NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 7 Router RS500

Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 7
Speed class: BE12000
Bands: Tri-band
Fastest port: 2.5 Gbps
Multi-gig ports: 2
Coverage: 3,000 sq ft
VPN server: OpenVPN

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NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 7 Router RS500 at a glance

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 7, tri-band

Up to 5,800 Mbps on 5 GHz, plus 5,800 Mbps on 6 GHz and 320 MHz channels.
Coverage

Large homes

3,000 sq ft per unit. Up to 120 devices.
Wired

Multi-gig ready

Fastest port 2.5 Gbps. 4 LAN ports. USB port.
Security & VPN

Some features paid

VPN: OpenVPN. Parental controls. NETGEAR Armor for extras.

NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 7 Router RS500 full specifications

Overview

Brand	NETGEAR
Model	Nighthawk WiFi 7 Router RS500
Model number	RS500
Hardware version	single version
Type	Wi-Fi Router
Pack options	1-pack
UPC / GTIN	606449170504

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 7, tri-band: room to grow as Wi-Fi 7 phones and laptops arrive.

It offers up to 5,800 Mbps on 5 GHz, 5,800 Mbps on 6 GHz and 320 MHz channels. 6 GHz is fastest in the same room as the router and fades through walls.

Wi-Fi standard	Wi-Fi 7
Speed class	BE12000
Bands	Tri-band
Radios	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz
Total Wi-Fi speed	12,000 Mbps
2.4 GHz speed	700 Mbps
5 GHz speed	5,800 Mbps
6 GHz speed	5,800 Mbps
Max channel width	320 MHz
320 MHz on 6 GHz	Yes
Modulation	4096-QAM
Spatial streams	2x2 (2.4 GHz) + 4x4 (5 GHz) + 2x2 (6 GHz)
MU-MIMO	Yes
OFDMA	Yes

Coverage

Large homes: the maker claims 3,000 sq ft per unit.

Rated for up to 120 connected devices. Real coverage depends on walls and floors, so use the claim to compare models.

Coverage (per unit)	3,000 sq ft
Max devices	120
Antennas	6
Antenna type	Internal

Ports

Ready for multi-gig internet: its fastest port runs at 2.5 Gbps.

4 LAN ports for wired devices. Internet: 1x 2.5G. A USB 3 port adds network storage or tethering.

WAN ports	1x 2.5G
LAN ports	1x 2.5G, 3x 1G
Fastest wired port	2.5 Gbps
Multi-gig ports	2
SFP ports	None
USB ports	1x USB 3.0
USB functions	file sharing, media server
Cellular / tethering	None
Configurable WAN/LAN	No
Link aggregation	Yes

Hardware

Plenty of processing headroom for VPN, many devices and add-ons.

Quad-core 2.0 GHz processor with 2 GB of RAM.

Processor	Quad-core 2.0 GHz
RAM	2,048 MB
Flash storage	512 MB

Software & security

Some security or parental features need NETGEAR Armor, a paid subscription.

VPN: OpenVPN, including a server for reaching home. Parental controls are built in.

Management	Nighthawk app + web UI
Web interface	Yes
VPN server	OpenVPN
Security suite	NETGEAR Armor (powered by Bitdefender)
Subscription	NETGEAR Armor security/VPN requires paid subscription after free trial
Parental controls	Yes
Guest network	Yes
ISP VLAN tagging	Yes
PPPoE	Yes
IPv6	Yes
WPA3	Yes
Firewall	Built-in firewall (SPI)
IoT network	Yes
LEDs can be turned off	Yes

Design & power

An indoor unit for a shelf or desk.

It weighs 967 g.

Dimensions	101.6 x 150 x 249 mm
Weight	967 g
Color	Black
Power	12 V / 3.5 A DC adapter

Support

1-year US warranty.

Warranty (US)	1 year

Specs compiled from NETGEAR's product pages and datasheets, with some identifiers from Open Icecat. Manufacturers revise hardware between versions, so check the version on the box. Spotted an error? Tell us.