Google Nest Wifi

amazon Google Nest Wifi reviews

When we reviewed the original Google Wifi mesh system in 2016, it earned high marks for aesthetics, ease of use, and overall performance. Google’s new two-piece Nest Wifi system ($269) is also in line with offering some interesting upgrades, including more powerful hardware, a softer, more living room-friendly design, and the ability to Google Assistant integration.

Google integration

Google sent us a $269 two-piece Nest Wifi system, which includes a router and a satellite node (Google calls them Wifi hotspots) and covers homes up to 3,800 square feet (2,200 for routers, 1,600 for points). There’s also a three-part set (one router and two points) for $349 that measures 5,400 square feet, and you can purchase additional points for $149 each. If you live in a smaller house or an apartment, you can buy a router for just $169. For comparison, the $299.99 TP-Link Deco M9 Plus two-piece system can cover homes up to 4,500 feet.

The router and button components are stylishly designed. While the original Google wifi components are 2.7 inches tall and shaped like hockey sticks, the taller Nest wifi components have rounded edges and look like oversized marshmallows. The matte white router measures 4.3 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide, with a WAN port, gigabit LAN port, and power jack embedded in the base. As with the original Google wifi router, there is a lack of USB connectivity.

That is a 4×4 AC2200 dual-band router that can reach a maximum data rate of 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1,733Mbps on the 5GHz band and is equipped with a 1.4GHz quad-core CPU, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of storage. The original router also used a quad-core CPU, but it was a 2×2 AC1200 router with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of flash memory. The Nest wifi router supports simultaneous data transmission MU-MIMO, beamforming, and the latest WPA3 encryption. It uses automatic band navigation to select the optimal radio band based on traffic network and signal strength. However, unlike the Ubiquiti AmpliFi Mesh wifi System Gamer’s Edition, you cannot separate the bands.

The Wifi hotspot comes in three color options (Sand, Fog, Snow) and is 4 inches tall and 3.4 inches wide; it’s a bit smaller than a router. It’s a 2×2 dual-band AC1200 extender capable of data rates of 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 866Mbps on the 5GHz band. It features a Bluetooth radio and Google Assistant voice circuitry that allows it to do anything the Nest Mini smart speaker does, like tell you news, weather, and sports scores, stream music, set timers, and make hands-free phone calls. It can also control connected smart devices like lights and thermostats.

It uses 40mm, speaker drivers to deliver 360-degree sound and has four far-field microphones embedded into the top of the cabinet. There aren’t any LAN or USB ports here, just a single power jack. An LED ring around the base glows white when you ask the Google Assistant a question and repeats while the Assistant is answering, and there’s a small Privacy switch that lets you turn the Assistant off.

The Nest wifi system uses the same Google Home app to control Google Assistant smart speakers, Chromecast devices, and other Google Home products. To access network settings, tap the wifi button on the opening screen, providing controls for any connected smart devices like lights, smart plugs, and thermostats. The wifi screen shows your internet status, installed wifi points, and some connected devices.

Click the Internet button to run a speed test that measures your Internet upload and download speeds and tests the mesh connection between your router and the wifi hotspot. Below the map is a tab showing the latest speed test results, and below that is a Devices tab, where you can prioritize the network for specific devices. Keep scrolling to see the Home wifi and Guest Networks tabs.

Home wifi allows you to pause Internet access and schedule wifi access for family members. Here you can create Groups and enable SafeSearch to restrict access to websites containing adult content. However, you don’t get the detailed age-appropriate filters you get with the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus. You can also access these and other settings by tapping the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the wifi screen. Here you can change your security and network optimization settings for gaming. Still, if you want to access advanced WAN, DNS, LAN, and port management settings, you’ll have to download an app separate from Google wifi.

Setup is very easy. I connected the router to my modem, powered it on, and downloaded the Google Home mobile app. I created an account, touched Start in the Create Home screen, set up a new device, and created a Home. The app worked to search for the device and immediately found the router. I tap Next, scan the QR code on the base with my phone’s camera, agree to join the Google Home network, and get connected to the router in seconds. I’ve given the new network a name and password, set the network location, and the router should be up and running in about 45 seconds. The app already knew that I had two plans, so I pressed Yes to add points and followed the instructions in the app to place it in an open area no more than two rooms away from the router.

The app figured out the point immediately, so I pressed Next and waited a few seconds for the app to connect; the bell verified this. I located the score, waited a few seconds to connect to my network, and pressed Next to set up the Google Assistant. Here you can opt-out of the Google Assistant optimization process (which sends data to Google) or go for it all. After the Assistant is configured, the application inspects the net, and the installation process is complete.

Nest Wifi system has achieved respectable scores in performance tests our throughput. The router’s score of 498Mbps on the close test (in the same room) was slightly faster than the original Google Wifi router and the Nokia Beacon 1 router, but it couldn’t keep up with the Netgear XRM570 and Deco M9 Plus. At 30 feet away, the Nest Wifi router achieve 291Mbps, outperforming the Google Wifi, Nokia Beacon 1, and Deco M9 Plus routers, and right behind the Netgear XRM570 router.

In the short-distance test, the Nest wifi score reached 251Mbps, beating the Google wifi score and the Nokia Beacon 1 satellite node. Thanks to dedicated 5GHz support bands, the Netgear XRM570 and Deco M9 Plus satellite nodes did appear before your eyes. The Nest wifi score reached 190 Mbps at 30 feet faster than its predecessor but 5 Mbps slower than the Nokia Beacon 1 node. Again, the Netgear XRM570 and Deco M9 Plus satellite nodes were noticeably faster.

The wifi hotspot’s Google Assistant feature works flawlessly in delivering news, sports, and weather when required. The far-field microphones did a great job handling my requests from across the room, and the built-in speakers delivered decent audio while streaming. Still, they didn’t deliver the deep bass output that you get with the Alexa-powered device Netgear Orbi Satellite RVS40V. I had no trouble controlling my Philips Hue lights and other smart home devices with Google Assistant voice commands with the wifi hotspot.

Your new wifi assistant?

Google Nest wifi provides an easy way to eliminate wifi dead zones while bringing the Google Assistant to any room in your home. It is easy to set up and delivers solid throughput performance. It offers parental controls that will block access to adult sites and allow you to schedule access and pause access internet at the touch of a button. You can manage your network with the same mobile app you use to control other Google Home devices, but it lacks protection from viruses and other malware. Furthermore, you will need a separate app to adjust advanced settings.

But if Google Assistant voice platform integration isn’t a priority, you’ll get better performance with the TP-Link Deco M9 Plus. It costs $30 more than the two-piece Nest wifi, but it offers more coverage and advanced features.

where can you get a Google Nest Wifi online

Google Nest Wifi – AC2200 – Mesh WiFi System – Wifi Router – 4400 Sq Ft Coverage – 2 pack: Buy it now

Google Nest WiFi Router – 4×4 AC2200 Mesh Wi-Fi Router with 2200 sq ft Coverage (Renewed): Buy it now

Google Nest WiFi Router 3 Pack – 2nd Generation 4×4 AC2200 Mesh Wi-Fi Routers with 6600 Sq Ft Coverage (Renewed) ( One Router & Two extenders): Buy it now