TalkTalk Eero 6 or Deco M4

dreamypuma

I've just renewed my TalkTalk Fibre 150 contract and they've sent me an additional Eero 6.

I've previously avoided using the supplied Eero because I believe they are locked to the TalkTalk Service, and didn't want to buy additional Eero nodes for a system that I'd likely need to return when leaving the service. Instead I've continued to use my Deco M4 system. 

With the additional Eero 6 router, a new 24month contract , and an ageing M4 system, I'm feeling more inclined to switch over to the Eero 6's. Particularly as I will only need to buy one more Eero node.

I'm sure my M4 system is WiFi 5 only, but can't seem to find a definitive on this. On 150mb service, would I benefit from the WiFi 6 of the Eeros? On average we have around 30 wireless devices connected concurrently

Additionally are these Eeros really locked? Will I be able to switch my DNS to Cloudflare etc?

jbrassy

Eeros are not locked. Eeros are a mesh router produced by Amazon and designed to be used on any network. I've used my eero 6 router with Virgin and Onestream with no issues. I personally think the eero 6 is good and would recommend to others looking to get a mesh network. 

dreamypuma

jbrassy said:

Eeros are not locked. Eeros are a mesh router produced by Amazon and designed to be used on any network. I've used my eero 6 router with Virgin and Onestream with no issues. I personally think the eero 6 is good and would recommend to others looking to get a mesh network. 

Were your Eeros bought from a retailer or are they TalkTalk supplied devices?

I know there are many TalkTalk Eeros being sold on Ebay, Facebook and CEX, and complaints from buyers having these blocked on other ISPs. There are quite a few complaints about the Eero App being branded TalkTalk and Security functions being put behind a paywall.

With potential limitations and quirks like these its justifying being able to invest in the Eero eco system with additional nodes. In my case particularly as I have a working Mesh System (albeit I think I've worked out it's only WiFi 5) 

jbrassy

I bought my eero router and extender brand new off of Amazon. I've never been with Talk Talk.

The eero app I use is not branded, it's just the regular eero app.

There is an option to subscribe to eero Plus which is £99 a year. I believe it gives you access to more advanced security features, access to 1Password, a VPN, parental controls, and ad blocking. I don't bother with it myself. The free service is more than adequate for the average person. 

Roland_Sausage

The Talktalk provided Eero’s aren’t locked as such in that you do get all the same features as the retail version.

But they can be remotely bricked by Talktalk (or other suppliers) which is presumably what is happening whey people try to sell them.