Google's pitch for its mesh networking products has always centred on making clever trade-offs to keep costs low and make them affordable to the masses. The latest flagship in their lineup, the Nest WiFi Pro, takes that winning formula and builds upon it by adding WiFi 6E. What sets it apart is not just the Google brand, but also the promise of regular free software updates and seamless integration with most smart home devices. While the Nest WiFi Pro may not outperform many of its competitors in a head-to-head race, its user-friendliness makes it the default choice for most people.
Hardware
Having used Google's first-generation mesh WiFi and reviewed the second-generation Nest WiFi, I consider myself well-versed in this domain. The Nest WiFi Pro is the first from Google to support WiFi 6/6E, which was absent from the previous model due to cost considerations. However, this means it cannot be integrated with your existing Google/Nest WiFi hardware, requiring a fresh setup for any upgrades.
In terms of appearance, the Pros have a distinctive ovoid shape and stand taller than their predecessors, demanding more space. At the back, there is a jack for the barrel power cable and two ethernet ports that Google claims support 1 Gbps wired speeds per router. Internally, it houses a Cortex A35 dual-core 64-bit ARM CPU paired with 1GB of RAM and 4GB of storage, similar to its predecessor. The Nest WiFi Pro is available in four colors: Snow, Linen, Fog, and Lemongrass.
Unlike the previous model, the Nest WiFi Pro does not offer a built-in smart speaker option. Personally, I prefer this as I was never keen on having a speaker within my WiFi setup. However, I did appreciate being able to use Spotify Connect on the original Nest WiFi without needing an additional speaker in my kitchen.
Installation
Being a Google product, the Nest WiFi Pro is relatively easy to install using your phone, for the most part. If you already have a Google mesh system in place, like in my case, you'll need to factory reset, wipe, and deactivate everything before starting fresh. Once that's done, you simply connect the first node to your modem using the supplied ethernet cable and let the app take care of the rest.
The Google Home app quickly detects the new product awaiting installation and guides you through the setup process. It took me about ten minutes to get the first node up and running, including a minor issue with my cable modem that required a restart. Installing the additional nodes took another ten minutes, with the process involving scanning QR codes and following on-screen instructions.
The app does not provide much guidance on optimal node placement or identifying potential weak spots. Google's website suggests placing a node halfway between the primary router and areas in your home that require WiFi coverage. While this advice suffices, novice users might appreciate more detailed guidance, especially if they are dealing with structural challenges that affect signal strength in adjoining rooms.
Performance
Since I don't own many WiFi 6E-compatible devices and there was a considerable distance between the nearest node and my office, I wasn't expecting significant improvements by switching to the new system. However, compared to the WiFi module in my office, which is connected via Ethernet to my modem, I observed my speeds jumping from around 120 Mbps to an average of 240 Mbps.
The only location where the Nest WiFi Pro's connection wasn't impressively fast was in my back bedroom, known for its challenging connectivity due to surrounding Victorian and modern plumbing. However, even in that room, where speeds dipped to 63 Mbps, I experienced no dropouts or performance issues. The WiFi performance was more than sufficient for work and video calls.
Despite having fewer nodes, the connectivity remained stable, and I never noticed any drops
when moving between rooms. I tested the network with multiple devices, and as my kids and I moved throughout the house, including the furthest points, while streaming videos, no issues were reported. On average, my speed tests hovered around 250 Mbps, and the connection provided a smooth experience for my needs.
Additional Features
The Nest WiFi Pro supports Matter and Thread protocols, allowing control of smart home devices through the Google Home app. After installing the new hardware, the app promptly asked if I wanted to connect to my Philips Hue and iRobot products. However, it's worth noting that you still need to have your Hue Bridge connected, so you won't be saving an Ethernet switch port. This differs from some Eero models that have built-in Zigbee units, eliminating the need for an external bridge. If you heavily rely on Google Assistant, having everything integrated within one app can be advantageous.
One of Google's key selling points for its network products is the promise of regular software and security updates. Over the past seven years, the company has consistently rolled out updates, and there is no indication of it stopping anytime soon. I have been satisfied with the updates provided for my first-generation Google WiFi pucks. However, there is a slight concern that Google sometimes discontinues products shortly after their launch, so there is a risk of investing in a product that may not receive long-term support.
App and Controls
I preferred the standalone Google WiFi app for managing my network, but now everything is consolidated into the Google Home app. While this integration is convenient for controlling compatible smart home devices, it lacks the same level of comprehensiveness. When managing your network, you can view per-device traffic, prioritize or pause device connections, and run speed and mesh connection tests to optimize performance.
Some of these features are not standard on other routers, and with some products, you may need to pay extra to access them. Other routers may offer more advanced control options. If you're seeking granular control, the Nest WiFi may not be the best fit.
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