Netgear Vs Google Wi-Fi : Which One Is Best ?

The first thing that probably all of us have already done to ensure that we take a step forward towards making our home a smart home is installing a proper Wi-Fi system. If you are looking for upgrading your existing Wi-Fi system or thinking about introducing one in your house, probably you must be confused between Netgear Orbi and Google Wifi.

Although both of them are the best options available in the market, you might find it difficult to choose one. Hence, in this article, we will help you understand these products in-depth and also compare them. We will look at their similarities and differences and find out which one amongst them would be a better option.

Our Verdict

Netgear Orbi Vs Google Wi-Fi : Comparison

Differences

1. Design Of The Devices

a) Netgear Orbi

The dimensions of Netgear Orbi are 8.9×6.7×3.9 inches which are quite larger when compared to Google Wi-Fi. The Netgear Orbi has two units that are almost identical. These units are covered by white matt-finish and weigh around 1.96 lbs. The satellite unit is completely white whereas the router unit has a light blue shade on its top. It has a minimalist design that looks undeniably aesthetic when paired with any kind of furniture.

b) Google Wi-Fi

Google Wi-Fi is a cylindrical device that has a diameter of 4.1 inches, and a height of 2.7 inches. Appearance wise, it looks quite similar to Netgear Orbi in a sense that it is also white in color, but is significantly lighter with a weight of 0.75 lbs. Unlike Netgear Orbi, all three units of Google Wi-Fi are completely identical.

The LED light that is featured in Google Wi-Fi makes it visually pleasing and easy to understand. It is green when everything operates well, turns to red when it senses an error and is blue when the device is returning to default settings.The light flashes orange when the internet connection is lost. Hence, the compact size, the lightweight, and the LED indicator light give Google Wi-Fi an extra advantage over Netgear Orbi.

2. Range Of The Devices

a) Netgear Orbi

This device will be advantageous over Google Wi-Fi if you have a large building, since with just a router and a satellite, the Orbi can cover a range of about 5000 sq. feet. The very fact that an Orbi device can support up to 3 satellites, it is clear how a Netgear Orbi can provide uninterrupted Wi-Fi to even the largest property.

b) Google Wi-Fi

One of the shortcomings of Google Wi-Fi is that it requires a larger number of devices to operate in the same area as Netgear Orbi. Typically, the range covered by Google Wi-Fi is:

• One unit:  500-1500 sq. ft.
• Two units: 1500-3000 sq. ft.
• Three units: 3000-4500 sq. ft.

Hence, as we can see, even with three units of Google Wi-Fi, the range covered by them is smaller than just one unit and a satellite of Netgear Orbi.

3. Connectivity Of The Devices

a) Netgear Orbi

Netgear Orbi has a triple band setup which provides more capacity for device communication than Google Wi-Fi.

The three bands present in Orbi are:

1. IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz-256QAM band
2. IEEE 802.11a/n/ac 5GHz-256QAM band to handle regular network connection
3. A second 5GHz band that looks after the backhaul transmissions across the Mesh.

b) Google Wi-Fi

Google Wi-Fi functions with dual bands, both of which are IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. Although it works fairly well, it still has to split the bands between transmitting data to the devices and communicating with the satellites.

4. MU- MIMO Support

MU- MIMO is abbreviation for Multi-User- Multiple Input, Multiple Output. Having an MU- MIMO support means that multiple devices can transmit and receive data at the same time.

a) Netgear Orbi

Netgear Orbi has MU- MIMO support. This means that the connections of all the devices will be supported without hampering the speed of data transmission. MU- MIMO improves the total capacity of the network and may have some key benefits to it.

b) Google Wi-Fi

Google Wi-Fi does not support MU- MIMO. Although most of the users disagree about its importance when the network mesh is strong enough to provide an undisturbed connection to its multiple users.

5. Performance Of The Devices

a) Netgear Orbi

Due to the above-mentioned advantages that Netgear Orbi has over Google Wi-Fi, such as a larger range coverage of 5000 square feet, MU- MIMO support, and triple bands, one of which is completely dedicated to handling regular network connection, the performance of Netgear Orbi is till date the best in the market.

Netgear also comes up with regular updates from time-to-time which may cause some inconvenience to you, but it will definitely help you stay updated with the latest technology.

b) Google Wi-Fi

The wide reach that Google has in all of our lives has helped it to create a level of trust between itself and its users. Although Google Wi-Fi lacks a number of features that Netgear Orbi has to offer, it still provides a great number of services at a much lesser price.

In terms of reliability, Google Wi-Fi is a better option than Netgear Orbi. It does not incorporate and introduce regular updates and changes to the device, thus creating minimum disturbance for its users.

6. Subscription Requirements

a) Netgear Orbi

Netgear Orbi provides an additional subscription if you want to control the time of your kids online along with the content that is available to them.

Although some of the basic features are provided for free, if you opt for having a subscription, you will have extended features for the Circle app.

b) Google Wi-Fi

Google Wi-Fi does not have any kind of subscription requirements which means that the Wi-Fi comes completely equipped with everything that you may need. Although it may not be the first choice for parents who want to keep an eye on their kids’ activities online.

Similarities

1. Both Devices Provide Smart Home Support

Smart Home requires a fast and stable connection to function properly. Both Netgear Orbi and Google Wi-Fi provide smart home support.

In order to support ZigBee or Z-Wave technology, you need to plug Ethernet cables into a smart hub, and both these routers have this feature present.

2. Similar Hardware Of The Devices

Both Netgear and Google Wi-Fi function on the same Qualcomm Atheros platform. With a quad-core IPQ4019 chipset clocked at 717 MHz, both these routers have surprisingly similar hardware. In addition to this, both of the devices provide a flash memory of 4GB and 512MB of RAM.

With a speed of 400 Mbps rating on the 2.4GHz radio, 867 Mbps on the first 5GHz band, and 1733 Mbps using the second 5GHz radio, the speed of Netgear Orbi is a bit better than Google Wi-Fi that providing a speed of 867 Mbps on the 5GHz frequency, and 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz radio.

3. Both Devices Reduce Wi-Fi Dead Zones

Netgear Orbi and Google Wi-Fi both have a setup of a mesh network due to which if you locate the satellite strategically enough, you’ll be able to receive strong signals at probably every point of your house.

This reduces the Wi-Fi dead zones manifold, thus making it easy for you to have access to the internet no matter in which corner of the house you are present.

4. Both Devices Function In Bridge Mode

Both Netgear Orbi and Google Wi-Fi support the bridge mode. In this mode, you can keep your existing Wi-Fi router and still use Netgear and Google Wi-Fi to extend the range and capabilities of your Wi-Fi.

In Netgear Orbi, this bridge mode is completely supported, whereas, in the case of Google Wi-Fi, you may lose a number of useful features such as Guest Wi-Fi, the ability to edit the WAN and DNS settings, Priority device, and the ability to pair and control Philips Hue devices. Hence, although Google Wi-Fi supports bridge mode, Netgear Orbi has some clear advantages if you want to use this feature.

5. Both Devices Provide Easy Installation And Setup

Netgear provides both an app-based and web-based interface for the setup of the router. The product is very user-friendly and all you will have to do is plug the satellites and connect the main router to the modem. Although it is not as easy as Google Wi-Fi setup.

Google has always made sure to provide an interactive and user-friendly platform, due to which the Wi-Fi configuration and installation is very easy. Although there is no web-based interface provided by Google.

You will rather have to complete the entire process by using Google’s own app.This being said, both these Wi-Fi systems provide a good interface for installation and setup that is completely unintimidating even for a new user.

Features And Technical Specifications Of Netgear Orbi

• 400 Mbps rating on the 2.4GHz radio, 867 Mbps on the first 5GHz band, and 1733 Mbps using the second 5GHz radio.
• Both App-Based And Web-Based Effortless Setup Options Available
• Provides Coverage Area Of Almost 5000 square feet.
• 4 GB Flash And 512 MB RAM Memory Is Provided
• USB 2.0 Port Is Present
• WPA/WPA2-PSK Security And Network Service Supported
• MU- MIMO Supported
• Pairs With Amazon Alexa And Google Assistant
• Compatible With All Major Internet Service Providers

Features And Technical Specifications Of Google Wi-Fi

• 867 Mbps on the 5GHz frequency, and 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz radio.
• A Compact And Attractive Design With Diameter Of 4.1 inches And A Height Of 2.7 inches
• Extremely Reliable And Stable Wi-Fi At An Affordable Cost
• Coverage Range For One Unit Is 500-1500 sq. ft., For Two Units, Is 1500-3000 sq. ft. And For Three Units, It Is 3000-4500 sq. ft.
• Quad-core Processor
• Pairs With Google Home
• Provides App-Based Effortless Setup
• 4 GB Flash And 512 MB RAM Memory Is Provided
• Compatible With All Major Internet Service Providers

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