Why you can trust TechRuther
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Learn more about how we test.
Netgear Orbi 373: One Minute Review
Netgear’s new management continues its push to provide more affordable options for home users looking to upgrade their Wi-Fi. The company recently launched a number of affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers, and now it’s bringing that approach to the Orbi range of mesh Wi-Fi systems as well.
Like many affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh systems we’ve seen recently, the Orbi 370 series maintains its value by providing basic dual-band Wi-Fi 7 that uses only the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, leaving out the faster 6.0GHz band that’s available with both Wi-Fi 6e and Wi-Fi 7.
However, Wi-Fi doesn’t just focus on speed, and it’s also designed to be more reliable when connecting to many devices in your home at the same time.
This means that dual-band Wi-Fi 7 systems like the Orbi 370 series can still provide a useful upgrade for owners of older routers and mesh systems—especially for people living in large homes who need a long-range Wi-Fi network that can cover their entire home.
This also ensures that the Orbi 370 is 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 with Wi-Fi 7 may prefer to opt for a more expensive router or mesh system that offers full support for the faster 6.0GHz band.
Netgear Orbi 373: Price and Availability
- How much does it cost? 9 349.99/£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 similar in both design and features.
However, Netgear’s Orbi range takes a different approach, with each system consisting of a primary router as well as one or more ‘satellite’ units. The Orbi 370 series can be purchased as a two-pack mesh system (Orbi 372) consisting of a central router and a satellite for £249.99/£209.99/au$249.99.
For this review, we tested the three-pack option (Orbi 373) which includes a router and two satellites, priced at £349.99/£299.99/au$349.99. Netgear says it should cover an area of up to 6,000 square feet – although this figure may vary due to differences in regional regulations, so check Netgear’s local website in your own country before buying.
A four-pack is also available in the US and Australia, adding a third Satellite 9 for $449.99/au$449.99. However, this option doesn’t seem to be available for tiny houses in the UK’s tiny island.
Netgear Orbi 373: Specs
Wi-Fi: | Dual Band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz, 5.0GHz) |
Speed: | US/AU – 5 Gbps, UK – 3.6 Gbps |
contact: | 1x 2.5GB WAN, 1x 2.5GB LAN; Satellite – 1x 2.5GB LAN |
Processor: | Quad-core CPU, 1.25GHz |
Memory | 1 GB |
Storage: | 512MB |
Dimensions: | 204 x 75 x 120 mm, 0.35 kg |
Netgear Orbi 373: Design
- Slimline, compact design
- The router provides 2.5 GB 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 handy table or shelf, although the white plastic casing feels a bit clunky, so it’s a good idea for parents to keep them out of reach of eager young hands.
A few more compromises are needed to keep the price down as well. The main satellite has only two Ethernet ports. One for your broadband connection (WAN), and one to provide a wired connection (LAN) for PCs or other devices.
Satellite units are even more basic, with only a single Ethernet port to provide a wired connection. Thankfully, though, the ports on both the router and the satellite support 2.5GB speeds so you can still use the Orbi 370 series with high-speed broadband services. However, if you need additional Ethernet ports – perhaps for an office network – then you’ll want to look for an alternative that provides additional ports.
Netgear Orbi 373: Features
- Easy to set up and use
- Parental controls require subscription
- Provides guest and IoT networks
One feature that helps justify the price of Netgear products is that they are very easy to use, and setting up the Orbi 373 proved to be a piece of cake (a piece of cake that runs at rather leisurely speeds).
All you have to do is scan the QR code printed on the main router and then download the Orbi app. It automatically guides you through the setup process, connecting you to the new network created by the main router, and then connecting the satellites to the router to complete your new mesh network.
It takes a bit of time – the Orbi app warns that it can take up to 20 minutes to connect the satellite to the main router – but the process is fully automated. And, to keep things simple, the app merges the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands into a single network. The only thing you need to think about is whether you want to use the default login details for the Orbi network, or assign a new name and password that you choose yourself.
The app is absolutely overflowing with extra features, because – even with its low prices – Netgear always wants to sell you some extra subscriptions.
You can see a network map that lists all the devices connected to the network, and block any devices you don’t trust (or if you just want the kids to put their phones down at dinnertime).
You can also create a guest network for visitors, and an IoT (Internet of Things) network 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.
When you buy Orbi you get a 30-day trial for both services, but after that you’ll need to pay for a subscription. A subscription to Smart Parental Controls costs $7.99 per month (approx £6/au $12) or £69.99 per year (approx £50/au $110). The Armor Security Service offers a discount for the first year, costing £33.33 (about £25/au$50) per year, which increases after one year. 99.99 (about £75/au$150).
Netgear Orbi 373: Performance
- Dual Band Wi-Fi 7
- 5 Gbps Wi-Fi speed (3.6 Gbps in the UK)
- 2.5 GB Ethernet ports
There’s a slight oddity here, as Netgear says the Orbi 370 series delivers Wi-Fi speeds of 5 Gbps in the US and Australia, but only 3.6 Gbps in the UK.
This is the first time we’ve covered such regional differences but, in any case, 3.6 Gbps should still be more than enough to handle most home broadband services.
Netgear Orbi 373: Benchmark
Okla Speed Test (Download/Upload)
Within 5 feet, no obstacles: 150/150MBPS
Within 30 feet, three partition walls: 150/150MBPS
20 GB Steam Download
Within 5 feet, no obstacles: 150MBPS
Within 30 feet, three partition walls: 150MBPS
The Orbi 373 we tested certainly gives my office Wi-Fi a welcome boost. It runs at 150MBPS, but my aging router can only manage a faster 120MBPS for devices in the same room.
I also have an office at the back of the building that my old office router can’t reach at all, leaving me with an annoying Wi-Fi dead spot that means I have to use a powerline adapter to provide a wired connection instead.
The Orbi 373 immediately kicked my office Wi-Fi up a gear, hitting a maximum of 150 Mbps for devices in the same room for both the Okla Speed Test on Steam and file downloads.
To reach the back office, I placed one of the satellites inside that office and the other satellite in the hallway, about halfway between the main router and the second satellite.
And, as I wandered the corridors with my laptop as well as the back office downloading files from Steam, I was pleased to find that the Orbi held steady at 150MBPS the entire time.
Netgear’s penchant for selling add-on subscriptions remains unnecessary, but at least you can ignore it if you want. Some people may also prefer a router or mesh system that provides additional Ethernet ports.
But, if you just want a reliable and easy-to-use mesh Wi-Fi system that can cover large homes or offices, the Orbi 370 series fits the bill at a competitive price.
Should you buy the Netgear Orb 373?
Price | Its dual-band Wi-Fi 7 means the Orbi 373 is very much an entry-level option, but it’s competitively priced and should be fast enough for most home broadband services. | 4/5 |
Design | The lightweight plastic case can be a bit stiff, and it doesn’t offer much in the way of wired connectivity either. However, the 2.5 Gb Ethernet ports still provide good performance for high-speed broadband services. | 3.5 / 5 |
Features | Orbi’s well-designed app is definitely easy to use. 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 | The lack of support for the 6.0GHz band means the Orbi 373 is no speed demon (especially for UK users). Even so, it should still be a nice upgrade for those using older routers with Wi-Fi 5 or 6. | 3.5 / 5 |
Final score | Gamers or power users looking for maximum performance should look elsewhere. However, the Orbi 373 is an affordable upgrade for those who need more reliable Wi-Fi for larger homes. | 4/5 |
If you buy it…
If you don’t buy it…
Netgear Orbi 373: Also consider
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Netgear Orbi 373 | Netgear Nighthawk RSS100 | Acer Predator Connect T7 |
|---|---|---|---|
Price: | 9 349.99/£299.99/au$349.99 | 9 129.99/£129.99/au$259 | 9 329.99/£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 |
contact: | Router – 1x 2.5GB Ethernet (WAN), 1x 2.5GB Ethernet (LAN); Satellite – 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 |
Note: | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
Storage: | 512MB | 512MB | 512MB |
Dimensions: | 204 x 75 x 120 mm | 184 x 66 x 122 mm | 212 x 109 x 109 mm |
How I Tested the Netgear Orbi 373
- Tested it for 3-4 days
- Used it as my main office router
- Used Okla Speed Test app and tested game download speed
We pride ourselves on our independence and rigorous review vetting process, offering a long-term focus on the products we review and ensuring our reviews are updated and maintained—regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it’s on our radar.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed October 2025
