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Forum Discussion
How does the orbi compare to the AC5300 Nighthawk X8 Tri-Band WiFi Router
Is the orbi better or should I keep the x8 I know one thing before I could get a signal all the way out in the yard with the AC1900 Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router but with the x8 I can't so I'm just wo...
I came from the RT-5300 to the Orbi so migh tbe able to give you a good comparison.
The 5300 was pretty decent IMO, one of the best routers I have had in a long time. The speed was great, pretty much I had no complaints with anyting on that router. You could have either a 2.4ghz network and 2 5hgz networks or you could combine them all and have one network and let the device and router sort how they connected ( I ran in this mode ) What I didn't like in this mode is I had 3 names all the same showing up in the wifi list for networks rather than one.
On to the Orbi now. Only had a few days so..
Speed wise I would say I don't notice much difference at all they are about the same. Where I do notice the difference is that now I have a better signal in the other side of the house where the satellite is located. Their is no Guest network which is really a let down as that gets used a lot and without it its hard to keep the product not knowing if they will ever put it in. Feature wise Orbi does not have as much as the 5300 not sure this is good or bad just something noticed.
Would I have done this again and gone with the Orbi, right now its to early to really say. The lack of guest network is a huge letdown, the strengh of the signal on the other side of the house and outside is great, I would say for me this could either way. If it came down to anything it would be the guest network that would have to kill the deal for me and it still might.
Hello dpdurst
The guest network is planned for a upcoming firmware but in the mean time you could use your old router as a ap for a guest network as a workaround I know that it is not ideal but just giving the suggestion.
DarrenM
I get that about using the old router, I'd like to say that's a cop out excuse, but it is not. Folks buy a router to have only one in use not to take up a whole shelf of them for different features. I hope that the future means in the next few months and not a year from now.
Short of the guest access I really do like the setup of Orbi and the constant stable connection around the house and backyard. In this respect so far I give a 5 star rating to the router.
The Orbi does have a guest network feature. Here's the link to the instructions: http://kb.netgear.com/31579/How%20do%20I%20set%20up%20a%20guest%20WiFi%20network%20on%20my%20Orbi%20system??cid=wmt_netgear_organic
