The Netgear Nighthawk RS600 strikes a balance between affordability and performance in the expanding world of Wi-Fi 7 routers. Priced at A$799, it admittedly sits on the higher end of standalone routers, before delving into premium mesh systems that exceed $800.
That being said, the enhanced performance can handle more connected devices and provide much faster speeds with near-zero latency along with high-quality video streaming, making it fantastic value for money.
Design
The RS600 features a sleek black tower design with a hexagonal shape. The front panel hosts status LEDs for LAN ports, power, internet, and active Wi-Fi bands, accompanied by buttons for LED and Wi-Fi control. The rear panel includes a 10 Gbps WAN port, one 10 Gbps LAN port, and three 1 Gbps ports, along with a USB 3.0 port for external devices.
The build quality feels premium, with a smooth dark grey finish and a shimmering silver top, though the QR code sticker for setup can be an eyesore. There are eight antennas, a 2Ghz processor, and 512 MB of onboard storage for its operating system.
The sleek jet-black cover keeps it looking nice if you have to keep it on display. The small antennas don’t protrude too much out of the unit, especially compared to previous Nighthawk models which is a welcome design change.
Performance
Covering up to 3,330 square feet and supporting up to 150 devices, the RS600 delivers solid performance for most households. The 10 Gbps WAN port ensures compatibility with the fastest fibre internet services, while the additional LAN ports allow for flexible wired connections.
However, competitors like the TP-Link Archer GE800 offer 2.5 Gbps ports at a similar price point, which may be a drawback for some.
The router can handle up to 150 connected smart devices with security passwords for WPA, WPA2 and WPA3 protection. You can also set up guest networks if you don’t want your visitors to have full access to your network.
Setup & Software
Netgear offers both a traditional web interface and the Nighthawk app for setup. The app’s QR code scanning feature streamlines the process, making it easy, while advanced users can access more detailed settings through the web interface. The setup takes about 10 minutes while connecting to the NBN network; just make sure you have your provider login details handy.
The app is easy to navigate and guides you through the setup process so anyone can perform the setup, regardless of your technical skills.
The app and device come with a 30-day trial for Netgear’s Armor service, an added subscription service that adds an extra layer of protection for your devices inside and outside the network with private VPNs, virus and malware protection, and breach monitoring, all sitting alongside your basic 24/7 technical support.
Features & Security
The RS600 also utilises the Smart Connect feature, which automatically assigns devices to the optimal wireless band. It’s a handy feature if you want the router to do its automatic assigning which doesn’t require any technical knowledge. You can also manually adjust LAN and QoS settings and manage the USB 3.0 port.
The included Netgear Armor security suite offers network protection and device vulnerability scanning, though the RS600’s trial period is only 30 days compared to the RS700’s full-year trial. You can rename your networks and assign download and upload limits on certain devices.
Verdict & Value
Overall, the Netgear Nighthawk RS600 is a well-rounded, mid-range Wi-Fi 7 router that balances performance, design, and ease of use. While it lacks some of the high-speed LAN port options of its competitors and offers a shorter security suite trial, it’s an excellent choice for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich router at a reasonable price.
It’s sleek design and minimalistic look make sure that if you do put it on display, it easily blends in with your other devices. Most importantly it brings Wi-Fi 7 that along with it comes high speeds and the best protection against online threats.
The Netgear Nighthawk RS600 is the ultimate all-around router to level up your home internet.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Plug-and-play setup with no technical knowledge required, Advanced protection for your devices, Wide coverage
Lowlights: Premium price tag knocks on the door of high-end mesh systems
Manufacturer: Netgear
Price: A$799
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by Netgear and is currently available via the Netgear website.
