The best Wi-Fi routers of 2023: Netgear, TP-Link, more

Netgear Orbi tech specs: 3 Gbps speed | tri-band | coverage up to 5,000 sq ft | Netgear security and parental controls | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands

Mesh home Wi-Fi networks are increasing in popularity as we adopt smart connected devices and streaming services in our homes. Mesh topologies can improve the stability and interconnections between IoT devices by working with “nodes” placed around the home, reducing blind spots and buffering issues.

While mesh Wi-Fi devices do not always offer the same advanced settings or features as some traditional routers, they can be suitable for those who have a home office in an area with a weak Wi-Fi signal, or those competing for streaming capacity.

The Orbi's strength is its coverage, which can extend up to 5,000 sq ft, supporting up to 25 devices. The tri-band, MU-MIMO router offers decent Wi-Fi speeds on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It is powered by a quad-core ARM processor and comes with 512MB RAM on Wi-Fi 6. The included Ethernet port provides 1GB connectivity.

The Netgear Orbi can be purchased with standard specifications, or you can upgrade to the premium “Ultra Performance” range, which extends coverage and the number of devices connected via satellite bolt-ons, each of which expands coverage by up to 2,500 sq ft.

The Netgear Orbi should be considered when more than one person is competing for broadband resources, such as when multiple occupants are working from home, or children need stable connections for learning. It also includes parental controls and the option to adopt Netgear Armor.

See the review: Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 AX4200 hands-on