Product Information

Parental controls: The separate Netgear Genie allows you to set up advanced parental controls on your home network. You can choose from default settings or create custom controls. You can also make separate accounts for adults to circumvent the controls.
See your connection: Situated on top of both the router and the satellite is a LED that lights up in certain colors depending on the strength of the connection. This allows you to physically see where you need to place the device, allowing you to get the quickest connection possible.
A single network name: Traditional repeaters require you to disconnect and reconnect to two separate networks depending on which side of the home you're in. Netgear Orbi gives you a single WiFi network to connect to, making surfing throughout your entire home all the more convenient.
Disney Circle: Netgear has paired together with Disney to create a second pair of parental controls for your Orbi network. The basic package lets you view browsing history from your kid’s devices as well as pause access on certain devices, while the premium subscription package allows you to set time limits, bedtimes and even reward your kids for good behavior.
Heat sink: Both router and satellite make use of fan-less cooling technology. This allows them to deliver stable performance at higher network speeds while keeping them quiet.
Guest networks: You can set up a separate network for friends and family when they visit. This allows you to keep your WiFi password secure, while also reducing the amount of overall traffic on your main network. You can even use Alexa and Google to enable and disable the guest network.

The Netgear Orbi AC3000 - Tri-Band WiFi System Set in action

What makes Orbi WiFi different from traditional repeater systems?

Although the Orbi AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi system follows the same principle as traditional WiFi repeater systems, it has a few key features which make it a unique system of its own:

The most important difference is the tri-band (a 5GHz band with a maximum speed of 1,733 Mbps). This is a band dedicated purely to any communication that takes place between the satellite and router. A traditional repeater does not have this dedicated channel, which usually means that connection speeds are far slower on the repeater device. With the Orbi AC3000, you should get similar speeds on both the router and satellite.
Another difference is that the Orbi system has a single network name. If you simply buy an add-on repeater device for your existing router, you usually have to set up a second network in your home under a different name. This means that you will always be switching between both networks as you move through your home, which can lead to interruptions when you stream and surf. The Orbi system gives you a brand-new router in addition to a repeater, eliminating the need for multiple network names.
On a technical note, the Orbi system doesn't require line-of-sight placement. A traditional repeater typically needs to be placed within 'looking distance' of your router. By contrast, you can place the satellite device much further away from the router and still get a strong connection (between 30 and 70 feet away).

What effects WiFi performance in the home?

Even to tech experts, figuring out what is slowing down your network can be a tough task. Here are some common factors which can contribute to slow or inconsistent network speeds and how the Orbi system can help you address them:

Some smart speakers use WiFi to stream music from services such as Spotify or Tune-In. This can often be quite a bandwidth intensive activity, causing the connection on your other devices to slow down. A strategy to fix this is to switch your smart speakers to a separate channel. The Netgear Orbi allows you to do this, letting you clear interference for other devices on your main channel. You can do so by accessing the web app for Orbi at orbilogin.com
More and more devices these days depend on an internet connection to function. The Orbi App allows you to see which devices are currently connected to your network and disable them for a certain time. This is an ideal solution if you're looking to get a more stable connection for a particular activity (e.g. a conference call or 4K streaming).

Expert Reviews

8.4

Tested by tink expert
Sonik

Installation 9

Setting up a router can often be a tedious process. By creating an Orbi app, Netgear has made setting up their tri-band as simple as can be. It's a matter of plugging it in and following the instructions in the app.

Product Quality 8

The router has six internal antennas, which help the system to squeeze every last bit of bandwidth from both the 2.4 and 5 GHz channels. The tri-band channels help router and satellite to communicate quickly with each other.

App/Software 8

The app features a clearly desinged layout which uses a series of square main menus. These then open up into sub-menus when tapped or clicked.

Functionality 10

Comes with advanced parental controls, the ability to block devices from using the network, switches devices between channels, and gives you an overview of devices connected to the network. Limited functionality with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Reliability 8

The LEDs on both devices let you see first-hand whether your devices are placed correctly. You'll get a solid connection in a range of 5000 sq. ft., with speeds remaining impressively quickly even at the outer edge of this area.

Design 8

Netgear has done a good job making the router and satellite look distinct from one and other, while not having them look so different as no longer feel connected. The three color LED light on top of both devices doesn't create a disturbance.

Data Protection 8

The data is saved in the app and is not visible to third parties. The data protection is solid.

Value for Money 8

On the higher end of the price scale, but 100% worth it for larger homes which are struggling with poor connection quality. It's parental control and device pauses are worth it for families who struggle during homework time and bedtime.

Customer Reviews

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Technical details

Technical details

Combined SSC speed	3,000 MBits/s (1733 + 866 + 400 MBits/s)
Range	5000 sq. ft.
Dedicated backhaul	4x4 (1.7 Gbps)
USB ports per device	1x USB (2.0)
High-performance antennas	6
Gigabit Ethernet Ports (Router)	1 WAN + 3 LAN
Gigabit Ethernet Port (Per Satellite)	4 LAN

Installation

Downloads

Manual Netgear Orbi RBK50 (Englisch)

FAQs

What should I do if my Orbi router can't find my Orbi satellite?

If the LED on your Satellite is lighting up magenta, this means that your satellite is unable to connect to the router. To resolve this, try the following: The first thing you should try is to simply move the router closer to the satellite. This should fix this problem in the vast majority of cases. If you're still having this problem, try syncing the devices with each other. To do so, simply press the 'Sync' buttons on the back of both satellite and router.

Can I simply use an Orbi satellite device with my existing router?

In order for the Orbi system to function properly, you must use the router and satellite device together.

How far should I place my Orbi satellite from my Orbi router?

It's recommended that you place the satellite a minimum of 30 feet and a maximum of 70 feet away from the router.

What security features are built into the Orbi WiFi System

The following security solutions are supported by Orbi:

Network Address Translation (NAT)
Denial of service (DoS) attack prevention
WiFi Protected Access (WPA)
WiFi Protected Access-Pre-Shared Key (WPA2-PSK)
Automatic firmware updates
Required administrator password change

Videos about the product

Product Information

Netgear Orbi AC3000 - Tri-Band-WiFi-System Set (RBK50)

The Netgear Orbi AC3000 - Tri-Band WiFi System Set in action

What makes Orbi WiFi different from traditional repeater systems?

What effects WiFi performance in the home?

Technical details

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