topic Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro in Broadband & Landline

Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

GDog3 — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:23:30 GMT

I took delivery of my Smart Hub Pro and satellite today, and so far, results are a bit disappointing compared to the 2 year old OrbiPro SXK80 set up I had, which gives WiFi 6.

Upstream definitely slower and range seems to be less.

Does anyone else have any experience of 1.6Gbps on third party routers please?

Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

Mustrum — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:26:34 GMT

@GDog3 There are lots of people using their own router

, although I do not know of anyone using that model.

Does the Orbi have a 2.5Ghz WAN interface?

Edit, just had a look, seems it has.

Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

GDog3 — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:00:17 GMT

dedicated 2.4Gbps wireless backhaul
Multi-Gigabit network speed — 2.5Gbps wired Ethernet for Multi-gigabit Internet connection

Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

GDog3 — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:10:54 GMT

Comparing the spec, I am struggling to see the advantage of the EE router. I don't have WiFi 7 devices and the claimed extended range seems to be nebulous.

I think I'll stick the OrbiPro system back in tomorrow and put the EE stuff in the cupboard. It is end-of-life but has three more years warranty and support. The remote access app is very good.

The price differential tells me quite a lot about the capability and quality.

Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

bobpullen — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 07:50:21 GMT

Not sure of the antenna config on the Orbi but looks to me like it has a dedicated 5GHz radio for wireless backhaul. This differs to the EE Hub that shares the satellite backhaul with fronthaul 6GHz connections.

On paper, the wireless speed between hub and satellite can go faster on SH4 (it will support 320MHz channel widths on Wi-Fi 7 versus 160MHz on Wi-Fi 6 with the Orbi) however, that benefit may well be countered by the fact that the Orbi is using a dedicated radio.

Use whatever works best for you though, I guess.

Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

GDog3 — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 08:47:39 GMT

I use ethernet for the backhaul on both.

Ive dumped the EE router as upload speed was pitiful and other problems with firmware.

Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

JimM11 — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 10:22:57 GMT

@GDog3 Orbi against any ISP supplied router, think orbi will win hands down!

Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

bobpullen — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:08:27 GMT

@GDog3 wrote:

...upload speed was pitiful...

How pitiful? Can't say I've seen any problems with mine. Pretty consistent ~115mbps. Or are you talking about LAN speeds?

Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

GDog3 — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:11:29 GMT

20 - 30 Mbps.

Direct to the router from the network was OK, but the WiFi element simply didn't hack it, and never got past the firmware updating page.

The connection to the premises is fine -

Upload Download Latency

113.38 Mbps

1398.79 Mbps

25 ms

Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

GDog3 — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 16:10:15 GMT

So..... I have given up on the firmware update. It may be that this was a glitch in the app.

Ignoring it and carrying on seems to not be a problem.

Then, replacing the supplied ethernet cable for a better one, poking and prodding stuff... seems to have helped. BUT....

the app interface is all over the place saying I don't have an extender, when I do, AND it also reports that the port is running at 1000 Mbps when it ought to be at 2.5 Gbps as on a Cat 7 ethernet.

I have ordered another extender, but I'm still not sure that the firmware is correct, although the speed of the extended suggests that it is running at a throttled 1000 Mbps

Re: Smart Hub Pro vs OrbiPro

JimM11 — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 17:48:56 GMT

@GDog3 Saintly patience is what is required!