Netgear RS500-100EUS

There are a few older reviews that say the router is rubbish and always drops out. I am not a gamer, so cannot say if I experienced the same.I bought the router to replace my Plus Net Hub Two.People are correct when saying the Nighthawk App is crap. I can only agree with them on that, and was absolutely no use with installation of FTTP with the router plugged directly in the ONT. It would never find the connection. Nevermind, I used Firefox to browse to it on 192.168.1.1 with admin and no password. After getting me to add a password, it saved and continues through the wizard to connect. It asked me for a username which was [your username]@plusdsl.net and I was connected. (Plus Net not BT)I backed up the settings quickly the went into advanced LAN to setup a 10 range IP (I will never use 192.*.*.*), saved the settings and rebooted the rooter.Back in the web interface (Firefox to the 10.*.*.*) IP I gave the router, turned on Access Control and began reserving MAC addresses on the Advanced | LAN tab for the computer, TV, sat box, Nintendo etc. but when it came to a IP security camera, I needed to unstall the cam app first, connect to the wifi before allowing the MAC access as Access Settings are on and Block isnt the default setting, but I had already set it to block. Anyway, I wanted to connect to the 5GHz wifi but found out the camera only allows 2.4GHz but also WPA2 rather than WPA3. So, before purchasing the router check if IP cameras support the router security features.The standard password I was given for 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz was a lowercase one and 16 characters in length. Make sure, you change that.Guest networks show the SSID as default but are disabled. I've hidden my SSID's on all networks for added security, have different complex passwords for each of them for added protection. Saved config and rebooted.Connected again in the web interface to the 10.*.*.* range to setup port forwarding for my own hosted website, email server and backup device. I dont use HTTP (port 80) or insecure ports lile POP3. Checked access to 443 (HTTPS), email using 465/587 and once happy and that my IP cameras were FTPS to the backup device, and all was ok. I saved my config and all was done for me, at that point.--After getting Internet access, I installed the latest firmware. I could have done at anytime. This is where reading the netgear forums were great.By default the router logs you out every 5 mins and to fix this, install the latest firmware, do a factory reset, use the backup file you should have created once happy with your setup to restore your configuration, reboot and do a few final things like clear the logs (I have removed the option to show connecting to a site etc, but if you have kids, you may want this kept on. Do not respond to ping (hackers try to ping your router to see if they can hack it), no response tells them nothing. Dont disable port scans etc (BT/Plus Net Hub Two allows them through) so dont help the hacker.--This router comes with a 30-day version of Netgear Armor (American English) which needs to be activated by the Nighthawk app.This is where I had more issues. Using the app still tried to install the router, wifi etc but eventually you get to a screen on squares with security, parental controls etc. Clicking the Security box took about 2 mins and errors it cannot begin the 30-day protection. You will need to uninstall the app, restart the phone, re-install the Nighthawk app on your phone, connect to the router and click the security square once again and if all goes well, you will have your trial. At this stage, you can get a link to install Bitdefender for your phone. Login and the link you clicked to install it will connect you up to the 30-days on the router. I went one further and paid for a years subscription. Those 30 days then get added onto the year and because it was an opening charge, it was 70% off so I paid £25 for the year.Is that a lot? No, now send your hubby/wife, significant other, kids the link to install on their devices too. Nothing more to pay to protect the families devices.You can also download the VPN app but that only allows 200mb of free data per day on each account. Good enough if you go to the shops for a pint if milk. DO NOT purchase a VPN Premium subscription as the app doesnt integrate into the Nighthawk system and Cloudflare have blocked many of the IPs, so paying for nothing.I am very happy with my Netgear RAXE500 with wifi strength and speed. I am more secure than with the Plus Net router too. You can connect more devices, have more than the 4 flooded channels the Hub Two uses (slow/poor wifi).One thing I never got in the box are screws to put it on the wall but I can use the ones from the previous netgear device.If you have a Samsung device, you can connect to Wifi 6E but if you use an iPhone forget that and use 5GHz.Default Wifi Names:NETGEAR50 is 2.4GHzNETGEAR50-50 is the 5GHzNETGEAR50-60 is the 6E

Worked fine for a year, was quite happy with it until everything went wrong - wired and wireless connection drops constantly making it unusable and meaning I have to switch to my bargain basement ISP router to get a stable connection. I have spent more than 6 hours on the phone to Netgear fiddling with advanced settings and capturing debug logs to no avail. They refuse to replace the faulty unit despite the insane cost. Never buying Netgear again.

Bought this to replace our Freedom fibre router and the difference in wifi range and speed is amazing, Setup through the app was very easy and was all done with in 10 minutes

Excellent router, purchased when we had Gigabit broadband installed. I always get maximum speeds over the wifi and I have a lot of devices in the house. One thing I have noticed is the 6ghz band seems somewhat slower than the 5ghz band. This is on a 6E supported device, in the same room as the router. I only have a gaming laptop and Samsung phone equipped with 6ghz wifi and I have noticed they both seem sluggish on the Internet when using 6ghz compared to the 5ghz when in the same room. Hence the 4 star review. I think once I come to replace this maybe in a year or so 6ghz won't be in its infancy which I think this is why it seems to be slower on this router. Even using 5ghz on most of my devices speedests are always great!!

This is a superb router which when connected to an existing router or router/modem will supercharge your wifi to the next level, both on speed and coverage.This can be controlled by an app on a phone and can have multiple levels of control and one of the best features is the guest wifi as you can put trusted on a seperate channel to your own for staff or even friends and family.100% worth the money just remember you do need to keep your own supplier installed initial modem to connect to this.

Terrible router, doesn't hold wifi, also if power goes out router needs two or three attempts to restart

Absolutely dreadful Wi-Fi signal - what a piece of equipment that looks good, the only reason I never sent it straight back as I use it for 6ghz on TV and segmenting frequencies, but I still have to use my BT Hub which is a better signal. OK, maybe the processing is better on the Nighthawk, but you better be sitting next to it. Shambles to have Netgear branded on that.

Easy setup and much better range / speeds than the standard ISP router. Would recommend to switch off the smart connection and allocate devices to 2.4/5Ghz manually, then once all devices are linked switch off the WiFi of the ISP router. Other than that very little intervention required post setup.