Verdict: Both Netgear and Google have designed their WiFi systems in a simple and minimalist manner, so you’ll have no problem positioning any unit in the center of the room (unlike the industrial-looking traditional routers) but, while the Google WiFi may be a bit better looking and feel a bit more robust, the Netgear Orbi is also solidly built and it has two additional LAN ports (which will make a huge difference in day-to-day use), so it wins this round.ĪLSO CHECK OUT: LINKSYS VELOP VS NETGEAR ORBI If you turn the Google WiFi upside-down, you’ll notice that there is a significantly large hole where rest two Gigabit Ethernet ports (by default, these two ports operate as LAN, but, the unit that gets connected to the Internet will use one port as WAN and the other for either inter-node connection or for connecting a wired client) and a USB type-C port for powering up the device (the circular LED light doesn’t go all around the device and it is being interrupted by a small Reset button used for returning the Google WiFi unit back to factory default settings). On the rear side of the Netgear Orbi, towards the bottom, there’s a separate area where you can find all the ports and buttons: from the left, there’s the Sync button (WPS), four Gigabit Ethernet ports (the router unit has one WAN port and three LAN ports, while the satellites will use all four ports as LAN), a USB port (can be used for connecting a printer), a Power On/Off button, a Power connector and a Reset button. The LED indicator from the satellite Orbi works slightly different than that on the router unit: the LED will be solid magenta when the satellite Orbi failed to sync to the router unit, it will turn blue for 3 minutes when the connection to the router is good and it will turn amber when the connection is fair.Įach Google WiFi is divided horizontally into two parts by a narrow canal in which rests the LED indicator that, similarly to the single LED on each Orbi unit, it shows the status of the system: if the LED indicator is solid green-blue, then everything is working properly, otherwise, if the LED indicator is solid red, then the WiFi node is experiencing an error if the LED is solid blue, then the device is returning to its default settings, but, if the indicator is flashing amber, then the Google WiFi unit is not connected to the Internet. On the top of both the Orbi router unit and the satellite, there’s a circular LED indicator which will remain turned off when everything is working properly, but it will flash white when the router unit is booting up or syncing in case the LED is solid magenta, then the router unit is disconnected from the Internet. As a consequence, the Google WiFi runs warmer, while the Netgear Orbi was almost completely cool to touch. Netgear decided to cover the bottom side almost entirely by ventilation holes, as well as the area above the ports which ensure a better airflow inside the case and reduces considerably the chance of overheating.
Each Google WiFi measures only 4.17 x 2.70 inches and weighs 0.75 lbs, so you’ll have an easier time positioning it anywhere in the room, but you do need to take into consideration the fact that Google decided not to add any significant cut-outs for a proper heat management and since the device relies on passive cooling, you need to make sure to keep your Google WiFi out in the open. While the two Orbi units are different, the three Google WiFi nodes are identical and any of them can be appointed as the main device which gets connected to the Internet. The Google WiFi shares some similar traits, such as the minimalist design approach and the white matte finish, but, unlike the tall Orbi units, every Google WiFi device is about three times shorter and has a cylinder-like shape. The Netgear Orbi is definitely the tallest WiFi system (for now), measuring 6.67 x 2.36 x 8.89 inches, but its minimalist design ensures that it is living-room-friendly, especially if you have a modern-type furniture.
This also highlights the fact that these two devices have different purposes, the router Orbi is the main device that gets connected to the modem and the satellites can either be connected to the main unit or between each other (thanks to the newly received daisy-chaining ability). The Netgear Orbi kit consists of two seemingly identical units, each device featuring a tall plastic case covered by a white matte-finish and the only visible difference between the two Orbi units is the top side color: the satellite unit is completely white, while the router unit has a light-blue top.
GOOGLE WIFI MESH UPDATE
UPDATE : The article was updated to highlight the changes that each manufacturer has made to their WiFi systems over the years.ĪLSO CHECK OUT: NETGEAR ORBI VS EERO SECOND GENERATION (PRO PACK)Įven if they’re part of the same family of networking devices, when put next to each other, the Google WiFi and the Netgear Orbi share little in common from the design point of view.
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