Netgear Orbi RBK50 vs. RBK50V: Which Wi-Fi router should you buy?

The router with endless options

Netgear Orbi RBK50

Upgrade your home with Smart commands

Netgear Orbi RBK50V

If you're looking for the full set up-up to make your dwelling smarter, Orbi is the router for yous. With expansions to requite you some speakers and vocalism commands, it'due south quite the catch. Prices are a flake loftier, but worth it if information technology the perks are what you're looking for.

$320 at Amazon

Pros

Up to five,000 square anxiety of coverage.
Orbi Voice is available equally expansion.
More LAN ports.

Cons

No speaker.
Not compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant.

It's the same Orbi RBK50 router, except this fourth dimension with a satellite that'south got a speaker and vocalisation command abilities. Upgrade your domicile with your favorite music and Smart controls.

$430 at Amazon

Pros

Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Banana.
Speaker organisation.
Saves you $200 from buying as an expansion.

Cons

Merely 4,500 foursquare anxiety of coverage.

Netgear Orbi RBK50 vs Orbi RBK50V tech specs

Abilities are i thing, but the specs are where the real decisions ordinarily are. Here'south a await at what's under the hood.

	Orbi RBK50	Orbi RBK50V
Coverage	v,000 sq ft	4,500 sq ft
Performance	AC3000 (1733 + 867 + 400Mbps)	AC2200 (867 + 867 + 400Mbps)
Frequency	two.four GHz, five GHz	ii.4 GHz, 5 GHz
Wireless standards	Radio 1: 802.11b/m/n two.4GHz, 256QAM support Radio 2: 802.11a/n/air conditioning 5GHz, 256QAM back up Radio three: 802.11a/n/ac 5GHz, 256QAM support	802.11ac
Processor	Qualcomm IPQ4019	Quad-Cadre
MU-MIMO	Yes	Aye
Memory	4GB Flash 512MB RAM	4GB Wink 512MB RAM
Ports	USB ii.0	USB 2.0
Ethernet	Router: 1 WAN, 3 LAN Satellite: 4 LAN	Router: 1 WAN, 3 LAN Satellite/Speaker: 2 LAN
Beamforming	Yep	Yes

Performance

Before we get also deep into comparing the features, I desire to note that your Orbi RBK50V package comes with the RBK50 router. This ways the only thing you're sacrificing is the satellite that comes with the RBK50 package, and instead, y'all're getting the speaker satellite known as the Vocalisation. Compared to the original satellite, the Voice will give you 500 less square anxiety of Wi-Fi coverage as well every bit an AC2200 standard instead of the AC3000. Equally you tin can see above, the AC200 offers 1,046 fewer Mbps at 867Mbps for the offset band, just the other 2 still remain exactly the same. This means you lot'll get slightly less backhaul performance, but the other bands volition evangelize the same performance.

Other than the notable difference in specs betwixt the two types of satellites y'all could get with the RBK50 router, at that place are a few physical differences you'll see as well. For case, the standard satellite comes with four LAN ports for yous to apply, while the Orbi Voice simply has ii LAN for you. Nevertheless, since they both acquit the aforementioned router, you'll still have the compatibility of a USB port, regardless of which ane you decide is right for y'all. Not just that, merely they both offering the same amount of memory as well.

Features

What this decision comes downward to are the satellite feature differences betwixt the two packages. Since you'll exist getting the same router regardless, you desire to compare what they're capable of doing to run across if it fits your tastes. The Orbi RBK50 Voice bundle comes with one RBK50 router and i Voice. The Voice is a speaker system that too has mics inside to exist able to take vocalisation commands that are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This ways you could tell the Orbi Vox to plough off the lights in your kitchen, for instance, and information technology volition.

Actually, the just difference betwixt these 2 packages is the square footage they're able to encompass. While you can get the Orbi Voice is $110 more than the standard package, you lot'll actually be saving money in the long run, since the Vocalization itself is actually offered as an expansion for $300. That means for $200 less (when y'all consider the parcel is just $100 more), you lot could become the Vocalism package and only miss out on 500 square anxiety of coverage. However, you lot proceeds all of the abilities of the Phonation, mentioned above, plus the power to play your favorite music with a steady connexion speed. Then if you're willing to sacrifice that coverage, you get more features.

Our selection for smarter homes

Netgear Orbi RBK50V

Swell Wi-Fi, smarter dwelling

With 4,500 square feet of coverage and mesh tri-ring functioning, it's piece of cake to see why Orbi Voice is a great choice. You lot'll upgrade your internet speeds while upgrading your home with voice commands to other Smart devices.

Our pick for covering your footing

Netgear Orbi RBK50

Mesh Tri-band for operation

With this mesh system, you lot get v,000 foursquare anxiety of coverage and up to iii.0Gbps on your internet speed. At that place are eight total Ethernet ports betwixt the router and satellites, and even the ability to accept information technology a step further with the indoor and outdoor expansions.

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