Are there any alternatives?

Some of Vilo’s bigger competitors include Amazon’s Eero, Logitech’s Velop, and Google’s Nest Wi-Fi. And while Wi-Fi 6 is supported on some of the more expensive models, like the Eero 6 or Velop AX4200 Wi-Fi 6 system, you’ll be paying a premium for this technology. At present, Wi-Fi 6 hasn’t quite taken off yet, and even if your current smartphone or laptop supports it, most homes in the U.S. don’t have the broadband speeds to take advantage of Wi-Fi 6.

　　According to Ookla’s Speedtest.net, most homes in the country average around 192Mbps for fixed broadband. Vilo’s Wi-Fi 5 network supports up to 867Mbps, which should competently handle most broadband plans with sub-gigabit speeds.

　　In addition to mesh networks, Vilo also competes against traditional Wi-Fi routers, especially when they’re coupled with range extenders.

　　

How long will it last?

Vilo offers a limited one-year warranty to cover any defects in the hardware. And unlike smartphones, Wi-Fi units are often stationary, so they aren’t prone to accidental damage. With a smart device like a mesh router, you also gain years of support through software updates that happen in the background, ensuring that your Vilo network lasts for years. In general, the Vilo network should last you until you upgrade to home broadband speeds that are faster than 1Gbps.

　　

Should you buy it?

Unless you need Wi-Fi 6, if you don’t already own a mesh Wi-Fi system, you should absolutely consider upgrading to the Vilo mesh. The unit boasts stylish good looks, although it does makes some compromises with speeds. But at $60 for a whole-home network, the speed drop-offs don’t really matter much for prudent shoppers, as long as the system works as advertised and you can get reliable reception in the most remote corners of your home.