Google Wifi Vs Plume – Which router provides better bandwidth?
If you are experiencing lack of signal at various points in the house, then you need Wi-Fi extenders to solve this problem. Among the best Wi-Fi extenders or mesh systems we have today are the: Google Wi-Fi router and the Plume router. In this article, we are going to look at them in-depth and see which is the most suitable for you.
If you have a large home, then you are likely to have experienced Wi-Fi dead zones in certain rooms of the house. When this happens, the best option to do is to get a mesh router system. Today, there is a large pool of mesh routers to select from. Two of the most common mesh routers today are the Google Wi-Fi and Plume Super Pods. These two routers are largely compared due to their similarity in design. However, the routers differ in terms of their functionalities and features. They also differ in price and performance. While the Google Wi-Fi system is ranked at fifth best mesh routers available today, the Plume comes in at position 14. To pick the best one depending on your needs however, there are a few differences you should always consider.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Google Wi-Fiand Plume SuperPods Wi-Fi?
Model |
Google Wi-Fi (Winner) |
Plume Wi-Fi |
MU-MIMO |
Yes |
Yes |
Beamforming |
No |
Yes |
Chipset |
Triband Qualcomm QCA9880 |
1 GHz dual core processor |
Speed (Long range) |
400 Mbps – Download speed
800 Mbps – Upload speed |
400 Mbps – Download speed
867 Mbps – Upload speed |
Antenna |
3 internal |
3 (fixed) |
Availability |
Google Wi-Fi vs Plume SuperPodWi-Fi – How do they compare?
To select the most suitable router for you, consider the following key features.
Design and Structure
The design of the router is a key consideration when looking for a mesh router system. The design must be attractive and beautiful for you as well as suit your home interior design needs. The Google Wi-Fi router is one of the simplest yet striking and attractive routers in the market today. Google went for a minimalist design and did it perfectly. Due to the small size, the router has only two three ports at the bottom: two gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB type C power port.
On the other side, we have the Plume Super Pod mesh system. The Plume is also white in color with a matte finish to prevent dirt and finger prints from sticking on to the surface. However, it differs in shape from the Google Wi-Fi routers. The beautiful router features a hexagonal shape that that measures 1.4 x 3.7 x 3.4 inches which is a bit larger than the Google WIFI routers.
But the main difference between these two routers is the power port. Plume Super Pods are connected directly to the wall socket using the three prongs connector attached to the back. The router comes with a small almost negligible LED light. Due to the small size, the router has only two ports at the bottom which are both gigabit Ethernet ports.
Fixed antennas
The antennas are responsible for receiving and sending signals and boosting the Wi-Fi signal as far as the router can. Both of these routers are small in size and therefore come with only three internal antennas in each unit
Hardware and Capacity
Another factor to look at when comparing these two routers is their hardware and capacity. This refers to their processor type, the memory available both flash and RAM memory. The Google Wi-Fi has a more common processor known as Quad Core ARM with each code having a frequency of 710 MHz. The processor enables the router to provide wide area coverage as well as relatively high speeds. When it comes to memory, the Google Wi-Fi comes with 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of eMMc flash memory where the router’s firmware and updates are stored.
This large capacity allows quick download and installation of automatic updates which is a great plus for the router. Google Wi-Fi also supports Bluetooth Smart Connect. The Plume Super Pod on the other hand is a powerful triband router also equipped with a powerful quad core processor. These triband processor allows the signal to reach wide and provides ample speeds even through obstructions such as walls and doors. The router has the same memory capacity as the Google Wi-Fi with a RAM capacity of 512 MB and a flash memory of 4 GB. Flash memory stores the router’s firmware and other important details such as IP, Wi-Fi name and more.
Performance and range
The performance and range should always be considered when it comes to home Wi-Fi extenders or mesh routers. Performance refers to the throughput, upload and download speeds of the router while the range is simply the area the router can cover. Google Wi-Fi is an AC1200 rated router meaning it provides a total throughput speed of 1200 Mbps. The router also support dual bands: the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band supports a speed of up to 400 Mbps while the 5 GHz band supports a maximum speed of 800 Mbps which is brings the total to 1200 Mbps. This router also supports beamforming which is an important feature in distributing the network equally to all connected devices. However, the router does not support MUMIMO which may be deal breaker for some customers. The Plume Super Pods Wi-Fi on the other hand is also an AC1200 router meaning it provides a total throughput speed of 1200 Mbps. This speed is made possible by the dual bands used by the router. There is a 2.4 GHz band that provides a speed of up to 400 Mbps and a 5 GHz band with a speed of up to 867 Mbps. The router supports MUMIMO feature that aids in multiple and simultaneous data streaming. The router, unlike the Google Wi-Fi router does not support beamforming.
Mobile app and other support systems
If you are looking for a mesh router, then you probably know that they all come with mobile apps for installation, configuration and management of the router. Google Wi-Fi comes with a dedicated mobile app for both android and apple devices. The app comes with amazing features and functionalities such as: allowing guest network creations, robust parental control to protect the younger ones from harmful content, blocking devices and more. On top of this, Google Wi-Fi also supports smart control via an Alexa powered home smart pod. This means you can control various aspects of the router using voice commands. The Plume Super Pods also come with an Android and iOS compatible mobile app for installation and management of the router. The setup is easy and fast and takes less than five minutes to setup and start running.
Google Wi-Fi vs Plume SuperPodWi-Fi – A comparison review
Google Wi-Fi
- 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...
The Google Wi-Fi router is said to be the most popular mesh router system in the market today and it is not difficult to see why. This router is an AC1200 router that is not only very affordable but also quite effective at doing its job. It is a small cylindrical router that is white in color and features a matte finish to prevent dirt and fingerprints from sticking on to the surface. When you order this router, it comes as a package with three identical routers inside the box. One router acts as the main router and is connected to your default modem or router provided by your internet service provider. The other two routers are secondary devices that are placed where the dead zones are or in close proximity to them. However, if these are not enough, you can order individual pieces to add to your mesh network.
When it comes to design, the router is cylindrical in shape with a white matte finish toughened plastic covering that prevents dirt and finger prints from sticking on to the surface. The router has a unique LED light that runs across the circumference of the little device. The strip glows in different colors to indicate different statuses of the router. For instance, when setting up and configuring the router, the LED produces a white glow. In addition, the router is quite small with dimensions of 4.1 x 2.7 inches in diameter and height respectively. Each unit weighs about 340 grams which is quite light.
If you’re looking for an attractive router that will fit in perfectly to the home interior décor, Google Wi-Fi may be your best choice. In fact, this router was made for this exact purpose. It has a simple minimalist cylindrical design that seems to go well with any interior. The router is also quite small to save on floor space. You can connect to the router physically through the two Ethernet ports located at the bottom of each piece. Other than this, the router comes with a type C power port, Alexa compatibility and a smooth flowing mobile app. With that, the following are its pros and cons
Pros
- The google Wi-Fi router is quite affordable for anyone on a tight budget
- It has a striking design that compliment your home’s interior deco
- It is easy and fast to install and configure
- The mobile app is easy to understand and has some amazing functionalities
- It is a great choice for medium sized houses with three bedrooms
Cons
- Limited number of ports for physical connection
- The router has limited hardware control
Plume Wi-Fi SuperPods
No products found.
The Plume Wi-Fi Super Pod is a very unique mesh router in terms of design. This router is hexagonal in shape and measures 1.4 x 3.7 x 3.4 inches. Another unique feature of this router is the fact that unlike other mesh routers, it comes available in more than one color. It is offered in Silver, Walnut, Plum and Champagne colors all of which are home interior décor friendly colors. On top of this, the router is connected to power directly rather than using a power port or cable. You see, the router comes with a three prong plug attached to its back so that it is connected directly to a wall socket. For some, this may be a downside as it makes the router quite difficult to position. It would also mean that the router is low since most sockets are placed close to the ground.
The Plume Pods are also quite unique from other mesh routers and regular routers for that matter in that, they come in different colors: Silver, Walnut, Plum and Champagne. This ensures that the routers go with any interior home deco theme. The fact that they are also thick and large also makes them non-mountable. This means you will always have to place it on a table or something flat.
The Plume SuperPods are also rated as AC1200 routers meaning they provide a high throughput speed of 1200 Mbps. This is done by the dual band channels supported by the router with the 2.4 GHz band providing up to 400 Mbps and the 5GHz band providing a maximum speed of 867 Mbps. The package of the SuperPod comes with three identical pods and an Ethernet cable. Each pod provides a coverage of up to 80 feet depending on the obstructions.
Pros
- It is quite easy to install
- The router provides consistent performance and speed
- The SuperPods have an excellent striking design and come in multiple colors
- The router supports MUMIMO
- It is expandable using more pods
Cons
- You are required to pay a membership fee to access many features
- There are little device priority settings
Conclusion
The most suitable router for you depends on your needs above everything else. If you’re looking for an affordable router that is easy to setup and use while still providing high speeds and superior range, the Google Wi-Fi is the better choice for you
Final Verdict: So which is better?
With very little to split these two sides, the Google Wi-Fi is the better choice overall. It is quite affordable yet provides more are coverage than the Plume Superpods.
FAQs
-
Does the Google Wi-Fi provide better range?
Yes. It provides a range of up to 4500 square feet
-
Does the Plume SuperPod support beamforming?
Yes. Plume is equipped with beamforming capabilities
