Manufacturer spec comparison · We have not tested either router
eero Max 7 vs NETGEAR Orbi 970 Series
Choose eero Max 7 for simpler app-led management with 10GbE on every node. Choose Orbi 970 for maximum quad-band capacity and a dedicated backhaul band in very large homes — at flagship cost. Both need compatible clients and sensible placement; neither fixes a bad node location.
The real difference
Both systems are tri-band-or-better mesh kits with 6 GHz, Multi-Link Operation listed, and 10GbE ports. The Orbi 970 adds a fourth band (quad-band, BE27000 class) that eero reserves for backhaul flexibility rather than raw numbers. In practice the deciding factors are node count, node price, wired-backhaul feasibility, and whether anyone in the home will use eero Plus or NETGEAR Armor subscriptions.
Check both vendors for the exact satellite Ethernet layout: a fast primary router means little if the satellite in the far room only offers slower ports or relies on weak wireless backhaul through dense walls.
Before buying either
Count how many nodes the floor plan actually needs, confirm where each node gets a strong upstream signal, and verify the internet plan can use 10GbE at all. On a 1 Gbps plan with one floor, both systems are oversized — a smaller mesh kit covers the home for less.