plume and Luma.
FAQs
-
Can Eero work with my current ISP?
Yes. This mesh network system is designed to work well with different internet service providers includes COX and Spectrum.
-
How can I make my Luma device more efficient?
You should consider buying more units to expand your network coverage within your home.