I ordered this router to replace the Spectrum router I was paying $5 a month for, now having gone to $7 a month. It’s the router that looks like a charred meatloaf, standing on its’ head. It’s nothing special, so finding a substitute was like hurdling a very low bar.
This R6700AX is an exact clone of the NETGEAR RAX10. The specs are identical, but not the price. Why, I don’t know. Of note is that this router omits the “NIGHTHAWK” designation, which, aside from generally lower speeds and area coverage, also lacks a USB port and an on/off switch on the back. These are not deal breakers though. My networking demands are quite modest, so I didn’t need a gaming level router. One Dell workstation, two tablets, and a 2000 square foot house, where all the activity is confined to a single quadrant.
After reading the user manual, downloaded from the NETGEAR website (146 pages, does not cover NIGHTHAWK app), I opted to do a website interface, desktop installation, rather than using the highly touted NIGHTHAWK app. Though the NIGHTHAWK app has a lot of appeal for its’ simplicity and features, I wanted more in-depth control of the routers options than the app provided. For example, by electing to choose the “Smart Connect” feature, the router automatically chooses which band, the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, that gives the best performance for each particular device that’s connected. You can still choose to configure each band separately by assigning a different network name (SSID) to each band (and that configuration is generated, by default, in your setup procedure). But with only two devices connected at a time, the “Smart Connect” option did not offer any benefit to me. I actually went several steps further and disabled the 2.4 GHz band and both Guest Network bands leaving only the 5 GHz band active for my two tablets. A word of caution for either of these connection preferences. Unlike some other NETGEAR routers, neither option will disable the WPS feature. That’s a potential security threat lurking under the radar.
The installation process was simple and straight forward. Just sit back and answer the questions, click next, page by page, and you’re done. I chose the automatic set up option, the Setup Wizard, with the ability to go back through and tune the features important to me. This is done using the routers web interface, for which you must sign back into with your newly created password. There are a couple of You Tube videos, search: TONOR NETGEAR R6700AX SETUP, and search: BROK3N1MAGE NETGEAR NIGHTHAWK, that can give you a visual “heads up” as to how the router interface is laid out beforehand. I found them helpful.
And the results were, well, underwhelming. LAN speeds to my workstation were almost identical to the Spectrum router at 366 Mbps download and 12 Mbps upload, with an assigned 300 Mbps service from Spectrum. Wi Fi speeds for the tablets were about 10% faster with the R6700AX, but if not for doing a speed test, I would not have detected any difference.
Overall, I am satisfied with this router. Price, features, speed and coverage are all adequate for my minimalist inclinations. I also opted for the 4-year Asurion protection coverage. If the thing blows up before its’ time, it’s replaced. If I get past 11 months, it will pay for itself in monthly rental fees.
NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router (RAX30) - Security Features, 5-Stream Dual-Band Gigabit Router, AX2400 Wireless Speed (Up to
4.3 | 15,250 ratings
Price: 89.97
Last update: 03-27-2025
About this item
Coverage up to 2,000 sq. ft. and 20 devices
Fast AX2400 Gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming and web conferencing
NETGEAR routers have security features enabled out of the box with automatic firmware updates, and industry-leading safety features to help protect you and your family
Connects to your existing cable modem and replaces your WiFi router. Compatible with any internet service provider up to 1Gbps including cable, satellite, fiber, and DSL
Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and more with 4 x 1G Ethernet ports
NETGEAR Armor protects your family's WiFi with an automatic shield of security across all your connected devices with a 30-day free trial
Easily set up and manage your WiFi with the Nighthawk app
Made for use in the U.S. only
Fast AX2400 Gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming and web conferencing
NETGEAR routers have security features enabled out of the box with automatic firmware updates, and industry-leading safety features to help protect you and your family
Connects to your existing cable modem and replaces your WiFi router. Compatible with any internet service provider up to 1Gbps including cable, satellite, fiber, and DSL
Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and more with 4 x 1G Ethernet ports
NETGEAR Armor protects your family's WiFi with an automatic shield of security across all your connected devices with a 30-day free trial
Easily set up and manage your WiFi with the Nighthawk app
Made for use in the U.S. only
Product information
| Product Dimensions | 11 x 9 x 4 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 1 pounds |
| ASIN | B09BK8PM1M |
| Item model number | RAX30-100NAS |
| Customer Reviews |
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars
15,030 ratings
4.3 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #10,824 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #88 in Computer Routers |
| Date First Available | September 21, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Netgear |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
Top reviews from the United States
My Humble OpinionA good, very basic router
LDPerformance is outstanding, setup was somewhat annoying
Yadiel