Modified on 22 August 2024
The Netgear Orbi 850 is a high-performance mesh Wi-Fi system designed to deliver fast, reliable, and expansive wireless coverage throughout your home or office. As one of Netgear’s flagship models, the Orbi 850 leverages the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology to ensure that all your devices—whether they’re smartphones, tablets, laptops, or smart home gadgets—get the bandwidth they need for smooth, uninterrupted connectivity.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what makes the Orbi 850 a standout choice for modern Wi-Fi needs, explain what mesh Wi-Fi is, and delve into the benefits of Wi-Fi 6, especially in comparison to its predecessor, Wi-Fi 5.
Understanding Mesh Wi-Fi: Simplified
What is Mesh Wi-Fi?
Imagine your home is a large, sprawling space with multiple rooms, each with different needs for internet access. Traditional Wi-Fi routers often struggle to cover every nook and cranny, leaving you with dead spots where the signal is weak or non-existent. This is where mesh Wi-Fi comes in.
Mesh Wi-Fi is a system that uses multiple devices, called “nodes” or “satellites,” to create a single, seamless Wi-Fi network that blankets your entire home. Instead of relying on just one router to broadcast Wi-Fi throughout the space, mesh systems distribute the signal across various nodes placed in different areas of your home. These nodes communicate with each other to provide consistent, strong Wi-Fi coverage everywhere, eliminating dead spots and ensuring that you have a stable connection no matter where you are in the house.
How Does Mesh Wi-Fi Work?
Mesh Wi-Fi systems like the Netgear Orbi 850 typically consist of a main router and one or more satellite nodes. The main router connects directly to your modem and acts as the hub of the network. The satellite nodes are placed strategically around your home to extend the Wi-Fi signal.
Each node communicates with the others wirelessly, creating a “mesh” of coverage. This means that as you move around your home, your devices automatically switch to the strongest signal, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity. Unlike Wi-Fi extenders, which create separate networks with different names (SSIDs), mesh Wi-Fi maintains a single network name and password, making it easier for your devices to stay connected.
What is Wi-Fi 6?
Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax, is the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology, offering significant improvements over the previous standard, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
Key Benefits of Wi-Fi 6:
- Faster Speeds: Wi-Fi 6 delivers faster data transfer rates, with a maximum potential speed of 9.6 Gbps compared to Wi-Fi 5’s 3.5 Gbps. This means quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and less buffering.
- Better Efficiency: Wi-Fi 6 is designed to handle more devices simultaneously. It uses technologies like MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) and OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) to manage multiple connections more efficiently, reducing congestion and improving performance.
- Longer Battery Life: Wi-Fi 6 includes a feature called Target Wake Time (TWT), which allows devices to schedule when they wake up to send or receive data. This reduces the time devices spend searching for a signal, leading to improved battery life, especially for IoT devices.
- Improved Range: Wi-Fi 6 offers better range and coverage, particularly in dense environments with many devices. It’s better equipped to handle interference and maintain strong signals over longer distances.
Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 5
While Wi-Fi 5 was a significant step forward from its predecessor, Wi-Fi 6 takes it to the next level with enhanced speed, efficiency, and capacity. If you have a lot of devices connected to your network or live in a home with many walls or interference sources, Wi-Fi 6 can make a noticeable difference in your internet experience.
Netgear Orbi 850 Specs
The Netgear Orbi 850 is a powerful mesh Wi-Fi system that leverages Wi-Fi 6 technology to deliver exceptional performance. Here are the key specs:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6 (AX4200) |
| Router Ports | 1 x 2.5 Gbps WAN, 4 x Gigabit Ethernet |
| Satellite Ports | 4 x Gigabit Ethernet |
| Bands | Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 5 GHz) (5Ghz-2 is dedicated to backhaul) |
| Speed | Up to 6 Gbps combined Wi-Fi speed 2.4Ghz : 1200 Mbps 5Ghz (1) : 2400 Mbps 5Ghz (2) : 2400 Mbps |
| MU-MIMO | Yes (Learn more on MU-MIMO) |
| OFDMA Support | Yes (Learn more on OFDMA) |
| Security | WPA3 (Learn why WPA3 is important) |
| Additional Features | Amazon Alexa built-in, Netgear Armor cybersecurity |
Set Options:
- 2-pack: Includes one router and one satellite, ideal for medium-sized homes.
- 3-pack: Includes one router and two satellites, perfect for larger homes with more devices.
- 4-pack: Includes one router and three satellites, providing maximum coverage for very large homes or small offices.
Where the Netgear Orbi 850 Shines
The Orbi 850 is ideal for:
- Large homes: Its ability to create a seamless Wi-Fi network throughout your entire home is unmatched.
- Heavy device usage: With multiple people streaming, gaming, and working from home, the Orbi 850 can handle the load without breaking a sweat.
- Smart home enthusiasts: The integration of Amazon Alexa allows for voice control of your smart home devices.
- Security-conscious users: Netgear Armor provides robust protection against online threats.
Considerations Before Buying
While the Orbi 850 is an excellent choice for many, there are a few things to consider:
- Client compatibility: Ensure your devices are Wi-Fi 6 compatible to fully benefit from the increased speeds and efficiency. Older devices will still connect but might not experience the full potential of the system.
- Price: The Orbi 850 is a premium product, and its price reflects that. Consider your budget and whether the features justify the cost.
- System size: Determine how many satellites you need based on your home’s size and layout. The Orbi 850 system can be expanded with additional satellites if needed.
In conclusion, the Netgear Orbi 850 is a top-tier mesh Wi-Fi system that delivers outstanding performance and coverage. If you’re looking to elevate your home network, this is definitely a product to consider.
