Netgear Nighthawk RS200 review: Netgear’s latest Wi-Fi 7 router is competitively priced – but makes compromises to get there
Netgear Nighthawk RS200: One-minute review
Netgear It’s always been a pleasure to be at the more expensive end of the networking market, but after a management shakeup earlier this year, we’re pleased to see that it finally appears to be taking a more competitive approach to pricing. The new Nighthawk RS200 is easily the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 router released to date – although the low price does mean it lacks some key features that most Wi-Fi 7 rivals take for granted.
Most notably, the RS200 is a dual-band router that transmits Wi-Fi signals on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, while most Wi-Fi 7 routers are “tri-band” devices that also operate on the 6.0GHz band transfer on. The same goes for the GHz band (as did previous generation routers with Wi-Fi 6E). Some might say that this omission means the RS200 doesn’t qualify as a true Wi-Fi 7 router at all, but there are other tech features in Wi-Fi 7 that allow the RS200 to squeeze better performance out of 2.4 routers . GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands. This ensures that it performs better than many of the older dual-band routers still in use in many homes, so it might be worth considering upgrading for anyone still using an older Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 router that’s powered by theirs Provided by ISP.
Netgear Nighthawk RS200: price and availability
- how much does it cost? $229.99/£199.99/AU$449.00
- When can it be used? Now
- Where can you get it? Available in US, UK, Australia
A price of $229.99 / £199.99 / AU$449.00 means the RS200 is one of the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers we’ve seen to date – of course, Netgear had to omit support for the high-speed 6.0GHz band to achieve that price. However, its top speed of 6.5Gbps is still sufficient for most domestic broadband services. Netgear also says it can connect to 80 different devices simultaneously and can cover homes up to 2,500 square feet (although areas outside the U.S. may quote the 2,000-square-foot figure due to differences in state regulations).
Netgear Nighthawk RS200: Specs
| Wifi: | Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz, 5.0GHz) |
| Wireless network speed: | 6.5Gbps |
| port: | 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN), 3x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-A (3.0) |
| processor: | Quad Core @ 2.0GHz |
| memory: | 2GB memory |
| Storage: | 512MB NAND flash memory |
| aspect: | 249×150×101mm, 0.68kg |
Netgear Nighthawk RS200: Design
- Tower design provides 360-degree Wi-Fi
- 4 Ethernet ports for wired connections
- USB network storage
I still miss the streamlined design of the original Nighthawk router, with its folding wings that made it look like Darth Vader’s space shuttle. However, like other new Nighthawk models since the launch of Wi-Fi 7, the Nighthawk RS200 has a more upright design, looking like a tall black obelisk at 249mm tall. You need to give it enough space when setting it up for the first time, but this design does allow the four antennas built into the router to more effectively transmit Wi-Fi signals in 360 degrees, thereby achieving high-speed transmission effects. Powered by Wi-Fi 7.
And, despite its low price, the RS200 also offers good wired connectivity, with a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for high-speed fiber or cable broadband connections. There’s another 2.5Gbps port for wired connectivity to a PC or gaming console, and three Gigabit Ethernet ports for additional connectivity. If desired, two of the Ethernet ports can also be “aggregated” or combined to provide a faster connection. There’s even a USB-A (3.0) port that lets you connect USB storage devices to your network so you can share files with others at home or in the office.
Netgear Nighthawk RS200: Features
There’s no getting around the fact that omitting the 6.0GHz band is a strange decision for a Wi-Fi 7 router, as anyone with a shiny new PC or smartphone that supports Wi-Fi 7 will want to get it as fast as possible the speed of it. However, 6.5Gbps speeds are still more than enough for most home users and many business users, and the RS200 does include Wi-Fi 7 features (such as reduced latency) that still give it an advantage over older dual-band routers.
The Nighthawk app is also well designed, making it easy to set up a new network in just a few minutes. There is a QR code printed on the top of the router that you just need to scan and let the app automatically set everything up for you. You can simply use the default network name and password if you want, but the app lets you create new ones for added security. The only thing slowing you down is the need to create a Netgear account in order to continue using the app after the initial installation.
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To make things as simple as possible, the Nighthawk app combines two bands into one network and automatically connects your computer and other devices to the fastest band available at a specific location in your home or office. However, while the app is very easy to use, it doesn’t offer many additional features.
You can create a guest network, and there are tools to run speed checks and monitor network traffic to make sure everything is working properly. However, the app’s parental controls are very basic and only allow you to pause internet access for a single device. There are no weekly schedule controls, and there are no content filters to block sites that may not be suitable for children.
If you do need these additional features, then you’ll need to pay a subscription fee for Netgear’s smart parental control service. There is a 30-day free trial, but after the trial ends, you’ll need to pay $7.99 per month or $69.99 per year to continue using the service. The same goes for Netgear’s Armor security service, which also offers a 30-day trial but costs $99.99 per year.
As we’ve said many times in the past, there are competing routers that offer better parental controls for free, so parents who really need these features may want to consider an alternative router.
Netgear Nighthawk RS200: Performance
- 6.5Gbps speed
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz/5.0GHz)
- 4 internal antennas
The lack of support for the 6.0GHz band is obviously disappointing – and may well be a deal-breaker for some users. Even so, the Nighthawk RS200’s improved performance still allowed it to beat the aging dual-band router provided by our ISP in our office.
Our office’s broadband runs at 150Mbps, but our old router often only tops out at 120Mbps, even when connected to nearby devices in the same room.
Netgear Nighthawk RS200: Benchmarks
Benchmark:
Ookla Speed Test – Single Combined Network (Download/Upload)
Within 5 feet, no obstructions: 150Mbps/150Mbps
Within 30 feet, three layers of partitions: 150Mbps/150Mbps
20GB Steam Download – Single Merged Network
Within 5 feet, no obstructions: 150Mbps
Within 30 feet, three walls: 150Mbps
We also have an office in the back of the building that our old router is simply difficult to reach, forcing us to rely on powerline adapters to provide wired network connectivity. By comparison, the RS200 immediately hit full speeds of 150Mbps, which is what was available when connected to devices in the same room for Ookla speed tests and large file downloads. steam.
Speeds did drop slightly when I picked up the laptop and wandered down the hall to the back office, but it only took a few seconds for the RS200 to roll up its sleeves, boosting speeds to 150Mbps again and eliminating the need for those powerline adapters. If you already have an expensive laptop or iPhone 16 that fully supports tri-band Wi-Fi 7, there may not be much point in compromising on an entry-level router like the RS200 that doesn’t support 6.0. GHz band. However, the RS200 can still provide a quick, reliable upgrade for users with older dual-band routers that are past their shelf life.
Should you buy the Netgear Nighthawk RS200?
| value: | The Nighthawk RS200’s lower price is certainly welcome. However, it’s an entry-level dual-band router that lacks the high-speed 6.0GHz band of many competitors. | 3.5/5 |
| design: | Tall, dark and handsome, the RS200 is also well connected, with a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for broadband connectivity, as well as wired networking. | 4/5 |
| feature: | Its basic functionality is correct, but the lack of 6.0GHz support and limited parental controls may deter some users. | 3.5/5 |
| Performance: | To be fair, the RS200 does perform well for a basic dual-band router, and would be a great upgrade for people still relying on aging dual-band routers from their ISPs. | 4/5 |
| Average score: | It might be one of the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers out there, but the lack of support for 6.0GHz Wi-Fi and Netgear’s hard-sell subscription service are disappointing. | 3.5/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
also consider
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Netgear Nighthawk RS200 | Netgear Nighthawk RS300 | ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 |
| Price (after review) | $229.99/£199.99/AU$449.00 | $329.99/£299.99/AU$1497.00 | $749.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,499 |
| Wifi | Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 | Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 | Quad-band Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi speed | 6.5Gbps | 9.3Gbps | 24.4Gbps |
| Connectivity | 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN), 3x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-A (3.0) | 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 2x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN), 2x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-A (3.0) | 1x 10Gb Ethernet (WAN/LAN), 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN/LAN), 1x 10Gb Ethernet (LAN), 3x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-A ( 3.0), 1 USB-A (2.0) |
| processor | Quad core 2.0GHz | Quad core 2.0GHz | Quad core 2.6GHz |
| memory | 2GB memory | 2GB memory | 2GB memory |
| storage | 512MB flash memory | 512MB flash memory | 256MB flash memory |
| aspect | 249×150×102mm | 249×150×102 mm | 350×350×221mm |
