Eero Wired Backhaul vs Wireless Backhaul: Which is Better for Your Mesh Network?

If you're setting up an Eero mesh WiFi system (or any mesh network), you've probably come across the terms "wired backhaul" and "wireless backhaul." Understanding the difference between these two can significantly impact your network performance, reliability, and overall WiFi experience.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain what backhaul means, compare wired vs wireless backhaul, and help you decide which option is best for your home setup.

What is Backhaul in Mesh WiFi Networks?

Backhaul is the connection between your mesh nodes (also called access points, satellites, or extenders) and your main router or gateway. Think of it as the "backbone" of your mesh network—it's how data travels between different parts of your mesh system.

Here's a simple analogy: imagine your home network as a highway system. The backhaul is the major interstate highway connecting different cities (your mesh nodes), while your local WiFi connections are the smaller roads that connect to individual homes (your devices).

Why Backhaul Matters

The quality and speed of your backhaul directly affects:

• Overall network speed – A slow backhaul creates a bottleneck, limiting speeds even if your internet plan is fast
• Latency and responsiveness – Important for gaming, video calls, and real-time applications
• Connection stability – A reliable backhaul means fewer dropped connections
• Seamless roaming – How smoothly your devices transition between mesh nodes as you move around

Wireless Backhaul: The Default Option

Wireless backhaul is the most common setup for mesh systems like Eero. Your mesh nodes communicate with each other using WiFi radio signals—the same technology they use to connect your devices.

Pros of Wireless Backhaul

• Easy setup – Just plug in your nodes and they automatically connect. No cables to run through walls.
• Flexible placement – Place your nodes anywhere there's a power outlet. Perfect for renters or those who can't run cables.
• Lower cost – No need to buy Ethernet cables or pay for professional cable installation.
• Quick to relocate – Moving to a new home? Just unplug and set up in your new location.

Cons of Wireless Backhaul

• Speed reduction – Each "hop" between nodes can reduce bandwidth by up to 50%. If you have multiple hops, speeds degrade further.
• Susceptible to interference – Walls, floors, appliances, and neighboring WiFi networks can all impact performance.
• Shared bandwidth – On dual-band systems, the backhaul shares radio resources with client devices, reducing available bandwidth.
• Higher latency – Wireless communication adds slight delays, which can impact gaming and video calls.
• Distance limitations – Nodes placed too far apart will have poor backhaul performance.

Wired Backhaul: The Performance Option

Wired backhaul (also called Ethernet backhaul) uses physical Ethernet cables to connect your mesh nodes instead of wireless signals. With Eero, you simply connect an Ethernet cable from your gateway Eero to each additional node.

Pros of Wired Backhaul

• Maximum speed – Each node gets full bandwidth with no degradation. A Gigabit Ethernet connection delivers consistent 1Gbps throughput.
• Lowest latency – Wired connections have near-zero latency compared to wireless. Ideal for gaming and video conferencing.
• Rock-solid stability – No interference from walls, microwaves, or neighbors. Your connection stays consistent 24/7.
• Frees up wireless bandwidth – All WiFi radio capacity is dedicated to serving your devices instead of inter-node communication.
• Better for large homes – Distance between nodes doesn't matter as long as Ethernet can reach. No signal degradation over distance.
• Future-proof – Ethernet infrastructure supports faster speeds as technology improves. Cat6 cables support up to 10Gbps.

Cons of Wired Backhaul

• Installation complexity – Running Ethernet cables through walls requires planning, tools, and potentially professional help.
• Higher upfront cost – Cables, wall plates, switches, and installation labor add to expenses.
• Not renter-friendly – Many landlords don't allow drilling holes or running cables through walls.
• Limited flexibility – Once cables are in place, moving nodes requires new cable runs or visible cables.
• Aesthetic considerations – Visible cables can be unsightly if not properly concealed.

Wired vs Wireless Backhaul: Quick Comparison

Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you decide:

Wireless Backhaul

• Speed: Reduced per hop (up to 50% per hop)
• Latency: Higher (5-20ms added per hop)
• Stability: Variable (affected by interference)
• Setup: Very easy – just plug in and go
• Cost: Low (no additional equipment needed)
• Flexibility: High – place nodes anywhere with power
• Best For: Renters, small homes, casual users

Wired Backhaul

• Speed: Full speed maintained (up to 1Gbps+ with Gigabit Ethernet)
• Latency: Minimal (<1ms)
• Stability: Rock solid (no interference)
• Setup: Moderate to difficult (requires running cables)
• Cost: Medium to high (cables, switches, installation)
• Flexibility: Limited – nodes must be near Ethernet ports
• Best For: Homeowners, power users, gamers, large homes

Which Backhaul Should You Choose?

Choose Wireless Backhaul If:

• You're renting and can't make permanent modifications
• You live in a smaller home or apartment (under 2,000 sq ft)
• Your internet speed is under 300 Mbps (wireless backhaul won't be the bottleneck)
• You want a quick and easy setup
• You don't have heavy networking demands (casual browsing, streaming)

Choose Wired Backhaul If:

• You own your home and can install cables
• You have a larger home (2,500+ sq ft) or multiple floors
• You have fast internet (1 Gbps+) and want to maximize it everywhere
• You work from home and need reliable video conferencing
• You're a gamer who needs the lowest possible latency
• You have many smart home devices that need consistent connections
• Your home has thick walls or multiple floors that weaken WiFi signals

How to Set Up Wired Backhaul on Eero

Setting up wired backhaul with Eero is surprisingly simple. Here's how:

Step 1: Set Up Your Gateway Eero First

Connect your primary Eero to your modem or ISP gateway (like Bell HomeHub 4000) using the included Ethernet cable. Complete the initial setup through the Eero app before adding additional nodes.

Step 2: Run Ethernet Cables to Node Locations

This is the most involved step. You'll need to run Ethernet cables from your router's location to where you want to place additional Eero nodes. Options include:

• Through-wall installation – Professional look, but requires drilling
• Cable raceways – Surface-mounted channels that hide cables along baseboards
• Flat Ethernet cables – Can run under carpets or along door frames
• Existing coax with MoCA adapters – Use your home's existing cable TV wiring

Step 3: Connect Your Eero Nodes

Simply plug the Ethernet cable into any port on your Eero node. Eero automatically detects wired connections and switches to wired backhaul—no configuration needed!

Step 4: Verify Wired Backhaul is Active

Open the Eero app, tap on the node, and check the connection status. You should see "Connected via Ethernet" or similar confirmation that wired backhaul is active.

Pro Tips for Optimizing Your Mesh Network

Whether you choose wired or wireless backhaul, these tips will help you get the best performance from your Eero mesh system:

1. Optimal Node Placement

• Place nodes in open areas, elevated off the floor (on a shelf or table)
• Avoid placing nodes in closets, behind furniture, or near large metal objects
• Keep nodes away from microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones (2.4GHz interference)
• For wireless backhaul, don't place nodes too far apart—aim for 40-50 feet between nodes

2. Disable ISP Router WiFi

If you're using a Bell HomeHub 4000 or similar ISP gateway, make sure to disable its built-in WiFi to prevent interference. This is one of the most overlooked steps that can significantly impact your mesh performance.

Learn how: How to Disable Bell HomeHub 4000 WiFi (Step-by-Step Guide)

3. Use Quality Ethernet Cables

If going with wired backhaul, use Cat6 or Cat6a cables. They support up to 10Gbps speeds and are more future-proof than Cat5e. Avoid cheap cables—quality matters for reliable connections.

4. Consider a Hybrid Approach

You don't have to go all-wired or all-wireless. Eero supports a hybrid setup where some nodes use wired backhaul and others use wireless. This is perfect if you can only run cables to certain rooms.

5. Update Firmware Regularly

Eero automatically updates firmware, but make sure your network is online overnight when updates typically occur. Updates often include performance improvements and security patches.

Alternative: MoCA Adapters for Wired Backhaul

Don't want to run new cables? If your home has existing coaxial (cable TV) wiring, MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) adapters can give you wired backhaul performance without new installation.

MoCA 2.5 adapters support up to 2.5 Gbps throughput and work with your existing coax cables. Simply plug a MoCA adapter at your router and another at each Eero node location, then connect with short Ethernet cables.

Related: Setting Up Eero with Bell Internet

If you're a Bell Fibe customer setting up an Eero mesh system, you'll want to configure PPPoE passthrough for the best performance. This ensures your Eero gets a public IP address and avoids double NAT issues.

Complete guide: How to Set Up Eero with Bell HomeHub 4000 Using PPPoE

Final Thoughts

Both wired and wireless backhaul have their place in home networking. Wireless backhaul offers convenience and flexibility, making mesh WiFi accessible to everyone. Wired backhaul delivers maximum performance for those willing to invest in the infrastructure.

The good news? Eero makes it easy to start with wireless and upgrade to wired later. You can even mix both approaches in a hybrid setup. Start with what works for your situation now, and optimize over time as your needs evolve.

Whatever you choose, you'll enjoy the benefits of mesh WiFi: seamless roaming, whole-home coverage, and a single network name for all your devices.