This headline might seem hyperbolic, but after you take a quick glance at the specs of the new Orbi WiFi 6E Quad Band Mesh Router System, this caption might not sound so over-the-top.
Netgear’s latest addition to its popular Orbi mesh networking lineup will challenge not only the performance envelope of today’s wireless home networks, but it’s also going to test what consumers are willing to pay. More on the new Orbi’s price point in a moment, but let’s concentrate on the specs and performance claims of this new WiFi router system.
Netgear unveiled the Orbi Quad-Band Mesh WiFi 6E router (RBKE963) earlier this week. What you’ll get is 10.8Gbps of aggregated bandwidth across the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz (new to the party) bands. The backhaul band (which comprises the intermediate links between the core network and small subnetworks at the edge of the network) will run at WiFi 6 speeds to ensure that the core transmission frequencies run flawlessly. With these types of bandwidth speeds, a typical home network with the new Orbi WiFi 6E router could effortlessly outperform a mainstream internet connection, even if a household utilizes multi-gigabit service (which few homes do).
Out of the gate, the Orbi WiFi 6E system will only be available in a three-pack that includes the router and two satellites. This three-pack provides a massive 9,000 square feet of coverage (an increase from the 7,500 square feet wireless umbrella that the current WiFi 6 model supports). In addition, WAN Ethernet support has been increased to 10Gbps, with the system’s Ethernet ports (both on the router and satellites) to enhance bandwidth for hard-wired devices. Netgear has also gone an additional step by supporting the creation of four unique WiFi networks. These networks can be dedicated as a 6E-only network to guarantee that the latest devices operate at optimum speed. The Orbi WiFi 6E can also comprehend a specific IoT network for low-speed smart home products to avoid network traffic congestion with other high-speed devices.
From a design standpoint, this new Orbi router still reflects the sleek, modern look that few people will have an issue with placing in their living room, home office or bedroom.
Are you willing to pay more for a router than your computer or smartphone?
The new Orbi WiFi 6E router bundle can be pre-ordered now directly from Netgear, and it should be available in retail stores for the holidays. You’ll have to pay a whopping $1,500 for the initial bundle. Additional satellites will set you back $599.
Clearly, Netgear is positioning the new Orbi WiFi 6E as the ultimate premium wireless router for homes and small businesses. Now that the FCC opened up the 6GHz band for unlicensed use back in 2020, performance-oriented users will be attracted to using the interference-free 6GHz band as a “wireless autobahn” that is quite adept at transmitting large amounts of data for the latest Internet usage models.
The new Orbi router supports the latest WPA3 security standards and includes a 30-day trial version of Netgear Armor, which provides device-unique threat scans and other desirable security features. Orbi’s mesh router lineup has an enviable reputation for easy product setup despite all the performance and power. Intriguingly, the new Orbi. WiFi 6E router does not currently support Apple HomeKit Secure Video, Matter and Thread. Netgear’s explanation for the lack of support for these protocols at launch is the current fragmented nature of smart home protocols but doesn’t rule out support for these standards in the future. However, the RBKE963 does work with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice platforms.
A few closing thoughts
At $1,500 for the three-pack, the new Orbi WiFi 6E is the BMW of router solutions. The in-home wireless router space is, in some ways, bifurcating. Performance users are willing to pay top dollar for extreme wireless connectivity. At the same time, “managed WiFi” offerings (from companies such as Calix and its partners) are being marketed in the belief that most mainstream consumers don’t have the expertise, energy or time to be the “CIO” of their domiciles. “Managed WiFi” offerings typically involve the ISP playing a stronger “oversight” role with software (firmware) updates, security patches and managed parental control capabilities via a universal app. This implementation typically involves a monthly subscription fee with the ISP furnishing the router hardware and providing support services.
With a $1,500 price point, the new Orbi WiFi 6E will be overkill for most mainstream users. But if future-proofing your home for the most demanding internet applications (such as competitive online gaming and future AR/VR-related applications) remains a high-priority interest, the Orb WiFi 6E will be right up your alley...if you can afford it.
