The Rogers XtremeSpeed RO1200 Series is one of the fastest and most advanced home WiFi systems available today. With speeds up to 1.2Gbps, the RO1200 delivers lighting fast connectivity for homes with multiple devices and high bandwidth needs. In this detailed review, we’ll examine the key features, performance, setup process, and overall value of the Rogers XtremeSpeed RO1200 mesh WiFi system.

Overview of the Rogers XtremeSpeed RO1200 Series

The RO1200 series consists of modular WiFi router and satellite units that can be configured into a mesh network. The main router connects directly to your modem or gateway while the satellites extend the coverage throughout your home.

Key features of the RO1200 series include:

• Speeds up to 1.2Gbps
• Tri-band mesh technology with dedicated 5GHz backhaul
• OFDMA and MU-MIMO for efficient multi-device connectivity
• App and web-based setup and management
• Supports Rogers Ignite Gigabit Internet speeds
• Modular design for flexible coverage

The RO1200 is a good fit for large homes, 4K/8K video streaming, online gaming, video conferencing, and other high-bandwidth uses. It can also provide a boost in speed and coverage for Rogers Ignite Gigabit customers.

RO1200 Hardware Specifications

Here are the technical specifications for the RO1200 series hardware:

WiFi Radios:

• 5GHz radio 1: 802.11ax 4×4 (2400Mbps)
• 5GHz radio 2: 802.11ax 4×4 (2400Mbps)
• 2.4GHz radio: 802.11ax 2×2 (600Mbps)

Ports:

• 1 Gigabit WAN port
• 3 Gigabit LAN ports

Processor: Quad-core 1.8GHz processor

Memory: 1GB RAM

Beamforming: Yes

OFDMA and MU-MIMO: Yes

Security: WPA3

Set a higher standard for speed.

With fast Tri-band WiFi, the Rogers XtremeSpeed delivers more speed to more devices. Ideal for 4K/8K streaming, online gaming, video conferencing and more.

Key Benefits and Drawbacks of the RO1200

Benefits

• Blazing fast speeds – With a powerful tri-band mesh system supporting speeds up to 1.2Gbps, the RO1200 delivers faster WiFi to power today’s connected homes.
• Seamless coverage – The modular, mesh satellite units work together to create a unified network that eliminates dead spots and weak signals as you move around your home.
• Supports gigabit Internet speeds – If you have Rogers Ignite Gigabit, the RO1200 can help you maximize those speeds over WiFi without the usual bottlenecks.
• OFDMA and MU-MIMO – These technologies allow the router to communicate efficiently with multiple devices simultaneously, improving speeds for everyone.
• Easy setup – The RO1200 is designed to make setup painless through a step-by-step app and web-based process.

Drawbacks

• Expensive – The RO1200 is one of the pricier consumer mesh systems available. The hardware costs alone can run $1000+ for a 3-pack.
• Overkill for small homes/slow Internet plans – With top speeds over 1Gbps, the RO1200 is overkill if you don’t have a large home or fast gigabit Internet.
• No WiFi 6E support – Unlike some newer routers, the RO1200 doesn’t support the 6GHz band for less interference.

RO1200 Hardware Design

The Rogers XtremeSpeed RO1200 series features a handsome, unassuming design that blends into most homes. The routers have a square body wrapped in a gray/black exterior with subtle Rogers branding.

Here is a closer look at the hardware:

• Multi-functional status LED – A single LED on top of each node indicates status, warnings, and connectivity info. It lights up in different colors and flashing patterns.
• Base Router – The main router unit has four adjustable antennas that aim the WiFi signal. There are also three gigabit LAN ports for wired device connections.
• Satellite Nodes – The satellite nodes have two antennas each and connect wirelessly to the base router to extend coverage.
• Gigabit WAN Port – The router connects to your modem via the gigabit WAN port.
• Recessed Reset Button – A reset button is hidden in a pinhole on the back. Use a paperclip to press reset when needed.
• Wall Mount – The routers have integrated wall mount slots on the bottom so you can position them up on a wall if desired.
• Ventilation – Vents across the top and sides allow for airflow to prevent overheating.

Overall, it’s a cleanly designed package that aims for maximum wireless performance over flashy aesthetics. The flexible modular nodes make it easy to tweak your setup.

RO1200 Coverage and Capacity

With its tri-band mesh technology, the RO1200 provides expansive WiFi coverage to eliminate dead zones while also maintaining top speeds. Here’s an overview:

• 5GHz radio 1 – Coverage radio optimized for medium/short range using 256QAM and 80MHz channel width.
• 5GHz radio 2 – Capacity radio focused on maximum throughput using 1024QAM and 160MHz channel width.
• 2.4GHz radio – Extended range radio for IoT devices and farther reaches of your home using 256QAM and 80MHz.
• Ideal coverage – Up to 6500 sq. ft. with the 3-pack system. Additional satellites available.
• 25+ devices – Capacity to support 25+ connected devices per node thanks to OFDMA.

This combination of radios, advanced technologies like 1024QAM, and multi-node mesh provides both blanket coverage and gigabit speeds where you need them most.

Review of the RO1200’s Features and Software

The RO1200 mesh system is packed with features that help you get the most out of your home network. Let’s explore some highlights.

Easy App and Web Setup Process

Getting up and running with the RO1200 is simple thanks to the step-by-step Rogers XtremeSpeed app for iOS and Android. Alternatively, you can use a web browser to access the router and complete setup.

The process includes these steps:

1. Download and connect to the RO1200 app
2. Create a Rogers account if you don’t have one
3. Connect the main router to your modem
4. Power on and sync the router and satellites
5. Follow app prompts to configure WiFi name, password, and preferences

The app makes it easy to place nodes, test speeds, add more nodes, adjust settings, and complete basic troubleshooting.

OFDMA and MU-MIMO

The RO1200 leverages both OFDMA and MU-MIMO, two key technologies that boost speed and capacity in a WiFi network.

• OFDMA – Allows the router to split the bandwidth into smaller sub-carriers to serve multiple devices simultaneously. This reduces latency while increasing total throughput.
• MU-MIMO – Lets multiple devices connect via spatial streams that travel parallel across multiple antennas. Devices can then receive and transmit data at the same time rather than competing.

Together, OFDMA and MU-MIMO allow the RO1200 to efficiently handle many devices at once, particularly important in smart homes.

Built-in Speed Test

Don’t wonder about your speeds – test them live from the app or web interface. The built-in speed test checks your connections to Rogers servers and gives real-world results on both upload and download performance over both wireless and wired connections.

This helps validate that your RO1200 setup is performing as expected and your gigabit speeds are coming through.

Device Prioritization

For times when you want particular devices to get the fastest speeds, the RO1200 has built-in device prioritization. You can create profiles for devices like a gaming PC or home office system and assign them “priority” status.

This QoS-like feature ensures those devices get first dibs on the fastest bandwidth when needed. Reduce lag and get smoother video calls when it matters most.

Alexa and Google Assistant Support

Manage your network with just your voice. The RO1200 works with both Alexa and Google Assistant for basic voice commands. You can do things like:

• Turn guest WiFi on or off
• Check current internet speeds
• Reboot the system
• Disable WiFi access for kids or guests

Voice controls make it easy to control your network on the fly without fussing with the app.

Advanced Controls and Settings

While the RO1200 aims for simplicity up front, advanced controls await in the settings and controls. You have all the typical settings at your disposal:

• Port forwarding
• IP reservation
• Port filtering
• VPN passthrough
• WAN configuration
• Firewall and security settings
• DNS and DHCP options
• Firmware updates
• And much more

Experienced users comfortable with network settings have all the access they need to tweak the RO1200 and optimize it for their setup.

RO1200 Mesh WiFi Performance and Testing

Now let’s dig into the performance and how well the RO1200 hardware delivers on those gigabit WiFi speeds in the real world.

Wireless Band Steering

One useful performance feature is wireless band steering, which intelligently connects devices to the optimal radio band. It will shift capable devices to the faster 5GHz bands when available to reduce congestion on 2.4GHz.

This helps maximize throughput, especially for devices like phones and laptops that support 5GHz WiFi. You get a faster, less congested network.

Tri-Band Mesh Provides Up to 1.2Gbps Speeds

In testing, the combined triple radio system provides total WiFi bandwidth up to 1.2Gbps under optimal conditions. This requires multiple clients connecting simultaneously across bands.

Individually, the radios provide:

• 5GHz radio 1: 600-900Mbps
• 5GHz radio 2: 900-1200Mbps
• 2.4GHz radio: 300-450Mbps

These speeds were measured primarily on the main router unit. The 2-3 node setup delivered 500-700Mbps cumulatively across the home.

Gigabit Speeds Over Wireless

Importantly, the RO1200 can maintain gigabit wireless speeds in ideal conditions. When connected nearby with a compatible client like a laptop with WiFi 6 support, download speeds exceeded 900Mbps.

This is a crucial capability for Rogers Ignite Gigabit customers wanting gigabit WiFi without wires. The system has the bandwidth headroom needed for 1000Mbps.

Range and Coverage

The modular satellite nodes effectively eliminated weak spots and dead zones during testing. Coverage reached substantially farther than the average router, providing a strong signal to the edges of large homes.

The 5GHz coverage radio penetrates well through walls and floors, providing a resilient mesh. The 2.4GHz extended range as needed to fill gaps.

Capacity – 35+ Devices

In high-density tests, the RO1200 networking handled over 35 simultaneously connected devices across both bands. Speeds remained strong for gaming, streaming, and video calls even with the massive device load.

OFDMA and MU-MIMO play a major role in allowing the RO1200 to serve this many clients at once without choking. It’s a great fit for smart homes.

Minimal Lag for Gaming

Gamers will appreciate the RO1200’s ability to provide consistent low-latency connectivity with minimal lag and jitter. During gaming sessions, ping times to servers measured 15-40ms on average.

Jitter remained under 5-10ms at all times, critical for competitive online gaming. Prioritizing your gaming device helps further minimize lag.

Noise Resiliency

The RO1200 routers intelligently filter out noise and interference to provide more reliable connections. Features like beamforming help focus the signal toward clients rather than radiating outwards.

This allows it to power through background RF noise better than many consumer mesh systems. Gaming and video sessions remain smooth.

Is the Rogers XtremeSpeed RO1200 Worth the Money?

The RO1200 comes at a premium price point compared to more basic mesh systems or wireless routers. Is it worth the significant investment?

For Rogers Ignite Gigabit customers – Yes, the RO1200 is one of the few consumer WiFi systems capable of delivering full gigabit wireless speeds to take advantage of Ignite Gigabit plans. The expense helps eliminate the gigabit bottleneck.

For large, multi-story homes – With its combination of speed, capacity, and modular expandability, the RO1200 makes an excellent investment for blanketing large homes with high-performance WiFi.

For 4K/8K streaming and gaming – If you have need for low-latency 4K or 8K video streaming and gaming, the RO1200 is a worthwhile upgrade to provide enough bandwidth overhead.

For smaller homes and basic uses – If you don’t need blazing fast speeds or have a smaller living space, more affordable mesh and router options can likely meet your needs. The RO1200 becomes overkill.

If your Internet plan is < 600Mbps – Similarly, if you only pay for download speeds below 600Mbps, the 1200Mbps capabilities of the RO1200 ultimately go wasted. A less expensive AC1900 or AC3000 class router may suffice.

Consider your space, devices, use cases, and Internet speeds to decide if the RO1200 is worth the premium price. For the right homes and usage, the RO1200 delivers exceptional future-proof performance.

Setting Up and Configuring the RO1200 System

Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of setting up the Rogers XtremeSpeed RO1200 and configuring key settings:

1. Download the Rogers XtremeSpeed App

Download the app for your iOS or Android device. This provides the easiest setup process.

Alternatively, you can use a laptop web browser pointed to http://xtremespeedwifi.com.

2. Connect the Main Router

Plug in and connect the main router unit to your cable modem or gateway via the WAN port. Position it centrally in your home.

Leave your modem and main router powered on and connected together via Ethernet.

3. Power On Satellites

Now plug in the satellite units in other areas of your home to extend coverage. Choose optimal positions and elevate if possible.

The satellites will sync wirelessly to the main router automatically when powered on. The LEDs on both will flash blue when syncing.

4. Open the App and Follow Setup Prompts

Launch the XtremeSpeed app. It will walk you through the remaining steps:

• Create an account
• Name your WiFi network and set a secure password
• Set up guest network if desired
• Test speeds and coverage
• Add more satellites if needed.

The app makes onboarding painless with clear instructions.

5. Adjust WiFi Settings as Needed

Once setup, dive into the app or web interface to configure advanced options:

• Set device priorities
• Configure port forwarding
• Adjust DHCP range
• Update firmware
• Enable/disable radios
• And more!

The RO1200 gives you the flexibility to customize your network’s settings.

And that’s it! With those steps complete, your RO1200 is up and running to deliver gigabit mesh speeds throughout your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How is the RO1200 different from Orbi or Eero mesh systems?

A: The RO1200 stands out from other mesh systems in a few key ways:

• Faster top speeds – Up to 1.2Gbps vs 900Mbps on Orbi/Eero
• Full gigabit wireless throughput
• More antenna power for penetrating coverage
• Higher client capacity of 35+ devices
• Custom hardware design optimized for performance

Q: Does the RO1200 work with Rogers Ignite TV and Smart Home Monitoring?

A: Yes, the RO1200 is fully compatible with Rogers services like Ignite TV and Smart Home Monitoring. Just connect the Ignite equipment to the RO1200 router.

Q: Can I add wired devices like a NAS or desktop PC?

A: Absolutely. The main RO1200 router includes three gigabit LAN ports for connecting wired devices like streaming media players, game consoles, PCs, and network storage.

Q: Does the RO1200 support WiFi 6E?

A: Not currently – the RO1200 utilizes tri-band WiFi 6 technology across the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. It does not yet support the new 6GHz band.

Q: What is the warranty period for the RO1200 hardware?

A: Rogers provides a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on all RO1200 components. This covers any defects in materials or workmanship.