Netgear Orbi 370 Review: Stellar Signal Up Close
For anyone working, streaming, or gaming remotely, a robust Wi-Fi connection is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. But how do you cut through the marketing jargon to find a router that truly performs? Here at ZDNET,
For anyone working, streaming, or gaming remotely, a robust Wi-Fi connection is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. But how do you cut through the marketing jargon to find a router that truly performs? Here at ZDNET, we believe in backing our recommendations with hard data, which is why we put routers through rigorous lab testing.
Quick Verdict
The Netgear Orbi 370 Wi-Fi router system stands out in our ZDNET Lab Awards for its exceptional signal strength in low Distance and Interference (D&I) environments. While it may not win awards for widest overall coverage like its sibling, the Nighthawk RS700S, the Orbi 370 delivers a consistently powerful signal within approximately 25 feet and through a single wall. At $250 for a two-pack offering 4,000 square feet of coverage, it's a compelling option for those prioritizing strong, reliable connectivity in critical areas of their home or office.
ZDNET's Lab Testing Methodology: Diving Deep into Signal Strength
Our latest Data Byte feature spotlights the Netgear Orbi 370's impressive showing in our comprehensive router evaluations. To provide genuine insights, ZDNET's labs tested 15 different Wi-Fi routers across 61 distinct locations within our sprawling 12,500 sq. ft. facility, encompassing over 20 rooms. Our objective was to meticulously measure signal strength, with values closer to zero decibel-milliwatts (dBm) indicating a stronger signal. This detailed approach allows us to characterize performance not just near the router, but critically, as distance and physical obstructions increase – factors that truly differentiate one router from another.
For the Netgear Orbi 370, we observed a standout signal strength of -27.2 dBm in the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band when assessed under low D&I conditions. This category is defined as being up to 25 feet from the router with up to one wall acting as an interference. This reading firmly places the Orbi 370 in the 'excellent' dBm range, which is typically between -15 to -30 dBm. Such a strong signal guarantees maximum throughput and a very stable connection, making it suitable for virtually any demanding online activity.
Real-World Performance & User Experience
The implications of the Orbi 370's excellent low D&I performance are significant for everyday users. The heatmap generated from our lab tests clearly showed the Netgear Orbi 370 displaying the most 'green' area – indicating strong signal – particularly close to the router's immediate vicinity. This makes it an ideal choice for specific, high-priority areas in a home or small office.
Imagine setting up your home office in a spare room, a dedicated gaming station, or a living room where 4K streaming is a nightly ritual. In these scenarios, having a router that can deliver an 'excellent' signal through a nearby wall or across a short distance is paramount. The Orbi 370, with its dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz capabilities, is designed to handle these demanding tasks, ensuring smooth video calls, lag-free gaming, and uninterrupted high-definition content consumption (though our detailed signal strength testing specifically focused on the 2.4 GHz band for this report).
However, it's important to remember that router performance is inherently subjective to factors like distance, the number of walls, building materials, and external interference. While the Orbi 370 excels up close, its performance in medium D&I (25 to 75 feet from the router) and high D&I (75 feet and beyond) tests still registered in the 'good' range. This means it will provide usable coverage across larger areas, but the peak performance you see near the router might diminish. For a large, sprawling home with many dead zones, a single Orbi 370 unit might not suffice, but its two-pack mesh system is designed to extend that strong signal over a broader footprint of up to 4,000 square feet.
Pricing and Features Overview
The Netgear Orbi 370 is offered as a two-pack system, retailing for $250. This price point positions it as an affordable solution given its demonstrated signal strength. The system is rated to cover up to 4,000 square feet, making it suitable for most medium to large homes. Its dual-band nature means it broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi signals, allowing devices to connect to the optimal band for their needs – 2.4 GHz for broader range and wall penetration, and 5 GHz for faster speeds over shorter distances with less interference (though as noted, our specific data byte here focused on the 2.4 GHz performance). The fact that it’s a mesh system, coming in a two-pack, indicates ease of setup and expanded coverage beyond a single traditional router.
The Competition: Where the Orbi 370 Stands
When we compare the Netgear Orbi 370, its coverage capability certainly holds its own against general router competitors from brands like Eero and TP-Link. While we don't have direct comparable signal strength numbers for specific models from these brands in this particular Data Byte, our overall lab experience suggests the Orbi 370's close-range performance is top-tier.
It's also crucial to distinguish the Orbi 370's specific strength from other high-performers. For example, the Netgear Nighthawk RS700S, another Netgear product, received a ZDNET Lab Award for widest coverage among Wi-Fi 7 routers. This indicates the Nighthawk RS700S might offer superior overall reach and next-generation Wi-Fi 7 speeds, likely at a different price point, whereas the Orbi 370 excels specifically in delivering a very strong signal in its immediate vicinity, particularly on the 2.4 GHz band. This makes the Orbi 370 a strong contender if your primary concern is robust connectivity in a particular zone or covering a moderately sized home effectively with a mesh system, rather than maximizing raw square footage or bleeding-edge Wi-Fi 7 speeds.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional Signal Strength: Achieved an 'excellent' -27.2 dBm in 2.4 GHz for low Distance and Interference (D&I) bands.
- Strong Local Coverage: Ideal for high-demand areas like home offices, gaming rooms, and living rooms.
- Competitive Coverage Area: A two-pack provides up to 4,000 sq. ft. of coverage, rivaling other mesh systems.
- Affordable Mesh System: Priced at $250 for two units, offering good value for its performance.
- Dual-Band Connectivity: Supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for versatile device connections.
Cons:
- Specialized Strength: While excellent in low D&I 2.4 GHz, performance is 'good' for medium and high D&I, not maintaining the top-tier signal at extreme distances.
- Limited Data on 5 GHz: This specific Data Byte focused on 2.4 GHz performance, so comparable 5 GHz signal strength data is not provided.
- No Advanced Features Discussed: The review focuses solely on signal strength, not touching upon other features like security, parental controls, or port configurations.
Who Should Buy This?
The Netgear Orbi 370 is an excellent choice for individuals or families in small to medium-sized homes (up to 4,000 sq. ft. with the two-pack) who prioritize rock-solid, high-speed Wi-Fi in specific high-usage zones. If your primary concerns are ensuring a flawless connection for remote work, seamless 4K streaming, or competitive online gaming in a particular room or across a few rooms, the Orbi 370's exceptional low D&I signal strength makes it a compelling, affordable option. It's also a strong contender if you're looking for a reliable mesh system without breaking the bank, even if it might not offer the absolute widest coverage for expansive, multi-story residences compared to higher-end, next-gen alternatives.
FAQ
Q: What does 'low D&I signal strength of -27.2 dBm' mean in practical terms? A: In practical terms, a signal strength of -27.2 dBm in the 'low Distance and Interference' category means the Netgear Orbi 370 delivers an incredibly strong and reliable Wi-Fi signal within about 25 feet of the router, even through one wall. This translates to maximum speeds and a very stable connection, ideal for demanding activities like 4K streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing in those close-range areas.
Q: Is the Netgear Orbi 370 suitable for a large, multi-story home? A: The Netgear Orbi 370 system, which comes as a two-pack, is rated to cover up to 4,000 square feet, making it suitable for most medium to larger homes. While its signal strength is 'excellent' up close, its performance extends to 'good' in medium and high D&I areas. For a very large or multi-story home with significant architectural interference, you might find some signal degradation at the furthest points, though a mesh system like this is designed to mitigate many dead zones.
Q: How does the Netgear Orbi 370 compare to Wi-Fi 7 routers like the Netgear Nighthawk RS700S? A: The Netgear Orbi 370 (likely a Wi-Fi 6 or earlier model) specializes in delivering exceptional signal strength in low D&I 2.4 GHz environments at an affordable price point. In contrast, the Netgear Nighthawk RS700S is a Wi-Fi 7 router that won an award for widest coverage overall. This suggests the Nighthawk RS700S would offer superior speed and broader overall range due to the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, but likely at a significantly higher cost. The Orbi 370 is a strong performer for current Wi-Fi 6 needs in its specific strengths, while the Nighthawk RS700S represents the cutting edge for those needing maximum future-proofed speed and coverage.
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