Google Nest Wifi Pro Mesh Wi-Fi System, Tested and Reviewed

Sometimes an upgrade to your Wi-Fi router or mesh system is necessary, especially when multiple devices connected to your network can slow it down. I’ve been in this boat before — each floor of my condo has a few devices that require Wi-Fi. The frustrating part? Not being able to experience seamless performance and get the most out of my gigabit internet service. That’s where Google Nest Wifi Pro comes in. It’s an upgrade from the Google Nest Wifi mesh system and adds both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. But does it outperform its predecessor? I put it to the test based on specs, setup, price, performance and value.

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Our Google Nest Wifi Pro Video Review

Need the video version of our review because you’re short on time? We’ve got you covered. Check out our video review of the Google Nest Wifi Pro below:

Walking Through Our Google Nest Wifi Pro Experience

Google Nest Wifi Pro Specs

Google Nest Wifi Pro at First Glance: Colorfully Compact

The Google Nest Wifi Pro is perfect for someone like me who heavily relies on smart technology to function day to day. The design itself is sleek, modern and minimalistic, staying true to Google’s aesthetic. It blends seamlessly into any home décor despite the multicolors, offering a futuristic look that avoids the bulky, obtrusive design found in many other routers (no antennas!). This might seem like a small thing, but for people who, like me, care about how their tech looks in their home, it’s a big plus. It’s smaller and more subtle than many of its competitors, such as the eero Pro 6E — I barely notice it’s there.

Something to note is that the Nest Wifi Pro is not backward-compatible with older Nest Wifi or Google Wifi systems. If you’re still holding onto the previous models, you’ll have to decide if you want to stick with the old tech or upgrade to this generation. Built with 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard and the ability to connect up to 100 devices per unit (and up to 300 with a three-pack), the Nest Wifi Pro is advertised to have “blazing fast” speeds for any home, whether you’re a casual user or someone with a ton of smart devices.

The Nest Wifi Pro’s Wi-Fi 6E capability enables it to operate on the 6 GHz band, along with the standard 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, offering faster speeds and more capacity for connected devices. It’s equipped with advanced features — like Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), WPA3 encryption, Multi-User, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO), beamforming and 160 MHz channel transmissions — that ensure strong, reliable connectivity. Plus, with built-in support for Thread and Matter, it’s a future-proof choice for those looking to connect IoT devices from various brands. As someone typically loyal to Apple products, it’s reassuring to know that even if I stray from the fruit, I’m still in good hands with the Nest Wifi Pro.

One feature I appreciated was the self-monitoring system. Living in the Midwest, we’ve endured our share of tornadoes and storms this summer, leading to power outages and occasional network downtime. Thankfully, the Google Nest Wifi Pro auto-restarts and resolves minor issues on its own, so I never had to stress about troubleshooting or updates during outages. It felt like having a tech-savvy storm chaser on standby — minus the drama and Glen Powell.

Google Nest Wifi Pro Installation: A Quick Startup

What I love about Google is the simplicity. I had an easier setup experience with the Nest Wifi Pro than with the TP-Link Archer AX55. The Google Home app guided me through the steps and helped me set up my network faster and easier than plug-and-play setups. Overall, it took less than 10 minutes to get everything up and running.

Unboxing and Initial Setup

I got my hands on the three-pack and enjoyed taking each router out of the box because they don’t have pesky antennas to unfold. There was also a detailed instruction guide, an Ethernet cable and three power adapters. One thing I noticed right away is the minimalist design of the routers — there are no buttons cluttering the device. Instead, you get a single LED indicator on the front that changes color depending on the status — flashing white during startup, blue when setting up, yellow when the internet is down and solid white once connected. At the back are two Ethernet ports: one for WAN connectivity and the other for either a LAN connection or wired backhaul between routers. While the lack of a USB port and minimal WAN/LAN ports could be a drawback for users looking to expand their network storage or run multiple wired connections, this wasn’t a huge drawback for me, as my household is more low-profile.

The Google Home app walked me through each step, starting with the main router’s light changing from flashing white upon startup to solid blue once it was connected to the modem using the provided Ethernet cable. Google Home then prompted me to scan the QR codes on the bottom of each device to quickly link them to the network, which only took a couple of minutes. I also had the option to customize my Wi-Fi network’s name, adding a bit of personalization. In under 10 minutes, the system was up and running smoothly.

The app also helps with the placement of additional routers, offering room suggestions based on my home’s layout, which was a nice, user-friendly touch. I opted to place one router in my dining room atop my bar cart and another in my basement home office. All three devices connected seamlessly, and I was impressed by how well the Nest Wifi Pro fit into my décor. It could easily be mistaken for a piece of abstract art and blended in well with my minimalistic style.

Navigating the Mobile App

The Google Home app is an essential sidekick to the Nest Wifi Pro, but just make sure the devices’ software is up to date. It’s only compatible with Android 9.0 and later or iOS 16.0 and later. If you’re like me and tend to ignore those software updates for a little too long, now’s the time to hit that update button. Once I got my routers set up and connected through the app, I was ready to explore.

One thing I enjoy about the Google Home app is how intuitive it feels, especially on the home screen. There’s no unnecessary clutter or overwhelming information, just an easy-to-navigate interface that gets straight to the point. At the bottom are the navigation tabs. In Favorites, I can monitor my primary home network (shoutout to The Condo for holding it down). If you’ve got multiple homes, you can reorder them with just a tap. The Devices tab breaks down each router by location, showing me real-time connection statuses, which is handy if I’m troubleshooting or just curious about my signal strength in different rooms.

The Activity tab acts as my personal network detective, providing a historical log of devices that connected to my Wi-Fi throughout the day. I can filter by device or specific time periods for a closer look. Meanwhile, the Settings tab is a treasure trove for avid streamers, allowing me to sync services like music, live TV, podcasts and partner apps for a seamlessly connected home experience. However, if you’re just seeking reliable Wi-Fi, rather than above-and-beyond connectivity, this section may feel unnecessary.

Now, the Automations tab takes things to the next level — though it might feel like overkill if you’re only after solid Wi-Fi. It helps you automate routines, such as winding down at night or kick-starting your day. I set up a bedtime routine that kicked in at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on weekdays, alerting me if my phone battery was low, muting notifications, updating me on tomorrow’s weather and reminding me about my first meeting in the morning. If you have smart speakers, you can link them for vocal alerts, but I skipped that; having Google chat with me unprompted feels too sci-fi for my taste. Still, for smart home enthusiasts, this feature is a game changer.

The Family Wi-Fi features are where the Google Nest Wifi Pro really shines. Imagine being able to pause the internet on your kids’ devices during homework time or bedtime — no more “five more minutes” arguments. Plus, the option to block adult content gives parents peace of mind without constantly hovering over their kids’ shoulders.

Google Nest Wifi Pro offers ample security with WPA3 encryption, secure booting and automatic updates, so my network stays protected without any manual effort. While it lacks the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) found in previous models, and some competitors’ extra security software, such as the Netgear Orbi RBKE963, it compensates with a system-on-a-chip (SoC) that ensures only authenticated updates from Google are accepted. It may not be the most robust in its class, but it delivers reliable, built-in protection without additional fuss.

Google Nest Wifi Pro Performance: High Speed Expectations, Humble Results

With Wi-Fi 6E in the mix, I had high hopes that the Nest Wifi Pro would wow me in terms of performance, so I tested the speeds throughout my 1,600-square-foot condo — upstairs, downstairs, behind walls and right next to the router itself. I also have an Xfinity gigabit connection, which means upload speeds aren’t going to mirror download speeds, unfortunately.

Testing the Router

I used the built-in speed test feature in the Google Home app. My first test, right next to the main router, clocked download speeds of 936 Mbps and upload speeds of 25 Mbps. Even when I moved about 15 feet away, with two walls between me and the router, the download speeds still held up at 726 Mbps — a 22 percent drop.

But the real test was in the basement. Instead of checking speeds in my home office — where my third router resides — I opted to challenge the system from the far corner of my basement. With several walls between me and the nearest router, the download speeds dropped to 687 Mbps — a 5 percent drop — which wasn’t that bad, but definitely failed to approach gigabit levels. However, the connection remained stable, regardless of how many devices I had running.

Overall, the performance was stable, but certainly underwhelming considering the marketing claims.

Comparing to Competitors

When looking at high-performance mesh Wi-Fi systems, the Google Nest Wifi Pro is among them. Other Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems like the Netgear Orbi RBKE963 and the eero Pro 6E are also designed to cover large homes. The Orbi RBKE963 offers a more extensive range (9,000 square feet for a three-pack!) compared to the Google Nest Wifi Pro. That said, it’s insanely expensive, and I wouldn’t recommend it for first-time users on a budget. As for the eero Pro 6E, it has a multi-gig WAN port, unlike the Nest Wifi Pro, but you may run into limited features locked behind its monthly subscription, eero Plus.

Our Verdict: Not Enough Bang for the Buck

The Nest Wifi Pro may not fully deliver on its “blazing fast” speed promise over long ranges, nor can it be considered budget-friendly for most households and first-time users, but it remains a viable option for those looking to modernize their home network with minimal effort. As a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router, the Nest Wifi Pro leverages the fast and less congested 6 GHz band, ensuring stable — though not exceptional — speeds and reliability. Its compatibility with emerging technologies like Matter and Thread makes it a forward-thinking choice for smart home setups. With straightforward installation and versatile features, this sleek mesh system is convenient to set up and gets the job done, even if it falls short of the advertised speeds, in my experience.

How We Assess Routers

When assessing routers, we aim for a methodical and consistent approach in every review. Our team of tech experts follows several key factors to guide their evaluations.

• Specs: We meticulously review various router features, such as wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, along with the processor and memory (CPU and RAM). This in-depth analysis ensures the router meets current standards and allows for effective comparisons with other models.
• Setup: Today’s routers should be easy to install and user-friendly, in contrast to older versions. A quick and simple installation process means less downtime before you’re connected. We focus on how long each setup takes and how intuitive the process feels. Additionally, we evaluate companion mobile apps to see how they contribute to the overall user experience.
• Cost: Price is always a factor, and routers range widely, from as little as $50 to upwards of $500. When reviewing a router, we consider not just the up-front cost but also any additional expenses required to unlock its full capabilities. We also examine how the price compares across different brands and models, keeping an eye out for promotions and discounts.
• Performance: The best routers optimize the speeds of your internet service and accommodate various needs, including different home sizes, activities and multiple devices. We run numerous real-world tests, measuring performance at different distances and on a variety of devices to gauge how well the router performs in practical scenarios.
• Overall Value: We assess a router’s overall value by balancing cost, performance, ease of setup and technology. Value is about finding equilibrium; we expect high-end performance from more expensive models that budget-friendly routers might not be able to match. Our top picks come at a fair price with strong performance during tests, ensuring a satisfying long-term user experience.