Netgear Orbi Vs Google Wi-Fi – The Best Wi-Fi extenders for optimum upload and download speeds
Want to enjoy seamless online streaming, gaming, and browsing, invest in a powerful Wi-Fi extender that will also offer you extended coverage no matter the number of devices or location.
Unless you are tech-savvy then getting a suitable Wi-Fi extender for your home can be a challenge, worry not though because in the below excerpt we are going to provide you with options between the Netgear Orbi and the Google Wi-Fi. Your only job is to choose one that best suits your home setting and needs.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Netgear Orbi and Google Wi-Fi?
Model |
Netgear Orbi (Winner) |
Google Wi-Fi |
MU-MIMO Beamforming |
Yes |
No |
Speed |
100mbps-Download Speed
35mbps-Upload Speed |
100Mb-Download speeds
700Mb- Upload Speeds |
Warranty |
Limited Hardware Warranty |
Hardware Limited |
Coverage |
5,000 Sq. Ft. |
1,500 Sq. Ft. |
Netgear Orbi Vs Google Wi-fi- How do they compare?
Capacity
To achieve effective coverage with the Google Wi-Fi a lot of consideration is put on the size of the house in square feet. The reason being the larger the home the more Google Wi-Fi you are going to need. So if you have a small home (500-1500sq. ft.) one Google Wi-Fi will seamlessly cater to your needs.
A bigger home that measures 1500-3000 sq. ft will need up to two Google Wi-Fi to achieve maximum coverage with maximum upload and download speeds. And lastly for the large homes measuring between 3000 and 4500 sq. ft, you will have to invest in up to three Google Wi-Fi points. The capacity of the Netgear Orbi seems to have superseded that of the Google Wi-Fi, first because it can accommodate more than 25 devices connected to the same network.
And provide coverage of up to 5,000 sq. ft. The above, therefore, enables one to roam around their house without experiencing downtimes while using the internet. And to enhance network coverage and offer smooth experience, users are provided with the option of additional satellites but with extra charges.
By investing in the above, users will be able to enjoy an extended coverage of up to 2,500 sq. ft. You might be tempted to think that since the Netgear Orbi can accommodate more devices then it must be compromising the quality, well, on the contrary, the Wi-Fi extender will instead stream on all the connected devices simultaneously without negatively impacting on the speeds, and in the process pack and schedule data.
Positioning in relation to signal strength
Once you decide to invest in a Wi-Fi extender, it is only logical that you find the best position to get the most out of it. For the Google Wi-Fi, you will have to choose a position that is elevated and of plain view, for example, you could place it on a shelf and ensure that there are no books or anything that could interfere with the network signals.
And in case you are using more than one Google Wi-Fi point then it would be best if they were placed at least two rooms away from each other. what’s more is that you need to ensure that your Wi-Fi point is placed in a central point and at an eye-level, this is to ensure even coverage in all the rooms that are connected to the network.
When it comes to the Netgear Orbi, positioning tends to be a little bit different from that of Google Wi-Fi. So the most important thing to keep in mind while positioning your Netgear Orbi is that it should be at the center of your house. Netgear does have some recommendations when it comes to positioning the satellites, but if your house is not featured in the recommended designs then it will be of benefit to you if you placed the unit at the center or in any area of your house that is close to the center.
Application and other support systems
So your Netgear Orbi is going to need some assistance before it is up and running and here you will download to your smartphone the Netgear Orbi application. With the above, you will be able to personalize your system and install the mesh system in just a few responsive steps.
After completing the setup process you will be provided with a dashboard and it is from here that you will be able to tweak the various settings, for example, you could set up the smart parental control feature and keep a hawk’s eye on the activities that your kids are undertaking while interacting with the internet.
And if you are experiencing downtimes then you will be able to check on the download and upload speeds via the speed test feature. Even more interesting is that the Netgear Orbi gives its users the liberty to decide who joins the network and even pause the internet on the various devices that are connected to the network.
The Google Wi-Fi on the other end runs with an application that you will have to download by first creating a Google account, then ensure that you have either an Android tablet that runs Android 6.0 and higher or an android phone that runs android 5.0 or higher or an iPhone or iPad with iOS 11.0 going up. You will then access the latest version of the Google home application that is available.
The next step is to set up your Nest Wi-Fi router but ensure that you have a working modem that is also connected to the internet. Now download the Google Home application, and set up the device in your home. The setting up of Google Wi-Fi is a detailed process that needs to be followed keenly if you are to benefit from the unit. Other features such as parental control and guest network features are also enabled in the Google Wi-fi.
Setting up the Netgear Orbi seems to be a bit easier than setting up the Google Wi-Fi, so for the individuals who are not tech-savvy and would like a quick setup of reliable Wi-Fi coverage then the Orbi system will suffice.
Range and security features
The different types of Netgear’s Orbi whole mesh Wi-Fi systems cover different ranges, for example, the Orbi Wi-Fi 6 system AX6000, will cater to 7,500 sq. ft. The above then offers up to 4x increased network capacity to take in more devices and this could be a good range for commercial purposes or convenient for an office setting.
Now when it comes to Google Wi-Fi, you will be able to access a range of up to 2,200 Square feet and when you are using points then each of them is going to add about 1,600 square feet. Now a very swift competitive edge provided by Google Wi-Fi that far surpasses the Netgear Orbi in terms of coverage is the wireless radio.
The latter is known to support different smart devices, thus users can shout commands that will be implemented in more than one device. Despite the wireless radio, Netgear Orbi offers a variety of range options when compared to Google’s Wi-Fi.
Security
The Google Wi-Fi has been equipped with stand up security features, one which is the firewall that has been designed to create a barrier between your Wi-Fi network and the internet. The above protects data from unsolicited connections or outside connection attempts.
Other security measures installed on the Google Wi-Fi are the WPA2 and the WPA3 security, the above are meant to secure the Wi-Fi network. Users will also get to enjoy the automatic updates and the Transport Layer Security (TLS) that offers communications security over a computer network. TLS is thus responsible for the secure delivery of data over the internet avoiding possible alteration.
The Netgear Orbi, on the other hand, has been equipped with the Dos attack prevention, which keeps off the unwarranted users. There is also the WPA and the WPA2-PSK, automatic firmware updates are also available that prevent unsolicited access. The unit will also need an administrator password change, which prevents unauthorized access to the network. The security features implemented by both companies are meant to prevent outside access and keep off unnecessary traffic.
Netgear Orbi vs Google Wi-Fi- A comparison Overview
The Google Wi-Fi
- A new type of connected system for seamless WiFi coverage throughout your home, helping eliminate dead...
- Replaces your current router, and works your modem and internet service. It’s compatible with major...
Google Wi-Fi is a product from one of the most reputable companies; the unit is a single Wi-Fi point that offers coverage of up to 1,500 sq. ft. The good thing about the extender’s coverage is that they have been designed to specifically cater to a predetermined range and if your house is bigger, then you can simply add the Wi-Fi points to achieve more coverage.
Google has also ensured to obliterate latency via the network assist feature on the Google Wi-Fi extender. The advanced software will work behind the scenes in selecting the clearest channel and the fastest band for the devices in your network. Another important feature is the companion application that allows users to share their passwords with other members of their homes or guests.
Users are also able to prioritize the devices connected to their networks. Parental control is also enabled, which comes in handy for parents who have to keep tabs on their kids and ensure that they strictly observe meal and sleep times.
Pros
- Incorporated a network assist technology
- Enables full house coverage with the 3pack router replacements
- Gives individuals the freedom to customize their Wi-Fi settings
- Equipped with a family control feature
Cons
- The unit lacks a web interface
- The setup application is a bit complex
The Netgear Orbi
- 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...
Households with many family members will greatly benefit from this unit because of its capabilities to provide seamless HD streaming to more than one device with zero latency, even for those who are gaming. And with up to 5,000sq ft coverage users can stream from different locations of their houses or when roaming within the home.
And apart from the high speeds, and signal strength, there is also the incorporated beamforming technology that prioritizes the devices that need the internet the most and ensures that it is concentrated on the relevant devices. Setting up the Wi-Fi system does not involve a steep learning curve thus making it comfortable to use even for the new users.
Pros
- Can be used with Alexa
- Obliterates the emergence of dead zones
- Works well with all the internet providers
- Covers up to 5,000 sq. ft.
Cons
- The unit disconnects frequently because of firmware problems
- The unit takes long to connect during set up and in case of a new firmware it goes off
Conclusion
Before you invest in any of the discussed Wi-Fi extenders above, ensure that you have gathered the necessary set up knowledge, and go with the one that is easy to put up, but also fits your home internet needs. There are differences in range in terms of coverage that you might want to consider, remember that if you are to go with the Google nest then more rooms in your house will enjoy strong signal strength.
Also, ensure that the incorporated security features will cater to your needs whether you want data protection or to prevent unsolicited access.
Verdict: so which is the best? The Netgear Orbi or the Google Wi-Fi
From our comparison chart above it is obvious that Google Wi-Fi offers faster upload and download speeds, but let us not also forget that the service providers have a lot to contribute when it comes to achieving higher speeds. With that in mind, the Netgear Orbi is the best option when compared to the Google Wi-Fi.
Netgear offers wider coverage from Google Wi-Fi, and it has also been incorporated with the beamforming technology that seeks to ensure that the high priority devices are catered to. Besides, with the Google Wi-Fi, you have to deal with three units while the Netgear Orbi only offers two units with comprehensive coverage and an easy setup process.
FAQs
- Is Google Nest Wi-Fi better than Google Wi-Fi?
If you are looking for a high performing router from Google then the Nest Wi-Fi is your best option.
- Does Orbi enhance the Wi-Fi speeds?
Orbi utilizes the Tri-band Wi-Fi systems; the above is part of the reason why the orbi satellite access points deliver faster internet speeds.
