GOOGLE WI-FI REVIEW

Lets  all agree that Wi-Fi routers aren't sexy devices. Nobody really gets excited over a router. unless maybe if you work in IT  ,

And yet, Wi-Fi routers are kind of the rage right now. The truth is, we all want fast and reliable Wi-Fi in every corner of our home. But networking gear is mostly "meh," with ugly and cumbersome hardware and sub-par software, often using dated web-based interfaces that might as well require a computer science degree to figure out.

Google's OnHub router, which debuted last year, was a good step towards improving Wi-Fi at home, but at kshs 20,000 its price was too high and didn't really fix bad Wi-Fi in large, multi-room homes.

Google now has a new approach to improve home Wi-Fi, simply called Google Wifi :kshs12900  for a single unit. Rather than cramming a dozen antennas into one router, Wifi imitates routers from the likes of Eero and Luma, using multiple small routers to create a "mesh network" and essentially kill dead zones.

Lets all agree that the vast majority of people wont buy a router that looks like a plastic tarantula taking a nap.

Most people usually stick with the modem and router their cable/internet provider includes with their internet service. And because these routers are usually average, they mostly have poor Wi-Fi range, which means the farther away you go from its physical location, the weaker your signal gets.

Most newer Wi-Fi routers support 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless frequencies.

Each has its advantages and disadvantages. A 2.4GHz network has greater coverage over farther distances, but lower speeds, and a 5GHz network has poorer long distance coverage, but faster speeds.

Google Wifi, just like Eero and Luma, offers the best of both worlds: coverage and speed.

Single Google Wifi unit works exactly like the OnHub. You connect it into your modem via Ethernet, plug it into power, use the Google Wifi app (previously called OnHub) for iOS or Android to configure it, and in less than the time it takes to make yourself a hearty sandwich, you've got a functional Wi-Fi network. It's really telling how easy Google made the setup process when the box doesn't even come with instructions. 

If you've got a small apartment (500-1,500 square feet), a single Google Wifi unit is enough, and at kshs12,900 it's more affordable than the OnHub. Not to mention the physical Google Wifi is less than half the size of its progenitor. 

Do you have Wi-Fi dead zones in your home and want to know if the kshs.29,900 three-pack of Google Wifi routers will fix things. 

The answer is: yes, Google Wifi will fix them. All you have to do to make your poor Wi-Fi go away is place a second or third Google Wifi unit in the room you want to extend Wi-Fi to and wirelessly connect it the main unit. 

Have you ever tried connecting to Wi-Fi networks in rooms that are either too far or obstructed by physical barriers that the Wi-Fi can't pass through easily, you'll know that your connection can be very spotty.Trying to stream a YouTube or Netflix video is a test of patience as you watch it try to buffer with little success and downloading files is slow as balls. 

At some point you'll probably just give up and move closer to your router.With Google wi fi there are no  such wireless issues.The Wi-Fi will be strong and fast although Your mileage may vary.Google says two Wifi units are good for homes between 1,500 and 3,000 square feet.Use three to cover a home with 3,000 to 4,500 square feet.

The Google Wifi app is just as visually attractive and friendly. It still lets you manage all of the advanced router stuff (DNS, WAN, PPoE, etc.) manually if you'd like and comes with all the aforementioned features that were in the OnHub app.

One new feature is called "Family Wi-Fi" and it lets you "pause" a device from accessing Wi-Fi. Paused devices are still connected to the Wi-Fi network, but they won't be able to refresh app content or access the internet. Google says this is useful for, say, parents who want to temporarily disable their kid's Wi-Fi for dinner or homework time. I could see it being a good tool for parents, for sure, but if your kid's still got a cellular connection, the pause feature doesn't block that. 

A more useful new feature is "Guest Wi-Fi", which, as you can probably guess, creates a Wi-Fi network for guests. A guest network is separate from your main Wi-Fi network and also lets you grant guests access to devices you've got set up to your main network (i.e. Chromecast). It's definitely a nice convenience. 

If you want your Wi-Fi to "just work," I can't recommend Google Wifi enough.