Netgear’s latest Orbi Mesh WiFi 6E (model RBKE963) now supports WiFi 6E and a quad-band backhaul network that’s likely to leave a lot of the competition in the dust.
Creating a mesh network is an excellent tactic to build seamless network coverage. Your WiFi devices automatically use the best access point at any given time and switch as you move around the home. It is similar to how phones switch to the best 4G/5G cell towers, but for WiFi.
WiFi 6E brings the 6 GHz band, in addition to 5GHz and 2.4Ghz. That 6 GHz band has about twice the bandwidth with the 5GHz one, so there’s a considerable upside potential as you add newer (compatible) devices.
At the same, keep in mind that not all WiFi mesh networks are created equal. Netgear’s Orbi has dedicated data streams for the access points to communicate among themselves. This strategy is more expensive as it requires more radio hardware, but it ensures optimal peak performance for advanced users.
Some competitors do not have a dedicated link, and some of the inter-node bandwidth is “stolen” from your peak capacity.
In addition to exceptional theoretical WiFi performance, each access point is also equipped with 10Gbps Ethernet, something that even expensive laptops don’t have today. However, since users have kept their routers for many years, 10Gb Ethernet is something great to include for those who buy today.
Nodes can also connect via an internal Ethernet wiring in the home before delivering WiFi to your devices. If your home is wired, it’s a formidable option.
If this is anything like the Netgear AX12 that I’m familiar with, the setup and configuration should be straightforward via the app or a local web interface. Updating the firmware for security reasons is also super easy to do.
Depending on your interior, you could select the Black or White color, and while the price is relatively high ($1499.99 for a 3-points kit), it might just be the best WiFi Mesh system you can get today.
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