A fast caveat up high. This isn’t a review. TechCrunch does reviews. This isn’t one. There are a number of causes for this. First, final week was Disrupt — I used to be busy on the opposite facet of the nation. Second, this week is my COVID week (third spherical, in any other case self-explanatory w/r/t a restricted output). Third, we very not often review routers right here, for lots of causes, together with sources.
Even so, the Nest Wifi Professional is obtainable now, so I’m committing a few of my preliminary impressions to the web page, after setting it up and utilizing it for a number of days. I hope that is useful if you happen to’ve been eyeing one since its unveiling earlier month. For those who want one thing a bit extra substantial than my doughy mind can provide up in the meanwhile, I utterly get it. We’ve obtained loads of large reviews deliberate over the horizon.
Let’s begin with what the Nest Wifi Professional is an isn’t. It’s “Professional” within the sense of the place it suits within the broader Google Wifi line. It’s a house router, one that appears good and is straightforward to arrange. There are sooner and extra highly effective routers on the market. There are routers which can be extra customizable and versatile. If, nonetheless, you’re in search of a router with Wi-Fi 6E that works proper out of the field, it’s laborious to beat.
Picture Credit: Brian Heater
That’s an necessary factor to notice with merchandise like this. At $199, this can be a strong entry into Wi-Fi 6E territory. For those who’re in search of a fast enhance to your property web, and the present dusty outdated router is beginning to surrender the ghost, you’d be hard-pressed to discover a higher “simply works” system out of the field. I say this with the authority of somebody who spent his personal hours on the telephone with horrible ISP buyer help, due to some phantom ghost within the machine of the corporate routers. Superb how typically the repair is somebody flipping a change on their finish.
I used to be lengthy overdue for a wi-fi improve myself, as somebody who hosts loads of podcasts and video livestreams. There are extra embarrassing issues that may occur to 1 on a reside broadcast, however we received’t get into them right here. Suffice it say {that a} sturdy and regular web connection is a vital a part of doing my job.
One other caveat I ought to point out earlier than we go additional is the one I typically give whereas testing smart home-related tech: I reside in New York Metropolis. Which means, amongst different, higher issues, that I’ve a comparatively small dwelling space. Particularly, I’m in a one-bedroom. Google clocks the Nest Wifi Professional’s protection space as 2,200 sq. toes (4,400 for a two-pack, 6,600 for the three, and so forth.). One-bedrooms in NYC are likely to vary from round 600-800 sq. toes.
Picture Credit: Brian Heater
With that in thoughts, a single system was loads. Speeds can fluctuate throughout the day, however I discovered mine to be pretty constant, no matter how shut I used to be to the router. For those who’re on the fence about whether or not a single system is sufficient, it must be greater than sufficient for something beneath 1,000 sq. toes. As you push nearer to 2,000 sq. toes, the bundle begins to make extra sense. And the upshot to the UX is that it’s straightforward so as to add Google mesh routers down the highway (although you received’t get these bundle financial savings).
The setup course of will show acquainted if you happen to’ve ever arrange most smart home merchandise — Google/Nest stuff particularly, for apparent causes. There’s not a lot to the system from the consumer’s perspective (once more, that is intentional). The design is arguably much more minimal than its predecessor. It’s taller and slimmer, the matte shade changed with a shiny, plain job. Your mileage on that final bit will fluctuate, however as with different Nest merchandise, this one is designed — above all — to mix in with its environment.
There are three ports: energy and a pair of Ethernet — one for the modem, the opposite to hardwire a single system. That final bit is a possible limiter, in fact, as is the 1Gbps higher restrict on the built-in Ethernet (to assist maintain the system below $200, one imagines). That will or might not be a problem, relying in your particular plan. If in case you have fiber, for instance, you’re going to get bottlenecked. Me, I’m caught with Spectrum in the meanwhile (I do know, I do know), so, um, no problem there.
However clearly you don’t need a system that sits between you and the wall slowing down your web speeds. Both manner, the service you’re on will decide your final speeds.
Picture Credit: Brian Heater
Obtain the Google Dwelling app to get began, and also you’ll be walked by way of a simple setup course of, sped up if you happen to can snap a shot of the QR code on the product’s underside. The paper startup information included within the field is three primary steps (plug in router, obtain app, observe on-screen directions) and two photos unfold throughout two small pages. I’m not going to say that’s positively all you want, however if you happen to don’t run into any hiccups (all the time a consideration with networking units), it must be loads.
Nest Wifi was a positive system, and actually, if you happen to purchased one, you possible don’t have to rush out and improve. Its mixed velocity for Wi-Fi 5 topped out at a acknowledged velocity of two.2Gbps versus the Wifi Professional’s 5.4Gbps. Take into accout, these are each figured mixed throughout the three bands. Let’s simply say they’re very optimistic figures.
Right here’s Wi-Fi Alliance CEO Edgar Figueroa from 2020 in regards to the improve from Wi-Fi 5:
6 GHz will assist handle the rising want for Wi-Fi spectrum capability to make sure Wi-Fi customers proceed to obtain the identical nice consumer expertise with their units. Wi-Fi Alliance is introducing Wi-Fi 6E now to make sure the business aligns on widespread terminology, permitting Wi-Fi customers to establish units that help 6 GHz operation because the spectrum turns into out there.
Picture Credit: Brian Heater
One other necessary word right here: The Professional will not be backward suitable with the usual Nest Wifi. Which means you possibly can’t combine and match. That’s a disgrace, as a result of you could find some actually good offers on these outdated, commonplace Nest Wifi units proper now. The opposite small bit to notice right here is that, not like their predecessor, there’s no built-in sensible speaker right here. However as I kind this, you possibly can at the moment purchase a Nest Mini instantly from Google for $20, so have at it.
Google’s Nest units deliver another good components to the desk, like devoted networks for company, dad or mum controls and over the air safety updates. For a fast and straightforward technique to get your property Wi-Fi community up and working at excessive velocity (together with entry to the 6GHz band), coupled with some family-friendly options, this can be a robust package deal to beat. The Professional runs $200 for one, $300 for 2 and $400 for 3.
