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 RS300 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£280Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)Wi-Fi speed:9300 MbpsLAN port speeds:2.5 Gbps + 1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

Netgear Nighthawk RS300 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications, 11 expert and video reviews and 4 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

Netgear Nighthawk RS300
8.2/10

Overall score

Score
8.2/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

40%

8.3

Technical score

25%

8.3

Reviews score

25%

8.5

List score

10%

?

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

▲Better than 88% of routers
8.5

Value for money

Value for money
8.5/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.2

Overall score

30%

9.0

Price

▲Better than 81%
8.3

Technical score

Technical score
8.3/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

26%

8.3

Wireless

20%

7.1

Ports

18%

8.4

Networking

14%

9.5

Security

12%

8.9

Hardware

10%

8.0

Management

▲Better than 88%
8.3

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.3/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10

80%

8.2

Average grade

20%

8.7

Popularity

Grades by review (11)
8 reviews: 6 with a printed score, 2 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▲Better than 60%
8.5

List score

List score
8.5/ 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 (4)
List score: in 4 of 77 lists (5%)
★Better than 90%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the Netgear Nighthawk RS300

Based on 8 · 3

Reviewers like the fast Wi-Fi, plentiful wired ports and strong coverage, but dislike the paid security subscriptions and weak mesh support.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Routers model ranking

Ranked #53 of 524 models in Routers (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of router Netgear Nighthawk RS300

Technical score
Technical score
8.3/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

26%

8.3

Wireless

20%

7.1

Ports

18%

8.4

Networking

14%

9.5

Security

12%

8.9

Hardware

10%

8.0

Management

8.3
Reviews score
8.3
List score
8.5
Value for money
Value for money
8.5/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

8.2

Overall score

30%

9.0

Price

8.5
Brand name
Netgear
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
This router uses Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), which is more advanced than 88.2% of routers and equal to 11.8% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 90.4% of routers and equal to 9.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
9,300 Mbps
This router delivers 9,300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 92.4% of routers and equal to 0.4% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz + 320 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz + 320 MHz channel width options, which is more than 94.3% of routers and the same as 5.3% of routers.
Show more
What reviewers say
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3
This router supports WPA3 Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 56.5% of routers and equal to 3.9% 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
What reviewers say
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 8.8% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
no
This router does not support dynamic routing. 46.2% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
?
VLAN tagging
?
QoS
yes
This router includes QoS controls. 2.4% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
4
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
2.5 Gbps + 1 Gbps
This router offers 2.5 Gbps + 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 92.2% of routers and on par with 3.5% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
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
1
This router has 1 USB ports, which is more than 40.1% of routers and the same as 41.5% 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
What reviewers say
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, App, Automatic
This router supports Web UI, App, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 71.9% of routers and equal to 27.2% 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
4x 2 GHz
This router runs at 4x2 GHz, which is faster than 87.7% of routers and on par with 6.5% of routers.
RAM capacity
2048 MB
This router has 2048 MB of RAM, which is more than 94.9% of routers and the same as 4.4% of routers.
Internal storage
0.5 GB
This router has 0.5 GB of internal storage, which is more than 88.9% of routers and the same as 6.6% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
yes
This router offers hardware acceleration. 24.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
?
Show more
What reviewers say

Netgear Nighthawk RS300 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • 5.31x faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (9,300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    9,300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    This router supports a newer Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Faster LAN ports
    This router has a higher LAN port speed than the average router (2.5 Gbps + 1 Gbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    2.5 Gbps + 1 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
  • More Wi-Fi bands
    This router supports more Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • 8x more RAM
    This router has more RAM than the average router (2048 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    2,048 MB vs 256 MB
  • Supports OFDMA
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 41.5% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3 vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Wider channel widths
    This router has a higher supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz + 320 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz + 320 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • 7.8% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.3/ 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
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10

    80%

    8.2

    Average grade

    20%

    8.7

    Popularity

    Grades by review (11)
    8 reviews: 6 with a printed score, 2 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.3 vs 7.7
  • 4.9% higher list score
    List score
    8.5/ 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 (4)
    List score: in 4 of 77 lists (5%)
    8.5 vs 8.1
  • 4.7% better value for money
    Netgear Nighthawk RS300 has better value for money than the average router (8.46 vs 8.1).
    8.46 vs 8.08
  • 5.31x faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (9,300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    9,300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    This router supports a newer Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • More Wi-Fi bands
    This router supports more Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • Supports OFDMA
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 41.5% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Wider channel widths
    This router has a higher supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz + 320 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz + 320 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • Supports TWT
    This router supports Target Wake Time (TWT), while the average router does not. 42.6% of routers support Target Wake Time (TWT).
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3 vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Faster LAN ports
    This router has a higher LAN port speed than the average router (2.5 Gbps + 1 Gbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    2.5 Gbps + 1 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
  • Supports link aggregation (LACP)
    This router supports link aggregation (LACP), while the average router does not. 14.1% of routers support link aggregation (LACP).
  • 8x more RAM
    This router has more RAM than the average router (2048 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    2,048 MB vs 256 MB
  • 4x more internal storage
    This router has more internal storage than the average router (0.5 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.5 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x2 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    4x2 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 4 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (4 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    4 vs 0
  • 5 years newer release date
    This router was released more recently than the average router (2024 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    2024 vs 2019
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • 2.95x more expensive
    Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is more expensive than the average router (£280 vs £95).
    £280 vs £95
  • 197.6 mm higher height
    This router is taller than the average router (249 mm vs 51.4 mm). The average router is 51.4 mm tall.
    249 mm vs 51.4 mm
  • 2.11x heavier weight
    This router is heavier than the average router (950 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    950 g vs 450 g
  • 47.6 mm thicker design
    This router is thicker than the average router (101.6 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    101.6 mm vs 54 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
  • 2.95x more expensive
    Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is more expensive than the average router (£280 vs £95).
    £280 vs £95
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • 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
  • 197.6 mm higher height
    This router is taller than the average router (249 mm vs 51.4 mm). The average router is 51.4 mm tall.
    249 mm vs 51.4 mm
  • 2.11x heavier weight
    This router is heavier than the average router (950 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    950 g vs 450 g
  • 47.6 mm thicker design
    This router is thicker than the average router (101.6 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    101.6 mm vs 54 mm

Video reviews

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

9.0
Es
≈ estimated
30/11/2025
Short overview · key features and recommendation
Verdict
Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is recommended for everyone, with fast claimed speeds, wide coverage and simple app setup.
8.0
ReviewTube99
≈ estimated
11/05/2025
Short overview · feature summary
Verdict
Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is a powerful contender for anyone looking to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7.
9.0
Dakshina Kali
≈ estimated
12/07/2024
Short review · features overview
Verdict
Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is a strong choice for anyone wanting a fast, reliable and secure Wi-Fi 7 router.
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.0
trustedreviews.com
✓ explicit
14/01/2026
Hands-on test · Wi-Fi 7 range
Verdict
The Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is fast close up but drops sharply on the first and second floors, so it suits small flats.
7.9
dongknows.com
✓ explicit
30/07/2024
Hands-on test · Mid-tier Wi-Fi 7
Verdict
The Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is a solid Wi-Fi 7 router for a single home with modern devices, but it has no mesh and only guest SSIDs.
9.0
mightygadget.com
✓ explicit
22/09/2024
Hands-on test · Room-by-room Wi-Fi
Verdict
The Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is fast in the same room and through two brick walls, but speeds fall sharply in the kitchen and office.
8.0
xda-developers.com
✓ explicit
09/12/2024
Hands-on test · Three-band Wi-Fi 7
Verdict
The Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is a capable Wi-Fi 7 router for upgrading a home network, though its coverage fades faster than some rivals.
5.0
expertreviews.co.uk
≈ estimated
05/09/2024
Lab test · Tri-band Wi-Fi 7
Verdict
The Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is a fast, easy-to-set-up Wi-Fi 7 router, but for now it is barely faster than a good Wi-Fi 6E router.
8.3
connect.de
✓ explicit
16/04/2025
Benchmark test · Wi-Fi 7 router
Verdict
The Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is a fast triband Wi-Fi 7 router in the mid-range, but it has no printer support and needs a subscription for full parental controls.
9.0
frandroid.com
✓ explicit
13/09/2024
Lab test · Apartment throughput
Verdict
The Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is a compact, well-equipped Wi-Fi 7 router that reaches nearly 2.5Gb/s close up, but drops to about 1.4Gb/s at 10 to 15 meters.
8.0
ct.nl
≈ estimated
23/12/2024
Hands-on test · Wi-Fi 7 router
Verdict
The Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is a plain, reliable triband Wi-Fi 7 router, best for buyers who don't need Armor or Smart Parental Controls, which require subscriptions.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Netgear Nighthawk RS300

  • Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 rated at 9300 Mbps
  • Dedicated 6 GHz band for fast Wi-Fi 7 clients
  • 2.5 Gbps internet port plus two 2.5 Gbps LAN ports
  • Quad-core 2 GHz CPU with four internal antennas
  • Handles up to 100 devices over about 186 m²
  • USB port, guest Wi-Fi and WPA3 security

What customers don't like about Netgear Nighthawk RS300

  • Only two LAN ports reach 2.5 Gbps, the other two stay at 1 Gbps
  • Premium price for 9300 Mbps of Wi-Fi
  • No 10 Gbps port for faster lines
  • NETGEAR Armor is a 30-day trial only

Verdict

The Nighthawk RS300 adds a 6 GHz band to Netgear's Wi-Fi 7 range, which puts it in the premium bracket. This tri-band router is rated at 9300 Mbps and tracks up to 100 devices. A 2.5 Gbps internet port pairs with two 2.5 Gbps and two 1 Gbps LAN ports. A quad-core 2 GHz processor and four internal antennas cover about 186 square metres. One USB port and guest Wi-Fi are included, and WPA3 handles wireless security. The Nighthawk app handles setup, and NETGEAR Armor comes with a 30-day trial. The body weighs 950 g. Wi-Fi speeds stop at 9300 Mbps, and the LAN side has only two multi-gig ports. It fits mid-sized homes on a 2.5 Gbps plan that want 6 GHz without paying for flagship hardware.

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