One of the Fastest Mesh Wi-Fi Systems Is Now $500 Off
The Netgear Orbi RBKE963 Wi-Fi 6E mesh system , now reduced to $989 from $1,499.99, is designed for larger spaces, like really large rooms of 9,000 square feet. It includes a router node and two satellite nodes, all of which have an aesthetic white finish with chrome accents. Both the router and satellites have a 2.5Gbps LAN port, three 1Gbps LAN ports, 12 high-performance internal antennas, and reset and sync buttons. However, the router node has an additional 10 Gbps WAN port for even faster connectivity, while the satellites use one of the 5 GHz bands for a dedicated wireless backhaul to ensure seamless operation. You can also choose wired backhaul using the 2.5 Gbps port.
Setup is user-friendly with the Orbi mobile app, which puts features like network map, Wi-Fi settings, device management and more at your fingertips. And for those who like a little more control, the web console on PC offers advanced features such as IoT network sharing and VPN settings. Additionally, this mesh system comes with robust parental controls and security features. However, they do include a subscription fee ( $7.99 per month for smart parental controls and $99.99 per year for Netgear Armor, which protects your network and devices from malware). So while the free 30-day trial seems like a nice bonus, the additional ongoing costs may seem like a sting considering the initial cost of the system.
In terms of performance, PCMag’s review notes that the quad-band AX11000 system delivers impressive speeds of up to 4,800 Mbps on the 6 GHz band, 2,400 Mbps on dual 5 GHz bands, and 1,200 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. However, even with excellent backhaul, Wi-Fi 6 tech support, and MU-MIMO capabilities, the Orbi isn’t cheap, and its premium features may be overkill for smaller homes or those with basic internet needs. (Just keep in mind that while older devices can connect to this mesh system, only 6E-compatible devices can use the 6GHz band.)
For a fraction of the cost, options like the Asus ZenWiFi ET8 ($243.85, down from $329.99) can provide enough performance for smaller homes without breaking the bank.