Netgear Orbi 770 Series (RBE773)

The Netgear Orbi 770 Series (RBE773) arrives as a more approachable Wi-Fi 7 mesh option for large households, aiming to bridge the gap below the hyper-expensive quad-band Orbi 970. Delivering a three-pack system rated for BE11000 speeds, it is designed for households needing broad multi-room coverage—spanning from 6,750 up to 8,000 square feet—and connectivity for up to 100 concurrent devices without sacrificing multi-gigabit throughput.

Hardware impressions are largely positive for a modern multi-gig home. Unlike systems that mix gigabit and multi-gigabit jacks, the Orbi 770 outfits every single port on both the router and satellites with 2.5Gbps capability. By opting for 2x2 radios rather than the 4x4 arrays on top-tier hardware, Netgear brings Wi-Fi 7's headline capabilities, such as ultra-wide 320MHz channels, into a package that is much easier to justify financially than previous flagship releases.

Despite its high-speed baseline, the Orbi 770 makes several architectural compromises that discerning users should consider. The most glaring is the absence of a dedicated wireless backhaul band—an uncharacteristic design for an Orbi tri-band kit—meaning wireless nodes must share spectral airtime with client devices unless you connect them using Ethernet backhaul.

Software configuration is another sticking point. Limited Wi-Fi tuning tied to Multi-Link Operation (MLO) can pose hurdles for households populated by legacy connected devices, an area where rival systems offer significantly more control. When combined with the complete lack of USB ports, limited downstream LAN ports on the primary unit, a short warranty and support period, and a $699.99 price that still sits at a premium against alternatives, the Orbi 770 earns a cautious recommendation: it is a capable mid-range Wi-Fi 7 performer, but not without compromises.