Netgear Nighthawk EX8000 vs Orbi

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plasterwalls wrote:

Thanks so much!  Is the Orbi router faster than my existing router?

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The RBK50's 5 Ghz client-facing network is 2x2ac (max link speed 866 mbps), it's 5 Ghz backhaul is 4x4 ac (max link speed is 1733 mbps).  The EX8000 has the same radio specs btw. 

Max link speeds are faster than real-world throughput, so it's important not to confuse them.  When I run speedtest, I get 200-300 mbps throughout the house with the RBK50. Mileage will vary (depending on the details of construction, size/shape of the house, etc).   

Your current router has only one 5 Ghz radio, and that is 3x3ac (max link speed is 1300 mbps).  That radio is shared with your nearby 5 Ghz clients and for backhaul to your EX8000.

So overall the RBS50 has more throughput (about twice what you have now).  It's deliberately arranged to optimize the mesh system - with a high-performance dedicated backhaul connecting the mesh itself (router and satellites), with a lower performance client-facing network in each Orbi router/satellite.

But the client network is slower than your R6700's 5 Ghz radio (866 vs 1300).  Again the idea with Orbi is that the whole system has multiple client-facing networks, so overall it will outperform a single router in a larger space.   However, there are a few devices out there where the 2x2ac client-facing network in the RBK50 limits its performance - the most common one is a MacBook Pro (which has 3x3ac wifi).  With those devices, you'd get better speeds with the R6700 when you are close to the router.  But generally the industry is settling on 2x2ac for clients.

Anyway, if you are using multiple EX8000s, you will be limited by the backhaul speed from the extenders to the R6700.