Testing the Eero Outdoor 7 meant upgrading my network from the two Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro routers to a pair of Eero Max 7 units. I got the Nest routers when I switched to Google Fiber, so I wasn’t particularly attached to them.
Also: Mesh routers vs. Wi-Fi routers: What is best for your home office?
Truthfully, my home network was in dire need of an upgrade. The 80+ connected devices in the house were severely slowing down the network and wreaking havoc on its stability. We were experiencing issues: the kids were seeing constant buffering, and my husband and I were having video conference issues.
The Eero Max 7 pair was definitely an upgrade, but the Eero Outdoor 7 added the most significant boost.
I installed the Eero Outdoor 7 on a deck post in the backyard, where it’s surrounded by security cameras that need to be connected. The outdoor Eero is also on the side of the deck closest to the main bedroom and the furthest from my and my husband’s offices, where the Eero Max 7s are.
While the Eero Max 7 downstairs already connects most of the smart home devices in my home, the one outside my husband’s office powers most of the devices upstairs, while the Eero Outdoor 7 picks up the slack and connects the devices outside.
Since the Eero Outdoor 7 is under 50 feet from my bedroom window, my phone, the Eufy HomeBase in my room, the TV, the Google TV Streamer, and many smart lights and plugs all connect to it, too.
Also: How to get cheaper internet access now that the ACP is gone: 5 ways
The Eero Outdoor 7 also connects the Google Nest Cam in the backyard, which has been one of my least favorite cameras at home right now due to how slow it loads. Since adding the outdoor Eero, however, the Nest Cam is quick to open in the Google Home app, showing me the feed immediately when I tap on a notification. Before, I had to wait at least 60 to 90 seconds while the feed loaded — if it loaded at all.
This is proof of something many smart home device users fail to recognize: most of the time, the problem is the network, not the device.
Should you pay for an Eero Plus subscription ($10 monthly or $100 annually)? My hackles go up whenever I face a subscription service alongside a multi-hundred-dollar device. That said, the Eero Plus is surprisingly fair. Buying the Eero Outdoor 7 sets you back $400, not including any other existing Eero devices in your home, but you can rest assured that you’re already paying for its meat.
Also: The best VPN routers of 2024
The Eero Plus subscription doesn’t guarantee huge speeds or a stable connection; it’s more like gravy that brings together the entire system. While the Eero device gives you access to Wi-Fi scheduling, a guest network, and multi-admin features with the Eero app, a subscription adds extra benefits. These include access to historical data, app blocking, Guardian VPN, DDNS, content filters, 1Password, Malwarebytes, ad blocking, VIP support, and more.
ZDNET’s buying advice
The Eero Outdoor 7