Linksys Hydra Pro 6E Mesh Router vs Netgear Orbi 970 Wi Fi 7 Mesh System

Linksys Hydra Pro 6E Mesh Router
Linksys Hydra Pro 6E Mesh Router
Netgear Orbi 970 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System
Netgear Orbi 970 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System

Verdict: Netgear Orbi 970 wins on performance with 27 Gbps Wi-Fi 7 speeds and 10 GbE ports (per Netgear specs) versus Linksys 5.4 Gbps Wi-Fi 6E. Orbi also leads in longevity with newer standard and dedicated 6 GHz backhaul. Linksys Hydra Pro 6E trails in raw speed and future features but remains viable for lighter use.

Winner: Netgear Orbi 970 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System

Linksys Hydra Pro 6E Mesh Router: 6.5/10

Netgear Orbi 970 Wi Fi 7 Mesh System: 8.5/10

Spec-by-spec comparison

Linksys Hydra Pro 6E Mesh RouterNetgear Orbi 970 Wi Fi 7 Mesh System
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 7
BandsTri-bandQuad-band
Max Speed5.4 Gbps27 Gbps
Coverage per Unit2,700 sq ft3,000 sq ft

Linksys Hydra Pro 6E Mesh Router

What works

  • Supports 6 GHz band for reduced interference
  • Easy app-based setup with parental controls
  • Compatible with existing Linksys nodes

What doesn't

  • Wi-Fi 6E is one generation behind current standard
  • Lower peak throughput than Wi-Fi 7 systems

Netgear Orbi 970 Wi Fi 7 Mesh System

What works

  • Wi-Fi 7 with 320 MHz channels and MLO
  • Dedicated 6 GHz backhaul for minimal latency
  • High multi-gig wired ports including 10 GbE

What doesn't

  • Higher cost than previous Orbi generations
  • Larger nodes require more desk space

Bottom line

Our pick: Netgear Orbi 970 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System.

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