Verdict
A very powerful meshwork system , the Netgear Orbi RBK863S takes what was good about the original Wi - Fi 6 meshwork scheme and give it a speed encouragement . With very reliable connexion speeding , even at reach , this is a swell scheme for anyone with a large house or for anyone that struggles getting a wireless signal everywhere . Only useable in a three pack , this scheme is very expensive , though .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Netgear was one of the first companies to launch a Wi - Fi 6 meshwork organization , with the excellentOrbi RBK852 .
That was a few years ago and times have changed , so the companionship is back with its improved version , the Netgear Orbi RBK863S. Although it has the same headline speeds as its harbinger , this version has a faster internet porthole and redesigned feeler array to improve coverage and amphetamine .
Design and features
Previously , the Orbi system could normally be bought in a lower limit of a two - pack , but the Netgear Orbi RBK863S is available as a three - pack start point , costing a whopping £ 1099.99 . That well reach this one of the most expensive mesh systems going , cake theWi - Fi 6EenabledOrbi RBKE963 .
If you do want more orbiter , there are also four- and five - large number versions , plus sum - on satellites ( £ 449.99 each ) . All versions are available in white ( which I ’ve examine before ) and black , which I have here on review . I more or less favour the fatal interlingual rendition , as it disappears into the setting a little better than the white edition .
According to theofficial Netgear Orbi compatibility chart , the new organisation is not compatible with satellites from the older 850 system . That ’s a ignominy , as being able to recycle old satellites , even if not at optimal speeds , would be squeamish . This is something that the Eero system does , with the newerEero Pro 6Ecompatible with all other Eero satellites .
As with previous Orbi systems that I ’ve reviewed , the Netgear Orbi RBK863S has two disjoined units . First , there ’s the router , which connects to your internet , then there are the satellites , which you station around your home . Both unit are the same size .
Netgear has updated the router . While the sometime interlingual rendition had a single Gigabit Ethernet WAN port , this version has a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port , so it will handle the fastest internet connections today and well into the future tense .
Otherwise , it has four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired devices . I would have liked at least one 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port , given how popular these connections are becoming .
The satellites have four Gbit Ethernet ports . Again , at least one 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet interface would have been appreciated .
Internally , the router and satellites flow the sameWi - Fi 6standard , delivering 4×4 2.4GHz at a maximum stop number of 1200Mbit / s and 4×4 5GHz birth a maximum hurrying of 2400Mbit / s. What ’s nice about the Orbi organisation is that it has a third 5GHz connection ( also 4×4 2400Mbit / s ) , providing a dedicated connection between satellite and the router .
You also get the option of an Ethernet backhaul , wire the Orbi satellites together using Ethernet . This can bring home the bacon a good performance , depending on the layout of your home , as well as amend the reach that the satellites sour at . I use Ethernet backhaul to get a satellite into my office garden , for deterrent example .
As with all Orbi twist , the Netgear Orbi RBK863S is keep in line via the Orbi app . This make it fast to set up the organisation , giving the meshwork a safe web name and password . Both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks are combined under one web name , with the interlocking organization pushing connect devices to the respectable band based on signal lineament and ability .
Once into the app , the front page makes it easy to see what ’s connect , as well as assure the more advanced features . For the Netgear Orbi RBK863S , you get a one - year subscription to Netgear Armor , which allow security scanning and malicious site blockade at the router level . And , you get node software for Windows , Mac , Android and iOS , so you ’re protected even when out and about .
Parental controls are available , although the innocent variant is rather canonical : you’re able to make profile for each household extremity and manually pause internet access , but you do n’t get internet filtering or programming without upgrading to a paid membership ( £ 60 a twelvemonth or £ 6.99 a month ) . To be fair , this form of service is increasingly a subscription one on other mesh system .
As with the more expensive RBKE963 organisation , this model supports the Netgear IoT connection , which turn tail a separate connection that uses WPA2 security standard , rather than the new WPA3 criterion . That helps older devices that do n’t corroborate WPA3 connect to the internet .
From the app , I could commute the web name , but more advanced place setting , including setting a Wi - Fi canal manually and set up port furtherance , are only available through the web interface .
Performance
Testing the Netgear Orbi RBK863S , I found that it was a flying mesh system . At close range , I get speeds of 616.49Mbit / s , which is dissipated than the speeds from the Netgear Orbi RBK852 system that I tested , although a touch slower than theEero Pro 6 .
However , at mountain chain , the Orbi RBK863S system start to rive ahead . At 5 thousand on the 2nd floor , I visit speed of 585.48Mbit / s , and at 10 thou I escort swiftness of 433.65Mbit / s. This shows the mogul of the dedicated wired backhaul , and the Orbi organisation maintains f number even at extreme image .
With three artificial satellite , I see fast speeds of 606.38Mbit / s in my kitchen , with a satellite wired into seat .
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Should you buy it?
A dissipated mesh system , this one does peculiarly well at range , maintaining a strong signal throughout .
If you do n’t have a big planetary house then a cheaper meshing system may suit you considerably and even deliver similar speeds .
Final Thoughts
A step up from the original Wi - Fi 6 Orbi system , the Netgear Orbi RBK863S is a bully mesh system of rules for larger homes or those that shinny to get a reliable Wi - Fi signal .
It may not have the fastest headline amphetamine , but this system is supremely reliable and maintains its connexion f number at range . It is expensive , so if you do n’t have the highest need , a different equipment from our usher to thebest routersmay make more sensory faculty .
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FAQs
Yes , although this costs extra to get the full range of features .
There ’s a wireless channel set aside for communication between satellites , which boosts reliability and performance .
