Eero vs Orbi: Which Mesh WiFi System Actually Delivers?

Based on expert lab tests, user reviews from Reddit and forums, and real-world performance data

The short answer: Eero wins for most households. While Orbi delivers faster raw speeds and slightly better range, Eero's rock-solid reliability and "set it and forget it" simplicity make it the better choice for the 90% of users who just want WiFi that works without constant troubleshooting. Unless you're a power user with gigabit+ internet who needs maximum throughput, Eero's consistency beats Orbi's occasional speed bursts. Get Eero Pro 6E on Amazon for $330 (3-pack) →

The Fighters

	Eero Pro 6E	Netgear Orbi RBK752
Price	$330 (3-pack) on Amazon	$350-400 (2-pack) on Amazon
Best For	Families who want "set and forget" WiFi	Power users who need max throughput
WiFi Standard	WiFi 6E (Tri-band)	WiFi 6 (Tri-band)
Max Speed	2.3 Gbps	4.2 Gbps
Coverage	6,000 sq. ft. (3-pack)	5,000 sq. ft. (2-pack)
Device Support	100+ devices	40+ devices

Eero Pro 6E mesh WiFi router - compact white design that blends into home decor

The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: Setup & Ease of Use

The difference here is night and day. Eero installation is routinely called "the easiest and quickest of any router tested" by reviewers. One PowerMoves tester got two Eero Pro 6 nodes installed and running the latest firmware in just 5 minutes. The app walks you through everything with simple, jargon-free instructions.

Orbi setup isn't terrible, but it takes 15-20 minutes and requires more technical understanding. The web-based interface offers more customization options, which is great for power users but overwhelming for someone who just wants internet that works. Multiple forum users report needing to contact support during initial setup.

Eero's philosophy is "we'll handle the technical stuff." Orbi's philosophy is "here are all the knobs—good luck."

Eero Pro 6E	Netgear Orbi RBK752
9/10	6/10

Round 1 Winner: Eero — Five minutes to working WiFi versus twenty minutes of troubleshooting isn't even close.

Score after Round 1: Eero 9 | Orbi 6

Round 2: Raw Speed & Performance

Here's where Orbi flexes. In head-to-head WiFi 6E testing, PCWorld found the Netgear Orbi 6E hitting 1.22 Gbps at distance compared to Eero Pro 6E's 639 Mbps. That's nearly double the throughput.

Dong Knows Tech put it bluntly: "For my money, the eero can't hold a candle to the Orbi" when it comes to raw speed. The Orbi's dedicated 5GHz backhaul band gives it a significant advantage for moving data between nodes.

But here's the catch—Eero performed more consistently across test locations, staying "within a roughly 100Mbps range everywhere," while Orbi showed more variability. And on the 2.4GHz band (which many smart home devices use), Eero actually outperformed Orbi.

Eero Pro 6E	Netgear Orbi RBK752
7/10	9/10

Round 2 Winner: Orbi — When you need maximum speed, Orbi delivers nearly double the throughput.

Score after Round 2: Eero 16 | Orbi 15

Round 3: Coverage & Range

Orbi takes this one too. According to Dong Knows Tech, "Orbi is much better in coverage, consistently delivering some 25 percent better range" in direct testing.

The Orbi RBK752's larger units with more antennas (6 versus Eero's smaller form factor) push signal further. For larger homes or those with challenging layouts, that extra 25% matters.

However, Eero Pro 6E covers 6,000 sq. ft. with a 3-pack versus Orbi's 5,000 sq. ft. with a 2-pack. So you're comparing apples to oranges on the per-unit level. If you add a third Orbi satellite, coverage becomes comparable—but so does the price.

Eero Pro 6E	Netgear Orbi RBK752
7/10	8/10

Round 3 Winner: Orbi — That 25% range advantage is real and measurable.

Score after Round 3: Eero 23 | Orbi 23

Netgear Orbi mesh router with distinctive oval design and glowing status ring

Round 4: Reliability & Stability

This is where Eero destroys the competition. Across forums, reviews, and user discussions, one phrase keeps appearing for Eero: "set it and forget it."

TechGearLab named Eero 6+ "the best WiFi mesh system for most people" specifically because of its reliability. Reviewers note that "across dozens of mesh systems from Orbi, Google, Nest, Velop, and Deco, Eero is almost always the most stable."

Meanwhile, Orbi forums paint a different picture. NETGEAR Communities are filled with reports of "numerous and frustrating dropped connections." Users report firmware updates breaking wired backhaul, satellites bricking after auto-updates, and WiFi network names disappearing—including reports as recent as January 2026.

One user on TechBoards summed up their $1,900 Orbi 970 experience: "Right out of the box, the product never worked."

Eero's Amazon rating sits at 4.4/5 with 74% 5-star reviews. Family members stop complaining about dropped video calls. That peace of mind is worth a lot.

Eero Pro 6E	Netgear Orbi RBK752
9/10	5/10

Round 4 Winner: Eero — WiFi that works reliably beats WiFi that's fast when it works.

Score after Round 4: Eero 32 | Orbi 28

Round 5: Features & Smart Home Integration

Eero comes with a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, letting you control compatible Thread and Zigbee devices directly through Alexa without needing a separate hub. For smart home enthusiasts, that's one less device cluttering your setup.

Orbi counters with more Ethernet ports, a web-based interface with deeper customization, and features like MU-MIMO and beamforming. For gamers and network tinkerers, these tools matter. You can manually adjust channels, set up VLANs (on higher-end models), and fine-tune QoS settings.

Eero's app is cleaner and simpler, but Orbi gives power users more control. It's the classic ease-versus-flexibility tradeoff.

One caveat: Some Eero features (content filters, VPN) are locked behind the eero Plus subscription. Orbi includes more features out of the box but requires the Netgear Armor subscription for advanced security.

Eero Pro 6E	Netgear Orbi RBK752
7/10	7/10

Round 5 Winner: Tie — Different feature sets for different users. Neither has a clear advantage.

Score after Round 5: Eero 39 | Orbi 35

Round 6: Value for Money

At current prices (January 2026), Eero Pro 6E 3-pack is available for around $330—40% off from its original $550. That's approximately $110 per node covering 6,000 sq. ft. total.

Orbi RBK752 2-pack runs $350-400, covering 5,000 sq. ft. That's $175-200 per node with less total coverage.

When you factor in Eero's superior reliability (meaning fewer hours spent troubleshooting), better support, and the included Zigbee hub, the value equation tilts heavily toward Eero.

For the flagship models, Orbi 970's $1,900 price tag for a 3-pack is genuinely hard to justify when users report serious reliability issues at that premium price point. Eero Max 7 offers WiFi 7 at lower price points.

Eero Pro 6E	Netgear Orbi RBK752
9/10	6/10

Round 6 Winner: Eero — More coverage, better reliability, lower price. The math is simple.

Modern home office with multiple connected devices benefiting from mesh WiFi coverage

Final Score

Product	Total Score	Verdict
Eero Pro 6E	48/60	WINNER
Netgear Orbi RBK752	42/60

The Winner: Eero Pro 6E

Eero wins this Death Match by delivering what most people actually need: WiFi that works consistently without requiring a networking degree to maintain.

Yes, Orbi is faster on paper. Yes, it pushes signal slightly further. But those advantages evaporate when you're troubleshooting dropped connections at 11 PM or waiting on hold with Netgear support for the third time this month.

PCWorld called Eero "more family sedan than sports car," and that's exactly right. Most families don't need a sports car for the school run. They need something reliable that starts every morning.

Eero's 5-minute setup, consistent performance, smart home integration, and superior customer support make it the clear winner for 90% of households. At current sale prices, it's also the better value.

Ready to buy the winner? Get Eero Pro 6E 3-Pack on Amazon for $330 →

When the Loser Actually Wins

Netgear Orbi isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:

You have gigabit+ internet and actually need those speeds — If you're paying for 2 Gbps service and doing large file transfers, Orbi's higher throughput ceiling matters
You're a gamer who needs multiple wired connections — Orbi's extra Ethernet ports and lower latency on wired backhaul give it an edge for competitive gaming
You want granular network control — VLANs, manual channel selection, detailed QoS settings—Orbi's web interface delivers for power users
Your home has challenging WiFi-killing construction — That 25% extra range helps penetrate concrete, brick, or metal obstacles

Orbi might be right for you: Check Orbi RBK752 price on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Smart home setup with various connected devices managed through mesh WiFi network

Can Eero and Orbi work together?

No. Mesh systems are proprietary and only work with their own branded nodes. You cannot mix Eero routers with Orbi satellites or vice versa.

How many devices can each system really handle?

Eero Pro 6E is rated for 100+ devices, Orbi RBK752 for 40+. In practice, both handle typical household loads (30-50 devices) without issues. The difference becomes apparent in smart home setups with 75+ devices.

Do I need WiFi 6E or WiFi 7?

For most users, WiFi 6E (Eero Pro 6E, Orbi 6E) is plenty. WiFi 7 only matters if you have multiple devices that support it and internet speeds exceeding 2.5 Gbps. Most households won't see real-world benefits from WiFi 7 until 2027 or later.

Is the eero Plus subscription worth it?

eero Plus ($10/month) includes ad blocking, content filters, advanced security, and a VPN. If you'd pay for those services separately, it's worthwhile. But the base Eero system works perfectly without it.

Why do Orbi users report so many problems?

Orbi's more complex firmware and advanced features create more potential failure points. Firmware updates can break existing functionality, and the dedicated backhaul system, while fast, can be finicky. Simpler systems like Eero have fewer things that can go wrong.