Head-to-head · Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems For Large Homes

Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro vs Netgear Orbi RBE773

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.2). Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro is best for: power users seeking best-in-class Wi-Fi 7 experience. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems For Large Homes

Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro

4.4

3 sources$946.16as of Oct 11

The ASUS ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro delivers exceptional Wi-Fi 7 performance with quad-band capabilities and 30000Mbps total bandwidth, making it a top-tier mesh system for demanding networks. Reviewers praised its premium design, two 10Gbps ports, and the robust ASUSWRT 5.0 firmware offering extensive features. However, its high price point and the need for lengthy restarts to apply certain settings were noted as drawbacks. This system is ideal for users seeking the best Wi-Fi 7 experience but may not suit budget-conscious buyers.

Strengths

— Top-tier Wi-Fi 7 performance with 30000Mbps total bandwidth and 320MHz channel width
— Two 10Gbps Multi-Gig ports for high-speed wired connections, per Tom's Hardware
— Latest ASUSWRT 5.0 firmware with extensive customization and free-for-life high-end features, per HighSpeedInternet.com

Watch-outs

— Comparatively expensive with a retail price tag of $699.99 for a single unit, per PCMag

$946.16 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #2 in Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems For Large Homes

Netgear Orbi RBE773

4.2

4 sources$629.99as of Oct 11

The Netgear Orbi RBE773 delivers impressive Wi-Fi 7 performance with speeds up to 11 Gbit/s and coverage for up to 8,000 sq ft. PCMag reviewer John R. Delaney praised its ability to handle multiple devices without sacrificing performance, while YouTube reviewer Reviews Inside TV noted strong, consistent speeds even at distance. The system supports up to 100 devices and includes built-in security features. However, occasional rebooting of satellite extenders was reported as a minor inconvenience.

Strengths

— Delivers speeds up to 11 Gbit per second
— Provides extensive coverage for homes up to 8,000 square feet
— Supports up to 100 connected devices simultaneously

Watch-outs

— Minor inconvenience in an otherwise smooth experience

$629.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro

The Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro is a quad-band Wi-Fi 7 system like the NETGEAR Orbi RBE972S, with 30000Mbps total bandwidth against the Orbi's 27Gbps, and it costs less. Its two-pack is rated for up to 8,000 sq ft, the same figure as the three-pack Netgear Orbi RBE773, which is tri-band at 11 Gbit/s and costs less than the Asus. Numerous Asus settings need a lengthy restart to apply.

Netgear Orbi RBE773

The Netgear Orbi RBE773 is rated at 11 Gbit/s and up to 8,000 sq ft, above the 5 Gbps and 6,000 sq ft of the Netgear Orbi 370, and it supports 100 devices against the Orbi 370's 70. The quad-band NETGEAR Orbi RBE972S lists more bandwidth at up to 27Gbps and up to 200 devices. The RBE773 costs more than the Orbi 370 and less than the RBE972S.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro	Netgear Orbi RBE773
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
Total Bandwidth	30000Mbps	11 Gbit/s
Ethernet Ports	Two 10Gbps Multi-Gig ports	3x 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps Multi-Gig Ethernet LAN ports per unit
Bands	Quad-band	Tri-band
Coverage Area	Up to 8,000 sq ft	Up to 8,000 sq ft
Pack Size	2-pack	3-pack
Security	AiProtection Pro powered by Trend Micro	Netgear Armor
Max Devices	—	100

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