Google OnHub Review - Review 2022

With the OnHub ($199.99), Google officially enters the home Wi-Fi router arena. Co-developed with TP-Link, the OnHub is a dual-band model with a sleek course factor that looks nothing similar a traditional router. It contains more than a dozen antennas, is a cinch to install, and information technology uses a thoughtfully designed app to control certain network functions. Unfortunately, its performance is mixed, and it lacks many standard router-direction features, including parental controls and VPN services. The OnHub is equipped with circuitry to control ZigBee dwelling automation devices and has a Bluetooth 4.0 radio, but neither of these features are enabled as of this writing. Moreover, it volition only accommodate one wired LAN connection, and its lone USB port is reserved for recovery purposes.

Editors' Note: This review has been edited to remove mentions of the Google OnHub's inability to support guest networks, which was the case when we tested the router in September, 2022. Google has added this functionality with a firmware update. The score has non been changed.

Design and Features
Google touts the OnHub as a router that is designed to be out in the open, and equitably so. Whereas most models are nondescript blackness boxes with multiple antennas protruding from the elevation or sides, the OnHub uses a absurd-looking, cylindrical-shaped casing and contains no external antennas. Information technology measures 7.five inches tall and iv.vi inches in diameter, and sports a night blueish removable plastic shell (it as well comes in black).

The top of the router contains a speaker that produces a series of weird techno sounds during setup and a light ring that emits a subtle glow to permit you know the router's status. An amber color indicates that something is wrong and you lot should go to the Google On app to troubleshoot the issue. A blue glow indicates that the router is fix for setup, and teal tells you that the router is on and active.

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The OnHub is an AC1900 router that can (theoretically) provide upward to 600Mbps on the two.4GHz band and up to i,300Mbps on the 5GHz band. Under the hood are a one.4GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of eMMC flash storage (for software updates), and 1GB of DDR3 memory. There are likewise six two.4GHz antennas and half dozen 5GHz antennas bundled in a circular pattern for maximum coverage in all directions, a reflector antenna that boosts signal force, and a congestion-sensing radio that continually polls wireless action and changes channels to increase operation. The OnHub is also equipped with ZigBee and Bluetooth antennas, but neither are currently enabled. Google says information technology plans to add support for both in the future, but does not provide a timeframe.

You have to remove the shell to gain access to the OnHub's meager assortment of I/O ports. Those include one Internet (WAN) port, one wired Ethernet port, a USB 3.0 port, and a power jack. The single Ethernet port means you can simply connect i wired device to the OnHub, whereas similarly priced AC1900 routers, such as the D-Link Wireless AC1900 Dual-Band Gigabit Cloud Router (DIR-880L)($84.99 at Amazon), come with four wired ports. The USB port is reserved for recovery utilise, which means yous can't utilise it to add together an external bulldoze or printer to your network.

Google On App
Whereas most routers are managed via a Web-based interface, the OnHub is managed using the free Google On app for iOS or Android and does not currently offering Web-based controls. The app is very easy to use and offers plenty of tips and explanations for its various settings. The chief folio displays an overview with a diagram of your connected devices. It alerts y'all to any issues and offers a cursory explanation and a link to the Assist Guide to resolve those issues. Y'all can click on any device to see its IP address, MAC accost, connection status, and upload and download history. Yous can also view real-time data usage for each device and assign traffic priority for ane-, 2-, or iv-hour periods.

OnHub inline 3

Tapping the modest, green icon at the bottom of the page launches a network check utility that measures Cyberspace upload and download throughput and Wi-Fi efficiency (how much potential Internet speed your mobile device is able to use at whatever given location in your house). Tapping the Wi-Fi Access tab displays the router name and password and gives y'all the option of sending this data to friends and family via electronic mail, text message, or Facebook.

Network settings are sparse. You can assign a custom IP address or use an automatic setting (default), enable or disable DHCP, Static IP, and PPoE WAN settings, and setup port forwarding, but there are no parental controls, nor are there any VPN settings. As well missing are firewall settings, the ability to block specific sites, and the power to create and display separate SSIDs for each band and assign devices to a specific ring.

Installation and Performance
Installing the OnHub couldn't be easier, just you'll have to have a valid Google business relationship to do so. To commencement, download the app and sign in using your Google account username and password. Follow the on-screen instructions to plug in the router's ability and Ethernet cable, and so go the router's setup code and SSID from its base. Go to your mobile device'south Wi-Fi settings, connect to the router's SSID, and return to the Google On app to proper name the router and create your network. Utilise your Wi-Fi settings to connect to the router, and you're washed. Google suggests putting the OnHub out in the open up, preferably at center level for optimal range, but most homeowners will be express in their location choices unless their abode is wired for Ethernet.

I commonly run throughput tests on each band of a multiband router, just since the OnHub doesn't allow you to specify a ring, my results are based on the router'south power to select the best wireless channel for optimal performance. On my shut-proximity (same room) test, the OnHub delivered an impressive throughput of 297Mbps, easily beating the D-Link DIR-880L'southward score of 144Mbps and the Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band WiFi Router's score of 171Mbps, both while operating in 802.11ac (5GHz) fashion. Nonetheless, it couldn't touch the D-Link AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-890L/R)($160.00 at Amazon) (558Mbps) or the Asus RT-AC3200 Tri-Band Router($192.99 at Amazon) (452Mbps).

The OnHub didn't fare too on my 30-foot throughput tests. Its throughput speed of 38.6Mbps trails that of the D-Link DIR-880L (140Mbps) by more than than 100Mbps, and is but half as fast equally the Amped Wireless High Power 700mW Dual Band AC Wi-Fi Router (RTA15)($85.70 at Amazon) (75Mbps). The D-Link DIR-890L/R blew it away with a score of 310Mbps.

Conclusion
The Google OnHub is designed for non-tech-savvy users looking for a quick and like shooting fish in a barrel way to bring dual-ring networking to the home, and in that respect, it succeeds. Its unique pattern lets you place it anywhere in the house (as long as you have a wired Ethernet connection in that location) and its user-friendly app makes it easy to set up and monitor your dwelling Wi-Fi network. That said, I look more avant-garde management options from a $200 router, likewise as a USB port that actually lets you connect peripherals, such every bit a difficult drive or printer. Moreover, while its close-proximity performance in testing was good, its long-range performance could be better.

In one case Google gets around to enabling ZigBee and Bluetooth functionality, the OnHub has the potential to be a true all-in-one smart router and hub for the connected dwelling, just you nevertheless won't go the blazing throughput speeds you would from our Editors' Choice, the D-Link AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-890L/R). Granted, information technology'll toll you around $100 more, just the D-Link DIR-890L/R offers tons of direction features and plenty of I/O ports.

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