NETGEAR Orbi
- Wi-Fi performance: 9/10 — Holds speed further from the base than the others we've measured.
- Wi-Fi generation: 8/10 — Current models sit at the top of the range.
Reviewed September 2026
Best Wi-Fi for gigabit broadband
The short answer
Most homes never see gigabit over Wi-Fi. You need a current Wi-Fi generation, and the boxes joined by cable if there is more than one.
For this one job we'd pick the NETGEAR Orbi. Its overall WiFiXpert Index score is 79/100 — which is not the same thing as being top of the overall table, and doesn't change it.
Ranked for this job
Same published scores as the main index, weighted towards what matters here.
| # | System | Suited to this | Overall Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NETGEAR Orbi | 81/100 | 79/100 |
| 2 | eero mesh | 79/100 | 79/100 |
| 3 | Ubiquiti UniFi | 78/100 | 74/100 |
| 4 | TP-Link Deco | 74/100 | 73/100 |
| 5 | BT Smart Hub 2 | 64/100 | 65/100 |
| 6 | Virgin Media Hub 5 | 64/100 | 63/100 |
| 7 | Sky Broadband Hub | 63/100 | 64/100 |
| 8 | EE Smart Hub Plus | 63/100 | 64/100 |
Why each one landed where it did
eero mesh
- Wi-Fi performance: 8/10 — Speeds close to the plan in the same room; sensible drop-off further away.
- Wi-Fi generation: 7/10 — Current models are modern, but the range spans several generations.
Ubiquiti UniFi
- Wi-Fi performance: 9/10 — Excellent when access points are placed and cabled properly.
- Wi-Fi generation: 8/10 — Current access points are modern.
TP-Link Deco
- Wi-Fi performance: 8/10 — Strong for the money on the current models we've used.
- Wi-Fi generation: 7/10 — Current models are modern; older stock is still widely sold.
What we're assuming
- Speeds depend on your device as much as the router; a five-year-old phone caps out regardless.
- Try the free fixes first — moving the router, or moving one box — before buying anything. Common problems and free fixes.
Scored using WiFiXpert Hardware Index Methodology v1.0 — how we score.