Google WiFi Review: The Future Of Routers

We all have router problems, but we forget the router is not always to blame. Instead it’s often the fault of small, weak wireless receivers in our smartphones, laptops and tablets which fail to detect signal which is there. This is where Google GOOGL -0.91% WiFi steps in. It is at the forefront of a new generation of routers which may well have the solution…

Google WiFi is what’s known as a “mesh router system”. This means its priority is not to blast out the fastest wireless signal it can from a single location, but to blanket an area with consistent high quality WiFi by broadcasting it from multiple locations.

It’s a less-brawn-more-brains approach, but does the theory live up to the hype? Let’s take a look…

Design - Small, Minimalist, Hockey Puck Inspired

Google WiFi is far from the only Mesh system on the market - Netgear Orbi, Linksys Velop, D-Link Covr, newcomer Eero and others all compete in this space - but it is certainly the most minimalist. And when it comes to discreet solutions this is certainly a good thing.

Google WiFi looks like a thick, white hockey puck with a diameter of just 106mm, height of 69mm and weight of 340g (12 oz). Both the router and its mesh of WiFi ‘points’ look identical because they are identical: whichever one is connected to your broadband is the router, the others become points.

As such Google WiFi will be easy to blend into most home and office environments and can be purchased as a single unit, double or pack of three. The last of which Google claims will cover up to 4500 square feet.

It is worth noting that Google WiFi is the company’s second wireless router but, unlike its predecessor the OnHub (built by TP-Link), the company claims Google WiFi was 100% designed in-house and it shows. 

Hardware - Practicality Over Cutting Edge

Of course the reason each Google WiFi can be so small and minimalist is it isn’t mimicking the usual router method of packing in as much technology as possible and hurling it as far as possible around the house. A mesh network doesn’t need to do that.

Consequently you’ll find each Google WiFi supports 802.11g/n/ac but only up to AC1200 2x2 rather than the more beefy 3x3 AC1750, AC1900 (and beyond) standards you will see on enthusiast routers. Theoretically this shouldn’t matter to most users as AC1200 can still support wireless speeds above 500 megabit (Mbit) - far in excess of most Internet connections, though enthusiasts may want to look elsewhere.

In addition to this you’ll find support for MU-MIMO, beamforming, TPM (cryptography), two Gigabit Ethernet ports and (interestingly) each module has a USB Type C port for power.

It is worth noting Google WiFi does not have an integrated modem, so it will connect to your existing router rather than replace it - which uses up one of the Ethernet ports on the assigned ‘primary’ Google WiFi point though both ports will be free on other points in the mesh. Again this should be enough for most users but enthusiasts will want more.

As such the only strange omission is support for WPS - a single button connection option as Google has its own solution (more next) - but you will find support for WPA2.

Setup - Supreme Software

And yet while the hardware has its minimalist charms, it the software where Google hopes these devices will really attract customers. Setting up a network often isn’t for the fainthearted, but Google WiFi changes this.

Simply plug your ‘primary’ Google WiFi point into your existing router via the Ethernet port, download the Google WiFi app and scan the QR code on the point you just connected. You’ll be asked to name it, pick a password then add any subsequent Google WiFi points you have, which is simply a matter of plugging them in and following the onscreen instructions.

After this all management is handled through the Google WiFi app. You’ll get a map of your network, all connected devices and Google WiFi points and simple tools to measure the performance of your network. It will also warn you if you have positioned any of the Google WiFi points poorly (tip: try to make them equidistant and visible).

Once up and running the real power of Google WiFi also comes to the forefront: control. Modes like ‘Guest WiFi’ (share Internet access with anyone via the app - hence no WPS) and ‘Family WiFi’ (automatically pause Internet access at specific times for specific devices) are highly intuitive. And while ‘Home Control’ - a hub for all Internet of Things devices is limited at the moment (Philips Hue lights are the only compatible option at the time of writing) it will inevitably expand.

As for performance, Google claims the secret sauce here is what it dubs ‘Network Assist’. This automatically finds (and continuously monitors) the clearest channel for your network. It works in conjunction with a ‘Gearing algorithm’ which automatically switches your connected devices to the strongest signal as you move around - whether that is a node in the kitchen, hallway, bedroom, etc.

By contrast in a traditional router and wireless extender setup you often have to lose signal completely before a device will switch. This is a real problem as users get stuck manually changing their WiFi connection as they move around or having to put up with weak signal despite a stronger signal being available. Gearing promises to be a major step up here.

Again enthusiasts may want the more granular, complex user interfaces of a traditional router to do these things manually but it is a big advancement for mainstream consumers.

Performance - Great Coverage, Decent Speed

When testing Google WiFi (I had a two module kit), it is fair to say Google has kept to its word. These are not the fastest routers you can buy, but you will get superb coverage.

The obvious starting point is to compare Google WiFi to a good quality AC1900 router like the D-Link DIR-880L. At close distances D-Link’s router is notably faster hitting 600-700Mbit in a local area network test compared to 500-550Mbit on Google WiFi. Premium routers will come close to one gigabit (1,000Mbit) but Google WiFi is clearly ‘fast enough’ for most users.

But where the real benefit lies is coverage. Go to the far end of my 600 square foot apartment and the D-Link becomes troubled by the thick walls of this London Victorian townhouse conversion and occasional dropouts occur. By contrast I’m still getting approximately 250Mbit from Google WiFi as my connection as automatically moved from the Living Room point to the module I have setup in my hallway.

There’s also a highly efficient boost mode called ‘Priority Device’ which allows you to give network priority to a device for between one and four hours. This is great for something like video streaming so Internet activity in the rest of the house doesn’t interfere.

But Google WiFi isn’t perfect. Notably it can be a little slow to shift a device’s connection to the right point. This is shown in the photo below where my Google Pixel XL (left) had connected to the Google WiFi living room point beside it, but the Galaxy S8 (right) was still connected to the Hallway module at a slower 2.4GHz. 

This had a considerable impact on the Internet speed (207.3Mbit vs 61.7Mbit) and it took several minutes before Google WiFi also moved the Galaxy S8 to the living room point whereby the Internet performance of the two phones became even. In reality, however, this sort of delay is unlikely to be problem.

So how does Google WiFi compare to other mesh routers? It is on a par if not fractionally faster than the similarly minimalist Eero, but considerably larger mesh routers like Linksys Velop and (in particular) Netgear Orbi do have a performance edge. The catch? They are also considerably more expensive...

Value - An Expandable Bargain

By now you should have an good impression of what Google WiFi is trying to achieve: good performance and consistent coverage over the boom and bust of standalone routers. And happily this comes in at a great price:

• Google WiFi - single unit ($129/£129), two pack (£229/$229) and three pack ($229, N/A in UK)

By comparison a three unit Eero pack costs $499, but a beefier Netgear Orbi or Linksys Velop costs approximately $400 for a two pack. Consequently for most users Google’s approach is likely be the right one.

Verdict

Google WiFi is not the fastest mesh system or even the fastest router you can buy, but it isn’t meant to be. It is meant to be discreet yet stylish and provide house-wide WiFi coverage at a speed which is fast enough for most users - all at an affordable price.

Framed within these boundaries Google WiFi comes highly recommended. It will transform homes and offices with WiFi black spots, look great doing so and go easy on your wallet while being expandable with more points at any time.

Google WiFi isn’t a device for hardcore networking enthusiasts but they are well catered for already. Instead Google WiFi is the router the masses have needed for years and they should embrace it.

 Forbes