Ethernet powered access points boosts Amazon's mesh system
The big Eero news from Amazon’s big Fall Hardware event was definitely that Echo Dots can now act as Wi-Fi access points but there was also some new Eero tech unveiled as well.
The Eero PoE 6 was announced; a Power over Ethernet access point that offers reliable, wired, Wi-Fi coverage up to 2,000 square feet.
Interestingly, with a price-tag ($299.99) that puts it on a par with the flagship Eero 6E Pro router, the tech onboard the PoE 6 is more in line with the, slightly-lesser, Eero 6+ system – both of which it is compatible with.
That means you won’t get tri-band Wi-Fi 6E, just dual-band 1.5Gbps speeds over Wi-Fi, with its Ethernet port rated for 2.5Gbps.
What you will get is an access point that doesn’t require any other wired input other than an Ethernet cable – as long as the other end is ported in a PoE-out Ethernet port.
Most routers have at least one Ethernet port that can provide PoE, and there are PoE ports available on some network switches too.
The thinking is you’re getting an Eero access point that is easy to mount, flush, in places where a power outlet isn’t possible (although there is also a USB-C powered option on board too).
If you would struggle to get PoE power to your PoE 6 then Amazon has you covered with another new device – the Eero PoE 6 Gateway.
This PoE system is designed to not only power the PoE 6 access points in your home, but also other PoE devices such as security cameras, video doorbells and alarm systems.
At $650 it’s pretty pricey but it’s a device squarely aimed at the prosumer market, with two 10Gb Ethernet ports on board, alongside eight 2.5Gb ports that support PoE.
The likes of Control4 and Crestron have PoE power systems at the core of their platforms and you’d pay a lot more than $650 for them.
Eero also used the Amazon launchathon to update us on some new Eero Plus features, most notably an Internet backup system that lets you choose a backup data source (such as a smartphone hotspot) so your Eero mesh system, can keep your devices on line, even if your ISP goes kaput.
Eero Internet Backup is rolling out “the coming months” to select ISPs.
The Eero PoE goes on sale in the US next month, the Gateway will follow in 2023.
