Difference between RBK22 and RBK40

[maaky4]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy my first mesh system and I'm stuck for choice. Upon checking specifications for the RBK22 and RBK40, I could only find difference in the gigabit port availabilty. Any other performance distinctions between the two or are they both using the same hardware?

[michaelkenward]

Have you tried comparing the data sheets?

There is support stuff for the RBK40 at the end of this link:

>>>> Orbi RBK40 | WiFi System | NETGEAR Support <<<<

Support for the RBK22 is here:

>>> RBK22 | Product | Support | NETGEAR <<<

[maaky4]

Thanks for the info. 
I did take a look at those, and didn't find anything different except for the ports. However, while talking to a customer representative, I was told that the RBK40 is superior in performace in comparison to the RBK20. 

Really not sure how to go about it. 

[FURRYe38]

I would recommend going with your home size needs as well. Most routers cover up to about 1100-1500 sq feet by themselves. I have a 5000sq ft home and use a 40 series system in place. Router at one end of the home up stairs and just 1 satellite at the opposite end 40 feet away. I have great coverage and performances for my home. 

https://www.netgear.com/orbi/wifi-systems.aspx

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@maaky4 wrote:

Thanks for the info. 
I did take a look at those, and didn't find anything different except for the ports. However, while talking to a customer representative, I was told that the RBK40 is superior in performace in comparison to the RBK20. 

Really not sure how to go about it. 

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[michaelkenward]

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@maaky4 wrote:
Really not sure how to go about it. 

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What's the price difference where you are?

[maaky4]

Not much actually. 

I've found the RBK22 for $180 and the RBK40 for $230. 

It makes sense paying more if the latter is superior in terms of performance. Looks like the RBK22 is a newer model. 

I'm surprised that Netgear Support couldn't provide me a precise answer for this issue. 

[FURRYe38]

RBK22:

Technical Specifications • Orbi AC2200 Router & AC2200 Satellite (866+866+400Mbps)† • Simultaneous Tri-band WiFi - Radio 1: IEEE® 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz– 256QAM support

- Radio 2: IEEE® 802.11a/n/ac 5GHz– 256QAM support - Radio 3: IEEE® 802.11a/n/ac 5GHz– 256QAM support • Tx/Rx: 2x2 (2.4GHz) + 2x2 (5GHz) + 2x2 (5GHz) dedicated backhaul • IEEER 802.11a/b/g/n/ac • MU-MIMO capable for simultaneous data streaming • Implicit & Explicit Beamforming for 2.4GHz & 5GHz bands • WiFi Security: WPA/PSK2 • Processor – Router - Powerful Quad-Core 710MHz processor • Memory – Router - 256MB Flash and 512MB RAM • Antenna - Four (4) high performance internal antennas each • Ports – Orbi Router - Two (2) 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports - One (1) WAN & one (1) LAN • Ports – Orbi Satellite - Two (2) 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports • Power On/Off switch • Push Button WPS and SYNC support • Voice Control - Amazon Alexa™ - The Google© Assistant • Circle® with Disney – Smart Parental Controls to manage content and time online for all your devices. Learn more at netgear.com/circle

RBK40:

Technical Specifications • Orbi AC2200 Router & AC2200 Satellite (866+866+400Mbps)† • Simultaneous Tri-band WiFi - Radio 1: IEEE® 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz– 256QAM support - Radio 2: IEEE® 802.11a/n/ac 5GHz– 256QAM support - Radio 3: IEEE® 802.11a/n/ac 5GHz– 256QAM support • Dedicated Backhaul Technology • Four (4) high-performance antennas with highpower amplifiers • Implicit/Explicit Beamforming for 2.4 & 5GHz bands (866+866+400Mbps)† • MU-MIMO capable for simultaneous data streaming on multiple devices • Four (4) 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports - Orbi Router (RBR40): 1 WAN & 3 LAN - Orbi Satellite (RBS40): 4 LAN • Security - WPA/WPA2-PSK support - Guest WiFi Network is easy to setup separate & secure Internet access for guests

The RBK40 series data sheets don't mention Memory or CPU, however the RBK44 does:

Processor - Router & Satellites - Powerful quad core 710MHz processor each • Memory - Router - 4GB flash and 512MB RAM

Not sure if this is applicable to the RBK40 series or not. I believe it is as all the RBK4# series use the RBR40 router. 

Mostly the main differences is the LAN ports in back between the 20 and 40 series. Wifi is the same. 

[maaky4]

I did notice the difference in the memory while reading the spec sheet. 

Are you aware whether any one of those two models is a newer one?

[FURRYe38]

No.

[ekhalil]

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@maaky4 wrote:

I did notice the difference in the memory while reading the spec sheet. 

Are you aware whether any one of those two models is a newer one?

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Orbi Series 20 is the latest. It was released August 2018.

The differences I see between 20 & 40 series are:

1. Physical size, RBR20: 5.6 x 2.4 x 6.6in, RBR40: 6.4 x 3.1 x 8.0. It seems that the antennas are the same in both series (20's and 40's), as the coverage specs are the same for both (6,000 sq ft for one router and 2 satellites) while it's 7,500 sq ft for the same configuration in the 50 series which has bigger antennas.

2. Number of LAN ports, RBR20: x1, RBS20: x3, RBR40: x3, RBS40: x4, may be this is the only cause for the bigger pysical size'1

3. Flash memory, RBR20: 256 MB, RBR40: 4GB. I'm not sure how much value the extra flash memory has on performance, but I compared the RBR20 and RBR50 (not the RBR40 though). The RBR50 has 4 GB flash memory as in the RBR40, and I noticed a huge difference in latency and jitter between the two routers. I thought that this is because of the bigger memory in the 50 series but I'm not really sure if that is a fact.

[michaelkenward]

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@maaky4 wrote:

Are you aware whether any one of those two models is a newer one?

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That will not tell you much if they arrived at the same time, which seems to be the case.

You probably won't notice much difference. Buy what you can afford?