Netgear orbi rbk53 review in Spanish (full analysis)

Today we are discussing the NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system, one of the most acclaimed and best valued by the community for its ease of use, configuration and wide range of high-speed coverage it offers. A system that this time will be the most powerful in the Orbi range, no less than the RBK53 with a router and two tri-band AC3000 satellites that is capable of offering coverage of around 525 m ².

If you have a very large house with outdoor gardens, you will be interested in the model we analyzed, so don't miss this review.

But before we start, we thank NETGEAR for the assignment of this product and the confidence in our reviews.

NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 technical characteristics

Unboxing

We then started by Unboxing this NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 Mesh system, and that is that we have a total of 6 different variants suitable for all tastes and needs. In this case we are dealing with the pack of 3 units (RBK53) for very large houses, although with some points that we will make in the next section.

We did not find then not one, but three cardboard boxes that will ensure maximum protection of the WiFi system. The first box will be the transport box, made of neutral cardboard, which in turn will keep the main box that includes all the screen printing and information on the system at hand. Inside it, a new white thick cardboard box is responsible for storing all the product.

The bundle consists of the following elements:

• 1x NETGEAR Orbi RBR50 v2 router 2x NETGEAR Orbi RBS50 satellites 3x power adapters 12V / 3.5A1x ethernet cable Multi language quick start guide

We have everything you need to start configuring our system. As we do not have external antennas, we will not need to mount absolutely nothing on the equipment, so, let's continue with its exterior design.

Exterior design

This NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 is a composite system with three elements, one of them will act as the main router, while the other two will be access points that replicate and amplify the signal. In this way we will be creating a wireless mesh network that is expandable by adding one more satellite, making a total of 3. If we wanted to increase the number even more, we would need another router.

As far as design is concerned, practically the entire Orbi range presents the same appearance. With fairly narrow, elongated and tall elliptical shaped units. They are ideal to place them on tables, occupying the minimum space and decorating as one more element of the house. The three units are made of matte white hard plastic, although the router differs from the rest by having the top in blue. The satellites have this part also in white color.

Each of the elements has measures of 170.3 mm wide, 78.9 mm thick and 225.6 high. So they are not exactly small teams, also weighing 890 grams per unit. At the bottom we will find the serial number, MAC, network name and password to access WiFi the first time. In addition, the task is made easier by adding a QR code in case we want to do the whole process via mobile.

If you look, the upper part is open, in order to let out the hot air generated by your hardware. Similarly, in the lower area we also have the entire area open to let in cold air, and thus facilitate exchange. We must bear in mind that it is a passive system, although during tests and hours of use it practically does not heat up.

Ports and connections

After seeing the design of the NETGEAR Orbi RBK53, you cannot miss its rear port panel, which is practically the same both in satellites and in the main router:

• 4x 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN ports (on the router one of them is WAN) DC power jack port Power button Synchronization button Reset

Note that the router we have this time is the RBR50 v2, there is another RBR50 version that has a USB 2.0 port on the back. The satellites do not have any USB ports, but having the same number of LAN ports is greatly appreciated.

It is also interesting to know that we can reset both the main router and the satellites, and that we have a sync button on each of them. This will be important to reconnect a satellite individually without altering the rest of the system, although we have already warned you that the process is automatic when the router detects these repeaters.

Another important element in these NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 equipment will be the status lights. They are the same in the three teams and depending on the colors, we must interpret the following states:

• Flashing white: the equipment is starting or synchronizing Blue: the equipment is correctly synchronized on the meshed network Red: the equipment is not synchronized and does not have a WAN network (it can be a router or satellites) Light off: it means that the equipment is working normally and correctly

The blue light will not stay on indefinitely, it will only indicate to the user that the router has been synchronized and has Internet access. We should not be nervous if we see that there is no light from the router, as this will mean that everything is working correctly.

Bandwidth and performance

After seeing in detail what this NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 mesh system offers us in terms of design, it is time to know what the speed will be and the functions it has.

And the most important element for the user will be bandwidth. For now, none of the Orbi systems have Wi-Fi 6, that is, it does not work under IEEE 802.11ax. This does offer us for example in the Asus AiMesh AX6100 analyzed by us, or AX6600 recently presented. This makes its initial price relatively high compared to systems that offer the latest network standard available.

In any case, we have tri-band connectivity. What does this mean? since we will be able to use both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz band. In turn, the trunk link between the different routers will work independently by a second 5 GHz band.

In this way, the maximum performance will be as follows:

• 400 Mbps at 2.4 GHz 2 × 2867 Mbps at 5 GHz-1 2 × 2733 Mbps at 5 GHz-2 4 × 4

This makes a total of AC3000, using 6 internal antennas on each router and access point. In the three bands the operation will be through 256-QAM. Likewise, it has MU-MIMO capacity to support a large load of connected clients and BEAMFORMING function to focus the maximum signal power to where the connected client is.

It will be important to note that with the Mesh system running, clients will not be able to connect to the 4 × 4 link. This will only be available if we use the router separately and without a mesh network, which would not make sense here, of course. Another issue to mention will be the fact of not being able to separate the 5 GHz band and the 2.4 GHz band in different connections. It will be the team itself that manages this automatically depending on the client and the distance.

This time we have not opened the interior of the NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 system, since it does not make much sense either, since they are not particularly powerful routers when it comes to hardware. In any case, we have a 710 MHz quad-core main processor along with Qualcomm IPQ4019 and QCA9984 processors dedicated to each of the wireless connections. Its RAM memory is 512 MB DDR and it has a total of 4 GB of internal flash memory.

That said, the system has adaptive QoS and a guest network function, which we can easily activate from our web browser or from the Smartphone APP. Later we will see these two in greater detail, but NETGEAR always offers maximum simplicity in its management system. It also supports WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK encryption with NETGEAR Armor, a manufacturer's own firewall that works behind the entire user-visible layer and will be paid for after a trial version.

In this case, it supports VPN service under OpenVPN, losing more secure and interesting options such as PPTP and L2TP protocols. Finally, in parental security functions we have Circle on NETGEAR, a fairly complete access protection system for the whole family. And this time we do not have a shared files function, since the RBR50 v2 does not have an integrated USB port, while the RBR50 does, which will be something to take into account when making the purchase.

Firmware and configuration

NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 can be managed from the web browser itself from our computers, or through an application for Android or IOS. In fact, this application will be highly recommended to perform the first system configuration. The user does not need to have even network knowledge when it comes to IP addresses, encryption or pairing, since the process is completely guided.

The initial configuration we will do with the Android APP, as it is the most comfortable way. But it can also be done by connecting a PC to the main router and through the web browser or with the application for Windows or Mac, NETGEAR GENIE. If for any reason we get lost in the process, NETGEAR offers 24/7 installation manual on the website, videos and technicians.

Initial setup (Android APP)

The application used will be NETGEAR Orbi, available for both Android and iOS. The process will guide us at all times in each of the steps to follow. We will not need any type of user account, although we do need verification to verify that our device is trustworthy.

The process is simple, start the application and connect the main router to the power. When the application detects it correctly and the router is fully started, then we will also connect the two satellites in the corresponding place in our house. In successive steps, the application will search and establish the meshed network with the three fully interconnected devices.

The process can take a long time if the routers are too far apart from each other. We do not recommend placing them more than 12 meters from each other, although in the app, and on the devices themselves we will know if they have been connected to the light or their condition. The process, despite being very simple, can be complicated, and it is quite usual to see that some satellite has a hard time connecting or the application fails to detect them. In that case we must have patience and repeat the necessary steps.

Management through system APP

The application will show the status of the meshed network connection in real time at all times, albeit with a slight lag. We will be able to see the way in which the equipment is connected and how many clients we have connected in the network. This is basic in any system.

From here we can manage the guest network, the password and encryption of the network, and even share WiFi from our own Smartphone and use our own Android application. Another interesting function will be to measure the speed of our connection and everything related to the data traffic that passes through the router.

This NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 is perfectly compatible with Amazon Alexa, although it is true that we can access very few functions. They just reboot the router, turn the guest network on and off, and read our Wi-Fi settings. It would be interesting to have a voice command to synchronize the satellites or update the firmware. We hope that new features will arrive soon. Let's keep in mind that we will need to create a NETGEAR account and install the Genie APP on the Smartphone.

Finally, we can configure the NETGEAR Armor firewall with a previous subscription, and the Circle parental control. We have not made such a configuration in any of the cases, since it is of no interest for the review. Of course in the list of options we are given the possibility of adding a new satellite to the system, and contact support in case we need help. NETGEAR reports that little by little more functionalities will be introduced in this and other applications of the brand, since it is yes, it is a bit basic today.

Web firmware

The firmware that we have in the router itself and which we can access from the browser, is quite complete and easy to understand. Divide the options into basic and advanced, so that every user knows where and what to play at any time. It goes without saying that the options available in basic mode will be replicated in advanced mode. What we must take into account is that being a somewhat basic hardware, the interface is not as fluid as we would like and navigation can sometimes be a little slow.

As for important options, NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 has a WPS function to allow WiFi access without a password. This is something that makes the router less secure, but at least we won't have a physical button to activate the function. Nor can we separate the two networks to use them separately, it will be the router itself that decides which one to use. Of course it will use 5 GHz in connections close to the device while the client is compatible, and 2.4 GHz when we are very far away, having greater coverage.

From the advanced mode we can configure the VPN network with OpenVPN, port forwarding, blocking of sites and keywords or other traditional options in the routers. Especially important will be the option to configure the router as one more access point or as a router, something that we believe should be available in basic mode. Please note that MU-MIMO, Data Roaming and BEAMFORMING options are not natively enabled, and we highly recommend them to improve network coverage and capacity.

NETGEAR has a system of encrypted and manufacturer-verified updates to make it secure. This feature is very interesting to add more security to the router, something that not many have. The system performs these updates automatically when necessary.

NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 Wi-Fi coverage

This time we have used a small application for Android called Wi-Fi Heatmap with which we can quickly get a coverage map of our Wi-Fi network. It gives us the option to paint or load a plan of our house and superimpose the coverage graph based on its power through the interpolation of registration points.

The configuration that we have carried out of our mesh network is what we see in the image above. We will have the main router on the first floor, while the two satellites will occupy the ground floor strategically so that it reaches the entire house. The approximate total area is about 190 m ², so we should not have coverage problems, except for the detail that we have quite thick walls in some places.

In this first screenshot, the coverage map is represented with only the main router connected. The client we have tested is an LG G3.

We see that the right wing is perfectly covered on the ground floor and of course on the upper floor which we have omitted for being obvious. However, this coverage begins to decline when we move to the left side. Due to the situation of the walls, we went from a good signal to one of -45 dB and less. Finally, the team is not able to get around the thick wall at the top, so clearly we will need a mesh network.

But the distribution improves to the maximum available when we put the three teams in mesh form. In this way we cover the entire house and a large part of the surrounding area of ​​it. In our tests or approximate calculations, we have covered a coverage space of about 500 m ², very close to what the manufacturer offers. Of course, it will always depend on the house and its structure.

We have also placed the router outside, and it has allowed us a coverage range of about 21 meters in diameter. Extrapolating data with the three teams, we should have no problem exceeding 1500 m ² of maximum coverage, which is not bad.

Test of performance

As it is a meshed network system that does not allow frequency separation, we are only going to test the 5 GHz band in 2 × 2 connections with the client attached to the router and a 10 m separation with two walls in between. Just the same as in other reviews. To do this, we will connect one device to a GbE port on the router and another via Wi-Fi 2 × 2.

And then we will see the performance of the bandwidth with the mesh network and a client on each side, both connected via Wi-Fi taking advantage of the AC 4 × 4 trunk link generated by the routers separated by 12 meters.

Testing equipment

• NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 routers First machine (Wi-Fi): Asus PCE-AC88 Second machine (LAN): Intel I218-LM GbESecond machine (Wi-Fi): Intel Wireless-AC 7260 Software: jperf 2.0.2

First test 5 GHz band on individual router, theoretical maximum: 866 Mbps

The results at the individual level place it quite close to the Asus system, in its 2 × 2 connection under the 802.11ac standard in equal conditions. Despite not being an AX router, in its scope we have just what we expected from it.

Second test of 5 GHz meshed network, theoretical maximum 866 Mbps

We have two routers in meshed network mode about 12 meters away from each other with some wall in between. The clients in turn are connected via WiFi AC to each router at about 4 meters. In this way the data transfer will be carried out through the dedicated 4 × 4 trunk link of both routers.

At a relatively large distance even to be a mesh, we also see that it reaches almost the maximum available, thus exceeding 600 Mbps comfortably. This means that the 1.73 Gbps trunk link is stable and bypasses the obstacles posed in the test environment well.

Third wired network performance test

As a mere curiosity we have carried out the tests of data transfer and streams also with two computers connected by LAN at 1000 Mbps. Here we simply get the maximum available, so the processor that handles the RJ-45 ports fits perfectly.

Final words and conclusion about NETGEAR Orbi RBK53

The NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 system has undoubtedly left us with excellent sensations and user experience. A manufacturer more than recognized in the field of networks that is characterized by giving teams of very easy management such as this case. And it is that practically any user can configure this system with null notions of networks, which is one of its great advantages.

In addition, we have different management channels, either from our browser directly accessing its complete firmware, although a little slow. Also through the Smartphone APP or if we prefer, through the NETGEAR Genie computer application. The latter may offer even more features, NETGEAR is still working on it, and sometimes the initial setup may take longer than we want.

The data transfer speed and exactly what we expected, at least at 5 GHz, with values ​​above 600 Mbps in meshed mode and at a considerable distance. It offers the possibility of connection in 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz, although not under 802.11ax, we expect a model of this type soon and to be able to analyze it. It is worth evaluating the fact of having 4 LAN ports at 1000 Mbps on each satellite to greatly expand your connection options.

We also recommend our guide on the best routers on the market

Being a three-team system, it has excellent coverage, which we recommend for very large houses. It's a high-cost system, so three small-floor routers don't make any sense. It can easily cover a space of about 500 m ² indoors and 1500 m ² outdoors. Although it is true that systems like the Asus AiMesh AX6100 is cheaper and with only two routers it stays close to these figures.

It also offers beamforming and MU-MIMO functions for connections with clients, which we must activate manually, keep that in mind. Similarly, it has a fairly complete parental control thanks to Circle on NETGEAR, encrypted updates and an excellent design that takes up little space and is also decorative. Let's note that the RBR50 v2 router does not have a USB port, while the RBR50 does have one on its back.

This NETGEAR Orbi RBK53 system can be found on the market for a price of between 450 and 500 euros with the RBR50 router and two RBS50 satellites. It is a high cost, although admissible for a triple configuration with AC3000, since systems such as the Deco M9 Plus by Tp-Link AC2200 are around 350 euros. We recommend it for very large houses, especially located in rural areas or large plots. For somewhat smaller rooms the NETGEAR Orbi RBK20 or RBK23 system will be ideal.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ VERY SIMPLE CONFIGURATION AND START-UP	- INITIAL CONFIGURATION MAY TAKE LONGER THAN EXPECTED
+ COVERAGE OVER 500 M 2	- WE DO NOT HAVE A VERSION WITH 802.11AX YET
+ APP AND FIRMWARE MANAGEMENT	- THE RBR50 ROUTER IS RECOMMENDED FOR HAVING USB
+4 LAN PORTS AT HOME ROUTER / SATELLITE
+ UP TO 6 VARIANTS ACCORDING TO NEEDS
+ OF THE BEST MESH SYSTEMS ON THE MARKET

The Professional Review team gives you the gold medal and recommended product

NETGEAR Orbi RBK53

DESIGN - 87%

PERFORMANCE 5 GHZ - 80%

REACH - 92%

FIRMWARE AND EXTRAS - 85%

PRICE - 85%

86%