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Netgear Orbi as simple Access Points to replace Apple Airport Expresses
I have a Netgear router with built-in WiFi that connects to my modem downstairs, and then an Apple Airport Extreme and two Airport Expresses that provide WiFi upstairs where all the living spaces are. Those Apple devices are 10+ years old and I'd like to replace them with current access points that support WiFi 6 and fast speeds.
I tried the Eero devices but they didn't play nice with my existing network. If I turned off the built-in router and set them up as access points they didn't see any device that wasn't plugged into their network, including all the Ethernet-connected PC's that serve media. If I turned on the router it broke the rest of my network.
A friend in IT recommended the Netgear Orbi and swears they can act as AP's without being a router. Before I go and spend $350 or more to buy some Orbis, I want to make sure I can easily swap out my Airport Expresses without a lot of fuss.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you, that's very helpful! My point-to-point IP provider (MonkeyBrains) is giving me 90 Mbps, so the 100 Mbps currently isn't a bottleneck. I may upgrade the router to that cool looking Nighthawk AXE11000 WiFi Router (RAXE500) at some point in the future, but waiting for it (hopefully) to come down in price. But the Ethernet cabling in the house also is 100 Mbps, so even then it may not be worth it.
I decided to go with the Nighthawk AX6000 WiFi Mesh Extender (EAX80) rather than the Orbi because with its four Ethernet ports it can replace my Airport Extreme as well as the two Airport Expresses. And if it has the range it claims, I won't need any other WiFi AP's.
8 Replies
cfulbright wrote:
A friend in IT recommended the Netgear Orbi and swears they can act as AP's without being a router. Before I go and spend $350 or more to buy some Orbis, I want to make sure I can easily swap out my Airport Expresses without a lot of fuss.
Yes, Orbi systems can be in Access Point (AP) mode, performing no routing functions, and will be totally integrated with the IP subnet of the primary router. Even if set to the same WiFi SSID/password, the Orbi WiFi network will be separate from the primary router network. (i.e. devices will not roam seamlessly between them.)
Orbi has many different product lines. The original 802.11ac Orbi (less expensive) has no support for 802.11ax (WiFi6) The AX models are considerably more expensive than the older models. If WiFi6 is important, the cost will be higher.
A number of users have reported swapping out Airport Express. One topic that has come up several times is attaching USB hard drives. Airport Express appears to support that (I don't have any to know personally). Orbi does not. It was on the original product design and very quietly disappeared, along with the physical USB port.
I have a Netgear Genie R6080 as my router. Would either the Orbi or the Nighthawk play nice with it?
This is a seriously old router. I would replace it with a new WiFi system. Since you are already using several access points, it appears that a new mesh system would be appropriate. As far as what to buy, that's a really tough question. There are so many choices
- eero
- Asus
- Linksys
- TP-Link
- and two competing product lines from Netgear: Nighthawk and Orbi
I am very happy that I own zero products compatible with WiFi6 and will not be facing this decision for at least a couple of years.
