Why can you rely on techradar
We review every product or service, we review, so you can make sure you are buying the best. Get more information about how we test.
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: One-minute review
There is an old saying about the enthusiasm of converting, and the netgier surely seems to have changed its ways – or perhaps just its management – in recent months.
With a series of stylish but expensive routers and Aries systems, after installing itself as the apple of the Wi-Fi world, the company has recently brought up many more affordable products, which are ending in the new nighthow RS100, which is not only the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 Rautors of the Netgier, but it is also more.
Essentially, however, that low price includes some compromises, and like less expensive Wi-Fi 7 products that we have recently seen, RS100 is a fairly basic dual-band router.
This means that it supports only 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz Frequency band, and releases high-speed 6.0GHz bands which are also available with both Wi-Fi 6e and Wi-Fi 7. Even, Rs100 provides Wi-Fi speed up to 3.6GBPS, which is still sufficient for most home broadband services.
One of the other benefits of Wi-Fi 7 is that the RS100 should also be more reliable than the old router, when a lot of computers inside your house are connected together with other smart devices and other smart devices.
It creates a good, inexpensive Wi-Fi upgrade for many domestic users, which can still have older computer and mobile devices that do not require full speed available with a tried-band router that also supports 6.0GHz Wi-Fi.
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Price and Availability
- How much does it cost? $ 129.99/ £ 129.99/ AU $ 259
- When is it available? Now
- Where can you get it? Available in America, UK and Australia
Product prices are currently irregular worldwide, as they are not-shala-nott-names. However, at the time of its launch, the price of RS100 was $ 129.99/£ 129.99 and we were happy to see that unlike Wi-Fi 7 products-this is also available to our friends for AU $ 259.
This makes RS100 $ 100 less expensive than RS200 that we recently reviewed from Netgear. The RS200 is also a dual-band router, but it is sharp, which has a top speed of 6.5GBPS.
Nevertheless, 3.6GBPS of RS100 should still be completely sufficient for most domestic broadband connections. Netgear also suggests that the RS100 can connect with more than 50 equipment simultaneously, and can cover areas up to 2,000 sqm, allowing it to be a good option for most small and medium -sized houses (although areas outside the US can cite the area of 1,500SQ.FT due to differences in regional regulations outside the US).
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Design
- compact design
- 2.5GB ethernet for broadband connection
- 4 Ethernet port for wired connection
Unexpectedly, the RS100 shares the inauspicious-black-obelisk design of the other nighthoc router, although it is actually much smaller than other models in the range.
The Rs100 is just 184 mm high, 66 mm wide and 122 mm deep, so it is easy to set it on any convenient shelf or desk without taking it too much.
This is partially because the relatively modest speed of the Rs100 requires only two internal antenna, compared to four antenna in the RS200 and RS300 models.
However, a indication of cost cuts is that the black plastic cover of the router feels slightly furious, so it is a good idea for the parents to keep it somewhere that is out of access to the eager small hands.
Netgier has not cut a lot of corners, though. The Rs100 provides 2.5GB Ethernet port for your broadband connection (WAN), as well as with four gigabit ethernet port to provide wired (LAN) connection for PC or game console if necessary.
The only modest compromise here is the lack of a USB port that will allow you to connect the USB storage device (or printer) to your network, but this is not a major problem at this price.
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Facilities
- Easy to set up and use
- Poor parents control
- Useful clinical equipment
As usual, the network makes it very easy to start. You can simply plug the power supply and connect Rs 100 to your existing router, and the Netgier provides a QR code to download the app, and a second code that connects you to the new RS100 network.
However, reflecting the low price of the router, the NightHoc app is a bit basic when it comes to providing additional features. The app automatically merges 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz Frequency band into single network, which keeps things simple for home users, although more experienced users may prefer an app that provides more detailed control over their network settings.
There are some basic clinical equipment, such as speed tests to check network performance, and you have the ability to create two guest networks or block network access for personal devices. However, there are no parental controls available within the app, and the information on Netgear’s website suggests that the RS100 is currently not compatible with Netgear’s Smart Paternal Control Membership Service.
Safety facilities are also quite limited, as you get only one month test of the Netgier’s armor security service, but then to continue using the service, you have to pay $ 99.99 (about £ 75 / AU $ 150) per year.
To be fair, most rival manufacturers also offer software membership services, but there are other routers that still provide better parents control and other facilities within their apps.
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Performance
- Dual Band Wi-Fi 7
- 3.6gbps maximum speed
- 2.5GBPS Ethernet for Broadband Connection
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Benchmark
Ookla Speed Test – Single merger network
Within 5FT, no obstruction: 150Mbps/150Mbps
Within 30 feet, three partition walls: 150Mbps/150Mbps
20GB Steam Download -Singal Merged Network
Within 5FT, no obstruction: 150Mbps
Within 30 feet, three partition walls: 150Mbps
The lack of support for 6.0GHz frequency means that the Rs100 is much more an entry-level router, but Wi-Fi 7 is so ridiculous that the relatively modest 3.6GBPS of the router is still sufficient to handle the most domestic broadband connection.
My aging office router also struggles with a modest 150Mbps broadband connection, and can only manage a speed of about 120Mbps for devices that are in the room similar to the router.
And, behind the building, I have actually a ‘deadspot’, where the Wi-Fi signal is so incredible that I finish using the powerline adapter to provide wired network connections instead.
RS100 solved all my network problems, however, immediately allowed the equipment to hit the equipment in the same room to hit the maximum 150MBPS for the download test and game download. The speed of the router took a slight dip as I went to the deadspot in the back office with my laptop, but quickly recovered again and hit 150Mbps once more for both tests.
Therefore, while the RS100 is not a speed demon, it can still provide a meaningful upgradation for many people who own an old router who only uses Wi-Fi 5 or 6, and my only real complaint is the lack of parents control and additional facilities within the nighthow app.
|
Social class |
Decision |
score |
|
price |
It is an entry-level dual-band router, but provides a very economical upgradation to the owners of the RS100 old router. |
4/5 |
|
design |
The plastic cover seems slightly furious, so you will need to place it on a safe shelf or desk. Hardware features are up to scratches, however, with 2.5GB Ethernet for your broadband connection and four gigabit ports for wired connections. |
4/5 |
|
features |
It is easy to use the nighthow app, but it is slightly threadbear, especially when it comes to parents’ control, and the netgier has a habit of trying to sell additional membership. |
3/5 |
|
Display |
This is relatively slow for Wi-Fi 7 router, and a deficiency of 6.0GHz may be a deal-breaker for more demanded users, but the speed of 3.6GBPS will still be a welcome upgrade to the owners of the old router. |
3.5/5 |
|
overall |
It is undeniably a basic, entry-level router, but at this price the RS100 is currently one of the cheapest Wi-Fi 7 routers available and is worth considering if you are still using an old router provided by your ISP. |
4/5 |
Buy it if …
Do not buy it if …
Netgear Nighthawk RS100: Consider also
|
Rooter |
Netgear Nighthawk RS100 |
Netgear Nighthawk RS300 |
Iro 7 |
|
Price (as reviewed) |
$ 129.99/ £ 129.99/ AU $ 259 |
$ 329.99/£ 299.99/AU $ 649 |
$ 349.99 / £ 349.99 |
|
Wi-Fi type |
Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz, 5.0GHz) |
Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 |
Dual Band Wi-Fi 7 |
|
Wi-Fi speed |
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 port, 1 x USB-C port |
|
Processor |
Quad-core 2.0GHz |
Quad-core 2.0GHz |
Quad-core 1.1GHz |
|
Memory |
1GB RAM |
2GB RAM |
1GB RAM |
|
storage |
512mb Nand Flash |
512mb Nand Flash |
4GB Flash |
|
Dimensions |
184 x 66 x 122 mm |
249 x 150 x 102 mm |
130 x 130 x 64 mm |
- First Review: July 2025
