With the launch of the Netgear Orbi 370 in Australia, Wi-Fi 7 networking devices have become more affordable.
Priced at $459 for a router and an additional mesh unit, it’s a far cry from the brand’s premium $1,599 Orbi 970 router that debuted last year. However, unlike the mid-range Orbi 870 (which costs $849 for a single unit), the Orbi 370 doesn’t quite have all the Wi-Fi 7 features under the sun.
Netgear’s entry-level Wi-Fi 7 mesh router relies on the widely used 2.4GHz and 5GHz network bands, missing out on the faster 6GHz band first introduced with Wi-Fi 6E. This isn’t unusual for affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers, particularly those from telcos, including Vodafone, and the latest Telstra Smart Modem.
But the Orbi 370 still benefits from Multi-Link Operation (MLO), a Wi-Fi 7 technology that enables connected devices to use multiple network bands simultaneously. Importantly, the Netgear Orbi 370 includes 2.5Gbps Ethernet connectivity, which is more than Telstra’s modem can claim. It makes Netgear’s networking solution better suited to the higher speeds unlocked via the recent NBN speed boost.
According to Netgear, the Orbi 370 supports theoretical Wi-FI speeds of up to 3.6Gbps across up to 70 devices. Each mesh unit covers around 120 square metres, totalling 360 square metres with three Orbi 370s working together.
Raw performance is only one part of the equation, though. Helpfully, the Orbi 370 supports creating up to three separate networks. That way, you can assign one for your main devices, another for IoT devices, and another for guests.
Netgear’s router also comes with a 30-day free trial of its Bitdefender-provided security and VPN features, plus advanced parental control features. Some of the parental controls don’t cost anything, but more advanced features require a subscription once the trial ends.
On top of the standard two-pack, the Orbi 370 also comes in a $649 three-pack. Meanwhile, a standalone add-on satellite unit costs $229. Netgear’s latest router is out now in Australia, directly from the brand’s online store, Amazon, and JB Hi-Fi.
