Google Nest Wifi Overview: Mesh Networking With out The Trouble

Google Nest WiFi Overview: Mesh networking with out the effort

“Google’s Nest WiFi is a superb mesh networking system with a secret. It is also a wise speaker.”

Easy set up and setup

Google Assistant integration

Potential to develop protection

Modern design matches any decor

Considerably costly

Single ethernet port

For the typical Joe, getting arrange with web service at residence sometimes requires both calling up an area service supplier, or browsing the online to search out the most effective offers round. As soon as there’s one thing value subscribing, a technician comes out for the set up, and then you definitely’re up and operating in a matter of minutes. Most individuals don’t ever have to fret about changing a router, until they should have extra protection.

That’s the place the Google Nest Wifi involves life with its whole-home protection and consistency. Basically, the Nest Wifi goals to perform the identical activity as most different Mesh Wi-Fi routers, however Google’s interpretation secretly provides a few notable options that continues the corporate’s give attention to delivering multi-functional gadgets for the good residence.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to set it up

Routers might be overwhelming to arrange, particularly for many who don’t have a background in networking. Google, nonetheless, makes the method painless and easy with the included fast begin information. I’ve had my justifiable share of frustration with overly advanced router setups, however this one was with out query the best to stand up and operating.

Utilizing the Google Dwelling app on my Android smartphone, it guided me to attach the Nest WiFi router to my present Xfinity xFi Gateway modem utilizing the included Ethernet port.

As soon as I completed establishing the suitable SSID and password for my community, connecting the Nest WiFi level required me to seize the QR code on the unit utilizing the Google Dwelling app. From there, it routinely communicated with the router to ascertain the mesh community.

Whereas I do admire Google’s strategy with the setup course of, anybody who has configured different mesh networking techniques gained’t discover it distinctive or uncommon. For instance, Netgear’s Orbi Mesh Wi-Fi system has an identical setup course of. Mesh networking techniques are all about ease-of-use, and Google’s rivals at Netgear and Linksys haven’t been caught off-guard.

The true key to Google’s strategy is Google’s personal model. The Nest WiFi maintains the corporate’s software program feel and look. In case you use a Pixel cellphone, or personal one other Google Dwelling machine, the Nest WiFi will appear acquainted from the beginning.

Lastly, a better implementation

There’s little love given to routers usually. As soon as they’re arrange, they’re sometimes left hidden behind a cupboard or leisure system and forgotten until an issue arises. Right here, the combination of Google Assistant with the Wi-Fi level undoubtedly exhibits the corporate embracing the multi-functional facet of its gadgets.

Not solely is the Wi-Fi level useful in increasing protection within the residence, however it may be used to do all the identical issues as any of Google’s good audio system. It basically doubles as a Nest Mini speaker, permitting it to play music, entry Google Assistant, and even management different linked good residence devices by way of voice actions.

Talking of music, it’s a slight step up from the Nest Mini’s audio efficiency with the pronounced bass it pumps out, making it a smidgen extra substantial and pleasing to the ear. Just like the Nest Mini, proximity sensors can detect while you’re shut, and can mild up the LEDs on high of the unit. Even higher, I like how the LED ring across the physique lights up everytime you command the Google Assistant.

Thoughts you, it’s pricier at $150 a pop, versus a meager $50 for the Nest Mini. The Nest WiFi entry level is router first, good speaker second. Nonetheless, it’s good to see it operate as extra than simply an entry level for a mesh community.

The pricing is on par to its rivals, seeing that add-on satellites for Netgear’s Orbi and Amazon’s Eero mesh techniques have an identical MSRP. Letting the double as a wise speaker provides Google’s providing extra worth.

Blanketing lifeless zones

I reside in a small house that’s round 1,100 sq. ft, so my present xFi Gateway manages to cowl most locations, although outlying areas might be spotty. The worst spots are in my bed room and toilet, the place I are inclined to see weaker Wi-Fi connectivity, normally at round one or two bars. The sign must cross by way of a few partitions and different obstructions.

With the Nest WiFi mesh system, it blankets these areas with ample protection, with out degrading velocity within the course of, because of the way it concurrently leverages the two.4GHz and 5GHz bands for optimum efficiency. I’m nonetheless capable of get speeds of about 900 Mbps down and 40 Mbps up, that are much like what I get after I’m in the identical room as my Xfinity xFi Gateway. For these outlying areas that didn’t fairly get blanketed beforehand, it’s nice to see that my connection velocity is now retained.

The profit right here is the added attain of my Wi-Fi community. Though it doesn’t drastically change my present setup, I can take pleasure in higher Wi-Fi within the excessive corners of my residence, which makes for a extra dependable connection total.

By itself, the router delivers upwards of two,200 sq. ft of protection, whereas every Wifi level provides one other 1,600 sq. ft. The profit right here, naturally, is that you could scale the setup accordingly to ship correct protection all through the house. After all, this isn’t one thing you possibly can obtain with most routers, until they’re  designed with mesh networking in thoughts.

For comparability, the 2nd era Eero Professional gateway covers 1,750 sq. ft, with every beacon able to blanketing 1,500 sq. ft. Much more spectacular, nonetheless, is the three,500 sq. ft protection with Netgear’s Orbi Router and the extra 2,000 sq. ft protection with every satellite tv for pc.

Total, Google’s Nest WiFi just isn’t probably the most technically succesful possibility. Nonetheless, the typical American house is slightly below 2,500 sq. ft. Meaning a Nest WiFi router with one entry level ought to be enough.

Room for extra growth

Google’s strategy to that is networking easy and straightforward, one thing I really feel is achieved right here with the Nest WiFi. Nonetheless, those that crave superior controls and options can be disillusioned by the slim choices right here.

Certain, there’s entry to options similar to establishing a visitor community, parental controls/restrictions, and even prioritizing site visitors, however you gained’t discover different superior options that critical networking geeks love about routers — like MAC handle filtering, specifying static IP addresses, and dynamic DNS. There are mesh techniques that do supply these options, however the price hooked up to them is increased.

One other factor that will disappoint folks is that the Nest WiFi router solely encompasses a single Ethernet port. That means, you’ll must buy an Ethernet hub if it’s worthwhile to exhausting wire a number of gadgets to the community. Nearly all of mesh Wi-Fi routers have a tendency to supply a single ethernet port, however then you could have a couple of, just like the Linksys Max-Stream AC2200 router, that are extra beneficiant with its 4 ethernet ports.

Whereas I do admire the Google Assistant integration with the Wi-Fi level, it actually would’ve been helpful to have an Ethernet port as nicely — however sadly there’s none.

Guarantee data

Because it’s stationary, there shouldn’t be a lot of a priority of it going dangerous. Within the occasion it does, there’s a one 12 months restricted guarantee that covers defects.

Our Take

The Google Nest WiFi could also be on the dear facet at $269 for a router and Wi-Fi level mixture, however it’s the best mesh system to configure and canopy your whole residence.

Are there higher options?

In case you’re searching for one thing cheaper with the identical expansive attain, then you definitely’ll wish to contemplate the options — just like the Netgear Orbi that prices $160 for a similar configuration. Whereas Netgear’s mesh system provides extra vary, it doesn’t have the good assistant function you get with the Nest Wifi level.

Another choice is Amazon’s new eero router, which at $100 for a 1-pack, is a cut price ($250 for a Three-pack). These two possibility supply the identical easy setup as Google’s Nest Wifi.

In order for you extra superior setup choices, contemplate the Linksys Velop MX5300 or Netgear XRM570 Nighthawk Professional Gaming WiFi Router. They’re considerably dearer at $400 every for the routers themselves, however you get superior networking controls and several other Ethernet ports to exhausting wire gadgets.

How lengthy will it final?

Provided that the router and Wi-Fi level are going to be stationary, it ought to final fairly some time undisturbed — very similar to any networking gear.

Must you purchase it?

Sure. Not solely will you have the ability to develop your Wi-Fi’s protection, however the Nest Wifi system can be utilized management your property’s numerous linked gadgets. 

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