Netgear Orbi 370 Tops 15-Router Lab Test With -27.2 dBm Signal Strength

Q: Why does the Netgear Orbi 370 boast excellent Wi-Fi signal strength when its actual 2.4 GHz speeds are shockingly slow?

The Orbi 370 can show excellent Wi‑Fi signal strength and still post slow 2.4 GHz speeds because signal strength and throughput are not the same thing. ZDNET measured coverage, not peak transfer speed. Its standout result for the Orbi 370 was a very strong 2.4 GHz signal at close range, at -27.2 dBm, plus broad heat-map coverage across the lab. That means the router’s radio signal remained strong and usable through distance and light obstacles. It does not mean the router moved data quickly on that band. CNET’s testing exposed the gap: the Orbi 370 delivered only 32.14 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, even while performing much better on 5 GHz at 1,304.79 Mbps. That points to a product tuned more for stable coverage and low jitter than for high 2.4 GHz throughput. CNET also found excellent jitter scores, which helps gaming and video calls. The 2.4 GHz band itself helps explain the mismatch. It travels farther and penetrates walls better than 5 GHz, which often produces stronger RSSI readings and bigger coverage maps. But it is also slower, more congested, and more interference-prone. Once signal is “good enough,” extra signal strength does not automatically increase speed; throughput also depends on channel width, radio design, congestion handling, and rate-control behavior. So the Orbi 370 appears to be a strong mesh option for coverage and connection stability, especially in moderate-size homes, but a weak choice if many devices rely heavily on fast 2.4 GHz performance.

2 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jul 31

Netgear's Orbi 370 posted the strongest low-distance, low-interference result in ZDNET's latest router lab test, hitting -27.2 dBm on a 2.4 GHz connection.
The score came from measurements at 61 locations across a 12,500-square-foot lab with more than 20 rooms, where values closer to zero indicate a stronger signal.
Low D&I covers up to 25 feet with one wall of interference, and ZDNET said the Orbi 370 showed the most green area across 15 router heat maps, making it well suited for home offices and streaming-heavy rooms.
The two-pack mesh system sells for $250 and is rated for up to 4,000 square feet, though ZDNET noted real-world performance still depends on distance, noise and interference beyond signal strength alone.