How the Netgear Orbi 370 Performed in ZDNET's 15-Router Lab Test

ZDNET's lab testing of 15 Wi-Fi routers found that the Netgear Orbi 370 delivered the strongest signal in the low Distance and Interference (D&I) range, posting -27.2 dBm on a 2.4 GHz connection.

Low D&I means up to 25 feet from the router with up to one wall in the way. On the dBm scale, readings closer to zero are stronger, and -27.2 dBm falls in the excellent range of -15 to -30 dBm, indicating a very strong signal and maximum throughput for typical use.

The tests were run across 61 locations in a 12,500 sq ft lab with more than 20 rooms. The Orbi 370's heat map had the most green area of the 15 routers tested, with particularly strong performance close to the router. It also delivered good results in the medium (25-75 ft) and high (75 ft and beyond) D&I ranges, and its coverage area rivaled units from Eero and TP-Link.

The Orbi 370 two-pack sells for $250 and supports dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for streaming, gaming and video calls, though ZDNET's measurement focused on 2.4 GHz. Lab product testing manager Gianmarco Chumbe said the study is designed to show how routers differentiate as distance and physical obstruction increase.

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What the Orbi 370's Lab Numbers Really Show

What -27.2 dBm Actually Means

On the dBm scale, numbers closer to zero represent stronger signal. ZDNET treats -15 to -30 dBm as excellent, so the Orbi 370's -27.2 dBm reading places it in the top tier for short-range use. For a home office or living room setup where the router sits near the device, that translates into reliable video calls and smooth streaming.

Where the Orbi 370 Sits in the 15-Router Field

The headline result is specifically about the low D&I band. In medium and high D&I bands, the router still performed in the good range rather than excellent. That distinction matters: the Orbi 370 appears to be a standout near-router performer, while buyers with a 75-foot-plus layout may want to check how it compares on longer-range tests. ZDNET says its coverage area rivaled Eero and TP-Link systems, but the article does not publish those rivals' dBm numbers.

Reading the Fine Print

Testing covered only the 2.4 GHz band, which favors range, not the 5 GHz band used for higher speeds. The article also cautions that real-world performance depends on noise and interference, so lab results are a guide rather than a guarantee. Netgear's coverage claim of up to 4,000 feet is stated in the report, but the unit is ambiguous in the original text.

What Router Buyers Should Take From the Orbi 370 Results

ZDNET's test points to a simple fit for the Orbi 370:

  • If your most important device sits within roughly 25 feet of the router with at most one wall in between — a home office, gaming room or living room — this is one of the strongest-performing systems tested, with a -27.2 dBm result in the excellent band.
  • If you need solid coverage beyond 75 feet, treat the good medium and high D&I results as a reason to compare the Orbi 370 against competitors on longer-range testing before buying.
  • Remember the $250 two-pack price when weighing it against Eero, TP-Link and other systems ZDNET tested; the lab win is in short-range signal strength, not all-around coverage.
  • Use the 2.4 GHz band for distance and wall penetration; use 5 GHz when devices are closer and you want higher throughput, since the router supports both.