eero 6 Plus vs. eero Pro 6E: Which mesh WiFi system should you buy?

Your home WiFi should deliver dependable coverage and consistent speeds whether you’re streaming 4K, joining a video call, gaming online or managing a smart home. That’s exactly what eero mesh systems, like the eero 6 Plus and eero Pro 6E, are designed for. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences in specs, real-world performance and value so you can choose the eero model for your home.

In short, eero 6 Plus provides dependable, whole-home WiFi 6 for typical broadband plans and device counts, while eero Pro 6E steps up to tri-band WiFi 6E and multi-Gig support for homes that want maximum performance and future-proofing.

Compare these speeds with your current internet plan to see which router best fits your home.

For those unfamiliar with mesh networking technology, product specs can feel overwhelming. Here’s a simple breakdown of what each feature means and how it impacts performance in a typical home.

WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E are closely related. Both introduce OFDMA and MU-MIMO for higher efficiency and lower latency, but 6E unlocks an entirely new 6 GHz frequency band. On the eero Pro 6E, that band is wide open, with no interference from legacy devices and supports 160 MHz channels for extremely fast data bursts. However, 6 GHz has a shorter range and can’t penetrate walls as well as 2.4 or 5 GHz.

What bands does the eero 6 Plus use? The eero 6 Plus uses two bands (2.4 and 5 GHz). The eero Pro 6E adds a third (6 GHz). That extra band can be used either for dedicated traffic or for newer 6 GHz devices. In a busy household with dozens of smart devices streaming and syncing simultaneously, tri-band designs help keep traffic flowing smoothly.

What is the advantage of the eero Pro 6E? Its dedicated 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port. That port supports multi-Gig internet plans and provides ultra-fast wired backhaul between nodes. This is helpful if you run Ethernet through your home or want a direct connection into a NAS (network-attached storage)  or a desktop PC. On the other hand, the eero 6 Plus has two standard 1 Gbps ports, which may be enough on a 1 Gig plan from Astound.

According to eero, the eero 6 Plus can cover up to 1,500 sq. ft. per device (4,500 sq. ft. for a 3-pack) and is designed to support 75+ connected devices. The eero Pro 6E increases coverage to up to 2,000 sq. ft. per device and is built to handle 100+ devices, with additional capacity for high-bandwidth activities. Both systems can be expanded by adding more eero devices.

Both systems include built-in Zigbee and Thread radios to connect compatible smart bulbs, sensors and locks without a separate hub. This means either eero model can act as the center for Alexa or Matter-enabled devices, simplifying your smart home setup and reducing the number of extra boxes plugged in.

The 6 Plus costs $299, while the Pro 6E is $549. The $250 price difference makes the Pro 6E nearly double the price of the 6 Plus. That price gap can be meaningful for many households, particularly when evaluating long-term value versus upfront cost. If you’re a budget-sensitive homeowner, the 6 Plus offers powerful value for everyday use.

If you subscribe to Astound and prefer minimal upfront costs, renting may make the Pro 6E accessible without the full purchase premium, especially if you need multi-Gig support or have high device density.

If your home internet plan is under a Gigabit, the eero 6 Plus will comfortably keep up, even with multiple users streaming and working online. Homes with Astound Gig or multi-Gig service will benefit more from the eero Pro 6E, which is designed to take advantage of higher-speed tiers and deliver faster wired and wireless throughput when your connection supports it.

For small to mid-sized homes and typical device loads, the eero 6 Plus offers strong whole-home coverage and smooth performance. If you have a larger floorplan, multiple floors or a growing number of always-connected smart home devices, the eero Pro 6E provides extra capacity so everyone stays connected with minimal WiFi slow-downs.

Households that use Ethernet for gaming consoles, desktop computers or wired backhaul between nodes will find the eero Pro 6E 2.5 Gbps port especially useful. The eero 6 Plus also supports wired setups but is designed with standard Gigabit networks in mind.

If you already own WiFi 6E-capable devices, or plan to, the eero Pro 6E gives you direct access to the 6 GHz band for lower-latency, high speed connections. If your devices are mostly WiFi 5 or WiFi 6, the eero 6 Plus will deliver a similar experience until you upgrade your hardware.

If you’re looking for strong mesh performance at a lower cost, the eero 6 Plus is the value sweet spot for most homes. Choose the eero Pro 6E if you want a system that can grow with faster internet speeds and next-generation devices, or if you simply want to maximize your network from day one.

Unless you’ve recently switched to a multi-Gig internet plan or purchased multiple WiFi 6E devices, you’ll only see a slight difference. Reviewers agree that performance gains do exist, but are subtle and need WiFi 6E devices capable of harnessing all of the benefits.

For most homes, upgrading the placement of nodes or adding Ethernet for wired backhaul may offer a better boost. If you are a network enthusiast who plans to keep equipment for five years or more, the Pro 6E is worth the premium for future-proofing.

Both eero systems share the same mobile app and ecosystem, so setup takes only minutes. You can mix eero 6 Plus and eero Pro 6E nodes in a single mesh; the system will automatically balance connections and use the best available band.

For optimal WiFi coverage, place nodes in open spaces, avoid metal obstructions and connect one unit directly to your modem via Ethernet. If possible, use wired backhaul between nodes, especially in homes with thick walls or multiple floors, to eliminate signal loss.

Whether you choose eero 6 Plus or eero Pro 6E with Astound’s Whole Home WiFi, you start with eero Secure included at no extra cost. That baseline layer adds network-level threat blocking for known malicious and phishing sites, SafeSearch and content filters, ad and tracker blocking, WiFi scheduling, multi-admin control, guest networks and profile-based parental controls. You can group devices by person, set bedtimes or offline windows, filter categories like adult content or gambling and review high-level activity trends, all from the eero app, so your new mesh system is easier to manage and safer out of the box.

For homes that need more than the basics, eero Plus is an optional upgrade that builds on Secure rather than replacing it. It adds a full Malwarebytes subscription for device-level malware protection, Guardian VPN for safer browsing away from home, a 1Password Family Plan for shared password management, dynamic DNS for remote access and WiFi Radio Analytics for deeper insight into how your network is performing.

If you have remote workers or students, teens with lots of screen time, a dense smart home setup or you often use public WiFi, eero Plus can be a cost-effective way to bundle these tools into one subscription and manage them alongside your eero 6 Plus or eero Pro 6E network.

Choosing between the eero 6 Plus and eero Pro 6E ultimately comes down to how you use your network today and how much performance headroom you want for the future. Use the quick decision guide below to match your home setup to the right system.

For most homes with typical broadband speeds and everyday connected devices, the eero 6 Plus offers reliable performance and strong value. If you’re planning for multi-Gig service, adding WiFi 6E devices or need extra capacity for a busy smart home network, the eero Pro 6E provides room to grow.

Both eero systems deliver fast, reliable whole-home WiFi, so the right choice depends on how you use your network. For most households, the eero 6 Plus strikes the ideal balance of performance and value for everyday streaming, work and smart home use.

If you’re toward multi-Gig service, adding WiFi 6E devices or simply want the most headroom long-term, the eero Pro 6E gives you extra capacity and future flexibility. With either option, you’ll get a simple setup, consistent coverage and an upgrade that makes your home internet experience smoother across every room.