Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400) cybersecurity router review
Our Verdict
By combining a loftier-output router with some of the best dwelling-security software bachelor, Netgear'due south Nighthawk AC2300 cybersecurity Wi-Fi router can protect a family's digital valuables as it doles out internet connections — and can help yous slumber well at night knowing that you've done your all-time to secure the household.
For
- Good performance
- Three years of security software
- Easy setup
Confronting
- Curt range
- Non much to configure
Tom's Guide Verdict
By combining a high-output router with some of the best home-security software bachelor, Netgear's Nighthawk AC2300 cybersecurity Wi-Fi router can protect a family unit'southward digital valuables as information technology doles out cyberspace connections — and can help you sleep well at night knowing that yous've washed your best to secure the household.
Pros
- +
Good performance
- +
Three years of security software
- +
Piece of cake setup
Cons
- -
Short range
- -
Non much to configure
Don't be fooled by the Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 cybersecurity Wi-Fi router'due south $299 price; it is neither a gaming nor a high-functioning router, but instead one of the all-time security routers available. With reasonable, though hardly stellar performance, an easy setup and three years of Bitdefender Total Security software included, the router can proceed hackers at bay while y'all enjoy a Wi-Fi-filled abode.
If y'all demand a security-focused router, then our Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400) review should make information technology articulate that information technology's one of the best Wi-Fi routers you tin can get to protect your home while providing Wi-Fi signal.
Editor's Annotation: We periodically update our reviews to make sure that pricing and information is upwards to date. Our rating and recommendation for the Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400) review is unchanged from when information technology originally published in January of 2020.
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400): Blueprint
Netgear's Nighthawk AC2300 cybersecurity Wi-Fi router (model No. RS400) may wait like a plain-Jane piece of networking gear, but it is the rare router that can non only distribute a wireless net betoken throughout the home, but also protect those who use it. Blackness and angular, the 11.2 x 7.iii x 2.0-inch RS400 looks like a recently landed spaceship. It can easily be subconscious in a closet or basement or set up upward in plain sight on a bookshelf or windowsill; information technology has two cutouts on the bottom of the router so y'all can hang it on a wall.
If you think of the RS400 every bit a midrange router, capable of covering nigh homes, that comes with some of the best security software available, you get an idea of its potential in the age of malware anxiety. Netgear's Armor starts with 802.11i data encryption, adds a double firewall and includes iii years of unlimited employ of Bitdefender's Total Security package. The software is available for Windows, Macs, Androids, iPhones and iOS systems, merely the iPad and iPhone app doesn't scan for viruses.
- A router VPN can secure every device y'all own
The RS400'south avant-garde threat detection and remediation service uses defensive layers to protect private systems and the network: traditional scanning, behavioral analysis to thwart new attacks and Bitdefender'southward online lab that uses automobile learning to react to the newest threats. To that, Bitdefender adds specific defenses for ransomware and denial-of-service attacks, and the software has file encryption and shredding. At whatsoever time, you tin freeze or wipe a lost or stolen computer, but merely if it'due south turned on and connected to the internet.
Based on its dual-band operation, the RS400 can set up 3 lanes of contained data traffic in both the ii.4- and five-GHz channels. Rated to deliver a maximum of 600 Mbps for its ii.4-GHz clients and 1.625 Gbps for its 5-GHz devices, the router can handle a theoretical elevation throughput of 2.225 Gbps. A fully upwards-to-date 802.11ac router, the RS400 takes advantage of MU-MIMO techniques and axle forming to create the fastest connexion with the client. It, nevertheless, lacks the performance updates that 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) offers.
The arrangement's 3 antennas can hinge to steer the transmissions in the right direction. They can be unscrewed and swapped for higher-gain or amplified antennas in less than a infinitesimal.
Beneath the antennas is the RS400's connection panel. It provides the expected broadband-input Ethernet port alongside 4 downstream Ethernet ports for connecting accessories, like a network storage or printers. All are rated to handle gigabit-per-second data menstruation only tin't exist aggregated to boost performance.
You'll find an on/off switch and a recessed reset button along the back of the router. In addition to a USB 2.0 port in the back, the RS400 has a USB 3.0 one upward front. These can be used to attach a difficult drive or flash drive, turning the router into a network-fastened storage device.To tell you what'southward going on inside the router, the RS400 has a row of a dozen LEDs that glow white when everything is good or bister when something needs your attention. There are lights for power, internet, 2.4- and five-GHz LAN access, USB ports, and the iv downstream Ethernet ports. The final two lights also act as switches, one to start the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) procedure of quickly connecting a device and the second to turn off the light testify.
Unlike the latest mesh products, the RS400 doesn't come with matched extensions to fill a large home and in that location are no sound extensions available that can respond to commands using Alexa voice command or Google's Domicile Assistant commands. However, if yous have Alexa or Google Abode devices, they tin be paired with the router and the RS400 will answer to commands for rebooting the device or pausing the cyberspace service.
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400): Performance
Designed to exist a midrange home router, the RS400 doesn't disappoint. Based on a Broadcom BCM4365E Wi-Fi bit, the system has a dual-core processor that runs at 1 GHz, along with 256 MB of memory and 128 MB of flash storage for firmware and settings.
Oddly for a security router, the RS400 lacks a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to cosign the device's automatic firmware updates and make certain that rogue updates don't slip in; the updates are encrypted for safety. Past the same token, its apply of Wi-Fi Protected Access ii (WPA ii) rather than the stronger WPA 3 seems like it might soon be out of date.
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 specs
Wi-Fi spec: 802.11ac/dual-band
Number of antennas/removable: iii/Aye
Ports: 1 WAN, 4 LAN, 2 USB ii.0
Processor: Dual-core 1.0 GHz
Retentiveness/storage: 256MB/128MB
Wi-Fi scrap: Broadcom BCM4365E
Size: 11.2 by seven.iii by ii.0 inches
Height 802.11ac performance: 626.half dozen Mbps (at 5 feet)
Range: 95 feet
Price: $300
Prepare up in the Tom's Guide offices, the RS400 was more than powerful enough to fill a xxx,000-square-foot open space. Using Ixia'southward IxChariot'southward networking-criterion software, the RS400 delivered a acme of 626.6 Mbps to our Dell XPS 15 notebook at a distance of five feet. This hands outperformed the Linksys Max Stream MR8300'south 577.4 Mbps at the same distance.
The router's operation throughput vicious off to 566.seven Mbps at fifteen feet, although that performance rose to 573.8 Mbps at 50 feet. This was also higher than the Max Stream MR8300's 566.seven and 573.viii Mbps at xv and 50 feet, respectively. At our last altitude of 100 feet, the RS400 could still movement a apparent 571.2 Mbps, compared to 500.viii Mbps for the Max Stream MR8300 router.
Netgear's router did well on our penetration tests, where the signal travels 30 anxiety through three walls to connect four small rooms. The RS400 fabricated 430.9 Mbps bachelor for devices to use, more enough for one family unit member to stream a movie while another plays a game, shops online or does homework. Past contrast, the Max Stream router mustered 356.4 Mbps on the same exam, a twenty% shortfall.
In the real world, the RS400'due south operation wasn't as stellar. In my 100-yr-old, 3,500-square-foot home, the router delivered 189 Mbps from my nominal 200-Mbps cable modem. The router had a range of 95 feet, well short of TP-Link'southward Archer C2300'south 110 feet, leaving several areas uncovered by the Wi-Fi signal. Nonetheless, the RS400 ran for a week without a trouble and proved to exist dependable for everything from email to online videos.
The RS400 hands passed my informal saturation test, in which I stream data to 4 split up systems. While my Macbook Air was set up to play the BBC World Service cyberspace-radio feed, my iPad Pro and Thinkpad T470 played YouTube videos, and my Surface Pro iii moved data onto and off of a networked RAID storage system. Everything went smoothly, without data hiccups or lost video frames.
When it was working, the RS400 used 8.iii watts of power and stayed cool. If it's on 24/7, the router should cost roughly $9.fifty over a year, based on the national average of 13 cents per kilowatt hr of electricity. That makes the RS400 a deal compared to the likes of the Asus Blue Cave, which uses 12.7 watts and has an annual electricity bill of about $fourteen.l.
Later on I loaded Bitdefender on my Samsung Galaxy 10 Plus phone and Lenovo ThinkPad T470, the software blocked access to 4 of the top five disreputable sites on the Malware Domain Listing.
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400): Setup
It took 17 minutes to set up a domicile-broad network with the Netgear RS400 plus another 5 minutes to get and install the included Bitdefender software on my main computer. That'due south a little on the long side for this type of gear, only information technology pays dividends in terms of protection.
The process started with plugging the router into my broadband modem and powering it up. While it started upward, I downloaded and installed the Nighthawk app on my Samsung Galaxy Annotation x Plus. There are also app versions for iPhones and iPads, equally well as Android phones and tablets.
Afterwards creating an business relationship or using an existing one, I was given the opportunity to enhance the security level by requiring two-factor hallmark and using the phone's fingerprint scanner. Afterward a router restart, the telephone I used automatically inverse its Wi-Fi network connexion to the router's default network and logged me in. Most other router apps require you to do this manually.
One time online, the app scans for the router and then remotely checks its cabling and net connection. The app needed three tries to get it all to work, a frustrating pause that slowed downwardly the installation a little.
The app now let me change its network proper name and password, along with the router's administration credentials. Afterwards the app sent me a verification email and had me set up two verification questions, the RS400 router updated its firmware. It finished with a diagnostic test, and my iPad Pro continued on the first endeavor.
Unfortunately, the app then went into upsell fashion by trying to get me to buy a two-year warranty and support parcel for $thirty. This would extend the all-too-short included 90 days of support. The router comes with a 1-year hardware warranty.
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400): Configuration
Happily, the same Nighthawk app is the ticket to configuring and altering the RS400 router. The master screen shows the connection status, besides every bit links for making changes.
In add-on to an internet speedometer, the screen is where you tin access a rundown of what'south connected, Parental Controls, Settings, a Traffic Meter and the Guest Network. The center of attending is the Security department, where I was greeted with an overall security score. The app also makes recommendations for creating a more than secure network, like lamentatory up passwords and enabling Parental Controls.
At any fourth dimension, the app let me restart the router and remotely manage it. The app'south configuration options are minimalist, with fiddling to tweak, optimize or arrange. With the Wi-Fi Settings, I could only combine the two Wi-Fi bands' throughput using Netear's Smart Connect software. There's no way to gear up static IP addresses, manage ports or adjust transmission strength. For many people, this volition be a relief, but for others, information technology's a needless simplification.
The RS400's Traffic Meter and Wi-Fi Analytics are very powerful and should be on every router app. The former shows upload and download activity over the day, week and month, in improver to allowing you to limit total downloads. The Wi-Fi Analytics permit me flip through screens showing the organization'due south indicate strength, Channel Interference and other parameters.
The RS400 comes with Disney's Circumvolve app. Capable of limiting internet time and filtering out objectionable material by age, Circle let me interruption the web with a unmarried tap to get some digital-free family time. This app is gratis for a calendar month then costs $ten a month after that.
Netgear Nighthawk AC2300 (RS400): Verdict
Want to go Wi-Fi throughout your dwelling while protecting your family unit's computers and network from hackers and malware? Netgear's Nighthawk AC2300 cybersecurity Wi-Fi router has the one-ii punch of reasonably fast internet access and summit-shelf security software to practice it. Piece of cake to prepare upwards, the router suffers from a short range and considering it doesn't let y'all tweak its settings.
Depending on your perspective, the Nighthawk AC2300 cybersecurity Wi-Fi router is either cheap or expensive. At $300, it'south a bargain considering that it includes an unlimited three-yr license for Bitdefender Total Security, while the Bitdefender'south Family Pack for 15 users sells for $250 on its own. On the other hand, the Nighthawk'southward cost is more in line with a loftier-functioning or gaming router that can push through much more data and that allows lots of configuration options.
Whichever way you look at it, the Nighthawk AC2300 cybersecurity Wi-Fi router can protect an unabridged house of computers while filling the edifice with Wi-Fi.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/netgear-nighthawk-ac2300-rs400
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