NETGEAR Orbi Home Mesh WiFi System

Download the Orbi app for your phone and launch it to begin the installation and setup. The app will perfectly guide you through the simple process of setting up the router and satellite(s). Pros: Great phone app is used for installation and setup, then for parental controls, for giving friendly names to mesh and user devices, and for the optional security subscription. Only one SSID (network name) for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands. The device is responsible for connecting to the access point with the strongest signal, and downshifting to a lower speed and/or lower band if necessary to maintain reliability. For my iPhone XS this is automatic and nearly seamless. I can be on a WiFi call in one end of the house where my iPhone only connects on the 2.4Ghz band, walk to the other end or closer to the other access point, and my iPhone will switch to the other access point without dropping the call. If I end up close enough to the other access point to connect at 5Ghz it will do so. Not all our devices are as smart as an iPhone, but they all work with the mesh, including our Canon MX920 series printer. You can use the phone app to access your mesh via the cloud and exercise parental controls, see the status of connected devices or test your internet connection speed. Mesh firmware V2.7.4.24 is solid. The phone app is currently Version 2.21.0.239 and it's great! See attached screenshots. Cons: Some of the wait times to re-join the network during setup seem excessive, typically over a minute, but less than 5 minutes. Be patient during setup. Note: Parental controls and extra security monitoring are paid subscriptions.