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While it is the most expensive device in our review, Netgear Orbi RBK50 is definitely one of the best mesh routers on the market. All test results it recorded left its competition behind and it proved reliable enough to hold a strong signal through several different building materials. And while it is pricey, it is also very reliable, attractive and it’s fully optimized to work in a Smart Home with Amazon’s Alexa. The device installs without much hassle since the Netgear Orbi App guides you through the entire process. With an impressive coverage of up to 5000 ft., Netgear Orbi RBK50 is one of the best WiFi solutions for your home.
Netgear Orbi RBK50 has a lot to offer if you’re in the market for a WiFi extender. This device is actually a mesh router rather than a standard signal booster and it boasts some impressive results. Orbi RBK50 did very well in all tests we looked at and it proved to be one of the best mesh routers on the market. This device is perfect if you’re having trouble catching a strong WiFi signal anywhere in your home.
Design
Orbi features a minimalistic sleek design that makes it easy for the router to blend in with different surroundings. The device is white with a blue orb on top and while the design does look very attractive, its long, tall shape makes it very easy to knock over so it needs to be placed somewhere out of reach. Orbi is also fully optimized to work with Amazon’s Alexa so you can operate your new mesh router via voice command. Another way of controlling, maintaining and tweaking your device is through the Orbi mobile app. This device is one of the easiest to setup. It doesn’t require any specific knowledge; all you need to do is follow the instructions in the app and you’ll be ready to go in a matter of minutes.
Like with other devices on its website, Netgear sells its Orbi system through several authorized resellers. At the time of writing this review, Amazon had the device on sale for $347.99, and while most other stores had similar prices, the price with Connection was significantly higher at $427.96.
Orbi comes with Netgear’s one-year limited hardware warranty. If you wish to fortify your device’s warranty level and period, Amazon and similar sites offer additional protection plans for a charge.
Netgear Orbi RBK50’s test results were quite impressive and the router won in almost every category it was tested in. The tests were carried out to examine the strength of the signal when it's blocked by different obstacles – doors, different types of walls, ceilings, metal objects and more. All routers were also tested by checking their signal’s 3D consistency – measuring the signal strength bellow and above the router itself. One of the most important tests, the throughput test was carried out at different distances to make sure the exact distance the device is capable of covering is measured.
The performance test showed that the Orbi RBK50 had the fastest speed of 552.11 Mbps at the closest range of 5 feet. This result was the fastest in the entire test and made the device an excellent choice for transferring data at close distances. Although the results were still impressive, the further the tests went, the device got weaker. For example, at 15 feet, Orbi had the throughput speed of 510 Mbps, at 50 ft. 447 Mbps, at 100 ft. 371 Mbps and at the farthest point of the test – at 150 ft. it dropped to 229.07 Mbps. Even though all mesh routers lost on throughput rates the longer the measured distance was, Netgear’s Orbi RBK50 had the least steep drop. The device is excellent for large homes since it covers up to 5000 ft.
The signal penetration test proved once again why this device is one of the best WiFi booster solutions on the market. Netgear Orbi RBK50 performed equally well when walled off by a few different obstacle types. It held a consistently stable signal through drywall, glass, metal and other materials it was tested for, while losing some signal strength through the ceiling. And while it didn’t get perfect results on the 3D tests, it's still much better than its competition.
Website: https://www.netgear.com/orbi/rbk50.aspx
Support: https://www.netgear.com/support/contact.aspx
Facebook: https://www.netgear.com/support/contact.aspx
Netgear has a very informative website with manuals, a FAQ section and an active community you can use to ask more general questions about your new product. You can also contact the complementary support through the site, while a more immersed support experience comes at an extra charge.
Our editorial staff evaluates products and services independently, but Best Review Guide may earn money when you click on links. Read our advertising disclosure.
By: Kelly | Last updated August 15, 2017 
