Apple’s HomeKit accessories page has been quietly updated to reveal several more upcoming HomeKit enabled routers and HomeKit Secure Video cameras. The page, which has long been one of the best resources for tracking down HomeKit accessories from manufacturers across the globe, now has a section for routers, which were announced by Apple.
With new growing technology, Apple HomeKit becomes smart too. Apple HomeKit allows users to manage all smart electronic devices with iPhone/iPad/iMac in their homes. For this, you have to use homeKit-enabled routers.
To connect and manage your home network with HomeKit devices, you will need a robust network and a HomeKit router. You can also use mesh or another networking device to connect your household items securely in your home. One advantage of using a HomeKit router over traditional routers.
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If you want to manage your home appliances with your smartphone or iPad then you have to use a router compatible with HomeKit devices that supports the Internet of Things (IoT). This Internet of Things (IoT) works separately from regular internet traffic.
Best HomeKit Enabled Routers To Connect Your Household Gadgets with Apple Device
In this article, we will review some best routers that are compatible with Apple HomeKit. According to our research, Eero Pro 6 is one of the best HomeKit Router for 2022. You can easily set up this Eero Pro 6 Homekit router in your home and office.
1. Eero Pro Mesh WiFi Router: Best HomeKit WiFi Router
Eero Pro 6 is the fastest tri-band Wi-Fi device, and comes with a smart WIFI system. If you want to stream high-quality content on your Apple devices with Eero Pro 6 is best for you.
- Dimension: 4.76in x 1.76in (12cm x 3.2cm)
- Coverage: 1750 sq. Ft
- Type: Mesh network
- Ethernet ports: 2
- Band: 2.4GHz, 5.2GHz, and 5.8GHz.
- Connection: 128 devices
- Power: 700MHz quad-core processor
- RAM: 512MB RAM
- Storage: 4GB internal flash storage.
- Temperature range: 0℃ to 35℃
You can also connect it with another Eero pro or Eero beacon router to make a mesh network. So you can connect and manage more devices.
You can get download speeds up to 1 Gbps or more with Xfinity gigabit internet.
Eero Pro 6 comes with WPA2 encryption, DHCP, IPV6, NAT, VPN, Port forwarding, Family, and other security features. It comes with a smart home connectivity option that features Thread 1.1 and Bluetooth LE 4.2.
It has built-in support for Apple Homekit. I hope you got everything you need about Eero Pro 6 Apple HomeKit router.
The Eero Pro Mesh WiFi Router is a powerful mesh WiFi router that can transmit data with a 40-foot transmission range. The mesh network is easy to use, and it works within the TrueMesh network. This means that the network is always up and running, ensuring seamless data streaming throughout your home.
As the name suggests, this router uses mesh technology to create a dependable network. Unlike most WiFi routers, this router is designed for multiple devices and can be installed in as little as a few minutes. Once installed, you can use the companion app to configure it from anywhere. The Eero Pro Mesh WiFi System is highly recommended for busy homes or families with multiple devices. The Eero Pro Mesh WiFi system can be set up in less than five minutes and comes with a free mobile app.
Pros
- USB Type-C port
- Easy to Install
- Apps
Cons
- No WiFi 6
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2. Linksys Velop Mesh Wi-Fi System: Best Value HomeKit Router
The Velop mesh network is a great choice for households looking for a high-speed WiFi solution for their homes. Its scalable mesh architecture means it can grow with your household’s needs. Velop is compatible with all major operating systems and works with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Its UI is intuitive and offers many useful features. If you are looking for a fast, reliable WiFi solution, you should buy the Velop.
- Processor: 716 MHz Quad-Core processor
- Storage: 512 MB of flash storage
- Connection frequencies: two 5 GHz frequencies, one 2.4 GHz frequency
- Technology: Intelligent Mesh technology
This Apple Homekit compatible router comes with high-end security that supports a stable and fast connection.
High-performance devices like the Linksys Velop Mesh Wi-FI System deliver excellent coverage and speed in any space. They feature a sleek design that allows them to be placed in open areas and away from any obstruction. The seamless mesh system helps you achieve the best in-home Wi-Fi experience. It has a dual antenna design, enabling you to choose the best location for the mesh network.
The Velop features a single LED at the top for indicating its status. It comes with a primary node, which communicates with other nodes in the system to blanket the entire location with a strong wireless signal. This router does not allow you to change DHCP settings, which is handy for NASs. The Velop includes a guest network for guests, which helps restrict access to the internet but does not replace existing WiFi networks.
Unlike other mesh networks, the Velop can only be set up using the mobile app. The Linksys Velop app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
After you install the app, you can begin configuring the system. Once installed, you can choose whether you want to connect your Velop to an existing network or replace it. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to configure the first device to your network. The app also allows you to set the name of your Wi-Fi network.
The Velop mesh Wi-Fi System can be set up using the mobile app. The Velop can be configured as a single LAN or as two WAN ports. Furthermore, you can also configure the Velop to act as a wireless bridge.
However, be sure that you can install the latest version of the Velop before starting your installation. If you want to use the Velop in your home, we recommend purchasing the Velop AC3900.
The Velop mesh Wi-Fi System is a flexible mesh network. It comes in three configurations: a single-device, twin-pack, or triple-pack. To configure the Velop, you must download the app. It is important to download the app, as it can provide access to your network. If you don’t have an iPhone, you can also use a computer to connect to the Linksys Velop.
Pros
- High-speed WiFi
- 6,000 sq. ft coverage
- Sleek design
- Smart connection
- 716 MHz Quad-Core processor
- Can connect up to 60+ devices
Cons
- Price is a little high
3. TP-Link AX6000 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX6000)
Tp-Link routers are very popular for their reliability and performance. Tp-Link routers have improved over time and offer many advanced features.
The Archer AX6000 is a wireless homekit router that is ideal for home and office use. It has 8 stream WiFi routers with 2.5 gigabit WAN ports and 8 gigabit LAN connections, as well as MU-MIMO and a 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU.
The TP-Link AX6000 is a next-generation WiFi router with 4K and 8K streaming support. You can use this TP-Link AX6000 router for online gaming and VR devices
Extra Features:
- Parental Controls
- 1.8 GHz Quad-Core CPU
- 1 GB of RAM
- 2 co-processors
- Compatible with WiFi 6
- Filter the content for real-time
- Real-Time Antivirus
Pros
- Powerful WiFi Speed
- Can connect upto 35+ smart devices
- Esy to use and configure
- Fast transfer
- Ultra connectivity
Cons
- Big size
- No support for OneMesh
4. TP-Link Deco M4 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System
TP-Link Deco M4 is an advanced Homekit router system that offers Seamless Roaming and Speed. The router comes with Amazon Echo/Alexa support. Also, TP-Link Deco M4 has advanced parent control.
It also comes with a Wi-Fi dead-zone Killer—Deco, that offers whole-home Wi-Fi coverage. You can find options to remove weak signals.
It supports Wi-Fi to an area of up to 5,500 square feet. Also, TP-Link Deco M4 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi supports upto 1167 Mbps high-speed. You can easily connect upto 100 devices at a time.
- Model – TP Link DECO M4(3-PACK)
- Dimensions – 10 x 9.1 x 10 cm; 1.32 Kilograms
- Deco M4 uses TP-Link Mesh technology
- Covers entire home in powerful Wi-Fi
- Multiple device connectivity
- Create a home network
- 3 Deco units, 3 Power Adapters, 1 RJ45 Ethernet Cable
- Transfer Rate – 1167 Megabits Per Second
- Wireless Type – 5/2.4 GHz Radio Frequency
- Protocol – IEEE 802.11 ac/n/a 5 GHz, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz
- Ports – 2
Pros
- Good data transfer speed
- Easy to configure
- Amazon Alexa and IFTTT support for voice commands
- Seamless connectivity
Cons
- Unable to access router admin portal using web
- Slower in performance as compared to M5
The other router on the list is the Linksys Velop Mesh Wi-Fi System, Tri-Band, and a link to the specific model is provided, which is the AC6600. The MSRP on this system is $529.99 but may be able to be found for cheaper with the upcoming Black Friday shopping season kicking off in just a few days.
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Apple, HomeKit Router and Network Security
Apple has been making its routers with HomeKit functionality since 2015. This feature allows users to control access to certain internet services and manage their device’s internet connection using a single interface.
The new routers can be found under the Wi-Fi Network and Routers tab in the Home app. In the Accessory Security tab, you can choose the services that your HomeKit-enabled devices can access.
When setting up HomeKit-enabled routers, you can choose between manual or automatic mode. You can control how much your device can connect to the internet by selecting restrict-to-home or auto-connect settings.
You can also select the option to allow access from any network or service that Apple has approved. To get one now, read on! You can download the HomeKit app from Apple’s website.
You can choose to turn on or off HomeKit Accessory Security as needed. Automatic allows the accessory to connect to any service or device and has the lowest level of security.
The Restrict to Homes routers only allows the accessory to connect to the home hub and can’t be restricted to your home. However, you will have to configure the settings manually every time you want to control your accessory.
Buyer’s Guide To Buy The Best HomeKit Enabled Router
When selecting a HomeKit Enabled router, you should consider the options available. The options for the router are many and can be overwhelming. For example, you can add additional HomeKit devices later on. If your network is large enough, you’ll want to choose one that will work with the devices in your home. You can choose from a range of different models, depending on your budget.
Secure Video Cameras Added to Apple’s HomeKit Accessories Page
Apple’s list also now denotes cameras that will support the HomeKit Secure Video feature, which just recently launched with Logitech’s Circle 2. In addition to listing support for Netatmo’s indoor and outdoor cameras, which were previously announced by the company, Apple now has 2 cameras from Eufy listed. The recently released Eufy Cam 2, which did not have HomeKit support at launch (but is currently beta testing), and the Eufy Cam 2C, which was not previously announced.
The doorbell portion of the list also has the HomeKit Secure Video notation, with Robin’s ProLine Video Doorbell being the lone example listed. Curiously, Netatmo’s upcoming doorbell does not have this feature listed as of yet, but we assume will get support at some point. With the month of December knocking on our doors, we expect to see some “official” announcements soon regarding the listed routers and cameras, as many companies have been giving the line that support is coming before the end of the year.
You can check more Apple HomeKit accessories on the Apple page: https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/
