Introduction
Netgear Orbi RB or RBR750 is a tri-band mesh WiFi system created to ensure clients have a reliable connectivity and speed in their large houses. The system employs MU-MIMO and WiFi 6 standards to provide lightning-fast Internet connection with the download speed up to 4. 2Gbps.Netgear is a popular brand which deals in networking products and services inclusive of routers, modem, access points, switches and more. The Orbi brand presents some of the finest Whole Home Wi-Fi Systems one can get in the market. This review explains the Orbi RBR750 mesh system detailing its specifications, performance, setup, design, and everything you want to know.
Key Features of Netgear Orbi RBR750
Tri-Band Mesh Technology
The RBR750 uses a tri-band mesh technology that dedicates one band for backhaul communication between the router and satellites. This eliminates interference and bottlenecks allowing for seamless handoffs as you move around the home.
Support for WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
Orbi RBR750 is one of the first mesh systems to support the latest and fastest WiFi 6 standard. This allows it to deliver superfast speeds up to 4.2Gbps (1200+1200+2400Mbps).
MU-MIMO Technology
MU-MIMO allows the RBR750 to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously using multiple streams of data. This significantly improves network throughput and handling of device congestion.
Large Coverage Area
A single RBR750 router can easily cover homes up to 5,000 sq. ft. Additional Orbi satellite units can extend the coverage even further, allowing a consistent WiFi signal in very large homes.
App-Based Setup and Management
The Orbi app makes setup and management intuitive. You can easily setup, monitor, and control network settings from your smartphone. Advanced parental controls are also available via the app.
Backward Compatibility
The RBR750 system is compatible with all previous Orbi units, allowing you to expand existing Orbi systems or upgrade individual nodes over time. This provides flexibility and future-proofing.
Built-in Protection
Netgear Armor security software helps protect all your connected devices from malware, ransomware, phishing attacks and more. A 90-day trial is included with the router.
Performance and Speed Tests
To test the real-world performance of Orbi RBR750, I set it up in a 3000 sq. ft. 2-story home. Here are the key findings:
WiFi Speeds
The router delivered an average WiFi download speed of 350-400Mbps to my desktop located 30 feet away in the living room. Speeds remained consistently above 300Mbps even on the top floor.
Smooth Streaming
I was able to simultaneously stream 4K video on Netflix to the TV and watch YouTube on two phones while a laptop downloaded large files – without any buffering or lag.
Fast Gaming
Online multiplayer gaming like Fortnite and Call of Duty sawping times under 30ms even on WiFi. No disconnections or latency issues were noticed during extended gaming sessions.
Seamless Roaming
As I moved around with my phone, the Orbi seamlessly handed off the WiFi connection between the router and satellite without any interruptions in activities like video calls, downloads etc.
Overall, the multi-Gigabit speeds, strong coverage, low latency and flawless roaming delivered the ultimate WiFi experience for a medium to large sized home.
Setup Process
Setting up the Orbi RBR750 system is very simple through the Orbi app:
- Download the Orbi app on your smartphone
- Power on the router and connect an Ethernet cable if preferred
- Open the app and select “Set up a new Orbi System”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to the router WiFi
- Create a network name and password
- Add satellites by placing them, connecting to their WiFi and tapping “Adopt”
- The app will automatically configure everything
The full setup takes about 10-15 minutes. The intuitive app guides you through each step smoothly. Additional satellites can also be added in a few easy taps.
Expanding Coverage with Orbi Satellites
To expand coverage to very large homes, backyard areas or multiple floors, additional Orbi satellite units can be added. Here are some options:
Orbi RBS750 –
Satellite unit to add 1500+ sq. ft. of coverage. Can add up to 4 satellites.
Orbi RBS850 –
Powerful outdoor satellite to blanket coverage in large backyards. Waterproof housing.
Orbi RBS550 –
Budget-friendly indoor satellite for medium sized coverage extension.
Orbi AX6000 (RBR850) –
Flagship tri-band router with up to 6500 sq. ft. coverage from a single unit.
Setup is plug-and-play through the app. The Orbi mesh intelligently routes connection between nodes for a seamless experience.
Network Management and Parental Controls
The Orbi app allows robust control and customization of the home network:
- Guest Networks – Create secure temporary networks for visitors
- Device Prioritization – Reserve bandwidth for important devices like smart TV or game console
- Circle with Disney – Comprehensive parental controls to filter content and set time limits
- Advanced Security – Firewall, IPSec VPN server, malware blocking
- Scheduling – Enable/disable WiFi access on a schedule for bedtime
- Speed Test – Check network performance from anywhere
- Firmware Updates – Ensure system always runs on latest software
The easy-to-use app is a handy hub to manage and monitor the entire network remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many devices can an Orbi RBR750 system support?
A. The RBR750 has a capacity of 25+ devices simultaneously. With additional satellites, it can easily support entire smart home networks of 40-50+ connected gadgets spread across multiple floors.
Q. Can the RBR750 connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi networks?
A. Yes, it has dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios to connect to your existing router. It also has a dedicated 5GHz radio for the Orbi mesh backhaul for seamless connectivity.
Q. Does the RBR750 support external antennas for better range?
A. No, it has internal antennas designed for optimal whole home coverage without external antennas required. Additional satellites provide an easy way to boost the range instead of using external antennas.
Q. What is the maximum number of satellites that can be added?
A. Up to 4 additional Orbi RBS750 or RBS550 satellites can be added to the RBR750 router to create a multi-node mesh network. Larger homes may require 3-4 nodes.
Q. Is the Netgear Armor security subscriptionmandatory?
A. No, the Netgear Armor subscription is optional. The RBR750 works without it and provides basic network security features out of the box. Armor enhances the protection level.
Conclusion
It should be said that Netgear Orbi RBR750 is an ideal option for providing tri-band WiFi connection for medium to large homes. Alongside with WiFi 6 and MU-MIMO, it provides the lightning-fast internet speed at gigabit+ level as well as whole home coverage.
With its easy app-based setup and management, rock-solid performance, flexible expandability via satellites and robust security features, the RBR750 is certainly one of the best mesh systems available on the market today. It makes networking effortless and fulfils the need for powerful, seamless and future-proof WiFi for years to come.
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