In 2020, when mesh routers were just getting popular, Amazon’s Eero 6 had all the right parts. The design of Eero 6 Plus was simple and not offensive, the app was surprisingly easy to use, it worked with Wi-Fi 6, and a three-pack didn’t cost too much at $279. During my performance tests, the only problem I had with it was that it often sent my connection through the wrong extender at the wrong time, which caused its average speeds to drop like a deflated soufflé.
Eero 6 Plus: Description
Now Amazon is back, and it seems to have done a better job of beating the eggs than it did before. The new Eero 6 Plus costs more at $299 for a three-pack, but it’s much better and much easier for me to recommend. It still isn’t perfect at directing connections to the best extender for the job, but few mesh routers are (especially dual-band systems like the 6 Plus), and this time the problem is much less serious.
Part of the reason is that it didn’t happen as often, but the new support for 160MHz channel width, up from 80MHz last time, is also a factor. This is the most important part of the Plus pitch, and it means that the system can now move data to 160MHz-compatible devices twice as fast. There are a lot of these devices.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable for 6 GHz
- Long range
- Easy to install
Cons
- Pricey
- Lacks USB connectivity
- Some features require a subscription
Eero 6 Plus: Specifications
| Wireless Standards | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-FI Speed | 3,000 Mbps |
| Wireless Coverage | 4,500 sq. ft. |
| Radio Bands | Dual-Band |
| Security Feature | Eero Secure |
| Management Tool | Eero App |
Design and Features
The Eero 6 Plus can be bought in either a one-pack or a three-pack, just like all other Amazon Eero systems. If all you need is an extra satellite, go with the first option. If you want to start building a full mesh system, though, go with the three-pack.
All Eero devices can work with older models, so the 6 Plus will work well with a mesh system that is already in place. But you do need to be careful about how you mix and match. With the Eero 6 Plus, the 160MHz channels will only work if all of your devices support them. Right now, only the Eero Pro 6E and this model meet that requirement, so stick with these devices. Well, that depends on your setup, which I’ll talk about later.
Each Eero 6 Plus is exactly the same. The units look like keyboard keys, but they are smaller than the Pro models. The first thing you have to connect is the Gateway, which links to the router or modem you already have.
This immediately takes away one of the Gigabit Ethernet ports, so only one is left for other devices. I installed an eight-port switch to get around this problem, but a couple more Ethernet ports would have been nice. Additional There are two ways to connect an Eero device to the mesh. The most obvious way is to use wireless, which lets you build a network without wires. But you can also use Ethernet backhaul, which is a fancy way of saying that Gigabit Ethernet can be used between satellites.
Eero 6 Plus: Setup and software
The Eero 6+ software experience comes down to the Eero app, which is how you will interact with these routers. Unlike traditional routers, you can’t pull up a web interface on your computer. Even though the app isn’t as powerful as I’d like it to be, it’s pretty easy to use, and setting up the routers was a breeze.
When I opened the box, I took out a router and followed the app’s instructions. All I had to do was turn off my main Verizon router, plug the Eero into the available ethernet port, and the app literally did the rest. You just wait there until the app finds a connection. When you’re fully connected, the little blue LED on the puck stops blinking and stays white. It was just as easy to add more pucks through the app, so I went from my master bedroom to my living room and then to my basement.
As for how useful the Eero app is, you can always check how you’re using the internet live, which is helpful. It’s even broken down by router, whether it’s your main one or the AP in the basement. So, you can get a full picture of how your family uses the Internet and figure out which devices use the most bandwidth. You can also see which of your Wi-Fi devices are connected to the network at any given time and block or prioritise them individually, for example if your child is grounded and shouldn’t be using the internet.
Eero 6 Plus: Performance
Wi-Fi 6 is supported by Eero 6+. It promises to be faster than Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 4. It can handle speeds up to a gigabit, and its total throughput can reach 3,000 Mbps. If you want wireless speeds to be faster, your internet service provider (ISP) should give you at least 500 Mbps.
With a wired backhaul, all Wi-Fi 6 devices can reach speeds of up to 1 gigabit. You can get consistent speeds of up to 980 Mbps with an iPhone 13 Pro Max. Even Wi-Fi 6E devices like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra got fast speeds, which was a surprise. Wi-Fi 6E devices usually work better on the 6GHz band or the extra 5GHz band on a tri-band mesh router.
Also, for a dual-band router that doesn’t have a 6GHz channel or an extra 5GHz band, its wireless backhaul performance is very fast. Wireless backhauls are usually slower, but this mesh router’s 5GHz band did a great job. Speeds went as high as 600 Mbps and never went lower than 400 Mbps. It’s a big step up from the Eero 6, which only works with wireless backhaul speeds of up to 200 Mbps.
Price and Availability
The price of a single eero device, the eero 6+, is $139, which is less than I would have thought. When tested, a two-pack costs $239, and when a third unit is added, the price goes up to $299. The best price per unit is for the three-pack, but you might not even need that many. One eero 6+ can cover up to 1,500 square feet, and eero’s specs say that the two larger kits should cover 3,000 and 4,500 square feet, respectively.
Most of the time, a single eero 6+ will be enough for a two-bedroom apartment. Even though it makes sense, building a mesh too much doesn’t always make the experience better. Eero is a company owned by Amazon, so all of its products can be bought from Amazon. You can also buy eero’s store at many other stores that sell electronics, like Best Buy and B&H.
Final words
Several things will affect whether or not you can use the 160MHz channels, but even without them, the Eero 6 Plus is a great mesh system. It’s reasonably priced, reliable, and performs well. There’s no reason to upgrade if you already have an Eero 6 system, but this is a great choice for new owners who want to set up a simple and cheap mesh system.
FAQs
Is eero mesh worth the money?
If you want faster Wi-Fi speeds, less dead spots, and better coverage, the Eero mesh system is a great choice. Based on what we talked about in our Eero review, you should buy it.
How long do eero routers last?
The Eero mesh system is a great choice if you want faster Wi-Fi speeds, fewer dead spots, and better coverage. From what we said in our review of Eero, you should buy it.
