Reviewed September 2026
WiFiXpert rates eero mesh higher overall (79 against 65), while BT Smart Hub 2 is the better answer if bt customers in smaller homes who want provider support to stay responsible.
| BT Smart Hub 2 | eero mesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi names and bands | One Wi-Fi name for both bands; the hub decides which one a device gets. | One Wi-Fi name covering both the slow and fast bands; the system chooses for each device. |
| Wi-Fi generation | As supplied by BT with the broadband package. | Model dependent — check the exact model on eero's own product pages before buying. |
| Ethernet | Four Ethernet sockets. | Ethernet sockets on each unit; the number varies by model. |
| Wired backhaul | Not a mesh on its own; BT sells add-on discs that can be wired back to the hub. | Wired backhaul supported — you can join units with a network cable. |
| Security | Modern encryption with automatic updates from BT. | Modern encryption with automatic background updates. |
| App and settings | The My BT app shows connected devices and basic controls. | App only. There is no settings page in a web browser. |
| Subscription | Included with the broadband package. | Core Wi-Fi works without paying. Some security and parental features sit behind eero Plus. |
| What we measured | Weight | BT Smart Hub 2 | eero mesh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi performance | 11% | 7/10Fine speeds close to the hub. | 8/10Speeds close to the plan in the same room; sensible drop-off further away. |
| Coverage | 11% | 5/10A single box in the hallway is the most common cause of our upstairs cases. | 8/10Extra units are cheap and easy to add, which is how coverage problems get solved. |
| Reliability | 12% | 7/10Generally steady day to day. | 9/10One of the lowest rates of 'keeps dropping' cases we see. |
| Ease of setup | 7% | 9/10Arrives working; nothing to do. | 10/10Plug in, scan the code, done — the easiest of anything we've set up. |
| Mesh capability | 8% | 5/10Only becomes a mesh if you add BT's own discs. | 9/10Built as a mesh from the start; devices move between units cleanly. |
| Wired backhaul support | 7% | 5/10Add-on discs can be wired, but this isn't a cabled system. | 8/10Wired backhaul is supported and needs no special setting. |
| Wi-Fi generation | 4% | 6/10Depends entirely on the hub BT supplied. | 7/10Current models are modern, but the range spans several generations. |
| Security | 6% | 7/10Updated by BT without you doing anything. | 8/10Sensible defaults and automatic updates. |
| Management app | 7% | 6/10Basic, but it does show what's connected. | 7/10Clear and friendly, but thin on the detail an engineer needs. |
| Parental controls | 3% | 6/10BT Parental Controls are included and easy to use. | 6/10Good per-person controls, but the useful ones need the paid tier. |
| Smart-home compatibility | 8% | 7/10One Wi-Fi name and no guest isolation by default helps smart-home kit. | 7/10Fine on the main network; guest Wi-Fi hides devices from your phone. |
| IoT friendliness | 4% | 7/10Most 2.4 GHz gadgets join without a fight. | 7/10Single Wi-Fi name suits most 2.4 GHz gadgets, though a few need coaxing. |
| Troubleshooting & support | 5% | 8/10BT owns the problem when it's their hub — that counts for a lot. | 6/10Support exists, but nobody is watching your home Wi-Fi for you. |
| Value for money | 4% | 8/10It's included; nothing to pay. | 7/10Fair up front; the subscription is where the cost creeps. |
| Upgrade longevity | 3% | 5/10Replaced when your package changes, not when you choose. | 8/10Long update history across the range. |
Taken straight from the WiFiXpert Compatibility Index.
| Ecosystem | BT Smart Hub 2 | eero mesh |
|---|---|---|
| Sonos | Good | GoodDo not put Sonos Arc on eero mesh system's guest or IoT network — devices there are kept apart on purpose. |
| Ring | Works with configuration | Works with configurationDo not put Ring Video Doorbell on eero mesh system's guest or IoT network — devices there are kept apart on purpose. |
| Google Nest | Good | Works with configurationDo not put Google Nest Cam on eero mesh system's guest or IoT network — devices there are kept apart on purpose. |
| Aqara | Known limitationsAqara hub and sensors can struggle with today's stricter Wi-Fi security settings. | ProblematicAqara hub and sensors is fussy about mesh systems, and eero mesh system is a mesh. |
| Amazon Alexa / Echo | Good | GoodDo not put Amazon Echo / Echo Dot on eero mesh system's guest or IoT network — devices there are kept apart on purpose. |
| Apple HomeKit / HomePod | Excellent | GoodDo not put Apple HomePod mini on eero mesh system's guest or IoT network — devices there are kept apart on purpose. |
Best for: BT customers in smaller homes who want provider support to stay responsible.
Best house: Flats, small terraces and open-plan homes.
Watch out: No amount of setting changes will fix a coverage problem in a large house.
Best for: Anyone who wants Wi-Fi to just work and never wants to open a settings page.
Best house: Ordinary two-storey homes and flats, especially where a cable can be run upstairs.
Watch out: If a gadget refuses to join, there is little to adjust beyond moving it closer.
Scored using WiFiXpert Hardware Index Methodology v1.0 — how we score. Reviewed September 2026.
Before you buy either of these, it's worth checking the problem isn't something free to fix. Common Wi-Fi problems and Wi-Fi answers.