If you are going to use wireless mesh backhaul and not wired backhaul/ethernet to the mesh point, you want a system with a dedicated 3rd or 4th radio for the mesh. Especially for gaming. That model number you shared is dual band I believe. Wi-Fi is half duplex — only one device can transmit at a time on the channel. Without a dedicated mesh radio on a separate channel, clients compete with mesh traffic for airtime, reducing overall throughput and performance.
20 feet is not going to reduce signal/speed too much but walls, building materials, furniture between those rooms certainly will. The mesh point typically has more transmit power/receive sensitivity than client devices like PlayStation, laptop, iPhone, etc so you most certainly will have better speeds/lower latency with a mesh point with a 3rd or 4th dedicated radio for the wireless backhaul unless you are in an environment with lots of networks/congested channels.
What does Speeds/SNR look like in that room now though? There’s an app called Wi-Fi Check on the Apple App Store. It uniquely checks Wi-Fi vs Internet speed separately. Latest iPhones (16/17) are capable of actual speeds in the ~1200-1700 Mbps range. If Wi-Fi speed is a lot slower than that, you could benefit from the upgrade. Also that app measures SNR. If SNR is yellow or red in that room, you could benefit from the upgrade.
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I have recently upgraded to the latest Orbi mesh system and I’m genuinely impressed with the performance so far. Setup was straightforward using the Orbi app, and within minutes I had strong, consistent Wi-Fi coverage throughout the entire house.
The biggest improvement is stability — no more random dropouts or slow spots, even with multiple devices streaming, gaming, and working at the same time. Speeds are noticeably faster compared to my old router, especially on Wi-Fi, and roaming between rooms is seamless with no connection drops.
The design is clean and modern, satellites blend in nicely, and the system has been rock-solid since installation. Firmware updates have been smooth, and advanced settings are available for anyone who wants more control.
It’s not the cheapest mesh system on the market, but you definitely get what you pay for. If you want reliable, high-performance whole-home Wi-Fi that just works, this Orbi mesh is well worth it.
Highly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ In-Depth Review:
Netgear Orbi 370 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh (Router + 1 Satellite)
I’ve been using the Orbi 370 mesh kit for a few weeks now and overall it’s a solid Wi-Fi 7 upgrade, especially if you’re moving up from older Wi-Fi 5/6 gear or need wider coverage throughout your home. Here’s my honest take based on real-world use:
🔌 Next-Gen Wi-Fi 7 on a Budget
The Orbi 370 implements Wi-Fi 7 technology (dual-band 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) with Multi-Link Operation (MLO) — meaning it can combine bands for more stable performance and lower latency when devices support it. It’s not a tri-band system like higher-end Orbi models, so it trades off some peak speeds for simplicity and cost.
📶 Performance & Coverage
Wireless throughput: I see excellent 5 GHz performance around the router, easily handling high-bitrate 4K streaming and heavy traffic — this aligns with benchmark insights showing strong 5 GHz results for this model.
Coverage: The router + one satellite combo provides very reliable whole-home coverage (Netgear claims up to \~3,000 sq ft with this setup). Placement is key — satellite placement greatly affects consistency.
2.4 GHz band: Traditional Wi-Fi 7 improves efficiency here, but real-world 2.4 GHz speeds are modest compared with newer routers and often far below 5 GHz speeds — still fine for IoT and basic devices.
In my house, streaming multiple 4K videos and simultaneous work calls didn’t strain the system unless the satellite link was at the edge of its range.
🛠 Hardware & Connectivity
Ports: The main router includes 2.5 Gbps WAN + LAN ports for high-speed broadband plans, and the satellite has a 2.5 Gbps LAN port too — excellent if you want wired devices or backhaul.
Wired backhaul: Supported — helps if you can run ethernet between router and satellite for max speeds.
Processor & Memory: Powered by a capable quad-core CPU that keeps throughput smooth under load.
🧠 Software & Setup
Setup through the Orbi app is smooth and intuitive, including guided placement suggestions, guest network controls, and basic security settings. Advanced routing tweaks (VLANs, granular QoS) are somewhat limited compared with enthusiast gear.
Security features include WPA3 support, automatic updates, and optional Netgear Armor (subscription required for full features) — a bonus for average home users.
⚠️ Downsides / Notes
Dual-band only: No 6 GHz band, so Wi-Fi 7 benefits are real but constrained compared to tri-band Wi-Fi 7 models.
2.4 GHz performance isn’t fantastic compared with some competitors.
Advanced controls are limited unless you rely on the app or pay for premium subscriptions.
📊 Verdict
If you’re looking for a future-ready mesh that boosts whole-home Wi-Fi performance and gives good real-world throughput without the premium price tag of flagship models, the Orbi 370 hits the mark. It’s not perfect — the lack of a 6 GHz band and mixed 2.4 GHz results keep it from being a top-tier enthusiast choice — but for most homes with mixed traffic (streaming, gaming, work-from-home, multiple devices), it’s a very capable, stable mesh system that’s straightforward to set up and manage.
Recommended for: mid-sized homes, mixed device environments, anyone upgrading from older Wi-Fi tech who wants a noticeable real-world improvement.
Eero is proprietary tech for Amazon but is a good consumer level solution. However, I suggest a NetGear Orbi WiFi 7 mesh system. 3 units will definitely cover over 3400 sq feet! It's also a very easy setup and usually a lot cheaper than Asus. Take a look at the Orbi 370 RBE373 or 74 (usually $250-$300, I would also consider the RBE773 (usually around $500, very spendy, but nice tri-band features.)
btw - never put a router on the top floor. Their signals spread up and out like an umbrella/mushroom. You are killing signal strength by bad placement. Also, never keep any router more than 3-5 years. The tech advances quickly and if yours is 2015, that is WiFi 4 and you are literally in the stone age. The current Wi-Fi tech is WiFi 7, but it costs a bit more. At the very least get WiFi 6e.
If your network needs are simple a lot of these other solutions people have mentioned are overkill. Future friendly, but more expensive for sure. Mesh systems usually are fine for most consumers.
One more thing. TP Link is a Chinese manufacturer under investigation by the US and may be booted from doing business here. I loved their products for years, but it is believed to have invasive/spyware hardware. Do what you want with that info.
They have a subscription to "Armor" security if you want it, but it is not necessary and it is not mandatory. Completely up to you. I recommended Orbi because I have had an awesome experience over many years with NetGear products. They are also made with better components than many other brands. I get the idea of using Asus if it's what you are used to. All of the new routers are pretty user friendly though.
btw - if Cat5e is run everywhere, you can easily run new Cat6a along the same paths using the old Cat5e to pull the new cables through the same exact way. The big change is you would have to change the jacks on the end at the wall plates. The parts are pretty cheap, usually around $25 for 10 of them, and the Cat6a cable is very cheap as well. I prefer Cat6a because it is shielded and rated for all uses. It costs a bit more but is totally worth it. However, if everything in your house maxes out at 1GB upgrading the 5e isn't critical and can be done down the road.
Get an Orbi Wifi 7 router with two satellites. I struggled with WiFi routers for a long time in my house until I discovered Orbi. Expensive, but you won't regret it.
Orbi Wi-Fi 7 products perform incredibly well compared to older Netgear products I’ve had. Downsides are they’re expensive, physically big and unless you have a complex house layout, they may be overkill.
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