Eero 6+: The mesh Wi-Fi system that could save you in an outage

This mesh Wi-Fi router can blast a mobile hotspot from your phone around the house as back-up internet service in case of an outage.

The Eero 6+ mesh wi-fi system.

One of the most appealing features of Eero’s mesh Wi-Fi system for some isn’t the 420sq m blanket coverage one can get with three devices but rather a mobile notification each time a new device connects.

The notification will take the user directly to the Eero app, where the newest device will be categorised into either an entertainment, computers & personal or other list.

Users can see what the device is, its connection type, which of the Eero Wi-Fi points it is connected to, when it was last active, the manufacturer IP address and MAC address.

And, most importantly for those concerned somebody might have their password and be downloading at will, you can block the device.

The Eero 6+ mesh wi-fi system.

But for us, one of the best features is one that could really save the day amid a network outage, provided your mobile phone and internet providers are on different networks.

That feature is one that allows the use to use their mobile hotspot as a back-up data sources and use the Eero mesh Wi-Fi system to blast it around the house, covering up to 420m 2.

If you were a Telstra or TPG mobile customer and an Optus internet customer, the Eero mesh Wi-Fi system could have saved you a lot of trouble last week.

However that service does cost extra, unless purchased through More Telecom which gifts 12 months of Eero Secure when purchasing an Eero 6+.

To purchase, Eero Secure costs $2.99 per month or Eero Plus arrives at $159.99 per year or $15.99 per month, and it comes with a host of other services including the ability to block certain apps, a virtual private network (VPN), the internet back-up service allowing the user to broadcast their mobile hotspot around the home and content filters.

The Australian has been using the Eero 6+ for the past two months ($429), using three of devices on more’s fast NBN plan which includes up to 92Mbps download speed and 17Mbps upload speed. More was one of few telcos to establish a deal to be a supplier of the Wi-Fi device.

The Eero 6+ mesh wi-fi system with three points can cover up 420sq m.

An internet speed test on Wednesday revealed a download speed of 112Mbps and an upload speed of 38Mbps. The system can handle up to 75 internet connections which may seem like a lot but in the age of smart appliances would not be hard to reach.

One thing we did appreciate was that the device is powered by a USB-C cable, which makes life a little easier should something happen to the cable or powe rplug.

Earlier this year The Australian reviewed Google’s older Nest Wi-Fi system which, at the time, we enjoyed very much.

While we found the Eero to be a little faster and more compact, one thing we liked a lot about the Google system was the fact that its Wi-Fi points doubled as speakers. And also that we could check, run tests and find issues with the system via the Google Home app.

We’re not able to do the same with Eero just yet via the Alexa app, despite Amazon buying Eero back in 2019. Users can however ask Alexa devices to do control Eero by turning off internet on certain devices such as iPads.

One other small thing which might annoy those who prefer to control a device without looking at a screen is that Eero doesn’t have any on-device buttons to control it other than a reset button.

Each Eero 6+ point arrives with a USB-C cable, power plug and ethernet cable.

What that means is every time there’s an issue, the user needs to look at the app to find out what’s wrong.

For those with older Eero devices that still have some blackout zones in their house, you’ll be pleased to know Eero devices are configured to work with all older points. What that means is you can buy the latest point to work with something you bought several years ago.

In the US, Amazon has even configured some of its smart speakers to function as Wi-Fi extenders for the Eero mesh system although that’s not a case here.

Two ethernet ports on the back, which allow the user to plug directly into devices with ethernet ports such as smart TVs. That can be handy if you have multiple Wi-Fi points around your home and you’d prefer a direct line into your TV, computer or event smart monitor.

The verdict? It’s a yes from us. This mesh networks make life easier, allowing users to no longer worry about connectivity issues so long as they have enough Wi-Fi points and even provides an option to get Wi-Fi up and running around the house amid an outage.

Originally published as Eero 6+: The mesh Wi-Fi system that could save you in an outage