Wi-Fi Reviews
eero WiFi System Review
by Audrey Liang - April 19th, 2016
Review
“Can you hear me? Hello? Oh, the WiFi doesn’t work.” “I can’t hear you or see you. Are you still there?” Similar conversations occur whenever I start an online video call with my parents who live on the other side of the world. Sometimes you find your Netflix stream buffering just like the slot in Zootopia; or you can’t go to your back yard with a laptop or pad because your old router can’t reach that far. I bet you must have similar problems at home with buffering and dead zones. With eero, the world’s first wall-to-wall WiFi home system, you can get rid of the buffering nightmare and enjoy a WiFi mesh network in your entire home.
The eero is a good looker. It’s a tiny white square box with a glossy top and is elegant enough to place on your living room table. Based on your home size, you can customize the number of eero units you need. Homes are diverse, unique, and size, shape, materials and proximity to neighbors’ networks all impact WiFi strength and reliability. The eero system is the home version of the enterprise routers used in office buildings that use 802.11r roaming technology. Once you set up all eeros, each unit automatically connects to each other to create a single mesh network. Once set up, the system will upgrade and fix problems automatically without your noticing.
The eero system is easy to set up. You just need to plug the first eero unit into your cable modem. Download the eero mobile app to create an eero account and one network password. Then the app will guide you to place the rest eero units at the best place. Then you can enjoy your seamless network with no dead zones. The app also manages all your eero units. Furthermore, it can create passwords for your guests using a text message.
The eero’s system won’t speed up your Internet connection, but to ensure the Internet access you’re already paying for. Even though there are few home WiFi systems like eero, it won’t be the only one in the near future. Companies like D-Link and Linksys are coming up with similar WiFi network kits this summer. If you are bothered by the bad WiFi at home, choose eero or keep an eye on the upcoming ones.
Highlights
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Simple setup
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A WiFi system that provides a mesh network for entire home
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No more manual resets - Automatically reboots to fix problems
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An mobile app to manage the entire WiFi network
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Two 802.11ac WiFi radios
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Dual-stream (2x2) setup of the 802.11ac WiFi standard
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WPA2 encryption
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1.0 GHz dual-core processor
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Bluetooth® Smart Ready
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4GB flash storage
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Add features and improve performance over time just by pushing an update from the cloud.
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One year limited warranty
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Easy to set up.
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Provides fast and reliable WiFi network for the entire home.
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Mobile app is easy to use for WiFi monitoring and sharing.
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Good looking compared to traditional routers.
Pros
Score
9.6
Cons
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Google On app has limited options for in-depth router management
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Lacks PC/Web browser router management
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Only one LAN and one WAN may be a problem for some
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Wi-Fi may loose speed at longer ranges
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Bluetooth & USB port not as useful as other features
Asus OnHub AC-1900 Wireless Router Review
by Mikael Romo - January 16, 2016
Review
Asus and Google have improved its predecessor with the TP-Link OnHub AC-1900. This router offers wide coverage, strong signal, and fast Wi-Fi speed. With Wave Control, you'll have a new dimension of control over your router, which you can also manage from the Google On app.
Out of the box, the Asus-OnHub defies the standard for how home routers look. Its cylindrical aesthetic shell is meant to blend in with your home rather than sticking out as an appliance. And you can thank Google for the easy setup: using the Google On app for Android and iOS, you can have your router up and running from your phone in minutes.
Some of the Asus OnHub's more noteworthy Wi-Fi features are due to its circular interior antenna design, with seven antennas emitting wide Wi-Fi coverage for large homes. At room distance, the dual-band ASUS OnHub boasts considerable Wi-Fi capability at speeds of up to a maximum of 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1,300Mbps on the 5GHz band, although the router's wide-ranged performance isn't quite as consistent with its short range. And yet this device still has more features up its sleeve: its smart antennas continually search for the least occupied Wi-Fi channel available and switch to it when connected devices are idle so you get better signal quality without interruption.
Not only do the antennas work hard for you, but with the Google On app, you can choose which device gets special attention from the Asus OnHub. The router communicates with your phone using the app, with which you can monitor Wi-Fi performance, device connectivity and bandwidth usage, as well as use the router's defining feature: Wave Control. With this feature, you wave your hand over the top of the router so that it gives your chosen device the greater signal priority for streaming movies or online console gaming. Simply select which device you want from the app and choose the duration from 1-4 hours. If ever the router has connectivity issues, its synchrony with Google On will diagnose the problem and offer solutions so you don't have to call tech support. With NAT firewall protection and automatic firmware updates so that it keeps up with newer devices, the Asus OnHub will provide easy setup, protection, and simple management throughout its use.
Highlights
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Wide Wi-Fi coverage
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High streaming performance and fast download speeds
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Automatic updates
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7 High-performance dual-band smart antennas continually search for best Wi-Fi channel configuration
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Wave Control gestures prompts router to boost signal to specific devices
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NAT Firewall protection
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Google On app lets you manage the router remotely (available on Google Play and App Store)
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Power Adapter x 1
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Ethernet cable x 1
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2 year warranty for parts & labor
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Easy Installation
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Smart internal antennas automatically reconfigure for better wifi performance
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Updates itself with the latest features and security upgrades
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Remote router management
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Boost Wi-Fi signal for chosen devices
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1900 Mbps data transfer speed
Pros
Cons
Score
9.0
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Google On app has limited options for in-depth router management
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Lacks PC/Web browser router management
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Only one LAN and one WAN may be a problem for some
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Wi-Fi may loose speed at longer ranges
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Bluetooth & USB port not as useful as other features
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True Mobility
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Charges external devices
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Battery life up to 20 hours
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Connect up to 15 Wi-Fi–enabled devices
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Large, colorful display with touch-navigation keys allows you to easily view onscreen data
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Global Ready™ and can be used in 200+ countries
Highlights
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Excellent battery life
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Advanced performance in its class with access up to 15 devices
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Highly portable and easy to use
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External antenna connection
Pros
Cons
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Only availabe with a Verizon plan (no unlimited plans)
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No access to international LTE bands
9.0
Score
Jetpack® MiFi® 6620L
Review
by Alex Mondosie - June 20, 2014
Connect up to 15 Wi-Fi–enabled devices: Laptops. Tablets. Gaming consoles. Cameras. Music players. Wearables and more. If your gadget is Wi-Fi–enabled, the exclusive Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 6620L gives you a secure connection to a reliable 4G LTE network.
Keep your laptop, tablet, and other Wi-Fi enabled devices connected to the Internet with the 4G LTE Jetpack. Connect and get download speeds up to 10 times that of Verizon 3G.* The Jetpack is also backwards compatible to 3G networks, ensuring reliable connectivity wherever and whenever you need it.
Stay charged for when you need it most. Charge and stay charged with the most powerful 2-in-1 battery around. It not only keeps you connected up to 20 hours*, but also doubles as a universal charger for external devices that need a battery boost. Now you can surf the web, check email, video chat and more from your Wi-Fi–enabled devices longer.
Easily get information from the color display: The large, colorful display with touch-navigation keys allows you to easily view onscreen help menus, FAQs, data usage and more. Touch keys put easy navigation and access to critical device and network information at your fingertips.
Power your connections around the world: Headed overseas, down south or up north? No matter your reason for heading outside the US, the Verizon Jetpack MiFi 6620L can come with you - it’s Global Ready™ and can be used in 200+ countries.
Benefit from advanced features: Use GPS with compatible devices. Enjoy peace of mind with a secure password and parental controls. Block selected devices from connecting and choose from secure Wi-Fi settings to keep your data safe and secure.
Score
Score
8.0
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True Mobility
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Charges Any Battery-Operated Device That Requires Less Than 10 Watts
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Works Like Wi-Fi
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Software controlled, so it's intelligent and customizable to your needs and environment
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Each power router can charge up to 12 devices at the same time, so from tablets, mobile phones and wearables, your power needs are truly covered
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Charging and communication between transmitters and receivers is intelligently managed using Bluetooth Low Energy and enterprise-class wireless networking protocols
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WattUp™ wire-free charging works with a wide variety of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, wearables, cameras, wireless keyboards and mice, headsets, sensors, LED lights, remote controls and toys; in essence any battery-powered device in your home or office
Highlights
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Powerful hardware
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No more charging docs and wall adapters
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Each unit can charge up to 12 devices simultaneously
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Easy to use interface
Pros
9.5
Score
Cons
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New technology
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Requires WattUp-enabled electronic devices
Energous WattUp Wire-free Charger Router
Review
by Garvin Thomas - February 1, 2015
Imagine toys that never run out of power, or wearables you never need take off... WattUp™ wire-free charging technology. No cables. No pads. Just power.
Wire-free power delivers on the promise of true mobility, the freedom to roam where you want to without worrying about your mobile or battery powered devices running out of charge. While power cords and charging pads require you to surrender your device to a stationary location, WattUp™ gives you the freedom to receive a charge from anywhere within a 30 foot space.
WattUp™ wire-free charging works with a wide variety of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, wearables, cameras, wireless keyboards and mice, headsets, sensors, LED lights, remote controls and toys; in essence any battery-powered device in your home or office.
A WattUp™ transmitter, or Power Router, sends energy via a radio frequency (RF) signal to your WattUp-enabled electronic devices when requested. A WattUp receiver in each device converts that signal into battery power.
A Radio Frequency (RF) system, similar to a Wi-Fi system, delivers safe wire-free charging energy at a distance of up to 5m (15ft) from a transmitter to a receiver device, such as a mobile phone, and maintains charging while the receiver is in motion. 12 receiver devices can be managed by the system simultaneously.
WattUp™ transmitters, or “power routers,” deliver on-demand charging energy within a 15-foot radius of where they are installed, creating a 30-foot envelope of wire-free charging space. Each of these power routers can charge up to 12 devices at the same time, so from tablets, mobile phones and wearables, your power needs are truly covered. And the entire system is software controlled for flexible, accurate and efficient power delivery.
WattUp™ receivers use multiple miniature antennas to harvest the micro energy beams sent from the transmitter. This smart antenna technology means power is delivered in smaller, safer, and focused amounts.
The entire WattUp™ wire-free charging system is software controlled. Using either a mobile app or cloud-based web portal, you can to identify which devices you want to receive power, in which order of priority, and even at what times you want the devices to charge.
For example, you could prioritize the charging of cell phones and tablets as soon as you come home from work, but while you are away, charge household devices such as sensors, remote controls, keyboards and mice. It’s a fully customizable system, however, if you prefer a more hands-off approach, WattUp has the ability to automatically and intelligently prioritize and manage all of your charging needs.
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The world's fastest Wi-Fi router, with combined dual-band data rates of 1900 Mbps for three times faster performance than 802.11n routers
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Broadcom® TurboQAM™ technology increases wireless-N data rate to 600 Mbps for 33% faster performance
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Five Gigabit Ethernet ports for fast, stable wired network connections
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Dual USB ports with USB 3.0 for ten times faster data transfer than USB 2.0
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Dual-core processor for fast and responsive performance with Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB devices
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ASUS AiCloud cloud service to access, sync, share, and stream your data wherever you are, even connect to other compatible routers creating a private cloud server with family and friends
Highlights
Pros
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Powerful hardware
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Fastest Wi-Wi Technology
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Useful user features
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Easy to use interface
Cons
9.0
Score
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Cost
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not wall-mountable
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Advanced and faster Internet speeds not currently useful for users
Asus RT-AC68U Dual-band Wireless Gigabit Router
Review
by David Priede - November 16, 2014
The ASUS RT-AC68U is the world's fastest Wi-Fi router, with combined dual-band data rates of up to 1900 Mbps. 1300 Mbps 802.11ac at 5 GHz gives Gigabit wireless data rates, while Broadcom® TurboQAM™ technology super-charges 2.4 GHz 802.11n performance from 450 Mbps to 600 Mbps with compatible devices.
Powered by a dual-core processor, the RT-AC68U eliminates the performance drops that plague other routers with busy networks. So even on the busiest home networks, HD video streaming is always smooth, the latency low for online gaming and VoIP calls, and file downloads are never interrupted.
The RT-AC68U also features dual USB ports for file, printers and 3G/4G modems sharing and a USB 3.0 port for up to ten times faster data transfers than USB 2.0.
ExclusiveASUS AiCloud transforms your home networking into your personal cloud for easy streaming and sharing to smartphones, PCs, and tablets. Router-to-Router sync also makes it simple to sync files on USB-connected storage with other compatible ASUS routers for hassle-free sharing of large files with family and friends.
The easy-to-use ASUSWRT graphical user interface unlocks the power of the RT-AC68U giving robust control to optimize your network for you. 30-second set-up and easy traffic management means even network newbies can enjoy its sophisticated features, while power users will love its IPv6 support, multiple wireless SSIDs and secure VPN access.
ASUS AiRadar intelligently strengthens wireless connectivity using beamforming technology, high power amplification, and exclusive ASUS RF fine-tuning. This ensures extended coverage, dynamic data speed increases, and enhanced stability.
Use your smartphone, tablet, or PC to effortlessly set up your ASUS router in less than 30 seconds* and in only 3 easy steps1. Simply connect the cables to the router, open a Web browser, and follow the setup wizard to get you to the internet in no time.
Download Master and enhanced media server let you download and play multimedia files stored on router-attached USB storage on a wide range of compatible devices such as PC, pad, PS3, Xbox, and smart TV. Download Master can also download files while your PC is turned off, and allows you to manage and monitor download status remotely.