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Netgear Orbi 373: One-minute review
Netgear’s new management continues its quest to provide more affordable options for home users who want to upgrade their Wi-Fi. The company has recently launched a number of affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers, and it’s now bringing that approach to its Orbi range of mesh Wi-Fi systems too.
Like many of the more affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh systems that we’ve seen recently, the Orbi 370 series keeps its price down by providing basic dual-band Wi-Fi 7 that uses just the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, and omits the faster 6.0GHz band that is available with both Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.
However, Wi-Fi doesn’t just focus on speed alone, and is also designed to be more reliable when connecting to lots of devices within your home all at the same time.
This means that a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 system such as the Orbi 370 series can still provide a useful upgrade for owners of older routers and mesh systems – especially for people who live in larger homes that need a far-reaching Wi-Fi network that can cover their entire home.
This also ensures that the Orbi 370 remains fully compatible with older computers and other devices that use the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. However, owners of shiny new PCs or mobile devices that do have Wi-Fi 7 might prefer to opt for a more expensive router or mesh system that provides full support for the high-speed 6.0GHz band.
Netgear Orbi 373: Price & availability
- How much does it cost? $349.99/£299.99/AU$349.99
- When is it available? Available now
- Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
Most mesh Wi-Fi systems consist of two or more routers that are identical in terms of both design and features.
However, Netgear’s Orbi range takes a different approach, with each system consisting of a primary router along with one or more ‘satellite’ units. The Orbi 370 series can be bought as a two-pack mesh system (Orbi 372) that consists of the main router and one satellite for $249.99/£209.99/AU$249.99.
For this review, we tested the three-pack option (Orbi 373) that includes one router and two satellites, priced at $349.99/£299.99/AU$349.99. Netgear states that this should cover an area of up to 6,000 sq.ft – although that figure may vary due to differences in regional regulations, so check Netgear’s local web site in your own country before buying.
There’s also a four-pack available in the US and Australia, which adds a third satellite for $449.99/AU$449.99. However, that option doesn’t seem to be available for the quaint little hovels in the tiny island state of Great Britain.
Netgear Orbi 373: Specs
|
Wi-Fi: |
Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz, 5.0GHz) |
|
Speed: |
US/AU – 5Gbps, UK – 3.6Gbps |
|
Connectivity: |
1x 2.5Gb WAN, 1x 2.5Gb LAN; Satellite – 1x 2.5Gb LAN |
|
Processor: |
Quad-core CPU, 1.25GHz |
|
Memory |
1GB |
|
Storage: |
512MB |
|
Dimensions: |
204 x 75 x 120mm, 0.35kg |
Netgear Orbi 373: Design
- Slimline, compact design
- Router provides 2.5Gb ports for broadband and wired connections
- Satellites only have one Ethernet port
The Orbi 373 follows the upright mini-tower design that Netgear introduced last year, with each slimline unit standing just 204mm high, 75mm wide and 120mm deep.
They’re small enough to sit easily on any convenient table or shelf, although the white plastic casing feels a little flimsy, so it’s probably a good idea for parents to keep them out of reach of eager young hands.
There are some other compromises required to keep the price down too. The main satellite just has two Ethernet ports – one each for your broadband connection (WAN), and for providing a wired connection (LAN) for a PC or other devices.
The satellite units are even more basic, with just a single Ethernet port to provide a wired connection. Thankfully, though, the ports on both router and satellites all support 2.5Gb speeds so you can still use the Orbi 370 series with high-speed broadband services. However, if you do need additional Ethernet ports – perhaps for an office network – then you might prefer to look for an alternative that provides additional ports.
Netgear Orbi 373: Features
- Easy to set up and use
- Parental controls require a subscription
- Provides Guest and IoT networks
One feature that helps to justify the price of Netgear products is that they’re very easy to use, and setting up the Orbi 373 proved to be a piece of cake (albeit a piece of cake that moves at a rather leisurely pace).
All you have to do is scan the QR code that’s printed on the main router and then download the Orbi app. This guides you through the set-up process automatically, connecting you to the new network created by the main router, and then linking the satellites to the router in order to complete your new mesh network.
It takes a little while – the Orbi app warns that it can take up to 20 minutes to connect the satellites to the main router – but the process is completely automatic. And, to keep things simple, the app merges the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands into a single network. The only thing that you need to think about is whether you want to use the default log-in details for the Orbi network, or assign a new name and password that you can choose yourself.
The app isn’t exactly overflowing with additional features though, because – even with its lower pricing – Netgear always wants to sell you some additional subscriptions.
You can view a network map that lists all the devices connected to the network, and block any device that you don’t trust (or if you just want to get the kids to put their phones down at dinner time).
You can also create a guest network for visitors, and an IoT network (Internet Of Things) for any smart devices in your home. However, additional security features and parental controls will require a subscription to Netgear’s Armor security or Smart Parental Controls services.
You do get a 30-day trial for both services when you buy the Orbi, but after that you’ll need to pay for a subscription. The Smart Parental Controls subscription costs $7.99 per month (around £6/AU$12) or $69.99 per year (around £50/AU$110). The Armor security service offers a discount for the first year, costing $33.33 per year (around £25/AU$50), rising to $99.99 (around £75/AU$150) after one year.
Netgear Orbi 373: Performance
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 7
- 5Gbps Wi-Fi speed (3.6Gbps in UK)
- 2.5Gb Ethernet ports
There’s one minor oddity here, as Netgear states that the Orbi 370 series provides a Wi-Fi speed of 5Gbps in the US and Australia, but only 3.6Gbps in the UK.
That’s the first time we’ve come across a regional difference like that but, in any event, 3.6Gbps should still be more than adequate to handle most domestic broadband services.
Netgear Orbi 373: Benchmarks
Ookla Speed Test (download/upload)
Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150/150Mbps
Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150/150Mbps
20GB Steam download
Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps
Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps
The Orbi 373 that we tested certainly gave my office Wi-Fi a welcome boost. It runs at 150Mbps, but my aging router can only manage a top speed of 120Mbps even for devices that are in the same room.
I also have an office towards the back of the building that my old office router can’t reach at all, leaving me with an annoying Wi-Fi deadspot that means I have to use powerline adaptors to provide a wired connection instead.
The Orbi 373 immediately kicked my office Wi-Fi up a gear, hitting the maximum 150Mbps for devices in the same room for both the Ookla Speed Test and file downloads on Steam.
To reach the back office, I placed one of the satellites inside that office and the second satellite in a hallway, roughly halfway between the main router and the other satellite.
And, as I wandered along the corridor to the back office with my laptop still downloading files from Steam, I was pleased to find that the Orbi held steady at 150Mbps the whole time.
Netgear’s fondness for selling add-on subscriptions remains irksome, but at least you can ignore that if you want to. Some people might also prefer a router or mesh system that provides additional Ethernet ports.
But, if you simply want a reliable and easy-to-use mesh Wi-Fi system that can cover larger homes or offices, then the Orbi 370 series fits the bill at a competitive price.
Should you buy the Netgear Orbi 373?
|
Value |
Its dual-band Wi-Fi 7 means that the Orbi 373 is very much an entry-level option, but it’s competitively priced and should be fast enough for most domestic broadband services. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design |
The lightweight plastic casing could be a little sturdier, and it doesn’t offer too much in the way of wired connectivity either. However, 2.5Gb Ethernet ports still provide good performance for high-speed broadband services. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Features |
The Orbi’s well-designed app is certainly easy to ease. However, its modest price is matched by a fairly modest selection of features, and Netgear really wants you to pay a subscription fee for parental controls. |
3 / 5 |
|
Performance |
Lack of support for the 6.0GHz band means that the Orbi 373 is no speed demon (especially for UK users). Even so, it should still be a good upgrade for people that are using an older router with Wi-Fi 5 or 6. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Final Score |
Gamers or power users who want maximum performance should look elsewhere. However, the Orbi 373 is an affordable upgrade for people who need more reliable Wi-Fi for larger homes. |
4 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Netgear Orbi 373: Also consider
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Netgear Orbi 373 |
Netgear Nighthawk RS100 |
Acer Predator Connect T7 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Price: |
$349.99/£299.99/AU$349.99 |
$129.99/£129.99/AU$259 |
$329.99/£236.22/AU$699 |
|
Wi-Fi: |
Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 |
Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 |
Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 |
|
Speed: |
5 Gbps (UK – 3.6 Gbps) |
3.6 Gbps |
11 Gbps |
|
Connectivity: |
Router – 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN); Satellites – 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN) |
1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 4x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN) |
1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 2x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-C (2.0) |
|
Processor: |
Quad-core, 1.5GHz |
Quad-core, 2GHz |
Quad-core, 1.5GHz |
|
Memory: |
1GB |
1GB |
1GB |
|
Storage: |
512MB |
512MB |
512MB |
|
Dimensions: |
204 x 75 x 120mm |
184 x 66 x 122mm |
212 x 109 x 109mm |
How I tested the Netgear Orbi 373
- Tested it for 3-4 days
- Used it as my main office router
- Used the Ookla Speed Test app and tested game download speeds
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained – regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it’s on our radar.
First reviewed October 2025
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