eero Outdoor 7 Review: Connecting The Great Outdoors

In the last few years, the smart home has expanded massively as technology shrinks and new devices are automated – especially outside the home with cameras, lawn mowers, bbq’s and more now online. It’s the getting these new devices online that’s a problem with many homes experiencing poor network quality once they step outside – and this is where the Amazon Eero Outdoor7 steps in.

Announced in March, the Eero Outdoor7 extends your Eero7 mesh network beyond the four walls of your home, with the aim of bringing you the same great quality network you get indoors, outside. 

Priced at $729.99, the Eero Outdoor7 isn’t a cheap addition to your network and it also requires an Eero7 system which starts at $299.99 RRP for a single access point. 

Amazon sent over their entire setup to see if I can improve my outdoor wifi reception. I plugged it all in and here’s how it went. 

Specs

As far as hardware is concerned, the eero7 has a decent spec list. It includes dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi – eschewing the 6GHz band normally found in indoor routers, and offering up to 2.1Gbps speeds across up to 1390sq/m of coverage. 

The Outdoor 7 is backwards compatible with all existing eero hardware – though if you add it to an older Wifi network the Outdoor 7 will match that network performance. 

There’s only one port on the eero Outdoor 7, a 2.5Gbps PoE+ port that powers the router as well as supplying data if you have a PoE point to use. You don’t have to use hardwired connection though, with the supplied 30W Outdoor AC Power adapter included plugging in easily so you can then set the Outdoor 7 up as a wireless mesh node. 

An unsung advantage of the eero Wifi routers is their  built-in hub support for Matter, Thread, and Zigbee. The Outdoor 7 also includes this support further extending its compatibility with a wide range of outdoor smart lights or cameras.

An unsung, yet interesting addition to the spec list is the eero Outdoor 7’s ability to really expand your coverage. The Outdoor 7 can set up a point-to-point wireless bridge with a second Outdoor 7, giving you up to 300m range with direct line of sight – a great way to add connectivity to your shed, cabin or other structures on your property.

Design

The eero Outdoor 7 comes in a decently sized box to house the unit itself which is fairly large – weighing in at 1.1kg, as well as the range of accessories.

The router itself isn’t exactly a compact device – especially when mounted, sticking out 90.17 mm from the wall. The size takes into account all the electronics packed in, as well as weather-resistant  IP66 rated casing that’s designed for Australian conditions with an operating range between -40°C to 55°C. 

It comes in only one colour: White, which can look out of place, especially in homes with a darker brick or rendered facade especially with the accompanying white power cable hanging down if you don’t have a hardwired PoE connection to plug into it. 

There’s a ridge in the rear of the Outdoor 7, which slides onto the included mount, keeping it securely mounted on the wall, but also easy to remove if you need to.

Setup

Adding the Outdoor 7 to your eero network is a simple process. It’s all run by the same eero app which is available for both Android and iOS through their respective native app stores. As it’s an Amazon product, you can ALSO download the Android app through the Amazon app store.  

Adding the Outdoor 7 is as simple as following the bouncing ball, getting you to turn the Outdoor 7 on in the position you want to set it up so you can check the Wifi signal. Once you connect the Outdoor 7 to your eero network, it takes you through mounting the device. 

You should mount the Outdoor7  6-15 feet from the ground for best results – but as I only have one external power point, and no PoE points available, I positioned it in my patio area extending the 5.7m cable to the Outdoor7.

Mounting the eero Outdoor 7 is actually very easy with everything you need included in the box. There’s two mounting kit options depending on if you want to mount it to  wood, fibre cement, vinyl siding or ‘stucco’.

The app doesn’t refer to brick, or render in the app, instead referring to the term ‘Stucco’, so if you have brick or render, follow the instructions for that. It’s disappointing that the setup isn’t localised, but it is what it is.

My personal preference is for wired backhaul for faster throughput and lower latency, and improved reliability, but the mesh system is there to be used and it works really well. 

Does it improve things?

In a word, Yes.

Just anecdotally, the wifi has improved around the yard, and the security cameras around the house now connect and respond a lot faster. Speed tests are also showing a bump in speed down in the corners of the yard that struggled. 

I created a Wi-Fi ‘heat map’ of the house using NetSpot before and after adding the Eero 7 outdoor and it found improved Wifi through the house and backyard. 

A side-bonus of the Outdoor 7 is the extended range outside which now lets me stay connected longer while walking in the street around the house – or next door at the neighbours for a barbecue. 

Final Thoughts

The eero Outdoor 7 is a must-buy for anyone with an existing eero network that wants to improve their outdoor connectivity. It’s also an option to consider if you’re looking to upgrade your existing setup with a new mesh network with a focus on the outdoors. 

The rugged, weather resistant body works well in Australian conditions, but more body colours would be appreciated, as would be localised install instructions for a Brick home. 

It’s also quite an expensive option to add an outdoor node to your home’s mesh network. If you need that outdoor connectivity, then your options for IP66 rated routers is very limited and the eero 7 Outdoor offers not only this, but a user friendly way to expand your wifi network around your home. 

The eero Outdoor 7 is available from today for AU$729.99 through amazon.com.au, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks and Bunnings.