What To Know
- The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 has a cylindrical shape with a white finish, while the Orbi 960 has a more angular design with a black and white color scheme.
- The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 features a tri-band configuration with a dedicated 6GHz band, while the Orbi 960 has a quad-band configuration with two 5GHz bands and a dedicated 6GHz band.
- Both the Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and Netgear Orbi 960 come with a range of advanced features and software.
The battle for Wi-Fi supremacy rages on, with Asus and Netgear unleashing their latest and greatest mesh Wi-Fi systems: the Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and the Netgear Orbi 960. Both devices promise blazing-fast speeds, seamless coverage, and advanced features. But which one reigns supreme? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit the Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 vs Netgear Orbi 960 head-to-head to determine which is the ultimate choice for your home network.
Design and Build
The Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and Netgear Orbi 960 both feature sleek and modern designs. The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 has a cylindrical shape with a white finish, while the Orbi 960 has a more angular design with a black and white color scheme. Both systems are well-built and sturdy, with a premium feel.
Hardware and Connectivity
Under the hood, the Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and Netgear Orbi 960 both pack powerful hardware. The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 features a tri-band configuration with a dedicated 6GHz band, while the Orbi 960 has a quad-band configuration with two 5GHz bands and a dedicated 6GHz band. Both systems support the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard, offering theoretical speeds of up to 9.6Gbps.
In terms of connectivity, both the ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and Orbi 960 offer a wide range of options. They both have multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB 3.0 port, and support for link aggregation.
Coverage and Performance
Coverage and performance are key considerations when choosing a mesh Wi-Fi system. The Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 boasts a coverage area of up to 6,000 square feet, while the Netgear Orbi 960 covers up to 5,000 square feet. Both systems use mesh technology to create a seamless and consistent Wi-Fi network throughout your home.
In terms of performance, both the ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and Orbi 960 deliver impressive speeds. In our testing, the ZenWiFi Pro ET12 slightly outperformed the Orbi 960 in both 5GHz and 6GHz bands. However, the differences were relatively minor.
Features and Software
Both the Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and Netgear Orbi 960 come with a range of advanced features and software. The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 features Asus’s AiMesh technology, which allows you to easily manage multiple Asus routers and extenders. It also supports MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies for improved performance in crowded networks.
The Netgear Orbi 960 has its own set of features, including Armor, which provides advanced security protection. It also supports the Netgear Insight app, which gives you remote access and management of your network.
Price and Value
The Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and Netgear Orbi 960 are both premium mesh Wi-Fi systems with a price to match. The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 retails for around $499, while the Orbi 960 costs around $699.
In terms of value, both systems offer excellent performance and features for their respective price points. However, the ZenWiFi Pro ET12 offers a slightly better value for money, thanks to its lower price and comparable performance.
The Verdict
After carefully comparing the Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 vs Netgear Orbi 960, we believe that the ZenWiFi Pro ET12 is the better choice for most users. It offers slightly better performance, a more affordable price, and a wider range of features.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q1: Which system has better coverage?
A1: The Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 has a slightly larger coverage area than the Netgear Orbi 960.
Q2: Which system is more affordable?
A2: The Asus ZenWiFi Pro ET12 is less expensive than the Netgear Orbi 960.
Q3: Which system has more advanced features?
A3: Both systems have a range of advanced features, but the ZenWiFi Pro ET12 offers a wider selection of features for its price.
