When comparing eero Home WiFi System vs Netgear Orbi, the Slant community recommends eero Home WiFi System for most people. In the question“What are the best wireless routers?” eero Home WiFi System is ranked 5th while Netgear Orbi is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose eero Home WiFi System is:
This device has twice the range(120ft) of a traditional router(60ft) while offering up to 5x's the connection speed at the same distances. The software and companion app help you place the devices in the best locations for signal strength, allowing you to play video games in your treehouse with the main router in the basement.
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Pros
Pro Going for distance
This device has twice the range(120ft) of a traditional router(60ft) while offering up to 5x's the connection speed at the same distances. The software and companion app help you place the devices in the best locations for signal strength, allowing you to play video games in your treehouse with the main router in the basement.
Pro Companion app
This comes with a companion app that allows you to monitor your internet speeds, monitor your network away from home, even set up usage schedules for other household members.
Pro Transplantability
You can buy 1 or 3 of these and make the most of a network you already have built at home, or completely replace it. This product can work with a multitude of network adapters, allowing more options than buying the bundle of 3.
Pro Great performance
This tri-band AC3000 device can deliver theoretical throughput speeds of 1,266Mbps (400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 866Mbps on the 5GHz band). Third 5GHz band can reach maximum speeds of 1,733Mbps. In real life testing the Orbi router turns in a score of 480Mbps, and the satellite delivers 470Mbps. At a distance of 30 feet, the Orbi router scores 223Mbps, and the satellite scores 220Mbps.
To maximize routers performance Orbi uses a separate 5GHz band that’s used only for communications between the router and the satellite. In comparison, other Wi-Fi extenders use the same bands to extend signal, which results in a 50% signal loss each time the signal is wirelessly extended.
Pro Good covarage
The Netgear Orbi WiFi system can cover up to 6,000 square feet home. The router itself can cover 2,000 square feet and one satellite unit covers additional 2,000 square feet. It’s possible to add a second extender for a total coverage of 6,000 square feet.
The idea is that you would put the main router near your ISP's modem and then just add the extender where it’s needed the most.
Pro Simple setup
Setting up the Orbi is very easy. All you need to do is to turn on the main router, download the Orbi app, and follow few simple steps. Then you need to find a place for satellite where you can get best possible coverage. Connection between main router and satellite will be done automatically.
Cons
Con Still a new product
This product came out Feb. 2016, so expect some hiccups and some troubleshooting conversations with tech support.
Con Expensive
You can purchase this as a stand-alone unit or in a bundle of three, and so on. One unit is about $190, and the 3-pack is close to $500. This can get expensive fast if you are looking to space a network out over a huge space.
Con It is not perfect
This product boasts some of the best features on the market, but its not perfect. There are still some reported issues with WiFi connections to Xbox's and old iPhone models. Will this be solved? Yes, wait for an update from eero. Users have reported that the only times this issue was apparent was when the individuals residence was 3000+ sq. ft with multiple stories.
Con Expensive to buy 1 individual satellite
If you find out that a pair of two is not sufficient, you will be paying a lot more for 1 extra satellite.
Con Expensive for bigger homes
Orbi Home WiFi System is available for just under $400. It includes a router and an extender which will cover 4,000 square feet. However if this isn’t enough for you and you need better coverage, you can get a third device for an extra $250, which makes it a total of $650.
