Should you buy the Eero Pro 6 or the Eero 6? We can help you decide!

The main difference between the two routers is the top speed, with the Eero Pro 6 easily delivering over 1Gbps even when connected to a remote node. While a single Eero 6 router supports gigabit connections natively, you’ll be sharing your 5GHz band, splitting your 1200Mbps speeds if you add more nodes. This allows for speeds of up to 500Mbps and a little headroom, which is more than enough for most people.

Eero Pro 6 and Eero 6: Do you need another band?

If you deploy any of these routers individually, you’ll get essentially the same speed, with most Wi-Fi 6 devices topping out at 1200Mbps. If you only need one in less than 1,500 square feet of open space, there’s no reason to upgrade to the Eero Pro 6. While the Eero can be a great standalone router in a small space, they’re designed to work together.

If you’re deploying two or more Eeros in your home, the Eero Pro 6’s extra 5GHz band will easily maintain over 1Gbps transfer speeds. All nodes in the grid need to communicate with each other to work.

There is only one 5GHz band, and the Eero 6 must share that connection with wireless devices and communicate with the Eero connected to the modem. This essentially halved the best-case 1200Mbps speed, leading Eero to recommend 500Mbps. That’s similar to our test of the Wi-Fi 5 Eero at about 400Mbps, or about half the speed of its 867Mbps 5GHz band.

Fortunately, the Eero 6 and Eero 6 Pro have been updated to support Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), which opens up more of the 5GHz band so nodes can avoid interference better than using standard 5GHz mode. This requires no user configuration and is automatically selected by the Eero software if necessary.

	Eero 6	Aero 6 Pro
wireless online	Wi-Fi 6 Dual Band	Wi-Fi 6 tri-band
wireless speed	AX1800 600Mbps at 2.4GHz, 1200Mbps at 5GHz	AX4200 600Mbps at 2.4GHz, 1200Mbps at 5GHz, 2400Mbps at 5GHz
spatial flow	4	8
Channel width	20, 40, 80 MHz	20, 40, 80 MHz
Ethernet	2	2
Coverage (single)	1,500 square feet	2,000 square feet
aspect	3.91 x 3.82 x 2.42 inches	5.3 x 5.3 x 2.1 inches

Eero Pro 6 and Eero 6: software

Both Eero Pro 6 and Eero 6 are set up and managed using the Eero app. This application will guide you through the setup process and allow you to configure wireless settings. You can also check the quality of the mesh link and see which devices are connected. Eero applications include Eero Secure and Eero Secure+. These subscriptions add security to your connection with real-time antivirus protection and useful software like password managers and VPNs. The basic Eero Secure plan is $2.99 ​​per month or $29 per year, while Eero Secure+ is $9.99 per month or $99 per year.

Recently, Eero added a new feature called DDNS to its Eero Secure+ layer. Accessible through the Eero app on your mobile device, this feature allows you to create a secure connection to your home network even when you’re on the go. This gives you easy access to devices on your home network and is a great space saver in your travel bag if you don’t want to travel with a portable hard drive.

For your smart home, both the Eero 6 and Eero Pro 6 include a Zigbee smart home hub. This can simplify your network if you have compatible smart home devices. The Eero also includes support for Alexa, which isn’t surprising considering Amazon owns the Eero.

Finally, both the Eero 6 and Eero Pro 6 are also fully HomeKit-enabled. This means that smart homes using Apple HomeKit and the Eero 6 or Pro 6 can provide increased security for their HomeKit accessories. You can choose whether to only allow devices to see local Apple devices, or you can have them automatically visit predetermined sites and devices. Finally, you can disable these controls entirely if you wish. However, you still need a separate Apple HomeKit hub.

Eero Pro 6 and Eero 6: Get the right coverage

The Eero Pro 6 comes in a very compact package, especially considering it’s still capable of covering up to 2,000 square feet. That’s not bad, two or three people should be able to easily cover the whole house. Keep in mind that you want to overbuy your wireless router’s coverage a bit to account for factors that can negatively affect signal strength, such as walls. If you have concrete or plaster walls in your house, your signal will quickly drop from room to room.

Your meshes perform best when each node has strong connections to the other. Make sure to plan for some overlap to ensure your speed stays high. Your fastest speed will only be as fast as the slowest connection between your device and your modem.

The Eero 6 is 1,500 square feet, so you’ll need more nodes to cover the house. Still, for many two- or three-bedroom homes, two to three Eero 6 nodes will suffice. Don’t worry too much about doing this right now, as nodes can easily be added if needed.

If you’re looking for something to cover a studio apartment or similar small, open space, either router should do just fine. If all you need is a router, the Eero 6 will be able to deliver gigabit speeds because it doesn’t need to share its 5GHz band with a mesh network.

Eero Pro 6 and Eero 6: Extend your grid

Eero excels at compatibility. If you have an older Eero grid in your home, you don’t need to get rid of it. You can use newer Eeros to build faster meshes where you need them, while letting older Eeros continue to be used in places where speed isn’t really an issue (such as detached garages). Be sure to connect your fastest Eero directly to the modem.

If you want to get the most out of your Eero 6 or Eero Pro 6 mesh, you should stick with the Wi-Fi 6 enabled Eero for expansion. The three best options for extending your Eero Pro 6 grid are more Eero Pro 6 routers for the best speed, then an Eero 6 or Eero 6 Extender. The Eero 6 Extender has the same wireless capabilities as the standard Eero 6, but lacks the Ethernet port. Still, for $40 less, it’s a solid option.

Eero Pro 6 and Eero 6: Which one should you get?

There is no doubt that the Eero Pro 6 is faster than the Eero 6, and both routers can compete with the best wireless routers you can get. It’s also worth remembering that Eero isn’t the only whole-home Wi-Fi solution. The main question is whether you need that kind of speed. Due to working from home and even homeschooling, more and more people are asking about their home network. Gigabit connectivity is great, and if you have one, the Eero Pro 6 is for you.

For most people, 500Mbps will probably be faster than the connection you’re paying for, so the Eero 6 is the best fit. You can also use the money you save on the base Eero to add another Eero 6 or Eero 6 extender, so you can ensure consistent coverage throughout your home. For most people, the Eero 6 has been more than enough for quite some time.

Getting Started with Wi-Fi 6

Amazon eero 6 Dual Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router

Fast enough and easy to scale for most people

Amazon $90

Dell $91

$90 at Best Buy

With recommended speeds of up to 500Mbps, the Eero 6 brings Wi-Fi 6 support and retains the excellent Eero app settings and expansion options.

Gigabit internet speed

Amazon eero Pro 6 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router

Gigabit speeds and seamless coverage at home

Amazon $229

Dell $230

$229 at Best Buy

The Eero Pro 6 adds another Wi-Fi band to easily deliver gigabit wireless speeds and expandable coverage.