Which is better – Netgear Orbi vs Google WiFi? The two routers are undoubtedly among the most well-liked WiFi networks available right now. In terms of functionality, they are virtually identical, although there are some significant variations.
Which is worth buying – Netgear Orbi vs Google WiFi? In most households, both Google Wifi and Netgear’s Orbi will provide you with robust Wi-Fi, but there are some key distinctions. Both systems can be set up quickly and left alone, but the Netgear Orbi is a much superior option if you want to do more than the bare minimum.
When investigating new technology, such as a mesh system, it’s simple to become overwhelmed with information and forget the fundamentals: you want good, fast Wi-Fi in your home and you want to do it correctly the first time.
Pros & Cons
Netgear Orbi
Pros
- Tri-band WiFi
- Web interface
- Allow guests to use your internet
- Both Android and iOS app.
Cons
- WiFi speed not same for long
Google Wifi
Pros
- You can use the app to set up guest WiFi
- Parental control via app
- 2.5 GHz band
Cons
- No web interface
- No USB port
Netgear Orbi vs Google WiFi Price comparison
You may purchase two Netgear Orbi systems and the satellite that provides your home with dependable internet for $349. This may appear pricey at first. However, you’ll see that the router is affordable after you consider all the capabilities it offers.
If you want to get one Google WiFi device, you will need to fork over approximately $114.58. Around 1500 square feet will be covered by each unit. If your home is this size, this is an excellent value. If your property is larger than this, you might want to think about renting two or three units. Three units are available for $269.99.
Compare Netgear Orbi vs Google WiFi
| NETGEAR ORBI | GOOGLE WIFI | |
| Coverage | 5,000 sq ft | 4,500 sq ft |
| Performance | AC3000 | AC1200 |
| Frequency | 2.4GHz, 5GHz | 2.4GHz, 5GHz |
| Wireless standards | Radio 1: 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz, 256QAM support | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Radio 2: 802.11a/n/ac 5GHz, 256QAM support | ||
| Radio 3: 802.11a/n/ac 5GHz, 256QAM support | ||
| Processor | Qualcomm IPQ4019 | 710 MHz Quad-core |
| Memory | 4GB Flash | 4GB Flash |
| 512MB RAM | 512MB RAM | |
| Ports | USB 2.0 | No USB |
| Ethernet | Router: 1 WAN, 3 LAN | 2 Ethernet per unit |
| Satellite: 4 LAN | ||
| Beamforming | Yes | Yes |
What is the best Netgear Orbi (vs Google WiFi)
| SPECS | ORBI RBK50 | ORBI RBK40 | GOOGLE WIFI |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL SYSTEM UNITS | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| COVERAGE | Up to 5,000 sq ft | Up to 4,000 sq ft | 1,500 – 4,500 sq ft |
| WIFI TECHNOLOGY | 3 (Tri-band) (4×4, 2×2, 2×2) | 3 (Tri-band) (2×2, 2×2, 2×2) | Dual-band |
| WIFI SPEED RATING (PER UNIT) | AC3000 | AC2200 | AC1200 |
| NUMBER OF LAN PORTS/DEVICE | 3 on Router 4 per Satellite | 3 on Router 4 per Satellite | 2 |
| DEDICATED BACKHAUL | Yes, up to 1.7 Gbps | Yes, up to 1.7 Gbps | No |
| HIGH POWER AMPLIFIERS FOR BEST RANGE | Yes | Yes | No |
| PHONE OR EMAIL REQUIRED FOR SET UP | No | No | Yes |
| REQUIRES CLOUD SERVICE TO OPERATE | No | No | Yes |
| PRE-PAIRED UNITS FOR EASY INSTALL | Yes | Yes | No |
| APP AND BROWSER BASED INSTALLATION | Yes | Yes | App only |
| VPN TERMINATION SUPPORT FOR EASY REMOTE ACCESS | Yes | Yes | No |
What are the similarities – Netgear Orbi vs Google WiFi
You get less WiFi dead zones with the two routers. Finding WiFi hotspots by circling the house—how do you like that? Does that idea bother you? You can, however, say goodbye to WiFi dead zones in your home with either of these routers because they offer enough coverage, even for a large house.
The routers use a mesh network to distribute WiFi signals using satellites that are positioned in key locations throughout your house.
Build
Both the Orbi and Google routers have a premium body design that guarantees endurance and gives your house a modern appearance. The two are attractive because of their silky white finishes. They are also space-efficient and have a compact design that makes it simple for you to set them up.
Design & Easy Installation
The ease of installation of the two WiFi routers is another similarity. To put them up, you don’t need to be a skilled technician. You can easily set up the WiFi on your own if you have a smartphone and a router.
Smart Home Support
You need a dependable internet connection to keep up with the rise of smart appliances in our homes, such smart bells.
The Netgear Orbi or Google WiFi are perfect in this regard. Both have connectors into which you may plug your smart gadgets to get a solid and quick connection.
Parental control
If you’re a parent who worries a lot about the material your kids access online and how much time they spend online, you can stop worrying now. The router has parental controls so you can restrict the websites your children can view and the amount of time they spend online.
What are the differences – Netgear Orbi vs Google WiFi?
Design
Netgear Orbi
You may proudly show the router in your living room because of its sleek, stylish, and modern appearance without sacrificing your sense of style. The router is small and lightweight, measuring 5.62.46.6 inches, and it weighs 1.05 pounds.
Google WiFi
If you enjoy delicate, exquisite, and lovely things, Google WiFi is for you. The router is available in a sleek white appearance that gives your home a touch of elegance.
Ports
Two 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports, one WAN port, and one LAN port are included with the Netgear Orbi. In contrast to the Netgear Orbi, Google WiFi includes two Ethernet ports per device but no USB port. On the primary WiFi point, there are two ports: WAN and LAN. The two ports will function as the LAN ports if there are more WiFi hotspots.
Indicator
At the top of the router are LED lights. A poor or strong connection is indicated by the lights changing to blue or amber. Once the connection is secure, the lights will switch off. You can quickly and easily verify your internet connection thanks to this, which is really convenient for you.
Antenna
The clean white exterior of the Orbi router is coupled to four high-performance internal antennae. There are powerful amplifiers in the antennas.
App
You can use the app and mobile interface provided by Netgear Orbi to configure the device and experiment with the settings. The app also lets you control your WiFi. Only the satellites and router need to be plugged in, along with your modem.
Processor & coverage
A potent Quad-Core 710 MHz processor is included with the Orbi. Netgear has succeeded in offering a high-performance whole-home WiFi solution with this product. It provides you with around 4,500 square feet of WiFi coverage. This makes sure that WiFi is available in every room of the house.
Dual-band WiFi is what Google WiFi is. It gives you access to both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz channels, allowing you to connect suitable older devices in your homes with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, respectively.
Google WiFi has 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of flash storage. The combined coverage of the three Google WiFi routers, which each cover 1,500 square feet, is 4,500 square feet.
Setup
For you to set up Google WiFi, you require the following:
- Google account
- Google WiFi app
- Broadband Internet Connection
- Modem
- Android or iOS device
A Google app is used for all Google WiFi setup and configuring. Google WiFi doesn’t have a web interface, in contrast to Netgear Orbi. You can configure your WiFi quickly and easily with the help of the user-friendly software.
Key differences between Netgear Orbi vs Google WiFi
The Netgear Orbi is tri-band, but the Google WiFi device is dual-band. What even does this mean? In a dual-band router, there are two distinct transmissions.
It has both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This implies that while the older gadgets in your home can connect using the 2.4 GHz signal, your new devices can connect using the stronger 5 GHz signal.
Then there is a triband, which consists of three signals: two at 5 GHz and one at 2.4 GHz. You can use several devices with the two 5 GHz channels without having your WiFi performance suffer.
The coverage offered by the two devices varies as well. One router and one satellite are all that are needed for the Netgear Orbi to cover 5,000 square feet. More routers will be needed for Google WiFi to have the same range as the Orbi.
Four gigabit Ethernet ports, a power input, and an on/off button are all features of the Netgear Orbi device. Additionally, it has a USB port. On the other hand, Google WiFi does not have a USB port, and it comes with two gigabit Ethernet ports.
Netgear Orbi vs Google WiFi alternative
Samsung SmartThings Wifi
- Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/ Dual Band |
- Number of Antennas/Removable: 5/No |
- Ports: Two 1Gbps LAN |
- Peak Throughput: 539.9Mbps |
- Size: 4.7 x 4.7 x 1.2 inches
The Samsung SmartThings Wifi offers whole-home Wi-Fi for less money by using discrete disk-shaped devices. The cheapest mesh system we’ve examined is the Samsung SmartThings Wifi, which costs $289 for a three-pack (or $120 per device). But the pricing isn’t the only thing to love.
The Samsung SmartThings Wifi system can combine anything from connected thermostats to light switches to give you control over your digital home in addition to being affordable and having an intuitive design.
For those interested in home automation, it’s a fantastic alternative. The system enables you to design pre-programmed control sequences for your smart home appliances, including timers for powered window treatments and smart lights, as well as extensive connectivity with Samsung’s own smart home products.
All things considered, Samsung’s SmartThings Wifi is an affordable solution to provide Wi-Fi across virtually any home while satiating picky users.
Netgear Orbi RBK40
- Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/Tri Band
- Number of Antennas/Removable: 4/No
- Ports: Four 1 Gbps LAN
- Peak Throughput: 549.93 Mbps
- Size: 8.0 x 6.4 x 3.1inches
For those looking for an Orbi for their average-sized house, Netgear offers the Orbi RBK40, a smaller, more compact version of the award-winning Orbi that is also more reasonably priced.
A few luxuries that come with the more expensive Orbi, like as USB connections for attaching printers and storage, must be forgone. The smaller, more streamlined Orbi RBK40 still offers exceptional performance and flexibility, however you will experience a little slower performance and a smaller coverage area.
Additionally, it functions with every Orbi product that Netgear sells, including the Orbi Voice and Alexa-enabled indoor and outdoor extensions. Additionally, if the 4,000 square feet of coverage provided by the two Orbi RBK40 units is insufficient to cover your complete home, you may add a plug-in extension to fill in the gaps.
Editor’s recommendations
- Linksys Velop AX4200 WiFi 6 mesh system (3-pack) review
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- Meshforce M7 tri-band whole home mesh WiFi system (3 pack) review
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