Orbi AX6000 vs.Orbi AC3000 – A battle between two mesh router networks
The extensive-coverage mesh systems that use Wi-Fi 6 technology are increasing in the market today, but they come at a disadvantage – they are very expensive. This is the case for all Wi-Fi 6 routers such as the Orbi AX6000 and the premium-end Wi-Fi 5 routers such as the Orbi AC3000, although this might change as time goes by.
But what do these Wi-Fi5 and 6 terms even mean?
These Wi-Fi terms are more of a hybrid, because they allow you to blanket your home in Wi-Fi without resorting to using an access point, range extender, or additional wiring to extend the signal. In the case of the Orbi AX6000 and AC3000, it is primarily through the use of mesh technology – and the biggest advantage is that they will not need separate configuration or management systems for each node.
As for the Wi-Fi 5, it refers to the router using the 802.11ac connection standard, while the Wi-Fi refers to the router using 802.11ax technology. Between these two, the 802.11ax is a latter version compared to the 802.11ac, and promises higher speeds and greater connection reliability – even though this is not always the case in reality.
The Netgear Orbi AX6000 is the most expensive router we have reviewed so far, and it is meant primarily for a larger-size home. It features a mobile app that eases the process of installation and management, and it still gave us a high score in the throughput tests. Despite its numerous advantages, there are things that it under delivers on: especially the glaring lack of parental controls, anti-virus and anti-malware software, device prioritization features, and USB connectivity.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Orbi AX6000 and AC3000?
Orbi AX6000 |
Orbi AC3000 (Winner) |
|
Dimensions (inches) |
10 x 7.5 x 2.8 |
6.7 x 8.9 x 3.1 |
Coverage |
5,000 square feet |
2,000 square feet |
Throughput speeds in close proximity |
862 Mbps (router node), 639 Mbps (satellite node) |
480 Mbps (router node), 470 Mbps (satellite node) |
Upload speeds |
600 Mbps |
500 Mbps |
Download speeds |
1.2 Gbps |
800 Mbps |
Orbi AX6000 vs. AC3000 – How they compare
Design
Similar to previous Orbi models, the AX6000 is in the form of two large-size nodes that communicate with each other through their 5GHz bands, by use of mesh technology. The resulting coverage goes up to 5,000 square feet, and each node measures 10 x 7.5 x 2.8 inches. They also in a white color, along with a status LED near their base and silver trimming.
The LED of the main node glows a solid green color when you switch it on. It also blinks red when the firmware is experiencing issues, solid amber when there is a firmware upgrade or when it is booting, and solid magenta when the connection is lost. As for the satellite node, you will see three colors on the LED – magenta when syncing has failed, amber when the connection is fair, and blue (for 3 minutes) when it establishes a solid connection to the main node.
On the other hand, the AC3000 nodes each measure 8.8 x 6.7 x 3.1 inches, and comes in a two-piece kit, similar to the AX6000 by default. You can also get an individual router, though its coverage goes up to 2,000 square feet.
The AC3000 has six internal antennas in contrast to the AX6000 that has eight, and can give a theoretical throughput speed of 1266 Mbps in a tri-band setup. The third band is what makes this router distinct even other AC routers, as it is considered a backhaul band that caters to communication between the satellite and router, and it is a 5GHz band that reaches speeds of 1733 Mbps.
The LED ring is at the top of the AC3000, rather than the base. When you switch the router on, the ring glows solid white, and it blinks amber when the internet connection is lost. If it glows magenta and blue, it means you have surpassed the internet threshold of traffic, and the light then goes off if everything is fine.As for its satellite router, the light ring will be blue when the router connection is fine, magenta when it loses the connection, and amber when the connection is fair.
The better pick here is the AC3000, and it is particularly because of the LED position that makes it easy to monitor.
Software
The AX6000 is a tri-band system and a 12-stream design which supports the latest technology in Wi-Fi 6 technologies. It also has support for 4×4 MU-MIMO data streaming, beamforming, and can achieve a maximum data rate of a maximum of 1200 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 2400 Mbps on each of its 5GHz bands.
Its parental controls can be considered as basic, thanks to Disney Circle, and it also includes Netgear Armor that protects the network against viruses and malware.As for its web console, you can use it to manually enter URLs that you would like to block, or create access schedules that help you stay organized.
The Orbi AC3000 is similar in many ways, although it has greater levels of control in its mobile app – particularly in the advanced tab. In here, you can set up parental controls (in fact, these are stronger here than what you get in the AX6000), as well as advanced wireless settings.
Again, we find that the AC3000 is a much better choice in the control that the software provides to you, especially in the mobile app.
Performance
There are two things to keep in mind when looking at the speed scores of the Orbi AC3000: you will notice that it uses an automatic band steering system that does not allow separation of 5 and 2.4GHz bands, so the results we got are based on combined speeds, and the other is that the backhaul band results in the same speed in the satellite module as the router module.
In close proximity, the AC3000 turns in a respectable 480 Mbps on average, while the 30-foot distance speed is 223 Mbps. The satellite router in close proximity has a score of 470 Mbps, while the 30-foot speed is 220 Mbps. its MU-MIMO score is also respectable, with a close proximity score of 128 Mbps, and a 30-foot score of 124 Mbps.
On the other hand, the AX6000 has a higher speed generally although the satellite and router node results are different. The router node has a score of 862 Mbps in close proximity, and 324 Mbps at 30 feet. The satellite node has a score of 639 Mbps, and a 30-foot score of 550 Mbps.
In terms of speeds, the AX6000 has a better rating, because the router and satellite nodes still retain high speeds for each, and boost the coverage to a large extent.
Orbi AX6000 vs. AC3000 – A comparison review
Orbi AX6000 – Overview
- Coverage up to 5,000 sq. ft. and for up to 100 devices. Extend coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. with each...
- Ultrafast AX6000 gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and...
If you have a router that struggles to supply a stable Wi-Fi connection even to remote areas of your home, it can be helpful to upgrade it to the Orbi AX6000. This is because it uses the latest technology of 802.11ax, which delivers generally higher throughput than the AC3000 that uses 802.11ac technology. It also includes a variety of LAN ports, a multi-gig WAN port, and the latest WPA3 encryption.
The actual performance does not differ much from other Wi-Fi 6 routers though. It is disappointing to lack important features here yet it is so expensive, which makes it better to invest in a Wi-Fi 5 system and save some money if you are not planning on using Wi-Fi 6 any time soon.
Pros
- Multi-gig WAN port
- Very easy to install
- Solid throughput
- Four LAN ports
Cons
- Very costly
- Lacks QoS, anti-malware, and parental control options
Orbi AC3000 – Overview
- Ultra-performance Mesh WiFi network blankets every inch of your home in super-fast and seamless WiFi...
- Eliminates WiFi dead zones and buffering 7,500 square feet of consistent coverage with speeds up to 3.0...
The Orbi AC3000 is seen as one of the latest players in home Wi-Fi systems, and it has plenty in common with other high-functioning routers. Like the AX6000, it uses a mesh system that consist of one router and satellite routers (can be one or several), with an easy installation mechanism.
They do not come at a cheap price though, which can be discouraging if you are on a budget. With that in mind, the Orbi AC3000 aims to give you the best throughput speeds and plenty of value for money. This is particularly through the use of MU-MIMO data streaming and management options. The thing we do not like though is the USB 2.0 port, which does not work efficiently.
Pros
- Easy installation and management process
- Capable of supporting MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Input, Multiple Output) data streaming
- Very fast throughput speeds
- Very easy to configure
Cons
- Limited USB functionality
- Very bulky design
- Costly
Verdict: So what is better? The Orbi AX6000 or AC3000?
There are plenty of Wi-Fi systems that give an easy alternative to more complex solutions of router/extender types. In light of this, we see that the Orbi AC3000 is the best choice between the two, as both its router and satellite modes have high scores on the speed tests. It does not have the high speeds to the extent of AX6000, but it is a worthwhile investment because of its support of MU-MIMO technology.
FAQs
Does the Orbi AC3000 work well with att internet?
Yes, the good thing is that the Orbi is generally versatile enough to work with any ISP. The only thing is that you need to have proper equipment that can provide the Orbi with an Ethernet connection.
Does the Orbi AX6000 support QoS?
Yes, it does. All Orbi devices support the Wi-Fi Multimedia QoS that places priority on video and voice traffic over Wi-Fi links.
