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Netgear Nighthawk RS100: One-Minute Assessment
There’s an previous saying in regards to the zeal of the convert, and Netgear actually appears to have modified its methods – or maybe simply its administration – in current months.
After establishing itself because the Apple of the Wi-Fi world, with a sequence of fashionable however costly routers and mesh systems, the corporate has not too long ago introduced out numerous extra reasonably priced merchandise, culminating within the new Nighthawk RS100, which isn’t simply Netgear’s most reasonably priced Wi-Fi 7 router, but additionally extra reasonably priced than a lot of its rivals too.
Inevitably, although, that low value entails some compromises, and like a number of of the inexpensive Wi-Fi 7 merchandise that we’ve seen not too long ago, the RS100 is a reasonably primary dual-band router.
Which means it helps simply the two.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, and omits the high-speed 6.0GHz band that can be accessible with each Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7. Even so, the RS100 supplies Wi-Fi speeds of as much as 3.6Gbps, which continues to be greater than quick sufficient for many house broadband companies.
One of many different benefits of Wi-Fi 7 is that the RS100 must also be extra dependable than older routers when connecting to a number of computer systems, cell units and different good units inside your house concurrently.
That makes it an excellent, reasonably priced Wi-Fi improve for a lot of house customers who should have older computer systems and cell units that don’t want the total velocity accessible with tri-band routers that additionally assist 6.0GHz Wi-Fi.
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Value And Availability
- How a lot does it value? $129.99/£129.99/ AU$259
- When is it accessible? Now
- The place are you able to get it? Obtainable within the US, UK, and Australia
Product costs are wildly erratic all around the world in the intervening time due to he-who-shall-not-be-named. However, on the time of its launch, the RS100 was priced at $129.99/£129.99 and we had been happy to see that – not like many Wi-Fi 7 merchandise – it’s additionally accessible to our mates down beneath for AU$259.
That makes the RS100 a full $100 inexpensive than the RS200 that we reviewed from Netgear recently. The RS200 can be a dual-band router, but it surely’s sooner, with a prime velocity of 6.5Gbps.
Even so, the three.6Gbps of the RS100 ought to nonetheless be completely enough for many house broadband connections. Netgear additionally states that the RS100 can connect with as many as 50 units concurrently, and might cowl areas of as much as 2,000sq.ft, making it an excellent possibility for many small and medium-sized houses (though areas exterior the US might quote an space of 1,500sq.ft on account of variations in regional rules).
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Design
- Compact design
- 2.5Gb Ethernet for broadband connection
- 4 Ethernet ports for wired connections
Unsurprisingly, the RS100 shares the ominous-black-obelisk design of different Nighthawk routers, though it’s truly fairly a bit smaller than different fashions within the vary.
The RS100 stands simply 184mm excessive, 66mm huge and 122mm deep, so it’s straightforward to set it up on any handy shelf or desk with out taking on an excessive amount of house.
That’s partly as a result of the comparatively modest velocity of the RS100 solely requires two inner antennae, in comparison with 4 antennae within the RS200 and RS300 fashions that we now have reviewed not too long ago.
Nevertheless, one signal of cost-cutting is that the router’s black plastic casing does really feel a bit of flimsy, so it’s most likely a good suggestion for fogeys to position it someplace that’s out of attain for curious little palms.
Netgear hasn’t minimize too many corners, although. The RS100 supplies a 2.5Gb Ethernet port on your broadband connection (WAN), together with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports to supply wired (LAN) connections for a PC or video games console if required.
The one minor compromise right here is the shortage of a USB port that may will let you join a USB storage system (or printer) to your community, however that’s not a serious drawback at this value.
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Options
- Simple to arrange and use
- Poor parental controls
- Helpful diagnostic instruments
As all the time, Netgear makes it very straightforward to get began. You may simply plug within the energy provide and join the RS100 to your current router, and Netgear supplies a QR code for downloading the Nighthawk app, and a second code that connects you to the brand new RS100 community.
However, reflecting the router’s low value, the Nighthawk app is a bit primary with regards to offering further options. The app robotically merges the two.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands right into a single community, which retains issues easy for house customers, though extra skilled customers would possibly desire an app that gives extra detailed management over their community settings.
There are some primary diagnostic instruments, comparable to a velocity check to test community efficiency, and you’ve got the power to create two visitor networks for guests, or to dam community entry for particular person units. Nevertheless, there aren’t any parental controls accessible throughout the app, and the data on Netgear’s web site signifies that the RS100 isn’t at the moment suitable with Netgear’s Sensible Parental Controls subscription service.
Safety features are additionally pretty restricted, as you get only a one-month trial of Netgear’s Armor safety service, however then need to pay $99.99 (round £75 / AU$150) per yr to proceed utilizing the service.
To be truthful, most rival producers supply software program subscription companies as nicely, however there are different routers that also present higher parental controls and different options inside their apps freed from cost.
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Efficiency
- Twin-band Wi-Fi 7
- 3.6Gbps most velocity
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet for broadband connection
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Benchmarks
Ookla Velocity Take a look at – Single merged community
Inside 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps/150Mbps
Inside 30ft, three partition partitions: 150Mbps/150Mbps
20GB Steam Obtain –Single merged community
Inside 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps
Inside 30ft, three partition partitions: 150Mbps
The dearth of assist for the 6.0GHz frequency signifies that the RS100 may be very a lot an entry-level router, however Wi-Fi 7 is so ridiculously quick that the router’s comparatively modest 3.6Gbps ought to nonetheless be greater than quick sufficient to deal with most home broadband connections.
My getting old workplace router struggles even with a modest 150Mbps broadband connection, and might solely handle a velocity of round 120Mbps even for units which might be in the identical room because the router.
And, on the rear of the constructing, I even have a ‘deadspot’ the place the Wi-Fi sign is so unreliable that I find yourself utilizing powerline adaptors to supply a wired community connection as an alternative.
The RS100 solved all my community issues, although, instantly permitting units in the identical room to hit the utmost 150Mbps for each the Ookla Velocity Take a look at and sport downloads on Steam. The router’s velocity did dip barely as I walked with our laptop computer alongside the hall to the deadspot within the again workplace, however shortly recovered once more and hit 150Mbps as soon as extra for each checks.
So, whereas the RS100 isn’t any velocity demon, it may possibly nonetheless present a worthwhile improve for many individuals who personal an older router that solely makes use of Wi-Fi 5 or 6, and my solely actual grievance is the shortage of parental controls and extra options throughout the Nighthawk app.
|
Class |
Verdict |
Rating |
|
Worth |
It’s very a lot an entry-level dual-band router, however the RS100 does present a really reasonably priced improve for house owners of older routers. |
4/5 |
|
Design |
The plastic casing feels a bit of flimsy, so that you’ll must hold it on a protected shelf or desk. The {hardware} options are as much as scratch, although, with 2.5Gb Ethernet on your broadband connection and 4 gigabit ports for wired connections. |
4/5 |
|
Options |
The Nighthawk app is straightforward to make use of, but it surely’s a bit of threadbare, particularly with regards to parental controls, and Netgear’s behavior of making an attempt to promote you further subscriptions stays irksome. |
3/5 |
|
Efficiency |
It’s comparatively sluggish for a Wi-Fi 7 router, and the shortage of 6.0GHz assist might be a deal-breaker for extra demanding customers, however a velocity of three.6Gbps will nonetheless be a welcome improve for house owners of older routers. |
3.5/5 |
|
General |
It’s undeniably a primary, entry-level router, however at this value the RS100 is likely one of the most reasonably priced Wi-Fi 7 routers at the moment accessible and value contemplating should you’re nonetheless utilizing an previous router offered by your ISP. |
4/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Additionally take into account
|
Router |
Netgear Nighthawk RS100 |
Netgear Nighthawk RS300 |
Eero 7 |
|
Value (as reviewed) |
$129.99/£129.99/ AU$259 |
$329.99/£299.99/AU$649 |
$349.99 / £349.99 |
|
Wi-Fi Sort |
Twin-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz, 5.0GHz) |
Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 |
Twin-band Wi-Fi 7 |
|
Wi-Fi Velocity |
3.6Gbps |
9.3Gbps |
1.8Gbps |
|
Connectivity |
1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 4x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN) |
1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 2x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN), 2x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-A (3.0) |
2 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 x USB-C port |
|
Processor |
Quad-core 2.0GHz |
Quad-core 2.0GHz |
Quad-core 1.1GHz |
|
Reminiscence |
1GB RAM |
2GB RAM |
1GB RAM |
|
Storage |
512MB NAND Flash |
512MB NAND Flash |
4GB Flash |
|
Dimensions |
184 x 66 x 122mm |
249 x 150 x 102mm |
130 x 130 x 64mm |
- First reviewed: July 2025