Why can you trust the Tech Radar
We spend hours in testing every product or service that we review, so you can be sure you are buying the best. Learn more about how we test.
Net Gear Night Hawk RSS100: A minute Review
There is an old view about the enthusiasm of religion, and in recent months, Net Gear has definitely changed its own way – or perhaps its management -.
After establishing itself as Apple of the Wi -Fi World, with a series of stylish but expensive routers and mesh systems, the company has recently brought a number of cheap products, which has ended in the new Night Hawk RS -100, which is not just the cheapest Wi -Fi -7 router of net gear, but also a much cheaper.
Of course, though, this low cost involves some compromise, and like a very expensive Wi -Fi 7 product we have recently seen, RS100 is a fairly basic double band router.
This means that it only supports 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency band, and leaves the fast 6.0GHz band that is also available with both Wi-FI 6E and Wi-FI 7. Nevertheless, RS100 provides up to 3.6Gbps speeds of Wi-FI, which is more faster enough for domestic broadband services.
One of the other benefits of WiFi 7 is that RS100 should be even more reliable when you contact many computers, mobile devices and other smart devices inside your home.
This makes it a good, affordable Wi-Fi upgrade for many domestic users who still have old computer and mobile devices that do not need full pace with Try band routers who also support 6.0GHz Wi-Fi.
Net Gear Night Hawk RSS100: Price and Availability
- How much does it cost? 9 129.99/ £ 129.99/ AU $ 259
- When is it available? Now
- Where can you get it from? Available in the US, UK and Australia
At present, product prices are very wrong all over the world because it is not named. But, at the time of its launch, the price of Rs 100 was $ 129.99/£ 129.99 and we were glad to see that unlike a lot of Wi-Fi 7 products-it is also available to our friends under AU $ 259.
This makes Rs 100 less than Rs 2000 RS200 less expensive, which we have recently reviewed with net gear. RS200 is also a double band router, but it is fast, which has a high speed 6.5Gbps.
Nevertheless, 3.6Gbps of RS100 should still be perfect for most domestic broadband contacts. Net Gear has also said that RS100 can connect more than 50 devices simultaneously, and it can cover areas up to 2,000 square feet, which can make it a good option for most small and medium -sized homes (though the regional regulations can give 1,500 square area out of the United States due to differences in regional regulations).
Net Gear Night Hawk RSS100: Design
- Compact design
- 2.5GB Ethernet for Broad Band connection
- 4 Ethernet ports for wired contacts
Surprisingly, RS100 shares the notorious black-Oblisse design of other night hawk routers, though this is in fact a slight smallest than other range models.
RS100 stands only 184 mm height, 66 mm wide and 122 mm deep, so it is easy to set it on any easy shelf or desk without taking more space.
This is partial because the relatively MOD of RS100 requires only two internal antenna at modest pace, compared to 200 and four antenna in RSS300 models and which we have recently reviewed.
However, a sign of cost -cutting is that the router’s black plastic template feels slightly nasty, so it is probably a good idea for parents to keep it somewhere that is beyond the reach of curious small hands.
However, Net Gear has not cut too much corners. RS100 provides a 2.5GB Ethernet port for your broadband connection (WAN), as well as with four Gigabit Ethernet ports to provide wired (LAN) connection for PC or Games Console if needed.
The only minor agreement here is a USB port lack that allows you to connect the USB storage device (or printer) to your network, but this is not a major problem at this cost.
Net Gear Night Hawk RSS100: Features
- Easy to configure and use
- Parental control of parents
- Useful diagnostic tools
As usual, starting net gear makes it very easy. You can only plug the power supply and connect the RSS100 to your existing router, and Net Gear provides a QR code to download the Night Hawk app, and the second code that connects you with the new RS100 network.
But, reflecting the low cost of the router, when it comes to the delivery of additional features, the Night Hawk app is a bit basic. The app automatically integrates 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency band into the same network, which keeps things easy for domestic users, though more experienced users can prefer an app that provides more detailed control over their network settings.
There are some basic diagnostic tools, such as speed tests to test network performance, and you have the ability to create a two -guest network for visitors, or block access to individual devices network network access. However, there are no parent control inside the app, and information on the net gear website shows that RS100 is currently not compatible with Net Gear’s smart parent controls subscription service.
Security features are also quite limited, as you get only one month’s case of Net Gear’s Armor Security Service, but then every year to continue using the service. 99.99 (about £ 75 / AU $ 150) has to be paid.
To be fair, most rival manufacturers also offer software subscription services, but there are other routers that still provide better parental control and other features in their apps.
Net Gear Night Hawk RSS100: Performance
- Double band WiFi 7
- 3.6gbps maximum speed
- 2.5GBPS Ethernet for Broad Band connection
Net Gear Night Hawk RSS100: Benchmark
Okla Speed Test – single -integrated network
Within 5 feet, no obstacles: 150Mbps/150Mbps
Within 30 feet, three partition walls: 150Mbps/150Mbps
20GB Steam Download – Single Integrated Network
Within 5 feet, no obstacles: 150Mbps
Within 30 feet, three partition walls: 150Mbps
6.0GHz lack of support for frequency means that RS100 is a very high entry level rotor, but WiFi 7 is so ridiculous that the relatively MOD of the router should be more sharp enough to handle most domestic broadband connectivity.
My elderly office router also struggles with a minor 150Mbps broadband connection, and can only manage speed of 120Mbps, even for these equipment in the room like a router.
And, in the back part of the building, I have a ‘dead spot’ where the Wi -Fi signal is so incredible that I end the use of the power line editor to provide wired network connection instead.
RS100 solved all my network problems, however, allowing the devices in the same room to target more and more 150Mbps for both OoKla Speed Test and Game Downloads on steam. Router’s speed was slightly sinking when I went to the back office along with my laptop, but quickly recovered and once again targeted 150 MBPS for both tests.
Therefore, while RS100 is not a high -speed devil, it can still provide a valuable upgrade for many people who own the old router who uses only Wi -Fi 5 or 6, and my only original complaint is the lack of parental control and additional features within the Night Hawk app.
Category | Word | Score |
Charge | It is a very high entry level double band router, but RS100 provides a very affordable upgrade for older routers owners. | 4/5 |
Design | The plastic template feels a bit, so you will need to keep it on a safe shelf or desk. Hardware features are about to reach Scratch, with 2.5GB Ethernet and four gigabit ports for wired contacts for your broadband connection. | 4/5 |
Specialty | The Night Hawk app is easy to use, but it is a bit thread beer, especially when it comes to parental control, and the net gear habit of trying to sell extra subscriptions is unhealthy. | 3/5 |
Efficiency | This is relatively slow slow for a Wi -Fi -7 router, and the lack of support for 6.0GHz may prove to be a contract breaking for more demanding users, but for older rotor owners 3.6Gbps speed will still be a welcome upgrade. | 3.5/5 |
Overall | This is an uncertain, entry level rotor, but at this price RS100 is currently one of the most affordable Wi -Fi 7 routers available and is able to consider whether you are still using an old router provided by your ISP. | 4/5 |
If buy it …
If not buy it …
Net Gear Night Hawk RSS100: Consider also
Router | Net Gear Night Hawk RSS100 | Net Gear Night Hawk RS 300 | Eero 7 |
Price (as reviewed) | 9 129.99/ £ 129.99/ AU $ 259 | 9 329.99/£ 299.99/AU $ 649 | 9 349.99 / £ 349.99 |
WiFi type | Double band WiFi 7 (2.4GHz, 5.0GHz) | Tree Band WiFi 7 | Double band WiFi 7 |
WiFi Speed | 3.6gbps | 9.3 GBPS | 1.8gbps |
Contact | 1x 2.5GB Ethernet (WAN), 4x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN) | 1x 2.5GB Ethernet (WAN), 2x 2.5GB Ethernet (LAN), 2x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-A (3.0) | 2 x 2.5 gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 x USB-C port |
Processor | Quad Core 2.0GHz | Quad Core 2.0GHz | Quad -core 1.1GHz |
Memory | 1 Gb Ram | 2 GB RAM | 1 Gb Ram |
Storage | 512MB Nand Flash | 512MB Nand Flash | 4 GB flash |
Dimension | 184 x 66 x 122 mm | 249 x 150 x 102 mm | 130 x 130 x 64 mm |
- First Review: July 2025
