eero 6+ review

The eero 6+ is a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router released in March 2022. It is sold as a single unit, a 2-pack and a 3-pack. Its specifications point to a small or medium home network that wants Wi-Fi 6 with smart home control built in. They do not point to a network that needs many wired connections or fine-grained security controls.

The router carries an AX3000 rating and a 2x2 antenna array. It is dual-band, covering 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with 2x2 streams on each band. The 5 GHz band supports 160 MHz channels, which is the main speed-related feature in the specification. The spec lists no 6 GHz radio and no third band, so this is a plain dual-band design. Automatic channel selection is listed, so the router handles channel choice for you.

This is the most limiting part of the spec. The eero 6+ has two auto-sensing gigabit Ethernet ports, and each can act as WAN or LAN. The manufacturer publishes no separate LAN port count. If one port takes the WAN connection, one is left for a wired device. Adding a second wired device would need extra hardware, such as a switch. The manufacturer lists gigabit speeds only, with no multi-gig ports. For a homelab with a NAS, an access point and a desktop, two shared ports leave little room.

The manufacturer rates a single router at up to 1,500 sq ft. A 3-pack is rated at up to 4,500 sq ft. That makes the single unit a match for a smaller home, and the multi-packs the route for larger floor plans. The manufacturer gives no rated figure for the 2-pack in the information available, so the 3-pack figure is the only multi-node rating to plan around.

Content filters and ad blocking require the optional paid eero Plus subscription. For a sysadmin, the security picture is also incomplete. No VPN server, WPA3 or VLAN/guest network support is confirmed for the eero 6+. If you need network segmentation, a built-in VPN server or WPA3, confirm them with the manufacturer before buying. The firmware update record is not covered by the specifications.

The eero 6+ works as a Zigbee, Thread and Matter controller, and it supports Alexa. A household with devices on those protocols could use the router as the controller, which may cut the number of separate hubs. This is the clearest area where the specification gives the router something beyond basic networking.

The manufacturer rates typical power consumption at 4.5W, measured by the CTA 2049-A test. It publishes no separate idle or load figures for the 6+. On warranty, the manufacturer's material conflicts. It states a 1-year limited warranty, while the shop page also lists a 3-year warranty. Check which one applies with the seller before you buy.

The eero 6+ offers Wi-Fi 6 on two bands, rated coverage that scales with the pack size, and a built-in Thread, Zigbee and Matter controller. Against that, two shared gigabit ports limit wired setups. Filtering features need a subscription, and key security features are unconfirmed. It suits a wireless-first home with smart devices. It is a poor match for a wired homelab or a network that needs VLANs.