Are you worried about your Internet connection at your home? Then this review is critical. In this review, we will be making a head-on comparison between Luma and Orbi. A good Wi-Fi router enables a good network along with the corners of your house as well. If you want to extend your network, then you must go with the Luma router. Orbi is a more superior device. Let us take a close look at the Luma vs Orbi features and specifications to know them better.
Our Verdict
Quick Navigation
Both are smart routers that use mesh technology. If you want to avoid weak signals at a considerable distance, the Luma router will be the best. If you have a medium-sized office or house, then the Orbi router can provide a good network. Orbi routers are easy to set up, whereas Luma routers are easy to connect. Luma routers manage to avoid issues like a weak network. Setting up the router with satellite units and the Smartphone app is quite easy.
Luma Vs Orbi: Comparison Chart
Basis | Luma | Orbi |
---|---|---|
Network and Security services | WPA/WPA2 | WPA/WPA2-PSK |
Memory | 256MB | 512MB |
Color | Black, Grey, Orange, White | White |
Beamforming | Yes | Yes |
Processor | Quad-core 700MHz | Quad-core 710MHz |
Support Alexa | Yes | Yes |
Storage capacity | 128MB | 4GB |
Connectivity | Two 1Gbps LAN and USB 2.0 on each device | 1 WAN; 3 LAN; One 2.0 USB/ 4 Gb LAN/One 2.0 USB |
Bridge Mode | No | Yes |
Reduces Wi-Fi Dead Zones | Yes | Yes |
Connection of Wi-Fi | Dual-band Wi-Fi radios,Simultaneous,2.4GHz and 5GHz,IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Tri-band Wi-Fi radios,Simultaneous,2.4GHz and 5GHz(2),IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Similarities
1. Support MU-MIMO
Its full form is Multi-users Multiple inputs Multiple outputs. It ensures data is transmitted to every device equally. It prevents competition of the devices against bandwidth.
2. Wi-Fi Analyzer
It is an app integrated into Android. It helps to locate areas where signal strength is weak. Often signal issues are solved by displacing the router.
3. Ethernet Ports
Both the routers have got the option for Ethernet ports. They are perfect for smart home support. To support Z wave devices, you have to hook in the smart hub in the base. The smart home capability is an excellent perk for all the gadgets connected to the internet.
4. Voice Control
Through Amazon and Alexa, you can have the voice control facility. Through echo dot, you can manage the settings of any network through voice commands. Alexa integration is not so secure.
5. Easy Installation
The only requirement is the Luma and the Orbi app. You only need to plug in things following the user manual.
6. Reduce Wi-Fi Dead Zones
As both the routers are a point of the mesh network, so they reduce Wi-Fi dead zones to a great extent. You can have a strong signal throughout the house.
Differences
1. Parental Control
With the Luma, you can set filters to G, PG, PG-13, and R. You cannot blacklist sites manually. The g rating is child friendly. PG provides access to Google and Wikipedia. PG 13 will deny access to smoking, alcohol, drugs, and violence-themed content. R rating prevents cyber-threats, illegal activities, and X-rated content.
The Orbi offers much more control through parental control suite, Circle. You can block specific sites and ads. You can switch off the internet whenever you feel like it. You can also enable a safe search. You have to get an optional premium subscription.
2. Wired Connectivity
With Luma, you will find two 1Gbps LAN port, as well as a USB 2.0 port on each device. It is easy to hardwire technology to your network by remaining proximity to at least one Luma unit.
One Orbi unit hooks into the modem. This allows your device to receive the internet while giving you the ability to hook up with other devices.
The Orbi Satellites also have four ports. The Orbi equipment has a USB 2.0 port.
3. Design
The Luma looks like a compact, unobtrusive hexagon. It measures 4.5 x 4.5 x 1 inch. It looks more attractive and needs to stand vertically to function. It measures 8.9 x 6.7 x 3.1 inches. It is not so attractive, like Luma.
4. Range and Unit
Luma has got one gadget as a primary router and the others as access points. You can choose any of the models as the base. Other routers work as nodes. One device has got a range of 1000-1500 feet. Three devices have got a range of 2000-3000 feet.
Orbi router comes with one satellite but can support three at a time. They have a range of about 5000 square feet. Adding more satellites expands the range.
5. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The Luma is a dual-band router. It has a 5GHz band and one 2.4GHz band. They allow more space and fewer disturbances. The router has got the feature that selects a perfect band for every gadget that connects. It ensures quality connections across all devices. Luma occasionally disconnects for 5 or 10 minutes at a time. It gives a speed of 70.5Mbs and 32.4 Mbs, respectively.
Orbi is a tri-band setup that offers high stability and speed. There is a second 5GHz radio that handles Wi-Fi backhaul. The close range and long-range throughput of Orbi are 510.9 Mbs and 371.4 Mbs, respectively.6. Hardware
Orbi has better hardware technology than Luma. The Luma has a Quad-Core 700MHz processor, 256MB of memory, and 128MB of storage. Orbi has a Quad-Core ARM 710 MHz processor, 512MB of memory, and 4GB of flash memory.
7. Bridge Mode
Orbi has a feature called bridge mode that allows you to replace the device as an access point rather than the primary router. It is useful for commercial settings. Expansion occurs without disturbing the original settings. Luma does not have the option of Bridge mode. You have to replace and set it up again behind another router system. It acts as a modem combination Gateway. It is not compatible with other internet technology. It starts having issues with device network communication.Features And Technical Specifications of Luma
- The processor is Quad-core 700 MHz.
- Parental control feature.
- Ultra-fast Wi-Fi delivered to every room of your house.
- No suffering from buffering or dead zones.
- Automatic scanning of viruses and malware.
- 65 feet range.
- Non-removable antennas are 4.
- Wi-Fi chip is Qualcomm IPQ 4018.
- Easy to setup.
- Performance 9406 Mbps.
Features And Technical Specifications Of Orbi
- It is effortless and secure.
- Connects to one Wi-Fi network.
- Fast lane Technology.
- Parental control Features.
- Simultaneous Triband Wi-Fi.
- MU-MIMO simultaneous data streaming on many devices.
- Antenna Router and Satellite integrated.
- Implicit and Explicit Beamforming for 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.
- High powered amplifiers and high-performance internal antennas.
- Amazon-Alexa voice control.
- One WAN and three LAN.
- One 2.0 USB Port.
What’s In The Box?
With the Luma router, you get Luma Guardian Subscription for those concerned with privacy and security. There are convenient mounting options with Orbi router like Orbi Wall Mount Bracket, Wall Mount Holder, and Wall Ceiling Bracket. The Orbi Wi-Fi Satellite and Smart Speaker replace the satellite as a smart speaker. Orbi outdoor satellite is weather resistant. With Orbi router we get:-
- One Orbi Router.
- One Orbi Satellite.
- 2m Ethernet Cables.
- Power adaptors 12V/3.5A
Overview Of Luma
Luma is one of the cheap mesh-based routers. It offers a full-coverage network around the house. It provides struggle free setup and network management. It comes with a gigabit Ethernet port that connects to the ISP’s modem. You will require the smartphone and the Luma app for the installation process in Android. The location of the router depends on how many Luma devices the user intends to install.- It provides Gigabit Ethernet for wired devices.
- It is easy to setup.
- It looks great anywhere and everywhere.
- Provides great AC Wireless coverage.
- You cannot change the bandwidth of the channels.
- You can only change the settings through the Luma app installed in your Android smartphone.
- It provides limited network customization.
Overview Of Orbi
The Orbi router provides a full mesh Wi-Fi roundup. The standard Orbi kit uses two nodes. The price of the router is a bit more. It offers plenty of wired LAN ports. It provides more LAN connectivity and management. A Triband Orbi router has six internal antennas and can deliver speeds of 1266 Mbps. The third band is known as the backhaul band because it communicates between the router and satellite.
- It is capable of MU-MIMO.
- Throughput is fast.
- Consistent performance.
- Constant firmware updates.
- Build quality is excellent.
- Four-port switch on the satellite.
- Three-port gigabit Ethernet port.
- It is more costly than other mesh products.
- Has limited USB functionality.
- One year warranty.
- It features bigger satellites than other mesh products.
- Bulky and lacks support for guest networking.
FAQs
1. Does DMZ needs to be enabled on the router for the Luma system to work?
Luma does not require a DMZ configuration.
2. Can Orbi works with another Router?
It is designed to work with modem and router. To improve the performance, you can turn off the Wi-Fi on the existing ISP modem and router. This device version can connect to the cable outlet.
3. Should Orbi is in router or AP mode?
In running a network, you need a router. You can also use any other routing capable devices running in AP or bridge mode. If ISP provided modem has better features, then put the Orbi in AP mode.
Bottom Line
The Orbi is much more superior. The main benefits that the Luma has to offer are the more attractive design, the security features through Luma Guardian, and the ability to extend your network.
However, the connection drops multiple times a day. A wireless Wi-Fi mesh network is a system of multiple nodes that communicate with each other to create one reliable Wi-Fi network and that’s how Luma and Orbi work.
NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band - Editor's Choice
Summary
The Orbi router provides a full mesh Wi-Fi roundup. The standard Orbi kit uses two nodes. The price of the router is a bit more. It offers plenty of wired LAN ports. It provides more LAN connectivity and management. A Triband Orbi router has six internal antennas and can deliver speeds of 1266 Mbps.
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