Why You Can Trust CNET Netgear's new Orbi Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System is arriving soon for $700
Netgear's next-gen Wi-Fi mesh network system arrives in October. It's faster with compatible devices and offers four times the capacity of a Wi-Fi 5 network.
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The Orbi Wi-Fi 6 system includes a router and satellite for $700.
Netgear's Orbi Whole Home Wi-Fi Mesh System is one of the better Wi-Fi mesh network systems on the market. Now the company is releasing its next-generation Orbi Wi-Fi 6, which offers not only higher wireless speeds but four times the capacity. Alas, there are caveats: You'll need an ultrafast internet connection and Wi-Fi 6-enabled devices to fully take advantage of all that speed -- and not many of you are there right now. It's also expensive: The Orbi Wi-Fi 6 costs $700 for a bundle that includes a router and one satellite. It's due to ship in the next month or so.
The ports on the back of the router.
Along with the enhanced network speed and increased capacity, Netgear says Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax (the sixth generation of 802.11) is more energy-efficient and doesn't drain the battery life of your mobile devices nearly as much as Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) does. Right now, only the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Note 10 smartphones lines are Wi-Fi 6-enabled. Google's Pixel 4 phone, rumored to arrive in October, may also be Wi-Fi 6-enabled. But it's unclear if the new iPhones being announced next week will be.
Locating local internet providers
Netgear also makes other Wi-Fi 6 routers, including the $600 Nighthawk AX12. We'll have a full review of the new Orbi 6 when it's released in October.
Key specs
- Bundle includes Wi-Fi 6 router and one Wi-Fi 6 satellite
- 2.2GHz quad-core processor
- AX6000 tri-band Wi-Fi system
- 12 Wi-Fi 6 streams
- 1 x 2.4Gbps WAN port (router), plus 4 x 1Gbps LAN ports (router and satellite)
- Wall-mountable (accessory sold separately)
- VLAN-based guest network separation
- Price: $700
- Availability: October
