Orbi vs. Eero vs. Google wifi – Learn more on the great features of a mesh network
The internet continues to evolve to suit people’s needs. Routers play a great role in our lives today. If you are searching for a great system, this Orbi vs. Eero vs. Google wifi comparison guide is for you.
Running a small business in our home may look convenient, but it comes with its own challenge. Since the job requires constant communication with clients, having a strong internet is not an option. We had been struggling with this for a while until a business associate recommended that we check out mesh networking systems. Our priority was to get one that had advanced features and a reliable network. This what we discovered from comparing Orbi, Eero, and Google wifi.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Orbi, Eero, and Google Wifi?
Name |
Orbi |
Eero (Winner) |
Google wifi |
Night light |
Absent |
Present |
Absent |
Speed |
Download speed-100 Mbps
Upload speed-110 Mbps |
Download speed-123.5 MbpsUpload speed-112.1 Mbps |
Download speed-117.6 MbpsUpload speed-108.5 Mbps |
Subscription |
Available |
Available |
Not available |
MU-MIMO support |
Present |
Present |
Absent |
Call to action |
Orbi vs. Eero vs. Google wifi- How do they compare?
MU-MIMO technology
When you want to connect different smart devices to your wifi network, you should ensure that you choose a unit with this functionality. Both Eero and Orbi have MU-MIMO support. The lack of this functionality in Google wifi makes the speed to start dropping when you start adding more devices to the network.
Subscription
Most people work with a certain budget when looking for routers. If you can relate, then you probably want a mesh network system that does not come with additional monthly charges. You may find Google wifi more cost-effective since it does not have a subscription plan like Eero and Orbi.
Night light
Though most of the mesh network systems feature LED light, not all of them come with an in-built sensor. Choosing Eero lets, you enjoy this additional functionality since you can use an Eero beacon as a night lamp. This is not possible with Orbi or Google wifi.
Speed test
According to various throughput tests, Eero can deliver a speed of up to 240 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 600 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. Google Wifi has a capacity of 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz radio band. The throughput speed for Orbi is 400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz and 866 Mbps on the 5 GHz band.
Orbi vs. Eero vs. Google wifi – A comparison overview
Orbi
- Ultra-performance Mesh WiFi network blankets every inch of your home in super fast and seamless WiFi...
- Eliminates WiFi dead zones and buffering - 5,000 square feet of consistent coverage - with speeds up to...
The company behind this mesh wifi system is known for producing great units. If you have a small office and need reliable internet, you can choose this system. You will find the installation of this system easy and the orbi app user-friendly. This app provides all the settings that you need for you to start using your router.
It is a tri-band mesh network system that offers high performance. Some of the features included in this unit include MU-MIMO, bridge mode, and Guest Wifi support. This unit can help you eliminate any dead zones around your home so that you can access the internet anywhere, including the basement or an upper floor. Though some of the features are free, you have to pay for the Circle app plan for you to utilize all its functionalities.
Pros
- Offers extensive network coverage
- Great throughput performance
- It is easy to set up
Cons
- You may incur additional costs due to the available subscription plan
Eero
- WHOLE-HOME COVERAGE - The eero mesh WiFi system brings up to 4,500 sq. ft. of fast, reliable WiFi to your...
- WORKS WITH ALEXA- With eero and an Alexa device (not included), you can easily manage wifi access for...
The manufacturer of Eero continue creating different models with advanced capabilities. You can now find a tri-band router from this company that offers reliable internet performance. The advanced Eero models come in the form of beacons and gateways. You should connect the Eero gateway to your modem since this serves as the router. The beacons, on the other hand, are designed to help you get rid of dead spaces around your home. You can easily plug in the Eero beacons directly into your socket.
Adding Eero beacons makes it easy for you to expand your network depending on your internet needs. The wifi range that you can get from this mesh network depends on the specific number of Eero beacons you have.
Eero is one of the reputable mesh network systems that comes with advanced features that are not always available in some of the basic units. For instance, it features bridge mode, parental controls, and MU-MIMO support. This functionality makes it possible for you to stream data on different devices without experiencing slow internet speeds. Apart from that, Eero also has guest network capabilities.
Feel free to assign certain devices to your network or set restrictions on particular devices based on your preference. You will find the installation guide included in your package quite useful. The beacons also come with an LED that can serve as a night lamp. Feel free to adjust the brightness of the light when using the beacon as a night lamp.
As you use the system, you will notice a blue color on the beacon. It, however, turns red when there is a problem with your internet connectivity. Though this mesh wifi system works as expected, some people feel that it is a pain to the pocket. This is because you may have to subscribe to a particular plan for you to maximize its use. The plan ensures that you enjoy secure browsing.
Most of the functionalities can be accessed through the Eero app. For instance, you can see how strong your connection is on different devices through this app. It is also possible for you to pause connections to specific devices as long as they are connected to your home network. We also appreciated the Ethernet ports included in this device. They enabled us to connect different devices like the smart home hub.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Comes with advanced features
- User-friendly app
- Offers reliable internet speeds
Cons
- You have to subscribe to the plan to access all the features of this system
Google wifi
- WHOLE-HOME COVERAGE - The eero mesh WiFi system brings up to 4,500 sq. ft. of fast, reliable WiFi to your...
- WORKS WITH ALEXA- With eero and an Alexa device (not included), you can easily manage wifi access for...
This mesh network system offers wireless network all through the house using access points that can easily plug into the router. Unlike some regular routers, it ensures that you don’t experience slow internet speed regularly.
When we tested this unit, we discovered that it could offer great network coverage. You should ensure that you set up the various access points at strategic locations for you to enjoy reliable network connectivity. Apart from great speed, Google wifi is also known for its useful features such as beamforming technology and WPA internet security. Just like the Eero mesh network, it gives you parental controls and guest networks.
Feel free to limit or block access to your home network while using this mesh wifi system. It also gives you the chance to set timers so that you can limit internet use for the sake of your kids. If you would like to prevent your kids from accessing inappropriate content, you can do this with the help of Google Wifi. We also found the installation process of this system simplified.
Unlike the rest of the units, this does not need an additional subscription plan. It, therefore, gives you the chance to access all of its features without incurring additional monthly charges. That is why most people find this unit to be cost-efficient. Though Google wifi is reliable, it lacks certain features such as MU-MIMO technology and a third radio band.
Pros
- Offers reliable speed
- Great network coverage
- Numerous control options
- No subscription plan
Cons
- Lacks MU-MIMO support
Conclusion
A good mesh network system allows you to use the internet in numerous ways. Whether you prefer playing games online, streaming movies, or downloading large files, you can perform all these with a reliable mesh network system. Some of the models that you should consider include Orbi, Eero, and Google wifi.
Verdict: So, which is better? Orbi, Eero or Google wifi
After conducting numerous tests on the three mesh wifi systems, we discovered that Google wifi could not match either Orbi or Eero. Though it is cheaper, it lacks some of the features included in both Orbi and Eero. Choosing a winner between Eero and Orbi was not easy since both systems put up a good fight.
Though we liked the throughput performance of Orbi, the lack of functionalities such as a nightlight made us choose Eero over it. We also found the subscription package of Eero to better compared to what Orbi was offering. The Eero plan can help you enjoy safe browsing due to the many security features available. The Orbi plan, on the other hand, focuses more on controlling your network and less on securing it. We, therefore, concluded that the Eero mesh network is better than Orbi and Google wifi.
FAQs
-
What are the security features available in the Eero subscription service?
It offers features such as threat scan, ad blocking, password manager and VPN protection
-
Can you control Orbi by voice?
Yes. This mesh network system has Amazon Alexa support functionality. It helps you adjust settings by giving it voice commands.
