NETGEAR

Nighthawk WiFi 7 Tri-Band Router RS280S

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NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 7 Tri-Band Router RS280S

Overall

#236 in

WiFi Routers

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

User sentiment60% positive
3
1
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Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: Apr 8, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit Iconsunrisebreeze 1.0
r/HomeNetworkingRequest for Guidance/Upgrading my Router
2 months ago

If you want to stick with Netgear: * RAXE300: WiFi 6E, tri-band (2.4/5/6ghz), about $150 on Amazon. [https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Tri-Band-Wireless-8-Streams/dp/B0B1LZMH78/](https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Tri-Band-Wireless-8-Streams/dp/B0B1LZMH78/) * RS280S: WiFi 7, tri-band (2.4/5/6ghz), about $180 on Amazon. [https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Tri-Band-Router-RS280S/dp/B0DGPLBRDQ/](https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Tri-Band-Router-RS280S/dp/B0DGPLBRDQ/) The WiFi 7 router is newer so it will be supported longer. It's only $30 more, and it has faster ethernet (LAN) ports. So if I were picking between those, I'd get the RS280S. For WiFi 7, if you want a slight upgrade from the RS280S then the RS500 has more streams on the 5ghz band but doesn't have as many 2.5GB LAN ports. But you could always hook up a 2.5GB switch to get more ports. RS500 is $399 new from Amazon, less expensive if you buy a used one. [https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Tri-Band-Router-RS500/dp/B0DG71H4GD/](https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Tri-Band-Router-RS500/dp/B0DG71H4GD/) Amazon sells used/like new models too but if you get a used model I recommend buying it from Amazon as the seller. That way if there are problems you can more easily return it for a refund (usually there's a 30 day return policy). **If I were in your position I would pick the RS280S for $180. It's a good midrange pick and upgrades you to WiFi 7 without breaking the bank.** If money/budget is not as much of a concern then the RS500 is a good choice too. Good luck

Reddit Iconchinob 0.2
r/HomeNetworkingAsus RT-BE92u or Netgear RS180?
7 months ago

ASUS, got better UI on the app as well. I used to have Netgear

Reddit IconMuchoBooterro 0.2
r/pcmasterraceGot the router all set up!
7 months ago

Almost went with this but the WIFI 7 Netgear Nighthawk was less than half the price so I went with that. 1 2.5gig port for desktop, one for laptop. It's awesome

Reddit IconWestern-Walk9792 0.2
r/SpectrumModem+router for 1G
10 months ago

Not everyone wants to shell out $500 for a wifi-7 nighthawk though. Seems redundant when the one provided for free runs the same frequencies and allows full wifi control with 250 simultaneous devices compared to nighthawks 50 devices.

Reddit Iconcodeman113501113 0.1
r/HomeNetworkingWifi 7 Routers - reviewed & compared
5 months ago

i've had nothing but problems with my net gear wi-fi 7, after few weeks stuff buffers for split second, social media doesn't load immediately, i also have the net gear wi-fi 6 AX5400 router and works fine. seems walmarts website also has allot of complaints about wi-fi 7, and seeing that you actually have to have devices that use wi-fi 7, which technically none do, im going back to wi-fi 6, ether a new net gear router from amazon or MSI gaming routers or something.

Reddit Iconi80west 0.1
r/SpectrumRouter?
11 months ago

I got a $110 wifi 7 Netgear router from Walmart. It works fine with my Spectrum cable modem.

r/SpectrumI need a modem and router for my first apartment and need some input.
11 months ago

Take their free modem, put a surge protector on the incoming coax, buy a router of your own. I got a wifi 7 Netgear at Walmart for $110. Get whatever bandwidth you can afford, as it sounds like you'll be using it. When/ if Spectrum brings fiber, it's their equipment they'll replace, not yours.

Reddit IconreconGhost82 0.1
r/SpectrumMy best decision: Getting rid of the Spectrum router
6 months ago

I had the same problem spectrum came to my crib tried to hook everything up couldnt figure it out so he left the new wifi 7 router in the box and hooked up a wifi6e router..after i hooked it up myself when i got home from work and was very disappointed. I went and bought the new netgear wifi 7 router and with my 1Gig Internet i pulled 1134mbps..

Reddit IconStandard-Raccoon8238 0.1
r/SpectrumWifi 7 router coverage
11 months ago

I had one of their WiFi 7 routers and the gig plan. It was absolutely garbage even for a 2 bedroom apartment. I couldn't even get speeds close to 500 and at times it would just restart on its own. No 2.4G band steering as well. I returned it and got my own wifi 7 router from Netgear and damn that did a much more wonderful job than that garbage spectrum

Reddit Iconpromaster9500 0.0
r/buildapcsales[Router] NETGEAR Nighthawk 5-Stream AX5 WiFi 6 Router (RAX43) AX4200 - $49.99 @ Amazon Renewed
4 months ago

I dont know about this model but fuck Netgeat Nighthawk. I owned a different one few years ago that was supposed to be a a high spec version, and it caused me infinite problems, which all disappeared when I bought a different one.

Reddit IconAcademic-Swimming919 0.0
r/HomeNetworkingNeed some help choosing a suitable router.
7 months ago

I agree. I have tried numerous Netgear products, going back to a PCMCIA card, and all of them have had problems. The last Nighthawk I had constantly resulted in "Connected, No internet" for too many devices.