New Nighthawk WiFi 7 Router Buyers Guide

Until recently, there were only two outstanding Nighthawk WiFi 7 routers available - RS700S & RS300. The NETGEAR Nighthawk Router Series now includes 3 new WiFi 7 router options - 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 2024 will help you find the perfect router for your home.

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The 5 NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 7 Router Models Compared

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 5 Nighthawk WiFi 7 routers to choose from, options include faster processors for Gbps WiFi speed, powerful routers for overall WiFi coverage, LAN ports and Ethernet ports, and smart home connectivity.

The WiFi router price is always a consideration when upgrading from WiFi 5, WiFi 6, or WiFi 6E routers, and it is a case of ‘you get what you pay for’. The WiFi 7 experience capabilities improve as you move up the range. It’s also worth noting that only the RS700S has 1-Year Armor Security included, while the rest have Armor for 1-year when purchased from NETGEAR.com.

Nighthawk Router Family Common Features

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 360 MHz channel spectrum is like a wireless superhighway for real-time online activities.

    Features in Common Between Models:

  • Technology: WiFi 7 – Unlock the Next-generate of WiFi Connectivity
  • Design: Freestanding vertical design with a small footprint
  • Antenna: 360° antenna coverage
  • Connectivity: Multi-Gig connectivity with multiple High-performance WAN and LAN Ethernet Ports
  • Security: WPA3 encrypted security with optional NETGEAR Armor Security
  • Performance: Powerful performance across all your WiFi devices including ones supporting previous generations of WiFi

What Changes 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:

  • Tri-Band: Most models support Tri-Band WiFi 7 on 2.4Ghz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands (The exception being RS200 supporting dual-band 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands).
  • Total Performance: WiFi Speed, Bands, and Streams – Different models offer varying WiFi speeds, support different WiFi bands, and handle more streams, allowing faster data transfer and range.
  • Wired Connectivity: Ethernet ports (both LAN and WAN) vary across models, Faster LAN speeds support your wired networked devices and faster WAN ports support high-performance ISP plans and Multi-Gig Modem connectivity.
  • Device Capacity: Each router supports a different number of connected devices, ensuring optimal performance based on your network’s needs.
  • Price and Performance Balance: Each model is priced to offer a specific combination of features, balancing performance and cost.
  • NETGEAR Armor Security: Security protection comes included with 1 month on most models and up to 1 year on others, giving you extended peace of mind.
  • Total Coverage: Different models depend on the speeds and number of WiFi streams. Ranging from 2500 sq. ft up to 3500 sq. Ft.

Key Specs and Features by Model

RS700S – Key Specs:

    Our most powerful and advanced router.

  • Up to 19Gbps WiFi speed
  • Up to 3,500 sq. ft. coverage
  • 10Gig Internet port (WAN Port)
  • One (1) 10Gig LAN Port and Four (4) 1Gig LAN ports
  • Up to 200 devices
  • NETGEAR Armor for 1 year included

RS700S is Perfect for families with uber-connected smart homes wanting to get the most from their multi-gig Internet service and need a lot of capacity for streaming, gaming, and entertainment devices.
Learn more about RS700S

RS600 – Key Specs:

    Enhanced performance for the latest devices.

  • Up to 18Gbps WiFi speed
  • Up to 3,300 sq. ft. coverage
  • 10Gig Internet port & 10Gig LAN port
  • Three (3) 1Gig LAN ports
  • Up to 150 devices
  • NETGEAR Armor 1-Year (NETGEAR.com exclusive)

RS600 is Perfect for consumers who are bullish on buying new 6GHz-capable devices & want a similar performance to RS700 at a lower price point.
Learn more about RS600

RS500 – Key Specs:

    Powerful performance for lots of connected devices.

  • Up to 12Gbps WiFi speed
  • Up to 3,000 sq. ft. coverage
  • 2.5Gig Internet port
  • One (1) 2.5Gig LAN port & three (3) 1Gig LAN ports
  • Up to 120 devices
  • NETGEAR Armor 1-Year (NETGEAR.com exclusive)

RS500 is Perfect for tech-centric families who want optimal performance for all their devices, with no-compromise Nighthawk WiFi range and stability.
Learn more about RS500

RS300 – Key Specs:

    Outstanding reliability and value with extra capacity.

  • Up to 9.3Gbps WiFi speed
  • Up to 2,500 sq. ft. coverage
  • 2.5Gig Internet & LAN ports
  • Up to 100 devices
  • NETGEAR Armor 1-Year (NETGEAR.com exclusive)

RS300 is Perfect for cost-conscious families who want WiFi 7 speed and enhanced performance in crowded areas with competing neighborhood WiFi networks.
Learn more about RS300

RS200 – Key Specs:

    Outstanding reliability and value with extra capacity.

  • Up to 6.5Gbps WiFi speed
  • Up to 2,500 sq. ft. coverage
  • 2.5Gig Internet port
  • One (1) 2.5Gig & three (3) 1Gig LAN ports
  • Up to 80 devices
  • Dual-Band; no 6GHz band
  • NETGEAR Armor 1-Year (NETGEAR.com exclusive)

RS200 is Perfect for value-minded families who need the stability and coverage that the 5GHz band provides and don’t anticipate purchasing 6GHz devices in the near future.
Learn more about RS200

Nighthawk Router Comparison Summary

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.

RS700S – Speed and security for a home network, a guest network, and a smart home IoT network.
RS600 (New) – Super fast WiFi 7 speeds with multiple LAN and internet port options.
RS500 (New) – 2.5Gb Port, instead of 10Gb, and very powerful on the 5Ghz channel.
RS300 – 2.5GB Port for great value WiFi 7.
RS200 (New) – No 6Ghz channel – A good option if you don’t have many connected devices.

Explore all Nighthawk Routers & Features

The WiFi Mesh Alternative by NETGEAR Orbi

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.

Explore all Orbi Mesh WiFi Products & Features

NETGEAR Nighthawk Wrap-Up

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.