Orbi might be the first mesh-based network to launch over here, but it's got some big competition across the pond. Eero has been out in the US for a while, and Google Wifi will arrive there in November.

Blistering wireless speeds; Great design; Incredibly simple setup

Beaten by much cheaper routers for everyday file transfers; QoS options are basic; Mobile app is horrific

Consumer router products are generally classified by three major performance characteristics: overall throughput or bandwidth, multi-client performance, and range. Although throughput and multi-client bandwidth has scaled-up nicely over the years, range perhaps hasn't improved quite as robustly and...

High performance AC WiFi; Great performance over distance; Virtually eliminates dead spots; Easy setup and configuration

Just one USB 2 port per unit; Only 3 available Ethernet ports on base

I've seen some grousing in the SNBForums Orbi threads about Orbi's $400 price tag and I suppose, rightfully so. You can buy most any AC5300 / AC5400 BHR for less, including NETGEAR's Nighthawk X8 and ASUS' RT-AC5300 . Only NETGEAR's just-announced AD7200 class Nighthawk X10 costs more at $500.

Mesh networking is a bit of a buzzword at the moment, with the modular Eero system getting rave reviews earlier this year, and the recently announced Google Wifi getting in on the act too.

Home Wi-Fi systems offer a user-friendly alternative to the more complex router/extender solutions used to blanket your home with wireless coverage, and the Netgear Orbi High-Performance AC3000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi System (RBK50) is currently the best of the burgeoning crop.

Easy to install; Fast throughput; Multi-User Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) capable; Highly configurable

Expensive; Bulky; Limited USB functionality

For settings where getting a usable Wi-Fi signal to every corner of your house is difficult, if not impossible, the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi system looks to be a top option. Covering up to 4,000 square feet, its three-channel set-up allows for full data speeds even at remote locations.

Extends wireless range without loss of speed; Easy set up and use; 4,000 square feet of coverage; Add-on satellites for even larger homes are available

Only suitable where Wi-Fi signal distribution is challenging; Pricey

NETGEAR's Orbi kit is one of the strongest wireless systems on the market thanks to its engineering, but with that comes a hefty price tag that will scare some away.

The Netgear Orbi is the second Wi-Fi system I've worked with and, at a glance, it seems similar to the first, the Eero . At the very least, the Orbi also has multiple hardware units and it's expensive as well, costing $400 for a set of two and an additional unit will cost another $250.

The Orbi Wi-Fi system conveniently delivers large Wi-Fi coverage without compromising speed; The system doesn't require an account with Netgear to work

The system is expensive; and there's no mobile app for its setup process

The Netgear Orbi is a new spin on the home Wi-Fi router, designed specifically to stretch Wi-Fi coverage further than any normal router can manage. It achieves this because it's essentially two routers in one, with the second unit acting like a glorified Wi-Fi extender.

Very fast speeds at long range; Easy setup; Consistent coverage; Much faster performance than Wi-Fi extenders; Single SSID makes managing connections easy

High upfront cost; Modest feature set for power users; Not the fastest router when in close range

I got tired of using a wifi extender, and didn't want to go through the hassle of (learning to and) reconfiguring an old modem to function as an access point in my house. After looking at the Orbi, Google home, and Eero, I bought the Orbi. Took about 10 minutes to set up.