Is the NetGear Nighthawk Any Good? Let's Find Out!

[@grahambollan6966]

I'm so glad I went with you years ago and installed Unifi..😊

[@SeijinSA]

I manage and run a ISP in the mid west - without fail every lightning storm or power surge ends up having netgear "home" devices getting destroyed. Other vendors of home equipment can still fail, but it is the to the point we cant even offer to support or troubleshoot a netgear home router.

[@lezlienewlands1337]

I mean, the R7000 I got all those years ago is still going, and still has it's monstrous WiFi range.

[@Memesboy_101]

Can I ask how to turn on the cable?

[@LeHoang-cb7ng]

strong and solid router, it even be wired router combine next gen wifi access points

[@joegomez5807]

Yes UniFi is the bomb!!

[@SteveHowardPhotography]

One of the reasons I am now moving to Unifi is once I installed a small AdGuard server, I discovered that Netgear does not hand off my custom dns address entered into the configuration. Instead, it hands itself off as the dns address. Ads are still blocked but no way to discover what device was communicating. All log entries simply say the request was from the Netgear router, not the actual client. Thank you so much for the very informative and helpful video.

[@Chris-gt7ob]

I used Netgear over 10 years ago and those features were all free. Glad I switched to Unifi. I don't miss these consumer grade box store appliances.

[@brians8664]

Netgear appears to be the new Norton

[@wc5741]

Never buying any Netgear routers again since one day they added a subscription model to the firmware update on my R8000 and that banner never permanently went away on the admin page. I was so sick of it and swore never buying another Netgear router. Not to mention how rare they updated their firmwares to fix security issues and the app was garbage. How on earth a router admin app requires signing up an account from them? And look at how manny data are collected and linked to the user on the App Store page, versus other brands such as Asus that all data collected are not linked to the user.

[@richardmorin4518]

Great review. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@setharnold9764]

If you pause at 11:45 it looks like you can configure DNS settings. A few seconds later, you say that you can't set the DNS of clients via DHCP. But what's the point of these DNS settings if not to give it to clients in DHCP options? Thanks

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

You can configure which DNS servers to use for the WAN, but not which DNS servers are passed out to LAN clients via DHCP. If for example, if you wanted to have your router use 1.1.1.1 as its DNS, but have Pi-holes (or Adguard Home, etc.) for your internal clients, you can't do that with the Nighthawk.

[@garysamons9332]

Wow…nope thats a feature that needs to be included with ANY router. If you cant change the DNS for the LAN, thats a dealbreaker.

[@setharnold9764]

@@CrosstalkSolutions aha! That's an unfortunate limitation. Thanks!

[@kevinhenryviii]

Did you mention that if you’re switching to a new router you can use the same ssid and password from your old router and everything will connect back to the new router?

[@curtispavlovec]

That’s not totally true; many devices store the BSSID and will not automatically reconnect even with the same SSID and password. For security you should always verify the BSSID as well…

[@JacksonCampbell]

@@curtispavlovec No. Your device stores an SSID and a password. That's why whenever it sees that SSID it tries to connect with the credentials saved.

[@curtispavlovec]

@@JacksonCampbell Many will do it that way, but secure devices will notice the BSSID mismatch and refuse to reconnect.

[@bdr518]

$2k for Orbi?!?! My setup is $2k and I have a UDM Pro max, USW 24 pro max poe, and 3 U7 AP Pros! And yes that is WAY overkill!

[@donleamon8653]

Ditto. I just ordered that exact setup yesterday and is supposed to be here tomorrow. The AirPort Time Capsule and three Extremes are finally being put out to pasture

[@johnpoldo8817]

Why would you ever need 24 PoE ports in a home? Do you have 24 Ethernet lines from equipment room?

[@bdr518]

@@johnpoldo8817 I honestly don’t, but that only makes the Orbi’s costing $2k even more ridiculous.

[@johnpoldo8817]

@@bdr518 My company has installed over 9000 WiFi routers in home and commercial applications. While performance on Orbi is very good, it is grossly overpriced. It's performance is no better than Ubiquiti products in the same class. Orbi is very large, possibly to justify high cost.

[@donleamon8653]

@@johnpoldo8817- more sq/ft to cover in APs and cameras in larger homes. Depends on needs.

[@wojciechbiaek9725]

Mentioned Ubiqiti Cloud Gateway Ultra will not give 2.5G service. It is 1G system despite of 2.5GWAN.

[@JTech7]

Been using a nighthawk for a couple of years. Never had a problem with it. Works great.

[@colefelix1992]

Is there anything I could do to help boost my internet speed? Its old coper wire.

[@sbaev3nflow]

Chris, I have a lot of needs for a router. None of this Best Buy-level stuff works for me any more. I need to have VLAN'd wireless networks on different subnets, I need port forwarding that allows me to restrict it by the external IP to limit connections. I also need 2.5Gbps or greater WAN and at least one LAN port at this speed or greater. WiFi 7 would be great. What UniFi device would fit me to start with? EDIT: Just saw your "UniFi Basics: Start the Right Way Without Breaking the Bank!" video. Going there, but any input would be appreciated!

[@CedroCron]

Get a Banana Pi R-7 with the WiFi 7 card and load Open-WRT which was built for it. It's less expensive and it's almost future-proof because there is so much hardware and Open-WRT isn't going anywhere any time soon considering how long they have been around. It's also un-brickable thanks to the recovery modes and you can boot off the onboard eMMC, flash SD-Card or NVME drive. Off the shelf routers biggest problem is that they lose updates within 3-4 years so you have to keep shelling out cash. They are also usually built with inferior specs and sometimes inferior quality hardware because they need to keep costs down for them and profits up.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Missing the point of the video. Do you think the average non-technical person is going to try to figure out OpenWRT on a Banana Pi R7? Less expensive - sure...if you value your time at zero.

[@CedroCron]

@@CrosstalkSolutions No but they aren't going to go into the GUI either so it's for those same users. Folks capable of going into the GUI or clicking on your Unifi video that you hand selected at the end, are also capable of following some easy tutorial steps to load and configure a Banana Pi and it's a lot more future proof (so to speak) hardware with non-up-selling features. So.... No I didn't miss the point of the video. I wasn't speaking to the Costco plug it in and forget about it crowd.

[@tendosingh5682]

@@CedroCron They have to go to GUI at least for initial setup on ANY ROUTER. OpenWRT doesn't have the same level of performance optimization for most chips. You can't just use any wifi card adapter.

[@CedroCron]

@@tendosingh5682 No that isn''t true with the router shown. Basic setup can be achieved with the router's App (if you care to watch the video again), also with open-WRT I clearly explained using it on specific hardware for which it was specifically made for and I didn't say loading it onto this router or any other off the shelf router. Might want to actually read the comment first!

[@th45h1zn1t]

I assume with mesh wifi you only need the first unit connected to your router and the other mesh units just connect to each other? I also assume you would need to turn off the wifi on your ISP router unless it's from the same manufacturer of mesh technology?

[@tomd1696]

I have the RX45 I git 4 yrs ago. What would be the advantages of upgrading to this router?

[@Atrain-85]

Would this be a good choice to upgrade from my Netgear nighthawk ac2300 that I’m currently using? My place had 4 walls from the living-room to the back bedroom. It’s about 1,500 sq footage where I live. I’m using a docs 3.1 modem and have 500mb internet plan. Or should I get the nighthawk ax5400 dual band WiFi 6 router?

[@xVertigo101]

Ubiquiti is great. However, how come guests don't have access to 6E?

[@randydietmeyer5883]

I recently (Cyber Monday) bought a TP-Link BE11000 Pro router from Best Buy which is a SLIGHTLY lesser model of their BE800, but for $150 less. It is like this Nighthawk in that it seems to be company exclusive. I actually use it in AP mode with a Firewalla Gold doing all the router and security functions, which incidentally is more than if you paid the subscription fee to the router company.

[@JacksonCampbell]

Get rid of TP-Link. That's Chinese spyware.

[@ceuser3555]

I am never buying TP LINK again, it’s a trash brand

[@craigenputtock]

Can you adjust the radio transmit power?

[@Swans_And_Ducks]

Just switched from Synology to Unifi…..wow, it’s amazing.

[@mike_realityi]

You skipped over a very important page for the more advanced users. At 12:25 right above the page you are on is a page "Router/AP Mode" where you can place this into an AP, Access Point, Mode and simply use it as an access point allowing your Unify network to handle the more advanced IP & DNS management. This AP Mode may explain your confusion to the 'VLan/Bridge Settings' page.

[@hanko5750]

He mentions setting the NH as an AP at least 3 times that I noticed.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

I did mention that you can use the Nighthawk in AP-only mode. But that's besides the point - if you've already got a UniFi gateway, using the NH as an access point would be silly when there are cheaper/better UniFi access points available.

[@mike_realityi]

@@CrosstalkSolutions I guessed I missed that however, I further went to explain my reasoning that once in AP Mode the VLan tagging may be used in the switching part of the NH Router and that is where it might be relevant. If I am correct then you can use this as a VLan aware switch and AP in the middle of your network.

[@CageyLeigh]

I assume that I could export my current Netgear 6700 settings and import them into the new Nighthawk router?

[@connclissmann6514]

Given how locked down the options are, the alternatives are better for less. Never understood why mesh should cost that much.

[@mikewest272]

I would LOVE to see some videos like this on some of the popular mesh systems on the market. Side note regarding this system, the subscriptions everywhere are out of hand. It’s getting to the point where families are paying several hundred dollars a month for computer related services. How do families of average means keep up?

[@timezonewall]

Families of average means don't keep up (usually). The prosumers, who this channel was traditionally for, know how to manage their own gear and avoid subscriptions. That group has dedicated servers running virtual machines and specialized services, a NAS, network switches running VLANs, a high performance router with separate access points, etc. The average consumer has a very basic setup using an all in one router/firewall/access point device. They dont have servers or complicated networking, just a simple flat network with maybe a couple of mesh devices if it's a large house. They have a friend or family member or neighbor that helps with minor issues to keep everything more or less operational. They put up with minor problems and often pick some component to blame all problems on. They will say things like "my wifi is crappy" or my "computer is lousy/bad" when they have no idea what the problem really is.This group is cost conscious and does not keep up well. They sometimes will unfortunately spend money on the wrong things trying to make everything work better because they don't have the skills to find the actual issues.

[@Phil-D83]

Waiting for an openwrt or ddwrt firmware for it

[@kc0isw]

I bought rs700s the top router but they haven't updated the firmware since apirl i came from a older asus wifi 6 router which had updates every month so I'm very surprised there hasn't been a update in over 6 months

[@mario4951]

What about DNS over HTTPS OR TLS?

[@COWGUYVT]

Its pretty hard to beat used unifi hardware.

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

I agree with that.

[@Penguin-pb8mz]

Just got rs700 love it so far but did have to tune down speed to get guest network showing

[@RobLescaille]

Was hoping you would actually test it to see how it performs.

[@user117831]

I bought this to replace my Comcast rented gateway. It doesn't have the range of the rented gateway (Arirs xb7), But it's okay

[@foobarturkey]

Can’t run OpenWRT? Not good.

[@AmericanPatriots87]

Been using Firewalla and Omada and haven't looked back.

[@toshihitsu1989]

Well I guess I'm not getting this I was browsing through Costco and been looking for a good deal on a upgrade to our current router which seems to drop wireless connections sometimes. And I use DNS to block most ad delivery networks and a bit of call to home viruses but I guess I'll have to wait save up for a better router system than what I currently have which is a combination of three different routers from different manufacturers

[@JacksonCampbell]

14:05 I disagree. Even with basic configuration, UniFi is more simple than these other devices and runs way better. The UniFi app runs through setup just as easily as these other companies but works much better with better settings later on. Additionally, I tried to walk someone through a Netgear setup over the phone, and it was extremely difficult, making them relogin multiple times etc. With UniFi they could've easily set it up then added me as an admin to fix any issues or do more advanced configuration. And please don't recommend TP-Link. That's Chinese spyware.

[@JosephTyson]

Asus w/ AsusMerlin for the consumer router win!

[@RogierYou]

Don’t forget these consumer routers usually only last about 3 years

[@MrSunDevil23]

If that long…

[@RogierYou]

@ wanted to be generous 😊

[@logikgr]

Laughs in WRT54G!

[@jamestheproexpat]

Mine died a few months ago

[@RogierYou]

@@jamestheproexpat Get a Synology router.

[@tendosingh5682]

Netgear has had a long history of not updating firmware with known issues so I have no confidence in them.

[@Adrian-fy1zx]

I prefer Asus router

[@9to5techs]

Asus is great

[@elminster8149]

You shouldn't have to pay for parental controls. They should be included as standard on all consumer routers by law.

[@vamwolf]

Agree

[@RogierYou]

If you want easy to use rock solid secure hardware that lasts get Synology!

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

I was actually really impressed with Synology's router! I did a video on it a year or so ago...

[@RogierYou]

@ yes they are great I have more then 50 deployed with clients some als long as 8 years ago. Rock solid no problems!

[@SRTTechRestoration-393]

i saw this video and thought you were reviewing the RS700S instead of the RS280S

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Software-wise they're basically the same...you're just paying for different hardware (ie. more wireless antennas). For home use, I wouldn't spend more than $200 bucks on any NetGear product.

[@curtisbme]

Are you morally allowed to touch routers that aren't Ubiquity?

[@GrannyDryden]

Netgear spend all their R&D money on the design of their hardware but nothing on the interface or depth of customizations of features.

[@chrisjohnson9070]

Love your videos and I always learn something. Very grateful. Two pet peeves: 1.) Please have someone help you learn how to pronounce the word 'simultaneously." It's not "sim-YOU-taneously,' it's 'sim-ULL-taneously.' 2.) Your delivery has the cliché news reporter cadence. You end all your sentences with that same news reporter inflection. You would be so much more polished if you just spoke to us the way you speak to everyone else in your life. Make it more conversational and less presentational. That would make for a big improvement. Thank you sir. Best wishes to you and your staff and Merry Christmas.

[@JacksonCampbell]

He has way more inflection than the monotone news reporter voice.

[@lakephillip]

I am boycotting Netgear. I purchased a Cable Modem from Costco, and I started losing my connection. Mediacom said it was the Netgear CM 1100(just Costco)was a bad model. Netgear refused my RMA, even though was still in warranty. I went with TP link.

[@JacksonCampbell]

Don't use TP-Link. It's Chinese spyware.

[@gabchs]

Netgear HW is typically buggy and they don’t fix it, I had bad experiences with their switches, routers and extenders… My answer to the question: Is it NetGear Nighthawk any good? Answer: I don’t think so.

[@MrPir84free]

Nickel and diming its customers to death.. Guess I won't be owning a new Netgear router then..

[@nit3h8wk81]

I would stay away from any router not capable of running openwrt.

[@adgeegfad]

Don't buy this garbage or everyone is going to start with the subscription crap.

[@johnpoldo8817]

I don’t like tall black boxes. My wife would never let me put that anywhere visible in the house. I prefer the much shorter white TPlink Deco products. My wife says they look like a candle. Problem solved.

[@JacksonCampbell]

Please don't use TP-Link. That's Chinese spyware. Get the UniFi U6 Mesh if you need something that looks like that.

[@johnpoldo8817]

@@JacksonCampbell Yes, the U6 is pretty good and I've used them on several commercial jobs. But, it isn't WiFi 6 and we need that performance.

[@JacksonCampbell]

@johnpoldo8817 The U6 Mesh is WiFi 6.

[@johnpoldo8817]

@ Thanks, I must have confused it with another.

[@whowhatisthat88]

Netgear had Disney security for free until they created their own solution and discontinued Disney. Unfortunately, my router couldn't handle the required multitasking. The router needed frequent restarts due to crashes. I turned off the protection, which resolved the issues. Netgear Nighthawk R7000 series.

[@bighammer3464]

There are so many nighthawk routers you need to not talk about it like it’s the only one

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

They're all basically the same software...you're paying for differences in hardware.

[@nestofrobins1]

But its Netgear. Those products are total POS. I have never had success with any Netgear products, from PCMCIA cards back in '99, up to Nighthawk routers in 2015.

[@ernstoud]

So why did you continue buying Netgear stuff?

[@bdr518]

Never plug in a smart tv. Even the newest are only using 100mbps nics, and WiFi will be faster.

[@JacksonCampbell]

What do you use on your TV that needs to be faster than 100mbps?

[@AnonYmous-yz9zq]

Too new, I'll wait a couple years. Buy now pay more usually.

[@briancross4415]

That subscription model is f’n BS.

[@GabrielGarcia-sy5nm]

I will never spend that much for a consumer router.... in fact I will never buy a consumer router... they're crap lol. I will stay with Ubiquiti

[@PamelaCurry]

I agree WiFi 7 while is the future is bleeding edge today. As to affordable MESH there is a WiFi 6 option. My primary home router is an ASUS RT-AX86U (Merlin Firmware) using ASUS AIMesh there is an affordable NODE option. ASUS came out with a travel router RT-AX57Go (no Merlin Firmware available) that functions well as an AIMESH NODE. it's only slightly over $100 for the extra Node.

[@LeHoang-cb7ng]

only over $100 for the extra wifi6 node :)

[@michaelclark7602]

orbi is very overrated Asus zen wifi 7 is much better

[@tickledhorse]

Do you have a brother that does tv reviews? I'm just wondering because your process is identical.

[@unknownwolf4046]

I have Netgear ax1800 RAX10 and Tmobile gateway cant reach 1,750SQF 8acers of land