Netgear’s Orbi range provides several mesh networking systems that are suitable for both home and business users, but all of them require a quick and reliable wired internet connection. That’s not always possible, though, and there are many rural areas and outdoor locations that do not have access to fast broadband over copper or fibre. Discover more in Orbi 4G LTE Tri-Band WiFi Router (LBR20) Review.
With that in mind, the newest addition to the Orbi range, the Orbi 4G LTE (LBR20), takes a two-pronged approach, supporting both wired networking via Ethernet and 4G LTE mobile broadband. you’ll use the mobile broadband connection by itself, so as to line up a Wi-Fi hotspot during a location that does not have access to a wired network, or as a backup option just in case your normal internet connection is unavailable. It could even be handy when performing from home, allowing you to increase your network to a garden or other spot that’s out of reach of your normal Wi-Fi router.
The Orbi 4G LTE router delivers up to 2.2Gbps Wi-Fi throughput and has an integrated 4G LTE modem. you’ll create a mesh system by adding Orbi AC satellites.
Orbi 4G LTE Tri-Band WiFi Router (LBR20) Review
Design & features
The Orbi 4G LTE sticks with Netgear’s familiar design, with an upright white casing and glowing blue top panel. However, it differs from the remainder of the Orbi home in several ways. Unlike most mesh Wi-Fi systems, which usually include a primary router and one or more satellites, the Orbi 4G LTE router is sold on its own, priced at £308.33 (ex. VAT; £370 inc. VAT, or $399.99). This single unit are often used as a standard Wi-Fi router and supports tri-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with a maximum speed of two .2Gbps. It includes two Gigabit Ethernet ports, one among which may be wont to connect the Orbi to an existing broadband modem or router, while the second provides a wired connection for a laptop or other device.
Setup is simple , as you’ll simply scan a QR code and use the Netgear app to line up your new Wi-Fi network. There’s also an internet browser interface for experienced users and IT managers who may have more precise control over the network configuration. And, although it’s sold on its own, the Orbi 4G LTE also can be wont to found out a mesh network when used with other Orbi models that use WiFi 5/802.11ac Wi-Fi (WiFi 6/802.11ax isn’t currently supported).
Broadband backup
The Orbi 4G LTE is dear for a standard 802.11ac router, but if there is no wired network available it includes a slot for a Nano SIM card (not included) which will allow you to use 3G or 4G LTE mobile broadband instead.
You can configure the Orbi 4G LTE to figure exclusively in either wired mode or mobile broadband mode, but there’s also a ‘failover’ option that permits the router to automatically switch to mobile broadband if your wired connection fails. this suggests that you simply can use the Orbi as a standard router in an office most of the time, while still having the 4G LTE option available as an emergency backup.
According to Netgear, the 4G LTE option provides mobile broadband speeds of up to 1.2Gbps, with the Orbi router providing Wi-Fi coverage for areas up to 1,500 square feet (139 square metres), so its mobile connectivity also can be wont to found out an in depth Wi-Fi network during a location that does not have access to a standard wired network. However, the Orbi 4G LTE isn’t designed as a transportable hotspot because it requires mains power.
Netgear Orbi LBR20: Features
If you would like to configure how your LBR20 uses broadband, you’ve got to use the most web interface. Here, you’ll tell the router to use the 4G connection only, or to use broadband when available with 4G as a backup.
For most installations, this latter choice is that the best and this may be the default once you set the router up when it’s connected to regular broadband.
You shouldn’t need to spend much time within the web interface, as most of the time you’ll do everything you would like from the straightforward app.
If you found out and created a Netgear account once you installed the router, you’ll even remote it from anywhere within the world – handy if you’ve got the router installed in an Airbnb or you’re out and someone reception has Wi-Fi problems.
From the app you’ll toggle the guest network, and see which devices are connected to your router, using the toggle to deny access to a tool . There’s also a few of additional services that you simply can activate .
Netgear Orbi LBR20 4G app
Netgear Armour may be a Security Service powered by BitDefender. You get a free trial with the router, but then it’s $69.99 a year.
All of your devices are protected, including smart home devices, supplying you with an additional layer of protection against hackers.
Then, there are parental controls provided by Circle. With the free account, you’ll create profiles for every person in your house and assign their devices to them. you’ll then set web filters supported age, so a toddler faces an equivalent restrictions on their laptop as their tablet, for instance .
Profiles are often manually paused, blocking internet access for all associated devices. Upgrade to Premium ($4.99 a month) and you’ll also set deadlines and automatic bedtimes.
Circle is worth enabling albeit you don’t have children, particularly on this router. you’ll then create a profile for high-bandwidth devices then pause them if you would like to save lots of on mobile data when your router switches faraway from regular broadband.
Netgear also has Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant Skills, which allow you to turn your Guest network on or off, and may also offer you the present network name and password.
Orbi 4G LTE Tri-Band WiFi Router (LBR20) Performance review
Broadband performance depends on the sort of connection that you simply have. With a Gigabit WAN port, this router can handle practically every sort of connection. Mobile broadband performance depends far more on the sort of network you’re on, the time of day and therefore the signal strength.
Running on EE within the UK, i buy between 12 and 22Mbps download speeds and around 9Mbps upload speeds. That’s alright for many web tasks, but not ok for my usual complement of security cameras.
However, performance will vary wildly, so you’ll get more: certainly, the modem inside the router is fast enough to affect the simplest LTE connections.
Wi-Fi speeds are pretty good, too. I got a mean of 236Mbps at close range from this router. Running with a few of satellites, I averaged around 200Mbps around my home, with the slowest point (two floors up during a Victorian terraced house) coming in at 150Mbps. most significantly , these speeds are consistent and therefore the router and Orbi system is extremely reliable.
However, the RBK50 is quicker still because of its quicker backhaul, while the newer Orbi WiFi 6 system is even faster yet, particularly when used with Wi-Fi 6 devices.
The Orbi 4G LTE supports mobile broadband from most UK suppliers, although customers within the US should check compatibility on Netgear’s website before buying.
