Eero Pro 6 vs Eero 6: Plus (Which Eero is Best?)

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Eero is a top brand with mesh routers because they’re fast, easy to use, and let you enjoy blazing fast speeds when gaming, streaming, or doing anything else. However, you can easily get lost in all their different routers. Today we’re going to compare two of their top offerings: Eero Pro 6 vs Eero 6: Plus. Their names might sound similar, but you’ll see their big differences soon enough.

We’re going to compare Eero 6: Plus vs Eero Pro 6 based on installation, software, speed, reliability, design, and more.

Read on to see which is best for your home.

Eero Pro 6
Eero 6: Plus

Eero Pro 6 vs Eero 6 Plus: Installation

To be completely honest here, both Eero 6 mesh routers are ideal when it comes to installation. It’s a tie. You can move on to the next section, but we suggest you read this if you’re curious about Eero router installation in general (which you should be, no one wants a router that’s hard to install).

Eero 6 Pro and Eero Plus 6 are two of the easiest routers to install ever. In fact, nearly every model in the lineup is super simple. The steps are easy to follow and it holds your hand the whole way. Whether you’ve installed routers before or this is your first time, you’ll be done in 10 minutes max.

If you can follow simple instructions, then you’ll have no problem with these devices. Setting up a router for the first time can be scary because you don’t want to mess it up, but that won’t happen with Eero.

Eero 6 Plus vs Eero Pro 6: App and Software

We’ve seen some mesh routers with awful apps. Don’t worry, Eero’s is one of the most comprehensive along with one of the simplest to use.

The app shows you all the devices connected to your Eero 6 routers and they are grouped according to category. For example, you’ll see entertainment devices, computers, mobile devices, and so on. This makes it easy to understand what devices are on your system.

You can rename any device. You can also control access times for groups of devices, create downtime periods, or even stop the whole network. All of this can be done with a single tap from the app.

If you’re a parent, then you’ll love Eero. You can monitor how often devices are used, and you can stop access for dinner, bedtime, or if your child is acting up.

Have Alexa? You can issue voice commands to pause devices or to find out which node you’re connected to. The commands are convenient, but you’ll probably find the app more useful overall.

Guest networks are also easy to make. Simply select all the features you want (like DNS server, static IP address, port forwarding, UPnP, and more!). If this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry about it. While the features are here, you don’t need to use them. You can use the default settings and they’ll be just fine.

What we want you to see is that Eero is good for everyday users along with tech nerds who love lots of advanced features.

We love how the Eero app shows real-time bandwidth use. Not only is it great to see how much bandwidth you’re using, but this is useful for troubleshooting issues. You can see if one node isn’t working, which makes it very easy to isolate any issues.

Check Price: Eero Pro 6 3 Pack – >

Disadvantages

While nearly everything is great with Eero’s app (regardless of which router you use), there are some downsides to discuss. Every program has its pros and cons, so we just want to be fair about this.

Eero Secure is a great package that costs $3/month. It shows you bandwidth usage based on day or month and comes with advanced parental controls so that you can filter certain content, block ads, or even block entire websites.

While these features are good, you’ll have to pay for them. Google WiFi has the exact same set of features, but they’re free. Speaking of which, we reviewed the Google WiFi Mesh Routers, check that out if you’re curious.

Firmware updates happen automatically. Plus, they happen very late at night/early in the morning like 2-3am. That’s great for most people, but night owls will hate losing their internet as the routers update. Unfortunately there is no way to stop the auto-updates or to change the time.

Thankfully the Eero app is great because there isn’t an Eero web-based interface. Some people prefer using their desktops or laptops, but you aren’t given the option here.

Some people will want to install a Zigbee hub. It doesn’t which you choose in the Eero 6 vs Eero 6 Pro review, both can do this. However, it can only be done through Alexa. Don’t have Alexa? Then you won’t be able to set up Zigbee devices. This won’t affect all users, but some might be disappointed.

Performance

Speed is great with both of them, and both Eero 6 vs Eero Pro 6 models are highly reliable, but we have to give the win to Pro Eero. However, be sure to read through because the differences are slight and you might prefer the more affordable Plus Eero.

Check Price: Eero 6: Plus 3 Pack – >

Reliability

All Eero models use multi-channel mesh networks, which means that they connect node-to-node for enhanced communication and speeds.

You’ll really notice the difference when you’re walking around your home. Normally mesh routers need a second to transfer your device from one node to another. It’s a slight hiccup, but it’s one you’ll notice. This won’t happen with Eero. The routers are designed for smooth transitions no matter which node you’re next to.

Another feature that works in the background is band steering. If you have 5GHz devices, then the router will push them to 5GHz channels for the fastest speeds possible. You won’t notice the channels, but you will notice the faster downloading and uploading.

Overall, there are few mesh routers that can beat or match Eero in terms of reliability. We rank both Eero 6 Plus and Eero Pro 6 the same in this regard.

However, there is a major difference in speed that you need to know about.

Speed and Range

Eero routers are among the best when it comes to switching from node to node, but are they fast?

We will say that both routers are fast and have good coverage per node. Unlike the other sections where they were basically the same, there are some differences here.

Let’s start with overall speed. Eero 6 Plus clocks in at an impressive 500Mbps, which is really fantastic. Even if this is shared throughout the whole family, you’ll notice just how good the speeds are when you stream movies or play games.

Eero 6 Pro does have the upper hand here though. It clocks in at an even better 1,000Mbps. Whether you have a whole family that loves their devices, or you just want to best speeds for yourself, this is definitely the mesh router system we recommend.

What about coverage? That’s also important.

While there is a difference here, it isn’t quite as significant as the speed.

Eero 6 Plus offers 1,500sqft per node while Eero Pro 6 offers 1,750sqft. It’s a significant difference and it will really come into play if you have a larger home, but we think that most people will be fine with either here.

Pro 6 Eero is best, but Plus Eero 6 puts up a good fight.

Check Price: Eero Pro 6 3 Pack – >

Dual-Band vs Tri-Band Routers

While every Eero model is great at switching between nodes, you’ll find that one is not only faster, but it also has an entirely separate band to ensure you get more bandwidth and less interference.

Eero 6: Plus is a dual-band system. This is good overall, but communication between the nodes often happens on one of these bands. If you’re using the band at the same time, then you might notice that the speed is slower than usual. This is uncommon, but it happens enough that you should be aware of it. Dual band Eero routers are great, but not quite as good as tri band Eero models.

Eero Pro 6 on the other hand is a tri-band router. This means that a completely separate channel is reserved specifically for this communication.

They’re both great, but once again, the Eero Pro 6 has the upperhand in this battle.

Design

Both look amazing and are very functionally designed, but we once again have to give the win to Eero Pro 6. Not only does it look better, but it comes with more ports.

In terms of Eero Pro 6 vs Eero 6: Plus, both have a glossy white finish that is smooth, shiny, and looks very sophisticated. They also have rounded corners and are small enough to be placed nearly anywhere.

However, we prefer Eero 6 Pro because it’s shorter and has a more balanced design. Eero 6 Plus is taller and doesn’t look quite as good. At the same time, this is subjective and you might disagree.

We also like the Eero Pro more objectively because it is designed with more ports. You get 6 Ethernet ports (2 on each node) whereas the Eero Plus only comes with 2 Ethernet ports (on the router itself, not the nodes).

While both are great, we love having the extra Ethernet ports with Eero Pro 6, plus the signal tends to be stronger overall. You can save money with the standard Eero, but you are missing out on some essential ports.

Check Price: Eero 6: Plus 3 Pack – >

What’s the Difference Between Eero Pro 6 and Eero 6 Plus?

We keep saying that both mesh routers are great (because they are), but one is clearly superior to the other in every way.

Eero Pro 6 comes with more Ethernet ports, a much stronger signal, better design, better speeds, an extra channel for more reliable connections, and better range. While it’s more expensive than Eero 6 Plus, it’s affordable compared to other mesh routers. If you want top speeds with the smooth transition Eero is known for, then you need the Pro router.

However, that’s not to say that Eero 6: Plus is bad. It’s outclassed here, but it’s still a great system. It comes with a similar design, good speed, good range (if you have a smaller house, then it might be ideal in this capacity), and is very reliable. It does lack some of the premium features, but it also makes up for this by being at a better price point.

While there are many differences in their functionality, we will say that they have identical apps. Eero gives you fantastic control over all the routers through the app. You can enjoy this regardless of which model you buy.

Also, both are simple to install. It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to install either system.

Eero Pro 6
Eero 6: Plus

Final Thoughts

Both Eero mesh routers are great, but the win easily goes to Pro in the Eero 6: Plus vs Eero Pro 6 review. Eero Pro won every category in terms of design, speed, reliability, and so on. The standard router is better priced and good if you’re concerned about your budget, but we think the better value comes from Pro.

Weigh your options. Eero Plus is better priced, But Eero Pro is much better and gives you a bigger bang for your buck.

Where Do I Place the Eero Nodes?

Every node should be placed out in the open for the best signal, and it should be on a hard surface. You should have the gateway node (the main one, the one plugged into your modem) in the center of the other nodes. This isn’t always possible, but it’s the ideal setup.

The other nodes should be evenly spaced up to several rooms away. They need a strong signal, so you don’t want them on the other side of the house. For example, let’s say that the signal in your bedroom is awful. You may think that putting a node in there is a good idea. However, since the signal is poor, the node won’t pick up anything and it will have a hard time extending the range. Instead, place it closer to the gateway node and it will extend the range further to the intended room.

You’ll get the best performance if the nodes both get their signal from the main router/gateway router. So, they should be evenly spaced in different directions. You can connect one node to another, but the performance will suffer, especially for those who connect to the last node in the chain.

Do I Need a Wired Backhaul with Eero Mesh Routers?

Let’s first explain what a wired backhaul is and then answer if you really need one. This is when you connect one of the secondary nodes to the main gateway node via an Ethernet cable. This allows the secondary node to get similar speeds as the gateway one.

It sounds good, until you remember that you need to run a long cable through your house in order to connect the nodes. This makes sense with certain installations. If your house is very long or tall, then a wired backhaul will be a saving grace that gives you good speed in any room. However, most homes won’t really need it.

Eero is great at optimizing switching and speeds. This is especially true with the tri-band Eero Pro since it has a separate channel just for communicating between the nodes, which should ensure consistent speeds.

Most people will find that a wired backhaul simply isn’t needed. However, if you need to do it, the option is there and fairly easy to do (simply connect the wire from one node to another).

Can I Use Different Eero Models?

You know, we made this about comparing Eero Pro and Eero Plus, but we never talked about using both together. If you have a very large house (or just want the most reliable network ever), then you might want to know if you can pair different Eero models.

You actually can pair different models together. Not only that, but they work well together and it’s like installing any other mesh router from them. Simply place the nodes where you want them and they’ll place nicely together.

The only thing we would suggest is making the strongest model the main node. You can use a weaker or older model as the gateway node, but then the whole network will suffer. Other than that, this is a simple installation.

How do I Use Eero with my ISP?

It’s simple actually. Eero works with nearly any ISP or router setup. If you just have a modem, then simply connect the gateway node to the modem and follow the installation instructions. If you have a combination router/modem, then set it to bridge mode and disable the router part.

Once you do that, just plug the gateway node into the modem and install the system.