Netgear Orbi Review: The Mesh Router to Beat
Our Verdict
While pricey, the Netgear Orbi (RBK50) is one of the fastest, most powerful routers we've tested, fifty-fifty without its mesh extension.
For
- Phenomenal functioning
- Dedicated router-to-extension data channel
- MU-MIMO engineering
- Choice of app or browser setup
Against
- Relatively large devices
- Expensive
- Limited functionality on mobile app for now
Tom's Guide Verdict
While pricey, the Netgear Orbi (RBK50) is one of the fastest, most powerful routers we've tested, even without its mesh extension.
Pros
- +
Phenomenal performance
- +
Dedicated router-to-extension data aqueduct
- +
MU-MIMO engineering
- +
Choice of app or browser setup
Cons
- -
Relatively big devices
- -
Expensive
- -
Limited functionality on mobile app for now
The Netgear Orbi RBK50 AC3000 mesh-router system is out of this earth, able to fill a big home with high-speed Wi-Fi. Information technology'due south a snap to set up and has more than range and ability than about whatever other router. The Orbi'south dedicated aqueduct for router-to-extension data traffic helps the system clasp the maximum throughput for your family'southward online wants and needs.
Starting at $329 for a two-pack kit, this is i of the pricier home Wi-Fi kits. But if you have a lot of ground to comprehend, the premium is well worth it. That's why the Orbi made our listing of the all-time mesh Wi-Fi products.
Editor's Note: We periodically update our reviews to brand certain that pricing and information is upwardly to engagement. The rating and recommendations in our Netgear Orbi (RBK50) review is unchanged from when it originally published in March of 2017.
Netgear Orbi RBK50 review: What's included
Netgear Orbi (RBK50) fundamental specs
Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/Tri Band Router-Extender Kit
Number of Antennas/Removable: vi/No
Ports: Four 1Gbps LAN, USB 2.0, power
Processor: Quad-core ARM 710MHz
Memory/Storage: 512MB/4GB
WiFi Chip: Qualcomm IPQ4019 and QCA9984 for backhaul control
Peak 802.11ac Operation: 552.1Mbps
Range: At least 150 feet, router just
Size: 8.9 ten vi.7 x 3.1 inches
The 2-pack kit (model number RBK50) starts at $329 and is rated to cover 5,000 square feet. An extra satellite costs $249 for a standard unit and adds another 2,000 square feet of coverage; you lot can also add the Orbi Vocalization ($99) as an extension, which not only offers more coverage, but besides adds Amazon Alexa voice command and audio. Check out our Netgear Orbi Voice review to acquire more than.
None of the other mesh-router systems on the market cost quite as much. Google Wifi costs $299/£329 for three units, while Eero and Luma three packs each toll $400. The Linksys Velop arrangement, possibly the closest match to the Orbi, runs $500/£500 for a 3-pack, merely yous can go two units for $350/£350. However, the Orbi claims greater per-unit surface area coverage than any of these.
Two other mesh-router systems, the $300 two-piece Amped Wireless Ally Plus and the $350 three-piece Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD, merits coverage areas of a whopping 15,000 square feet and twenty,000 square feet, respectively. We're working to confirm those numbers in our lab tests.
Netgear Orbi RBK50 review: Design
Instead of tiny easy-to-stash devices, which you go with the Luma and Google Wifi, the oval-cross-sectioned Netgear Orbi host and extensions are big towers, measuring 8.9 inches x 6.7 inches x 3.1 inches. You tin can put one in a bookshelf and utilise it as a bookend, just each Orbi unit is too huge to hands hibernate.
Like Google Wifi, the Orbi units have color-coded LEDs. When an Orbi device glows white around the oval on superlative, it's starting upwardly. When it'south blue, everything is OK. But if it glows bister, your internet connection is weak; if it's magenta, your connexion is gone.
More than: Best Wi-Fi Routers
The Orbi transmits Wi-Fi data on three radio-frequency bands. The principal two.4-GHz and five-GHz radios provide a theoretical peak throughput of 1.2Gbps of data flow to user devices.
In that location's a twist, though: Netgear adds a second 5-GHz, i.7Gbps radio that's exclusively defended to the backhaul, the data existence transmitted from the router Orbi unit to the satellite Orbis and back again. Considering of this side channel, the main links between the Orbi units and your devices stay potent and fast.
To support this configuration, each Orbi device has half dozen high-performance amplified antennas around its perimeter. At that place'southward too a Bluetooth radio and antenna, only they're dormant for at present.
Although they wait the same, the Orbi's router unit and satellite units are non interchangeable. You can't randomly decide which unit should be the router and which should exist the repeater.
The router can handle up to three satellites, just each satellite communicates direct with the host router in a hub-and-spoke arrangement, rather than in a true mesh topology that would permit data laissez passer from i satellite to some other.
Update: This is no longer the case, and the Orbi RBK50 has had true mesh adequacy since the firmware was changed in late 2018. Newer models in the Orbi line have all been true mesh systems.
Each Orbi'southward backside has a ability input, an on/off button and four gigabit Ethernet ports. On the router, one port is yellow and connects to your broadband modem. Y'all tin employ the other LAN ports to connect to printers, network-attached storage drives and stationary PCs.
There are too buttons to reset a device and to synchronize the router with extra satellites. (Orbi units sold in packs come out of the box synchronized.) Each Orbi sports a USB ii.0 port besides, but, like the Bluetooth radios, they're awaiting activation by a future software update.
Netgear Orbi RBK50 review: Operation
Like Google Wifi, the Orbi is a 2x2 router, and can handle two simultaneous streams of information to properly configured devices, per frequency band. (The dedicated backhaul channel uses 4x4 radios.) Merely the Orbi adds the latest MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input and multiple output) Wi-Fi engineering science for sending focused information streams to several devices at the same time.
With the Orbi router 30 feet and two walls away, the Orbi extension projected 429.1 Mbps to a laptop 1 floor above it — more than than double Google Wifi's performance.
Each Orbi device has Qualcomm's IPQ4019 Wi-Fi control chip and radio also as a 710-MHz quad-core ARM-based processor with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of solid-country storage space. A QCA9984 chip controls the backhaul data aqueduct.
MORE: Best Wi-Fi Extenders
Brand no mistake about it: All of this makes the Orbi a powerful beast. Using IxChariot software, Purch Labs' existent-globe testing showed that a single Orbi router could deliver a combined average throughput of 552.1 megabits per second (Mbps) at 5 feet. It was nineteen percent faster at this altitude than Google Wifi, 34 percent faster than the Linksys Velop and 50 percent faster than the Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD.
| AmpliFi HD | Eero | Google Wifi | Linksys Velop | Netgear Orbi RBK50 | Netgear Orbi RBK40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 feet | 368.17 | 573.65 | 464.36 | 412.34 | 552.xi | 549.93 |
| xv feet | 377.73 +2.6% | 450.96 -21% | 440.90 -5.i% | 527.10 +thirty% | 510.90 -seven.5% | 543.50 -1.2% |
| 50 feet | 350.83 -4.7% | 449.87 -22% | 389.74 -16% | 459.35 +11% | 447.13 -19% | 478.29 -13% |
| 100 anxiety | 293.82 -20% | 250.27 -56% | 227.22 -51% | 330.06 -20% | 371.42 -33% | 315.45 -43% |
| 150 feet | 230.86 -37% | 229.85 -lx% | 33.79 -93% | 288.42 -xxx% | 229.07 -58% | 187.54 -66% |
* Line-of-sight testing with a single router betoken. Percentages signal modify from 5-foot measurement on same device.
The Orbi's functioning dropped off with distance, but non every bit speedily as the Google Wifi's. The throughput averaged 510.9 Mbps at 15 feet, 447.ane Mbps at 50 feet and 371.4 Mbps at 100 feet.
To put this in perspective, the Orbi's 100-foot throughput was about the aforementioned every bit the Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD'south 15-foot speed. The Linksys Velop averaged more power at long range, simply its test results were less consequent than the Orbi'due south. (These distance tests were conducted along a line of sight.)
At 150 feet, the Orbi router still delivered 229.1 Mbps of throughput, most seven times Google Wifi's 33.8 Mbps. (To be fair, the AmpliFi HD had very like throughput at 150 feet, and the Velop had 26 per centum more than.) With such results, the Orbi'southward claim of 2,000 square feet of coverage per unit might be an underestimation.
In the Purch Labs material-penetration tests, the Orbi router'southward transmissions were powerful enough to punch through a metal-frame wall, a ceiling and a soundboarded wall with little driblet-off. (The soundboard figure actually improved throughput by well-nigh eight percent; we're not including regular drywall because it has piddling effect.)
Google Wifi and the AmpliFi Hd had losses of fifty-fifty smaller percentages when penetrating walls and ceilings, but the Orbi's better starting betoken put information technology ahead overall.
| AmpliFi HD | Eero | Google Wifi | Linksys Velop | Netgear Orbi RBK50 | Netgear Orbi RBK40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal | 343.45 -9.1% | 448.58 -0.5% | 396.39 -x% | 559.95 +6.2% | 455.70 -11% | 536.72 -1.two% |
| Soundboard | 369.51 -ii.two% | 457.17 +1.iv% | 402.55 -viii.7% | 381.66 -28% | 549.99 +7.vii% | 540.96 -0.five% |
| Ceiling | 390.21 +iii.iii% | 471.79 +four.6% | 425.2 -iii.half-dozen% | 67.80 -87% | 424.12 -17% | 384.83 -29% |
*Throughput from a single router point passing through ceiling and walls of different compositions. Percentages indicate change from 15-human foot line-of-sight measurement.
In a 100-foot, unmarried-line test, placing the Orbi extension halfway between the router and the Purch Labs laptop additional throughput by 28 percentage. By contrast, the Velop's throughput stayed about the same, while the AmpliFi HD's and Google Wifi's throughputs dropped virtually 25 percent each. Over again, in absolute terms, the Orbi's overall speed advantage blew away the competition.
| AmpliFi HD | Eero | Google Wifi | Linksys Velop | Netgear Orbi RBK50 | Netgear Orbi RBK40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Hop (100 feet) | 219.93 -25% | 128.99 -48% | 175.57 -23% | 331.62 +0.5% | 475.87 +28% | 394.49 +25% |
| Double Hop (150 feet) | n/a | 103.52 -55% | 128.90 +282% | 223.22 -23% | n/a | north/a |
*Extensions placed every 50 feet between router and endpoint. Percentages indicate change from line-of-sight tests at aforementioned distances without extensions.
The Orbi also did well in complicated, 3D tests, with results very similar to the Linksys Velop'south. With the router 30 feet and two walls away, the Orbi extension projected 429.1 Mbps to a laptop i floor above it — more than double Google Wifi'south average, and ii and a half times more than with the Orbi router alone. Moving the laptop further abroad decreased the throughput, simply the Orbi extension helped greatly.
| AmpliFi Hard disk | Eero | Google Wifi | Linksys Velop | Netgear Orbi RBK50 | Netgear Orbi RBK40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xxx ft thru 2 walls (A to B) | 393.32 | 445.33 | 251.09 | 371.03 | 333.64 | 392.13 |
| 33 ft thru wall, ceiling (A to C) | 192.47 | 136.46 | 36.75 | 121.81 | 119.99 | 95.92 |
| 48 ft thru 2 walls, ceiling (A to D) | 99.72 | 10.62 | 4.42 | 40.29 | 47.35 | 19.63 |
| I hop, 45 ft thru ceiling, 2 walls (A to B to C) | 202.08 +5.0% | 117.63 -13.8% | 189.92 +417% | 427.00 +250 | 429.13 +258% | 413.30 +331% |
| One hop, 68 ft thru ceiling, 4 walls (A to B to D) | 158.01 +58% | 99.81 +839.viii% | 73.23 +1,557% | 332.79 +726% | 245.66 +419% | 230.53 +1074.iv% |
| Two hops, 80 ft thru ceiling, 4 walls (A to B to C to D) | due north/a | 30.71 +189.2% | 56.63 +1,181% | 145.41 +261% | n/a | n/a |
*First iii tests involve direct router-to-customer advice, with client laptop moving to new rooms and floors. 2nd three tests add extensions to aforementioned configurations. Percentages indicate change in data throughput between two sets.
In a three-story abode with lots of thick walls, the Orbi stayed connected with customer devices as far as 125 feet from the router. That'southward the best score we've seen among recent routers, and was 20 feet and 35 anxiety farther than the Google Wifi and AmpliFi Hd routers managed, respectively.
Signal Strength, Router But
The Orbi network easily covered a 3,500-square pes home; with the router placed in the basement and the extension on the main flooring, the point easily reached to the elevation floor. The Speedtest.net broadband exam pegged the Orbi as delivering betwixt 50 Mbps and 95 Mbps of download speed from a 100-Mbps broadband connection.
Signal Strength, Router and Extension
With its MU-MIMO engineering science, the Orbi served several devices simultaneously. It stood up well to our informal saturation examination, in which nosotros played videos on Surface Pro 3 and iPad Pro tablets as a Samsung Tab Pro Southward moved data on and off a network-fastened storage organisation and a MacBook Air played an online radio station. The video and sound came through on all devices without a skip, stutter or drop-out.
Netgear Orbi RBK50 review: Setup and support
Netgear has taken the lead in the race to create a domicile Wi-Fi network system that all but sets itself upwardly. The devices come pre-paired, and the installation doesn't require knowledge of IP addresses, Ethernet or encryption. You don't fifty-fifty need to install a mobile app.
Setup can be done using a PC or Mac connected via Ethernet to the Orbi router, or via a smartphone or tablet connected via Wi-Fi. Just type orbilogin.com into a computer spider web browser, or download the Orbi app for iOS or Android. You can also use the Netgear Genie app, which is bachelor for Windows and Mac as well as Android and iOS.
Netgear has taken the lead in the race to create a domicile Wi-Fi network system that all but sets itself up.
After Orbi'south software does a network check, the router will be prepare. Power up the Orbi satellite in the place where you want information technology to stay, and allow the router scan for information technology. You may have to move the satellite closer to the router.
Then change the network name, admission the countersign and administrative passwords (you'll absolutely want to practise this for security's sake), and restart the devices. It took us x minutes to create a fully operating network that filled a suburban business firm with Wi-Fi.
More than: What Is a Mesh Router, and Practice Y'all Need Ane?
Netgear includes a 1-twelvemonth warranty for the Orbi organization, merely only three months of tech back up. The Orbi back up section on Netgear's website includes not only startup tips and videos, but also a downloadable manual that explains everything yous can practice with the Orbi. Netgear has technicians standing past 24 hours a twenty-four hours to assistance with a phone call, online chat or email. Yous tin can also connect with the help desk through the mobile app.
Netgear Orbi RBK50 review: Customization
All the Orbi mobile-app screens use portrait way, and the app's functions are limited to the basics, without even a network-speed monitor. (Netgear told united states that it volition soon add together more capabilities to the Orbi app.) For more fine-grained control and diagnostic data, you'll have to use the desktop browser local interface or the Netgear Genie software, which applies to many Netgear routers only has many more features than the embryonic Orbi app.
The Orbi app Dashboard shows the network proper name and countersign, simply you tin obscure the password. The Device Info screen shows the router's firmware version, but to update the firmware, you'll need to go to the bottom of the chief Dashboard page.
By dissimilarity, the browser interface is more detailed, with a network speed and usage monitor. Information technology also lets you set upward a guest network then that visitors tin can admission the internet from their laptops or smartphones without using your main network'south access password. (Some security experts recommend putting smart-habitation devices on the invitee network likewise.)
You can also do more-technical things, such every bit adjust the router's maximum transmission unit, perform port forwarding and configure IPV6 addressing, just you can't adjust the Orbi'due south manual strength or channel width. Nor can you assign static IP addresses, although the Orbi supports DHCP IP address reservations.
Netgear Orbi RBK50 review: Smarthome integration
Since the Orbi first shipped early on in 2017, a firmware update has added Amazon Alexa compatibility. To employ Alexa, y'all'll need to create a Netgear business relationship and install the Netgear Genie mobile app on a smartphone or tablet. For now, Alexa commands are express to turning the guest network on and off, rebooting the router, and reading out the Wi-Fi settings. (Alexa does not yet work with Netgear's line of Arlo security cameras.)
Netgear Orbi RBK50 review: Security and parental controls
The Orbi ships with a semi-random network name and a unique alphanumeric administrative passcode that should be safe enough to use during the short setup routine. Nevertheless, you should modify both the proper name and code to something more than personal as presently equally possible.
While the Orbi apps don't let you lot quickly pause the cyberspace connection for dinner or family time, you can do so with the browser interface or the Genie app. (Netgear engineers are working on adding this ability to the Orbi apps.)
To brand the most of Orbi'southward parental controls, you should use the Netgear Genie app for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, and create an OpenDNS account. That way, you can choose to block specific websites or let Netgear have care of the details by adjusting the overall filtering level betwixt none and high.
The Orbi uses the WPA2 security standard to encrypt Wi-Fi transmissions and protect your data and network, and supports the somewhat weaker WPA standard. (The old WEP standard is not supported, and then you won't be able to connect some PCs that were fabricated before 2005.)
MORE: Your Router's Security Stinks. Here's How to Fix It
We aren't thrilled that the Orbi supports the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) configuration protocol, which is annihilation simply protected. But WPS does permit people uncomfortable with mobile apps and passwords prepare upwards and use an Orbi organisation just by pressing a few buttons.
Similar about mesh-router systems, the Orbi automatically updates its ain firmware. (Netgear told united states that the updates are encrypted and verified.) Few standard routers practice this, which leaves them vulnerable to attackers, so it'south good to see this trend.
Firmware updates in 2018 have added more fine-tuned parental controls with the Circle with Disney app. This app allows parents to fix profiles for each member of the family, consummate with historic period-appropriate content filtering, fourth dimension-limits for online employ, and curfew settings to cut off connectivity when information technology's time to exist done for the night. (We more often than not liked Circle with Disney when we reviewed the standalone device. The app should provide similar functionality.)
Netgear Orbi RBK50 review: Verdict
Netgear's Orbi RBK50 AC3000 blasts off with not merely the best-performing Wi-Fi router-extenders kit, simply likewise the easiest setup. The Orbi's dedicated mobile apps are rudimentary, but both the browser-based interface and Netgear's generic Genie app accept more options. It's expensive, and its security could utilise some improvement, merely for now, the Orbi is the mesh router to trounce.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/netgear-orbi,review-4263.html
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