Amazon Eero Pro 6 test: control and maximum coverage for this mesh kit – Les Numériques

The Amazon Eero Pro 6 pack is made up of three strictly identical modules. No module says router and other satellites, just like the kit TP-Link Deco X90 each module has the same connections which automatically adapt according to the device connected.

According to Amazon, the Eero Pro 6 is a tri-band kit with a cumulative speed of 4200 Mb / s. The 2.4 GHz band is therefore entitled to a speed of 574 Mb / s. 1200 Mb / s and 2302 Mb / s are spread over two 5 GHz bands. Amazon does not specify which of the two is reserved for communication between modules. For its kit, the Seattle giant obviously uses the Mb / s6 802.11ax wifi protocol which allows it to advertise the management of up to 75 devices.

Each module has two Gigabit sockets with a USB-C port between the two, the latter only serving to power the modules with the mains chargers (supplied). As we mentioned above, RJ45 sockets can be connected either to the router (WAN socket) or to peripherals (LAN socket), because they are equipped with an automatic detection system. The presence of two unique RJ45 ports per module could however prove problematic for technophiles with bridges for connected objects, connected TV, NAS and other console. The purchase of a network switch will be essential for this category of users.

The Eero are also compatible with Ethernet backhaul function which makes it possible to avoid using the wifi bandwidth for communication between the modules in favor of a wired connection allowing higher speeds. A good solution for those whose home has multiple network outlets. By the way, note that it is quite possible to evolve towards a mixed solution with, for example, the first two modules connected to the wired network and the third in wireless mode.

Each of the Eero modules is also compatible with the ZigBee communication protocol. The management of connected objects operating on this protocol is completely transparent and goes through the Amazon Alexa application. However, do not expect to replace the advanced ecosystem bridges (Philips Hue, Ikea Tradfri), because if it works in principle, you will lose compatibility with the advanced options and the native apps of these objects.

The size of the Eero Pro 6 modules is particularly limited: 14.2 x 13.8 cm by 4.8 cm in height. Their design is universal with a glossy white shell. Be careful with static electricity, however, as they very easily attract dust.

The installation of the Eero Pro 6 requires that of the homonymous application. Whether on Android or iOS, no application, no installation! Then just follow the steps described by the said app step by step. If you want to make full use of the Eero Pro 6, in particular Alexa, you will need to enter your Amazon credentials.

First, the application installs the first module to create the wifi network with a name to be defined, as well as the password. It is only after that that you will be asked to add each of the additional modules.

The interface is very complete, especially for the configuration of each device. It is thus possible to create users, to attach devices to them and to configure their access one by one.

Regarding the configuration of the network itself, the settings remain relatively basic with the possibility of redirecting ports, configuring DHCP or choosing DNS. However, the wifi settings are non-existent and it is impossible to deactivate a band, for example. A guest wifi network is however present.

Adding a ZigBee compatible connected object is disconcerting in its simplicity, but very poorly explained between the Eero application and Alexa. For this, the Alexa app must be configured with the same account as that of the Eero Pro 6 kit. To add a ZigBee device, it must be placed in discoverable mode, then in the Alexa application, point to Add a device. and select Other. Indeed, you have to ask Alexa to launch the ZigBee detection directly and not to search for the gateway that corresponds to the product on the network. The diode of the Eero modules will then flash blue, and after 45 s, the device will be controllable in Alexa locally.

A word about Eero Secure which acts as parental control integrated into the application. This is completely nested in the Eero app and not only allows control of each user, but also comes with a ready-to-use ad and website blocker. Just check a site to block it instantly. An over-spending offspring? You can block Amazon.com! It also works with all kinds of domain names: streaming, buying, adult, social media, etc. Ideal for children who are new to the Internet without having to accompany them all the time. Eero Secure also provides reports of data consumption, blocked malware or the state of the internet connection.

This parental control is particularly complete and practical, unfortunately paying after the 30 days of free trial. The price remains affordable at 39 € / year. An Eero Secure + version at € 109 / year is also available. It adds a VPN (Encrypt.me), a password manager (1Password) and an antivirus (Malwarebytes).

To evaluate the performance of Amazon’s Eero Pro 6, we plugged in a module near our operator box to which we connected a laptop PC via an adapter to the 1 Gb / s socket. In order to measure the flow, we transferred a 4.73 GB file (disk image) from this laptop PC to a second one equipped with an Intel AX200 6 wifi chip, but also to a stationary desktop PC located upstairs and connected to a Gigabyte GC-WBAX200 PCIe card, also with the Intel AX200 chip, but with an external antenna.

The first module is positioned at an angle to the housing, the second almost in the middle of the latter. We take a measurement at 1 m which gives us the optimal flow rates (point 1 for module n ° 1 and point 2 for module n ° 2), another in a room about 5 m from module n ° 2 with a wall opposite to module n ° 1 (point 4), a third measurement on the fixed PC upstairs through a concrete floor (point 3), and the last measurement upstairs as well, but beyond above the first room where the router’s speeds are the lowest (point 5).

At best, the Eero Pro 6 can benefit from a throughput of 775 Mb / s, or 97 Mb / s on average, with peaks at 1 Gb / s all the same. Once connected to the module installed in the corridor (points 2 and 4), the speeds drop to reach at best 500 Mb / s. Disturbingly, the Eero Pro 6 still obtains better speeds in sending than in reception – we observe usually the other way around. Point # 5 is the most difficult of our test protocol. The third module installed upstairs nevertheless provides excellent coverage at this location with 332 Mb / s. Not bad!

On the 2.4 GHz band, the speeds are obviously not the highest, but fluctuate much less. Thus, as close as possible to a module, it is possible to reach 220 Mb / s, while in the worst case we obtain 95 Mb / s. The rest of the measurements are well above 100 Mb / s.