Orbi Outdoor Satellite

Orbi Outdoor Satellite is a device used to extend Wi-Fi network coverage and signal strength for Netgear’s Orbi Wi-Fi router, allowing the use of mobile devices from beyond a house and into a bigger area, such as a large backyard.

While not an actual satellite, the Orbi Outdoor Satellite is placed in an area within the Orbi network’s coverage. The device is weatherproofed to help it remain functional with outdoor placement. Once installed, the device adds up to 2,500 additional square feet of coverage to the existing network. The Satellite offers a 5Ghz tri-band connection for a maximum theoretical throughput of 1.7gbps.

The Orbi network is not a true mesh network setup but a traditional hub-and-spoke Wi-Fi technology. However, although satellite units currently must connect to the router, Netgear claims they can enable a daisy chain mode that allows satellites to connect to one another, assuming one base Orbi network is connected to by the first Satellite. Although the top mesh networks outperform the Orbi network and Satellite, the Orbi performs well in real-world setups with obstacles. The Orbi Outdoor Satellite can be deployed both in the home and commercially when paired with Netgear’s Orbi Pro for Small Businesses, with the option to separate guests from employees.