Extend your eero Pro 6E WiFi with an Echo Dot | TechManPat

The Echo Dot as a WiFi extender

The fifth-generation Echo Dot is primarily a compact smart speaker, but it also includes functionality that allows it to connect to an eero WiFi system and extend the network. This gives existing eero and Alexa users a way to improve coverage without purchasing another dedicated eero unit.

The Echo Dot includes improved sound compared with earlier generations, a built-in temperature sensor, tap controls and faster Alexa responses. Its small size makes it suitable for bedrooms, kitchens and other smaller spaces, although it does not provide the depth or range of a larger Echo speaker.

What the eero Pro 6E offers

The eero Pro 6E is a tri-band WiFi system supporting the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands. The 6 GHz band is intended to provide faster speeds and lower latency, particularly in environments with many wireless devices. The video describes each unit as covering approximately 185 to 195 square metres and supporting more than 100 devices.

The unit has a compact design and includes a built-in Zigbee radio and Matter integration for compatible smart home devices. The eero app guides users through setup and provides tools for monitoring connected devices, viewing bandwidth usage, prioritising devices and creating a guest network. Additional eero units can be added through the app and integrated automatically.

Setup and performance testing

The eero system itself is designed to be straightforward to install and manage. However, using an Echo Dot as a dedicated extender provides less control than a conventional mesh setup. The video found no option to manually select which eero unit the Echo Dot should connect to, or which device should use it as an extender.

Instead, the device had to be moved further away from the eero system until the phone disconnected from the eero 6E network and connected to the Echo Dot. Once connected, testing recorded download speeds of 162 Mbps and upload speeds of 49 Mbps. The result was described as respectable for a small device, although the ping was relatively high.

The testing used a WiFi 7-capable phone connected to the eero WiFi 6E mesh router. The setup was tested in a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home with multiple walls between rooms. The transcript does not provide the numerical result of the direct eero speed test.

Limitations and ongoing costs

The eero app provides the basic controls needed to manage a home network, but some advanced features are locked behind the optional eero Secure Plus subscription. These include content filtering, ad blocking, VPN services, password management tools and enhanced security features such as network insights.

The eero Pro 6E is also criticised for its limited number of ports, which can make wired network deployment less flexible. The video identifies the standalone Australian price as $450, but the value proposition changes when an Echo Dot is already part of the household and can also extend WiFi coverage.

Using the full functionality of the eero app requires an Amazon account, which may raise privacy concerns for some users. The video also notes that the Echo Dot can have difficulty detecting voices in noisy environments or when music is playing loudly.