The Orbi RBE973 Wi-Fi Router Is That Good

Despite all the hype around 5G over the past few years, Wi-Fi technology is still essential to connecting people.

Wi-Fi 7 could be a game changer for the future, offering unheard-of levels of speed, reliability, and efficiency.

My 30-day experience with the new Mesh Router Orbi RBE973, a set of three 970 series devices, confirms what makes Wi-Fi 7 so exciting and how it could completely change how we connect and interact.

The Orbi RBE973, Netgear’s first Wi-Fi 7 mesh kit, surprised me in a way I didn’t expect based on previous experience with routers—Orbi’s previous and highly rated Wi-Fi 6 and 6E.

With features such as 6GHz integration, wide data channels, quad-band design, and 4K QAM operations, the Orbi RBE973 router and two mesh network nodes provide the latest wireless LAN technology. The company also sells single and double packs, although the price isn’t outrageous (more on that later).

The result is a high-speed connection approaching 2 Gbps. Indeed, its lightning-fast data transfer speeds can make a traditional Gigabit Ethernet cable look boring, making it ideal for users with a fast Internet connection.

The Orbi RBE973 mesh kit is the best option for a small to medium-sized home because while it is the fastest up close, it is disappointing in terms of long range.

This results poorly considering Netgear’s 90-day support policy and a one-year warranty. Considering that the Orbi RBE973 triple kit costs $2,300, much higher than the most expensive Wi-Fi 7 router on the market, that price can be considered a steal on the highway.

Standout Specs of the Orbi RBE973 Router

The Orbi RBE973’s quad-band design allows it to transmit 16 different data streams with a 4×4 data stream. Its 12 amplified isotropic antennas create a 360-degree radiation pattern that measures evenly in all directions. The RBE970 family communicates from the satellite to the host router via a 5 GHz wireless repeater channel.

The router regulates traffic, using some 6 GHz bands as needed. There’s a catch, however: the 6GHz frequency can accommodate more data using its 240MHz data transmission system instead of the expected 160MHz data channels.

On the other hand, the Orbi RBE973 has nothing to do with the biggest problem facing Wi-Fi 7. The fact is that there are several options available for consumer devices that can take advantage of the performance capabilities offered by the new Wi-Fi.

During my three-week study, I used a OnePlus 11 provided by Netgear, and while it had a slight speed hit, it worked well with Wi-Fi 7 devices.

Unfortunately, laptops with Wi-Fi 7 may not arrive until late 2024, when major PC OEMs refresh their laptop lineups for the holidays.

The Orbi RBE973 similarly demonstrated a real-world distance of 15 feet. The data pigs should be happy about this.

Wi-Fi Performance Comparison

To compare and demonstrate Wi-Fi 6E compatibility, an iPhone 15 Pro Max was placed 15 feet from an Orbi RBE973 router and received 1.5476 Gbps of data. Even though it’s back, the results are still impressive, considering the device is one generation behind Wi-Fi 7. Here are the results from an unofficial speed test on the Netgear RBEK960E (Wi-Fi 6E) I used Last year:

In my informal online persuasion test, in which I streamed CNN on an iPad Pro, played movies on a new MacBook Pro, and played a few Netflix movies on a Dell XPS laptop, there were no problems. This is a severe stress test, but audio and video had no glitches or lags.

Temperatures never rose above 94 degrees Fahrenheit on the Orbi RBRE973 units. However, they were warm to the touch. No downtime to save energy; The host router consumes about 20 W during operation, and the satellite nodes consume about 11 W each.

Considering the average US electricity bill is 16 cents per kilowatt-hour, your annual electricity bill would be $60. Depending on where you live, $60 is a small price to pay for a decent router.

Final Thoughts

Orbi’s new RBE973 is the first router I’ve used that comes close to, and in some cases delivers on, the promise of wireless-like performance.

Netgear reveals that its new Orbi 970 Series mesh system (of three sets) supports 200 connected devices—an unimaginable number, in my opinion, even for the most tech-savvy customers—spanning 10,000 square feet, 10% more than the 960 Series.

Satellites can be installed to increase coverage. Each additional Orbi 970 satellite covers up to 3,300 square feet and has one 10 GB Ethernet connection and two 2.5 GB Ethernet connections, providing high performance and reliability for multiple connected devices, making Wi-Fi True multi-fi. However, most consumers do not use this.

However, for example, it gives me hope that the maximum performance that the Wi-Fi 7 protocol can provide is worth the wait, and the fastest mesh kit on the market right now is Netgear’s Orbi RBE973.

In addition to supporting 4K QAM modulation, 6GHz transmission, and 320MHz data channels, it also takes full advantage of these new methods to transmit more data. He was the first to break the 2 Gbps barrier – the wireless equivalent of a man on the moon.

Orbi RBE973: Key Takeaways

• Revolutionary performance delivers wired speeds.
• The extensive coverage supports 200 devices and covers an area of 10,000 square feet.
• Expanded connectivity with Gigabit Wi-Fi capability through additional satellites.
• Speed improvements: exceeded 2 Gbps for the first time, setting a new standard in wireless technology
• Excellent security is marred by limited warranty and technical support, given the high cost of the product.
• Ideal use case: Small to medium-sized residential spaces and home offices despite extensive coverage.
• High Value: High value but unparalleled performance for investors.

In this regard, the Orbi RBE973 offers many different features, especially with a fast data connection. While Armor’s level of security is among the world’s best for security and protection in a world where malware is rampant, the company’s warranty and support period – especially at a Porsche-like price point – are disappointing, with warranty service only lasting a year.

While it’s far from flawless, its short-term performance in the same or adjacent room is stunning.

Home users in regular homes typically work on laptops, smartphones, or tablets within 20 feet of a router or satellite dish, so this won’t be a display for most people. So, it’s more suitable for a modest-sized home or apartment than a large one, although technically, the Orbi satellites will provide 10,000 square feet of coverage.

At $2,300, the Orbi RBE973 is pricey, but if you can afford it, you won’t be disappointed.