Luma vs. Orbi –which router is the best for your job?

If you are wondering about the devices you can use to use your Wi-Fi system at home, you are not alone – we used to wonder about it too. That is the reason for this review as well, regarding the Luma vs. Orbi review, and our experiences using these two.

We know from first-hand experience about the struggle of getting a good Wi-Fi router – especially in our long experience of doing speed testing. We understand that high speeds are best for getting high efficiency work done, and having a router that performs below your expectations is frustrating, to say the least.

Fortunately, we have done the hard work for you by comparing these two well known brands, so that you do not need to struggle making the choice on your own.

What are the differences between Luma and Orbi?

Router
Luma
Orbi (Winner)
Measurements (inches)
4.6 x 4.6 x 1.2
8.9 x 6.7 x 3.1
Wi-Fi specs
802.11ac/Dual Band
802.11ac/Tri-Band Router -Extender
Wi-Fi throughput speeds
450 Mbps
500 Mbps
Number of antennas
4 (non-detachable)
6 (non-detachable)

Luma vs. Orbi – how they compare

Performance in speed tests

Regardless of the smooth skin appearance, the Luma is a 2×2 router which delivers 2 lanes of data traffic, and it utilizes a 2 leading technologies in pairs – beam forming to direct the signals to connected devices in a more efficient way, and MU-MIMO that helps in better traffic management. This lets it have a maximum performance throughput of 1.3 Gbps.

This can work well for you if the Wi-Fi environment you are using is not crowded – but it proves disappointing when you are in a crowded one. This is because you cannot separate its 5-GHz and 2.4-GHz transmissions, and one Luma will have a combined throughput of 291.5 Mbps when it is at a distance of 5 feet. When you move it to 140 feet, this performance reduces to 110.7 Mbps, which places the Luma firmly in the mid-range tier when it comes to performance.

On the other hand, the Orbi will transmit the data on 3 bands of radio frequency. The 5-GHz and 2.4-GHz radios will have a peak of 1.2 Gbps of data flow. There is an additional second 5-GHz and 1.7 Gbps radio that will cater for backhaul connections though – so this will ensure that the performance of the connection is consistently fast.In order to support the configuration, every Orbi router has a series of antennas (6 in number) that surround its perimeter.

Arrangement of the routers

When it comes to the Orbi, it has an interesting arrangement. Even though they appear to be the same, the satellite and router units are non-interchangeable, so you cannot randomly use one unit as the repeater and another unit as the router. While the router can accommodate a maximum of 3 satellites, each satellite will transfer data along with the router in an arrangement of a hub-and-spoke, rather than the mesh arrangement.

The case is different for the Luma router: In order to wipe the device of the current settings it comes with, its back has a USB 2.0 port, a pair of RJ-45 1-Gbps Ethernet jacks, and a recessed reset button to help you out. As you use it, you will find that it has a LAN port that caters to a broadband modem, and also an extra one that can hook it up to a wired device like a printer or storage system. If you are using other Luma routers, you can use their LAN ports to connect additional devices.

Router design

For the Luma, the signal that one router gives is likely insufficient in its strength, especially if you live in a large apartment or house – which means that you will need to use more than one router. You can do so through arranging many subsequent routers near each other, which creates a multitude of networks that spread out the Wi-Fi to all corners of your home. The ultimate result is that these devices will not give high coverage levels, but the advantage of the setup is that they can move plenty of data.

When it comes to the Orbi though, this will use designs that use an oval-cross section, so they will come as big towers rather than the small easy-to-stash design found in the Luma and other routers. While you can use one as a bookend by placing it in a bookshelf, it is usually too big to hide easily.

Wi-Fi technology

At a quick glance, it is easy to tell that Orbi is superior in its Wi-Fi technology compared to Luma. Orbi uses a 3-band Wi-Fi system, while Luma uses a 2-band Wi-Fi system; the 3-band connection types usually offer a higher bandwidth compared to the 2-band routers.

The Orbi will promise a great installation process when easing into it, thanks to the two modules that come already paired, as well as a web-based setup that you can access through your phone or browser. Other than that, you can use the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands under one network in order to reduce the confusion of using 2 networks.

Luma vs. Orbi – A comparison review

Luma router – Overview and key features

Luma Whole Home WiFi (3 Pack - White) - Replaces WiFi Extenders and Routers, Free Virus Blocking, Free Parental Controls, Gigabit Speed
  • Fastest home on the block: Ultra-fast WiFi delivered to every square inch of your house. No dead zones....
  • Serious security: All-day, every-day security automatically scans and neutralizes any virus or malware,...

While this router is quite the expensive option, it has a mid-range performance, easy to use, and has a compact design. It allows you to set up mesh networks in your home to provide greater coverage, although the disadvantage is that they will not allow for much customization of anything else.

They come in a very compact size and will look like no other networking devices around. They are also small enough to hide on a bookshelf, or place them in the middle of a table without them interfering with the arrangement of anything else. They are kept in place, thanks to their power cords, and they have a large circular light at their center rather than the multicolor LED lights you see in most routers.

You can usually use up to 10 Luma routers simultaneously, though this will depend on the size of your home. If you live in a small apartment, for instance, one or two of them should be enough for your needs.

The app that caters for Luma only operates in portrait mode. It will display the download and upload speeds at that moment. Even though the system is advanced, there is nothing you can adjust. This makes it good for a first-time user, but not enough for an experienced networker.

Pros

  • Has good performance
  • Plenty of room for parental control
  • A simple setup process to create mesh networks

Cons

  • It is expensive
  • Limited capability for customization
  • Lacks Mac and PC software
  • Short range for the individual units

View Price on Amazon

Orbi router – Overview and key features

NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with 3Gbps Speed (RBK50) – Router & Extender Replacement Covers Up to 5,000 sq. ft., 2-Pack Includes 1 Router & 1 Satellite White
  • Ultra-performance Mesh WiFi network blankets every inch of your home in super fast and seamless WiFi...
  • Eliminates WiFi dead zones and buffering - 5,000 square feet of consistent coverage - with speeds up to...

While the Orbi router is pricey like the Luma, you will note that it is much more powerful and faster compared to the former, even if you use it without the mesh extension.

This mesh-router system is quite incredible, and is capable of filling your home with Wi-Fi at high speeds. Its setup process is a breeze, especially when compared to other routers, and it also has much more power and range compared to other options. Its design is also great and allows you to place it on a bookshelf, but the problem is its big size – which makes it difficult to place it in an inconspicuous place.

Similar to Google Wi-Fi, all Orbi units come with color-coded LED lights, each denoting its status. When it is starting up, it glows white. When your internet connection is strong, it will have a blue light, an amber light indicates a weak connection, and magenta shows that there is no connection.

Pros

  • Has MU-MIMO technology
  • Has great performance
  • Comes with a dedicated data channel for router-to-extensions
  • Gives you a choice of browser and app setups

Cons

  • Costly
  • Relatively large in size
  • Does not have as much functionality on its mobile app

View Price on Amazon

Verdict: so which is the winner? The Luma or Orbi?

These two routers share many traits: they are both costly, have a flexible setup of Wi-Fi networks, and a similar range of performance with some slight differences. However, the Orbi is a much better proposition in terms of its maintenance of high-internet speed, which makes it a better pick in terms of value for your money.

Frequently asked questions

Does my Orbi router need a modem to function?

Not really, as the Orbi system is meant to work with your existing router or system. However, keep in mind that you may need to switch off the Wi-Fi on the existing router or ISP modem if it is there, in order to improve the Orbi router performance.

If the modem does have functionality similar to a router, you need to set the Orbi to AP mode, and if the modem does not have router functionality, the Orbi can remain in router mode.

Is an Orbi router good for gaming?

Because gaming will require internet connections at very high speeds, the Orbi’s performance will depend on the ISP speeds available. The latest Orbi system has a transmission capacity of 1,733 Mbps, while most games will have a recommended data speed of 5 or 6 Mbps – this means an Orbi can handle your activity as long as the ISP connection is fast enough.

How many satellites can I connect to my Luma router?

All Luma kits will come with a maximum of 2 satellites, although you can connect additional ones if you need to – in fact, some users have connected up to 5 and they were all working fine. It is important to remember that all the satellites are connected through wireless backhaul – since they are sharing the same link, the Wi-Fi speed reduces the more satellites you have.

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