The NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S makes its strongest case through a combination of tri-band Wi-Fi 7 and separate 10-gigabit Internet and LAN ports. It can sit between a fast broadband service and a capable local network without making every wired connection stop at Gigabit speeds.
The important detail is how those connections are distributed. There is only one 10-gigabit LAN port, and the other four LAN ports are Gigabit. That makes the RS700S a useful starting point for a faster network, but it may not provide every connection that network needs.
Design and Configuration
- Single RS700S router
- Eight internal antennas
- 281.7 mm tall
The RS700S is a Black tower with its antennas inside the housing. At roughly 11.1 inches tall and 1.635 kg, it needs a stable, open position rather than a crowded cabinet. The upright design saves some shelf width, but placement should serve the wireless network before it serves the room’s decor.
The verified configuration includes one router, an Ethernet cable and its power adapter. It connects to an appropriate Ethernet handoff from your Internet equipment. If your provider requires a separate modem, the RS700S does not remove that requirement.
Connectivity
- 10 Gb/s Internet
- 1 × 10 Gb/s LAN
- 4 × 1 Gb/s LAN
The separate 10-gigabit ports are valuable when a fast Internet service and a fast local network need to coexist. A compatible switch on the LAN port can distribute that connection to several workstations or storage devices. Without a switch, only one wired endpoint can connect directly above Gigabit speeds.
The four remaining LAN ports are useful for televisions, consoles and other equipment whose needs fit Gigabit Ethernet. They are not 2.5-gigabit ports. A buyer with two 2.5-gigabit devices should compare the complete cost of this router and any additional switch with a model that provides the desired connections directly.
Compared with the earlier Nighthawk RAXE500, which has one configurable 2.5-gigabit port and otherwise Gigabit Ethernet, the RS700S offers a much faster wired path. That is a meaningful reason to upgrade when the surrounding equipment can use it. A household still satisfied with Gigabit connections has less to gain.
- Wi-Fi 7
- 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz
- Up to 320 MHz on 6 GHz
The RS700S provides a 6 GHz band for compatible Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 devices, alongside the familiar 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Suitable Wi-Fi 7 clients can use channels up to 320 MHz wide on 6 GHz. The benefit depends on the client and radio conditions; an older laptop does not acquire those capabilities by connecting to a new router.
In its November 2023 review, Tom’s Guide used a OnePlus 11 Wi-Fi 7 phone and IxChariot with ten simulated data-hungry users. It measured 1.773 Gb/s at 15 feet and 691.8 Mb/s at 50 feet. The reviewer still encountered some dead zones in a 3,500-square-foot home.1 Those results show why useful speed and whole-home coverage are separate decisions.
The advertised 19 Gb/s adds together radio ratings. It is not a promise of that speed to one device, nor does it make Internet service faster than the plan you buy. Owners of a Wi-Fi 6E router such as the RAXE500 already have access to 6 GHz, so the upgrade case rests on newer compatible clients and faster wired needs rather than simply gaining another band.
Software and Security
- Nighthawk app and browser interface
- Guest and IoT networks
- Optional Armor
The Nighthawk app provides setup and everyday management, with a local browser interface for more detailed configuration. The app requires a NETGEAR account. Browser access is useful for settings such as port forwarding, Internet options and the provider-specific IPTV or VLAN arrangements documented in the manual.
Current specifications list separate main, guest and IoT networks. These help organize access for visitors and smart-home equipment, but the access settings still matter; a different network name alone should not be treated as proof of complete isolation. Keep firmware current before relying on features that may have changed since launch.
WPA3 and automatic firmware updates are documented features. NETGEAR Armor adds optional network and device protection services, while Smart Parental Controls Premium provides features such as schedules and time limits. Include their ongoing cost if those services are central to the purchase. A trial or bundled initial term does not make them permanently free.
VPN and Storage
- OpenVPN server
- USB 3.0 Type-A
- ReadySHARE and DLNA
The built-in OpenVPN server provides remote access back to the home network. It can help when you need a local resource while away, subject to the Internet connection and remote setup. The manual explicitly says the router does not operate as a VPN client to an external provider, so this is not a way to route the entire household through a commercial VPN service.
Armor’s VPN service for supported personal devices is separate. If network-wide VPN client control is a priority, choose a router that explicitly supports the required protocol and provider rather than treating every mention of VPN as the same feature.
The USB port supports shared storage through ReadySHARE and media serving through DLNA. It is useful for an occasional shared drive, but it is not a cellular-modem input. The older RAXE500 has two USB 3.0 ports while this model has one; that matters if your existing setup depends on connecting two drives directly.
Alternatives
The Nighthawk RS300 is worth comparing when 2.5-gigabit connections are sufficient. It provides two 2.5-gigabit LAN ports in addition to its 2.5-gigabit Internet port, while retaining tri-band Wi-Fi 7. The RS700S has the higher wired ceiling, but the RS300 can be a simpler fit for two moderately fast wired devices.
If the main problem is a distant room or another floor, a purpose-built mesh system or appropriately placed access points may be the more useful investment. Replacing a centrally located router with a faster one does not necessarily solve an awkward path through walls.
Verdict
The RS700S suits a buyer who has a concrete use for its 10-gigabit connections and compatible newer wireless devices. I would plan the LAN connections before choosing it: its strongest wired arrangement often includes a suitable switch. For a home already well served by Gigabit Ethernet and reliable Wi-Fi, the large radio rating alone is not a compelling reason to replace the router.