The NETGEAR Orbi lineup presents a range of options, each catering to different needs and preferences. If you’re seeking a solution tailored to your household, here are some of the factors you need to consider:
Coverage Area
Evaluate the size of the area you need WiFi to cover. Choose an Orbi Mesh System or an Orbi Router with coverage that suits your space – whether it’s a small apartment, a medium-sized home, or a large estate.
If you have a medium-sized space or apartment, an Orbi Router or 860 Series Mesh System, with coverage up to 8,000 square feet, could suffice. For large homes or extensive areas, the Orbi 960 Series with coverage spanning up to a sprawling 9,000 sq. ft., will provide comprehensive whole-home WiFi connectivity.
But if you want the best, most seamless coverage from the front door to the back yard, the Orbi 970 mesh system with its 10,000 square feet coverage and Enhanced Dedicated Backhaul is perfect choice.
Internet Speed
It’s worth noting that peak WiFi performance can be impacted by the internet speeds offered by your internet service provider (ISP). Consider your internet plan, your provider, and the speeds you require. Look for a mesh router or system that is compatible with the fastest 10-Gig internet speeds for future-prof, uncompromising performance. Orbi offers high-speed multi-gig 2.5 and 10 Gig internet WAN ports to allow for maximum transfer speeds between your modem and mesh router and mesh satellite access points.
WiFi Speed
If you want blazing-fast WiFi of up to 6-10Gbps and beyond, both the Orbi 960 and 860 Series offer remarkable options. For those demanding the ultimate WiFi experience, the Orbi 970 Series steals the spotlight with up to 27Gbps of WiFi 7 performance, geared towards demanding data transfers and high-speed tasks.
Number of Connected Devices
Determine the number of devices that will be connected to the network. Choose a mesh system that can handle simultaneous connections without lag or drop in speed.
If you have a substantial number of devices in a larger household, the Orbi 860 Series can handle up to 100 connected devices at once with its advanced Tri-Band WiFi and Dedicated Backhaul. For ultimate connectivity, Orbi 770 and 970 Series eclipses all the other with WiFi 7 capability. From smart TVs and security systems to laptops and WiFi speakers, you can connect all your smart home devices without worrying about lag and latency issues.
Tri-Band vs. Quad-Band
Understand the difference between Dual-Band, Tri-Band, and Quad-Band Routers mesh systems. The more bands a mesh system has, the higher its ability to reduce congestion and improve performance in busy networks. Explore WiFi 5, WiFi 6/6E, and WiFi 7 compatibility for your devices.
For instance, the Orbi 860 Series offers Tri-Band connectivity which means it utilizes three distinct WiFi bands to transmit data – one 2.4 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands. The Tri-Band Orbi 960 and Quad-band 970 take it further by providing tapping into the uncrowded 6GHz band, ensuring virtually no congestion and consistently seamless streaming. Orbi 770 is a new Tri-Band WiFi 7 Mesh System with great value also able to access 6Ghz band.
Add-on Features
Consider extra features like Smart Parental Controls, NETGEAR Armor™, WPA3 encrypted security, customization options, and the like. All Orbi WiFi Mesh Systems have NETGEAR Armor and Smart Parental Control capabilities. Whatever Orbi Mesh System you choose, you’ll have access to a plethora NETGEAR of add-on features.
Scalability
Determine if the mesh system allows for easy expansion by adding more satellite nodes to extend coverage as needed. All Mesh Systems in the Orbi lineup are engineered for scalability. Whether it’s the Orbi 860, 960, 770 or 970, Orbi Mesh WiFi System include you the option to add more Orbi Satellites as necessary to meet your networking requirements.
Overall Performance
Overall performance is a critical factor when choosing a router or mesh system because it directly influences the quality of your internet experience and the effectiveness of your network setup. Higher performance translates to consistently fast data transfer speeds. It also determines how smoothly your devices connect to the network and communicate with each other.
If you’re seeking unparalleled performance and coverage, look no further than the Orbi 970 Series. With its blazing-fast Quad-Band WiFi 7, it’s the ultimate choice for those seeking an unparalleled WiFi experience.