Having a reliable router is essential for a stable internet connection in your home or office. The market for routers is growing and becoming more affordable, so there’s no excuse to stick with an old, outdated model.
While you may not have control over the speed of your internet provider, a good router can make a significant difference in your online experience. Make sure to invest in a dependable router to ensure that you have a smooth, uninterrupted connection.
Eero and Ubiquiti are among the most sought-after routers which not only provides reliable connectivity but affordable too. To help you understand these amazing routers better, here is a more detailed description:
Eero vs Ubiquiti: Overview
Eero is a household name when it comes to Wi-Fi mesh connectivity. Having been in the market for some time, Eero has introduced several product generations that include Eero gateways, Eero Beacons, and more.
Considering the recent acquisition of Eero by Amazon, you can anticipate some major changes soon.
When setting up your Eero Wi-Fi router, you’ll first make 1st or 2nd generation Eero your network getaway and then, connect it to your modem.
Depending on the size of your home or your preferred network coverage, you can use as many Eeros as you want. It is important to note that generation 1 Eero is no longer available on the official website which means you have to consider the 2nd generation or buy from Amazon.
But, if you still need the 1st generation, Amazon has it in stock. You can choose to buy Eero 2nd Generation plus Eero Beacon or the Eero Pro which has 3 second-generation Eeros.
Ubiquiti is popular for their enterprise & industrial settings but in the recent past, they’ve dived into residential appliances. Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD is a great device that seeks to extend Wi-Fi networks in your home or office.
The company has several AmpliFi HD products including AmpliFi Mesh Router, AmpliFi Teleport, and more. You can use the routers on their own or combine them with others to have more reliable Wi-Fi coverage.
Before checking out the differences between these amazing routers, here are some of their similarities:
- Reliable and safe connection
- Ease of setting up
- Ease of customizing
Eero Vs Ubiquiti: The Differences
Internet Range
Now, when it comes to Eero, it requires more nodes as well as access points so it can create a mesh network around the house. You’ll need to plug your Eero router to a modem and then, plug the additional units into standard outlets in your house.
It is important to note that Eero is available in various packs that require different setups. For instance, if you get the standard Eero pack, you’ll have 1 Eero and a beacon. If your house is big, this alone will not be enough.
For larger homes where you’ll be using multiple units, ensure that you have one unit in every 1000 square feet. Also, ensure that there is a 40 feet distance between the Eero models in your home. Do not forget to install the Eero app to help in adding more Eero packs or beacons when the need arises.
For larger homes, the best option will be the Eero Pro Pack as it has 3 Eeros which are enough to cover 3500 square feet.
For Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD, you will love its wide range of coverage of up to 20,000 square feet. And for this amazing coverage, you’ll only need 1 base and 2 satellites.
If you need to extend your network coverage area from your house to different places such as the office outside, Ubiquiti is a perfect choice. It is not surprising that more people prefer Ubiquiti and not Eero for their home network.
Connectivity
When using Eero, you don’t have to worry about internet speed as it never slows down as long as you have enough routers & beacons. If you feel that a part of your home is not getting enough coverage, installing some beacons will rectify the situation.
In most instances, homeowners whose homes have 1 or 2 storeys as it makes easier to make new Eero additions when the need arises. For long range, Eero routers normally have a 168Mbs speed and 447Mbps for close range.
Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD mesh router’s dual-band is rated at AC1750 which amounts to 450Mbs. Based on the observations of those who have used the router, however, the average speed is 429Mbs and not 450Mbs as the manufacturer says.
If you are 50 feet away or 2 rooms from the router, the speed drops to 69Mbs which is very low. Based on this, it is right to say that Ubiquiti’s internet connectivity is unreliable.
Wireless connectivity
Though both Eero and Ubiquiti have similar wireless connectivity, they operate under different fundamental technologies. For Eero, it uses Tri-band Wi-Fi radios that have 2.4, 5.2, and 5.2GHZ simultaneous wireless frequencies.
Eero also has 2*2 MU-MIMO and beamforming which makes it stand out among its competitors. Even when multiple devices are connected to the Wi-Fi, there will be no scrabbling for the network which will greatly boost their performance.
Ubiquiti has Duo-Band Wi-Fi radios with 2.4 and 5GHz simultaneous wireless frequencies. Unfortunately, it can’t access 2*2 MU-MIMO which makes the router capacity quite low. If your home has multiple devices that require Wi-FI connection, Eero will be the better choice.
LCD Screen
Eero does not have an LCD screen.
Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD has an LCD screen that is lacking in most Wi-Fi routers that allow better control of devices. Using the smart screen, you will check the Wi-Fi speed, use it as a watch, and set up your office router, among other tasks.
The colored screen will make the Wi-Fi more homely and will work perfectly in place of traditional lights.
Alexa Compatibility
Eero is compatible with Alexa, which means you can use your voice to control your network connection. It also works with Echo and Dot, among other products. Plus, you don’t need the app to operate it. On the other hand, Ubiquiti is not compatible with Alexa or other products like Echo and Dot, and it doesn’t offer voice control. To customize its settings, you can use the smart screen or its app.
Subscription Cost
Eero
When looking at Eero subscriptions, you’ll not fail to feel the convenience and safety with each of them. Once you install the Eero app on your device, you will have the option of choosing the perfect subscription for you.
Here are some of these subscriptions:
Threat Scan
With this package, you’ll be able to verify the different databases and recognize potential threats in advance. You’ll no longer need to worry about viruses’ removal or getting spammed.
Blocking Ads: With Eero’s blocking ads feature, you’ll no longer need to worry about annoying ads. The feature will prevent ads from propping up on all devices you’ve connected to the Wi-Fi router.
VPN Protection
If you want to browse anonymously without the fear that someone is tracking your activities, this is the best package. It will protect your browsing activities even when you are in unsafe locations.
For this package, however, you can only use a maximum of 5 accounts per subscription.
Password Manager
To avoid the risk of forgetting your multiple websites, you can subscribe for this package. It will help to keep track of your passwords and ensure that hackers do not access them.
Family-Safe Browsing
To protect your kids against harmful content including violence, adult or illegal content, you need to have a safe browsing option. It will limit the number of sites that anyone using the router can access.
Besides the above packages, there are others such as Anti-malware software that you can choose based on your needs.
Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD
One of the greatest benefits of using Ubiquiti is that you don’t need to incur extra expenditure on additional services. Once you buy your router, you’ll access every other service that the company offers.
However, the router doesn’t have features like a password manager, antimalware, and more. This means Eero takes the win on this as well.
The Verdict
Both Eero and Ubiquiti have their strengths and weaknesses, which will likely influence your decision. Eero is reliable and offers features such as anti-malware that are lacking in Ubiquiti. Additionally, it is compatible with Alexa, allowing for voice control when operating your router.
If you’re working on a budget and don’t want to keep spending money on subscriptions, you should consider the Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD router. It has a beautiful touch screen and is easy to set up.
In summary, if you need a router that can provide a stable internet connection for up to 10 devices and you’re willing to pay for subscriptions, Eero is a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a router for commercial use, the Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD is a better option. Ultimately, the right router for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.