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Mesh Wi-Fi guide

NETGEAR Orbi 870 Series RBE872 Tri-Band WiFi 7 Mesh System, Router + Satellite

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Multi-gig cable or fiber plans with many wired devices in two locations

A router and satellite pair with a 10 Gig internet port, eight 2.5 Gig LAN ports across the two units, BE21000 tri-band WiFi 7 and 6,000 sq ft of rated coverage. NETGEAR's warranty applies only to purchases from an authorized reseller.

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Published specifications

  • NETGEAR: RBE871 router + RBE870 satellite; 2 power adapters, 1 Ethernet cable
  • NETGEAR: 1 x 10 Gig WAN; 4 x 2.5 Gig LAN on router and on satellite
  • NETGEAR: BE21000 tri-band, 10 streams; backhaul shared on 5 and 6 GHz
  • NETGEAR: up to 6,000 sq ft (3,000 each); up to 150 devices
  • NETGEAR: each 10.64 x 5.78 x 4.43 in; router 2.69 lb, satellite 2.65 lb
  • NETGEAR: warranty valid only via authorized reseller; 90-day support

Fit and limits

Strengths

  • Eight 2.5 Gig LAN ports across router and satellite, plus a 10 Gig WAN port
  • Separate main, IoT and guest networks, WPA3 and automatic firmware updates
  • NETGEAR publishes a spec sheet with box contents, sizes and weights

Caveats

  • Warranty requires an authorized reseller; the buy box showed Amazon Resale
  • Armor security and premium parental controls are paid after the trial
  • Each unit is 10.64 inches high, and setup needs a NETGEAR account and the Orbi app

A router and a satellite, not two identical units

This ASIN is the NETGEAR Orbi 870 Series two-pack, model RBE872. NETGEAR's spec sheet and the listing agree on the box: one Orbi WiFi 7 Router (RBE871), one Orbi WiFi 7 Satellite (RBE870), one 2 m Ethernet cable, two power adapters and a quick start guide. NETGEAR's spec sheet puts the 10 Gig internet port on the router only.

NETGEAR's system requirement is a high-speed internet connection to an existing modem or gateway, and its product page says Orbi works with any internet service provider when you plug it into your modem and set it up with the Orbi app. The listing says it is compatible with cable or fiber ISP equipment and ready for plans up to 10 Gbps.

The listing shows two model strings: a model name of RBE872-100NAS and a model number and manufacturer part number of RBE872-100APS. Both begin with the RBE872 that NETGEAR's documents use. Neither NETGEAR document we read explains the suffixes, so check the packaging model on arrival if that matters to you.

One 10 Gig internet port and eight 2.5 Gig LAN ports

NETGEAR's spec sheet lists, on the router, one 10 Gig internet WAN port and four 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps Ethernet LAN ports, and on the satellite, four more 2.5 Gig LAN ports. That is eight 2.5 Gig LAN ports across the pair, with the single 10 Gig port reserved for the internet connection.

The listing's comparison table words it differently: 'Total LAN Ports 1 x 10 G + 8 x 2.5 G'. NETGEAR's own spec sheet and product page describe the 10 Gig port as the internet WAN port rather than a LAN port. If you were planning to plug a 10 Gig device into it, confirm the port roles with NETGEAR first.

NETGEAR's footnote says Gigabit service plans and a compatible cable modem are required for Gigabit or Multi-Gig internet speeds. The product page also mentions a 2.5 Gig wired backhaul option between router and satellite, alongside the wireless backhaul.

Wireless: tri-band with the backhaul shared on 5 and 6 GHz

NETGEAR rates the system at up to 21 Gbps combined across router and satellite (BE21000), tri-band with ten streams across 6 GHz, 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. Its footnote says that maximum wireless signal rate is derived from IEEE 802.11 specifications and that actual throughput and coverage will be lower, depending on conditions.

The spec sheet describes multi-link operation that combines two WiFi bands, with the backhaul shared across 5 GHz and 6 GHz and fronthaul on 5 GHz and 6 GHz. NETGEAR's footnote adds that clients must support the 6 GHz band (WiFi 6E) to use it, and that the 6 GHz band is limited to indoor range.

The router has eight internal antennas with high-power amplifiers and a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor, and NETGEAR lists eight antennas on the satellite as well. The spec sheet also names preamble puncturing, which NETGEAR says blocks interference.

Coverage, device count and the size of each unit

NETGEAR gives up to 3,000 sq ft for the router and up to 3,000 sq ft for the satellite, for up to 6,000 sq ft overall, and up to 150 devices. The product page lists a 3-pack at up to 9,000 sq ft and a single add-on satellite at up to 3,000 sq ft; the listing offers the same options.

The spec sheet gives 10.64 by 5.78 by 4.43 inches (270.3 by 146.8 by 112.4 mm) for each unit, and the product page gives the height as 10.64 inches. The router weighs 2.69 lb (1.22 kg) and the satellite 2.65 lb (1.201 kg). The listing's item weight of 8.48 pounds does not say whether it includes packaging.

NETGEAR's product page mentions a Black Edition, shown as out of stock when we read it, and Classic White. The listing details we recorded do not name a colour for this ASIN, so check the images and the colour on the offer before ordering if it matters.

Security features, Armor and app requirements

NETGEAR lists WPA3, automatic firmware updates, access control, VPN support, and up to three separate networks: a main network, an IoT network and a guest network. Its footnote points to netgear.com/eos for how long firmware updates are provided.

NETGEAR Armor, powered by Bitdefender, is an optional subscription. The spec sheet says the 30-day Armor subscription is included and that a paid subscription is required after the free trial, and a separate footnote says fees apply for the Premium Plan of NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls.

Setup and management use the Orbi app. NETGEAR's footnote says setup requires registering a free NETGEAR account, installing the Orbi iOS or Android app, and agreeing to NETGEAR's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

The warranty only applies through an authorized reseller

NETGEAR's spec sheet says the product comes with a limited warranty that is valid only if purchased from a NETGEAR authorized reseller. The product page goes further: the limited warranty is valid only if purchased from a NETGEAR authorized reseller and you register the device at my.netgear.com. Neither document states the warranty length; the listing's warranty field says 1 Year Limited.

This matters for this ASIN. When we read the listing, the offer in the buy box was sold by Amazon Resale and fulfilled by Amazon. Before buying, check who the seller is and the condition of the offer, and confirm with NETGEAR whether that seller counts as an authorized reseller for warranty purposes.

The spec sheet also lists 90 days of complimentary technical support following purchase from a NETGEAR authorized reseller, and the product page says technical support is free for a specified period. Keep your proof of purchase and register the units.

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Primary sources

  1. NETGEAR product page for the Orbi 870 Series RBE872
  2. NETGEAR technical specification sheet for the RBE872 (TS-RBE872-1)

Primary sources checked .

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