Nest Wifi is a scalable system that creates a mesh network, which delivers a consistently strong, reliable signal. Mesh Wi‑Fi provides more coverage than a traditional router by using multiple Wi‑Fi points together to create a connected system that gives you a strong signal throughout your home.
New to mesh? The Nest Wifi is a great way to get in, priced well and easy to launch. Using Google Home devices? It's an even simpler decision as you'll have the Google Home app, and the Nest Wifi router will automatically find the smart home products and connect them instantly.
Installation
(9)
Installing the Nest Wifi is one of its best features — it takes minutes. To launch the router, you plug it into the outlet, and then run the included cable between your modem and the router. Next open Google Home app, or download it. If you aren't using Google Home products yet, you'll spend a few minutes creating an account.
Features
(9)
The point is not only a mesh device, it's a fully-functional Google Assistant speaker. For anyone without a Nest Mini (formerly the Google Home Mini), you're basically getting on with this setup. So yes, you can play music — and from speakers as good as the current Nest Mini. You can also ask the system to run an internet speed test with just your voice. Another feature is the ability to run a speed test on the internet connection to the modem right from the Google Home app. The app runs both upload and download tests.
Usability
(9)
The mesh system works as expected — there is a router and there are mesh points. Depending on which package you get, you'll get one extra point or two points. You can also buy more as stand-alone points if you need to coverage. But a two-pack of a router and point should cover 3,800 square feet, says Google.
Performance
(9)
We had 60 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload results — give or take a few Mbps —repeatedly. One crucial thing to bear in mind — the Nest Wifi was installed where a modest broadband plan is running on Spectrum, for a minimum of 50 Mbps. We're not testing or running online games in this space, which would need a higher plan. So the speed test told us that we had a great connection.
Design
(9)
Google wanted to make this an even more approachable device than its original product. Part of that included a new design, a rounded puffy look that resembles, dare we say, an overstuffed marshmallow or a squat Big Hero 6. Gone is the medicinal tablet look of the original which made you think of a giant aspirin. We like it.
Support
(7)
Online chat and phone support
Value
(9)
With Google Wifi acting as both a router, mesh system and a Google smart speaker we think this is a solid value.
Nest WiFi Router - Snow (GA00595-US)
