The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) delivers awesome performance across the board
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(Image credit: Netgear)
(Image credit: Netgear)
T3 Verdict
Reasons to buy+The absolute best mesh performance of any system+Mesh router and extension nodes are super stylish+Netgear Orbi app is feature packed and easy to useReasons to avoid-Very, very expensive-Most likely overkill for most users-Netgear Armor security software costs after free trial
Reasons to buy+The absolute best mesh performance of any system+Mesh router and extension nodes are super stylish+Netgear Orbi app is feature packed and easy to use
The absolute best mesh performance of any system
Mesh router and extension nodes are super stylish
Netgear Orbi app is feature packed and easy to use
Reasons to avoid-Very, very expensive-Most likely overkill for most users-Netgear Armor security software costs after free trial
Very, very expensive
Most likely overkill for most users
Netgear Armor security software costs after free trial
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6e (RBKE963) deals
$1,420.58View$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,420.58View
$1,420.58View
$1,420.58View
$1,420.58
$1,420.58
$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,499.99$1,424.99
$1,424.99
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NETGEAR ORBI WI-FI 6E (RBKE963): KEY SPECS(Image credit: Netgear)Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6E (AX10800, 802.11ax, 10.8 Gbps)Antennas:12Router ports:1 WAN/4 LANSatellite ports:4 LANProcessor:Quad-core 2.2GHzMemory:1GBStorage:512MBWi-Fi chip:Qualcomm Networking Pro 1610Max range:95 feet
(Image credit: Netgear)Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6E (AX10800, 802.11ax, 10.8 Gbps)Antennas:12Router ports:1 WAN/4 LANSatellite ports:4 LANProcessor:Quad-core 2.2GHzMemory:1GBStorage:512MBWi-Fi chip:Qualcomm Networking Pro 1610Max range:95 feet
(Image credit: Netgear)
(Image credit: Netgear)
Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6E (AX10800, 802.11ax, 10.8 Gbps)Antennas:12Router ports:1 WAN/4 LANSatellite ports:4 LANProcessor:Quad-core 2.2GHzMemory:1GBStorage:512MBWi-Fi chip:Qualcomm Networking Pro 1610Max range:95 feet
Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6E (AX10800, 802.11ax, 10.8 Gbps)Antennas:12Router ports:1 WAN/4 LANSatellite ports:4 LANProcessor:Quad-core 2.2GHzMemory:1GBStorage:512MBWi-Fi chip:Qualcomm Networking Pro 1610Max range:95 feet
We review a lot of thebest mesh Wi-Fi systemshere at T3 and I myself have reviewed my fair share. Which is why I was really rather excited to review Netgear’s latest flagship system, the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963).
This system is so special as it is the industry’s first quad-band mesh Wi-Fi 6E system, which in layman’s terms means next-gen speeds, connectivity, range and device capacity. I am lucky enough to own quite a large home and also havemanydevices (I do work at T3 after all!), so theoretically this should be the ideal fit for my networking needs.
Here in T3’s Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) review I will run you through my findings of using this system for over a month, covering everything from design to setup and onto performance and features.
NETGEAR Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) review: pricing and availability
The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) costs, if I’m being candid, an eye-watering £1,499.99 in the UK ($1,499.99 in the USA). This is huge amount of money to spend on a mesh networking system, even with a router and two satellite package. Are there cheaper mesh networking systems available? Absolutely. Are there any that offer this package? No. It is obviously alsomassivelyfuture proofed.
In terms of availability, the product is available right now (writing as of March 2022). Today’s best deals on the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) in your territory can be viewed directly below.
Today’s best Netgear Orbi WiFi 6e (RBKE963) deals$1,420.58View$1,499.99$1,424.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Netgear Orbi WiFi 6e (RBKE963) deals$1,420.58View$1,499.99$1,424.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Netgear Orbi WiFi 6e (RBKE963) deals
$1,420.58View$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,420.58View
$1,420.58View
$1,420.58View
$1,420.58
$1,420.58
$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,499.99$1,424.99
$1,424.99
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
NETGEAR Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) review: design and setup
If you’re familiar with the Netgear Orbi brand then you’ll recognise the design of the RBKE963’s router and extension satellites, which are immediately visible when opening the large box the system is delivered in.
Each looks like a futuristic space pod and are a clean and stylish blend of white and chrome silver. They are in my opinion the most stylish mesh Wi-Fi nodes on the market and it makes having them on display around you home a joy rather than a necessary evil.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The router and its satellites arelargethough, there’s no getting away from that (due to all the antennas and technology loaded within), so if you buy these then you’re going to need to see them for sure.
The router delivers a 10 Gigabit WAN port, a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port and three Gigabit Ethernet ports, with the unit measuring in at 11 inches in height and 7.5 inches in width.
The satellites, meanwhile, have the same dimensions as the router but deliver just a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port and three Gigabit Ethernet ports on the rear.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
This setup procedure literally holds you hand every single step of the way, with it detecting if the correct cables are plugged in, if your router is receiving broadband, if the satellites are speaking to the router and so on. I had the system setup and detected within 10 minutes of opening the box.
Setup in this sense was literally a case of plugging in the router and satellites, loading up the Netgear Orbi app, and following the instructions.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
As part of the setup procedure the firmware on the system is also updated and you can setup security features like fingerprint ID for accessing the app. Once the setup procedure is complete you are informed your Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) is up and running, the connection stability between the router and satellites is optimal and that you have mesh Wi-Fi coverage.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Overall, setting up the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) was easy and I am a big fan of their design, even if they are really rather large.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
NETGEAR Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) review: performance and features
Here we get onto the real reason why most buyers will pick up the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) system, performance. This system delivers 10.8Gbps, AXE11000 Wi-Fi 6E speeds (which, for the un-initiated, are ludicrously fast and the absolute best you can get on the market today), as well as a monstrous 7,500 square feet coverage area and world-ending 250 device connectivity capacity.
With the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) router and six satellites (sold separately of course) the maximum range of this mesh networking system blows up to a simply staggering 17,500 square feet. Yes, we’re not in Wi-Fi Kansas anymore. The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) supports internet services up to 10Gbp.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
So, the quad-band capabilities of this system include, firstly, a direct connectivity between the router and the satellites, and then you get a 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz Wi-Fi bands from the system for your various devices to connect to.
Got a home office and work from home a lot? Then providing you’ve got a laptop that can make use of the 6GHz connectivity then you’ve just guaranteed video meetings run smoother than you’ve likely ever experienced before.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
My experience with the RBKE963 was flawless in terms of performance, even though my home is not equipped with a top tier broadband connection. The range of the Orbi’s mesh network was incredible, with me even getting strong connectivity at the bottom of my garden in my garden pub (lockdown project for the win!) and I experienced no connectivity issues at all during use.
I just loaded every single device I owned onto the RBKE963 mesh network and just kicked back and enjoyed flawless operation. Video streaming was smooth and flawless with no skips or artefacts, downloading and playingXbox Series Xgames online fast and easy, and transferring files between devices rapid.
Mobile devices just kept reporting to me that they had excellent 5 bar signal no matter where I moved around my house (even in my attic!), and I’ve finally managed to find a system that my Sky Q box will actually stay connected to (on my past network the Sky Q box kept losing Wi-Fi signal and disconnecting).
And talking of connections, I loved how I could still hardwiremultipledevices into the RBKE963’s satellites, with a host of Ethernet ports available. Upstairs in my study, for example, I hardwired my PC, TV andXbox Series Sinto a satellite for the best possible connectivity (if I have a 5-star connection from router to satellite, why would I introduce anything that could degrade that!).
Lastly, in terms of features, I was a big fan of the parental controls and device manager offered in the Orbi app. I’ve got a 12-year-old daughter with a phone and a love of playing video games, so being able to control what she can do and when she can do it was great. Being able to funnel connectivity to certain devices was also great, as well as setup a guest network (my partner and I recently held a post-show party at our house and hada lotof guests).
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
NETGEAR Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) review: verdict
I simply loved how comprehensive a networking package the RBKE963 delivered which, regardless of its first-in-the-world quad-band Wi-Fi 6E flagship performance, is so, so welcome. Incredible speed, range and capacity aside, this system is one of the absolute finest mesh networking systems I’ve used for ease of use and making your life easy. And, for me, that’s literally what I want most from a networking product. What’s the point in having amazing performance on offer if you can’t use it?
The price of the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) system, though, means that this ultimate performance will be out of reach for many, many people and, being candid, the performance this system offers will likely be overkill for a lot of those people anyway. Do most people need this system’s quad-band design with Wi-Fi 6E capabilities? I’m guessing not. But, for me as a technophile, this is a dream mesh Wi-Fi system.
As such, if you can afford the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) system and have a home that is big enough to justify it, then it’s an super easy recommendation. You’re simply going to love this product. If money is no object and you’re looking to inject your home with the absolute best range, speeds, stability and device capacity then this is the mesh Wi-Fi system to buy.
Netgear Orbi WiFi 6e (RBKE963): Price Comparison
$1,420.58View$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,420.58View
$1,420.58View
$1,420.58View
$1,420.58
$1,420.58
$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,499.99$1,424.99View
$1,499.99$1,424.99
$1,424.99
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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