Eero Pro 7: Impressive Wi-Fi 7 Performance Overshadowed by Subscription Pitfalls

Long ago, I had the opportunity to evaluate the Eero Pro 6E, which was a remarkably straightforward device to use. Its powerful hardware was discreet and blended seamlessly into my home, resulting in no complaints during my time with it. However, all of this was overshadowed by Eero’s relentless pressure to subscribe to its monthly service. With an app that felt more like a promotional tool and many essential features locked behind a paywall, I couldn’t, in good faith, endorse it. Fortunately, with the introduction of Wi-Fi 7 and the new Eero Pro 7, Eero has a chance to rectify its earlier mistakes and win back my favor. Which, I imagine, will require some effort, right?

To learn more about Engadget’s testing methods for mesh Wi-Fi, refer to our mesh Wi-Fi buyer’s guide.

eero

79100Expert Score

Eero Pro 7

Amazon / Eero’s latest Wi-Fi 7 mesh delivers impressive wireless performance. It is unfortunate that it seems designed to extract subscription fees from users.

Pros

• Outstanding performance
• Cost-effective Wi-Fi 7
• Swift and dependable
• Simple installation

Cons

• App limitations
• App primarily functions as an advertisement for Eero Plus
• Essential features are gated behind a subscription

$300 at Amazon

Hardware

Since its inception, Eero has designed its Wi-Fi nodes as smooth, rounded boxes that comfortably fit on side tables and shelves. Unfortunately, the complexity of stuff needed for Wi-Fi 7 exceeds what the traditional design can accommodate. (The basic Eero 7 lacks 6GHz support, which explains its older structure, yet it has the audacity to claim it’s a real Wi-Fi 7 device.) As a result, the Pro 7 forgoes the traditional silhouette in favor of the enclosure seen on Eero’s premium Max 7. The vertical structure is more effective at cooling components without requiring a fan, but it’s also visibly prominent, especially with its clear branding, which defeats the purpose of making the devices blend in.

Each unit has an identical design, featuring a glossy white finish and measuring 7.1 inches in height and 5.8 inches in width. On the back, you’ll find the USB-C power connection, reset button, and two 5G ethernet ports capable of achieving theoretical speeds of 4.7 Gbps. The suite of wireless radios (2×2 2.4Ghz, 2×2 5GHz, and 2×2 6GHz) claims to reach speeds up to 3.9 Gbps. Additionally, it incorporates usual smart home technologies such as Zigbee, Thread, Matter, Amazon Connected Devices, Alexa, and Bluetooth LE 5.0.

Installation

Eero’s claim of offering a “frustration-free setup” is substantiated, making it the simplest mesh system to install. Just download the Eero app, provide your Amazon login, plug in your cable modem, and the rest is handled within minutes. Each node was operational within two minutes of being powered up, and most of the 15-minute setup was spent moving between rooms.

Once every node was prepared, a notification confirmed that their positioning was optimal for signal quality. This feedback is helpful since some mesh systems don’t provide such guidance and leave users to troubleshoot poor performance later. Although the app advised me that I could achieve better speeds by bringing the nodes closer together, the layout of my home necessitated that they all be placed in the same room.

Performance

The performance of Eero’s system has always been solid, particularly after the composition settles in after the initial day. Many aspects from the previous iterations have been retained here, making it excellent for home use. I recorded speeds of 250 Mbps in my office, which is situated far from any node, during various speed tests. The smart television in that room was able to stream a 4K film without any interruptions, allowing me to skip past the pre-roll advertisements.

I can’t envision anyone wanting to replace their Wi-Fi 6E system with this new model, as the performance enhancement isn’t substantial enough. During my testing of the Eero Pro 6E, I regularly achieved speeds of about 250 Mbps in my office too. There are notable improvements in latency and dependability that can’t be ignored, but these will only become apparent if you’re moving up from significantly older equipment.

For those upgrading from an earlier Eero setup, I suggest you retain that older hardware to strengthen your network. Each Eero node can connect with its predecessors, although you might experience slower performance as a result. I placed a Pro 6E node in a known weak signal area in my home out of curiosity. Sure enough, while the older nodes are slower, the degradation isn’t overly severe. Speed tests on the 6E node still yielded speeds around 200 Mbps.

App and Eero Plus

In crafting Engadget’s guide to mesh Wi-Fi buying, I spent countless months examining hardware from various leading brands. Some products were straightforward to use, while others were overly complicated, designed for technical users without regard for casual consumers. However, none frustrated me as much as Eero’s app, which exemplifies how to squander potential triumphs. The app features a significant portion dedicated to promoting Eero Plus, the company’s subscription service. Furthermore, Eero conceals numerous essential features behind a paywall, making it impossible for me to recommend. But I digress.

The Eero app is sleek and user-friendly, providing an overview of each node and its signal strength. The indicators show connectivity status among nodes, but it lacks a clear visualization of your network’s layout. Below that, there’s a section displaying connected devices, though it often struggles to identify common items (including Amazon products). Additionally, you cannot assign traffic priorities for individual devices, which would be beneficial when participating in a podcast or a Zoom call.

Examine the screenshot of the Activity Pane, which reveals how sparse it is, merely displaying peak speeds and data quantities uploaded and downloaded. Each item can link to another panel with additional information, but the visualizations ultimately feel largely unhelpful. This highlights a broader issue with both Eero’s software and its overall business model.

I suspect that Engadget readers largely fall into two categories: Those who are aware DHCP has some relation to their internet but won’t engage out of fear of causing issues, and those who have 192.168.1.1 memorized. Eero’s approach probably frustrates both groups, since it strips away even the most basic control over your own Wi-Fi.

You can customize your Wi-Fi name and password, as well as set up a guest Wi-Fi network, but beyond that, the options become limited. You can categorize devices into groups, allowing you to restrict usage time for kids’ consoles or computers. You can set your DHCP to manual, establish a reservation, port forward, and disable IPv6 support. And, well, that’s pretty much it.

Unless you’re willing to pay $9.99 monthly or $100 annually for Eero Plus, which unlocks a more extensive toolkit. Subscribing grants you the ability to set a mobile hotspot for internet backup in case your Wi-Fi goes down. Plus, subscribers get access to parental controls, historical data, ad blocking, enhanced security features, DDNS, and content filters. Additionally, Eero Plus includes subscriptions for Guardian VPN, Malwarebytes, and 1Password.

I understand the business rationale. All hardware companies—Amazon-owned or not—need to create diverse revenue streams. I recognize that many individuals may find the additional costs justifiable for added security and peace of mind. However, it’s crucial to note that Eero’s competitors provide these features without subscription fees. For instance, Google’s Nest Wi-Fi includes parental controls and security updates without extra charges. While Nest has yet to release a Wi-Fi 7 product, thus not making a direct comparison, the Eero Pro 6E similarly limited features due to Amazon incentivizing Plus subscriptions. If a company charges $700 for a product while withholding basic functionalities just to squeeze an extra $100 annually from customers, I find that quite frustrating.

Price and Competition

The Eero Pro 7 is offered in configurations of one, two, or three nodes, priced at $300, $550, and $700, respectively. Wi-Fi 7 systems currently target early adopters, and consumers will pay a premium regardless of the brand they choose. I won’t make a direct comparison here, as various Wi-Fi 7 routers have notable specification differences. For example, Netgear’s Orbi 770 boasts a longer transmission range and higher wireless speed but features slower ethernet ports and can support only half as many connected devices as the Pro 7. At this early juncture, you should decide which specifications matter most based on your specific home requirements. Thus, I can’t determine if the $900 Orbi 770 is more suitable for you than the $700 Eero Pro 7.

If you’re keen on upgrading and drawn to Eero, it might be beneficial to consider last-generation hardware. At the time of writing, a three-pack of Eero Pro 6Es costs $550, providing commendable performance. While it shares the same limitations as its successor, the ability to integrate with older units offers a valuable advantage. Furthermore, Wi-Fi 6E is a considerable enhancement over whatever Wi-Fi technology you’re likely using now.

Conclusion

There are numerous appealing aspects of Eero’s mesh Wi-Fi systems that it troubles me greatly that I cannot endorse them. They are incredibly user-friendly to set up and operate, and the performance, in terms of both speed and reliability, is outstanding. I appreciate the design of the hardware, even if it draws more attention than its predecessors. Additionally, I believe that $700 for a comprehensive home Wi-Fi 7 system is quite reasonable considering that other brands are charging $1000 or more at this time. This is particularly true for users who prefer not to tinker with every setting for optimal internet performance. This hardware easily passes the “could you hand this over to your tech-averse family member?” test.

Sadly, I cannot overlook the blatant upselling and feature restrictions, which seem to withhold functionalities that should be standard. I’d argue that every router ought to provide at least basic parental controls and some form of URL filtering or content blocking. Even if you don’t utilize them, it is disheartening to see these features withheld purely for the sake of generating regular income. If you were confronted at a car dealership by someone trying to sell you a sedan with three wheels—the fourth being included for an extra $9.99 a month through CarSubscriptionPlus!—you would likely walk away in disgust.