New Wi-Fi Router Promises Entire Home Coverage
The makers of a new wireless router system claim it will offer guaranteed high-speed Wi-Fi connections throughout large homes. But at a minimum of $299 to take advantage, it's a costly solution.
The Eero system is aimed at people who have an Internet connection and wireless router but struggle to get a good signal -- or any signal -- throughout their entire home. Wi-Fi signals can be weakened by structural issues such as in multi-storey houses, or by interference from wireless networks run by neighbors.
The makers say this will become an increasingly frustrating problem as people make more use of data-heavy services such as streaming video throughout their home, in some cases as an alternative to premium cable TV.
Most home networks use a single wireless router and, if necessary, Wi-Fi extenders that relay and boost the signal throughout the home. Eero rethinks that approach completely.
Eero Device Combines Router And Extender
Instead of one router and multiple extenders, an Eero system is made of several identical devices. Each of these performs the role of both router and network extender. The Eero devices work together to build a strong local network across the entire home.
The key is that the user shouldn't need to worry about set-up or settings. Installation involves plugging one Eero into the modem or other hard-wired Internet connection device. Then the user runs an app on an Android or iOS phone, which uses a Bluetooth connection to measure distance and signal strength from the "home" Eero. Once the user has walked round the home, the app tells them the best place to locate the other Eeros.
The Eeros then communicate with one another to build and maintain a strong network signal at all times, automatically adjusting frequency whenever needed. Although the user's computers, tablets and other gadgets will simply see a single wireless network, whenever a new device tries to get online, the system automatically picks which Eero to connect it to, maximizing the connection speed and reliability for all users.
Wireless Connection Should Remain Strong And Unbroken
If a user moves around the home with a portable device, it will automatically switch its connection to a different Eero without the user having to change any settings or noticing any interruptions. (Source: cnet.com)
The makers say that three Eeros will cover an average sized home. For pre-orders, it's charging $125 for one or $299 for three. Once it goes on general sale, the price is more likely to be $199 for one or $499 for three. That's a very expensive solution, so there may be a Catch-22 situation by which few users want to risk buying it until if and when seen strong reviews by other users to show it lives up to the manufacturer hype. (Source: techcrunch.com)
What's Your Opinion?
Do you have problems with getting a good wireless signal throughout your home? Does the promise of the Eero system sound an attractive solution or is it overkill? Is this a problem big enough to justify such an expensive solution?
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Comments
Great idea, but poor price point
The idea is great insofar as having an app that can help you 'see' the dead Wi-Fi areas in the home and correct it. But for $299 it's not realistic. You can get TP Link Wireless N300 routers for $20 on Amazon and extend the wireless network using a wired connection or by WDS bridging. You can also use a smartphone app called Wi-Fi Analyzer to view the signal dBi to determine signal strength and potential dead spots. Easy enough and way cheaper.
Home WiFi Router Network
Great article, and a real problem at my 5300 sq.ft. ranch home w/probably 20 devices walking around and 2 "smart TVs" at the opposite ends. Hey, it's pre-wired for phone, and cable, but no cat5! (any builders reading this?)But, I'm not too savvy about it, and don't have the tech background for it.
So, how about additional details, with acronyms explained, or good vetted part numbers for those of us who don't deal with this on a daily basis?
Amazon works for both of us, yes!
Always enjoy these letters, Thanks
What to them so long?
You took the words right off of my fingers.
Also, I'm surprised it took the wifi technology folks so long to come up with this type of solution. If our computers were running Android, this would have been done long ago.
Whole House Router
300 bucks seems about right for 3 quality router/extenders. If it works as claimed, it would be well worth it for a household with several devices in use.
I do not believe the hype
Ok lets get real.. This is being marketed as a solution for people who are not getting good coverage with their existing WiFi access point.. The biggest reason they are not getting good coverage is because the way the building was built and the materials used which is absorbing (attenuating) a lot of the RF signals which causes loss in power/ signal strength.. The is not the WiFi access point issue so much as most have enough power to penetrate walls in homes made with standard building materials but the end user device such as tablets and smart phones do not.. Because they run on a battery so design engineers have to be prudent when allocating how much power is available for WiFi transmissions.. The solution Eero is offering addresses that issue by moving the AP closer to the device but they do not address the building attenuation issue which which will also absorb power used by the RF transmissions for meshing between the AP's.. They are hoping the higher power transmitters used in the AP will be enough to successfully mesh between AP's.. Hope being the imperative word here..A lot of money to spend hoping it will work.. But they do promise it will work.. Promise, really? How about we use solid proven technical solution that will work.. You go buy another AP and if possible the same one you have already and also buy a pair of Ethernet over power-line converters which uses your home electrical wiring to connect network devices together using standard CAT5 Ethernet connection. This technology has been around for years so it has matured into a solid solution.. When you go through the setup wizard on the new AP just mirror the settings on your existing AP that way each will have the same SSID, password, and security but when the wizard ask to enable DHCP you say NO.. after this is complete connect the two AP directly to each other from switch port to switch port using any Ethernet cable (note on an older AP you might need a crossover cable).. do not use the port labeled ISP or Internet as this a routed port.. If you have successful connect the two units together you should see blinky green lights on the ports you connected together..Now turn off wifi on your original AP which can be done through the web management interface.. But not any other service like your DSL connection or the DHCP server. Now you should be able to connect to your wifi network as usual without any configuration changes to your devices. If this works you have now verified you have a working bridge AP.. Now install your Ethernet over power-line converters, one where the existing AP is and the other in the location where the new AP will be used and connect the AP's, you should see the blinky lights again.. don't forget to re-enable the WiFi on the existing AP.. Connect to the wifi network in the new location and use your fave method for testing Internet speeds.. Once that is running walk with the device in hand back to your existing AP.. if the coverage is overlapping you should see no drop in speed or very little.. if there is a no coverage area you will loose service but be automatically reconnected once you get in range of your existing AP.. Congrats you have extended your WiFi coverage for less then a 100 dollars without hoping it will work.. and as far as high speed roaming? Really? Who roams around their house anyways..