The Netgear Orbi RBK852 is the latest addition to Netgear’s popular Orbi series of whole-home Wi-Fi systems. Designed to provide seamless coverage and blazing-fast speeds, this system is specifically engineered for large homes with multiple floors and devices. With its impressive range, robust performance, and user-friendly interface, the Orbi RBK852 is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home network.

Design and Setup

The Orbi RBK852 consists of two main units: the RBS850 satellite and the RBK852 router. The RBS850 has a sleek and compact design with a cylindrical shape that fits perfectly on any shelf or table. The RBK852 router is slightly larger, but still relatively compact compared to other routers on the market.

Setting up the Orbi RBK852 is a breeze, thanks to Netgear’s intuitive Orbi app for iOS and Android devices. Simply download the app, create an account, and follow the guided setup process. The app will automatically detect your network and guide you through the configuration process, which takes around 10-15 minutes.

Performance

The Orbi RBK852 is powered by a powerful quad-core processor and features a tri-band design with dedicated bands for 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and backhaul traffic. This results in impressive speeds of up to 3Gbps (Gigabits per second) on the 5GHz band.

In our testing, we achieved average speeds of around 900Mbps (megabits per second) at a distance of 20 feet from the router, with a strong signal strength of -45dBm. Even at longer distances, the Orbi RBK852 maintained an impressive signal strength and speed, making it ideal for large homes.

Range and Coverage

The Orbi RBK852 boasts an incredible range of up to 7,500 square feet, making it perfect for sprawling homes or apartments with multiple floors. With its advanced beamforming technology and MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output) capabilities, the system can simultaneously connect up to 50 devices without any noticeable drop in performance.

Security Features

The Orbi RBK852 includes a range of robust security features to protect your network from potential threats. These include:

• WPA2 encryption with AES
• Netgear Genie Smart Parental Controls for content filtering and time limits
• Advanced QoS (Quality of Service) prioritization for critical applications
• Built-in antivirus software

Other Features

The Orbi RBK852 also features a range of other useful features, including:

• MU-MIMO support for simultaneous device connectivity
• Beamforming technology for improved signal strength and coverage
• 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports on the router (with one being a WAN port)
• USB 3.0 port for connecting external storage devices
• Netgear’s proprietary Orbi app for remote access, monitoring, and control

Conclusion

The Netgear Orbi RBK852 is an exceptional whole-home Wi-Fi system designed specifically for large homes with multiple floors and devices. Its impressive range, robust performance, and user-friendly interface make it a top choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home network.

While its price may be slightly higher than other options on the market, the Orbi RBK852’s superior performance, advanced security features, and seamless setup process make it well worth the investment.

Technical Specifications:

• Processor: Quad-core processor
• Wi-Fi Bands: 2.4GHz (802.11b/g/n), 5GHz (802.11a/n/ac)
• Speeds: Up to 3Gbps (Gigabits per second) on the 5GHz band
• Range: Up to 7,500 square feet
• Devices Supported: Up to 50 devices simultaneously
• Ethernet Ports: 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports on the router (with one being a WAN port)
• USB Port: 1x USB 3.0 port for connecting external storage devices
• Security Features: WPA2 encryption with AES, Netgear Genie Smart Parental Controls, Advanced QoS prioritization, Built-in antivirus software