Verdict
Yes , you study the cost right : the Netgear Orbi 970 Series ( RBE973S ) is a staggeringly expensive engagement organisation that will cost you more than a massive video . That alone will think of most people will release away . Those that want a Wi - Fi 7 mesh system that can cope with today ’s needs and tomorrow ’s demands , wo n’t be disappointed with the stunning public presentation and array of fast Ethernet port .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
There ’s no messing about with the Netgear Orbi 970 Series ( RBE973S ): it ’s a super - powered Wi - Fi 7 mesh system , with a broad reach of loyal Ethernet interface , construct to deliver the throughput that tomorrow ’s machine and broadband connections will require .
Simple to control and manage , and with staggering throughputs , this is the ultimate interlock system for those who can give it .
Design and Build Quality
The Netgear Orbi 970 Series ( RBE973S ) is usable in smutty and also in the white version that I have on review . This is the three - gang , which comes with one router and two artificial satellite for a stupefying ( £ 2199.99/$2299.99 ) . Yes , you read that right .
For pocket-sized abode , there ’s a two - pack rendering that costs £ 1499.99/$1699.99 Overall , the Netgear Orbi 970 Series ( RBE973S ) is a spate more expensive than theEero Max 7system , where you could purchase a three - pack for slenderly more than Orbi ’s two - pack .
Part of the cause the Orbi system of rules is so much more expensive is because of the excogitation and the technical school used , let in the wider range of ports useable on the system . As usual , for Orbi engagement systems , the 970 series has one router and separate satellites .
Both devices appear the same , using a brand - new purpose with Netgear pass for taller tug that take up less desk outer space .
For the router , there ’s a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port for the WAN connexion , which provides enough headroom for broadband connections right smart into the future , and another 10 Gigabit Ethernet connection , which can be used for devices or for the backhaul .
There are then four 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports for gimmick , so it ’s unlikely that you ’ll also need to have an external transposition .
For the satellites , you get one 10 Gbit Ethernet and two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet porthole , which is sight for most uses .
Features
fix up of the Netgear Orbi 970 Series ( RBE973S ) is no different to any other Orbi system : give notice up the app , scan the QR code and follow the wizard through to plug in the router to your cyberspace , configure the wireless web and get the satellite working .
Satellites can be connected via Ethernet for a wired backhaul , which provides fixed stability and speeding , and also allows you to put one at a longer stove , such as in a garden post .
If you do n’t have the necessary cabling throughout your nursing home , then the satellites can be join wirelessly . As with premature Orbi system , there ’s a dedicated backhaul . In this case , a 4×4 5GHz connection , with a entire throughput of 8647Mbit / s. Plus , the backhaul can be enhanced with the 6GHz connection ( 4×4 , 11,530Mbit / s ) , as per theWi - Fi 7spec .
Otherwise , both the routers and the satellite have a secondary 4×4 5GHz web running at up to 5765Mbit / sec and a 4×4 2.4GHz mesh running at 1147Mbit / s.
be given Wi - Fi 7 , the new system is not backward compatible with the onetime range of Orbi devices . It ’s a shame that older devices ca n’t be used in some grade or another , but the mismatch in applied science would cause issues and potentially slow down the Netgear Orbi 970 Series .
With the rival Eero system , the raw Eero Max 7 can be added to an existing meshwork , with the caveat that lineament and performance can be affect . Overall , if you ’re going to raise to Wi - Fi 7 , then a full upgrade of all devices is the most likely requirement .
With the Orbi system of rules up and running , most control is through the Orbi app . This ferment locally and , if you ’ve connected your organization to your Netgear story , remotely . Controls are a slight canonical : you may see what ’s connected to the scheme and change the Wi - Fi name and toggle the invitee connection .
For more advanced preferences , there ’s the internet interface , which give control over the 2.4GHz and 5GHz meshwork channels ( there ’s no option to adjust the 6GHz band )
Similar to other Orbi systems , there are optional parental controls and security . For the maternal mastery , the standard edition lets you create profile for household members , delegate all of their devices to them . That then gives you a one - touch power to pause internet connexion for a person .
pay up for the higher grade ( £ 6.99 a month or £ 59.99 a year , with whirl often available in - app ) , and you’re able to set fourth dimension limits , schedules and bedtime , as well as track internet access and add filtering . For a menage with kids , the parental controls are a sinewy , if not expensive , tool
Netgear Armor is also available and has a one - month trial . Powered by BitDefender , Armor provides web - wide security scanning , and junk e-mail block . You also get BitDefender as a download for any microcomputer and phones you have .
It ’s a neat integration that seduce indisputable you ’re protected inside and out of your home internet , even if it is a little expensive .
Performance
I test Wi - Fi 7 equipment using aXiaomi 13 T Prophone , as it ’s the only Wi - Fi 7 equipment that I have . Despite having been around for a year , there are still comparatively few Wi - Fi 7 machine available .
Using Wi - Fi 7 , a twist can connect using the 5GHz and 6GHz channels together , for improved speeds . Running an OpenSpeedTest waiter on a computer wired to the Orbi router , I incur speed at close stove average 2334.50Mbit / s.
Moving 5 thou away , up to the first flooring of my house , and near a satellite placed in the landing place , I got speeds of 2047.42Mbit / s. Both results are incredible and are the fastest Wi - Fi 7 speeds that I ’ve seen .
Moving onto the second floor , speeds dropped to 1563.60Mbit / s , which is still fast . Based on the graph below , that ’s not a vast amount dissimilar from the speeds I got with the Eero 7 Max ; however , the Orbi ’s amphetamine are more evenly split , with exchangeable download and upload speeds . In contrast , the Eero Max 7 was relatively obtuse for uploads and faster for downloads .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
Staggering Wi - Fi 7 functioning and a consignment of fast Ethernet port makes this the ultimate net system .
With Wi - Fi 7 gimmick in short supply , you could get fast , stable mesh system for Wi - Fi 6 equipment for a draw less .
Final Thoughts
In every manner , the Netgear Orbi 970 Series is the king of wireless mesh systems , with an incredible raiment of wired ports , and a staggering number of Wi - Fi channel .
When range with Wi - Fi 7 devices , it ’s the fastest system that I ’ve ever tested . The downsides are that you need Wi - Fi 7 devices to realise the full capability and that this interlock organization is passing expensive to the point where it ’ll be out of most hoi polloi ’s price ambit .
If you want the absolute good , this is it , but if you require a fast , honest web system for more readily available kit and broadband connections , check out the template to thebest router .
Trusted Score
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Unlike other site , we test every wireless router we review soundly over an extended period of time . We use diligence standard tests to compare feature properly . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , have money to reexamine a product .
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