Netgear Orbi AXE11000 Review: Expensive Mesh Router
- Netgear Orbi AXE11000 is a top-of-the-line Wi-Fi 6E mesh router.
- It is considered one of the best mesh routers, but comes with a high price tag.
- Not necessary for the average consumer due to its high cost.
The Orbi AXE11000 mesh router has emerged as a leading contender in the market, now featuring support for Wi-Fi 6E, which utilizes the newly available 6GHz band. While the router showcases impressive performance, experts suggest that consumers may want to wait for Wi-Fi 7 systems, which promise even greater speeds and channel sizes. The AXE11000 performed admirably in various home environments, achieving maximum speeds across multiple rooms, although it fell slightly short of the flawless performance of its predecessor, the Orbi AX6000. Despite its high price point, the Orbi AXE11000 offers robust performance, making it a strong choice for those looking to upgrade their home networks. However, the design lacks USB ports, which could limit connectivity options for devices like printers and external storage. The setup app mentions a feature for creating a separate network for IoT devices, but users reported difficulty locating this option post-installation. In extensive testing within a 1,300-square-foot home in Louisville, Kentucky, the Orbi AXE11000 consistently achieved top speeds, easily surpassing the capabilities of a 300Mbps fiber internet plan. It outperformed four other well-regarded mesh systems, including the TP-Link Deco W7200 and Asus ZenWifi XD6, delivering the fastest average upload and download speeds to Wi-Fi 6 devices. While the Orbi AXE11000 excels in performance, it is essential to consider the potential benefits of waiting for future advancements in Wi-Fi technology before making a significant investment.