Netgear Orbi

Forget routers and access points – Wi-Fi mesh is the future

Sometimes, no amount of prime router placement is going get you decent Wi-Fi coverage throughout your house. Netgear isn’t the first to try and solve this problem, but its new Orbi Wi-Fi system tackles it pretty handily.

Comprising a single Router and one (or more) Satellites, the Orbi system broadcasts an unimpeded Wi-Fi signal to every room in the house. It sounds like an empty promise from a 2am infomercial, but we’re happy to report that the Netgear Orbi does exactly what it says on the tin.

Price and availability

Since this is a Wi-Fi mesh system rather than a traditional router, try not to suffer too much sticker shock when you see the Netgear Orbi’s £399.99 ($399.99) price tag. Now available in the US and the UK, one Orbi system comprises both an Orbi Router and an Orbi Satellite, hence the added cost.

More Satellites can join the mesh system for an additional £249.99 ($249.99) apiece – so, your bill can rack up quickly, depending on your home size. Having said that, one Orbi system is said to cover 370 square metres or 4,000 square feet.

Regardless, the Orbi is still mighty expensive compared to your average router. So, how does the Netgear Orbi justify its high price? Pretty well, actually.

Design and setup

While it’s referred to as a single product, Netgear Orbi is technically comprised of two parts: the Orbi Router and the Orbi Satellite. Both 889g (1.96lb) devices are nearly identical, adorable pylons of white matte plastic.

Their only differences lie in which ports are included in which unit, and the Router sporting a blue top versus the Satellite’s pure white.