NETGEAR Orbi RBK353 (AX1800) Dual-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System - 3 Pack

I have purchased three RBK353s systems for three different clients of mine. Each of them are with Spark UFB, and in each case computers or TVs connected to the Orbi router unit via ethernet cable would not get online. Webpages would load with errors like "This site can't be reached" or "An error occurred during a connection to www.google.co.nz". I have not had the issue with the older Orbi units like the RBK50 and RBK23, just the RBK353.

I had updated the firmware on router and satellite units in all cases to the latest, and have tried factory resets. I also tried changing the DNS settings from Spark's default 122.56.237.1 and 210.55.111.1...view more I have purchased three RBK353s systems for three different clients of mine. Each of them are with Spark UFB, and in each case computers or TVs connected to the Orbi router unit via ethernet cable would not get online. Webpages would load with errors like "This site can't be reached" or "An error occurred during a connection to www.google.co.nz". I have not had the issue with the older Orbi units like the RBK50 and RBK23, just the RBK353.

I had updated the firmware on router and satellite units in all cases to the latest, and have tried factory resets. I also tried changing the DNS settings from Spark's default 122.56.237.1 and 210.55.111.1 to Google's 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. respectively, which seemed to work for a moment but then back to pages not loading.

I also checked that the MTU size was 1492, a suggestion from a previous Netgear Support tech during my second installation, but it was set correctly.

Devices connected to the satellite units via ethernet are fine and get good speeds, as does WiFi. So as far as I can tell, it's something to do with the LAN ports on the router unit not passing on the correct DNS settings. Those devices connected via ethernet to the router unit correctly get an IP address and see the gateway correctly, which reinforces to me that it is something to do with DNS.

Apparently I'm the only person having this issue, but 3x different RBK353s for three different clients (all with Spark UFB) suggests that I can't be the only one.

I have worked through the issue with Netgear Support for a couple of hours tonight but we got nowhere unfortunately, before they ended the chat session abruptly and said that their engineers would continue to help.

My first 2x clients were happy connecting via WiFi only, but my 3rd client in this case needs the ability to connect devices to the router unit via ethernet, and also have the option of ethernet backhaul for the satellites if range at their house dictates.

Hopefully someone at PB Tech can help or I'll need to return the unit.

So I purchased an Orbi 353 for a 100sqm home. Figured this would be an upgrade of my old Google wifi, and would support our new and improved (hopefully) service provider (Spark).

I was sorely disappointed. From the off, this thing just didn't work. I followed the fairly detailed instructions in the app, which took way too long to move between one screen and the next. It looked like it was setting things up until it came time to connect any devices, at which point fail. The internet/ethernet ports at the back didn't work, so wired connection to my laptop didn't work for using the web interface to try set up. After perhaps 3 attempts u...view more So I purchased an Orbi 353 for a 100sqm home. Figured this would be an upgrade of my old Google wifi, and would support our new and improved (hopefully) service provider (Spark).

I was sorely disappointed. From the off, this thing just didn't work. I followed the fairly detailed instructions in the app, which took way too long to move between one screen and the next. It looked like it was setting things up until it came time to connect any devices, at which point fail. The internet/ethernet ports at the back didn't work, so wired connection to my laptop didn't work for using the web interface to try set up. After perhaps 3 attempts using the Orbi App and just the netgear app, I rang (on the advice of Spark staff) the Netgear support line. If that is a typical experience of the way Netgear 'supports' customers, I'm amazed anyone buys their products. We went through a manual process twice, eventually getting it to look like it would work, but as soon as I tried to set the SSID/Password, it lost connection, couldn't find itself in its own app, couldn't connect to the internet, couldn't find it's satellite. Of course all this happened after the Netgear person had put down the phone, so far as she was concerned evidently the green light meant it worked, although it wasn't actually configured to my needs.

So I returned this thing to the local Spark store today, and was told I had to have an email from Netgear saying it was faulty or they wouldn't take it back. Upon calling Netgear and speaking to a different person I was told they have never been asked to do this ever, and that this representative (who is in America) cannot do that as he doesn't have authority and his supervisor is not available as it was 2am (helpful). He said he would need me to take the device home and go through the diagnostic process again. Evidently it was a surprise to him when I suggested perhaps they had a record of yesterdays conversations and experience and could go from that and the recording of the call, in which the Netgear rep said it was probably faulty and I should return it to Spark.

So, here is some advice if you are considering buying one of these. Good luck. It may be fine and you may have no problems at all, but be prepared for stress and raised bloody pressure as you navigate your way through the app, the web interface, the devices themselves and the questionable customer support. If you are considering buying from Spark, remember, if you end up with a rep who tells you to return it because its faulty, get them to email you that fact on the call when you make it - because spark are decidedly difficult about this and were initially very much in the 'we cannot take it back without this email' mindset.

Thankfully, it seems a bit of moaning, looking like you're about to have a stroke, and having a quality customer service rep at spark advocating with the retail assistant behind the scenes helps. Its about 7 hours of my life I'll never get back, and I am so glad that Spark finally agreed to take it back even in the absence of a certified email from Netgear telling me their product is pants.

I strongly suggest you look elsewhere, and do a lot of research. There is plenty of testimony out there about these things, though little about the support process and retail experience with spark... these are also factors to consider before you think of splashing the cash on these devices.

Using it for a large two story house with some concrete internal walls and concrete floors. Good penetration. Happy with product. Using it for a large two story house with some concrete internal walls and concrete floors. Good penetration. Happy with product.

Purchased this NETGEAR Orbi RBK353 AX1800 Dual-band WiFi 6 Mesh System- 3 pack to upgrade my standard 2degrees router.
However after configuration and swap over found that that wired connections to my Sony TV and music stations could not see the internet (although they were correctly allocated with IP addresses by the router). After changing to WiFi the TV’s worked but this is not an option on my Music stations.
Tried to contact Netgear support but couldn’t get through as my product could not be registered due to the serial number already registered to someone else…. go figure.
In the end my wife was getting frustrated with the loss of fun...view more Purchased this NETGEAR Orbi RBK353 AX1800 Dual-band WiFi 6 Mesh System- 3 pack to upgrade my standard 2degrees router.
However after configuration and swap over found that that wired connections to my Sony TV and music stations could not see the internet (although they were correctly allocated with IP addresses by the router). After changing to WiFi the TV’s worked but this is not an option on my Music stations.
Tried to contact Netgear support but couldn’t get through as my product could not be registered due to the serial number already registered to someone else…. go figure.
In the end my wife was getting frustrated with the loss of functionality so had to change back to use the 2degrees router (with WiFi switched off) and the Orbi Mesh system switched to Access Point mode. Not a very elegant solution….. but better than divorce… and at least WiFi coverage was much improved.
After all this I read an earlier review by Dav3S8 (July 2021) highlighting this issue….. yes I should have read it before purchase… this reviewer is obviously much more technically proficient than I am but even after all his efforts to fix this problem, at time of writing was not able to get the system to work as intended. So don’t fancy my chances… best to head back to PB Tech and maybe part with more money to get a system that works.

I was looking for an upgraded WiFi solution to get cover across multiple rooms and 2 levels. whilst WiFi extenders look good, their range is not that great and speeds vary a lot. Mesh networking is the answer. I chose Netgear as their set-up is very simple and the set-up guide is very detailed. I was very surprised when I was able to get the router and 2 satellites up and running in under 20mins. I have tried other products (also WiFi mesh) and had great difficulty in getting them to work. The default set-up does not have good security (eg: none) so you have to login to the router to set-up the level of security you want/need. Once I...view more I was looking for an upgraded WiFi solution to get cover across multiple rooms and 2 levels. whilst WiFi extenders look good, their range is not that great and speeds vary a lot. Mesh networking is the answer. I chose Netgear as their set-up is very simple and the set-up guide is very detailed. I was very surprised when I was able to get the router and 2 satellites up and running in under 20mins. I have tried other products (also WiFi mesh) and had great difficulty in getting them to work. The default set-up does not have good security (eg: none) so you have to login to the router to set-up the level of security you want/need. Once I was used to the clunky and slow router interface I was able to add the security I like. After a few months of use, I can safely say the Orbi WiFi Mesh is a great product and provides me with the WiFi coverage I wanted. Whilst Orbi is not the cheapest make/model, it has enough performance for my devices and coped very well when my extended family arrived with their 6 phones and tablets/IPads. As I said above: It does what it says on the box!

Bought this on recommendation and reading up on Mesh networks. Setup is really easy and didn't take too long.
The WIFI speed is amazing and maximum of what our Fiber line is at the modem, we now have max mb/s everywhere in the house even in the garage. This performed faster than the a TP link in wall Powerline adapter that is a ethernet cable into a PC, TV streaming media device or PlayStation. The WIFI 6 is simply amazing, will be buying another satellite when we move into a bigger split level house. Bought this on recommendation and reading up on Mesh networks. Setup is really easy and didn't take too long.
The WIFI speed is amazing and maximum of what our Fiber line is at the modem, we now have max mb/s everywhere in the house even in the garage. This performed faster than the a TP link in wall Powerline adapter that is a ethernet cable into a PC, TV streaming media device or PlayStation. The WIFI 6 is simply amazing, will be buying another satellite when we move into a bigger split level house.

I've been struggling with patchy WiFi for a long time and a general lack of control of my network devices for ages. I finally bit the bullet and picked up a Netgear Orbi system and it has been fantastic. Easy to setup with plenty of manual control if needed. Incredible WiFi signal and speeds inside and outside home. Apart from the great WiFi I have been really impressed with how easy it is to manage the whole system from the app. You're able to control devices, see what is connecting to the network and manage the Netgear Armor (subscription required) security software all in one place.

I was a network and security engineer for many years a...view more I've been struggling with patchy WiFi for a long time and a general lack of control of my network devices for ages. I finally bit the bullet and picked up a Netgear Orbi system and it has been fantastic. Easy to setup with plenty of manual control if needed. Incredible WiFi signal and speeds inside and outside home. Apart from the great WiFi I have been really impressed with how easy it is to manage the whole system from the app. You're able to control devices, see what is connecting to the network and manage the Netgear Armor (subscription required) security software all in one place.

I was a network and security engineer for many years and this level of functionality used to be unheard of. I have a complicated network setup and it has been so easy to troubleshoot and manage some of the obscure things I do using the Orbi app. I even know when the kids are trying to hack into things they shouldn't be with realtime alerts. The only thing that I've found lacking so far is the lack of parental controls to control what web content the kids get into but that's easily sorted with other solutions.

Probably not the cheapest setup, but it is a fully featured WiFi6 system with plenty of bells and whistles. Very impressed

Bought this system as an upgrade from my netgear nighthawk router and linksys wifi extender. Have a 100 year villa at 180m2 that has the ONT box at one end of the house. Constantly plagued with poor coverage and dropouts. The Orbi system took about 15 minutes to setup including the 2 satellites. App was simple to use and gives me all the info I need. I especially like the fact that if you move a satellite ( ie unplug it ) it will pick up the network automatically when powered back on. So far the mesh network is working well with no complaints from the 3 young adults in the house. For the price that I paid ( ex demo ) I am very happy. Seamless...view more Bought this system as an upgrade from my netgear nighthawk router and linksys wifi extender. Have a 100 year villa at 180m2 that has the ONT box at one end of the house. Constantly plagued with poor coverage and dropouts. The Orbi system took about 15 minutes to setup including the 2 satellites. App was simple to use and gives me all the info I need. I especially like the fact that if you move a satellite ( ie unplug it ) it will pick up the network automatically when powered back on. So far the mesh network is working well with no complaints from the 3 young adults in the house. For the price that I paid ( ex demo ) I am very happy. Seamless wifi throughout the whole house. If I had more money to spend I would have gone for a tri band system , that said this is a good compromise. Router and satellites are unobtrusive. Just had to put tape over the power LED on the one in the bedroom as this cannot be turned off.

Recently moved to a big 2 storey house. Had areas where wifi signal was very weak.
Have been using for over 2 weeks now.
Deliberately went for a router with 2 satellites - simply to provide wider coverage.
Fast and reliable wifi signals all over the house now.

Cons
Price - wish it was more affordable Recently moved to a big 2 storey house. Had areas where wifi signal was very weak.
Have been using for over 2 weeks now.
Deliberately went for a router with 2 satellites - simply to provide wider coverage.
Fast and reliable wifi signals all over the house now.

Cons
Price - wish it was more affordable

Works absolutely how it's meant to! Totally resolved our wifi issues with no hassle. Easy to set up (once configured for internet provider). Love the app. Great that it has security at the first point also. Definitely recommend. Works absolutely how it's meant to! Totally resolved our wifi issues with no hassle. Easy to set up (once configured for internet provider). Love the app. Great that it has security at the first point also. Definitely recommend.

Great product, easy to set up and monitor remotely or locally. Huge wifi signal, even where i can get wifi in my friends garage 3 doors up and he uses an extender to get from his house to his garage! Huge speeds. Great product, easy to set up and monitor remotely or locally. Huge wifi signal, even where i can get wifi in my friends garage 3 doors up and he uses an extender to get from his house to his garage! Huge speeds.

Working nice everywhere WiFi is ok now. Working nice everywhere WiFi is ok now.