Eero Beacon Review: What does an Eero Beacon do?
Creating a seamless internet system at home has never become easier with Eero. With Eero Beacon on board your mesh network, you’ll get a fast internet connection wherever you go.
Eero Beacon works as an access point, just like a standard Eero or router. When you connect it to your existing Eero system, it expands wireless range wirelessly.
Its plug-and-play feature makes it a perfect ‘portable’ access point.
In this Eero Beacon review, let’s look at this unit’s performance, features, design, strengths, and drawbacks. If you’re considering whether this is worth adding to your mesh ecosystem, read on!
Table of Contents
Overview
| SPECIFICATION | Eero Pro 6 |
| Wireless Standards | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Wi-FI Speed | 350 Mbps |
| Wireless Coverage | 1,500 sq. ft |
| Radio Bands | Dual-Band |
| Security Feature | Eero Secure |
| Management Tool | Eero App |
Eero Beacon is a dual-band mesh access point that supports Wi-Fi 5. The maximum throughput of both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands offer a max speed of 350 Mbps.
On top of that, each Beacon covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. So whether you’re in the kitchen, basement, or a dead zone, you can just plug it in a nearby outlet. And voila! You’ll have stable internet connection.
We can’t deny the fact that it’s slower than other Eero models, but it does the job as advertised.
Since it functions as part of the entire mesh system, you won’t have to connect to a different network name or SSID. It’s versatile unlike a regular Wi-Fi range extender.
The Beacon communicates wirelessly with all access points and routers throughout the house. It extends the wireless signals of your current Eero mesh system, so you can get a more reliable internet connection wherever you go.
Additionally, Beacon is compatible with most Eero models. It works with the first to third-generation Eero models and even the Eero Pro.
It’s versatile, flexible, and most importantly, portable! But, Eero Beacon is too pricey. Considering its current specs, getting a standard Eero or an extender is much more worth it.
Performance
| SPECIFICATION | EERO PRO 6 |
| Wireless Standards | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Wi-FI Speed | 350 Mbps |
| Processor | 700 MHz quad-core processor |
| Memory | 512MB RAM |
| Storage | 4 GB flash storage |
Performance-wise, Beacon is slower and less advanced than the best eero routers. It supports Wi-Fi 5, which means Wi-Fi 6 devices would get slower speeds than normal.
It may sound such a bummer, but it’s actually a good thing for smart home devices. If you have old smart TVs or smart locks, they’ll benefit from this more.
Since old-model gadgets mostly operate on Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 4 standards, they’ll still run smoothly as expected.
The 700 MHz quad-core processor and 512MB RAM allow this device to handle daily online activities. Additionally, the 4GB storage lets your Eero update its firmware automatically and store data efficiently.
The Eero Beacon doesn’t need wires to operate. So, the best configuration for this is a wireless backhaul.
With a wireless backhaul, Wi-Fi 5 devices can get optimum speeds from 200 – 50 Mbps. You can get the best speed possible when you’re near the device.
What’s great about this is, even at 15 ft away from Beacon, the speeds are very consistent. We got 60 Mbps within this range, which is still very decent.
If you have an existing Eero mesh system and you need a unit to carry around, you can consider this as an option.
Features and Design
| SPECIFICATION | EERO PRO 6 |
| Dimension | L: 30.5 mm x W: 73.6 mm x H: 211 mm |
| Eero Secure | ✔ |
| TrueMesh | ✔ |
| Zigbee | X |
Eero Beacon is the one and only Eero model with a unique and distinct design. Its oblong design makes it instantly recognizable from its sister models. Its small size allows it to be placed almost anywhere in your home.
Additionally, its nightlight feature is an absolute highlight. Other Eeros don’t have this feature. So if you’re afraid of losing your unit in the dark, you’re in good hands!
On top of that, Beacon has a white plastic case. It doesn’t have an ethernet port, USB port, or power port. What is have does though is a standard built-in power plug in the back.
It makes this unit the perfect ‘plug-and-play’ mesh access point. So you can install this on any wall or ceiling and get an internet connection ASAP.
Beacon also features TrueMesh, which allows your mesh devices to stay connected. With TrueMesh, your Eero devices are in sync with each other. It makes sure that all connected devices are connected to the nearest Eero device so you can get optimum speeds.
Lastly, you can keep your Beacon protected with Eero Secure. For $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year, you can get an added layer of security for the entire mesh network. It keeps your network safe from hackers and other online threats.
If you need tighter security, Eero Secure Plus gives you extra features for $9.99 monthly or $99.99 yearly. While we don’t really recommend getting the Secure Plus subscription, it still depends on your preferences and needs.
Setup Process
Setting up Eero devices is easy and straightforward. With your Eero Beacon, you just need to plug it into the desired location in your home.
Then, using the app on your mobile device, just sign in using your Amazon account. If you don’t have an Amazon account yet, signing up for one is very easy!
After signing in, you’ll see a set of instructions on the screen. The app will automatically scan for Eero devices nearby and will configure automatically.
In this step, make sure that your Beacon is plugged in and turned on.
Once all devices are scanned and connected, you can now set up your network name and password. Lastly, you can now connect devices to your Eero mesh network.
Pros and Cons
If you’re here looking to upgrade your home’s Wi-Fi system, you may be considering the eero beacon. The beacon is a popular choice for many reasons, but it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before getting it.
Pro:
- It’s portable.
- It’s compatible with most Eero devices.
- It has a built-in nightlight feature.
Cons:
- No ethernet or USB port for wired connections.
- Slower speeds and less advanced specs than other Eero models.
- Expensive for its specs.
On the plus side, the eero beacon is very easy to set up and use. It’s also much smaller than traditional routers, so it can be easily hidden away.
The Beacon also offers excellent coverage and can be used with other eero products to create a mesh network.
On the downside, it’s relatively expensive. It also doesn’t have some of the more advanced features that you’ll find on other routers, such as parental controls or built-in malware protection.
Ultimately, whether or not the eero beacon is the right choice for you depends on your needs and budget.
Eero Beacon Review: The Final Verdict
There are a lot of different mesh WiFi systems on the market these days, and Eero’s beacon is one option that’s worth considering.
However, it’s not the most advanced option out there. It’s not worth buying if you’re looking for the very best mesh WiFi system. It’s better to get the standard Eero or extender instead of getting this unit.
There are other options that are more powerful and offer more features.So if you’re looking for the best of the best, we’re afraid Eero beacon isn’t the right choice.
