Are there any alternatives?

Both the Eero Pro 6E and the Eero 6+ launch in a competitive market with many upmarket and downmarket competitors. If you don’t need Wi-Fi 6, for example, stepping down to the Vilo mesh would give you an affordable Wi-Fi mesh solution that starts at just $20 per node.

　　At the premium end of the segment, the Netgear Orbi RBKE963 can cost as much as $1,500 for a complete setup. And in the same segment as the Eero Pro 6E, Linksys’ Atlas Max 6E with a similar tri-band arrangement is available for $999 in a three-pack. This makes the Eero Pro 6E one of the most advanced, well-balanced mesh networks on the market given its more modest starting price and performance.

　　

How long will it last?

Unlike smartphones, tablets, and laptops, a home Wi-Fi router could last you for many, many years, and investing in the right technologies today will help make your purchase futureproof. Though most Americans likely won’t be able to fully take advantage of all the speeds and capabilities of Wi-Fi 6E, the technology holds a lot of promise for being able to juggle a multitude of devices over multigig connections. If you currently subscribe to or foresee a point within the next five years where you’ll be able to get at least a gigabit home broadband plan, then both the Eero 6+ and Eero Pro 6E will definitely make sense.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes. Of course, investing in a mesh router – or any router – that’s capable of gigabit performance when your home connection tops out at 100Mbps would be overkill. But if you have a fiber internet line or your cable modem is capable of delivering at least 800Mbps, then the Eero 6+ and Eero Pro 6E should be at the top of your list, especially if you live in larger abodes.