eero vs. Netgear: Which mesh WiFi system should you choose?

eero Mesh WiFi, owned by Amazon since 2019, offers Whole Home WiFi coverage with a simple “plug-and-play” design and an app-based setup process. The eero devices run on eeroOS, which delivers automatic over-the-air updates for security and performance. eero design makes it perfect for homes that need dependable mesh WiFi with easy setup.

Setting up eero is straightforward with guidance from the eero app. The app walks you through connecting each device, naming your network and checking signal strength between nodes. The setup process takes about 15 minutes and the system begins optimizing as soon as it’s online.

Netgear offers networking hardware, including the Orbi series for mesh WiFi systems. It serves power users, gamers and large households seeking high-performance throughput and more control over their network.

Setting up Netgear Orbi can be done through the Orbi mobile app or web dashboard. The app offers a setup process similar to eero, while the web interface provides users with advanced controls to adjust bandwidth priorities or configure firewalls and VLANs. The dual approach allows both beginners and experienced users to customize their setup with ease.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the key specifications between eero and Netgear mesh WiFi systems.

eero offers parental control features that make it easy to manage screen time and online safety for families. You can pause WiFi for specific profiles, configure content filters and set schedules for offline hours through the eero app. You can also create guest networks to isolate your primary devices from guest or smart home devices.

These features are accessible via eero Secure or eero Plus, with eero Secure included when you subscribe to Astound Whole Home WiFi.

Orbi provides similar parental control features through its Netgear Smart Parental Controls. Its free tier allows you to pause or assign internet access to specific devices, while the paid version offers more features, such as tracking internet and app usage, creating profiles, setting content filters and scheduling time limits.

eero secures your home WiFi with WPA3 encryption and automatic over-the-air updates for patches and bug fixes. Users can also upgrade to eero Plus for advanced security features, including ad blocking, malware protection, VPN access, password management and advanced content filtering. eero’s security features make it appealing for households that want strong WiFi protection without manual setup.

Netgear Orbi provides WiFi security through Netgear Armor, which provides malware protection, sensitive data and on-the-go mobile device protection as well as network vulnerability assessments. Users can view real-time threat alerts and network health reports directly from the Orbi app or web dashboard. Unlike eero’s automatic updates, Orbi allows manual scheduling for greater visibility and control over network changes.

eero is part of Amazon’s smart home ecosystem and works seamlessly with Alexa. You can pause WiFi for specific devices, check network status or manage connected devices hands-free using voice commands or Alexa routines. Recent eero models also include built-in Zigbee, Matter and Thread protocols, allowing them to act as hubs for smart lights, thermostats and other IoT devices.

Netgear Orbi supports both Alexa and Google Assistant for smart home automation, giving users the flexibility to use different ecosystems. However, voice assistant integration is more limited than eero’s Alexa ecosystem, focusing on simple commands rather than advanced automations, such as checking WiFi signal strength and turning guest networks on and off.

The cost and value of eero and Netgear depend on the upfront hardware costs, ongoing subscriptions and long-term support.

For eero, the value lies in its simplicity and affordability, especially when bundled with Astound.

What is Astound eero? Astound offers Whole Home WiFi powered by eero with select internet plans, such as the 1 Gig and multi-Gigabit options.

You can also rent or lease additional beacons from Astound to extend your coverage and avoid the need to purchase full retail kits. This setup eliminates the need to purchase separate routers or extenders and helps customers cut costs on equipment and maintenance while ensuring compatibility with Astound’s Gigabit and multi-Gig plans.

Bundling eero with Astound consolidates hardware, setup, support and billing under one provider, which simplifies troubleshooting and warranty coverage. For most households, this setup makes Astound eero a practical and budget-friendly way to enjoy reliable whole-home WiFi with minimal hassle.

The Netgear Orbi series offers higher throughput but at a higher upfront cost. A typical Orbi 3-pack ranges from $399 to as high as $1,699, depending on the model type and features. While there are no mandatory subscriptions, users choose to add premium features like Netgear Armor for advanced network security and parental controls after the free trial period ends.

Unlike eero, Netgear Orbi systems are not bundled directly with ISPs, requiring customers to buy the equipment outright. This approach gives users complete ownership of their equipment but also shifts maintenance and firmware management into their hands. The Orbi app and web dashboard offer tools for manual updates, troubleshooting and advanced configuration, making them ideal for users who want to fine-tune their network performance.

For most households, Astound eero provides the best overall value. Its cost-effective bundle includes hardware, installation and customer support from a single provider.

Netgear Orbi, on the other hand, appeals to advanced power users who prefer control of the mesh WiFi network, have large homes and use heavy internet services.