Does Eero Work with Starlink? The Ultimate Guide

With the rise of satellite internet providers like Starlink, fast and reliable home internet is now accessible even in rural areas. Meanwhile, mesh WiFi systems like Eero have become popular for providing seamless whole-home coverage.

So a common question that arises is: can you use Eero mesh WiFi with Starlink satellite internet?

The short answer is yes, Eero and Starlink work great together. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about combining these two technologies for fast, reliable internet throughout your entire home.

Overview of Starlink and Eero

First, let’s provide some background on Starlink and Eero for those who aren’t familiar with these services.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX. It uses a network of low Earth orbit satellites to beam high-speed broadband internet across the globe.

Some key things to know about Starlink:

Speeds – Offers 100-200 Mbps download speeds, comparable to cable internet. Much faster than old satellite internet services.
Coverage – Goal is to provide global coverage, even to remote areas. Currently expanding availability rapidly.
Hardware – Uses a small satellite dish mounted outside your home to connect to the network.
Reliability – Performance is impacted by weather and obstructions. Generally reliable but some outages.

So in summary, Starlink provides high-speed internet comparable to cable, available almost anywhere. The tradeoff is less reliability than wired connections.

Overview of Eero Mesh Systems

Eero is a popular mesh WiFi system designed to blanket your home in fast, reliable WiFi.

Here’s an overview:

Mesh system – Uses multiple access points to form a mesh network providing seamless coverage.
Easy setup – Eero units auto-configure to create optimal coverage. Easy to manage with the Eero app.
Speed – Latest Eero 6 models support fast WiFi 6 connections up to 500 Mbps.
Reliability – Mesh systems avoid dead spots and keep you connected as you move around your home.

So in a nutshell, Eero provides an easy-to-use mesh system for fast and reliable whole-home WiFi coverage.

Will Eero Work with Starlink?

Now that we’ve covered the basics of both services, let’s get to the main question: is Eero compatible with Starlink satellite internet?

The short answer is yes, Eero works great with Starlink.

Eero is designed to work with any standard internet connection, including cable, DSL, fiber, and satellite internet providers like Starlink.

The only requirement is that the internet source provides an Ethernet connection that can be plugged into the Eero gateway router.

The Starlink kit includes a WiFi router with an Ethernet port specifically intended for connecting third-party routers like Eero.

So you can easily connect the Eero system to the Starlink router to provide WiFi coverage throughout your home.

Below we’ll walk through exactly how to set up Eero with Starlink using either the Starlink router or ethernet adapter. But first, let’s look at why you might want to use Eero WiFi instead of the Starlink router.

Eero vs Starlink Router: Key Differences

Starlink’s satellite kit includes an initial WiFi router to get your network up and running.

So why might you want to use an Eero mesh system instead of relying solely on the Starlink router? There are a few key differences and benefits that Eero provides:

Whole-home coverage – The Starlink router only provides coverage near where it’s located. Eero’s mesh system blankets your entire home with fast WiFi.

Speed – Eero supports latest-gen WiFi 6 for faster connections. Starlink router is WiFi 5.

Reliability – Mesh systems avoid dead zones. Multiple access points maintain connections.

Easy management – Eero app makes it simple to monitor and manage network. Starlink app is more limited.

Smart features – Eero provides additional benefits like built-in security, ad blocking, and parental controls.

Flexibility – Eero interoperates with smart home devices and allows for more customization.

So in summary, Eero provides a major upgrade over the basic Starlink router in terms of WiFi performance, coverage, and features.

For many homes, using an Eero mesh system as the primary WiFi network while relying on Starlink for the internet connection is an ideal combination.

Next, we’ll go over exactly how to set this up.

How to Set Up Eero with Starlink

Setting up Eero to work with your Starlink internet is a straightforward process.

There are two options depending on whether you have the circular Starlink router, or the rectangular router and ethernet adapter.

Option 1: Circular Starlink Router

Here are the steps to connect Eero if you have the circular Starlink router:

Connect the Eero gateway router to the Starlink router using an Ethernet cable. Plug one end into the yellow WAN port on the back of the Eero. And plug the other end into one of the LAN ports on the back of the Starlink router.
Complete the Eero app setup process. Open the Eero app and follow the prompts to set up your Eero network. This will configure the system to automatically work with the Starlink connection.
Place additional Eero units around your home. Connect any additional Eero access points around your house wherever you need expanded WiFi coverage.

That’s all there is to it! Once set up, all your devices will connect to the Eero WiFi network while benefiting from the fast Starlink internet.

Option 2: Starlink Ethernet Adapter

If you have the rectangular Starlink router and are using the official ethernet adapter, follow these steps instead:

Connect the ethernet adapter to the Starlink router. Disconnect the cable from the router going to your dish. Instead, connect the dish cable to the “PoE” port on the adapter.
Plug the Eero router into the adapter using Ethernet. Connect one end of a cable to the WAN port on the Eero, and the other end to one of the LAN ports on the adapter.
Complete Eero setup in the app. The Eero will automatically detect the internet connection from the adapter and walk you through setup.

That’s it! The ethernet adapter method keeps the Starlink router for diagnostics while using Eero as the main WiFi system.

Optimal Placement for Eero Mesh with Starlink

To get the best WiFi performance from your Eero system with Starlink internet, follow these tips for ideal unit placement:

Gateway Eero near Starlink router – Keep your main Eero gateway router close to the Starlink router for a solid backhaul connection. Use Ethernet between the units if possible.
Eero units centrally located – Ideally place mesh units toward the center of your home to ensure wide coverage. Don’t hide them in closets or far corners.
Minimize obstructions – Avoid placing Eero devices behind thick walls or other major obstacles that can degrade WiFi signals.
Elevate if needed – Consider placing Eero units on shelves or wall mounts to minimize interference from furniture and appliances.
Test coverage – Walk around your home and use the Eero app to verify you have strong coverage in every room you need it. Add more units as required.
Allow clear line of sight – Satellite positioning is key for Starlink’s performance, so keep the dish area clear. Don’t obstruct the dish’s view of the sky.

Following these tips will provide the best experience using your Eero system with Starlink satellite internet.

Eero Subscription Options

Eero offers subscription options that add extra features and functionality to the mesh WiFi system. Here’s what you need to know about Eero subscriptions with Starlink.

Eero Secure

Eero Secure is an optional subscription service ($2.99/month per device) that adds enhanced security features like:

Malware blocking
Ad blocking
Encrypted DNS
Activity monitoring

Eero Secure works great in tandem with Starlink internet. The addition of comprehensive security helps keep all devices on your network safe.

Eero Secure+

Eero Secure+ includes all Eero Secure features plus intelligent parental controls for $9.99/month. Parental controls allow you to:

Filter inappropriate websites
Set time limits for kids’ devices
Pause internet access on demand

Again, this is a nice enhancement if you need robust parental filtering with Starlink internet.

Eero Plus

For $9.99/month, Eero Plus bundles Eero Secure+ with:

1TB of encrypted cloud backup
Advanced security features
Network performance monitoring

Eero Plus is the premium subscription plan encompassing all of Eero’s key features. Well worth considering if you want maximum benefit from your Eero WiFi system.

All Eero subscriptions are optional – you can use Eero with Starlink as a standalone mesh system without paying for any additional services if you prefer.

Pros and Cons of Eero + Starlink

Let’s recap some of the key benefits as well as potential drawbacks of using Eero in combination with Starlink internet:

Benefits

Whole-home WiFi coverage – No more dead zones!
Fast speeds – WiFi 6 support on latest Eero models
Easy setup and management – Simple app for monitoring and controls
Enhanced security – Malware blocking and encrypted DNS with Secure
Robust parental controls – Filter content and limit device access
Works anywhere – Satellite internet reaches remote locations

Potential Drawbacks

Additional cost – Eero system and optional subscription fees
Mesh can add latency – More hops may increase lag for gaming
Satellite reliability challenges – Severe weather can interrupt Starlink signal
Limit of 1 Gbps throughput – Capacity bottleneck between dish and router

As you can see, the pros generally outweigh the cons, especially for rural homes where Starlink is your best internet option.

For the best WiFi coverage across your entire property, Eero + Starlink is a winning combination.

Tips for Improving Eero’s Performance with Starlink

Here are some tips to get the fastest speeds and most reliable connectivity using your Eero mesh system with Starlink:

Use Ethernet backhaul if possible – Connect satellite Eeros to main router with Ethernet for fastest speeds.
Update to latest firmware – Keep Eero and Starlink router firmware up-to-date for best performance.
Reboot periodically – Occasionally power cycle both Starlink and Eero devices to clear any glitches.
Enable QoS – Use Quality of Service software to prioritize latency-sensitive traffic like voice/video.
Don’t overload the network – Avoid maxing out your bandwidth with speed tests and large downloads.
Contact support – If you’re still experiencing issues, contact Starlink and Eero for troubleshooting help.
Consider additional Eeros – Adding more satellite units can help improve coverage and capacity.

By following best practices for setup, updating, and monitoring your network, you can maximize performance and reliability.

Alternative Routers to Use with Starlink

Although Eero is a great mesh system to use with Starlink, there are other router options as well. Here are some top alternatives:

Netgear Nighthawk – High-performance gaming router good for traffic prioritization.
ASUS ZenWiFi AX – Well-rated WiFi 6 mesh system comparable to Eero Pro 6.
TP-Link Deco – Budget-friendly mesh router supports WiFi 5 for solid whole-home coverage.
Linksys Atlas Max 6E – New WiFi 6E tri-band mesh router future-proofed for 6 GHz networks.
Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien – Advanced router with touchscreen display and speed testing tools.

Any high-quality router with QoS capabilities is a good option for pairing with Starlink. Mesh systems provide the benefit of wider coverage, while gaming routers excel at traffic shaping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s wrap up with answers to some common questions about using Eero WiFi with the Starlink internet service.

Does Eero work well with satellite internet providers other than Starlink?

Yes, Eero is compatible with other satellite ISPs like HughesNet and Viasat as long as they include an Ethernet port to connect to. Just follow the same setup process. Performance will depend on the internet provider’s network capacity.

Can I use WiFi extenders instead of Eero mesh with Starlink?

You can, but mesh systems like Eero are generally much better than range extenders. Extenders often struggle with reliability and can degrade network performance. Eero’s patented TrueMeshTM technology provides superior coverage and speeds.

Do I need the Eero subscription services to use it with Starlink?

Nope, a subscription is not required. Eero will work great with Starlink as a standalone mesh WiFi system. But Eero Secure and Secure+ provide nice extra protection and parental controls.

Can I use the Starlink router’s WiFi alongside Eero for more coverage?

You can, but it’s generally recommended to disable the Starlink router’s WiFi network to avoid interference. However, some users report success running both simultaneously to fill in weak spots. Test speeds to make sure there’s no degradation.

Is Eero fast enough to take full advantage of Starlink’s high speeds?

The latest Eero Pro 6 system supports speeds up to 500 Mbps for WiFi 6 devices, so it can fully utilize Starlink’s 100-200 Mbps capabilities. The regular Eero 6 models are limited to 300 Mbps max but still fast enough for most applications.

Final Verdict: An Ideal Combination

In conclusion, Eero mesh WiFi systems workgreat in conjunction with the Starlink satellite internet service.

Together, they provide fast, reliable internet access and robust WiFi coverage throughout your entire home and property.

Setting up Eero with Starlink is easy using the Ethernet ports built into Starlink’s router options.

Eero really shines compared to Starlink’s basic router by providing whole-home connectivity, intelligent software, and helpful subscription services.

If you’re looking to maximize your Starlink performance and coverage, connecting an Eero mesh system is highly recommended.

While it does represent an added cost, most users find it well worth the investment for lag-free video calls, smooth streaming, and ubiquitous internet access everywhere they need it.

So try out this powerful combination yourself and say goodbye to frustrating dead zones! Eero + Starlink is the ultimate mesh networking dream team.

Does Eero Work with Starlink? The Ultimate Guide