Google Wi-Fi vs. Eero vs. Luma – Find out how mesh networks have transformed internet use

Fast internet speed is a requirement to perform different activities online. This Google Wi-Fi vs. Eero vs. Luma comparison guide can help you find the right mesh network system that you should use.

My family has been living in an old house for years now. It is a big house made up of three floors and a basement. Apart from its size, the plaster walls have been preventing us from enjoying great Wi-Fi for long. When someone recommended we try mesh networks, we were ready to make the switch since we were tired of the slow internet speed we had to endure. We, however, took some time to compare different models such as Google Wi-Fi, Eero, and Luma since we wanted a unit that would end all our internet problems. We, therefore, came up with the following comparison guide to help other internet users looking for a reliable mesh network. Enjoy.

What are the differences between Google Wi-Fi, Eero, and Luma?

Google Wi-Fi vs. Eero vs. Luma-How do they compare?

Units

All three are highly competitive units that different people choose. Eero is made up of beacons and gateways. While the Eero gateway serves as the router which you connect to your modem, the beacons help in getting rid of dead spaces around your home since they extend the network throughout. Eero beacons can also serve as a night lamp since they feature an LED light.

Though the set-up of Luma units is not very different from Eero, it differs in that the access points and router are identical. You can use any of the Luma units as the router. If you choose Google Wi-Fi, you get the opportunity to expand your network by adding the number of units according to your preference. A high number of units can increase the distance that your router can cover.

Wireless connectivity

One of the factors that you should not disregard when looking for the best mesh network system is wireless connectivity. This plays a significant role in the speed of your network. The three units have some differences in wireless connectivity. For instance, Eero is a tri-band mesh network system, while Luma and Google Wi-Fi are dual-band systems. The extra third band in Eero gives the router the potential to manage multiple connections better without the risk of losing stability. This band can also manage backhaul traffic. Having a third band gives Eero an upper hand since it is more efficient compared to Google Wi-Fi and Luma.

Coverage

The range that you get from a mesh Wi-Fi system depends on the number of units you are using. A single Eero router can give you internet coverage of up to 2,000sq. ft. If you decide to add one more Eero beacon, you can improve the coverage to 3,000 sq. A single Google Wi-Fi router offers internet coverage of up to 1500 sq. ft. Adding another unit can help you enjoy more network coverage of up to 3000sq ft. If you want the internet for a small apartment, Luma may give you adequate internet coverage. This mesh unit offers a range of up to 1500 sq. ft. Adding an extra Luma device can help you double the range.

MU-MIMO support

This is a crucial feature available in some mesh Wi-Fi networks. It can give a router a high level of interaction with the different devices connected to it. When you want to connect different devices to your home Wi-Fi, you should ensure that you choose a mesh network that has this feature. This is because different devices tend to compete for data, which can slow down the entire network speed. The presence of the feature in a mesh network system facilitates the distribution of data equally across your devices, thus enhancing the speed.

This feature is available in both Luma and Eero but is absent in Google Wi-Fi. The Google Wi-Fi manufacturers claim that they do not require Mu-MIMO support since the router already has high speed. While testing Google Wi-Fi, we, however, discovered that the network starts dropping as soon as we added more devices to the network.

Subscription

Having an additional subscription may not be a necessity in mesh networks, but it can give you access to more features. Eero comes with an additional subscription that can help you enjoy enhanced services. For instance, the Eero subscription plan offers VPN service and parental control. The subscription plan you get from Luma is known as Luma Guardian. This can protect your network since it features VPN services that block any outside sources from accessing your home network. You can, therefore, browse the internet without any security concerns. The subscription plan also offers anti-virus support for at least three devices.

Google Wi-Fi, on the other hand, does not have any subscription. Though this unit allows you to enjoy the device without having to incur monthly charges, you miss out on some of the features available in the subscription plans of Eero and Luma.

Performance

For us to find the right mesh networking system that could meet our needs, we had to focus on the performance of units such as Google Wi-Fi, Eero, and Luma. We discovered that all of the three units tried to deliver a good performance. They, however, had different capacities. For instance, Google Wi-Fi can provide maximum speed rates of up to 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. Eero can deliver rates of 240 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 600 Mbps on the 5GHz band. Luma, on the other hand, has speed rates 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867Mbps on the second band.

Google Wi-Fi vs. Eero vs. Luma – A comparison overview

Google Wi-Fi

Google WiFi system, 3-Pack - Router Replacement for Whole Home Coverage (NLS-1304-25),White

• A new type of connected system for seamless WiFi coverage throughout your home, helping eliminate dead...
• Replaces your current router, and works your modem and internet service. It’s compatible with major...

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This unit can provide your entire house with a wireless network using the Wi-Fi points that can easily plug into its router. It comes in the form of a three-piece pack that looks quite attractive. Placing access points at different spots in your home enables you to get rid of any dead spaces around different floors.

Apart from extensive network coverage and high internet speeds, you will also like the numerous features that Google Wi-Fi offers. For instance, it makes use of beamforming technology. This ensures that any signal is beamed towards the device rather than getting spread over an extensive area. The technology enhances the effectiveness of the Google Wi-Fi mesh system. It also contains parental control over the network of underage internet users.

Thanks to the inclusion of this feature, you can utilize the safe search option, which can clean lots of inappropriate content at the same time. It, therefore, lets you monitor what your kids can access online. The mesh network system is also unique since it offers family Wi-Fi controls. This feature gives you the option of limiting the screen time for kids as you please. Choosing Google Wi-Fi also lets you enjoy the guest networking feature.

This makes it possible for other people to connect with your home network. Feel free to limit the number of guests who can connect to your system by modifying the settings on your Google Wi-Fi app. Many people choose this mesh network over others due to its ease of use. Apart from the features, it gives you numerous management options that make it easy to control.

Pros

• The set-up is easy
• High speed
• Attractive design

Cons

• The app is not very intuitive

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Eero

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Some of the dual-band systems drop in speed as you move further away from the router. You don’t have to go through suchWi-Fi problems by choosing Eero. This a tri-band mesh network system that offers a decent speed throughout your home. The use of Eero beacons also gives you the chance to expand your network effortlessly. You can add any number of beacons you feel like without worrying about affecting the overall performance of your Wi-Fi system.

Apart from that, this unit stands out since it has both basic and advanced features that are not always available elsewhere. For instance, apart from providing parental controls and MU-MIMO support, Eero also offers bridge mode. This feature allows you to utilize the device alongside your current router. If you choose this option, you should be aware that you will not get access to all of the features as opposed to using this unit as the router itself.

The unit gives you different ways of controlling your network. For instance, you can assign particular devices to your system or even restrict specific devices from accessing your Wi-Fi. We also like the easy installation process of this mesh network since you get a guide that simplifies the entire process. There is also an LED that can serve as a night lamp while at the same time showing you the status of your home Wi-Fi.

Though this unit is quite efficient, it is not the cheapest unit available. For you to access some functionalities of this device, you have to subscribe to the Eero plan. This comes with monthly charges that you need to plan for accordingly.  You can install the Eero app from your Android or iOS device.

Pros

• Strong performance
• Numerous network management tools
• Easy set-up
• It has three radio bands
• Sleek design

Cons

• Some of the features are only accessible after subscribing

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Luma

Luma Whole Home WiFi (3 Pack - White) - Replaces WiFi Extenders and Routers, Free Virus Blocking, Free Parental Controls, Gigabit Speed

• 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,...

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When Luma was introduced, some customers reported a lot of issues, and the manufacturer started working on making significant changes. Luma is now a decent mesh network that competes against reputable brands such as Google Wi-Fi and Eero.

You will like the user-friendly features included in this mesh unit, such as web filtering and MU-MIMO technology. Using this unit also gives you a chance to time schedule your network according to your preference. You can also limit access to some precise devices and even control how your children use the internet. Though the network coverage of Luma is not as extensive as other models, you can always improve this by getting additional Luma devices.

We discovered that there was a decline in Wi-Fi speed from time to time. You may also find the customization options in this mesh network system a bit limiting. Though this unit is pocket-friendly, it lacks some of the features that are common in units such as Eero and Google Wi-Fi.

Pros

• The set-up is a breeze
• Most users appreciate the content filtering options
• It is pocket friendly

Cons

• It lacks some useful features
• Inconsistent speed

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Conclusion

Choosing a mesh network system for your home or office can be a tricky affair if you don’t know the right criteria to use. Things such as wireless connectivity, throughput performance, speed, and features should help you gauge the effectiveness of a mesh network. We have compared Google Wi-Fi to Eero and Luma while giving comprehensive details of such aspects. This guide can help you determine the right mesh network system for your space.

Verdict: So, which is better? Google Wi-Fi, Eero or Luma

After conducting numerous tests, we discovered that mesh networks are quite different. Both Luma and Google Wi-Fi were affordable options, but they had issues such as lacking some features and unreliable network speeds. Such problems made us choose Eero since it was not only consistent but also well equipped. Though we had to pay more for this unit, it was worth investing in. We, therefore, concluded that Eero is better than Google Wi-Fi and Luma.

FAQs

Can Luma integrate with Alexa?

Yes. This mesh network system is compatible with smart systems such as Alexa. It also allows you to control your system via Amazon Assistant.

Where can I position Google Wi-Fi points?

You can place the access points in a zone that has a strong network. Put them on a plain surface, such as a shelf or table.