Nest WiFi Pro evaluation: Google's WiFi 6E mesh is more approachable than the competition

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It can outperform the competition regarding affordability and usability rather than speed. The Nest WiFi Pro may be the best option if you're looking for a quick and inexpensive way to upgrade your home network to WiFi 6E. The most recent standard, WiFi 6E, makes use of the 6 GHz bands to provide wireless connections that are quicker and more dependable. One of the first mesh networks to support WiFi 6E is the Nest WiFi Pro, which has some of Google's clever integrations and features.

This review discusses my interactions with the Nest WiFi Pro and how it stacks up against competing WiFi 6E mesh systems. I'll also discuss some of this product's advantages and disadvantages and whether it's a worthwhile investment.

Unboxing and setup

There are two versions of the Nest WiFi Pro: a two-pack with a router and a point and a three-pack with a router and two points. The main component that connects to your modem to build the WiFi network is the router, and the points are satellites that increase the network's performance and coverage. With Google Assistant already built into each point, you can use voice commands to control your smart home appliances, play music, get information, and more.

The points and router have a modern, streamlined design that fits any decor. They come in three shades: sand (brown), snow (white), and mist (blue) (pink). On the back of the router are two Ethernet ports: one for connecting to your modem and the other for a different wired device. Using wireless connections for the points would be best because they lack Ethernet ports.

A power adapter for each device, an Ethernet cable for the router, and a quick start manual that explains how to set up the system using the Google Home app are also included in the box.

One of its best features is how simple it is to set up and maintain the Nest WiFi Pro. You can set up your network in minutes by following the on-screen instructions with just a smartphone or tablet with the Google Home app installed. The app will walk you through scanning the QR codes on each device, locating the best spots for them, choosing your network and password, and testing the speed of your connection.

As well as letting you customize some settings, the app lets you prioritize devices, set up a guest network, enable parental controls, share your network with friends and family, and more. Open a web browser and enter the address to access advanced settings like DNS settings, port forwarding, IP reservations, and other things.

Additionally, the app will alert you to any network updates or problems, and you can always check the status of your devices by tapping on them inside the app. Additionally, you can use voice commands to ask Google Assistant to perform tasks like checking your network speed, rebooting your computer, and pausing WiFi for particular devices or groups.

Speed and performance

The Nest WiFi Pro states it can provide a total throughput of up to 4.2 Gbps across all bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz). Although it is slower than some of the other WiFi 6E mesh systems available on the market, like the Netgear Orbi RBK852 (up to 6 Gbps) or the Asus ZenWiFi ET8, it is faster than the previous Nest WiFi system, which only supported WiFi 5 (up to 2.2 Gbps) and 6.6 Gbps.

However, when it comes to WiFi performance, speed is only part of it. Considerations like coverage, dependability, interference, and congestion must also be made. Using mesh technology and the 6 GHz bands, the Nest WiFi Pro delivers dependable and stable wireless connections throughout your home.

The 6 GHz band of the new spectrum was recently made available for WiFi use by the FCC. For devices that support it, it provides more channels and less interference than the congested 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, resulting in faster and more stable WiFi. Depending on the compatibility of your device and the network environment, the Nest WiFi Pro automatically switches between bands.

I used the Dell XPS 13 laptop, which supports WiFi 6E, to conduct speed tests on the Nest WiFi Pro. I used the Speedtest.net app from Ookla to measure the device's speed. I set up three points for the router in my home: one in my office, one in my bedroom, and one near my modem in the living room. At various points throughout my house, I measured the speed and contrasted it with the speed of my old WiFi 5 system (the TP-Link Deco M5).

As you can see, the TP-Link Deco M5 could never match the speeds that the Nest WiFi Pro delivered. The Nest WiFi Pro maintained a strong signal and high speed in the farthest room, while the TP-Link Deco M5 struggled with a weak signal and slow speed. This difference was particularly apparent there.

Of course, depending on your home's layout, internet provider, and number of devices, your results may differ. But overall, I was delighted with the Nest WiFi Pro's performance and speed.

Pros and cons

It would help if you weighed the benefits and drawbacks of the Nest WiFi Pro before making a purchase decision because it is not a perfect product. Here are a few examples:

Pros:

  • It's easy to set up and manage with the Google Home app.
  • Supports WiFi 6E for faster and more reliable wireless connections.
  • Provides good coverage and performance throughout your home.
  • Has innovative features and integrations with Google Assistant.
  • It has a sleek and minimalist design that blends in with any decor.
  • Has a reasonable price compared to other WiFi 6E mesh systems.

Cons:

  • Has fewer Ethernet ports than some competitors.
  • Has a lower maximum speed than some competitors.
  • Does not support advanced features like VPN, QoS, MU-MIMO, etc.
  • Does not work with older Google WiFi devices.
  • Does not have a dedicated backhaul channel for communication between devices.

Anyone looking for a quick and inexpensive way to upgrade their home network to WiFi 6E should check out the Nest WiFi Pro. It offers fast and dependable wireless connections, simple setup and management, clever features and integrations, and a stylish design. It might not have the fastest or most cutting-edge features, but it is very good at what it does.

Suppose you want a WiFi 6E mesh system with more features or power. Consider alternatives like the Netgear Orbi RBK852 or the Asus ZenWiFi ET8 in that case. Although they cost more, they provide faster speeds, more Ethernet ports, and more sophisticated settings.

However, the Nest WiFi Pro is the best option if you're looking for a straightforward and reasonably priced WiFi 6E mesh system that integrates well with Google's ecosystem. It's one of the top WiFi 6E mesh network systems currently available.