Re: Difference between RBK22 and RBK40

maaky4 · ‎2018-12-10

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 · ‎2018-12-11

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 · ‎2018-12-11

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 · ‎2018-12-11

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

@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.

michaelkenward · ‎2018-12-11

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

What's the price difference where you are?

maaky4 · ‎2018-12-11

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 · ‎2018-12-11

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 · ‎2018-12-11

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 · ‎2018-12-11

No.

ekhalil · ‎2018-12-11

@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?

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 · ‎2018-12-11

@maaky4 wrote:

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

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?