In the relentless pursuit of seamless connectivity, the arrival of Wi-Fi 7 marks a significant leap forward, promising speeds and reliability that were once the domain of wired connections. NETGEAR’s Orbi 370 Series enters this new era not just as an upgrade, but as a complete reimagining of what a home mesh network can be. It aims to eliminate dead zones and network congestion for good, catering to the most demanding digital households.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Orbi 370 is its departure from the tall, vase-like designs of its predecessors. The new router and satellites are more compact, cylindrical, and discreet, with a textured white finish that blends easily into modern home decor. The build quality feels substantial and premium, with a satisfying heft and a well-thought-out port layout. The main router unit features one 10GbE and one 2.5GbE LAN port, plus a 2.5GbE WAN port, offering a solid foundation for multi-gigabit internet plans. The satellites are slightly less equipped but still provide a 2.5GbE and a gigabit LAN port, which is more than enough for most peripheral connections.
Performance is, without a doubt, the main event. Leveraging the power of Wi-Fi 7, the quad-band BE11000 system delivers staggering throughput. The key here is Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to connect across multiple bands simultaneously, drastically reducing latency and boosting speeds. In testing, with a Wi-Fi 7 compatible client, wireless speeds easily surpassed 2 Gbps near the router and maintained impressive multi-hundred-megabit speeds even through several walls. The system’s signature dedicated 5 GHz backhaul, now enhanced for Wi-Fi 7, ensures that communication between the router and satellites remains lightning-fast and stable, preventing the speed degradation common in less sophisticated mesh systems.
Setting up the network is straightforward thanks to the Orbi mobile app, which guides you through the process in minutes. However, this is also where NETGEAR’s business model becomes apparent. While the core networking features are robust, access to advanced security through NETGEAR Armor and comprehensive Smart Parental Controls is locked behind a recurring subscription after an initial trial period. For a product at this premium price point, many users will find the ongoing cost for essential features to be a significant drawback. It forces a difficult choice between paying more for security or seeking third-party solutions.
This brings us to the value proposition. The Orbi 370 Series is an expensive investment, and its full potential is only unlocked with Wi-Fi 7 client devices, which are still relatively uncommon. For most households running on Wi-Fi 6 or 6E devices, the performance gains will be incremental rather than revolutionary. This system isn’t for everyone; it’s a piece of future-proof technology for early adopters, content creators, and homeowners with multi-gigabit fiber internet who need to push their network to the absolute limit.
For those who fit that profile, the Orbi 370 Series delivers on its promise of elite-tier performance. It provides a stable, incredibly fast, and expansive wireless blanket that can handle dozens of high-demand devices without breaking a sweat. It’s an uncompromising solution for users who demand the best and are willing to pay for it, both upfront and for the optional subscription services.
Where to Buy:
NETGEAR Orbi 370 Series Quick Summary
Key Scores:
-
Value:
78% -
Design:
88% -
Performance:
82% -
Quality:
90% -
Popularity:
75%
Top Pros
- ✅ Blazing-fast Wi-Fi 7 performance offers true multi-gigabit wireless speeds.
- ✅ Dedicated quad-band backhaul provides an exceptionally stable mesh network.
- ✅ The sleek and modern design is less obtrusive than previous models.
- …
Key Cons
- ❌ The premium price tag places it out of reach for many users.
- ❌ Essential security features are locked behind a recurring paid subscription.
- ❌ Full benefits require compatible Wi-Fi 7 client devices to be realized.
- …
