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NETGEAR Orbi 370 Series
The NETGEAR Orbi 370 Series (RBE372/RBE373) is the entry point into the WiFi 7 ecosystem for 2026. While the flagship 970 series targets the ultra-enthusiast, the 370 is built for the "Scout" mindset: delivering the essential low-latency benefits of the 802.11be standard without the four-figure price tag.
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Pros
- • Affordable WiFi 7: One of the most cost-effective ways to get WiFi 7's stability and latency improvements in 2026.
- • 2.5Gbps Throughout: Unlike "budget" competitors that use Gigabit ports, the 370 supports multi-gig internet on both wired and wireless connections.
- • Compact Design: Small footprint with high-performance internal antennas that offer impressive 360° coverage.
- • IoT Isolation: Includes a dedicated "IoT Network" SSID to keep your smart home devices separate from your primary data traffic.
Cons
- • No 6GHz Band: You lose out on the ultra-wide 320MHz channels. If you live in a highly congested apartment block, you might still see interference.
- • Limited Sat Port: Each satellite only has one LAN port. If you want to wire a PC and a game console in the same room, you must buy an external switch.
- • Subscription Bloat: Essential features like Parental Controls and Armor Security (£85+/year) significantly increase the long-term cost of ownership.
- • No USB Ports: Cannot be used for local network storage (NAS) or cellular backup.
Deep dive
The Signal: The 2026 Entry-Level Standard
In 2026, WiFi 7 is no longer a luxury; it is a requirement for handling the high-density traffic of Matter-over-WiFi devices and 4K VR streaming. The Orbi 370 represents the "Signal" of the mid-market shift—moving away from the 6GHz band to keep costs down while utilizing 4096-QAM and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) to squeeze every drop of performance out of the existing 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.1
Field Notes: The Small-Form Workhorse
Our lab testing in a standard UK semi-detached home confirms that the Orbi 370 is physically much smaller than its bulky predecessors, making it easier to hide on bookshelves. The 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN ports are the MVP here; they allow the system to actually handle the full speed of modern UK fiber plans (like those from Openreach or Virgin Media) without a bottleneck.
However, be prepared for the NETGEAR Armor upsell. While the hardware is affordable, the software features—like advanced parental controls and security—are locked behind a subscription after the initial 30-day trial.
The Logic Board: Technical Specifications
This is a Dual-Band BE3600/BE5000 system. It trades the 6GHz radio for better cost-efficiency while maintaining high throughput on the 5GHz band.
Feature
Specification
Scout Note
Standard
WiFi 7 (802.11be)
Supports MLO and Preamble Puncturing.
Max Speed
Up to 3.6 Gbps (Combined)
Real-world 5GHz throughput hits ~1.1Gbps.
Ports (Router)
(1) 2.5GbE WAN, (1) 2.5GbE LAN
Wired backhaul is supported and recommended.
Ports (Satellite)
(1) 2.5GbE LAN
Minimalist; you’ll likely need a switch.
Device Limit2
70 Concurrent Devices3
Ideal for 2026 IoT-heavy households.4
Security5
WPA3 + NETGEAR Armor6
Subscription required for full feature set.7
Field notes