Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E in practical test: Expensive 6 gigahertz WiFi
In the summer of 2021, the Federal Network Agency also released the 6 gigahertz frequency for WLAN connections in Germany – and thus laid the basis for the use of Wifi 6E. Because the new WLAN standard not only transmits in the 2.4 and 5 gigahertz frequency bands, but also at 6 gigahertz. The frequency offers fresh space for compatible devices and, as a side effect, relieves the crowded 2.4 and 5 gigahertz frequencies. Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E is one of the earliest WLAN hardware with the new standard – and costs half a fortune: the set of three devices costs 1,700 euros! How do the expensive Orbis fare in practical tests?
The best WiFi repeaters
AVM
Details about the test
Per
Fast WiFi
Long range
against
Slightly high power consumption
telecom
Details about the test
Per
Very high speed
Clever mesh features
against
No third WLAN radio unit
AVM
Details about the test
Per
High speed at 5 gigahertz
Clever WLAN optimization
against
Speed at 2.4 gigahertz “only” solid
AVM
Details about the test
Per
Fast WiFi
mesh features
against
Requires dedicated space to set up
AVM
Details about the test
Per
Very fast wifi ac
Clever WiFi functions
against
Only one LAN connection
WLAN-n does not keep up with ac
Netgear
Details about the test
Per
Three frequency ranges
Four LAN ports
against
weaknesses in reception
Very large case
telecom
Details about the test
Per
Clever WLAN functions (incl. Mesh)
Very fast wifi ac
against
Lame WLAN-n
No guest network
AVM
Details about the test
Per
Good WiFi performance
Easy setup and operation
against
LEDs do not show connection to the router in detail
Only one LAN connection
TP link
Details about the test
Per
Extremely fast
Easy setup
against
Few clever functions
No wireless guest network
Complete List: The Best WiFi Repeaters
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E in practical test: seamless WiFi mesh
The tested set of three Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E (model number: RBKE963) consists of a router and two repeaters and is a so-called mesh system. The idea behind it: Users connect the Orbi router to an existing modem (router) because it does not have its own modem. The repeaters distribute the users in the house. All Orbis then establish a connection with each other and set up a uniform WLAN. This always automatically connects devices in the fastest frequency (band steering) to the Orbi with the strongest signal (access point steering). It’s best to turn off the old router’s WiFi so it doesn’t interfere with the Orbi WiFi.
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E comes in black and white.
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E: features
Each Orbi has four Wi-Fi radios that combine to achieve a whopping theoretical speed of up to 10,800 megabits per second (Mbps): one 2.4 gigahertz unit at 1,200 Mbps, two 5 gigahertz units at 2,400 Mbps each, and a 6 gigahertz unit with 4,800 Mbps. The orbs are connected to one another with one of the 5 gigahertz units, the other radio units are available for devices. Each Orbi has a particularly fast LAN connection with 2,500 Mbps and three additional LAN ports with Gigabit speed (1,000 Mbps). The Orbi router has another 10,000 Mbps connection for connecting to the modem.
The Orbis offer numerous LAN connections.
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E: WLAN speed in practice test
The speed of Wifi 6E corresponds to that of the predecessor Wifi 6 (WLAN-ax): up to 1,201 megabits per second (Mbps) per antenna stream with a channel bandwidth of 160 megahertz. The range of the 6 gigahertz frequency is slightly less than that of 5 gigahertz. COMPUTER BILD recorded the WLAN speed with the “AVM FritzApp WLAN” from the Orbi to various smartphones. With its top antenna equipment, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus managed up to 1,155 Mbps via Wifi 6E – a strong result that usually only PCs with PCI network cards achieve in the test. The Realme GT Neo 2 5G achieved up to 653 Mbps in the 5 gigahertz frequency band with Wifi 6. With the Google Pixel 5, up to 392 Mbps were possible via Wifi 5 (WLAN-ac).
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E in practical test: WLAN optimization
NETGEAR ORBI WiFi 6E uses some well-known features to streamline WiFi management and speed things up. Thanks to multi-user MIMO, data can be exchanged in parallel with several devices, and with beamforming, the Orbis send data in a targeted manner and faster. There are also some improvements to Wifi 6E, which the predecessor Wifi 6 also has: Neighboring routers get in each other’s way less (Basic Service Set Coloring, BSS Coloring for short), data packets are sent more efficiently (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access, OFDMA) and end devices use a new WLAN standby mode to reduce battery consumption (Target Wake Time, TWT). Very few of the WLAN optimizations from Wifi 6E bring an advantage at home – they come into their own where a large number of devices come together, for example at airports or in football stadiums.
The setup via app is very easy.
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E in practical test: setup, operation, functions
The easiest way is to use the Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E with the manufacturer’s app. Detailed settings can only be made via browser. Here, too, some fine adjustments are missing – such as the output of the individual frequency ranges as separate SSIDs. Set-up is simple thanks to easy-to-understand step-by-step instructions, but Orbi owners must first create a user account with Netgear – which is actually unnecessary. Great idea: The Orbis not only have a WLAN guest network, but also an “IoT WLAN”. This allows potentially insecure smart home devices to be connected to the Internet separately from the home network. Stupid: Parental control and other security functions are only available with a paid subscription to the cloud protection Bitdefender Armor, which costs 100 euros per year – actually a cheek given the high price of the device.
Among other things, the Orbis have an “IoT WLAN” for smart home devices.
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E in practice test: conclusion
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E impresses with its very high WiFi speed and the simple setup and operation. The clever mesh functions always optimally connect devices in the Orbi network. When it comes to fine-tuning, Netgear leaves its users little freedom. Some functions are only available with a paid subscription. Editor’s assessment: good.
Positive:
Four WLAN radio units
Very high WiFi performance
Clever WiFi mesh features
Lots of LAN ports
Setup and operation easy
Negative:
Few fine adjustments
Some features cost extra
Very expensive
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6E: price and release
Orbi WiFi 6E is exclusive to NETGEAR. The set of three with the model number RBKE963 costs 1,699.99 euros. A set of four (RBKE964) will be available from March 16, 2022 at a price of 2,399.99 euros. For a single Orbi with WiFi 6E for retrofitting, the manufacturer calls 699.99 euros.
