If you want to compare the Netgear Orbi AC2200 Vs AC3000, you have come to the correct place. There is no doubt that Orbi gives an enjoying experience, but which Orbi product should you pick?
There are many factors to consider when comparing the best Orbi for your needs. You need to make sure that you aren’t wasting your hard-earned money. You could get one Orbi, and then realize that you should have got the AC3000 instead. We are here to help you make the correct decision, regardless of what that will be.
This guide will highlight each router’s features, similarities, specifications, affordability, and use cases. By the end of the article you should have a good idea of which router is best for your specific situation.
Netgear Orbi AC2200 Vs AC3000
The two routers have many similarities, but also many differences. The main difference between the two is the increased power of the AC3000. It is fast, comes with many features, and offers easy connectivity. The AC2200 is slightly less powerful, but is still an excellent router for those who live in apartments or will be connecting fewer devices to the internet.
AC2200
There are two main differences when we look at the Netgear Orbi AC2200, which are the size and the cost. The device is like the AC3000’s smaller and more budget-friendly little brother. It still has the same quality as the AC3000, but it is targeted at a different demographic.
The AC2200 gives you coverage of up to 5,000 square feet, which is enough for the majority of houses and apartments. This means that you can enjoy signal if you are less than 5,000 feet from your router, although walls and other devices can interfere with this number.
The device has 3 Gigabit ports, guest access, parental control, security protection, up to 866 Mbps speed, 512MB RAM, and 4GB flash – amongst other things. Overall, the Orbi AC2200 offers a number of advanced features at a reduced price.
AC3000
The Orbi AC3000 is a premium Mesh WiFi system. In fact, this device provides unbeatable speed and efficiency, regardless of your house size (within reason).
This is Orbi’s flagship product, which means it has every advanced feature possible. To be honest, it has many features that you will likely never use at all. Most impressively, the device offers speeds of up to 3.0 Gbps. It has Tri-band technology for coverage of up to to 7,500 square feet. We should also mention the four LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports for the best connection possible.
Differences Between AC2200 and AC3000
Although they are both designed to give you wireless signals, there are many differences between the two models, which we will now dive in to. Some features will be great for some, while being less than ideal for others.
Price
In regards to the pricing of both routers, the AC3000 is more expensive than the AC2200. They both offer great value when compared to other routers on the market, and there certainly aren’t many routers that are the same high-quality as the AC3000, but can be found at these prices. The Linksys Velop is a good buy, but we still think the AC3000 has better speed and performance.
It’s important to say that even though the AC2200 costs less, it doesn’t mean that the device is lower quality. In fact, it just means that you aren’t paying more for the extra features that are found on the AC3000. If you don’t need super-high coverage, then you are better off saving your money by getting the AC2200. This is because the AC2200 covers 5,000 square feet, even though this is 2,500 square feet shorter than the AC3000.
Speed
For ultimate beat that can’t be beaten, the AC3000 comes out on top. The device gives 3 Gbps speed, which means you’ll never have issues with latency. The AC2200 gives speeds of 2.2 Gbps with coverage of 5000 square feet. Both are plenty good enough to give you enough speed to enjoy media on your devices, but the AC3000 is better for those who live in large homes or those with multiple devices.
Satellites
If you need to extend the distance of your signal, you will require a router with satellites. Fortunately, both the AC2000 and AC3000 have satellites that do exactly this. Both routers come with two satellites included, but these satellites are slightly different in how they perform.
The AC3000 comes with large satellites with two Ethernet ports on each, whereas the AC2200 comes with smaller satellites and no Ethernet ports. Simply connect the satellites to a power outlet to improve the distance of your wireless signal.
Backhaul Link Speed
This feature is important to eliminate dead zones and increased overall network efficiency. Essentially, it works by transferring signals to the Orbi satellites. The AC3000 comes out on top with an impressive 1733 Mbps speed, while the AC2200 falls just short with a speed of 866 Mbps.
LAN wired ports
Both routers allow you to make direct connections with your devices. This means you can directly connect your computer with your network, which allows for super-fast speeds. The Orbi AC3000 has five ports, while the AC2200 has four ports, so not too much difference here.
Similarities Between AC2200 and AC3000
So, we know that the two routers have a few differences, but it is now time to discuss how the AC2200 and AC3000 are similar. Now, let’s look at what makes both the AC2200 and the AC3000 among the best Mesh Wi-Fi networks.
Tri-band
Many routers on the market use dual-band technology, but both the AC2200 and the AC3000 are tri-band routers. Essentially, this means that multiple frequency bands are used, which removes the chance of network congestion. Both routers are very efficient at distributing signals to all devices in a fast and efficient way.
Simple set-up
Both routers are incredibly easy to set-up and manage. In fact, you can use an Orbi app to complete the process. This app allows you to manage your network on-the-go with your phone.
MU-MIMO
If you don’t know what it means, MU-MIMO stands for “multiple users, multiple inputs, and multiple outputs”. This feature separates your ISP’s bandwidth and then evenly distributes it to every network device. This advanced feature means you can enjoy fast WiFi connection on multiple devices at the same time.
Parental Controls
Those who have young children will want a router with parental control. Both routers have parental control features that allow you to set restrictions on what websites are visited on your network.
Guests
Some people dislike sharing their home network with guests, and both of these routers allow for full guest control. It’s a simple case of creating a separate point for guests on your network. This means both you and your guests can enjoy great WiFi, but without your network being exposed.
How to Make a Decision?
There are a number of factors to take into account when choosing between the Orbi AC2200 and AC3000. Whichever router you go for, Netgear is a highly-respected company that provide excellent support. Below you will see the most important factors to take into account when comparing AC3000 Vs AC2200. There are plenty of other features we could discuss, but the ones below are by far the most important and critical.
- Speed – It goes without saying, but you want the fastest WiFi possible. This will allow you to enjoy fast load times, even with multiple connected devices. Go for router with over 2.2 Gbps.
- Connectivity – It should be easy for you to connect to your router. No one wants to spend hours trying to get a connection. It should also allow you to connect multiple devices at the same time.
- Coverage – You may need a router that will offer WiFi over a large coverage area. This is especially true for those who live in large houses with multiple floors.
- Tri-band – This technology allows your whole system to flow with ease. It is a must-have technology for all modern routers, which is something the AC2200 and AC3000 both have.
Verdict
So, which router is our winner? Although we love both of these Orbi routers, our winner has to be the more-powerful AC3000. The Orbi AC3000 is the perfect router for any situation, and it is powerful enough for large houses or office environments. It has the best features, speed, and easy connectivity. It will depend on what you need, but those with a large house would be better suited to the AC3000. It will maintain excellent coverage throughout every room in the house, up to 7,500 square feet.
However, the power of the AC3000 will not be necessary for all situations. Those that will in small apartments will love using the Orbi AC2200. It is like the AC3000’s little brother, as it will give you a similar same performance, but only up to 5,000 square feet.
The truth is that both of these routers will satisfy someone looking to create a reliable Mesh Wi-Fi home network. The choice entirely depends on what you need from your router, and how powerful you need it to be.
