With more devices competing for bandwidth in every household, having fast and reliable internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. From seamless 8K streaming and intense gaming sessions to the rise of smart home systems, routers are pushed to their limits, trying to deliver uninterrupted connectivity. As online activities grow more demanding, traditional routers struggle to keep up, often resulting in slowdowns and lag, especially when multiple devices are active.
For those needing a solution to handle heavy data use, powerful alternatives are emerging. While mesh systems like the NETGEAR Orbi 970 Series cater to larger homes needing broader coverage, a single powerful router can offer a more streamlined solution. Built to handle these modern demands, the RS700S promises top-tier performance without requiring multiple units, making it an ideal choice for homes that want simplicity without sacrificing speed or coverage.
WiFi Bands: Tri-Band
WiFi Speed: Up to 19 Gbps
WiFi Technology: WiFi 7 (802.11be)
Coverage: Up to 3,500 sq ft
Connected Devices: Up to 200
Other Features:
Advanced Cyber Threat Protection with NETGEAR Armor, 360° WiFi coverage, 10 Gig internet port
A bold approach to design
The Nighthawk RS700S takes a bold approach to design, moving away from the traditional, bulky routers with external antennas. Instead, it adopts a sleek, monolithic tower form that is both stylish and functional. Standing 28.2 cm tall and just under 12.4 cm wide, it's designed to fit into most home setups, whether placed on a shelf or tucked away in a corner. This modern design departs from previous Nighthawk models' more aggressive, spaceship-like appearance, giving the RS700S a more polished and minimalistic look.
One of the design's standout features is the internal antenna configuration. NETGEAR has packed eight high-performance antennas inside the slim chassis, providing 360-degree coverage without the usual unsightly external antennas. This not only improves the router's appearance but also makes it easier to place in a home without worrying about the placement of antennas for optimal coverage. The build quality feels premium, with matte black plastic and silver vent fins giving it a sophisticated, high-tech feel.
On the back, you'll find a well-organised array of ports, which include a 10Gb LAN port, four 1Gb LAN ports, and a 10Gb WAN port for connecting to the fastest internet services. These ports provide ample flexibility for users who rely on wired connections for gaming consoles, PCs, or other devices that benefit from lower latency and higher stability. Additionally, a USB 3.0 port is included for connecting external storage devices, offering the possibility of creating a local network drive for file sharing or backups.
The overall aesthetics of the RS700S make it a router that you wouldn't mind having in a visible part of your home. Its tower design, combined with the status LED panel on the front, ensures it remains subtle yet functional. The LED indicators for power, internet connection, and the various Wi-Fi bands provide at-a-glance information on the router's status. At the same time, the option to turn off the LEDs ensures that it won't become a distraction in a living space.
Stream 4K/8K content with ease
The NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S is packed with Wi-Fi 7 technology, designed to handle the increasing demand for faster, more reliable internet in the modern home. During real-life testing, this router performed exceptionally well in high-demand environments, delivering ultra-fast speeds and low latency even with multiple devices simultaneously streaming, gaming, and downloading. The RS700S supports Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to use multiple bands at the same time, significantly improving network reliability and speed.
For example, while streaming 4K content in one room, online gaming in another, and handling a Zoom meeting all at once, the RS700S handled the load without breaking a sweat. The router's tri-band system — 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and the high-capacity 6GHz band — ensures that each connected device gets the speed and bandwidth it needs. This is particularly noticeable in tasks such as video conferencing, where maintaining a stable connection is essential. The RS700S's 320MHz high-capacity channels and 4K QAM technology also ensure data is transferred more efficiently, resulting in faster download speeds and smoother overall performance.
Another key feature is its 10Gb LAN and WAN ports, designed for futureproofing. While most home internet users don't yet upgrade to speeds above 1Gbps, the RS700S is ready for the next generation of internet plans, ensuring that your home network can handle ultra-fast fibre or multi-gig services as they become available. This router is built with longevity in mind, meaning it will continue delivering top-tier performance for years. In the event that you are already on a 10Gbps plan, you will be able to utilise the capabilities of the RS700S fully, experiencing lightning-fast internet speeds for all your devices.
For those concerned about security, including NETGEAR Armor, powered by Bitdefender, is a huge bonus. This feature provides real-time protection against threats to all connected devices, whether they're computers, smart home devices, or gaming consoles. With so many IoT devices vulnerable to cyberattacks, having this extra layer of protection adds peace of mind.
Surprisingly good coverage
To truly test the RS700S's capabilities, we set it up in a two-storey apartment, installing the modem on the ground floor near the front door. The goal was to see how well the signal could reach from one end of the house to the other, including up to the second floor where the study is located. On the ground floor, in the living room, roughly 7.5 metres away from the router, the Wi-Fi signal remained consistently strong, providing decent speeds for streaming 4K video without interruptions.
Moving to the second floor, the RS700S maintained its impressive coverage, although, as expected, there was a noticeable drop in speed as you moved farther from the router. In the study, where multiple devices were connected for video calls and large file downloads, the connection remained stable despite some reduction in speed. Even in the farthest bedroom, the signal strength was strong enough for smooth streaming without buffering. This is where the RS700S's internal 3D antenna design truly shines, providing robust coverage across multiple floors and ensuring reliable performance no matter where you are in the home.
| Location | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) | Signal Strength (dBm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (Modem & Router) | 942.3 | 947.2 | -37 (Very Good) |
| B | 286.3 | 229.1 | -54 (Very Good) |
| C | 486.3 | 429.3 | -61 (Very Good) |
| D | 281.3 | 238.6 | -69 (OK) |
| E | 180.1 | 139.5 | -62 (Very Good) |
The router consistently delivered a strong connection throughout the house. While the speeds closer to the router were significantly higher, the performance across the home—especially on the second floor—was still more than sufficient for most everyday activities like video streaming and working from home. The signal remained reliable even in areas farther away, allowing for uninterrupted connectivity, whether working or enjoying entertainment.
The 6GHz band, in particular, showed its strength when handling demanding tasks such as online gaming or heavy file transfers. Devices requiring a faster, more stable connection benefitted greatly from this band, while older devices automatically connected to the 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands for a smoother experience. The RS700S intelligently assigned devices to the best band based on their capabilities, ensuring seamless operation throughout the entire home.
Setting up the Nighthawk RS700S
Setting up the NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S is refreshingly simple, even for those who are less tech-savvy. The router can be set up in two ways: via the NETGEAR Nighthawk app or through a web browser interface. Using the app is by far the easiest option. After downloading it on your smartphone, you scan the QR code located on the router, and the app will automatically guide you through the setup process. Within minutes, the network is up and running, and you can configure your SSID and password to secure your network.
One of the best aspects of the RS700S's setup process is the inclusion of NETGEAR Armor. The app allows you to activate these security features right from the start, giving you immediate protection for all your connected devices. This is particularly useful for anyone concerned about the growing threats of cyberattacks on smart home devices.
Additionally, the app provides ongoing control over your network, allowing you to make adjustments on the go. Whether at home or away, you can monitor your internet connection, reboot the router remotely, or check which devices are connected at any time. This level of flexibility makes managing your home network easier and more convenient than ever.
The verdict: NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S
The NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S comes with a premium price tag of S$1,299, but it's a worthy investment for those who demand the best in home networking. Its combination of cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 technology, comprehensive security features, and exceptional performance makes it one of the most advanced routers currently available. Whether you're streaming 8K content, engaging in online gaming, or managing multiple smart home devices, the RS700S is built to handle it all easily.
The NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S is built for tech enthusiasts, gamers, and households with heavy internet demands. Its premium price reflects its capabilities, and for those ready to embrace the future of home networking, this router is an investment that will pay off in both performance and peace of mind.
