Are Netgear routers good?
Netgear routers have an average overall score of 8, ranking #4 among all router brands, and a user rating of 8.9, placing them at #7 based on user reviews.
Netgear routers are reliable and perform well for most home and small business networks. They deliver fast Wi-Fi speeds and support multiple devices. Many models include robust security features like WPA3 encryption and automatic firmware updates.
Netgear routers are user-friendly, with easy setup through a mobile app or web interface. They provide consistent performance for streaming, gaming, and browsing. Compatibility with modern standards like Wi-Fi 6 ensures high-speed connections and reduced latency.
The best Netgear routers are as follows.
- Netgear Nighthawk RS700S Overall score: 8.56 points
- Netgear Nighthawk X10 AD7200 R9000 Overall score: 8.37 points
- Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 Overall score: 8.35 points
The chart below ranks router brands by average overall score.
[horizontal-chart-12358809363490758653123200512821428302133513557861]What are the main advantages of Netgear routers?
The main advantages of Netgear routers are as follows.
- High speed support: Netgear routers support Wi-Fi 6 with speeds up to 10.8 Gbps on tri-band models, which suits households with multiple 4K streams and online gaming at the same time. They also reduce latency with advanced QoS for stable connections.
- Wide coverage: Mesh-ready models like Orbi cover up to 560 m² with a single system. Additional satellites extend coverage without dead zones, which is effective for multi-floor houses or large apartments.
- Strong security features: Netgear Armor integrates Bitdefender protection for all connected devices. It includes automatic updates and real-time threat detection, which helps block malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
- Multi-device handling: Routers support up to 50–100 devices at once without performance drops (depending on the model). OFDMA and MU-MIMO technologies distribute bandwidth efficiently among smartphones, PCs, and smart home devices.
- Easy setup and management: The Nighthawk app enables quick installation through a smartphone in under 10 minutes. It also manages parental controls, speed tests, and firmware updates in a single interface.
- Advanced customization: Enthusiast models include VLAN support, VPN passthrough, port forwarding, and gaming optimization features. These give flexibility to professionals and gamers who need more control over their network.
What are the main disadvantages of Netgear routers?
The main disadvantages of Netgear routers are as follows.
- The disadvantages of Netgear routers are as follows:
- Higher price: High-end models such as Orbi Wi-Fi 6 and Nighthawk AX12 cost £260-£550, which is more than many competitors with similar coverage.
- Bulky design: Some tri-band and gaming models use large antennas and heavy builds, which take space and are less discreet in home setups.
- Limited free security: Netgear Armor includes only a short trial, and users must pay an annual subscription of about £60 for continued protection.
- Firmware stability: Some models receive frequent updates that improve performance, but certain releases caused bugs and temporary Wi-Fi drops reported by users.
- Heat and power use: High-performance models consume more energy and can run hot under heavy load, which may reduce hardware lifespan if ventilation is poor.
