Google WiFi Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price:~£120Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:1200 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:yes

Google WiFi Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

6.5

Overall score

Score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

90%

6.2

Technical Score

10%

9.3

User score

â–¼Worse than 67% of routers
6.2

Technical Score

Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

26%

5.9

Wireless

20%

3.8

Ports

18%

8.5

Networking

14%

7.4

Security

12%

6.1

Hardware

10%

6.5

Management

â–¼Worse than 77% of routers
9.3

User score

User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

9.0

User reviews

30%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
(860)
amazon
4.4
(605)
amazon
4.2
(311)
amazon
4.4
(299)
amazon
4.4
(256)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(15223)
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(30)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

★Better than 99% of routers
  • google-wifi
  • google-wifi
google-wifi
google-wifi

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Verdict

The Google WiFi is an AC1200 dual-band mesh router that supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. Powered by a quad-core ARM processor with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of eMMC flash storage, each compact unit features two Gigabit Ethernet ports and uses 2x2 MU-MIMO technology and beamforming to handle up to 100 connected devices. Its main characteristics include a seamless, self-healing mesh architecture and integrated Bluetooth Low Energy for easy mobile setup via the Google Home app. Main pros include a simple, user-friendly installation process, proactive band steering for optimal performance, and robust built-in parental controls. However, notable cons include its limitation to older Wi-Fi 5 technology, a lack of advanced settings for power users, and a relatively small number of physical Ethernet ports.

Technical Specifications of router Google WiFi

Technical Score
Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

26%

5.9

Wireless

20%

3.8

Ports

18%

8.5

Networking

14%

7.4

Security

12%

6.1

Hardware

10%

6.5

Management

6.2
Google WiFi has a technical score of 6.2 points, which is lower than that of 77% of products in this category.
User score
User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

9.0

User reviews

30%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
(860)
amazon
4.4
(605)
amazon
4.2
(311)
amazon
4.4
(299)
amazon
4.4
(256)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(15223)
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(30)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

9.3
Google WiFi has a user score of 9.27 points, which is higher than that of 98.5% of products in this category.
Popularity
Popularity
10.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Google WiFi has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than that of 91.9% of products in this category.
10
Google WiFi has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than that of 91.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price
Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

6.5

Overall score

40%

9.9

Price

7.6
Google WiFi has a value-for-money score of 7.6 points, which is lower than that of 60.1% of products in this category.
Brand name
Google
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is more advanced than 39.5% of routers and equal to 25.3% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.8% of routers and equal to 68.1% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
1,200 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
1,200 Mbps
This router delivers 1,200 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 52.1% of routers and equal to 5.8% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 40.9% of routers and the same as 31.6% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA2, WPA
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA2, WPA
This router supports WPA3, WPA2, WPA Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 87% of routers and equal to 13.1% of routers.
DoS protection
no
DoS protection
no
This router does not include DoS protection. 87.5% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
SPI intrusion protection
yes
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 6.1% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
MAC address filtering
yes
This router supports MAC address filtering. 2.2% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
no
URL filter
no
This router does not support URL filtering. 96.8% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 11.5% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
no
Dynamic routing
no
This router does not support dynamic routing. 52.5% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
Inter-VLAN routing
no
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 23.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
yes
VLAN tagging
yes
This router supports VLAN tagging. 38.2% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
QoS
yes
This router includes QoS controls. 3.2% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
1
N. of LAN ports
1
This router has 1 LAN ports, which is fewer than 95.1% of routers and the same as 4.4% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
This router offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 27.1% of routers and on par with 59.9% of routers.
Includes LAN-capable combo ports.
N. of WAN ports
1
N. of WAN ports
1
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
0
N. of USB ports
0
This router has 0 USB ports, which is fewer than 60.8% of routers and the same as 39.2% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
App
Management interface
App
This router uses App for management, which is less advanced than 70% of routers and equal to 2% of routers.
Google Home app
Firmware upgrade method
Automatic
Firmware upgrade method
Automatic
This router supports Automatic firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 68.3% of routers and equal to 1% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
Traffic monitoring
yes
This router includes traffic monitoring. 18.1% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Real-time usage via app.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
Captive portal
no
This router does not offer captive portal features. 23.5% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
4x 0.71 GHz
CPU clock speed
4x 0.71 GHz
This router runs at 4x0.71 GHz, which is faster than 66.9% of routers.
RAM capacity
512 MB
RAM capacity
512 MB
This router has 512 MB of RAM, which is more than 64.4% of routers and the same as 22.8% of routers.
Internal storage
0.003906 GB
Internal storage
0.003906 GB
This router has 0.003906 GB of internal storage, which is less than 93.5% of routers and the same as 6.5% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
no
Hardware acceleration
no
This router does not offer hardware acceleration. 68.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
0
N. of external antennas
0
This router has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.6% of routers and the same as 40.4% of routers.
Show more

Google WiFi vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    Mesh Wi-Fi
    yes
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • 2x more RAM
    RAM capacity
    512 MB
    This router has more RAM than the average router (512 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    512 MB vs 256 MB
  • 4 more internal antennas
    N. of internal antennas
    4
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (4 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    4 vs 0
  • Supports Matter
    Matter support
    yes
    This router supports Matter, while the average router does not. 3.9% of routers support Matter.
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    4 x 0.71 GHz
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x0.71 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    4x0.71 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • Supports TWT
    Target Wake Time (TWT) support
    yes
    This router supports Target Wake Time (TWT), while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support Target Wake Time (TWT).
  • 15.9% higher user score
    User score
    9.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Google WiFi
    the average router
    Google WiFi has a higher user score than the average router (9.27 vs 8.000).
    9.27 vs 8
  • 15.9% higher user score
    User score
    9.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Google WiFi
    the average router
    Google WiFi has a higher user score than the average router (9.27 vs 8.000).
    9.27 vs 8
  • 53% more popular
    Google WiFi is more popular than the average router (10 vs 6.5).
    10 vs 6.54
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    Mesh Wi-Fi
    yes
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports TWT
    Target Wake Time (TWT) support
    yes
    This router supports Target Wake Time (TWT), while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support Target Wake Time (TWT).
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • Supports Matter
    Matter support
    yes
    This router supports Matter, while the average router does not. 3.9% of routers support Matter.
  • 2x more RAM
    RAM capacity
    512 MB
    This router has more RAM than the average router (512 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    512 MB vs 256 MB
  • 4 more internal antennas
    N. of internal antennas
    4
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (4 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    4 vs 0
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    4 x 0.71 GHz
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x0.71 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    4x0.71 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 95.88 mm narrower width
    Width
    106.12 mm
    This router is narrower than the average router (106.1 mm vs 202 mm). The average router is 202 mm wide.
    106.12 mm vs 202 mm
  • 3 fewer LAN ports
    N. of LAN ports
    1
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (1 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    1 vs 4
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Automatic
    This router supports the firmware update methods Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • No hardware acceleration
    Hardware acceleration
    no
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 68.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • No VPN server support
    VPN server support
    no
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 66.3% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    none
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    none vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • No dynamic routing
    Dynamic routing
    no
    This router does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 52.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    N. of USB ports
    0
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • No DoS protection
    DoS protection
    no
    This router does not support DoS protection, while the average router does. 87.3% of routers support DoS protection.
  • 3.5% worse value for money
    Google WiFi has worse value for money than the average router (7.55 vs 7.8).
    7.55 vs 7.82
  • 25.3% narrower wireless coverage
    Wireless coverage
    139 m²
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (139 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    139 m² vs 186 m²
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • 18.6% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    1,200 Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1200 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • No WPS support
    WPS support
    no
    This router does not support WPS, while the average router does. 89.5% of routers support WPS.
  • No VPN server support
    VPN server support
    no
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 66.3% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • No DoS protection
    DoS protection
    no
    This router does not support DoS protection, while the average router does. 87.3% of routers support DoS protection.
  • No URL filtering
    URL filter
    no
    This router does not support URL filtering, while the average router does. 96.6% of routers support URL filtering.
  • No port filtering
    Port filtering
    no
    This router does not support port filtering, while the average router does. 97.6% of routers support port filtering.
  • No network services filtering
    Network services filter
    no
    This router does not support network services filtering, while the average router does. 93.2% of routers support network services filtering.
  • No PPTP server
    PPTP server
    no
    This router cannot act as a PPTP server, while the average router can. 62.4% of routers can act as a PPTP server.
  • No L2TP passthrough
    L2TP Passthrough
    no
    This router does not support L2TP pass-through, while the average router does. 96.3% of routers support L2TP pass-through.
  • No PPTP passthrough
    PPTP Passthrough
    no
    This router does not support PPTP pass-through, while the average router does. 98.8% of routers support PPTP pass-through.
  • No dynamic routing
    Dynamic routing
    no
    This router does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 52.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 3 fewer LAN ports
    N. of LAN ports
    1
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (1 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    1 vs 4
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    N. of USB ports
    0
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Automatic
    This router supports the firmware update methods Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    none
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    none vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • Weaker management tools
    Management interface
    App
    This router uses the management interface App, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    Google Home app
    App vs Web UI, App
  • No DLNA support
    DLNA support
    no
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 54% of routers support DLNA.
  • No hardware acceleration
    Hardware acceleration
    no
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 68.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • 96.9% less internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.003906 GB
    This router has less internal storage than the average router (0 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.003906 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    N. of external antennas
    0
    This router has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    0 vs 2
  • Fewer power options
    Power input type
    USB-C
    This router uses USB-C power input, while the average router uses DC barrel.
    USB-C vs DC barrel
  • 0.9 W higher power consumption
    Power consumption
    9 W
    This router uses more power than the average router (9 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    9 W vs 8.1 W
  • 23.75 mm thicker design
    Thickness
    68.75 mm
    This router is thicker than the average router (68.8 mm vs 45 mm). The average router is 45 mm thick.
    68.75 mm vs 45 mm

Graphic comparison of Google WiFi and other routers

No results found

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Google WiFi?

  • Simple and quick setup process via the mobile app
  • Reliable mesh networking that effectively eliminates dead zones
  • Sleek and minimalist design that blends into home decor
  • Seamless transition between mesh nodes while moving through the house
  • Affordable price point compared to newer Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems
  • Stable performance for smart home devices and 4K streaming

What customers dislike about Google WiFi?

  • Limited to older Wi-Fi 5 (AC1200) standards, missing Wi-Fi 6/6E speeds
  • Only two Ethernet ports per unit, often requiring an additional switch
  • Requires a Google account and the Google Home app for all management
  • Lack of advanced networking features and manual customization options
  • Suboptimal range for single-node setups in larger or multi-story homes
  • Potential for occasional connectivity drops requiring a full system restart

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

L
linkdhome.com
02/10/2026
Summary of the review
F
forbes.com
29/05/2017
Summary of the review
M
mashable.com
2016 (updated 2017)
Summary of the review
T
theverge.com
06/12/2016
Summary of the review
M
medium.com
24/06/2018
Summary of the review
E
expertreviews.co.uk
01/12/2021
Summary of the review
R
rtings.com
22/07/2024
Summary of the review
C
cnet.com
06/12/2016
Summary of the review

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

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