NETGEAR Orbi RBK852 VS RBK50 – A comprehensive router comparison
Wi-FI mesh systems are designed to blanket your Wi-FI and extend your network to dead zones in your home. Check out this Netgear Orbi RBK852 VS RBK50 comparison for easy to use Wi-FI mesh routers that offer streamlined connections to dead zones in your home
Home WI-FI mesh systems that support Wi-FI 6 technology are quickly becoming very popular in many smart homes. However, they don’t come cheap; which is why intensive research is recommended. RBK852 VS RBK50 is a comparison between two particularly high performance home Wi-FI systems made by Netgear ORBI. It will help you understand their main differences in terms of build as well as functionality so you can choose a suitable Wi-FI mesh system for your home.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between NETGEAR Orbi RBK852 and RBK50?
Model |
NETGEAR Orbi (RBK50) Tri-band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System |
NETGEAR Orbi (RBK852) Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System (Winner) |
Wi-FI technology |
Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Ac2200 |
Tri -Band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) AX6000 |
Number of recommended devices |
20 |
60 |
Configuration |
1 Router + 2 Wall Plug Satellites |
1 Router + 1 Satellite |
Wi-Fi coverage |
Up to 5,000 sq. ft. |
Up to 5,000 sq. ft. |
Wi-Fi speed |
Speeds of up to Up to 2.2Gbps |
Speeds of up to 6Gbps |
Netgear Orbi RBK852 VS RBK50 – How do they differ?
The RBK50 comes with a router and a satellite. They are very identical in appearance and encased in a white enclosure. Just like the RBK50, the RBK852 comes with two large nodes that use mesh technology for communication over a 5 GHz radio band.
The nodes of the- are white with a silver trim and status led situated close to the base. The LED lights glow solid green when the device is powered up, red when there is a problem, amber when booting and magenta when the internet connection is lots.
They are very similar in appearance and both come with a satellite and router
Hardware and performance
The Netgear Orbi RBK50 is a tri-band ac3000 device. It has 6 internal antennas that are built to deliver maximum throughput speeds of 4000mbps on its 2.4 GHz band and 866mbps on the 5 GHz band. It has a third band which is considered a backhaul. The band is dedicated to communication between the satellite and the router.
The Orbi RBK50 uses automatic band steering which does not allow users to separate between the 5 GHz band and the 2.4 GHz band. When a single person uses this Wi-FI mesh system in the same room, the router can score around 480mbps and the satellite can deliver at a speed of 470mbps. At 30 feet, you should expect a throughput speed of about 250mbps on both the satellite and router.
The RBK852 router node has one single multi-gig wan port and 4 gigabit LAN ports. The satellite node also has 4 gigabit LAN ports. The RBK852 is not equipped with a USB port. For wired connections. Inside the RBK852 are 8 antennas, and a 2.2 GHz quad processor. The router comes equipped with 512mb of flash memory and 1 GB of ram. They are both expected to provide wireless coverage for up to 5000 square feet. On the close proximity single user tests, the Netgear Orbi RBK852’s router node can reach to speeds of up to 850 mbps while the satellite node can reach speeds of up to 650mbps.
The Netgear Orbi RBK852 is faster than the RBK50
NETGEAR Orbi RBK852 VS RBK50 – A Comparison Overview
Netgear orb RBK50 overview
- 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...
The Netgear orbit is a Wi-FI system that is capable of delivering fast wireless networking to all areas of your home. This Wi-FI system was created with larger spaces in mind. The system comes with one satellite and a router. It has 6 internal antennas that enable fast speed transmissions. The top of both nodes has led light rings. The ring will blink amber to show lose of internet connection, blue for internet traffic threshold when booting up. The back base of the router has 3 gigabit LAN ports, a USB 2.0 port, power, sync and reset buttons and a wan port.
Access to the advanced tab and advanced security section allows you to block some websites and set up parental control. You can also restrict the user access and enable email alerts for users trying to access blocked websites. Through the advanced wireless settings, you can enable beamforming, configure VNP services, enable MU-MIMO and adjust the transmit power.
The traffic metre feature lets you check the monthly user stats and put limits for monthly download and upload capabilities. When the metres reach its threshold, it will shut down internet access for all clients.
Pros
- Is MU-MIMO enabled easy to install
- Has a fast throughput performance
- Has plenty of configuration options
Cons
- The Wi-FI mesh system is bulky
- It has limited USB functions
Netgear Orbi RBK852 overview
- Coverage up to 5,000 sq. ft. and for up to 100 devices. Extend coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. with each...
- Ultrafast AX6000 gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and...
The Netgear Orbi RBK852 is a two piece Wi-FI 6 mesh system meant to deliver solid connectivity and a strong performance to your home network system. The 12 stream triband system is created to support the latest Wi-FI 6 technologies including Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access data transmission 1024 QAM, and WPA encryption. The device does not have Netgear amour’s parental control, but you can use the Netgear web consol to manually block websites and access schedules.
Just like the Orbi RBK50, the RBK8 is designer with two nodes. They use mesh technology to communicate through its 5 GHz radio band. The nodes of this router measure 10 by 7.5 by 2.8 inches. The router is white, with a silver trim. The led status of this mesh system is located near the base. The Wi-FI mesh system can provide you with a maximum of 5000 square feet of wireless coverage,.
The node has 4 gigabit LAN pots, a single multi-gig wan port and a satellite node. The satellite also has 4 gigabit LAN ports; unfortunately, none of them has a USB port for connecting devices like printers. Inside this node are 8 antennas. The RBK852 is equipped with a 2.2 GHz quad core processor, 512mb of flash memory and 1 GB of ram. Unfortunately, the RBK8 does not come equipped with Netgear’s Amour or basic parental controls. However, you can use the Netgear web console to manually enter web URLS and have them block or to create access schedules.
Pros
- Multi gig wan
- Has four LAN ports
- Speedy throughput performance
Cons
- Does not have USB connectivity
- Doesn’t have parental control and anti-malware
- Expensive
Conclusion and Verdict: So, which one is faster Netgear nighthawk RAX 120 or RAX 200?
The Netgear Orbi triband Wi-FI mesh system RBK852 is the winner in this case. Both its router and satellite deliver high scores at considerable distances. This mesh system increases the capacity and spreads out wireless access points to provide you with more bandwidth. If your router is struggling to deliver wireless networking system to remote parts of your house, the Netgear Orbi RBK852 will come in handy.
FAQ
Does the Orbi RBK852 support Ethernet back haul?
Yes, before you set up any Ethernet backhaul connections, ensure you have updated the firmware on all the Orbi devices to enable it to work.
Does the Netgear Orbi RBK50 work better when in route r mode or when in ap mode?
The best and recommended way to set the mesh Wi-FI system up is to strictly run your router in Orbi mode. This helps you avoid interference from any other routers within your range.
