Google OnHub vs Netgear Orbi RBK50

With a range of up to 2,500 square feet, the OneHub is superb for modest-sized or larger homes.

The OnHub can provide a maximum theoretical throughput of up to 1.9Gbps across its both bands. Up to 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 1.3 Gbps on the 5GHz band. Realistically, at a close range of 15 feet (about 4.6 m), the router registers a throughput of 308Mbps. When the distance is increased to about 100 feet (30m), the throughput drops to 179Mbps.

Setting up the OnHub es very simple, you just need to turn it on, download the app, and follow few simple steps.

The OnHub router is one of the more good looking network devices. It’s a cylindrical device that has several customized shells to choose from, so it can fit with your decor.

Keeping the Orbi router around 30 feet and two walls away, the Orbi extension projected 429.1 Mbps to a laptop one floor above. This is almost double the performance other mesh network systems provide.

In the Purch Labs material-penetration tests, the Orbi's transmissions were powerful enough to penetrate a metal-frame wall, a ceiling and a soundboarded wall with very little drop-off.

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). The 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.

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.

Setting up the Orbi is very easy, you don't need to have any prior knowledge on how to set up a mesh network or how Wi-Fi works. 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.

Netgear Orbi supports some integration with Amazon Alexa. Admittedly for now it only supports simple stuff like turning on or off the guest network, but the potential is there.

Besides the obvious, like changing the password and network name, the Orbi desktop app, once connected allows users to customize things like adjust the router's maximum transmission unit or perform port forwarding and configuring IPV6 addressing.

You can also set up a guest network using the desktop app.