A new San Francisco based startup, eero inc., launched their first product that solves the problem of spotty Wi-Fi around the house. Instead of relying on a single router, the company’s multiple little eero boxes connect wirelessly to form a mesh network that blankets your home in fast, reliable Wi-Fi. The eero system is said to be simple to set up and easy to manage using the eero app. Over-the-air software updates give customers new features, performance improvements, and the latest security.
But this convenience comes at a steep price, $500 to be exact. That gets you 3 eero units (recommended for the average home) to place around your house. If you need more, budget another $200 a pop. The company says one eero covers 1,000 square feet, which should be the same as any late-model, stand-alone 802.11ac router. If you’re technical you can certainly get the same Wi-Fi coverage for a lot less by purchasing range extenders or additional access points. If you’re not, then eero may be your best bet.
The company says the reason a single router can’t provide solid coverage for the average home simple physics: light waves don’t go through walls easily. The same is true of Wi-Fi radio waves. For fast, reliable signal in every room, you need multiple access points placed throughout your home so that you’re always close to one. This is the setup that you’ll find in many larger office buildings with great WiFi. There’s not just one router in the middle of the building; instead, there are Ethernet-wired access points every 15-20 feet, often hidden above the ceiling tiles. Until now, getting this kind of setup at home has been incredibly difficult, requiring expensive equipment, professional installation, and the ongoing attention of an IT professional.
“We started eero to fix home WiFi once and for all. eero is simple to set up, blankets our homes, and gets rid of dead zones and buffering forever,” said Nick Weaver, eero co-founder and Chief Executive Officer.
Features
- Simple setup – With a few easy steps, eeros wirelessly connect to form a mesh network that blankets every room of your home in strong and stable WiFi.
- Integrated eero app – The app pairs with your first eero using Bluetooth. Once you’ve set up your system, the app allows you to manage your network from the palm of your hand. No matter where you are, you’ll know how many devices are connected to your router. There is also a speed test for your primary eero (the one connected to your modem) built right into the app.
- Placement tips – During setup, the eero app offers tips on where to place your eeros for optimal performance. Every home has a unique blueprint, but proper placement allows you to get signal to any corner of your home, no matter the size or shape. And if you ever have a question about how to get the best coverage, the eero support team is ready to help seven days a week.
- Security – eero will automatically push software updates over-the-air, so you’ll always have the latest security patches to counter evolving threats.
- Software updates – Automatic updates also bring new features and better performance, meaning your eero system gets better with time.
- Easy guest access – Invite your friends to join your network straight from the eero app — it can be as simple as sending a text. eero also lets you set up an entirely separate guest network with pre-generated passwords, so you can keep your personal password private.
- Beautiful design – Because of the way that WiFi waves are transmitted, routers work best when placed out in the open. eero has a beautiful design with a curved top — and matte sides that make it seem smaller and blend into the environment. No more hiding your WiFi in the closet.
Pricing and Availability
The eero home WiFi system is available now in a 3-pack for $499 at Amazon.com, or a single eero for $199. The free eero app is also available for download through the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
- In the box: eero WiFi System (individual), power adapter, Ethernet cable, quick start guide
- Processor, memory, and storage: 1.0GHz dual-core processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB flash storage
- Security and networking services: WPA2 personal wireless encryption, DHCP, NAT, VPN passthrough, UPnP
- Wireless connectivity: Dual-band WiFi radios, simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless, 2×2 MIMO, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Smart
- Wired connectivity: Dual auto-sensing Gigabit ports for WAN (cable or DSL modem) and/or LAN (networked device) connectivity, USB 2.0 port
- Electrical and environmental requirements: 100-240V AC, 50-60Hz
About eero
The first home WiFi system, eero blankets customers’ homes in fast, reliable WiFi. Instead of a single router, eero uses multiple access points placed throughout your home to create a wireless mesh network that covers every room. Founded in 2014, eero seeks to fix home WiFi once and for all. Based in San Francisco, eero is privately funded by First Round Capital, Shasta Ventures, Redpoint Ventures and Playground Global. For more information, visit eero.com.
