I am currently using the nighthawk r8000 router but I have a 100' long house and the router is located at one end and the other end gets very weak signal. checking to see if anyone could recommend the best solution for either a mesh extender or the orbi system. Not trying to spend a fortune but i see netgear has the ax6000 mesh wifi extender and also another mesh extender. both the mesh extender and the orbi seem to allow the same wifi name just curious if the mesh extender will solve my range issue and will it be a simple plug and play installation with no conflicts with the router. Thanks

7000 sq ft but it is 100 feet long and the router is at one end of the house now? thought the orbi systems were expensive that is why i stayed away looking at them. but if the rbk763 makes more sense I may start looking at those. is this the

thanks for all the help for both of you. I am paying for 1 gig and on phone speed test is usually around 280 to 300 mbps. that is another good question what is the best source to test internet speed. I have been using the netspot app and seems to do well.

I'd try a EX8000 extender to see if this is all that you need.

yes I saw that one for a little more money the ax6000 seems to be better, can you tell me the difference between the ex8000 and the ax6000. the ex8000 only say coverage is 2500 sqft and need more than this.

The R8000 was released in 2014. I'm not saying its bad or has issues, but its getting a little older and I'd be curious about adding to it value wise. While I think an extender might work perfectly fine for it, I'm not sure how much extra I'd invest into keeping it going with adding an extender to it. If you were going to add an extender, I'd look for either an EX7500, EX7700, or EX8000 to add to it. You can find them used/renewed for pretty reasonable prices, and they're triband extenders. So, they preserve the throughput (speed) of the system versus being a dual-band system. The single/dual band systems take a significant speed hit by the very nature of how they have to work (around 50%). If it was me, you can pick up the RBK763 renewed for around $250 on Amazon. It's a 3-pack of 2 satellites and a router, and it is a triband system. It'll have much better coverage (maybe to much based on home size) and will get you to the next generation (AX) of wireless versus sticking with the AC speeds. Plus it'll have wpa3/wpa2 mixed mode for increased wifi security (not that much better). Plus the orbi mesh systems are rock solid in performance and stability. While its a renewed system, amazon sells 3rd party warranties if you're concerned about it that still put it significantly cheaper than new. I compare it to a car a little bit. After a certain amount of time, the parts start nickel/diming you. Say you do buy the extender, and then the router craps out. Do you invest more in the same generation router or invest in the next generation? But then your extender might not match. So with a car, at a certain point, you get either a new car or a decent used one with lower miles. This would be similar.

orbi or extender which one is best

15 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru
Apr 23, 2024
I'd try a EX8000 extender to see if this is all that you need.
- qttire1
  Guide
  Apr 23, 2024
  yes I saw that one for a little more money the ax6000 seems to be better, can you tell me the difference between the ex8000 and the ax6000. the ex8000 only say coverage is 2500 sqft and need more than this.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    Apr 23, 2024
    What is the total size of this home in Sq Feet?
    
    qttire1 wrote:
    
    yes I saw that one for a little more money the ax6000 seems to be better, can you tell me the difference between the ex8000 and the ax6000. the ex8000 only say coverage is 2500 sqft and need more than this.
plemans
Guru
Apr 23, 2024
The R8000 was released in 2014. I'm not saying its bad or has issues, but its getting a little older and I'd be curious about adding to it value wise. While I think an extender might work perfectly fine for it, I'm not sure how much extra I'd invest into keeping it going with adding an extender to it.

If you were going to add an extender, I'd look for either an EX7500, EX7700, or EX8000 to add to it. You can find them used/renewed for pretty reasonable prices, and they're triband extenders. So, they preserve the throughput (speed) of the system versus being a dual-band system. The single/dual band systems take a significant speed hit by the very nature of how they have to work (around 50%).

If it was me, you can pick up the RBK763 renewed for around $250 on Amazon. It's a 3-pack of 2 satellites and a router, and it is a triband system. It'll have much better coverage (maybe to much based on home size) and will get you to the next generation (AX) of wireless versus sticking with the AC speeds. Plus it'll have wpa3/wpa2 mixed mode for increased wifi security (not that much better). Plus the orbi mesh systems are rock solid in performance and stability. While its a renewed system, amazon sells 3rd party warranties if you're concerned about it that still put it significantly cheaper than new.

I compare it to a car a little bit. After a certain amount of time, the parts start nickel/diming you. Say you do buy the extender, and then the router craps out. Do you invest more in the same generation router or invest in the next generation? But then your extender might not match. So with a car, at a certain point, you get either a new car or a decent used one with lower miles. This would be similar.

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orbi or extender which one is best