Until recently, there were only two outstanding Nighthawk WiFi 7 routers available - RS700S & RS300. The NETGEAR Nighthawk Router Series now includes many new WiFi 7 router options - including RS100, RS150, RS200, RS500 & RS600 so you can choose a router with unparalleled performance for every price bracket.
Selecting the ideal router has never been easier, and this Nighthawk buying guide for 2026 will help you find the perfect router for your home.
IN THIS ARTICLE
The NETGEAR WiFi family has continued to develop and expand since the 1990s when WiFi was first introduced to consumers on a large scale. Nighthawk Routers have evolved dramatically, including some of the best gaming routers on the planet. With 7 Nighthawk WiFi 7 routers to choose from, options include faster processors for Multi-Gig WiFi speed, powerful routers for overall WiFi coverage, LAN ports and Ethernet ports, and smart home connectivity.
Price is always a consideration when upgrading from WiFi 5, WiFi 6, or WiFi 6E. Every router below is a full WiFi 7 router with WPA3 security and a Multi-Gig internet port, starting at $149.99. What changes as you move up the range are coverage, capacity, and wired speed. The right choice matches your home, not the one at the top of the table.
Every Nighthawk WiFi 7 router runs the same 802.11be standard, includes WPA3 security, and ships with a Multi-Gig internet port. What changes as you move up the range is how much house you cover, how many devices you run, and how fast your wired connections can go. The range starts at under $150, so start at the rung that matches your home.
| Name: | Technology: | Model: | Price From: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nighthawk RS100 | Dual-Band BE3600 up to 2,000 sq. ft. WiFi 7 3.6Gbps, 2.5Gb / 1Gb Ports | RS100 | $149.99 |
| Nighthawk RS150 | Dual-Band BE5000 up to 2,250 sq. ft. WiFi 7 5Gbps, 2.5Gb / 1Gb Ports | RS150 | $199.99 |
| Nighthawk RS200 | Dual-Band BE6500 up to 2,500 sq. ft. WiFi 7 6.5Gbps, 2.5Gb / 1Gb Ports | RS200 | $229.99 |
| Nighthawk RS300 | Tri-Band BE9300 up to 2,500 sq. ft. WiFi 7 9.3Gbps, 2.5Gb / 1Gb Ports | RS300 | $299.99 |
| Nighthawk RS500 | Tri-Band BE12000 up to 3,000 sq. ft. WiFi 7 12Gbps, 2.5Gb / 1Gb Ports | RS500 | $399.99 |
| Nighthawk RS600 | Tri-Band BE18000 up to 3,300 sq. ft. WiFi 7 18Gbps, 10Gb / 1Gb Ports | RS600 | $499.99 |
| Nighthawk RS700S | Tri-Band BE19000 up to 3,500 sq. ft. WiFi 7 19Gbps, 10Gb / 2.5Gb Ports | RS700S | $599.99 |
There are a range of features that define Nighthawk routers. The RS200, RS300, RS500, RS600, and RS700S models are all members of the same Nighthawk WiFi 7 family. Gbps speeds have replaced slower Mbps data rates, and the 320 MHz channel spectrum is like a wireless superhighway for real-time online activities.
Features in Common Between Models:
When comparing Nighthawk WiFi 7 routers, it’s important to note the key differences that can impact your overall experience. From speed and coverage to security features, here’s what changes between models to help you choose the best fit for your home network.
Model Feature Differences:
Reliability and value.
RS100 is an easy upgrade from WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 for value-minded families who want reliable, secure coverage in a smaller home.
Learn more about RS100
More speed and reach for growing homes.
RS150 is a compact dual-band router for value-minded families who need more speed and reach than an entry router, with room for a growing number of connected devices.
Learn more about RS150
Outstanding reliability and value with extra capacity.
RS200 is a powerful dual-band router for families who need the stability and coverage the 5GHz band provides and don’t anticipate buying 6GHz devices in the near future.
Learn more about RS200
Your first step into 6GHz.
RS300 is our most affordable tri-band router for cost-conscious families who want WiFi 7 speed and enhanced performance in crowded areas with competing neighborhood WiFi networks.
Learn more about RS300
Powerful performance for lots of connected devices.
RS500 is a high-capacity tri-band router for tech-centric families who want optimal performance for all their devices, with no-compromise Nighthawk WiFi range and stability.
Learn more about RS500
Enhanced performance for the latest devices.
RS600 is a multi-gig tri-band router for consumers who are bullish on buying new 6GHz-capable devices and want similar performance to the RS700S at a lower price point.
Learn more about RS600
Our most powerful and advanced router.
RS700S is our fastest router, perfect for families with uber-connected smart homes who want the most from their multi-gig Internet service and need plenty of capacity for streaming, gaming, and entertainment devices.
Learn more about RS700S
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The best Nighthawk routers continually upgrade your online experience. Our NETGEAR Nighthawk comparison will help you find which Nighthawk router is best for gaming, streaming, working from home, entertaining, and keeping up with the latest WiFi 7 technology and gadgets.
Every Nighthawk WiFi 7 router runs the same 802.11be standard, includes WPA3 security, and ships with a Multi-Gig internet port. What changes as you move up the range is how much house you cover, how many devices you run, and how fast your wired connections can go. The range starts at under $150, so start at the rung that matches your home.
RS100 – WiFi 7 for homes up to 2,000 sq. ft. and 50 devices, with a 2.5Gig internet port ready for faster broadband when you upgrade.
RS150 – More speed and reach in the same compact dual-band design: 5Gbps, 80 devices, up to 2,250 sq. ft.
RS200 – Dual-band that steps up to 6.5Gbps across 2,500 sq. ft., and adds a 2.5Gig LAN port for a wired desk, console, or TV.
RS300 – Adds the 6GHz band. Tri-band WiFi 7 for up to 100 devices, giving your newest phones, laptops, and headsets a lane of their own.
RS500 – Adds capacity. 12Gbps and up to 120 devices across 3,000 sq. ft. for busy, device-heavy households.
RS600 – Adds 10Gig wired. A 10Gig internet port and a 10Gig LAN port for multi-gig broadband, home servers, and NAS.
RS700S – The top rung. Up to 19Gbps across 3,500 sq. ft. and 200 devices, plus NETGEAR Armor included for a full year.
Most homes are well served from the middle of the ladder down. Move up when your home gets bigger, your device count climbs, or your broadband outruns your router.
You may come across Nighthawk WiFi 7 models that aren’t listed above, such as the RS70, RS90, RS130, or RS140. These are genuine Nighthawk routers offered through selected retail partners, built on the same platforms as the models in this guide. They run the same firmware, work with the same Nighthawk app, and include the same WPA3 security and automatic firmware updates.
Performance characteristics vary slightly between variants, so if you’re comparing one against a model in this guide, check that specific model’s specifications before you buy. Every Nighthawk router has a published specification sheet on the NETGEAR Support site, listing its WiFi speed, coverage, device capacity, and ports.
If yours is a large home with dozens of connected devices and smart home applications, it’s worth considering NETGEAR Orbi Whole-Home Mesh systems with WiFi 7. Mesh WiFi can blanket the entire property in reliable and robust WiFi 7 using the full 320MHz spectrum, from the front door to the back garden. Orbi WiFi 7 mesh systems are transformative, innovative, and future-proofed.
Every home needs at the very least a high-performance dual-band WiFi router or powerful tri-band router to meet network demands. Nighthawk WiFi 7 wireless routers deliver new levels of responsiveness, lower latency, and faster speeds than ever. NETGEAR Nighthawk bandwidth is expanded and optimized for best performance and stability, allowing you to connect seamlessly with broad 360° WiFi antenna coverage.
Nighthawk WiFi 7 routers (with 802.11be) technologies such as 4K-QAM, QoS, and preamble puncturing provide new network pathways without lag or buffering. Nighthawk routers include multi-gig ports for Ethernet cable connections and are considered the best WiFi routers for laptops, gaming consoles, home cinema streaming, smartphones, and IoT devices. 802.11be is the latest WiFi standard introduced by the IEEE, offering blazing-fast multi-gigabit speeds on the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz channels.
