“The first-generation Eero was a game-changer. With a mesh network that blanketed your home in WiFi, it finally offered home wireless that doesn’t suck,” Nicole Lee writes for Engadget. “Now, Eero is out with two new products — a second-generation Eero, plus a new Eero Beacon — that promise a more powerful network overall at a slightly lower entry-level price (you can get both in a starter bundle for $299). I’ve been using the “standard” home bundle (which is one Eero hub and two Beacons) for the past two weeks and, despite a few quibbles, I can say that it certainly delivers.”
“Both the second-gen Eero and the Eero Beacon are two of the most stylish WiFi products out there,” Lee writes. “There are no unsightly antennae or clunky hardware here; instead, the Eero and the Eero Beacon share a similar minimalist aesthetic.”
“The second-gen Eero is very different from the first. Internally, it has tri-band support, a new thermal management system, a new antenna array and a Thread radio for low-power connected home products, like locks and thermostats,” Lee writes. “In short, it’s just all around better.”
“While the original Eero seemed expensive at the time (a three-pack was $499; a single was $199), the second-generation Eero bundles actually seem on-par with what’s on the market currently,” Lee writes. “Sure, the individual second-gen Eeros are still on the high-end price-wise, but you can mix and match with the more affordable Beacons, which are really just as capable. Plus, you could just get the starter $299 Eero bundle to see if that’s enough for your WiFi needs before splurging on more.”
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: With Apple seemingly out of the Wi-Fi game, the closest we’re going to get to Apple-esque good looks and ease-of-use are Eero products.
SEE ALSO:
AppleInsider reviews eero Wi-Fi: ‘A solid option for Apple’s outgoing AirPort’ – February 27, 2017
With Eero, you can kiss slow Wi-Fi goodbye forever – February 10, 2017
Beacon schmeacon. My “mesh” has two airports and 4 airport express units driving 4 airplay stereos thoughout the house. Where is a mesh that can do multiple airplay nodes with seamless switching and combinations of nodes on/off all from my iOS or Apple Laptop?
My coverage is spotty. Hopefully my Fingbox will get here soon
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fingbox-network-security-wi-fi-troubleshooting#/
Agreed. Lack of Airplay is a deal-killer. And, it has to be optical/digital, not analog.
Dismantled the old Time-capsule and repeater Airports and replaced them with the first gen EERO triple pack. Drop dead easy to set up and monitor. It’s what Apple should have done, had they the vision.
These second gen EEROs look even better performance and price wise. But I’m very happy with the first gen right now.
Apple should buy eero.
That I could get behind.
…they should partner with Bose.
“Bose & Eero”
bwahahahahaha
Apple doesn’t need to buy EERO. They already know how to make routers, etc. They only need to decide to GET ON WiTH IT.
Who said WiFi is the “end all, be all” for a home networking device?
WiFi operates on limited frequencies and they limit the data rate possible.
Would you be surprised if Apple was working on something else for data transfer? Apple has a habit of looking forward.
Why would we want Apple to buy EERO again? EERO already has “tight” integration with the iPhone. They are dead simple to use (I have two) and we are getting steady updates of functionality. Havn’t we learned our “lesson”. WiFi is not on Apples critical path. If they bought EERO updates would slow down, there would be no information on new products, and the price would probably go up. In exchange we might someday get AirPlay support and a Mac Management App – no thank you sir. I’ll just send EERO another email telling them we need Airplay support and who knows they may actually “comment’ on future support or the product road map. I LOVE me some Apple but come on guys LEARN from the past. If its not a iPhone, iPad, or Mac you probably don’t want Apple near it.
If I were Apple, I would strongly consider buying eero. After all, Apple likes to control the critical technologies in its products and ecosystem, and Apple has been doubling down on wireless and WiFi connectivity for years. Mesh appears to be the next generation WiFi approach, and eero is “eerily” reminiscent of past Apple product designs like the original AirPort. It also seems like a natural fit with Apple’s existing capabilities/products such as HomeKit and AppleTV.
My existing AirPort Extremes are still functioning quite well. But I have been keeping an eye on the progress in mesh networking products. The capabilities of the second-generation Eero combined with the starter bundle that includes two Eero Beacons for $299 is looking darn good.
How about a poll, MDN? Should Apple try to acquire eero?
Done.
Does it have an app or does it configure through a browser?
App.
https://eero.com/experience
MDN said the same exact things about Nest…right until Google bought them. I’d like to see Google buy this just to see more MDN hypocrisy at work.
One word of caution. I have two Eero’s and was shocked to learn that Eero has access to my network from their cloud. The Eero’s not only connect to Eero’s cloud without your knowledge or consent, but it’s REQUIRED. In fact, if your internet connection goes down (as mine did Tuesday), the Eero’s go down with it and won’t allow any devices to connect to it. This meant I lost all ability to connect with my HomeKit appliances.
This is very much NOT like Apple, it’s a serious privacy issue not to mention functional issue. I’m in the process of identifying another option to replace the Eero’s.
Really? Wow, and I was about to click on the link above and look at trying these out. WTF? No way in hell I’m doing that. Thanks much for the heads-up!
aero downloads updates etc and provides basic info to keep your system current.
aero’s faq on its site is very clear info it collects.
i encourage users to look it up on their site.
you will be underwhelmed by what it collects.
not a problem here. move on.
I replaced my apple wireless with a new AmpliFi – HD system. https://amplifi.com/
It works amazing. I don’t have any dead spots anymore and the speed is great. Plus it is very attractive.
I also have Amplifi-HD at home. Beatiful system and works incredible. Plus it is a snap to install.
Btw, this company was started by an ex-Apple employee who worked on the creation of the Airport system.