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

Netgear Orbi RBE773 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

Netgear Orbi RBE773 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.2 vs 3.7). Netgear Orbi RBE773 is best for: users needing high device support with solid performance. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Netgear Orbi RBE773
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems For Large Homes
Netgear Orbi RBE773
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
NETGEAR Orbi RBE972S
Ranked #4 in Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems For Large Homes
NETGEAR Orbi RBE972S
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

How they stack up

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.

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

SpecNetgear Orbi RBE773NETGEAR Orbi RBE972S
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7
BandsTri-bandQuad-band
Total Bandwidth11 Gbit/sUp to 27Gbps
Coverage AreaUp to 8,000 sq ftup to 6,600 sq. ft.
Pack Size3-packTwo-pack (router + 1 satellite)
Max Devices100up to 200
SecurityNetgear ArmorNETGEAR Armor protection
Ethernet Ports3x 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps Multi-Gig Ethernet LAN ports per unit10 Gigabit WAN, 10 Gigabit backhaul, 4x 2.5 Gigabit
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