The Netgear Orbi RBS50 is of the mesh WiFi systems that offer fast and stable connection for homes up to 5,000 sq ft in size. In this all-embracing guide, we will explore the details of the Orbi RBS50 system and describe how it is used to provide your whole house with powerful WiFi signals.
Introduction
One thing more required at home is stable and fast WiFi throughout the home given the fact that several devices are connected at one time. Normal wireless routers can hardly produced good signals in big houses because the signals weaken as they cover distance. Traditional WiFi systems such as the Orbi RBS50 eliminate this problem by employing multiple nodes that are connected using what is known as wireless mesh networking. This guide will explain what the Orbi RBS50 is, what it is capable of, how to activate this whole home WiFi system, performance benchmarks and how to optimize the use of the Orbi RBS50.
What is the Orbi RBS50?
The Orbi RBS50 is a WiFi mesh system from Netgear that consists of 1 router and 1 satellite unit to provide seamless and reliable WiFi coverage throughout homes up to 5,000 square feet. Some key things to know about the Orbi RBS50 include:
- Tri-band WiFi (2.4GHz + 5GHz + 5GHz bands) for minimizing WiFi interference
- Up to 2Gbps total theoretical bandwidth
- Supports up to 25 connected devices simultaneously
- Compact and stylish orb-shaped design for router and satellite
- Easy setup using the Orbi app
- Advanced security features like VPN, guest network, parental controls
- Backwards compatible with Orbi WiFi systems for expanded coverage
Coverage and Speed
Orbi provides whole home WiFi coverage with its mesh network topology. The satellite nodes expand the range of the router unit to eliminate WiFi dead zones.
Orbi intelligently balances traffic across both the 5GHz bands and uses the 2.4GHz band for legacy devices. The dedicated wireless backhaul between the nodes ensures seamless roaming.
In real world performance tests, the Orbi system maintained speeds above 500Mbps even at the edges of a 3000 sq. ft. home – far better than traditional WiFi extenders. Latency is also very low at under 15ms.
Orbi automatically selects the fastest and least congested channel for optimal speeds. Its advanced QoS also prioritizes gaming, video calls and other latency sensitive traffic.
Easy Setup and Management
Setting up the Orbi system is effortless with the Orbi app. It guides you through step-by-step by automatically selecting the optimum channel and optimizing settings.
The whole process takes under 10 minutes. You can also do it via the web browser interface on a computer.
Once configured, the Orbi app allows you to view device connection status, set parental controls, enable/disable guest wifi and also run speed tests. Firmware updates are delivered automatically in the background.
Wired Ports and Connectivity
In addition to whole home WiFi, Orbi allows creating a hybrid wired-wireless network using its 4 Gigabit LAN ports on the router and each satellite unit.
You can connect smart TVs, gaming consoles, desktop PCs and other devices using an Ethernet cable for ultra-stable, low latency internet access.
The WAN port enables connecting to the internet modem or fiber ONT directly to the router unit. Orbi supports all popular internet connections like cable, DSL and fiber.
Advanced Security with WPA3
Orbi supports the latest WPA3 security protocol which is more secure than the older WPA2. It uses 192-bit security and improves password protection to keep your network safe from hackers and snoopers.
The built-in firewall also blocks potential threats from being able to access your network or connected devices. User-friendly options allow setting access controls on devices connected to the network as well.
Impressive Performance and Value
Tests have shown that the Orbi RBS50 consistently delivers speeds above 500Mbps at the edge of coverage which is impressive. Its tri-band architecture, dedicated wireless backhaul and latest WiFi technologies make it highly capable.
At its price point, no other mesh system offers the similar combination of stellar speed, lag-free connectivity and expansive coverage. It offers great versatility for medium to large homes and supports multiple devices without slowing down.
And when compared to traditional WiFi extenders that struggle to reach 200Mbps, Orbi provides the smoothest streaming and gaming experience as well. Its seamless roaming is also lag-free within its coverage range.
How Does Mesh WiFi Technology Work?
Traditional WiFi routers use a single access point to transmit signals. As the distance from the router increases, signal strength weakens, resulting in poor coverage in some rooms. Mesh systems solve this using multiple units that work together wirelessly.
- The Orbi router acts as the main hub and connects to the modem.
- The satellite extends the WiFi range by wirelessly connecting to the router.
- Client devices seamlessly switch between router and satellite for best signal.
- The units work together using the same WiFi network name for a unified connection experience.
This allows for continuous strong WiFi signals even on the edges of homes where a single router struggles. The seamless handoff between nodes ensures non-stop connectivity for clients.
Specifications and Features
Tri-band WiFi
The Orbi RBS50 uses a tri-band WiFi design with separate radio bands for backhaul communication between nodes and for client connectivity. This prevents interference and doubles the overall bandwidth for fast uninterrupted speeds.
Speeds
It supports up to 2Gbps total bandwidth – 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1.2Gbps on each of the 5GHz bands for combined fast speeds. Real-world speeds may vary based on internet plan speeds.
Security
Advanced security features include VPN client/server mode, WiFi password, MAC address filtering, content filtering, and guest network options.
Easy Setup
The Orbi app guides you through setup in minutes. It detects the Orbi units, allows easy firmware updates, and provides network overview and controls.
Compatibility
Works with all internet providers and all WiFi devices including smartphones, laptops, smart home devices, gaming consoles and more. Also backwards compatible with other Orbi units for additional range.
24×7 Support
Lifetime phone and email support from Netgear ensures help is available any time you need assistance configuring or troubleshooting your home network.
Setting up the Orbi RBS50 System
Setting up the Orbi RBS50 system only takes 5 minutes using the Orbi app. Here are the basic steps:
- Download the free Orbi app for iOS or Android devices.
- Place the Orbi router near your modem in an open central location.
- Connect the router to your modem using the included Ethernet cable and plug it in.
- Place the Orbi satellite in another area of your home, but closer to the router at first.
- Open the Orbi app, select “Add Orbi Satellite” and follow the prompts to connect it wirelessly to the router.
- The app will automatically assign the units and set up the unified WiFi network.
- Connect your devices to the new fast and reliable WiFi network.
- Finish optimizing placement of satellite for complete coverage.
The easy app guides you to get the system running in minutes without technical expertise needed. Signal strength indicators help fine tune placement.
Performance Overview
When positioned and connected properly, the Orbi RBS50 can reliably blanket homes up to 5,000 sq ft with strong WiFi 6 signals, eliminating dead zones. Some key performance metrics:
Speeds
Real-world speeds of 900+ Mbps seen on 5GHz band with satellite one room away. Backhaul speeds stay above 800Mbps allowing for fast simultaneous usage.
Range
Radius of 1200+ ft seen with satellite allowing connectivity in backyard/patio areas without issues. Multi-story homes also experience seamless roaming.
Connected Devices
Smooth simultaneous usage by 25+ connected devices like smartphones, laptops, smart home/IoT devices, gaming consoles seen without lag.
Coverage
Large open floor plan and multi-story homes up to 5,000 sq ft achieve whole home coverage without weak spots. Signal strength stays strong through walls.
With the right placement, the powerful Orbi RBS50 nodes work together flawlessly to eliminate lag and buffering for all your network needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can two satellite units be added for larger homes?
A. Yes, the Orbi RBS50 router can support connecting to additional satellite units (sold separately) for expanding coverage to homes over 5,000 sq ft. This provides even greater flexibility.
Q. Is setup and management simple for non-tech users?
A. Yes, the Orbi app makes setup intuitive for all users within minutes. The dashboard provides network overview and basic controls in an easy-to-use interface. Netgear also offers 24/7 support for any issues.
Q. What speeds can be expected with different Internet plans?
A. Real-world WiFi speeds will vary based on your Internet plan speeds, number of connected devices as well as location of devices from router/satellite. As a guideline – 50Mbps Internet can deliver 40-50Mbps to most rooms, 100Mbps Internet 80-90Mbps speeds and so on.
Q. How many devices can be simultaneously connected?
A. The Orbi RBS50 system is capable of connecting up to 25 simultaneous WiFi devices using its advanced tri-band technology without slowdowns. This is more than adequate for most average homes.
Q. Is the setup compatible with all Internet service providers?
A. Yes, the Orbi RBS50 works with all major Internet providers and connection types like cable, fiber or DSL. It connects to the Internet modem just like a regular wireless router. Service availability depends on your geographical location.
Comparing Orbi RBS50 to Alternatives
Here’s a quick comparison of the Orbi RBS50 vs other top WiFi mesh systems:
| System | Speed | Range | Security | Ease of Use |
| Netgear Orbi RBS50 | Up to 2Gbps | 5000 sq ft | Advanced (VPN etc) | Very Easy |
| Google Nest Wifi | Up to 1.2Gbps | 3500 sq ft | Basic | Simple |
| TP-Link Deco X20 | Up to 1.2Gbps | 4000 sq ft | Basic | Simple |
| Eero 6 | Up to 1Gbps | 2500 sq ft | Standard | Simple |
As seen above, the Orbi RBS50 strikes the right balance of specifications, features, and ease of setup at a competitive price for creating fast and secure whole home WiFi.
Conclusion
The Netgear Orbi RBS50 offers a powerful yet simple solution for eliminating WiFi dead zones and buffering issues in large homes up to 5000 square feet. Its tri-band technology, strong integrated security features, consistently fast speeds across devices and flexible expandability make it a top choice for whole home connectivity. With its minimal setup process and round-the-clock support from Netgear, the Orbi RBS50 enables everyone in the home to stay productive and entertained without experiencing interrupted WiFi coverage or slowdowns.
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