The RS100 can accept a 2.5 GbE Internet connection, then share it among wireless clients and four wired devices. Each wired LAN port tops out at 1 GbE. That distinction matters to a buyer expecting a single desktop to consume an entire multi-gigabit broadband plan or copy to a fast local server.
In depth
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS100 review
Published · Updated
Best forSomeone replacing an older router on ordinary broadband whose wired devices are happy at a gigabit each.
At a glance
- Wi-Fi generation
- Wi-Fi 7
- Wireless bands / radios
- 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
- Ethernet ports
- 1 × 2.5 GbE WAN4 × 1 GbE LAN
- Mesh support
- Not documented
Pros
- Four LAN ports can serve ordinary desktops, TVs and consoles without a switch.
- The 2.5 GbE WAN port can feed several clients at once.
Cons
- There is no 6 GHz band and no multi-gigabit LAN port.
- There is no USB port for shared storage.
Wireless Performance
- UK test unit
- 5 GHz client
- NAS on gigabit Ethernet
Expert Reviews moved a wireless laptop around a home while copying files to and from a NAS attached over gigabit Ethernet. The RS100 trailed higher Nighthawks overall but did comparatively well in the dining room. Even a very fast wireless link could not lift that file transfer past the NAS connection. The result makes sense as a household test with a clearly identified limit. 1
Wired Connectivity
- 2.5 GbE WAN
- 4 × gigabit LAN
- No USB storage
Several users can benefit from aggregate capacity even when each individual Ethernet port is gigabit. Someone editing directly from a high-speed NAS has a different requirement and should compare the LAN hardware first. The RS100 provides separate main, guest and IoT networks. NETGEAR Armor is an optional subscription after its trial.
Wireless Specifications
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 7
- 2.4 and 5 GHz
- Up to 160 MHz
The RS100’s 3.6 Gbps designation combines two radios. A 6 GHz-capable laptop joins on a lower band, and a transfer to a single wired computer still crosses one gigabit LAN socket. Expert Reviews also found that Multi-Link Operation was unavailable on its tested firmware. If that particular Wi-Fi 7 feature is essential to you, verify support on the firmware you expect to run. The entry-level price and model name alone do not establish it. 1
Management & Expansion
- Nighthawk app and local web interface
- Guest and IoT networks
- Standalone RS100
A separate guest network gives visitors access without sharing the main Wi-Fi credentials. NETGEAR also provides an IoT network and offers the Armor security subscription after its trial. For a future coverage expansion, check compatibility before picking a satellite. NETGEAR’s lists of Orbi and Nighthawk mesh kits identify other router models, and native mesh expansion on current US RS100 firmware is unconfirmed. A household already planning several coordinated nodes has good reason to choose a documented kit up front.
Alternatives
A higher Nighthawk tier is worth evaluating if you can use 6 GHz or need faster local Ethernet. Changing routers solely to gain the Wi-Fi 7 label may bring little to a home full of older clients, particularly when the weak spot is a room separated by several walls.
Verdict
The RS100 suits a household with unremarkable wired needs and a broadband upgrade on the horizon. Pass it over for a workstation that needs more than gigabit LAN, regardless of the modem speed on the other side.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this router.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- Expert ReviewsExpert Reviews • Netgear Nighthawk RS100 review (opens in a new tab)https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/technology/wifi-home-networking/netgear-nighthawk-rs100-review
UK retail RS100; positions across reviewer’s home, 5 GHz Wi-Fi laptop copying files to/from an Asustor Drivestor 4 Pro NAS connected to a 1GbE LAN port.