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

Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro vs NETGEAR Orbi RBE972S

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 clear margin (4.4 vs 3.7). 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 #4 in Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems For Large Homes

NETGEAR Orbi RBE972S

3.7

3 sources$1,299.99as of Aug 29

The NETGEAR Orbi RBE972S is a quad-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh system that delivers high-speed networking with its dedicated main router and one satellite unit. PCMag's John R. Delaney praised its advanced features and performance, while YouTube reviewer Chris Majestic noted its premium price point, though he acknowledged its powerful capabilities. The system includes 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports and supports fast wired and wireless backhaul, making it ideal for demanding home networks but potentially overkill for average users.

Strengths

— Features Wi-Fi 7 technology with quad-band connectivity
— Equipped with 10 Gigabit Ethernet WAN port and multiple 2.5 Gigabit ports
— Distinctive design with gold accents on white version, measuring 11.5" tall

Watch-outs

— Expensive pricing, well above most mesh systems
— Large physical size (11.5" tall) may be cumbersome for some users

$1,299.99 · 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 RBE972S

The NETGEAR Orbi RBE972S is a quad-band system with up to 27Gbps total bandwidth, where the Netgear Orbi RBE773 is tri-band at 11 Gbit/s. It supports up to 200 devices against the RBE773's 100, though its two-pack is rated for 6,600 sq ft and the three-pack RBE773 for 8,000 sq ft. It costs more than the RBE773 and the Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro	NETGEAR Orbi RBE972S
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
Total Bandwidth	30000Mbps	Up to 27Gbps
Ethernet Ports	Two 10Gbps Multi-Gig ports	10 Gigabit WAN, 10 Gigabit backhaul, 4x 2.5 Gigabit
Bands	Quad-band	Quad-band
Coverage Area	Up to 8,000 sq ft	up to 6,600 sq. ft.
Pack Size	2-pack	Two-pack (router + 1 satellite)
Security	AiProtection Pro powered by Trend Micro	NETGEAR Armor protection
Max Devices	—	up to 200

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