text: The Eero Pro6E: An Instant Home-Based Wi-Fi Mesh Network for Amazon, Google Home, and the Google Home App
  Google’s Nest Wi-Fi mesh networking system used to be the gold standard of mesh systems: It’s incredibly simple to set up and manage, with everything done directly in the Google Home app. You can pause access on demand through the app or tell the Google Assistant to do it.
  The Eero Pro6E is a single device that can be used as a modem or a wireless access point and is priced at $199 on Amazon or as a two-pack for $81 off. As the top-of-the-line Eero device, it supports Thread and has a 6 GHz band which will allow for increased speeds overall.
  Alternatively, you can use the Ethernet ports to connect a gadget that’s near the access point to boost its Wi-Fi connectivity. If your PC lacks the ability to use wi-fi 6 you can connect it to the port on the Eero 6+ with an internet connection. It can now get faster internet without having to upgrade the PC. `
  The app will walk you through giving your wireless network a name, adding any additional Eero access points, and starting your 30-day free trial of Eero Plus, the company’s subscription service that adds additional features to the Eero offering, such as ad blocking, advanced security, content filtering (including parental controls) and access to the password managing app 1Password, VPN service Encrypt.me, antivirus software Malwarebytes, and a DDNS service as a means to access your home network from anywhere.
  You can block certain websites, apps or services for specific user profiles with an active subscription. For instance, you can create a profile for your kids’ devices and set time limits, and schedules for bedtime or dinner to pause internet access, and track data usage.
  The option to block ads is available as part of Eero Plus. The ad-blocking feature isn’t quite as good as running a homemade PiHole server, but it does a good job at blocking a lot of ads, in turn speeding up website load times and preventing tracking.
  Setting up the Speedtest.net app on a Ranch-Style Home: Finding the Connections between Gamers and Smart Home Devices
  Over the course of a few weeks, we tested a three-pack of the Eero 6+, one unit in the basement of a ranch-style home. A second unit was placed upstairs on the opposite end of the house, with the third unit in a detached garage.
  We consistently saw speeds greater than 700 Mbps on our phones with the Speedtest.net app. The results would plummet further away from the access point, but that’s to be expected.
  Often times there would be two to three gaming PCs connected and actively playing games — think Fortnite, Roblox, and Call of Duty — while Netflix or Hulu were streaming 4K content on a TV.
  Outside of having to adjust a Wi-Fi antenna that had been moved on a gaming PC, there weren’t any instances of lagging while gaming or buffering while streaming content, even when everyone was connected and active, including countless smart home connected devices such as Ring cameras, smart locks, a video doorbell, light switches and random light bulbs.
  The Eero 6+ is very much a set-it and forget-it system. Once turned on and devices started connecting to them, there wasn’t a whole lot of management or worry on our part. We could get as much information as we wanted in the app, set up profiles and block things, just let the network run, and forget about having to manage it.
  We decided on a testing pool that was based on current standards for wi-fi, top-rated mesh and our own expertise with products on the market. We then designed testing categories that would make for a fair comparison across all routers.
  Once each router arrived, we began our analysis by examining everything from the packaging and labeling of the hardware to the included instructions. We paid close attention to the interface that we were going to use for setup, as we were trying to figure out if it was a web page to visit, desktop app or a purely mobile experience. When placing theRouter, we noted that the onboarding process helped if it helped to suggest where to put the router and the strength of the connection after that.
  After we set up the network, we took a look at the included features. For instance, are parental controls available out of the box, or did we need to sign up for a monthly plan? What type of security protocols and protections were in place from the get-go?
  The ZenWiFi AX: An Advanced Mesh Wi-Fi Router for the Office Workflow of an Individual with Multiple Devices
  We used speed tests and benchmarks to test the ability of the person to communicate with others. We measured the performance with our everyday workflows on different devices after those benchmarks. We also stress-tested with more than 100 devices on the network at any given time. We took a closer look at what extras were included inside the routers.
  The ZenWiFi AX is the most advanced mesh networking system that we tested. There is a single lane for 2.4 GHz on the system, and two lanes for 5 GHz. If you want to split the three bands up, you can choose to broadcast a single network or combine them. Additionally, the XT8 offers a built-in VPN that will keep your coffee shop Wi-Fi sessions safe and allow you to access your home network. It also works with Amazon’s Alexa platform, or you can create automations with the website If This Then That (IFTTT).
  The XT8 will block malicious sites, allows for parental controls and will even let you designate which device or content types should be prioritized across your home network. If you have a server with an external hard drive, you will be able to access files no matter where you are.
  Our only complaint about the XT8 is that it’s an interface for managing the network. It is designed for an individual who is comfortable with managing a network, but even then it can be intimidating.
  Set It and Forget It Nest: A Mesh Network for Smart Things and SmartThings, the Plume MX4200, and HomePass
  You can use those same groups to block access to websites you don’t want people to see. It is very easy to set up the nest and use it for those who don’t know much about technology. It’s truly a set-it-and-forget-it mesh networking system.
  That means you can use it to connect to and control any product or service that works with SmartThings, such as the recently added Nest product line, along with countless other accessories and devices. SmartThings Wi-Fi has support for Zigbee and Z-Wave protocols, allowing compatible devices to connect directly to the hub, adding to its feature set.
  The Velop MX4200 is a mesh network system with useful features, such as supporting network hard drives, support for up to 2,404 Mbps on wi-fi, and three GA ports on each access point.
  If you want to make sure you don’t break up during a video call, or if you want to make sure your gaming session is getting the bandwidth it needs, you can tell the system to prioritize. It is possible to set basic parental controls, like blocking specific websites or pausing internet access on a specific device.
  The TP-Link Deco XE75 checks all the boxes. It supports Wi-Fi 6E, up to 200 devices, 7,200 square feet and speeds of up to 5,400mbps. In the Deco app there was a lot of network interference, which caused a lot of problems, but that was not something we experienced with other systems in the same environment. The Deco XE75 had lower speeds than the Eero 6+, and the parental controls were well thought out for anyone who wanted to use them.
  With Plume, it is simple to setup and get better wi-fi throughout your home. You can pair the Super Pod with another one to make a full mesh system. Plume has a service called HomePass, which costs $299 a year and takes care of the network, parental controls, and blocking ads. HomePass is a home security system, with built-in motion sensors, that will let you know if someone is moving into your home, and the name of the room that has been detected. It’s really cool and all of this aims to let you forget about your network setup.
  We used five SuperPods to cover a home and an office. Each Pod also features two Ethernet ports, which is handy if you prefer a hardwired connection, say for a smart TV or computer or gaming console.
  The price of the Orbi is the biggest problem we have with it. At $1,500, you’d better be really sure you have to have this system. The specification sheet begins to explain the high price tag. Up to 100 devices are supported on the same network, and up to 10,000 square feet of coverage. On top of that, the Orbi app isn’t as intuitive as Eero’s for common tasks like parental controls. You have to use a dedicated admin portal in order to do more advanced tasks.
  The tri-band experience and 6 Gbps capable router are included at that price. It will require a fast connection from your service provider. Given this router’s high price point, you’re much better off opting for an Eero 6E system.
  SmartThings Review: Highlights of V-Day Spectroscopy and Other Cyber-Physical Systems at the Glimpse
  The Orbi app hides a lot of security features and parental controls behind a monthly plan. Circle and Netgear are partners for parental controls. The combination of subscriptions ends up being pricier than Eero’s, so given the balance of price and performance we’d recommended going with that system instead.
  That said, this system is fast and powerful and definitely something we’d urge you to consider if it wasn’t so expensive, or if you have the budget and need for its ultra-high performance.
  We want SmartThings to get updated with modern features and connection speeds, because it’s the best mesh networking system on the market.
  Thank you for joining us, dear readers! Microsoft’s forthcoming, ChatGPT-powered browser and Nintendo’s latest Direct event may have dominated the news cycle as of late, but there were a number of headline-grabbing discounts peppered throughout the week. And while we typically reserve our weekend roundups for new deals, we figured we’d take the opportunity to run through some of the highlights you may have missed — you know, with V-Day coming up and all.
  AirPods Pro: Second-Generation Wireless earbuds for the Apple Homebreeding Experience (And What They Can Teach Us About Noise)
  First up is Apple’s second-gen AirPods Pro, which have returned to an all-time low of $199.99 ($50 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. That’s because they’re a great pair of wireless earbuds if you already own an Apple device. They support the company’s spatial audio feature, swipe-based controls, and sync across iCloud devices, while offering noise cancellation that’s on par with Sony’s more recent earbuds. They can’t quite compete with Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds II on the ANC front, but their appeal lies in how well they pair Apple-friendly features with terrific sound quality. We recommend that you read our review.