Introduction

If you have not read our review of the NETGEAR Orbi Pro SXK80 yet, I encourage doing so. It lays a platform for our admittedly long-pending WiFi 6 networking product reviews and also happens to be a mesh WiFi system. The Orbi Pro is an interesting product line from NETGEAR that targets small business owners with matching support that is a few steps above that of the consumer product level, but such is the world of prosumer networking that the lines overlap more than ever before. Pricing is certainly not a point of distinction, either, especially with WiFi systems now comprising 3–5 units in total in a retail SKU.


Today, we take a look at the NETGEAR RBK853 WiFi 6 system, an SKU that provides one router and two satellites in a tri-band configuration with the dedicated backhaul channel the Orbi family has long boasted. It is an SKU that used to be exclusive to NETGEAR.com in the US and most regions, but now happens to be a general retail option in Europe courtesy the denser building materials used here that challenge WiFi signal strength propagation more than the at times ridiculously large mansions in the US. There are a couple of small differences in the split of the throughput as it relates to the various operating bands compared to the US, but they all add up to make this an AX6000 rated product. Thanks to NETGEAR for not only providing the system to TechPowerUp for review, but also being patient with some technical challenges that delayed the publication of this review.

Specifications