Are you looking into getting a new router and have come across the Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 but aren’t sure if it’s worth it? If you want to make an informed purchase decision, you must understand everything this router offers.
This Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 review will hopefully give you a clear insight into what kind of features this offers and if those are enough for your needs or not.
Nokia has always been a reliable name when it comes to technology, and the Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 is one of their new releases. Thanks to its easy installation process, it is one of the most user-friendly routers on the market. You can be up and running in minutes without worrying about any complicated wiring.
The Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon is very affordable, making it a great option for people on a budget. The signal range is incredible, and the design is topnotch - perfect for any home or office. Is this the type of router you need?
PROS
CONS
Main Features and Benefits
Design
The Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 is like a mini-tower with a glossy white finish and a black recessed top. It is designed to stand upright on any flat surface but can’t be mounted on a wall. There is an LED indicator that changes color on its front to show the router’s status. For example, solid blue means all is good, and yellow means your attention is required.
When you turn the router around, you'll find four Ethernet LAN ports and one WAN port. All the ports are labeled clearly so you know which one is which. There's also a power button and a reset button.
Performance
The Nokia Beacon 1 doesn't fall behind its competitors when it comes to performance. It uses the latest AC1200 Wi-Fi standard, making it capable of speeds up to 867 Mbps. You might think that it's middling speeds, but it still can provide peak performance.
Thanks to its intelligent channel selection, this router allows you to watch 4k videos simultaneously without buffering or lag. So, if you have a lot of devices that are constantly streaming or downloading, the Nokia Beacon 1 won't slow down your connection.
And most importantly, it can be a great solution to all your Wi-Fi problems because of its mesh technology. The beacons are identical, talking to one other and collaborating to provide your devices with the best connection possible.
Wide Coverage Area
If you're looking for more than what an average router would give, the Nokia Beacon 1 got you covered! A single unit covers up to 140 sq. m. (1500 sq. ft), enough for a small to medium house, but you may use up to three beacons to cover a larger house if you have larger homes.
Imagine being able to walk around your house with multiple devices connected to the internet without even thinking about it slowing down! Nokia's Wi-Fi Beacon 1 does not disappoint when it comes to providing you with an excellent connection throughout your entire home. It ensures to eliminate dead spots in your home.
MU-MIMO
Most of the time, when many devices are connected to a network, our routers cant handle them to connect all at the same time. With its Multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output technology (MU-MIMO), the Nokia Beacon 1 can handle multiple wired and wireless devices, all streaming at the same time without any issues.
MU-MIMO works by sending data to multiple devices simultaneously instead of waiting for each device to finish receiving data before sending it to the next one. As a result, your devices can connect and disconnect from the network without slowing down your entire network.
Compatibility
The Nokia Beacon 1 is cross-compatible with Nokia's other mesh products and devices from other manufacturers that support the 802.11s standard. In addition, it is also compatible with any internet service provider, which means you don't need to change your existing modem if you want to replace your old router with this one.
All you need to do is connect Nokia Beacon 1 to your existing modem and enjoy a reliable and uninterrupted connection!
QoS
The Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 provides Quality of Service to determine which device gets bandwidth priority. This feature can be very useful when there are many devices connected simultaneously. It also means you may never have a video call interrupted due to a file download or another user streaming a video from their device.
Beamforming Technology
Another essential feature that the Nokia Beacon 1 has is beamforming. This feature helps you have a stronger and more focused signal by directing the signal where needed the most. It is a great way to eliminate dead spots in your home or office and ensure that everyone has a strong and reliable connection.
Network Map
With a useful Network Map, the Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 shows the strength of the wireless signal for each connected device. At a glance, you could see which devices were suffering from poor Wi-Fi speeds. You may also change the router’s location or add another router to the mesh network to improve wireless coverage.
Security
When it comes to security, the Nokia Beacon has you covered. It comes with built-in WPA/WPA security protocols. Aside from them, it also has the following security features:
Password-Protected Login
Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 provides you with a password-protected login that allows only those with an authorized password to gain access to certain information. If someone tries to break into your network, you will be prompted with an alert so you can take action. This will give you some peace of mind, knowing that your data is well-protected.
Guest Network Access
Another security feature that Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon has is the guest access network. This is great if you have visitors and don't want to give them full access to your network. This works by setting up a separate network PA key for the guest network, so if you worry about your data being accessed by your visitors, you can rest assured that it is well-protected.
Parental Controls
A router is not complete without parental controls, and Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon also has this feature. You may set up a separate network for your kids so they can only access websites that are appropriate for their age. This is a great way to ensure that your kids are safe online and you don't have to monitor their activity constantly.
Advanced Firewall Features
The Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 also has a very advanced firewall. If you have any devices on an open connection, the router can easily block these without configuring each device individually.
Ease of Use
It is important to consider hassle-free usage when choosing a router, and the Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon doesn’t disappoint. Aside from its user-friendly web interface that is easy to navigate, the router also comes with a mobile app that makes it even easier to set up and manage your network.
With the mobile app, you can set up parental controls, guest network access, ensuring that your home network is secure and protected. If you are a non-tech savvy person, don't fret, as the app is easy to manage. It also lets you monitor your connected devices, view their usage, and even block them from accessing the internet.
Easy Installation
Some mesh routers are challenging to install, but the Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon is not one of them, as you can install it without any wiring or drilling. The process will be the same whether you use it as a stand-alone router or mesh.
Just place it on a flat surface near the center where you need better connectivity, and you're all set. Moreover, it is small enough to put on top of furniture such as tables and shelves.
Cons
Not a Wi-Fi 6 Mesh
Wifi 6 is the latest and greatest technology for mesh routers. The Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 does not have this feature, which might turn off some users, especially those looking for the best possible speeds.
Limited Ethernet Ports
Another drawback of the Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 is that it only has two Ethernet ports. As we all know that Ethernet ports are crucial to have in a router, as they provide a stable and wired internet connection. This can be limiting if you have a lot of devices that need to be hardwired into the network.
What is the Nokia Beacon 1 Best For
The Nokia Beacon 1 is best suited for those who are looking for a router that can stand alone and be used as a mesh system. This is also perfect for large homes as it can cover a large area, ensuring no Wi-Fi dead zones.
With its wireless signal that can even penetrate through walls, it is suitable for multi-story homes and offices too. Also, if you are replacing your old Wi-Fi router, this one is a significant upgrade!
What Buyers Have To Say About Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1
Awesome now Wi-Fi works in my back yard.
The price is just right for me and it's pretty easy to configure with the enclosed instruction. Highly recommended!
Loved it. It covers whole house from garage even to backyard.
Conclusion
So, is the Nokia Wi-Fi Beacon 1 router worth your hard-earned money? In our honest opinion, it depends on your needs and what you're looking for in a router. Weighing the pros and cons when buying a router is important.
Remember that no router is perfect for everyone; it's important to find one that meets your specific needs. So, before deciding, ask yourself these questions:
What are my priorities for a wireless router? How much am I willing to spend? What features do I need? Answering these questions should help you make an informed decision. Let us know!