'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Netgear Orbi 4G LTE (LBR20), hands-on: A versatile router with mesh Wi-Fi, mobile broadband and wired connectivity
- Editors' review
- Specs
Netgear's Orbi range provides several mesh networking systems that are suitable for both home and business users, but they all require a fast and reliable wired internet connection. That's not always possible, though, and there are many rural areas and outdoor locations that don't have access to fast broadband over copper or fibre.
With that in mind, the latest 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 can use the mobile broadband connection by itself, in order to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot in a location that doesn't have access to a wired network, or as a backup option in case your normal internet connection is unavailable. It could also be handy when working from home, allowing you to extend 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 can create a mesh system by adding Orbi AC satellites.
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 rest of the Orbi range in several ways. Unlike most mesh Wi-Fi systems, which typically 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 can be used as a conventional Wi-Fi router and supports tri-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with a maximum speed of 2.2Gbps. It includes two Gigabit Ethernet ports, one of which can be used 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 straightforward, as you can simply scan a QR code and use the Netgear app to set up your new Wi-Fi network. There's also a web browser interface for more experienced users and IT managers who may need more precise control over the network configuration. And, although it's sold on its own, the Orbi 4G LTE can also be used to set up a mesh network when used with other Orbi models that use WiFi 5/802.11ac Wi-Fi (WiFi 6/802.11ax is not currently supported).
Broadband backup
SIM slot and antenna connector for the integrated 4G LTE modem.
The Orbi 4G LTE is expensive for a conventional 802.11ac router, but if there's no wired network available it includes a slot for a Nano SIM card (not included) that will allow you to use 3G or 4G LTE mobile broadband instead.
You can configure the Orbi 4G LTE to work exclusively in either wired mode or mobile broadband mode, but there's also a 'failover' option that allows the router to automatically switch to mobile broadband if your wired connection fails. This means that you can use the Orbi as a conventional 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 can also be used to set up an extensive Wi-Fi network in a location that doesn't have access to a conventional wired network. However, the Orbi 4G LTE isn't designed as a portable hotspot as it requires mains power.
Top ZDNET Reviews
The Orbi 4G LTE supports mobile broadband from most UK suppliers, although customers in the US should check compatibility on Netgear's website before buying.
RECENT AND RELATED CONTENT
Best mesh Wi-Fi system for the office or home in 2021
Speed up your home office: How to optimize your network for remote work and learning
Internet 2021: Here's what the new year will (and won't) bring
Read more reviews
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 review: Sleek, durable tablet for frontline workers
- ILife V80 Max review: Extra large dustbin and powerful carpet cleaning from a two-in-one robot
- reMarkable 2 E-Ink tablet review: Superb for on-screen writing, but key features are still missing
- Panasonic PressIT Wireless Presentation System review: Push-button wireless screen sharing
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G first look: Improving upon the S20 with a surprise from the Note