Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6, 850 Serie

If you have not read our review of the NETGEAR Orbi Pro SXK80 yet, I encourage doing so. It lays a platform for our admittedly long-pending WiFi 6 networking product reviews and also happens to be a mesh WiFi system. The Orbi Pro is an interesting product line from NETGEAR that targets small business owners with matching support that is a few steps above that of the consumer product level, but such is the world of prosumer networking that the lines overlap more than ever before. Pricing is certainly not a point of distinction, either, especially with WiFi systems now comprising 3–5 units in total in a retail SKU.

The Netgear Orbi AX6000 (RBK852) System is a sure and easy way to cover a large property with fast Wi-Fi. It’s also proof that upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 now will cost you. So, maybe you should wait a while, at least till all of its features are available. But if you’ve already made up your mind on getting a Wi-Fi 6 mesh, compared with the similarly-priced and comparably-specced Arris SURFboard mAX Pro, the Orbi WiFi 6 AX6000 is a better choice thanks to the number of features and settings it offers.

The prevalence of mesh networking solutions coincides with the increasing number of wireless devices in the modern home. Blanket coverage has become a necessity for many, and with traditional routers unable to deliver, mesh systems serve as a sensible and easy-to-deploy upgrade for those wanting to eliminate any dead spots. At the very top end of the scale, Netgear's Orbi WiFi 6 System AX6000 offers excellent whole-home coverage and fast Wi-Fi 6 performance, albeit at a hefty premium. £700 represents a significant hurdle, particularly when you factor in the relatively basic software and lack of common features such as USB storage, but if you're willing to spend big, the Orbi Wi-Fi 6 system delivers on its primary promise. It is the fastest, most expansive wireless system we've ever experienced.