That’s it. After years of connection issues and promises of improvement with firmware upgrades only to be left waiting for another firmware upgrade to fix the previous issues , I decided to return the RBK53. Thank goodness for Costco and their generous return policy!!!Any recommendations?

I've used multiple mesh networks. I'll rank them from my experience. Again, this is just my experience, it isn't scientific.Here's how I'd rank what I've used.1. Orbi RBK532. Arris W313. Orbi RBK434. TP-Link M9plus5. Tenda MW6 This are the systems I've used so I can't speak to how the other wifi mesh systems work or reliablity. I will say that they've all had issues. None have been perfect. Smallnetbuilder does reviews and ranks systems. there's great reviews there and its worth looking/reading through it a bit before buying your next system.https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/rankers/wifi-system/view

Of course. Google for "Best WiFi System", then check out the user forums for the leading products. People seem to rate Linksys Velop, Google WiFi, TP-Link Deco (M5 and M9), and several others. People on this forum own Netgear Orbi and are well acquainted with its strengths and weaknesses. People who own the other products may be in a similar position. Good Luck

Hsc1102 wrote:That’s it. After years of connection issues and promises of improvement with firmware upgrades only to be left waiting for another firmware upgrade to fix the previous issues , I decided to return the RBK53. Thank goodness for Costco and their generous return policy!!!Any recommendations?That's too bad. If you return it due to firmware issues, I believe you'll all the others face the same problem. They key is stay away from manual updates. If your system is working, why upgrade the firmware?

I've been on some 'fairly stable' firmware versions before, but netgear just never seems to get it right. This day and age with the complexity of technology all companies experience issues with a version of their firmware, but it just seems like netgear was never able to get it right. One version, I would have continuous connectiveity at slower than expected speeds and other versions I would have fast speeds but it would constantly disconnect especially when I am on a conference call for work. This is not what you expect for a ~$400 system that promises fast speeds and big range. Seems like firmware limited the ORBI's potential.

Hsc1102 wrote: Seems like firmware limited the ORBI's potential.How was your firmware installed?

I Give Up, Returned the RBK53 | NETGEAR Communities

13 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Nov 05, 2019
Of course. Google for "Best WiFi System", then check out the user forums for the leading products. People seem to rate Linksys Velop, Google WiFi, TP-Link Deco (M5 and M9), and several others. People on this forum own Netgear Orbi and are well acquainted with its strengths and weaknesses. People who own the other products may be in a similar position.

Good Luck
Retired_Member
Nov 05, 2019
Hsc1102 wrote:
That’s it. After years of connection issues and promises of improvement with firmware upgrades only to be left waiting for another firmware upgrade to fix the previous issues , I decided to return the RBK53. Thank goodness for Costco and their generous return policy!!!

Any recommendations?
That's too bad. If you return it due to firmware issues, I believe you'll all the others face the same problem. They key is stay away from manual updates. If your system is working, why upgrade the firmware?
- Hsc1102
  Apprentice
  Nov 06, 2019
  I've been on some 'fairly stable' firmware versions before, but netgear just never seems to get it right. This day and age with the complexity of technology all companies experience issues with a version of their firmware, but it just seems like netgear was never able to get it right. One version, I would have continuous connectiveity at slower than expected speeds and other versions I would have fast speeds but it would constantly disconnect especially when I am on a conference call for work. This is not what you expect for a ~$400 system that promises fast speeds and big range. Seems like firmware limited the ORBI's potential.
  - Retired_Member
    Nov 06, 2019
    Hsc1102 wrote:
    Seems like firmware limited the ORBI's potential.
    How was your firmware installed?
plemans
Guru - Experienced User
Nov 05, 2019
I've used multiple mesh networks. I'll rank them from my experience. Again, this is just my experience, it isn't scientific.
Here's how I'd rank what I've used.
1. Orbi RBK53
2. Arris W31
3. Orbi RBK43
4. TP-Link M9plus
5. Tenda MW6

This are the systems I've used so I can't speak to how the other wifi mesh systems work or reliablity. I will say that they've all had issues. None have been perfect.
Smallnetbuilder does reviews and ranks systems. there's great reviews there and its worth looking/reading through it a bit before buying your next system.
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/rankers/wifi-system/view
eljarviso
Luminary
Nov 08, 2019
If you have any technical knowledge throw in some Ubiquiti AC Pro access points. They’re low end enterprise but high end consumer.

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I Give Up, Returned the RBK53