Wi-Fi 7 is still in its early days, with only a few devices currently supporting the new standard. However, there is already a steady stream of routers and mesh systems designed to attract early adopters and power users. Amazon has joined the fray, introducing the Eero Max 7, its biggest and best mesh system yet. With lightning-fast top speeds and a much larger form, the Eero Max 7 boasts an impressive set of features, although it commands a significant investment at $600 for a single router or $1,150 for a two-pack.
Like previous Eero mesh systems, the Max 7 is easy to set up and largely looks after itself. However, to fully utilize its capabilities, an Eero Plus subscription is required. During testing, the Max 7 mostly impressed. Its larger footprint allows for a better antenna design to boost range, and fit more Ethernet ports, but it requires a multi-gig internet connection and Wi-Fi 7 devices to take full advantage. Additionally, some vexing stability issues were encountered during the testing period.
The most obvious change with the Eero Max 7 is the size of each unit. The new Eero routers have transitioned into a much larger tower design, which provides better antenna design and more space for additional Ethernet ports. The Max 7 has four Ethernet ports, two rated at 10 Gbps and two at 2.5 Gbps. For users with multi-gig internet, utilizing a wired Ethernet backhaul to link the Max 7 units can fully maximize their connection. The power button on the back and the relatively compact power adapter that plugs into the USB-C port also make for convenient features.
Each Eero Max 7 unit covers up to 2,500 square feet and is backward compatible with older Eero systems, making it easy to integrate into an existing set-up. Setting up the Max 7 was a smooth process, taking around 10 minutes to have a two-pack up and running. The tri-band system is designed to be hands-off, making all the necessary decisions about how devices connect to the network. It also automatically updates itself, ensuring the system is always up-to-date.
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In terms of speeds, the Eero Max 7 boasts potential speeds of up to 4.3 gigabits per second on Wi-Fi and up to 9.4 Gbps tethered. During testing, speeds reached up to 3 Gbps connected to Wi-Fi 7 in the same room as the router with a OnePlus 11 5G. Performance on the 6-GHz and 5-GHz bands was impressive, with quick file transfers between devices on the network. However, performance on the 2.4-GHz band was average. Connecting with Wi-Fi 6E devices on the 6-GHz band has been zippy and stable, matching the best 6E systems, but Wi-Fi 7 performance was mixed.
Despite its impressive speed and capabilities, early Wi-Fi 7 systems like the Eero Max 7 may still encounter bugs and performance issues. Similar issues have been observed in other Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems, which can lead to frustration for users, especially considering the high investment required. As such, for those seeking perfect performance, it may be advisable to hold off on purchasing a Wi-Fi 7 system. Additionally, given that most people do not yet have many Wi-Fi 7 devices, a good Wi-Fi 6 or 6E system may provide similar, sometimes even better, performance in the short term.
