Wireless dead spots are beyond frustrating, preventing access to Wi-Fi in far-reaching rooms of your home. Usually stalled by electrical interference or simply the foundations of a house, a single router's wireless strength has to fall off eventually. Netgear offers a solution with its range of Orbi mesh Wi-Fi systems, consisting of a router and companion satellites placed around the house.

The tri-band RBK762S double pack usually retails for $499.99 but has dropped to $399.99 on Amazon for the Prime Day Early Access sale. If you need extra nodes for a larger home or to get around other networking issues, additional satellites offer the same Wi-Fi 6 tech and are down to $199.99 on Amazon each for the same 20% discount.

Save up to $100 on the Netgear Orbi mesh system

Netgear's stylish mesh Wi-Fi router and add-on nodes feature a sleek design and hide some powerful wireless networking tech. Support for the modern Wi-Fi 6 standard and a tri-band setup of two 5GHz bands rated for 2,400Mb/s alongside a single 2.4GHz at 600Mb/s provides plenty of bandwidth for high-speed wireless devices.

The base Orbi router has three LAN ports and a single WAN, with each add-on satellite featuring two LAN ports of their own, all rated for Gigabit speeds. Connecting even wired devices in far-reaching rooms is a breeze, so desktop computers lacking Wi-Fi cards can quickly join your home network, with all in-between wireless traffic handled by the Orbi mesh.

Setup is straightforward with Netgear's companion app for mobile devices, or you can connect add-on satellites at the touch of a sync button on each. Netgear Orbi systems sit alongside some of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems for easy access to high-quality video streaming, fast-paced gaming, or general Internet access in practically any room of your house.

Stay tuned to our Amazon Prime Day Early Access live blog to catch more deals!

The B&H DealZone is a collection of discounted items that rotates every day, and today you can get quite the bargain with the Netgear Nighthawk AX4 WI-Fi 6 router on sale for just $49.99 in the DealZone. That's an awesome low price considering the same router is going for $116 at Amazon and actually sells more regularly at a street price closer to $150. This looks like an inventory-clearing sale, which means the router might have been discontinued and the deal might not come back anytime soon. Grab it while you can.

At this price, considering how good this router is, you should definitely grab it if you haven't upgraded your router in a while. Especially if you haven't upgraded to Wi-Fi 6 yet, one of the best upgrades to wireless connectivity in a while. The Nighthawk AX4 is a dual-band router so you'll get both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands with up to 3000 Mb/s throughput. You'll have plenty of bandwidth for all your devices.

If you don't necessarily want wireless connectivity, like with a gaming console or PC, then use one of the four Gigabit LAN ports. There's even a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port for connecting a flash drive, printer, or other device that you'd want to share on your network.

The router is supported by the Nighthawk app. That means you can configure your network, monitor it, and figure stuff out easily from your phone or mobile device. It's also smart enough to work with your smart home whether you use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Easily get a guest Wi-Fi password just by asking Alexa so you can get your visitors on your awesome new wireless network.

While this is a great Wi-Fi 6 router at a great price, we do have several other fantastic recommendations if you just want the best Wi-Fi 6 router out there.

The Netgear NIghthawk tri-band AX6200 Wi-Fi 6 router has dropped to $199.99 at Costco. This deal does require a Costco membership to even see the price, but it's worth it. The same router is $330 at Amazon and even more in other places. The price is only good through the end of the day today, Sept. 26.

We keep an eye on all the best WI-Fi 6 routers, and this one from Netgear is no slouch. It's a tri-band router with Wi-Fi 6, so it is extremely fast and consistent. Wi-Fi 6 is one of the fastest Wi-Fi protocols in a while. It allows for streaming and binge watching uninterupted. You'll be able to participate in video calls or play video games with no problems. The router is also designed to work with most internet service providers with plans up to 2 Gbps.

The back of the router includes four Ethernet ports. This is important if there are certain devices that need to be hardwired instead of wireless, like a computer or a gaming console. Wireless is great for moving around the house or using a smartphone, but a dedicated gaming session requires a dedicated internet connection. The router also has a USB 3.0 port so you can connect a storage device to your network.

The router's wireless signal can cover up to 2,500 square feet. It also supports up to 40 devices without losing strength. Use Netgear's Nighthawk app for super easy setup, network management, and more. You can monitor data usage, and the built-in Bitdefender-powered cybersecurity protects everyone on your network from unwanted stuff like viruses and malware.

If you don't have the right setup for gaming, it's going to be hard to just sit down, plug in, and play. That's especially true when it comes to playing online. You need a good router with a strong, stable connection if you want to dive into the latest battle royale. Well, today Netgear has you covered with up to 26% off some routing gear. You can get the Netgear R6700AX Wi-Fi 6 router down to a low price of $74.99. That's $25 off its regular price and easily the best we've ever seen at Amazon. That's just one of the options, but everything in this sale will save you money.

The $74.99 Netgear R6700AX router has a lot going for it. With Wi-Fi 6 you can stream everything faster with wireless speeds up to 1.8 Gbps. It is strong enough to cover up to 1,500 square feet in Wi-Fi, too, which is a pretty large area. It also works with most internet providers, including cable, fiber optics, and others.

Netgear has a Nighthawk app that makes setup as easy as possible. You'll also be able to use the app to manage the device's settings, test the internet speed, monitor usage, and more. Keep track of everything and always know where the problems are. With Netgear armor, you'll get protection network-wide from viruses, phishing attempts, and other things that might compromise your security.

Need to cover all the nooks and crannies around your home and the router just isn't quite getting there? Grab the Netgear EAX15 Wi-Fi 6 mesh range extender to cover up to another 1,500 square feet in Wi-Fi. It works as a signal booster and a repeater with speeds up to 1.8Gbps. Plus, today it's on sale for $89.99, its lowest price ever and $40 off what it normally sells for.

Whether you're a brand-new owner or already have a Netgear router, you might want to dig into its settings and change some things. With a few simple steps, you can get into your router and change settings for your Wi-Fi and enable things like security features to improve the functionality of your router. Here's exactly how to log in and tweak Netgear routing settings.

How to log into your Netgear router

1. The first step to logging into your router's user interface to change settings is to take a look at the router itself.

2. On the bottom of your router it should say the router login info for both the username and password.
3. Write both of those things down or have them at the ready for the next step.
4. On your computer or mobile device, make sure you're connected to the router via an Ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi connection.

5. Once, you're connected open an internet browser.
6. In the address bar, type 192.168.1.1 or routerlogin.net.
7. A screen will pop up asking you to put in your username and password or the Netgear genie page that helps you set that up. If you have the latter, just follow the prompts.

8. If the Netgear genie setup doesn't show up, enter in what you saw on the bottom of your router. If those don't work, check the manual for that information.
9. Click Sign in and you've successfully made it into your router settings.

How to tweak Netgear router Wi-Fi settings

1. On the landing page, you'll see options like Internet, Wireless, Attached Devices, and Parental Controls.

2. Choose the Wireless option.
3. Inside Wireless, you'll see a list of options and numbers.

4. You can enable Smart Connect here which will turn on both your 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands and allow devices to automatically connect to the faster one.
5. You can also change the SSID to something more specific.
6. The channel option allows you to change how your router broadcasts its Wi-Fi. Auto works best for most people.
7. Security options are important. Here you can change the default password for how you connect to your router.
8. When you're done, hit Apply.

How to upgrade the firmware of your Netgear router

1. Back at the landing page, select the Advanced tab at the top.
2. From there, click the Administration section on the left column to drop it down.

3. Within the Administration column, select Firmware Update.
4. On the Firmware Update page, you can select Check for new version via the internet.
5. If it finds a new version, you can install it from here by clicking Yes.
6. Otherwise, you can also manually upload a file by clicking the Browse button.
7. Once it runs through the process of installing the update, the router will restart.

OpenWrt is made for power users. If you want to install custom firmware on your router, this is the best choice. It has better VPN and QoS support than most stock router settings, allowing you increased access to tweaking your router's speed. On top of that, OpenWrt is regularly updated, so you won't have to worry about it going out of date and missing features so that your devices like the LG gram 17 will always stay connected to the internet.

What you need to know

• Microsoft discovered three vulnerabilities in Netgear routers that could lead to identity theft and full system compromise.
• Netgear has already fixed the critical security issues.
• The issues affect Netgear DGN-2200v1 routers.

Microsoft disclosed several vulnerabilities to Netgear routers that could allow attackers to "roam untethered through an entire organization," according to the Microsoft 365 Defender Research Team. A post from that team breaks down the vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities were patched before they were disclosed publicly.

There are three bugs that affect Netgear DGN-2200v1 series routers that are running firmware lower than v1.0.0.60. Microsoft's staff noticed the bugs due to an "odd behavior:"

Microsoft explains that the first issue allows for a "complete and fully reliable authentication bypass." This is due to the issue allowing an attacker to access any page on the vulnerable device.

The second issue allows for a side-channel attack that can be used to get authentication credentials.

The final issue allows attackers to gain access to secrets stored in the device. "After some preparatory steps, the contents are DES-encrypted with a constant key "NtgrBak," explains Microsoft. "This allows an attacker to get the plaintext password (which is stored in the encrypted NVRAM) remotely. The user name, which can very well be variations of 'admin', can be retrieved the same way."

The critical issues have been fixed by Netgear already. The company outlines the fixes in more detail in a recent post.

The AmpliFi HD and the Netgear Orbi mesh network systems share a lot in common. Both have Wi-Fi 5 versions (with optional Wi-Fi 6 successors) that offer fast speeds covering a wide area through their respective nodes. Besides price, though, the two differ in some key ways that could be important to you. The AmpliFi HD leans on the easy-to-use side while maintaining a subtle look, while the Netgear Orbi has a lot more options but has a fairly obtuse appearance. So, which one should you buy?

AmpliFi HD vs. Netgear Orbi: Connection speeds

Anyone who invests in either the AmpliFi HD or the Netgear Orbi is doing it for consistent speeds across a wide area. Mesh networks promise stronger coverage across a home or building than a typical Wi-Fi router. Thankfully, both mesh network systems run pretty close to the same speeds, with some slight but no less important differences for power users.

Because both systems run on the 802.11 ac Wi-Fi 5 standard, speeds might look lower than the newest, Wi-Fi 6 routers, but they'll be fine for most people. Both are rated above 1Gbps internet speeds, with the Netgear Orbi squeezing out around 400Mbps more.

Unfortunately, these numbers get fuzzy when you're running the connection through nodes. It'll really depend on what kind of nodes you use, be it wired or wirelessly connected to the base router. That said, the Netgear Orbi beats out the AmpliFi HD in raw throughput regardless.

AmpliFi HD vs. Netgear Orbi: Dual-band and tri-band

Connection speed when it comes to mesh networks like the AmpliFi HD and the Netgear Orbi is dependent on the types of nodes you use. The base routers can only offer so much. Eventually, you need to connect either another router or one of the official wired or wireless nodes to them to spread your signal out further.

The Amplifi HD only has a wireless node option if you don't want to purchase a second base router. And on top of that, the Amplifi HD is locked to a dual-band connection, meaning it must use one of its wireless bands to talk to the other nodes, further reducing the connection speed.

The Netgear Orbi has both wired and wireless node options and uses a third band for speaking to its nodes. Despite both having similarly rated connection speeds, the Netgear Orbi outshines the AmpliFi HD simply because it has the overhead to manage faster speeds for those looking to get the most out of their network.

AmpliFi HD vs. Netgear Orbi: Ease of use

The AmpliFi HD is simply a much easier-to-use mesh network than the Netgear Orbi. Its mobile app allows you to set up, restart, and manage the router which outshines Netgear's poor app and complicated website. You can do things like monitor signal strength and bandwidth usage. For people looking for a clear, approachable way to set up a mesh network system, the AmpliFi HD is the way to go.

On the other side of things, the Netgear Orbi interface can offer power users more options, like QoS, parental controls, and use a VPN. If these are things you absolutely need in your mesh network, the Netgear Orbi is a strong choice.

AmpliFi HD vs. Netgear Orbi: Which should you buy?

Picking between the AmpliFi HD and the Netgear Orbi mesh networks is a hard decision. Both routers offer fast performance and wide coverage areas, but the price becomes an important factor when it comes down to it. The Netgear Orbi carrying a slightly lower price for a slightly more tedious user experience puts it on top.

The AmpliFi HD has you pay for looks, ease of use, and a much better mobile app, but it's not worth it for most people. If you want a mesh network that works and is prepared for whatever you want to throw at it in the future with its set of user options and expandability, the Netgear Orbi is the choice.

What you need to know

• NETGEAR announced the Nighthawk RAXE500 Tri-band WiFi router at CES 2021.
• The router supports Wi-Fi 6E and gets speeds up to 10.8 Gbps.
• The Nighthawk RAXE500 Tri-band WiFi router launches in Q1 2021 for $600.

NETGEAR announced the Nighthawk RAXE500 Tri-band WiFi router today as part of CES 2021. The router supports the 6Ghz band and Wi-Fi 6E, which helps it deliver wireless speeds with less interference. The router can reach wireless speeds of up to 10.8 Gbps and has an Ethernet port 2.5G for those that prefer a wired connection. The router should launch in Q1 2021 with a suggested retail price of $600.

The Nighthawk RAXE500 Tri-band WiFi router joins the wave of Wi-Fi 6E routers that we've seen at CES 2021. The technology utilizes the 6 GHz Wi-Fi spectrum, which allows it to utilize more wireless frequencies. Wi-Fi 6E has less congestion and three times more bandwidth than the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

With support for four streams from the 2.4 GHz, 5GHz, and 6 GHz bands each, the Nighthawk RAXE500 Tri-band WiFi router has a total of 12 streams for Wi-Fi.

For those that prefer a wired connection, the Nighthawk RAXE500 Tri-band WiFi router has a Multi-Gig Ethernet port with 2.5 times the wired speed of normal Gigabit ports. It also has five Gigabit Ethernet ports.

NETGEAR highlights that you don't have to adjust the antennas of the router, stating that they come "pre-optimized." The router also receives automatic firmware updates, so it should be easy to set up and manage.

What you need to know

• Netgear today announced a new Wi-Fi 6 addition to its Orbi family of routers.
• The new Orbi AX4200 (RBK752) makes Wi-Fi 6 a little more affordable with tri-band connectivity on board.
• The Orbi AX4200 (RBK752) is available now as a two-pack system for $450.

The move to Wi-Fi 6 is now in full force, with new routers and devices supporting the latest Wi-Fi standard being announced constantly. Netgear is the latest to bring a new device to the market with another addition to its Orbi mesh router family, the Orbi AX4200 (RBK752). The two-part system joins Netgears previous Wi-Fi 6 Orbi, the RBK852, but with a more affordable price of $450 (compared to $700).

As the latest Wi-Fi standard, Wi-Fi 6 brings the ability to connect many more devices to your network without experiencing any compromises in speed. Netgear says that the Orbi AX4200 is rated to support 40 plus devices with internet speeds up to 1 Gigabit. That's down a bit from the previous RBK852 system, which is rated at 60 plus devices and 2.5 Gigabit speeds, but you'll be hard pressed to notice in most home networks.

The Orbi AX4200 also features tri-band networking, meaning there's a dedicated backhaul band between the mesh points. That means you shouldn't notice a drop in speeds as you add more nodes to your network. There are also three ethernet ports on the main node, with two more on the sattelite node.

Netgear says the two-pack system provided by the Orbi AX4200 should be able to cover up to 5000 square feet with Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Orbi AX4200 tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 system is available today at Best Buy for $450.

The Netgear CM700 DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem is down to $64.99 at Newegg as a refurbished unit. The cable modem is sold by Newegg and comes with a 90-day warranty. This is a very inexpensive price compared to other options where the modem sells for as high as $120 new at places like Best Buy and Walmart. Even other refurb options go for around $95 at B&H.

If you use a cable modem for your internet, you should be using your own cable modem. ISPs tend to charge you for renting their cable modems, and they usually don't even tell you they're doing it. You could be spending an extra $10 to $15 a month for something you don't even need or that isn't very good. If that's true, then the CM700 will pay for itself before the end of the year. Plus, it's pretty much guaranteed to be better than the stock cable modem they gave you at install.

The CM700 can handle download speeds up to 1.4 Gbps, which makes it great for streaming even HD content or playing video games online. You'll get 32 downstream and eight upstream channels, which means efficient internet all around. Plus, the cable modem is DOCSIS 3.0 certified, which most modern ISPs require from a new cable modem.

The CM700 is compatible with a lot of services, including Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, and more. You will want to check with your ISP, even if it's one of these, to make sure the CM700 will work. It definitely won't work with some networks like Verizon.

Get super stable speeds with the Gigabit Ethernet port on the back or connect a wireless router for Wi-Fi around the house. You'll want something like the TP-Link Archer A7 router for $68.99 at Best Buy. It's a super affordable router that won't disappoint with its coverage.

Best Buy has Netgear's Orbi mesh Wi-Fi system on sale for just $249.99 today only. The discounted set includes one router and two satellites that give you a wide-reaching Wi-Fi signal through your whole home. You'd regularly pay over $300 for the 3-piece system and not much less than this for a refurbished version. Best Buy offers free shipping with today's purchase, though you could get your Orbi system quicker using free curbside pickup where available.

The Orbi RBK43S system replaces your current router and any extenders you may have set up. It is capable of covering up to 6,000 square feet with a strong wireless internet connection and the satellites are compact enough to be placed conveniently around your home. The system offers speeds up to 2.2Gbps with MU-MIMO technology for supporting multiple connected devices at once. Despite being a 3-piece set — one router and two satellites — it all operates under a single network name for a seamless connection.

If you're set up with Amazon Echo or Google Home/Nest devices, you can also control your network with just your voice and there are built-in parental controls thanks to Circle integration.

Existing users rate Orbi products very highly — just check out the reviews for any of Orbi's offerings and you'll see glowing recommendations. We also recommend Orbi in our list of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems in 2020.

Netgear has recently unveiled a Wi-Fi 6-compatible range of routers, though you likely don't need it (yet) unless you have tons of connected devices vying for data or particularly heavy gaming demands. Check out our Wi-Fi 6 guide for more.

What you need to know

• Almost 50 pieces of Netgear networking equipment have security updates available.
• The updates address issues ranging from "critical" to "medium," according to Netgear.
• The updates are available for the devices now.

Netgear has several security updates available for almost 50 pieces of its networking equipment. The updates address issues ranging from "critical" to "medium," according to Netgear's classification. To update your equipment, you have to use the Netgear mobile app, log in to your router's settings through a computer, or follow advice from Netgear's support website. The solution you need depends on the piece of hardware you need to update.

As reported by Tom's Guide, the worst security flaw allows attackers to remotely install malware on the Nighthawk X4s gaming router, specifically the R7800 model. Netgear classifies this vulnerability with a score of 9.4/10, which is labeled as "critical."

Another issue affects the R6400v2, R6700, R6700v3, R6900, and R7900. This vulnerability has a rating of 8.3/10, which is a "high" security risk.

There are several other flaws with lower risk ratings across Netgear's line of devices. These are still worth fixing through updates, as that will secure your devices and networks. You can check if your specific device needs an update on Netgear's website.

Updating your Netgear hardware can be a bit tricky. The first thing you'll likely need to do is go to Netgear's support website. This site has guides to help you find your device's model number. Depending on your hardware, you can update your device through the Netgear mobile app, log in to your router's settings through a computer (192.168.1.1), or follow guidance from Netgear's support website.

What you need to know

• NETGEAR announced the Nighthawk Mesh WiFi System at CES 2020.
• The system comes with one or two satellites and delivers speeds up to 1.8Gbps.
• The system with one satellite will ship this month and costs $230.
• The system with two satellites will be available later in Q1 2020.

NETGEAR announced the Nighthawk Mesh WiFi System at CES 2020. The system supports Wi-Fi 6 and can deliver speeds up to 1.8Gbps. There are options to order the system with either one or two satellites depending on the size and layout of your home. The one satellite system ships this month and costs $230. The two satellite system does not have pricing details at the moment but will be available later in Q1 2020.

Wi-Fi mesh systems allow you to extend a Wi-Fi network throughout your home seamlessly. NETGEAR highlights how the Nighthawk Mesh WiFi system allows you to walk throughout your home and jump between mesh points without disconnecting and reconnecting. The system has specialized features, including Dynamic QoS, which automatically prioritizes video and gaming traffic.

The system supports dual-band Wi-Fi with up to 1.8Gbps. It supports Wi-Fi 6, so modern devices with the latest connectivity standards can take full advantage of internet speeds. In addition to wireless networking, the router has two Gigabit Ethernet ports, and the satellites have one Gigabit Ethernet port.

In addition to the Nighthawk Mesh WiFi System, NETGEAR announced the Nighthawk AX6 AX5400 WiFi 6-Stream Router (RAX50) and the NETGEAR AX1800 4-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender. The router supports Gigabit Wi-Fi connectivity and has a 1.5GHz Triple-Core processor. The extender creates a mesh network that extends the reach of your Wi-Fi network. It supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and is backward compatible with older routers and devices. The router will be available in Q1 2020, and the extender will be available in Q1 2020 for $150.

The Netgear Nighthawk R7000 dual-band Wi-Fi router has fallen to $112.99 on Amazon, down from its average price of around $136. This router's price fluctuates often but rarely drops below $125 and you'd have to go back to October 2018 for the last time it fell below $120. There's no indication of exactly how long this discount will last for, though, so don't wait on it too long.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Netgear CM1000 DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem

$129.99 $170.00 Save $40 1622986054

Compatible with Comcast, Spectrum, Cox and most cable providers. Has DOCSIS 3.1 and supports up to 1 Gigabit internet speeds. Can work with any Wi-Fi router as well. Rental fees can cost up to $170 per year, so it pays for itself.

Netgear AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 4-stream wireless router

$66.21 $90.00 Save $24 1621343132

Can handle speeds up to 1.8Gbps over wireless and works with Wi-Fi 6 devices like the iPhone 11 or Galaxy S10. Use the Nighthawk app for easy setup and management, including testing your internet speed and data usage.

Netgear Nighthawk MK62 AX1800 whole mesh Wi-Fi 6 system router and extender

$167.12 $200.00 Save $33 1614263258

Includes one router and one satellite extender to cover up to 3,000 square feet in Wi-Fi. Get four powerful streams with speeds up to 1.8Gbps and reliable performance for more than 25 devices with MU-MIMO Smart Connect. Includes Ethernet ports.

NETGEAR 28-Port Gigabit Ethernet Smart Managed Pro PoE Switch (GS728TPP) - with 24 x PoE+ @ 380W, 4 x 1G SFP, Desktop/Rackmount, and ProSAFE Lifetime Protection

$374.09 $499.99 Save $126 1525406400

Netgear 16-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch

$156.06 $189.99 Save $34 1530849600

Pair this router with something like the $45 Netgear CM500 cable modem to ditch your ISP's rental fees. Most ISPs charge a few bucks a month for the cable modem installed in your home originally, so you can recoup the costs you're paying today after just a few months.

The Nighthawk R7000 is an awesome router with more than 34,700 user reviews giving it 4.2 stars. It has high-powered antennas and has technology that boosts range, speed, and performance. It's great for gaming and works well in homes with a lot of Wi-Fi devices, which most homes are these days. It provides up to 1,800 square feet of wireless coverage with AC1900 speed (dual-band up to 600 + 1300 Mbps). There's also optional parental control and anti-virus software that works great with this router.

One of the best features of this router is its integration with Amazon Alexa. With your Echo devices, you can use just your voice to control your router and have it activate the guest network, reboot the router, check your internet speed, and more.

Eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones in your home with Netgear's Orbi. This AC2200 Wi-Fi router is down to $194.49 at Amazon for just one day only and includes two wall plug extenders to make sure your Wi-Fi signal can reach across your home. At this price, it's more than $60 below its average cost there.

You can find even more discounted Netgear routers on sale today as part of a one-day sale at Amazon.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Netgear CM1000 DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem

$129.99 $170.00 Save $40 1622986054

Compatible with Comcast, Spectrum, Cox and most cable providers. Has DOCSIS 3.1 and supports up to 1 Gigabit internet speeds. Can work with any Wi-Fi router as well. Rental fees can cost up to $170 per year, so it pays for itself.

Netgear AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 4-stream wireless router

$66.21 $90.00 Save $24 1621343132

Can handle speeds up to 1.8Gbps over wireless and works with Wi-Fi 6 devices like the iPhone 11 or Galaxy S10. Use the Nighthawk app for easy setup and management, including testing your internet speed and data usage.

Netgear Nighthawk MK62 AX1800 whole mesh Wi-Fi 6 system router and extender

$167.12 $200.00 Save $33 1614263258

Includes one router and one satellite extender to cover up to 3,000 square feet in Wi-Fi. Get four powerful streams with speeds up to 1.8Gbps and reliable performance for more than 25 devices with MU-MIMO Smart Connect. Includes Ethernet ports.

NETGEAR 28-Port Gigabit Ethernet Smart Managed Pro PoE Switch (GS728TPP) - with 24 x PoE+ @ 380W, 4 x 1G SFP, Desktop/Rackmount, and ProSAFE Lifetime Protection

$374.09 $499.99 Save $126 1525406400

Netgear 16-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch

$156.06 $189.99 Save $34 1530849600

The Orbi mesh networking system creates three separate points of Wi-Fi so you have a fast, seamless connection no matter where you go wandering. The base Orbi replaces your current router and works with your current modem, while the plug-in satellites give you a way to extend the wireless signal to weak zones or rooms that are farther away. The whole thing covers up to 5,000 square feet with speeds up to 2.2 Gbps.

It's all easy to set up as the satellites can just be plugged in and the Orbi app can walk you through the settings, including guest access and parental controls. Orbi systems have 4.3 stars based on over 8,000 user reviews.

The Netgear Nighthawk AX4 4-stream AX3000 Wi-Fi router is down to $149.99 at B&H when you clip the $50 off on-page coupon. The same router is still $200 on Amazon and even more at other retailers.

The AX4 uses Wi-Fi 6, the most advanced Wi-Fi available. And the AX3000 dual-band speeds can provide coverage for small to medium-sized homes. You can even run four streams at once with the router's ability to keep all devices covered at the same time. It also comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports so you can connect to the router for an even more stable connection. The USB 3.0 port can be used to share storage with any connected device or create a little personal cloud. The router can also work with Amazon Alexa voice control.

The Netgear Nighthawk X4S R7800 smart Wi-Fi router is down to $171.90 on Amazon. The router fluctuates a lot in price, but this drop is one of the lowest we've seen all year. The router more regularly sells for $200 and sometimes goes as high as $230.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Netgear CM1000 DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem

$129.99 $170.00 Save $40 1622986054

Compatible with Comcast, Spectrum, Cox and most cable providers. Has DOCSIS 3.1 and supports up to 1 Gigabit internet speeds. Can work with any Wi-Fi router as well. Rental fees can cost up to $170 per year, so it pays for itself.

Netgear AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 4-stream wireless router

$66.21 $90.00 Save $24 1621343132

Can handle speeds up to 1.8Gbps over wireless and works with Wi-Fi 6 devices like the iPhone 11 or Galaxy S10. Use the Nighthawk app for easy setup and management, including testing your internet speed and data usage.

Netgear Nighthawk MK62 AX1800 whole mesh Wi-Fi 6 system router and extender

$167.12 $200.00 Save $33 1614263258

Includes one router and one satellite extender to cover up to 3,000 square feet in Wi-Fi. Get four powerful streams with speeds up to 1.8Gbps and reliable performance for more than 25 devices with MU-MIMO Smart Connect. Includes Ethernet ports.

NETGEAR 28-Port Gigabit Ethernet Smart Managed Pro PoE Switch (GS728TPP) - with 24 x PoE+ @ 380W, 4 x 1G SFP, Desktop/Rackmount, and ProSAFE Lifetime Protection

$374.09 $499.99 Save $126 1525406400

Netgear 16-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch

$156.06 $189.99 Save $34 1530849600

The Nighthawk covers up to 2,500 square feet in wireless coverage. It has speeds of AC2600 on dual-band Wi-Fi, which means 800 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and up to 1733 Mbps on 5 GHz. You can connect up to 45 devices at once and still get reliable coverage for streaming videos, playing games, and more. There are four Gigabit Ethernet ports where you can plug in for a more stable experience. The advanced features include four amplified antennas, Beaforming+ tech, MU-MIMO tech, and more. The router can even connect to Amazon Alexa, so you can use voice control to give out guest passwords and things like that.

The Netgear Orbi RBK50 whole home mesh Wi-Fi system with one router and one satellite is on sale for $269.42. This system goes for as much as $330 pretty regularly, but the street price seems to be around $310. Today's deal is a match for the lowest we've seen in more than a year.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Netgear CM1000 DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem

$129.99 $170.00 Save $40 1622986054

Compatible with Comcast, Spectrum, Cox and most cable providers. Has DOCSIS 3.1 and supports up to 1 Gigabit internet speeds. Can work with any Wi-Fi router as well. Rental fees can cost up to $170 per year, so it pays for itself.

Netgear AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 4-stream wireless router

$66.21 $90.00 Save $24 1621343132

Can handle speeds up to 1.8Gbps over wireless and works with Wi-Fi 6 devices like the iPhone 11 or Galaxy S10. Use the Nighthawk app for easy setup and management, including testing your internet speed and data usage.

Netgear Nighthawk MK62 AX1800 whole mesh Wi-Fi 6 system router and extender

$167.12 $200.00 Save $33 1614263258

Includes one router and one satellite extender to cover up to 3,000 square feet in Wi-Fi. Get four powerful streams with speeds up to 1.8Gbps and reliable performance for more than 25 devices with MU-MIMO Smart Connect. Includes Ethernet ports.

NETGEAR 28-Port Gigabit Ethernet Smart Managed Pro PoE Switch (GS728TPP) - with 24 x PoE+ @ 380W, 4 x 1G SFP, Desktop/Rackmount, and ProSAFE Lifetime Protection

$374.09 $499.99 Save $126 1525406400

Netgear 16-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch

$156.06 $189.99 Save $34 1530849600

The RBK50 comes with one router and one satellite extender. That's enough coverage for any home up to 5,000 square feet. Your phone won't have to reconnect or drop the signal and pick it back up as it moves around the house. It'll just work. The Orbi system uses tri-band wireless technology and is powerful enough to handle multiple network connections at once. It even comes with the Orbi app so you can do speed tests, set up parental controls, and more.

This refurbished Netgear Orbi RBK43 mesh networking Wi-Fi system is down to $199.99 on Amazon. It normally sells for $240 refurbished like this. While new versions of this exact model have been discontinued, similar Netgear systems sell for around $230 to $245 new on Amazon.

As a refurbished product, Amazon covers it with a 90-day warranty and promises it has been tested and certified to work like new.

The system consists of one Wi-Fi router and two satellites. The three devices work together for one seamless network that covers up to 6,000 square feet of your home in wireless internet. Your phone won't have to reconnect or drop the signal and pick it back up as it moves around the house. It'll just work. The Orbi systems uses Beamforming technology and Wi-Fi on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It also has MU-MIMO tech so you can stream from multiple devices without losing stability. It even comes with the Orbi app so you can do speed tests, set up parental controls, and more.

Using Orbi with ReadyShare Network printing

If you connect a printer to your Orbi router's USB port, you can wirelessly access that printer from any PC, Mac or iOS device on your network. This is extremely useful, especially if you don't have a Wi-Fi enabled printer. ReadyShare printing allows you to print from your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop wherever you are in your home. Halfway out the door when you realize you've forgotten to print a ticket? No problem! Just do it from your phone. ReadyShare printing does, however, have the unfortunate limitation of not being available on Android devices.

Aside from printing, Netgear's ReadyShare encompasses several other utilities that the Orbi doesn't support. These include data storage, file access, and media sharing across your network. With these, you can backup all your devices to the same hard drive, download a video to your ReadyShare drive then stream it on your smart TV, or view your saved photos from any connected device. The absence of these features with Orbi is strange because many of Netgear's other routers are fully compatible with all ReadyShare functions, and Orbi users have been asking for more of these features for the past two years.

Using Orbi with an external hard drive

Connecting a USB hard drive or thumb drive to Orbi is a little finicky. The USB 2.0 port is officially only meant for ReadyShare printing, so the system often doesn't recognize when other devices are plugged in. Limited success using an external hard drive with Orbi has been reported on the Netgear community forums. One user confirmed success using a Western Digital hard drive with Orbi in August 2018, which is highlighted below. Other successful hard drive connections have been sporadic and sometimes tied to a specific firmware version. In most cases, plugging a hard drive into Orbi's USB port just doesn't work. But if you're determined to try, FAT32-formatted drives seem to work the best.

Is it fast enough for gaming?

In short, yes. Gigabit speeds are going to be far and away faster than you need for any modern gaming. Most games will be able to operate without issue at anything over 10Mbps so long as the connection is stable and has consistent low latency, or what we used to call ping.

For the gaming enthusiast, the Nighthawk AC1900 also provides options for port forwarding and NAT settings that are configurable by the user — a feature that an increasing number of ISP-provided routers have been leaving out for the sake of simplicity. However, it affects gamers that want to create and manage their own servers.

How is the latency?

One of the worst things about an internet connection is sharing it. Often your connection will have plenty of speed, but as the number of people connected increases, so does your latency. When every connection request is treated equally, you end up with equally delayed connections. NETGEAR's Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) technology built into this router prioritizes network traffic.

The idea behind QoS technology is to split up the available bandwidth and give it to what needs it most. For example, streaming music to your connected speaker needs much less bandwidth or consistency than playing a match in Apex Legends where a spike in latency could mean the difference between a win and a loss.

Is Wi-Fi good enough for real gaming?

Ethernet will almost always be preferable for gaming because a physical connection is much less susceptible to interference. Modern Wi-Fi technology allows more simultaneous connections than ever in a small area, but even still, there can be drops in signal or data congestion in a densely populated area. That being said, if you only have a few nearby neighbors and little congestion, Wi-Fi gaming is much more capable than ever before. With the AC1900's huge bandwidth capabilities and intelligent network traffic management in QoS, we are closer than ever to a near flawless wireless experience.

One thing to remember about wireless networks when planning your home network is that everyone on wireless is essentially sharing an ethernet port on the router. The more devices you have on wireless, the more quality will be compromised. The best bet for gaming on your home network is always going to be installing your router as close to your gaming setup as possible. However, with the quality and power of the NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 router, you're giving up surprisingly little if you are trying to set up a quick LAN with friends or just want to play a quick game on your notebook or Switch.

How do devices connect to the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router?

Any client that connects to your home Wi-Fi can be counted as a device. That includes everything from a smartphone, to a Roku, to a smart fridge.

All Netgear home routers accommodate 32 devices at a time on a single band. The Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi Dual Band Router has two bands: a 2.4GHz and 5GHz band. The 2.4GHz band is better at passing through walls, furniture, and other physical objects between your device and router, while the 5GHz line supports higher connection speeds but is not supported by all devices. You can connect up to 32 devices on each of these bands.

How many devices SHOULD I connect to the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router?

Although the router can support up to 64 devices, keep in mind that network speeds on your devices will become slower as you add more devices. The 2.4GHz band supports a theoretical maximum of 600 Mbps and the 5GHz band supports up to 1300 Mbps. Adding 32 devices to each band will max an individual device to 41 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 19 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band.

A baseline 20 Mbps is recommended for lag-free media consumption. It might seem like even a maxed out Nighthawk AC1900 might be able to support adequate speeds, but remember that 600+1300 Mbps is the theoretical maximum. It is unlikely that you will see speeds like that in the real world. Running a speedtest on your Wi-Fi connected device will give you a better idea of realistic speeds in your house.

The Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router for your household

For a household that has a couple of smartphones, smart home appliances, and occasional guests, the Nighthawk AC1900 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router should be capable of getting devices the speed they need.

If you need a router that can support more devices, you could look at a tri-band router like the NETGEAR Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band WiFi Router. This router has one 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands. The router will automatically distribute your devices between the two 5GHz bands. The three bands allow you to accommodate up to 96 devices.

You could also purchase multiple routers to increase the number of access points in your house. This would allow you to connect more devices and potentially improve range by having routers in different locations in the house.

More coverage means less points required

The Netgear Orbi routers and satellites look and work similar to each other. They each create a sphere of Wi-Fi that goes beyond the floor and room they're sitting in, keeping a strong, steady connection to your devices and within the mesh system. One Orbi router and Orbi satellite can cover up to 5,000 square feet (about 465 square meters). Should you need more space covered, you can connect up to three satellites to your router and cover nearly 10,000 square feet (or around 929 square meters).

Orbi also offers different systems for different situations, including wall plug satellites and outdoor satellites, which connect just as easily as the desktop satellites. The best satellites for you depend on the size of your home – different satellites offer different ranges.

If you have a small area that isn't quite covered by your router, a wall plug satellite is a quick and easy fix. These smaller points connect to your walls without taking up a lot of space and can extend coverage by up to 1,500 square feet. To add coverage to an area that isn't covered by a wall plug satellite, you can go for the Orbi Wi-Fi Satellite (RBS40). These are the common points that can come bundled with the router and each cover up to 2,000 square feet. If you need further reach than what's possible with the RBS40, the Orbi RBS50 and Orbi RBS50Y (for outdoor use) can reach up to 2,500 square feet each, more than other Orbi satellites.

No two homes are the same

Not every house needs a mesh Wi-Fi system, and not every house is fully covered inside and out with just a router and satellite. Both the Orbi router and Orbi satellite offer four Ethernet ports each in case you need a wired connection through your home.

If you're interested in creating a wired backhaul connection within your system instead of the wireless backhaul which connects automatically, you can do so using star topology or daisy chain topology. You must have Orbi Router RBR50 and Orbi Satellites RBS50 with the latest firmware to create the Ethernet backhaul. For daisy chain topology, you must also check Enable Daisy-Chain Topology in your settings if it isn't already turned on. However, the dedicated band used for backhaul won't be freed when using Ethernet backhaul but is still something some people may be interested in.

Netgear Orbi RBK50 vs Orbi RBK33 tech specs

While most of these specs appear to be similar, there are a couple of notable features you should check out.

Performance

While the Orbi RBK50 offers AC3000, the RBK33 offers AC200. As you can see above, the AC200 offers 1,046 fewer Mbps at 867Mbps for the first band, but the other two remain the same. This means you'll get slightly less backhaul performance, but the other bands will remain the exact same.

On top of this, the plugin satellites with the RBK33 have significantly less memory at 256MB Flash and RAM then what's offered in the RBK50. While the routers themselves have the same memory, the satellites in the RBK50 offer 4GB Flash and 512MB RAM. So with the RBK50, you get that additional room.

The only other difference that's important to note is that the RBK50 satellites will require shelf space and, while it doesn't take up much space, it might be unappealing if you like your routers invisible. In this case, the RBK33 would be a better option for you. With that one, you can just plug the device into your wall and forget it exists.

Features

The Orbi RBK50 router has a built-in USB 2.0 that you can use for ReadyShare or compatible external hard drives. With ReadyShare you can print directly from your phone, laptop, or computer as long as they're all connected through the same Wi-Fi network. Unfortunately, the Orbi RBK33 doesn't have a compatible USB port on the router or either of the satellites that come in the package. This only leaves you out of ReadyShare and more memory expansions, but if you're not one to use too much memory in your routers anyway you'll be just fine (most people only use the router space to store image files or computer backups).

One of the amazing things about both of these routers is the Parental Control options they both have. This is run through Disney Smart Parental Controls, which allows you to manage content and Wi-Fi times on any device connected to your network. Not only that, but all of your internet is managed by one Wi-Fi Network for your entire home, under one name.

Orbi RBK50 vs Linksys Velop tech specs

To most of us, specs are very important factors when it comes to buying routers. If you care more about what the router is capable of, and less about how easy it is to use, it's time to take a look under the hood.

Performance

As you can see from our spec chart above, Orbi is trumping the Linksys when it comes to performance with three radios, 1,000 extra feet of square footage, and USB ports. The one and only radio in the Linksys covers 802.11b/g/n, which matches the first radio in the Orbi, but, the second and third radio in the Orbi covers 802.11a/n/ac, which helps it handle a larger amount of data. The square footage might be upsetting to some, but if you're working out of a dorm or an apartment, then you're not missing out on much.

It's the same deal with the USB ports as well: if you don't need them, then you're not missing out. The USB port on the Orbi is only officially compatible with ReadyShare printing, which is the ability to print directly from your phone, laptop, or computer as long as they're all connected through the same Wi-Fi network. There are users who've reported how there were specific types of external hard drives that were working with their Orbi USB port, but that isn't officially supported. Linksys, on the other hand, doesn't have a USB port at all. If plugging in your printer or having a little bit more memory doesn't bother you, you're not at a loss — just plug your external hard drive into your computer.

Features

One thing Orbi is great for is the expansions. There's an Orbi expansion, called the Orbi Voice, which is a speaker satellite that you can find on Amazon for $300. You can also skip the standard package and go right for the router and Orbi Voice for $429 (which is $200 cheaper than purchasing it as an add-on for more than double the price since it's only $100 more than the standard package). There is an indoor expansion for $250 that comes with a satellite offering up to 2,500 extra square feet of coverage. Then there's an outdoor expansion for $290 that comes with a satellite that's safe to install outdoors, also adding up to another 2,500 square feet of coverage.

One thing that Linksys does, that Orbi doesn't, are the auto-fix abilities they have on their routers. This is the ability to automatically select the best channel for your device and eliminate congestion with the push of a button. This eliminates your need to turn off the router and turn it back on whenever you experience a problem — like you would with other routers.

Other than that, both the Orbi and the Linksys routers are pretty similar. They're sleek and stylish, and between their sizes and their shapes, you should have no problem incorporating these devices in your home's style.

Netgear Orbi RBK50 for upgrading not just your internet, but your home

Orbi has the expansion ability to not only improve your Wi-Fi but make your home compatible with more Smart devices. There are endless opportunities when it comes to upgrades, so you'll never be missing out.

Linksys Velop for easier internet

Whether you're running out of a dorm room or an apartment, Linksys covers the space you need with great connection speeds. Set it up once, forget it exists, and then enjoy your internet!

Netgear Orbi RBK50 vs Orbi RBK50V tech specs

Abilities are one thing, but the specs are where the real decisions usually are. Here's a look at what's under the hood.

Performance

Before we get too deep into comparing the features, I want to note that your Orbi RBK50V package comes with the RBK50 router. This means the only thing you're sacrificing is the satellite that comes with the RBK50 package, and instead, you're getting the speaker satellite known as the Voice. Compared to the original satellite, the Voice will give you 500 less square feet of Wi-Fi coverage as well as an AC2200 standard instead of the AC3000. As you can see above, the AC200 offers 1,046 fewer Mbps at 867Mbps for the first band, but the other two still remain exactly the same. This means you'll get slightly less backhaul performance, but the other bands will deliver the same performance.

Other than the notable difference in specs between the two types of satellites you could get with the RBK50 router, there are a few physical differences you'll see as well. For example, the standard satellite comes with four LAN ports for you to use, while the Orbi Voice only has two LAN for you. However, since they both carry the same router, you'll still have the compatibility of a USB port, regardless of which one you decide is right for you. Not just that, but they both offer the same amount of memory as well.

Features

What this decision comes down to are the satellite feature differences between the two packages. Since you'll be getting the same router regardless, you want to compare what they're capable of doing to see if it fits your tastes. The Orbi RBK50 Voice package comes with one RBK50 router and one Voice. The Voice is a speaker system that also has mics inside to be able to take voice commands that are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This means you could tell the Orbi Voice to turn off the lights in your kitchen, for instance, and it will.

Really, the only difference between these two packages is the square footage they're able to cover. While you can get the Orbi Voice is $110 more than the standard package, you'll actually be saving money in the long run, since the Voice itself is actually offered as an expansion for $300. That means for $200 less (when you consider the package is only $100 more), you could get the Voice package and only miss out on 500 square feet of coverage. However, you gain all of the abilities of the Voice, mentioned above, plus the ability to play your favorite music with a steady connection speed. So if you're willing to sacrifice that coverage, you get more features.

Orbi RBK50 vs. Google Wifi tech specs

These two routers have some pretty notable differences, so let's take a look at what's inside before we go into why one might be better for you than the other.

Performance

After looking at the spec charts you can see that both routers support beamforming. This is important when it comes to getting a stronger signal directly to your device, as opposed to a wild radius where you lose signal the further away you get from the router or satellite. Both are also adaptable to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connections, so you don't have to worry about your older devices not connecting to either of these routers. However, while they both support 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, the Orbi router has three radios while the Google Wifi only has the one. Since they both have quad-core processors there isn't too much of a difference there, but the radios are important when it comes to boosting the signal on the device.

Now, let's take a closer look at the Google Wifi. The price option is significantly cheaper, looking at about $256 for a 3-pack and $100 for a single pack. Each unit covers 1,500 square feet, so if you're working from a smaller apartment than the Google Wifi is the perfect choice for you. This way you still have the great connection, which is very similar between the devices anyway, but you don't have to put out so much money to cover square footage you don't need to anyway.

Then there's the Orbi RBK50. This 2-pack, found for $330 on Amazon, covers up to 5,000 square feet in your home. That's not all. Unlike the Google Wifi, the Orbi has a USB port for you to use with supported external hard drives or ReadyShare Printing. With ReadyShare you can print directly from your phone, laptop, or computer as long as they're all connected through the same Wi-Fi. Other than that, there are expansions for your Orbi devices (that you can read about below) and there are no expansions for the Google Wifi.

Features

Both of these routers are extremely family-friendly as both support parental controls. With the Orbi RBK50, you have parental controls through Disney Smart, which allows you to control your family's access to the internet by device, app, or website. Then, with the Google Wifi, you have parental controls through the same app that controls the rest of the router's features — it'll even allow you to pause Wi-Fi on specific devices! If you are having any issues with your Google Wifi there is even a 24/7 phone support from Google and a 1-year warranty should problems ever arise.

Now let's take a look at the Orbi's expansions. If you're looking to make your home a little smarter, or already have smart devices, than the Orbi router is well worth your investment. There is an Orbi expansion, called the Orbi Voice, which is a speaker satellite that you can find on Amazon for $300. Or, you can skip the standard package and go right for the router and Orbi Voice for $429 (which is $200 cheaper than purchasing it as an add-on for more than double the price since it's only $100 more than the standard package).

Google Assistant is supported on both of these devices, but the Orbi Voice is the only one that is also compatible with Amazon's Alexa. These give you the ability to take voice controls for other smart devices in your home (like lights). In this regard, the Voice is still much more amazing as it improves its own signal for streaming music by maintaining its own connection and also acting as another satellite for your home. This means while you're jamming out to your favorite tunes in your living room you can tell the Voice to turn off the kitchen lights and still have an extended connection to the phone you're using.

Google Wifi for your average home

This router is perfect if you want a better Wi-Fi connection and you're not too concerned about having your home filled with smart products. It's an amazing device for almost $100 less than the competition here, so it's a go-to for people with less space.

Netgear Orbi RBK50 for upgrading not just your internet, but your home

With all of the amazing features of Orbi, from their amazing connections to the USB port abilities, this router is really going for being an all-in-one. Since it's compatible with your Smart products, if you've got the Orbi Voice, it sets you up for perfectly for seamless integration.

You're still protected with your purchase

Amazon has a "Certified Refurbished" option when buying certain products on its websites. These are products that, for whatever reason, were sent back to Amazon from their original owner. Amazon then takes the product, refurbishes it, and then puts it back on the market for resale. It's like going to the thrift store for technology, except you never have to guess whether it's going to work or not because professionals have ensured it will.

On that note, if your product is faulty there is a 90-day guarantee. This means if you come across any issues, that wasn't due to any accidents on your end, you can return it to receive a replacement or refund. It doesn't stop there. Amazon offers the same protection plans for their normal products even on the refurbished ones. This way, even if the accident is your own, you can make sure you're covered for up to four years for less than $10.

Why the Orbi RBK50 package anyway?

Well, if you're looking for more coverage and a better connection, the Orbi is definitely the way to go. The RBK50 extends your Wi-Fi up to 5,000 square feet with three built-in radios with 802.11b/g/n - 2.4GHz - 256QAM. With its tri-band technology, Orbi is able to use a backhaul connection of 4x4 (1.7Gbps) to ensure you don't lose connection with the more devices you add. Setup is super easy and there's even an ability to set up a simple Guest Network for secure connections. The satellite is another force to be reckoned with as well. It works as a Wi-Fi extender to give you even more coverage. The Orbi RBK50 also has beamforming (2.4 and 5GHz bands) to help maintain a steady connection to your devices that won't vary the further you get away from the router or satellite.

Other than that there are several expansion options for you to add onto your Orbi experience. There is an indoor or outdoor expansion to add an extra 2,500 square feet of coverage, as well as a nifty device known as the Orbi Voice. That's a speaker for the Orbi system that also doubles as a speaker for your favorite music. It's compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, meaning you can also give the device voice commands to control your home and other smart products.

You can get this package refurbished for almost $100 less than it's usual price and that's one heck of a deal.

Looking at the two options of the Orbi Home routers and satellites you might say they look pretty similar (and they definitely do). The real work is behind the plastic of the device, so let's see what's under the hood.

NETGEAR Orbi RBK50 vs. NETGEAR Orbi RBK40 tech specs

Performance

Both of these options have the memory space for 4GB flash and 512MB of RAM so you don't have to worry about the stability of your internet connection with either of these routers, especially since they both support beamforming. If you look further into it, the RBK50 has a backhaul antenna that supports up to 1.7Gbps while the RBK40 supports only up to 867 Mbps. This is important when it comes to your bandwidth and will allow the RBK50 to transmit data at significantly higher speeds. Chances are if you're just getting a new router for your home, you won't need the added support unless you have a lot of company over or you do a bit of online gaming.

But that's not the only reason that Orbi RBK50 is about $80 more in price. The RBK50 offers an extra 1,000 square feet of coverage for your household. While the RBK40 only offers up to a total of 4,000 square feet, the RBK50 offers up to 5,000 square feet. So if you're working within a smaller house, or apartment, the RBK40 will do you just fine. For those of you with larger houses or multiple levels, I would spring for the RBK50 instead.

Features

All Orbi expansions are compatible with both of these routers. There is an indoor expansion to bring you another 2,500 square feet of coverage, as well as an outdoor expansion that is safe to hook up in your backyard that also offers up to 2,500 feet of extra coverage. If you want to watch some Netflix while relaxing in the pool, don't worry, Orbi's got your back.

There is also a speaker option called Orbi Voice. This speaker works basically the same way a Roku does, boosting and pulling its own signal to make sure you have the best connection for the music you want to hear. The Orbi Voice even has Alexa and Google Assistant built in. It acts as an add-on satellite for your device, so not only is it boosting the signal of itself, but it's making your WiFi better too.

Any of the Orbi devices, whether its the routers, satellites, Voice, or expansions are incredibly great looking. Their sleek design makes it very easy to blend in with any environment while also providing you with amazing coverage. So spread them out across your home and upgrade your internet and style.

Orbi RBK50 is for the best performance

If you're on the move to upgrade the WiFi and make your Home a little smarter the RBK50 might just be the one for you. Between Alexa and Google Assistant giving you voice control options, this is the best router of the two for a connection that will make sure everyone in your house is happy.

Orbi RBK40 is for the best price

Bottom line, if the lure of a larger square footage doesn't entice you than you'll be just fine getting yourself the RBK40 to save yourself a few bucks. You still get the parental control options and the connection is still great.

Different package deals are saving you money at Amazon

The standard 2-pack of the NETGEAR Orbi Mesh WiFi System (RBK50V) sells for $319 at Amazon. While that might be the same price as competitors, one thing that Amazon is doing is offering the indoor expansion for $250 that comes with a satellite offering up to 2,500 extra square feet of coverage. Then there's an outdoor expansion for $290 that comes with a satellite that's safe to install outdoors, also adding up to another 2,500 square feet of coverage. Best Buy doesn't offer any of these expansions, so Amazon is currently your go-to choice for Orbi products.

Also, if you're looking to get the Orbi Voice package, Amazon is selling them for $430. While that's the same price offered at Best Buy, Amazon has an option to buy a second Orbi Voice as an add-on for $300. The speaker doubles as a satellite, giving you up to an extra 2,000 square feet of coverage wherever it is installed. It's compatible with the package mentioned above, meaning you don't need to spend the extra hundred bucks for the Voice Package. Just get the solo speaker and enhance your experience.

Get the better deal with protection plans

Amazon's protection plan is less than half of the price of Best Buy's and will cover you for mechanical and electrical failures, free shipping on all repairs (with no deductibles or hidden fees), and faulty product. They'll either replace or repair your product to ensure you can go right back to enjoying your Orbi Home. So while they're saving you money on the product, you're also saving money on protecting that product. Win, win situation here.

Both of these routers provide the same theoretical AC1750 throughput and both are suitable for a standard home and its devices. However, there are some notable differences that will likely help you make a final decision.

TP-Link Archer C7 vs. NETGEAR R6700 Nighthawk tech specs

Performance

When it comes down to raw performance based on the hardware inside, the R6700 Nighthawk is going to beat out the Archer C7. The former has a dual-core 1 GHz processor (CPU) and 128 MB Flash memory coupled with 256 MB RAM — compared to the Archer's single-core 720 MHz CPU, 16 MB Flash memory, and 128 MB of RAM — allowing for some extra up and down QoS features that prioritize gaming and video streaming.

As far as throughput goes, both can hit theoretical combined speeds of 1,750 Mbps over the 2.4 and 5.0 GHz radios, making them equally fast on paper. The Archer C7 might have six total antennas (three inside and three outside) for impressive range, but the Nighthawk has beamforming capabilities that help get a solid Wi-Fi signal to the far reaches of your home.

The effective range of both of these routers will vary based on the layout of the space you're attempting to cover with Wi-Fi, but both should generally be suitable for medium to large houses. If you have more than, say, five or six people vying for bandwidth, you'll probably want something with more throughput, but for a few people and their devices, either router will perform well.

If you're thinking of connecting an external hard drive to your router for media streaming, the Nighthawk uses a single USB-A 3.0 port for connectivity, while the Archer C7 uses two USB-A 2.0 ports. Here it's really up to whether you want a faster transfer rate or an extra port for a second drive. For wired devices, both routers have four LAN and one WAN Gigabit Ethernet ports.

Features

These two routers share a few common popular features, like parental controls, guest networks, and the ability to use custom firmware like OpenWRT (in the case of the Archer C7) and DD-WRT (in the case of the Nighthawk). Both routers are relatively simple to set up, and both likewise have associated apps for easy management.

NETGEAR's router has some features that will no doubt make it more attractive to those in need of extras, like compatibility with Google Assistant and Apple's Time Machine system, automatic backup software for Windows PCs, and VPN support if you'd like to access your network securely. Up and down Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization is found in both routers, though you'll likely have a better experience with the Nighthawk thanks to the superior hardware inside.

All of these extra features look great on paper, but whether or not you'll actually use them is a different story. If you just need a secure router that can handle a wide variety of everyday tasks, the Archer C7 is still a viable option, and it costs about $15 less.

Finally, warranty and support should be taken into account. Any router can break down, so having some backup is always a good thing. The Archer C7 comes with a two-year warranty and 24/7 support should anything go wrong, while the Nighthawk comes with a one-year warranty and only 90 days of support.

The Archer C7 is the "set it and forget it" option

With identical theoretical AC1750 throughout and great range, either of these routers can handle a standard household's Wi-Fi traffic. If you just want something that you can set up and forget and don't need a bunch of extra features, the TP-Link Archer C7 costs less and should prove up to the task.

If you want more features, go for the Nighthawk R6700

If, however, you'd like a bit of extra performance when it comes to QoS prioritization for gaming and video streaming, plus VPN support, beamforming, and a faster USB-A 3.0 port for external storage, the NETGEAR Nighthawk R6700 is a worthwhile investment for about $15 more.

Netgear has hit the ground running at CES 2018 with two new entries in its Nighthawk line. Those include the new Nighthawk Pro XR500 router, as well as the Nighthawk Pro SX10 LAN switch – both of which are targeted right at gamers.

In terms of features, the Nighthawk Pro XR500 router packs in a number of gamer-centric features. The highlight here is a Gaming Dashboard that allows you to "view real-time bandwidth utilization by device, ping delays, and many other parameters," Netgear says. The router also supports MU-MIMO for simultaneous streaming to multiple devices without impacting performance. Netgear also claims its Geo Filter feature can help you cut out lag by prioritizing connections to the servers closest to you while online gaming. This is all in addition to 802.11ac WiFi, four gigabit ethernet ports, and a dual-core 1.7GHz processor to handle everything.

The Nighthawk Pro SX10 gaming switch, aside from looking a bit like a spaceship, packs a similar batch of features meant for gamers. Of the eight total ports, Netgear says two can automatically adapt to provide up to 10Gbps performance. You also get access to the same Gaming Dashboard in order to keep an eye on the switch's performance, as well as a number of features meant to help you keep latency as low as possible while gaming. The switch can work hand-in-hand with the Nighthawk Pro XR500 router, and there are even RGB lighting controls for each of the lights on the switch.

If you're in the market for a new router or switch, both Nighthawk Pro products are now available. Just be prepared to drop some serious cash. The Nighthawk Pro XR500 router is available for $299.99. The Nighthawk Pro SX10 switch is no cheaper, also coming in at $299.99.

• See Nighthawk Pro XR500 at Amazon
• See Nighthawk Pro SX10 at Amazon

If you're using a Netgear router, then first of all, you made a good choice. While the apps you use to interact with it might not be the greatest feat of design, when it comes to performance you're being well looked after.

But, there are also some common issues you may want to address but aren't sure where to start. Here's some quick troubleshooting tips.

1. How do I interact with my Netgear router?

For all troubleshooting, Netgear uses the www.routerlogin.net web app. So you'll need to point a web browser there while connected to the network your router is broadcasting.

The default username and password should be admin to log in. If not, check the documentation that came with your router, or see if it's printed on a label somewhere on the hardware itself.

2. Changing your network name (SSID) and password

By default your network name will be something relating to the router like "NETGEAR84-5G" and the password will be completely random and printed on a label somewhere on the router. It's reasonable you want to change these.

Once logged in to the web app you'll find both of these options under wireless. Change them to something more memorable and unique, remembering to click apply before you leave.

3. Turning off your ISP supplied Wi-Fi router

The video above uses the BT Smart Hub from the UK as an example, but the basic principle is the same whichever ISP supplied Wi-Fi router you're using.

You can just plug your Netgear into the ISP router and it'll start working straight away. But, two different Wi-Fi networks running in the same home can interfere, so for the best performance, you need to turn the ISP supplied one off.

Exact steps will vary, but you'll need to login to the web app of your ISP router using the details provided either in the manual or usually on a label somewhere on the router. You need to locate the setting to either put it in modem only mode or to just turn off its wireless capabilities.

4. How do I update my router's firmware?

Just like your PC or your phone, your router will occasionally need updating. The easiest way to do it is by logging in to the web app as detailed above. If there's a new firmware, you'll have a message towards the top of the window telling you so.

You'll find the option to update in the advanced tab in the app and under the administration section. The update will be displayed with a one-click to download and install the latest firmware to keep your router running at its best.

5. My download speeds are poor, what do I do?

This one is more difficult to solve, as it might not be just down to the router. The size of the house will be one contributing factor, as will the positioning of the router. If you can't move the router to a more central location, there are some things you can do.

You could try changing the channel that your Wi-Fi signal is using. If there are other networks nearby using the same channel, it could get congested and as such your speeds may suffer. Login to the web app as above in step 2. In the wireless settings this time you're looking for channel. Pick a different one to the default and see if that helps.

One easy trick is to use the 5GHz connection if your router supports it. A lot of modern routers are dual or tri-band, offering 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections. Typically, 2.4GHz is for distance, 5GHz is for performance. On Netgear routers, you'll see the 5GHz connection as a separate Wi-Fi network in Windows. By default, it'll have 5G at the end of the SSID.

Another thing to try is enabling Netgear's Dynamic QoS (Quality of Service) feature that is supported on some routers. This will help to intelligently prioritize bandwidth to make sure that the most important and demanding tasks, like streaming video and gaming, for example, are getting the share of the bandwidth they need. When you log in to your router's web app you'll find it under the basic menu in the sidebar.

6. How do I control my kids' access to the internet?

Like everything you can enable this in the web app, but an easier solution is to download the Netgear Genie app for your smartphone. It offers basic access to a number of your router's features, including setting up and managing parental controls.

Grab it for your phone from the links below.

• Download Netgear Genie for iOS from the App Store
• Download Netgear Genie for Android from the Google Play Store

Your tips

If you're a long-term Netgear router user with your own troubleshooting tips be sure to leave them in the comments below.

That's what the Netgear S8000 is, an Ethernet switch that makes up part of the company's high-performance Nighthawk line. An Ethernet switch is a pretty boring product. It's basically there to split your wired network connection between multiple devices.

So why, then, did Netgear make one that looks like something from a science fiction movie, that lights up, is pretty darn heavy, and retails for $100? Well, if you listen to the marketing, it's for gamers. And while the price tag is high and the design perhaps unnecessary, it's the smarts inside it that make the difference.

See at Amazon

S8000 design and hardware

It looks fantastic. That's all perhaps unnecessarily, but if you are a gamer there's a good chance you've put some effort into your setup and want something that'll fit in. On the outside, it's the outrageous design that differentiates it from any other Ethernet switch. Well, that and the blue lighting strip.

From Netgear:

The S8000 is an eight-port Gigabit switch, though one of these ports, labeled Uplink, is the internet connection from your router. So you've got seven other ports to plug in all of your things. The only other thing of note on the outside is a button to turn off the LED lighting. The power button is just beneath the lighting strip, too.

The company throws around terms like "low-latency," "4K gaming" and "VR" but in truth, the software that goes with the S8000 is where the beauty of this product comes to light.

The user interface for the S8000 settings is designed to be easy to use on both a PC and mobile, albeit in a browser rather than an app. You don't really want mountains of settings for something with such a relatively simple function, and Netgear has addressed it well.

Netgear recommends you use port No. 1 for your main gaming device and port No. 2 for your main streaming device. Both of these have presets already applied in the software, so it's easy enough to run with it. Essentially there's a quality of service management within the switch, with your gaming device being the highest priority.

You can change this, of course, and you're able to easily adjust rates on the fly across any devices you have connected to the S8000. The idea though is that your online gaming never suffers, and the S8000 will make sure it gets the bandwidth it needs over anything else. I don't have VR to test with it, but the same principle applies. Bandwidth-heavy stuff gets priority.

Closing thoughts

Does it work? Absolutely. The dynamic quality of service has less of a visible impact maybe since you're not talking about a wireless connection, but it does work. And if you've got seven devices hooked up, being able to prioritize is helpful. That said, if you can hook up straight to your router you may not even need one of these, but you would benefit if your use case suits. A managed switch will have better control for high demand devices than the 'dumb' ports on the back of a router.

Whether it's worth $100 is more of a question. You get a three-year warranty with it and the software is incredibly easy to use, but it is, after all, an Ethernet switch. If you can get it on discount it's worth picking up if you're a gamer, especially if you're also a streamer. But it's a harder sell at full price.

See at Amazon