(PCMag/Amazon)
I've edited dozens of reviews of Wi-Fi mesh systems over the years as PCMag's editor responsible for networking hardware. I've found that modern systems, like the excellent eero Pro 6E (which has a superb early Black Friday deal), are akin to furnaces: As long as you get the right amount of coverage for your house and service them (in the mesh's case, by regularly updating the firmware), they'll serve you well for years.
However, if you don't own a latest-generation mesh system yet, you're likely experiencing spotty coverage and lagging speeds. If that's the situation, now's the time to jump on this eero Pro 6E deal for 40% off. Let me explain which configuration you need and why you should consider this one over a cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 model.
Easy Setup, Reliable Firmware: What to Look for in a Wi-Fi Mesh System
The eero Pro 6E has been on our list of top recommended Wi-Fi mesh systems since its introduction in 2022 for two main reasons: It's easy to set up, and it offers excellent performance. Those are the two main things most people look for in a mesh system.
Ease of setup speaks for itself. Most people want a mesh system that simply works and doesn't require fiddling with settings to achieve optimal performance. You can change the eero Pro 6E's settings after setting it up using the intuitive app, if desired. However, many of its customizable features require an ongoing subscription to eero Plus, which I don't recommend. It's not necessary for performance, and if you want parental controls, it's better to set them up on your kids' devices, rather than at a network level.
As for performance, part of the reason the eero Pro 6E works so well is its support for the uncrowded 6GHz band. The limited range of transmissions on this band means it's not very useful for connecting your laptop or phone, but it's great for the necessary communications between the two (or more) eero nodes—the so-called "backhaul" that makes mesh networking so much more effective than standalone routers.
Speaking of nodes, should you buy one, two, or three? I'd argue that if you're like many Americans and live in a 2,500-square-foot single-family house, you should opt for the two-node deal for $239.99. If you have a big house, you can opt for the three-pack, which is also discounted by 40%. But I'd recommend against that for most people.
Wondering why I'm recommending this eero Pro 6E deal instead of the eero Pro 7, which is our top pick for Wi-Fi mesh systems and is also discounted ahead of Black Friday? Two reasons: First, the Pro 7 is a lot more expensive, even with its discount. Second, most people don't have many Wi-Fi 7 devices yet, and the Pro 6E offers many of the same performance benefits as the Pro 7, especially access to the 6GHz band.
Check out our in-depth coverage of all the Early Black Friday deals, steals, sales, and discounts that we've found so far!
FAQs
Which Wi-Fi Mesh Brand Is the Most Reliable?
I'm intimately familiar with every major mesh Wi-Fi brand, from Asus to Wyze. I'm recommending this deal on the eero Pro 6E instead of an equally impressive system from a competing brand, in part because of its reliability. Firmware updates are released regularly for all eero devices, including those released many years ago, ensuring your system is always up to date.
Also, eero offers robust customer support via email and phone, which isn't uniformly the case with every other manufacturer.
Are Wi-Fi Mesh Systems Actually Cheapest on Black Friday or Later?
I'm also recommending this eero deal right now because I'm almost certain that 40% off is as good as you're going to get. Mesh systems from eero are rarely discounted this significantly, and when they are, it's typically during a major sale event, such as Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day. (Bear in mind, eero is an Amazon brand.)