NetgearOrbi Vs Linksys Velop 2019 – Which router best suits your needs?
Slow internet and down times can be very frustrating. To deal with this problem, you can use either of these routers: NetgearOrbi or Linksys Velop. In the following article, we are going to look in-depth at both of them and see which the faster router is.
The NetgearOrbi and Linksys mesh routers are two of the top mesh systems in the wireless technology market today. They are widely compared due to their similarities and many people often wonder which the better of the two is. We have all been frustrated by slow internet and know how irritating it can be, especially in your own house. If you are tired of slow internet at home especially if you have a big house where internet doesn’t get to every nook and cranny, consider investing in a WIFI mesh network system. A WIFI mesh network system covers much more area and is more reliable than one single router in the whole house. WIFI mesh network systems were introduced to improve network connectivity. Routers can often be slow and suffer dead zones even over short range.
The NetgearOrbi and Linksys Velop are widely compared due to their similarities and closeness in functionality. However, they vary in a number of things as seen in the following section.
Table of Contents
What are the Differences between the NetgearOrbi and Linksys Velop 2019?
Model |
NetgearOrbi (Winner) |
Linksys Velop |
Area Coverage |
5000, 7000, 10000 sq.ft (depending on kit |
2000, 4000, 6000 sq.ft (depending on kit) |
WIFI Speed |
3000 Mbps (combined) |
2200 Mbps (combined) |
Ports |
1 WAN, 3 LAN (Router), 4 LAN (Satellite) |
1 WAN, 1 LAN |
Radio Freq. Support |
2.4 GHz, 5 GHz (AC3000) |
2.4 GHz, 5 GHz (AC2200) |
Availability |
NetgearOrbi Vs Linksys Velop 2019 – How do they compare?
The NetgearOrbi and Linksys are both amazing and recommendable mesh WIFI systems. However, they differ in some of their functionalities, performance and other aspects. The following shows how they compare.
Package size
One of the major differences between these two systems is the packages they come in. This also means that they differ in roles and functionality as we’ll see later. The Linksys Velop comes in the following package: one unit, two unit and a three unit package. The NetgearOrbi on the other hand comes in the following package: one router, a router and a satellite and as a router and two satellites.
The Linksys is a mesh system and therefore all the nodes (routers) are identical and perform the same functions. This means that you can connect any of the units to the internet then use the remaining ones as nodes.
Design Features
The NetgearOrbi and Linksys differ in their exterior design. The NetgearOrbi goes for an oval vertical design that is shaped like an irregular cylinder while the Linksys is a vertical cuboid with slanting edges. In some way, their design is similar with just slight differences in shape. However, they are both white in color. On both devices, the brand name is scribbled in small fonts at the bottom of the router. They are also both made from white plastic with a matte finish to avoid any fingerprints on the surface.
The Linksys Velop is slightly smaller and lighter in weight than the Orbi. It measures 3.1 x 3.1 x 7.3 inches and weighs just 1.08 lbs. The Orbi on the other hand measures 6.67 x 2.36 x 8.89 inches and weighs almost double the Velop at 1.96 lbs. This makes it more stable and a better fit for placing on a crowded area. The Linksys Velop should not be placed on a high traffic area as it is lighter and smaller and therefore easy to knock off balance.
The Linksys has small punctured holes on each sides that act as ventilation systems for the router. This is an amazing feature as these devices usually need constant airflow to cool the always-on parts of the system. This is a common feature even in other Linksys devices. Netgear’sOrbi has way fewer ventilation holes and instead uses large grills at the bottom. These are not as effective as Linksys’ holes. There have been however been no complains on the heat distribution of either devices.
Both routers have a rubber padding at the base to prevent them from slipping and falling off surfaces they are placed on.
When it comes to notification, both routers have LED indicator lights that indicate the status of the device. The Linksys Velop has a small round light at the top that displays different LED light colors depending on the status. A purple light means the node is connected to the mobile app. A flashing red light means the router has lost internet connection. And if the light is yellow, this means the node has been placed too far. For Netgear’sOrbi, a magenta color means there is no internet connection. If the satellite LED is also magenta, it means it cannot connect to the router unit. Id the light is off, everything is working okay.
Another element that should be noted when dealing with the Linksys Velop and Netgear’sOrbi is the nature of their antennas. The antennas are responsible for sending wireless signals across the area involved, so their presence is a crucial part of the design. Though the antennas in both the Linksys Velop and Netgear’sOrbi accommodate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bandwidths which are fairly suitable for residential needs, the nature of their installation means that they cannot be modified. The fact that they can’t be detached means that you can’t upgrade this sector when looking to increase the strength of your signal. If you want to enhance your bandwidth in this manner, you’re just going to have to acquire another option in the market. However, this is not a big issue as most people opting for this router will probably not be thinking of implementing strange or unique alterations to the device.
Hardware Capacity
Linksys is equipped with a quad core Qualcomm IPQ4019 chip with 512 of RAM and 4 GB of flash storage capacity. The NetgearOrbi on the other hand uses the same chip built on a Qualcomm Atheros system. It comes with 512 MB of RAM and a similar 4 GB of flash memory. Both the flash memory chipsets are made by Samsung.
Since the Linksys Velop was built to also act as a hub for smart home devices, it comes with inbuilt Zigbee technology to communicate with these smart devices. The NetgearOrbi does not have this feature. Instead, they both have Bluetooth wireless technology.
Range and Capacity
The Linksys Velop on paper is said to have a speed of 400 Mbps when using the 2.4GHz radio band and 867 Mbps when using the 5GHZ radio band. The NetgearOrbi on the other hand features a speed transfer rate of 400 Mbps when using the 2.4GHz radio band and 867 Mbps when using the 5GHZ radio band.
When it comes to area of coverage, the Orbi takes the cake with a range of 5000, 7000, 10000 square feet depending on kit. This does not however mean that the Linksys is slow. It is fast and will work as good as the Orbi. It has an area coverage of 2000, 4000, 6000 square feet depending on kit.
Features and Performance
While both of these mesh routers are remarkably fast, the NetgearOrbi is slightly ahead of the Linksys Velop. This difference is mainly attributed to the satellite communication system it uses. The Orbi comes with a main unit and a satellite. This satellites provide higher speeds of up to 3000 Mbps over longer distances of 5000, 7000, 10000 square feet depending on kit you have bought.
On the other hand, the Linksys Velop uses a mesh network approach. In fact, it was one of the first systems to use the mesh technology among other such as Eero and Google. And since the Linksys is a triband 2 x 2 router, it almost always performs better than other dual band systems. It provides a powerful signal of up to 2200 Mbps over a long range of 2000, 4000, 6000 square feet depending on kit.
The NetgearOrbi vs Linksys Velop – A comparison review
The NetgearOrbi
- Ultra-performance Mesh WiFi network blankets every inch of your home in super fast and seamless WiFi...
- Eliminates WiFi dead zones and buffering - 5,000 square feet of consistent coverage - with speeds up to...
The NetgearOrbi system is considered a revolutionary system due to its backhaul wireless band system. What this means is that it has a band frequency of up to 5GHz with a link speed of 1.7 Gbps. It is a great system for extremely large houses since it has superb range. It is also quite versatile in its use and comes with a USB port to connect other devices such as printers and scanners. This makes it a fantastic choice for office or workplace use.
This mesh router is known for eliminating dead zones in the house. With a mesh coverage of up to 5000 square feet and a connection with more than 25 devices, the Orbi lets you stay connected on full bars in every room of the house. This area can be extended further using additional satellites. It also works with all internet service providers which is a great plus. This includes all means of connection such as fiber, DSL, satellite, cable and others. With that, the following are its pros and cons
Pros
- It has a dedicated backhaul with a high speed of up to 1.7 Gbps at a frequency of 5GHz
- It is very easy to setup and install using either the web browser or mobile app for both Android and iOS users
- It comes with a wall mount compatibility
- It is versatile and can be connected to peripheral devices such as printers since it has a USB port
- It allows for single name SSID which provides easier connectivity management
- It has been tested and found to be much faster than the Velop
Cons
- The mobile app could use more features
- It has no inbuilt internet service provider modem so you have to connect it to an existing router
Linksys Velop 2019
- Apple HomeKit-Enabled
- Ideal for large, 5plus bedroom multi-story homes (up to 6,000 square feet)
The Linksys Velop2019 is a plug in router that comes as a three piece mesh Wi-Fi system. It is known for its ease of use and being quite affordable for people on a tight budget. On top of that, it has some of the best features and performance among all the midrange mesh router systems.
The Linksys Velop Plug In is the latest addition of the Velop family, and because of this, uses some of the latest technology. It is a tri band system that uses Linksys Intelligent Mesh technology to automatically switch between routers as you walk around the house. It is an AC2200 triband with the two channel bands: 2.4 and 5 GHz. On the 2.4 GHz band, the router can reach a maximum of 400 Mbps while on the latter, it reaches speeds of up to 867 Mbps. It features a powerful processor with 716 MHz quad core powering six internal antennas. On top of that, it supports MUMIMO for simultaneous data streaming and beamforming which allows signals to be sent directly to the client. The beamforming feature for the Linksys is known as Linksys Smart Connect.
Pros
- The Linksys is quick and easy to install and configure
- It supports both app and a web browser management system
- It has the Linksys Smart connect which allows beamforming
- It supports MUMIMO for data streaming
- It is a fast and powerful router with wide range of up to 5000 sq. feet
Cons
- The Wifi signal significantly weakens over long range
- It has limited parental controls
- The hubs do not have LAN ports
Conclusion
All in all, though both routers offer great value for money, the Orbi is arguably slightly ahead of the Linksys Velop when seeking affordable routers. The implementation of the new Qualcomm QCA9886 chipset enables it to offer Beamforming and MU-MIMO.
Verdict: So which is better? The NetgearOrbi or Linksys Velop
The NetgearOrbitakes the lead when it comes to choosing a reliable router for your home. This is because it offers faster speeds at both long and short range. The Linksys Velop is great for people looking for a =n affordable router with top class performance.
FAQs
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Do both of these systems come with Zigbee capabilities?
No. Since only the Linksys Velop was built to also act as a hub for smart home devices, it comes with inbuilt Zigbee technology to communicate with these smart devices.
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Does any of these routers overheat?
No. Both of these routers come with ventilation points. The Orbi is however more susceptible to overheating as it does not have many insulation points.
