OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v3.0
Routers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Routers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Routers Methodology v3.0

Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£290Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:2300 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and 1 expert reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400
7.2/10

Overall score

Score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

40%

7.2

Technical score

25%

7.2

Reviews score

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.9, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 58% of routers
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

9.0

Price

â–¼Worse than 81%
7.2

Technical score

Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 53% of models
Score components

26%

5.8

Wireless

20%

6.3

Ports

18%

8.9

Networking

14%

8.9

Security

12%

7.0

Hardware

10%

7.5

Management

â–²Better than 53%
7.2

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models

7.2

Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.4

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 review, with a printed score. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 69%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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  • netgear-nighthawk-ac2300-rs400
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £290
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of router Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400

Technical score
Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 53% of models
Score components:

26%

5.8

Wireless

20%

6.3

Ports

18%

8.9

Networking

14%

8.9

Security

12%

7.0

Hardware

10%

7.5

Management

7.2
Reviews score
7.2
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components:

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

9.0

Price

7.8
Brand name
Netgear
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is more advanced than 35.2% of routers and equal to 23.1% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.2% of routers and equal to 65.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
2,300 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 2,300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 61.4% of routers and equal to 0.2% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 36.5% of routers and the same as 29.9% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2
This router supports WPA2 Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 92% of routers and equal to 3.7% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
This router includes DoS protection. 9.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 4.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
This router supports MAC address filtering. 1.7% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
This router supports URL filtering. 2.6% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 8.8% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
This router supports dynamic routing. 54% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 24.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
yes
This router supports VLAN tagging. 33.6% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
This router includes QoS controls. 2.4% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
4
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 34.2% of routers and the same as 59.3% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
This router offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 25.7% of routers and on par with 56.1% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 0.8% of routers and the same as 89.4% of routers.
N. of USB ports
2
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 2 USB ports, which is more than 81.9% of routers and the same as 17.9% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 1.7% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI, App
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 29.7% of routers and equal to 60.9% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, Automatic
This router supports Web UI, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 30.2% of routers and equal to 31.9% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
This router includes traffic monitoring. 13.9% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 7.3% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
This router does not offer captive portal features. 22.4% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
2x 1 GHz
This router runs at 2x1 GHz, which is faster than 49.1% of routers and on par with 7.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
256 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 256 MB of RAM, which is more than 46.3% of routers and the same as 14.9% of routers.
Internal storage
0.125 GB
Market range: <0.0039 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.125 GB of internal storage, which is more than 47.9% of routers and the same as 23.8% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
yes
This router offers hardware acceleration. 24.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
3
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 3 external antennas, which is more than 57.9% of routers and the same as 11.8% of routers.
Show more

Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • 1 more USB ports
    This router has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • Suitable for gaming
    This router is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 37.9% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • Removable antennas
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.8% of routers have removable antennas.
  • 31.4% faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (2,300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    2,300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, web access NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, time machine, web access vs SMB, media server
  • 1 more external antennas
    This router has more external antennas than the average router (3 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    3 vs 2
  • 31.4% faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (2,300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    2,300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 1 more USB ports
    This router has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, web access NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, time machine, web access vs SMB, media server
  • Suitable for gaming
    This router is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 37.9% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • Removable antennas
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.8% of routers have removable antennas.
  • 1 more external antennas
    This router has more external antennas than the average router (3 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    3 vs 2
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • 3.05x more expensive
    Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400 is more expensive than the average router (£290 vs £95).
    £290 vs £95
  • 6.5% lower review score
    Reviews score
    7.2/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models

    7.2

    Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 review, with a printed score. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    7.2 vs 7.7
  • No PPTP server
    This router cannot act as a PPTP server, while the average router can. 66.2% of routers can act as a PPTP server.
  • 3.9% worse value for money
    Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400 has worse value for money than the average router (7.77 vs 8.1).
    7.77 vs 8.08
  • 92 mm wider width
    This router is wider than the average router (285 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    285 mm vs 193 mm
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • 66.7% heavier weight
    This router is heavier than the average router (750 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    750 g vs 450 g
  • 3.05x more expensive
    Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400 is more expensive than the average router (£290 vs £95).
    £290 vs £95
  • 6.5% lower review score
    Reviews score
    7.2/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models

    7.2

    Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 review, with a printed score. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    7.2 vs 7.7
  • 3.9% worse value for money
    Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400 has worse value for money than the average router (7.77 vs 8.1).
    7.77 vs 8.08
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • No PPTP server
    This router cannot act as a PPTP server, while the average router can. 66.2% of routers can act as a PPTP server.
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • 92 mm wider width
    This router is wider than the average router (285 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    285 mm vs 193 mm
  • 66.7% heavier weight
    This router is heavier than the average router (750 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    750 g vs 450 g

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Hands-on video, no verdict

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

9.0
tweaktown.com
✓ explicit
18/09/2019
Hands-on test · Security router
Verdict
The Netgear Nighthawk RS400 is a solid AC2300 router that bundles three years of Netgear Armor security, a good pick for parents and anyone worried about online threats.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400

  • Comprehensive security features including Netgear Armor (Bitdefender) and advanced parental controls (Circle)
  • Strong wireless range capable of covering up to 2,000 sq. ft, even through multiple walls
  • Fast 5GHz performance suitable for HD streaming and gaming
  • User-friendly setup process via the Nighthawk app
  • Robust hardware including removable antennas and two USB ports for NAS functionality

What customers don't like about Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400

  • Advanced security and parental control features require a paid subscription after the initial trial period
  • Long-range throughput can be inconsistent compared to close-range performance
  • Setup can occasionally be difficult, sometimes requiring technical support to resolve IP or connectivity issues
  • Value proposition is questioned by some users since the hardware is nearly identical to the cheaper R7000P model
  • Intermittent Wi-Fi signal drops reported by a minority of users

Verdict

The Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400) is a dual-band Wi-Fi 5 router designed for cybersecurity, featuring a 1GHz dual-core processor, 256MB RAM, and combined wireless speeds up to 2.3Gbps (1625Mbps on 5GHz and 600Mbps on 2.4GHz). It is equipped with three high-power external antennas, five Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN, 4 LAN), and two USB ports (one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0). Main pros include a free three-year subscription to Netgear Armor for multi-device protection, MU-MIMO for simultaneous streaming, and Beamforming+ for enhanced range up to 2,000 sq. ft. Cons include its aging Wi-Fi 5 standard compared to newer Wi-Fi 6/7 models and the eventual recurring cost of the security subscription after the trial period.

Compare Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 RS400 with other routers

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