Head-to-head

Netgear Orbi 970 Series vs Netgear Orbi 770 Series vs Amazon Eero Max 7

Netgear Orbi 970 Series

8.4 $1,799.99

Netgear Orbi 770 Series

8.6 $629.99

Amazon Eero Max 7

8.2 $1,149.99

Verdict

NETGEAR

Nothing covers a giant home through thick walls quite like it, but you pay flagship-times-three for the privilege, and Orbi firmware has a long history of needing patience.

NETGEAR

The Orbi to actually buy for a big multi-floor home: strong range, real Wi-Fi 7, and a price that's merely high rather than absurd. You give up the 970's 10-gig port and dedicated backhaul.

eero

A genuinely fast wired backbone and the cleanest app in mesh, hamstrung by mediocre real-world Wi-Fi for the money and the best features locked behind a subscription. Buy it for the ecosystem, not the value.

Best for

NETGEAR

Very large or multi-story homes with thick walls, where blanket coverage and top-end speed matter more than the cost.

NETGEAR

Large, multi-floor homes that want Orbi-grade coverage and real Wi-Fi 7 without paying flagship-970 money.

eero

Homes already invested in Alexa and Matter that want the simplest possible setup plus a true multi-gig wired backbone, and aren't price-sensitive.

Avoid if

NETGEAR

You're price-conscious, or you want a set-and-forget system without the occasional firmware fuss Orbi is known for.

NETGEAR

You have internet above 2.5 Gbps and want a 10-gig port, or you'd rather not pay for security and parental controls as a subscription.

eero

You're chasing the best Wi-Fi speed per dollar, or you resent paying a monthly fee to unlock parental controls and security.

Score breakdown

ease

NETGEAR

7.5

NETGEAR

7.5

eero

9.5

speed

NETGEAR

9.5

NETGEAR

8.5

eero

8.5

value

NETGEAR

4.5

NETGEAR

8.0

eero

5.5

backhaul

NETGEAR

9.5

NETGEAR

7.5

eero

9.5

coverage

NETGEAR

9.7

NETGEAR

9.0

eero

8.0

features

NETGEAR

7.5

NETGEAR

7.5

eero

8.5

Specs

ports

10 Gbps internet (WAN) + 2.5 GbE on router; 2.5 GbE on satellites

All 2.5 GbE (no 10G); 2.5 GbE WAN

—

backhaul

Dedicated 5 GHz wireless backhaul; optional 10 Gbps wired backhaul

No dedicated backhaul — all three bands available to clients

—

coverage

Up to 10,000 sq ft (3-pack)

Up to 8,000 sq ft (3-pack)

—

released

2024

October 2023

security

NETGEAR Armor and Smart Parental Controls (subscriptions)

WPA3; advanced security and parental controls require eero Plus ($9.99/mo)

max speed

Up to 27 Gbps aggregate (BE27000)

Up to 11 Gbps (BE11000)

—

max devices

200

100

200+

configuration

3-pack RBE973S (priced here); 2-pack and add-on satellite also sold

3-pack RBE773 (priced here); 2-pack RBE772 and add-on satellite also sold

2-pack (priced here); also sold as single unit and 3-pack

wifi standard

Wi-Fi 7, quad-band (2.4 / 5 / 5 / 6 GHz), BE27000

Wi-Fi 7, tri-band (2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz), BE11000

Wi-Fi 7, tri-band (2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz)

processor

—

Qualcomm Networking Pro 620, quad-core 1.5 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 4 GB flash

Quad-core A73, 2 GB RAM, 4 GB flash

warranty

—

1-year standard (3-year with active eero Plus)

smart home

—

Matter controller, Thread border router, Zigbee hub, Alexa built in

ports per node

—

2x 10 GbE + 2x 2.5 GbE, all auto-sensing

max wired speed

—

Up to 9.4 Gbps via dual 10GbE (~6 Gbps sustained)

coverage per node

—

Up to 2,500 sq ft

max wireless speed

—

Up to 4.3 Gbps

Buy →Buy →Buy →

	Netgear Orbi 970 Series NETGEAR	Netgear Orbi 770 Series NETGEAR	Amazon Eero Max 7 eero
Score	8.4	8.6	8.2
Price	$1,799.99	$629.99	$1,149.99
Verdict	Nothing covers a giant home through thick walls quite like it, but you pay flagship-times-three for the privilege, and Orbi firmware has a long history of needing patience.	The Orbi to actually buy for a big multi-floor home: strong range, real Wi-Fi 7, and a price that's merely high rather than absurd. You give up the 970's 10-gig port and dedicated backhaul.	A genuinely fast wired backbone and the cleanest app in mesh, hamstrung by mediocre real-world Wi-Fi for the money and the best features locked behind a subscription. Buy it for the ecosystem, not the value.
Best for	Very large or multi-story homes with thick walls, where blanket coverage and top-end speed matter more than the cost.	Large, multi-floor homes that want Orbi-grade coverage and real Wi-Fi 7 without paying flagship-970 money.	Homes already invested in Alexa and Matter that want the simplest possible setup plus a true multi-gig wired backbone, and aren't price-sensitive.
Avoid if	You're price-conscious, or you want a set-and-forget system without the occasional firmware fuss Orbi is known for.	You have internet above 2.5 Gbps and want a 10-gig port, or you'd rather not pay for security and parental controls as a subscription.	You're chasing the best Wi-Fi speed per dollar, or you resent paying a monthly fee to unlock parental controls and security.
Score breakdown
ease	7.5	7.5	9.5
speed	9.5	8.5	8.5
value	4.5	8.0	5.5
backhaul	9.5	7.5	9.5
coverage	9.7	9.0	8.0
features	7.5	7.5	8.5
Specs
ports	10 Gbps internet (WAN) + 2.5 GbE on router; 2.5 GbE on satellites	All 2.5 GbE (no 10G); 2.5 GbE WAN	—
backhaul	Dedicated 5 GHz wireless backhaul; optional 10 Gbps wired backhaul	No dedicated backhaul — all three bands available to clients	—
coverage	Up to 10,000 sq ft (3-pack)	Up to 8,000 sq ft (3-pack)	—
released	2024	2024	October 2023
security	NETGEAR Armor and Smart Parental Controls (subscriptions)	NETGEAR Armor and Smart Parental Controls (subscriptions)	WPA3; advanced security and parental controls require eero Plus ($9.99/mo)
max speed	Up to 27 Gbps aggregate (BE27000)	Up to 11 Gbps (BE11000)	—
max devices	200	100	200+
configuration	3-pack RBE973S (priced here); 2-pack and add-on satellite also sold	3-pack RBE773 (priced here); 2-pack RBE772 and add-on satellite also sold	2-pack (priced here); also sold as single unit and 3-pack
wifi standard	Wi-Fi 7, quad-band (2.4 / 5 / 5 / 6 GHz), BE27000	Wi-Fi 7, tri-band (2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz), BE11000	Wi-Fi 7, tri-band (2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz)
processor	—	Qualcomm Networking Pro 620, quad-core 1.5 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 4 GB flash	Quad-core A73, 2 GB RAM, 4 GB flash
warranty	—	—	1-year standard (3-year with active eero Plus)
smart home	—	—	Matter controller, Thread border router, Zigbee hub, Alexa built in
ports per node	—	—	2x 10 GbE + 2x 2.5 GbE, all auto-sensing
max wired speed	—	—	Up to 9.4 Gbps via dual 10GbE (~6 Gbps sustained)
coverage per node	—	—	Up to 2,500 sq ft
max wireless speed	—	—	Up to 4.3 Gbps
	Buy →	Buy →	Buy →

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