Everything you need to know about the RBK752 [A Review]

Mesh routers work to ensure exceptional Wi-Fi coverage even in the largest homes. Having said that, technology is gradually upgrading and you may need to keep up so as to ensure a reliable internet connection throughout your home. An example of an impressive and high performing Wi-Fi 6 mesh router that could work for your large home is the NETGEAR Orbi AX4200 Wi-Fi 6 mesh system (RBK752).

I tend to get frustrated when my network begins to slow down or completely shut down when I am in the middle of an internet activity. Perhaps, downloading large files and then it suddenly stops or watching a video and then the endless buffering begins. Even worse, roaming around my house made it more difficult for me to access a stable internet connection on my phone. The only way I could eliminate these connectivity failures was by finding a permanent solution that will extend my Wi-Fi signal and increase its strength to the farthest points of my home.

Following a great deal of research, I started using the RBK752 mesh router which has given my Wi-Fi signal a boost to all parts of my home. In overall, I am impressed by its performance and at least now I am more assured of seamless roaming and a more reliable internet connection. Let us take a look at why you should also consider using this particular mesh router for your home.

RBK752 Review and Breakdown

NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 System (RBK752) – Router with 1 Satellite Extender | Coverage up to 5,000 sq. ft., 40 Devices | AX4200 (Up to 4.2Gbps)

• Coverage up to 5,000 sq. ft. and for up to 40 devices. Extend coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. with each...
• Fast AX4200 Gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and web...

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The RBK752 comes with a router comes with a router and a satellite which merge together to form a mesh system which keeps all your wireless connections strong in every room throughout your home and allows you to comfortably enjoy online gaming and 4K/8K UHD streaming simultaneously without any interruption. It has been designed to extend the Wi-Fi coverage over a range of up to 5,000 square feet. Also, it is a tri-band router which delivers combined throughput speeds of up to 4,200 Mbps.

It supports the latest 802.11 ax Wi-Fi standard which makes it faster and with 4 times increased capacity than the Wi-Fi 5 mesh systems. Because of this, it is able to hold a capacity of more than 40 wireless devices seamlessly and still ensure exceptional Wi-Fi performance. Additionally, its dedicated quad stream Wi-Fi 6 backhaul allows for consistent Gigabit throughput in all areas of your home. With the dedicated backhaul, you are able to free up the other two bands so that you can achieve maximum speeds to your devices. It comes with Gigabit Ethernet ports on its router and satellite which allow you to establish wired connections to your devices.

In addition to that, it is universally compatible meaning that it works with all Internet Service Providers on internet speed plans of up to 2 Gbps including satellite, DSL, fiber and cable. At the same time, it is easy to set up and manage through the Orbi app and its performance is optimized with beamforming, MU-MIMO and Smart Connect technology. Also, it supports WPA2 wireless security protocols which ensure that you have a secure network and it has advanced cyber threat protection through its NETGEAR Armor software. The RBK752 works with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa which enables you to use voice commands to control and manage your home network.

On the negative side, it is slightly bulky and it does not support 160 MHz channels. Also, it does not come with a multi-gig LAN port but advantageously, it comes with a multi-gig WAN port that is suitable for link aggregation if need be. Unfortunately, it may experience sporadic lags as it is prone to overheating but you can easily control this through passive cooling measures.

What we liked;

• Provides you with a fast and reliable internet connection
• Exceptional Wi-Fi coverage
• Easy to set up and manage through Orbi app
• Advanced cyber threat protection
• Supports Link Aggregation through 2.5 Gbps multi-gig WAN port
• Works with all Internet Service Providers

What we didn’t like;

• Prone to overheating which may affect performance
• No support for 160 MHz channel
• No multi-gig LAN ports

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RBK752 Specifications

RBK752 Features

Design and Structure

The RBK752 comes in a white color towards and the top and a grey section towards bottom. With a very simple design, it includes two identical modules where one is a RBR850 router and the other is a RBS850 satellite. Each one of them weighs about 1.29 Kgs and has its size dimensions at 9.88 x 9.25 x 7.83 inches which makes it bulky. Its shape may tamper with its sturdiness but this can be easily sorted through wall mounting.

Speed and Performance

The RBK752 mesh router is a high performing network device that is capable of delivering combined theoretical speeds of up to 4.2 Gbps and twelve concurrent Wi-Fi 6 streams which allow to enjoy lag free gaming and lets you stream 4K/8K UHD movies to multiple devices which still using all of your connecting devices simultaneously. The bandwidth speeds are distributed as 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, 1200 Mbps on the first 5 GHz band and 2400 Mbps on the second 5GHz band.

Its simultaneous tri-band operation allows it to maximize speed. Its additional third frequency band acts as a dedicated backhaul between your RBK752 router and satellite in such a way that it frees up the other two frequency bands so that all your devices are able to access maximum throughput.

The performance of the RBK752 mesh router is optimized by its beamforming technology which directs the Wi-Fi signal towards your connected devices and the Smart Connect technology which ensures that all the Wi-Fi bands are efficiently used by all your devices. Additionally, its MU-MIMO technology allows for your RBK752 to communicate with your multiple devices simultaneously. Event better, it is backwards compatible with previous Wi-Fi standards and it works with all Wi-Fi devices.

Security and Network Control

The RBK752 mesh router system supports the WPA2 security protocol which includes DoS, Guest Wi-Fi access, VPN and Firewall. It further gives you a guarantee for a secure network through its NETGEAR Armor which offers advanced cyber threat protection to your connected devices. The NETGEAR Armor is a security software powered by BitDefender and is identified as a wide anti-malware, antivirus fraud/ransom ware/phishing security that works on unlimited devices. However, for you to get the most of the NETGEAR Armor you would need to pay $69.99 annually.

Through the Orbi app, you are able to easily set up and configure your RBK752 mesh router. Here, you are able to test your internet speed, view your speed history, manage your Wi-Fi settings at the device and network level and you are also able to monitor the data usage of your connected devices.

Range, Capacity and Connectivity

The RBK752 mesh router system offers your whole mesh Wi-Fi coverage over a range of up to 5,000 square feet and you are able to extend coverage over a range of up to 2,500 square feet with additional satellites which you may need to purchase separately. It simply creates an integrated mesh system under a single SSID and allows you to stay connected as you roam throughout your house.

It is able to hold a connection log of up to 40 devices without any interruptions. Aside from that, it comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports on the router and two Gigabit Ethernet ports on the satellite which allow you to establish fast and strong wired connections to your gaming consoles, computer and streaming players.

Who is it best suited for?

The RBK752 is ideal for large homes that are susceptible to Wi-Fi dead zones and homes that have multiple smart Wi-Fi devices that need high bandwidth.

Are there any alternatives to the RBK752?

Yes. Among the alternative Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems to the RBK752 are the ASUS ZenWifi XT8, the TP-Link Deco X20 and the NETGEAR Nighthawk MK62.

Features of the alternative routers

Final Verdict: Should you get the RBK752?

Yes. The RBK752 may have a few disadvantages when it comes to its vulnerability and its support for 160 MHz channels it still stands out in providing you a strong, fast and reliable network. Additionally, it works with all ISPs and it is backwards compatible with previous Wi-Fi standards.

FAQs

Does my RBK752 have QoS?

Yes, it does. It supports multimedia Wi-Fi QoS which prioritizes video and Wi-Fi voice traffic over the Wi-Fi link.

Do I need to have an Internet Service so as to use the RBK752?

Yes. The RBK752 replaces your existing standard router. For it to work, you would need a cable modem and an Internet Service Provider.