Nest WiFi review
Our Verdict
Google's Nest WiFi mesh networking kit makes a virtue out of being modest, while providing enough mesh networking functioning for the typical home and an interactive extension speaker. Easy to set up and use, it's the best mesh Wi-Fi organization we've seen.
For
- Good functioning
- Google Banana with music
- Easy setup
- Small and unobtrusive
Confronting
- Brusque range
- Speaker doesn't get loud enough
- Minimal configuration options
Tom's Guide Verdict
Google'due south Nest WiFi mesh networking kit makes a virtue out of beingness small, while providing enough mesh networking performance for the typical habitation and an interactive extension speaker. Easy to set up up and employ, information technology's the best mesh Wi-Fi system nosotros've seen.
Pros
- +
Skilful performance
- +
Google Assistant with music
- +
Piece of cake setup
- +
Small and unobtrusive
Cons
- -
Brusk range
- -
Speaker doesn't get loud plenty
- -
Minimal configuration options
Google proves that expert things really can come up in pocket-sized packages with its Nest WiFi family of mesh routers ($269 for the two-pack we reviewed). The compact mesh units have the ability to make full a home with strong Wi-Fi signal, and fifty-fifty characteristic a born Google Home speaker for voice commands and playing music, giving owners the same sort of smart speaker control offered by the Netgear Orbi Voice, an expensive add-on to our tiptop pick for the previous best mesh Wi-Fi system, the Netgear Orbi.
The Nest WiFi kit isn't perfect – we'd like to run into more customization options and better range from the individual units – only compared to the latest competing mesh systems, the Nest WiFi is smaller and more affordable than the Netgear Orbi with Orbi Voice extension, and more powerful than the latest Eero mesh organisation. In other words, the two-piece kit takes the lead when it comes to delivering Wi-Fi data and music. Read our whole Nest WiFi review to learn why its the best mesh Wi-Fi solution out there. (In fact, nosotros named the Nest WiFi i of the all-time products of the year in our 2020 Tom'due south Guide Awards.)
Editor's Note: Nosotros periodically update our reviews to make sure that pricing and information is up to engagement. Our rating and recommendation for the Nest WiFi review is unchanged from when it originally published in Baronial of 2020.
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Nest WiFi review: Design
Equanimous of devices that expect like large plastic marshmallows, the Nest WiFi mesh devices are pocket-size and piece of cake to hide. In addition to stashing them on a shelf, they fit on a windowsill or on a java tabular array. The router has a 4.3-inch diameter and is 3.6 inches alpine. By dissimilarity, the Point extensions are a trivial smaller with a 4.0-inch diameter and iii.4-inch top. Both have shotgun-cooling holes at their bases and are tiny compared to comparable Netgear Orbi devices, which are larger and measure out nearly 10 inches tall.
The Nest WiFi devices should fit into a variety of dwelling house decors, thanks to Google Home's evolving design language of organic shapes with no hard edges and soft colors. The router is bachelor merely in flat white, but the extensions come up in Mist (light blue), Sand (tan) or white.
The Nest WiFi concept is like to Netgear's Orbi Vocalization: the router is the center of home networking while the Nest WiFi Signal Extensions do double duty: They button the Wi-Fi signal farther into the house and can answer to vox commands and play audio. In essence, the extensions are a combination of a mesh extender and a Google Home Mini smart speaker.
Google Nest WiFi Specs
Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/dual-band mesh kit with speaker extension
Number of Antennas/Removable: 4/No
Ports: Router — Two Gbps Ethernet, power; Extension — None
Processor: Quad-core 1.4GHz
Retentivity/Storage: Router —1GB/4GB; Extension — 768MB/512MB
Wi-Fi Chip: Qualcomm QCS 400 family
Size: Router — iv.iii-inch (diameter) x 3.6-inch height; Extension — 4.0-inch (diameter) x 3.4-inch height
On its own, the router sells for $169 and can cover ii,200 square feet, co-ordinate to Google. The router and an extension ii-pack, which is enough to fill up to 3,800 square feet, costs $269. By comparison, it took 3 of the older Google WiFi disks to fill up roughly that same space. The Nest WiFi three-pack increases the coverage to 5,400 foursquare anxiety for $349. Afterward that, each additional extension costs $149, a $50 savings compared with the Netgear Orbi Voice speaker extension.
The Nest WiFi is able to adjust upwards to 32 extensions, and all but the smallest homes volition require an extension or two. The practiced news is that the previous generation of Google WiFi gear can be used as extensions with Nest WiFi to extend the network'south reach but without the audio abilities.
Different the triband network topology of Netgear's Orbi systems, the Google Nest WiFi mesh system uses a dual-ring approach that does without Orbi's dedicated back channel for moving data betwixt the extension and host router. It does have proactive band steering that sends the data to the to the lowest degree congested aqueduct and the preferred extension. The beamforming tunes the transmitted signal to conform the receiver and can connect with upwards to 100 clients per device; my two-pack has the potential to link 200 devices.
The Nest WiFi devices should fit into a diversity of home decors, thanks to Google Home'southward evolving design language.
Each Nest WiFi device has 4 internal antennas that piece of work with the electronics to create a cocky-healing 802.11ac network. While the router's 5GHz transmissions uses a 4x4 setup, its two.4GHz ring uses a 2x2 design, creating a maximum throughput of 2,200 Mbps. On the other mitt, the 2x2 extensions top out at i,200Mbps.
They both have Bluetooth and 802.15.4 Thread mesh networking congenital in to efficiently connect with low-power dwelling house-automation devices. On the other manus, the gear lacks the latest WiFi-half-dozen technology.
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With minimalist connections, the router has a pair of Ethernet ports, a power plug and a thoughtful cutout to route the cables. The router lacks a USB connector or a power switch, while the extensions exercise without any wired connection, so they tin can't be used as cabled admission points the way Netgear Orbi hardware tin can.
Inside, the extension has a microphone array, a 4.eight-watt amplifier and a 1.six-inch speaker that radiates the sound 360 degrees. They tin hear commands from about 15 feet away, and can be individually used for music or grouped together digitally for a homewide sound system on the inexpensive.
Using Google's Broadcast office, the extensions can be used as an intercom that tin likewise link with other Google Dwelling house gear and Nest Hubs for audio calls. At that place is a switch on each extension to turn the microphone off and preserve privacy.
Surprisingly, based on its size, its sound quality is richer and sharper than Orbi Voice merely lacks low-end bass response and doesn't go about equally loud as the Orbi RBK40V. It should be fine for a minor room, simply the music will likely go lost in the chatter of a political party. Unfortunately, there's no audio-out jack to patch into an external speaker, but I was able to wirelessly link the extension with a Bluetooth speaker in virtually 2 minutes. Alternatively, you tin pair the extension with a Google Mini speaker as the right or left stereo channel for fuller sound.
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The extensions respond to all of the Google Home commands and Google Assistant skills that whatever Google smart speaker uses and can control everything from the best smart thermostats to smart light bulbs and the best smart plugs. They tin be ready with free services, similar Google Play Music and YouTube Music, as well equally subscription music services; I used my Spotify subscription.
At any time, y'all can tap the top of the extension to intermission or restart the sound track and run your finger over the extension's tiptop to enhance or lower the volume. You can too control the volume with voice commands. My favorite is to just say something like "Hey Google, plow information technology upward" or "volume level 4."
Nest WiFi review: Performance
Built effectually a custom version of Qualcomm'southward QCS400 family of chips, the Nest WiFi router and extensions use a 1.4GHz quad-cadre processor and a pair of Digital Indicate Processors (DSP), while the extensions accept far-field voice-pickup engineering. The router has 1GB of RAM as well as 4GB of flash storage for firmware and settings, while the extensions have 768MB of RAM and 512MB of storage space.
The extensions respond to all of the Google Home commands and Google Banana skills that any Google smart-speaker uses.
Happily, the router uses a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to authenticate its automated firmware updates. This ways that the arrangement'south software changes are secure and are just accepted if they're digitally signed by Google. The organisation has WPA 3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) security built in, but only a scattering of networking gear supports this new standard. You tin nevertheless use the more common WPA 2.
To guess the functioning capabilities of the Nest WiFi gear, nosotros first set it up at the Tom'south Guide open function and tested operation using Ixia's IxChariot. The router's maximum throughput occurred five anxiety from the Nest base unit with the ability to movement 653.2Mbps. That's a big footstep upwards from the original Google WiFi (464.3Mbps) and well ahead of the the 2019 Eero (342.2Mbps). The previous category leader, the Netgear Orbi RBK50 turned in a middling performance of 552.1Mbps at 5 feet.
The Nest WiFi'due south performance dropped off to 612.0- and 455.1-Mbps at 15- and 50-feet, or between 11- and fifteen-per centum ahead of the Orbi RBK50 mesh system. At 50-anxiety, the Orbi turned the tables and took the pb with 478.3Mbps versus the Nest'south 455.1Mbps. At 100-anxiety, the Nest regained the advantage with 394.0Mbps available versus 315.5Mbps for the Orbi RBK50 system.
It blew away the 2019 Eero in our wall penetration testing, where the signal has to travel through three walls and 40-feet of heavy-duty construction. While the Nest delivered 400.6Mbps, the Eero could only muster 84Mbps, less than 1-quarter the throughput.
The Nest excelled on our mesh arrangement test with a satellite unit l-feet from the host router. Information technology was able to transmit 480.1Mbps. By contrast, the Eero managed just 169.1Mbps on the same tests. This is likely the result of its lower performance aspirations. While the Nest WiFi devices are rated to operate at a height of two.2Gbps, the new Eero devices top out at 550Mbps, 1-quarter the peak abilities of the Nest.
I prepare the Nest two-pack up in my three-story, 3,500-foursquare-human foot home, an older building with thick walls and lots of nooks and crannies. With the router in the basement and the extension a floor above, the two-piece Nest fix ran without a trouble for more than than a calendar week of testing. Because the router lacked the congenital-in smart speaker, I set up a Nest Hub nearby to provide that aforementioned functionality in that room.
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The network ran without a problem, reliably distributing my internet connection and playing everything from the latest Kevin Gates runway to the sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti to the latest BBC World News headlines. The incoming connection's 235Mbps bandwidth dropped to 187Mbps at the router and 178Mbps at the extension, a 25 % decline.
The Nest WiFi not only lets you create a homewide Wi-Fi network, it also has Google Dwelling built in, so it tin besides listen to your commands and play your favorite tunes.
Overall, the router had a range of 80 feet and the mesh extension added another l feet. This should be fine for most homes, but information technology came up a petty brusk in filling my house, leaving dead spots on the pinnacle floor and at the extremities. Conspicuously, having a second extension would have helped.
The system's throughput was more than than enough to pass our informal saturation test, where I connected four dissimilar computers, including an Apple Macbook Air, a Microsoft Surface Pro 3, a Samsung Milky way Notation 10+ and a Lenovo Thinkpad T470, to lookout videos and heed to Net radio while moving data dorsum and forth from a networked RAID storage array. I didn't detect any data hiccups or lost frames, fifty-fifty when listening to music on the Nest WiFi extension.
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While working, the router stayed cool, but the extension got warm to the bear on. The used 3.vii and 4.3 watts of ability, respectively, less than one-half the ability an Orbi Router and Vocalism require. Together, they might cost $8.xl a year in electricity bills if they're connected 24/7 and you pay the national average for electricity of 13 cents per kilowatt-60 minutes. All told, information technology's a small toll to pay for Wi-Fi and music on demand.
Nest WiFi review: Setup
The installation routine for creating a Nest Wi-Fi network is piece of cake and logical with simple illustrated step-by-step instructions. You will need a telephone or tablet considering, dissimilar Netgear's Orbi, there's no fashion to fix it up or configure the Nest WiFi units with a connected spider web browser. All told, information technology took a little less than 20 minutes to install the router and extension in my home, a little longer than the fifteen minutes information technology took for an Orbi Phonation. For me, information technology started with installing the Google Home app on my Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ phone.
After tapping "Create a home," I tapped to set up new devices. Then, I gave my house a name.
The software then scanned for and found the Nest WiFi router in a couple seconds. I snapped the QR code plant on the underside of the router and allowed the software to connect with the router. A series of blithe colored rings appeared around the router's photo on-screen to testify it continued.
I then named the router'due south room and entered what I wanted to use every bit the network's name and countersign. At this indicate I agreed to accept Google run networking tests, diagnose issues and create statistics.
Once the router is set, you'll demand to add the Point extension. I powered information technology upward and the app scanned for and quickly plant it. One time I named its room, the extension played a short tune to verify the successful connection.
Next upwardly, I created a vox print to identity me afterwards; it took about a minute of saying various things and waiting on its processing. I and so set the system upward to play music using Spotify by logging in. I could have linked to my Sirius XM satellite radio business relationship just chose non to.
Almost done, the Nest WiFi then updated its firmware. Once it checked the connexion between the router and the extension, the extension played a brusque tune. Finished, the app showed all the setup details.
With everything working, I was able to connect my trusty iPad Pro to the extension on the commencement endeavor. I so took a test drive by asking Google's phonation banana to tell me the time, weather and electric current traffic on the George Washington Span. Finally, I sat back and listened to some tunes.
Nest WiFi review: Configuration
The Nest WiFi equipment relies primarily on the Google Habitation app for making configuration changes, although the customization options are few and far between. In add-on to adding extensions and setting up groups, the app can adjust how bright the router and extensions glow.
At any time, I was able to run a networking test, remotely restart the network or show the Guest network's countersign on a smart display. The Settings pages for the router and extension show some detail, like IP addresses and firmware version.
What'southward missing are traditional setting choices that well-nigh other routers have, similar setting static IP addresses, managing ports or picking which Wi-Fi channel to use. Most won't miss these items, simply it might be a deal-breaker for those who like to tweak their gear.
For accessing these more avant-garde features, use the older Google Wi-Fi app. There you can make DHCP reservations or manage the system's privacy settings. That the two apps haven't been integrated is a mystery.
Nest WiFi review: Smart-home integration
Along with the Nest WiFi gear, Google's Home app tin be a one-stop shop for controlling a variety of dwelling house automation items, like any of the best smart light bulbs. To add a device, tap the "+" in the principal screen'due south upper left corner.
Be warned, the Dwelling app is a little picky and balked at using a Belkin Wemo ligh tbulb and an Amazon Smart plug. I was able to use it with Philips Hue lights and C past GE light bulbs; information technology likewise works with Sylvania'southward LEDVANCE lights. The system allowed me to independently plough the lights on and off likewise as dim them via the Home app and the Nest WiFi extension vox commands. The Home app allowed me to choice from the six light colors the GE bulb offered.
The Google Dwelling app includes Family Wi-Fi. It allows the grouping of devices so that the lights and thermostats are function of a different group than the computers. This let me break the system'southward Wi-Fi to finish the period of data long enough for dinner or screen-gratis family time without affecting other devices that I desire to run 24/7.
Google backs the Nest WiFi gear with a one-year warranty that includes total back up with technicians on call to help 24/7. The Nest back up site has several DIY items to help get the fix and running as well every bit the ability to telephone call, chat or email them for personal assist. By contrast, Netgear provides only 90-days of support.
Nest WiFi review: Verdict
The Nest WiFi takes a large stride ahead of the Netgear Orbi with a much smaller size, higher overall performance, and a set up that's elementary and straightforward. Information technology also has a Google Habitation smart speaker built in, giving it a leg up on the Orbi, which requires buying the Orbi Voice to add similar Alexa capability to your abode mesh arrangement. Certain, the range isn't as wide equally nosotros'd like, and the lack of a web interface ways you'll have to prepare information technology up using your phone, but it outshines the Netgear Orbi where it counts, giving you faster speeds throughout your home. That's enough to brand the Nest WiFi our new pick every bit the best mesh Wi-Fi system available.
Compared with the Orbi Voice, the Nest WiFi likewise offers better sound in a compact and more affordable bundle. The overall volume is a niggling weak, but the functionality and design make the Nest WiFi the one to become if y'all want to mix Wi-Fi and a smart speaker.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/nest-wifi
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