Welcome to our in-depth comparison of two leading wireless technology systems: Amplifi and Orbi.
As wifi mesh systems, they are designed to provide seamless wireless coverage throughout your home.
If you’re in the market for a new router and want to make an informed decision, this article will guide you through the key features and help you choose the best wifi mesh system for your needs.
When comparing Amplifi vs Orbi, we’ll consider factors such as wireless coverage, hardware specifications, wireless connectivity, additional features, performance, range, and more.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of which system is most suitable for your home networking solution.
Similarities between Amplifi and Orbi
Amplifi and Orbi are two leading wifi mesh systems that provide excellent wireless coverage and seamless connectivity throughout your home.
These systems consist of a router and multiple mesh satellites, ensuring a strong and reliable internet connection in every room.
Both Amplifi and Orbi are tri-band solutions, supporting multiple devices and optimizing network performance.
With their wifi mesh capabilities, Amplifi and Orbi create a unified network, allowing devices to seamlessly transition between the router and satellites without any interruption.
This ensures a consistent and reliable internet connection throughout your home.
Whether you choose Amplifi or Orbi, you can expect wide wireless coverage, strong connectivity, and the ability to support multiple devices simultaneously.
These systems are designed to deliver a seamless networking experience and are ideal for homes that require extensive coverage and reliable connectivity in every corner.
Hardware Features of Amplifi and Orbi
When comparing the hardware specifications of the Amplifi and Orbi wifi mesh systems, some notable differences may influence your decision.
The Amplifi system consists of the Alien Router and Alien MeshPoint, while the Orbi system includes a router and multiple satellites.
These differences in hardware configuration can impact the overall performance and functionality of the systems.
The Orbi router features 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB 2.0 port, providing users with flexibility in wired connectivity options.
This allows for the connection of multiple devices such as gaming consoles, smart TVs, and printers directly to the router.
On the other hand, the Amplifi router has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and an extra WAN port, which can be used to connect to a modem or an additional wired network.
These hardware specifications highlight the differences in connectivity options between Amplifi and Orbi.
While both systems offer excellent wireless coverage and performance, the Orbi system provides more flexibility in terms of wiring devices directly to the network.
This can be advantageous in scenarios where a reliable wired connection is required for specific devices, such as gaming or streaming devices.
Comparison of Hardware Features
| Feature | Amplifi | Orbi |
|---|---|---|
| Gigabit Ethernet Ports | 4 | 4 |
| USB Port | None | 2.0 |
| WAN Port | 1 extra | None |
As seen in the table, both Amplifi and Orbi offer 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing for wired connections to multiple devices.
However, the Orbi system has the added advantage of a USB 2.0 port, which can be used for connecting external storage devices or printers.
On the other hand, the Amplifi system features an extra WAN port, enabling a direct connection to a modem or another network.
Considering your specific networking needs and preferences, these hardware differences may play a crucial role in determining which system is best suited for your home or office setup.
Whether you prioritize the flexibility of wired connections or the convenience of additional USB ports, it’s important to assess the hardware features of Amplifi and Orbi to make an informed decision.
Wireless Connectivity of Amplifi and Orbi
When comparing the wireless connectivity of Amplifi and Orbi, it’s important to consider the speed and range offered by these systems.
Both Amplifi and Orbi provide reliable wireless connections, but there are some differences in their specifications.
The Orbi system utilizes tri-band Wi-Fi radios, offering a maximum throughput of 1.2Gbps.
It supports frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, providing a stable and fast connection for multiple devices.
Additionally, the Orbi system has a dedicated backhaul band, ensuring faster and more reliable connections throughout your home.
On the other hand, Amplifi is a dual-band router with an AC1750 rating.
It provides theoretical speeds of 450 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band.
While this may be slightly lower than the speeds offered by Orbi, Amplifi still delivers a strong and consistent wireless connection.
| Amplifi | Orbi | |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-Band | No | Yes |
| Maximum Throughput | AC1750 | 1.2Gbps |
| Supported Frequencies | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz |
| Dedicated Backhaul Band | No | Yes |
While the Orbi system may offer slightly faster speeds and a dedicated backhaul band, Amplifi still provides a reliable and efficient wireless connection.
The choice between the two systems ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences, as well as the size and layout of your home.
Additional Features of Amplifi and Orbi
Aside from their basic connectivity features, both Amplifi and Orbi offer additional features to enhance your wireless network experience.
These additional features cater to specific needs and preferences, allowing you to customize your network setup accordingly.
Amplifi Additional Features:
- Ad-Blocking: Amplifi provides built-in ad-blocking, allowing you to surf the internet without interruptions from unwanted advertisements. This feature enhances your browsing experience and provides a cleaner, more streamlined online environment.
- Teleport VPN: Amplifi offers a teleport feature that enables secure remote access to your home network. With teleport VPN, you can access your network and its resources even when you’re away, ensuring a seamless and secure connection from anywhere in the world.
Orbi Additional Features:
- Full Web Interface: Orbi provides a comprehensive web interface that offers advanced network settings and features. This allows for greater control and customization of your network setup, ensuring optimal performance and management.
- Optional Paid Online Protection: Orbi offers optional paid online protection services for added security. These services provide advanced threat detection and protection against malware, viruses, and other online threats, keeping your network and connected devices safe.
- Parental Control Features: Orbi utilizes a third-party app called Circle for parental control features. With Circle, you can easily monitor and control internet usage on connected devices, ensuring a safe and age-appropriate online environment for your family.
Both Amplifi and Orbi offer unique additional features that can enhance your wireless network experience.
Whether you prioritize ad-blocking and teleport VPN or prefer a full web interface with advanced settings and parental controls, these systems have you covered.
Consider your specific needs and preferences when evaluating these additional features to make an informed decision.
Performance of Amplifi and Orbi
When comparing the performance of Amplifi and Orbi, it’s important to consider factors such as network speed and range.
Both systems deliver excellent coverage and reliable signals, but there are some differences to note.
Network Speed
The Orbi system has been recorded to have faster speeds with Wi-Fi 5 and legacy clients.
With its tri-band Wi-Fi radios, it provides a maximum throughput of 1.2Gbps and transmits frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. On the other hand, the Amplifi system is a dual-band router with an AC1750 rating.
It offers theoretical speeds of 450 Mbps and 1300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, respectively.
Range
Both Amplifi and Orbi offer reliable coverage, but there are differences in their range of capabilities.
The Orbi system supports up to three satellites, allowing for a coverage area of up to 5000 square feet.
On the other hand, the Amplifi system is known for its long coverage range, reaching over 20,000 square feet.
Depending on the size of your home and the extent of coverage needed, you can choose the system that suits your requirements best.
When evaluating the performance of Amplifi and Orbi, it’s important to consider your specific needs and preferences.
Factors like network speed and range are crucial in determining which system will provide the best internet connectivity for your home.
Take into account the size of your home, the number of connected devices, and the desired coverage range when making your decision.
| Amplifi | Orbi | |
|---|---|---|
| Network Speed | Dual-band AC1750 rating | Tri-band, 1.2Gbps maximum throughput |
| Range | Over 20,000 square feet | Up to 5000 square feet |
Range and Coverage of Amplifi and Orbi
When it comes to choosing a wireless networking solution for your home, one of the most important factors to consider is range and coverage.
After all, you want to ensure that your entire home is covered by a strong and reliable Wi-Fi signal.
In this section, we will explore the range and coverage capabilities of the Amplifi and Orbi systems.
AMPLIFI RANGE AND COVERAGE
The Amplifi system is known for its impressive coverage range.
With its mesh technology and powerful antennas, it can provide coverage of over 20,000 square feet.
This makes it an excellent choice for large homes or properties with multiple floors.
Whether you’re streaming movies in your basement or working from your home office on the top floor, you can expect a consistent and reliable connection.
ORBI RANGE AND COVERAGE
The Orbi system also offers excellent coverage, although not as extensive as the Amplifi system.
With its router and up to three satellites, the Orbi can cover an area of up to 5,000 square feet.
This is suitable for most average-sized homes and can easily provide coverage for multiple rooms and outdoor areas.
If you have a smaller home or don’t require as much coverage, the Orbi system can still meet your needs.
| Amplifi | Orbi | |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Over 20,000 square feet | Up to 5,000 square feet |
| Coverage | Powerful antennas and mesh technology provide consistent coverage throughout the entire home | Router and satellite combination ensures coverage for multiple rooms and outdoor areas |
Overall, both the Amplifi and Orbi systems offer reliable coverage and a strong Wi-Fi signal. The Amplifi system is ideal for larger homes or properties that require extensive coverage, while the Orbi system is a great choice for average-sized homes. Consider the size and layout of your home, as well as your specific coverage needs, to determine which system is the best fit for you.
Additional Features of Amplifi and Orbi
Aside from their core features, both the Amplifi and Orbi systems offer additional functionalities that can enhance your wireless network experience.
VPN Capability
One notable feature of the Amplifi system is its teleport VPN functionality.
This allows you to securely access your home network even when you’re away, ensuring a private and encrypted connection.
With this feature, you can browse the internet, access files, and stream media with peace of mind, knowing that your data is protected.
On the other hand, the Orbi system doesn’t have built-in VPN capabilities.
However, you can still set up a VPN using a third-party service or device connected to the Orbi network.
This gives you the flexibility to choose a VPN solution that aligns with your specific needs and preferences.
Parental Control Options
Both Amplifi and Orbi systems offer parental control features to help you manage and monitor internet usage for your family.
Amplifi provides a robust built-in parental control feature that allows you to create profiles, set internet schedules, and block specific websites or content categories.
This gives you full control over your children’s online activities and ensures a safe browsing experience.
Alternatively, the Orbi system utilizes a third-party app called Circle for parental control functionalities.
The Circle app provides similar features to the Amplifi system, allowing you to manage internet access, set time limits, and filter content.
With Circle, you can easily customize and enforce internet usage rules for each family member.
| Amplifi | Orbi | |
|---|---|---|
| VPN Capability | Yes | No, but supported through third-party services |
| Parental Control | Built-in with advanced features | Third-party app (Circle) for comprehensive control |
These additional features of the Amplifi and Orbi systems cater to specific user needs, whether it’s secure remote access or customizable parental control options.
Consider your requirements and preferences when choosing which system best suits your home networking needs.
Hardware Specifications and Design of Amplifi and Orbi
When comparing the hardware specifications of Amplifi and Orbi, there are notable differences that can impact your decision.
The Netgear Orbi features a powerful 2.2 GHz quad-core CPU, 4GB of flash storage and 512MB of RAM.
On the other hand, the Amplifi HD is equipped with a 750MHz processor, 32MB of storage, and 128MB of RAM.
These hardware differences suggest that the Orbi system may have a performance advantage, especially for handling heavy network traffic and multiple connected devices.
In addition to hardware specifications, the design of the two systems also sets them apart.
The Orbi system has a larger footprint compared to the compact design of the Amplifi HD.
This may be a relevant factor to consider if you have limited space or prefer a more discreet networking solution.
The design of the Orbi can be both visually engaging and serve as a statement piece in your home, while the Amplifi HD’s sleek and compact design is more understated and blends seamlessly into any environment.
Both Amplifi and Orbi offer their own unique strengths in terms of hardware specifications and design.
Consider your specific performance needs, available space, and aesthetic preferences when making a decision between these two systems.
Comparison of Hardware Specifications:
| Amplifi HD | Netgear Orbi | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 750MHz | 2.2 GHz quad-core |
| Flash Storage | 32MB | 4GB |
| RAM | 128MB | 512MB |
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best wifi system for your needs, it’s important to consider factors such as internet connectivity, wireless network coverage, and desired features.
Both Amplifi and Orbi offer excellent options in the wireless technology market, but the decision ultimately depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
The Orbi system stands out with its advanced features and larger coverage range.
It offers a robust solution for internet connectivity throughout your home, with the flexibility of wired connectivity options.
If you have a larger home or need a wider coverage area, the Orbi system may be the better choice for you.
On the other hand, the Amplifi system offers unique features such as ad-blocking and teleport VPN.
It provides a compact design with a long coverage range, making it a great option for those who prioritize aesthetics and need a reliable wireless network solution.
Additionally, Amplifi provides a robust parental control feature for monitoring and controlling internet usage on connected devices.
In conclusion, whether you choose Amplifi or Orbi, both systems deliver excellent wireless connectivity and reliable performance.
Take into account your home size, internet requirements, and desired features to make an informed decision on the best wifi system for you.
