Category: 5G Modem Router

Netgear Nighthawk M6 MR6110 5G Mobile WiFi Router Review

Netgear Nighthawk M6 MR6110 is a high-performance 5G mobile router from Netgear that offers blazing fast speeds, advanced security features, and a long-lasting battery life. Whether for gaming, streaming, or work, this router delivers exceptional performance and reliability.

The Netgear MR6110 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology and can provide wireless speeds up to 2.9 Gbps on the 5GHz band and up to 700 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. It features four internal antennas and Beamforming+ technology that enhances signal range and improves network performance. It can support up to 32 devices to access the internet simultaneously.

 

The 5G pocket WiFi router also features a Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 5G Modem-RF System that delivers up to 5Gbps download speeds and 1Gbps upload speeds, making it perfect for users who need high-speed connectivity on the go.

The Netgear 5G Mobile Router comes with a powerful 5040mAh battery that provides up to 15 hours of continuous use, enabling users to stay connected for an entire day without any interruptions.

 

This Nighthawk MR6110 router features advanced security features, including WPA3, which provides robust protection against unwanted access, malware, and other threats. The MR6110 also features a secure VPN client, which allows users to access a private network and surf the web anonymously.

The Nighthawk M6 MR6110 includes one USB-C port, one Gigabit Ethernet port, and a Nano-SIM slot that enables a high-speed 5G network connection. It supports multiple 5G frequency bands, including n2, n5, n12, n14, n29, n30, n66, and n77.

 

The Netgear M6 Nighthawk has a modern and sleek design that is easy to carry and use on the go. It has a 2.4-inch color LCD touchscreen display that makes it easy to navigate and customize the settings.

In conclusion, the Netgear Nighthawk M6 MR6110 is a high-performance mobile router that delivers fast and reliable connectivity on the go. With its Wi-Fi 6 and 5G technology, robust security features, and long-lasting battery life, this Netgear 5G router is an excellent choice for users who need high-speed internet for their work, streaming, or gaming needs.

ZTE MU5120 U50 Pro 5G Mobile WiFi6 Router Review

ZTE MU5120 5G Mobile WiFi is a high-performance portable router that provides fast and reliable 5G connectivity and industry-leading Wi-Fi 6 speeds. It enables seamless connectivity on-the-go with its advanced technology and versatile features, making it an ideal choice for users who need high-speed internet on the move.

The ZTE U50 PRO MU5120 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 chipset that delivers up to 4.0Gbps 5G download speeds and 660Mbps upload speeds. It also supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology and can provide wireless speeds up to 2402Mbps on the 5GHz band and up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band.

With internal antennas and the MU-MIMO technology, the ZTE 5G Mobile WiFi MU5120 offers superior coverage and improved network efficiency by allowing 32 devices to connect simultaneously without slowing down. Further, the ZTE MU5120 has a high-order modulation feature that ensures maximum transmission power on all data channels, providing a much stronger signal than previous Wi-Fi standards.

The ZTE 5G Mobile WiFi Router also features a 2.4-inch color LCD touchscreen display that makes it easy to navigate and customize the settings. The device comes with standard security features such as WPA3, VPN, and advanced parental control options, allowing for enhanced network security and peace of mind.

The 5G pocket WiFi router is equipped with a Nano-SIM slot to enable a high-speed 5G network connection and supports multiple 5G frequency bands, including n1, n3, n5, n8, n20, n28, n41, n77, and n78. Additionally, it supports LTE Category 22 and can access LTE bands B1, B3, B5, B7, B8, B20, B28, B34, B38, B39, B40, B41.

 

 

A ultra large 10000mAh battery powers the device, providing up to 20 hours of continuous use for improved mobility. The ZTE MU5120 comes with one Gigabit USB-C port. ZTE MU5120 supports the NFC one-touch connection function. Turn on the NFC function of the Android phone, and tap the device to access the WiFi network withough password, which is easy and convenient.

With a 2.4-inch screen, you can directly set up the device through the touch screen, and query the running status of the device. The ZTELink mobile app facilitates the management of the device and network settings, providing an easy and intuitive way to control the router from your smartphone.

In conclusion, the ZTE MU5120 5G Mobile WiFi is a powerful and versatile portable router with advanced features, including 5G and Wi-Fi 6 technology, MU-MIMO support, high-order modulation, and a long battery life. Whether for remote work, travel, or leisure, this router provides lightning-fast connectivity on-the-go, making it an excellent choice for users looking for a reliable and high-performance mobile router.

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6500 5G Mobile Router Review

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6500 is a powerful 5G mobile hotspot that provides fast and reliable Wi-Fi 6 connectivity with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X65 5G modem, which can provide download speeds up to 8Gbps. With a long battery life of up to 27 hours, it is perfect for remote work or travel. The hotspot also boasts several connectivity options, including Ethernet ports and USB-C port, making it a versatile and flexible choice for users on-the-go.

The Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6500 is designed for maximum Wi-Fi speed and coverage. It supports Wi-Fi 6E technology, which delivers faster, more reliable, and efficient Wi-Fi performance. The wireless speed provides seamless streaming of high-quality videos and faster file transfers.

 

The Netgear 5G Pocket WiFi router can handle up to 32 WiFi-enabled devices with high-bandwidth applications with ease. And the peak WiFi speeds can reach 3.2Gbps, which is really amazing when you need fast Internet support.

The Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6500 is equipped with 2 x 1G/2.5G Ethernet ports and 1 x LAN/WAN port for wired connectivity. It also has a USB-C port, a 2.5G Ethernet port and two connectors for external 5G antennas. The connector type is TS-9.

 

Security:

 

Security is not a concern with the Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6500. It has robust features, including WPA3 encryption, VPN, advanced parental controls, and NETGEAR Armor cyber-threat protection. This makes it a reliable option for protecting sensitive data and personal information.

Mobile App:

 

The NETGEAR Nighthawk App is available for both iOS and Android mobile devices, making it easy to manage the device. With the app, you can monitor Wi-Fi usage, set up parental controls, and perform firmware updates, all in a user-friendly interface.

 

Design and Build:

 

Upgrading from the predecessor Netgear Nighthawk M5 MR5200, the Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6500 has a sleek design with a black matte finish. It measures 105 x 105 x 21.5 mm(4.14 x 4.14 x .85 in) and weighs 256 g (.56 lb). It has two connectors for external high-performance antennas, allowing you to enhance the network strength as per your needs. The device can be easily set up, and the user manual is detailed and straightforward.

Overall, the Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6500 is an excellent option for users who demand fast and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity. With its advanced features, robust security options, and easy-to-use mobile app, it is a valuable addition to your existing network devices. Its sleek design and excellent build quality make it a perfect fit for both home and office use. If you are in the market for a high-performance mobile router, the Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6500 is worth considering.

ZTE MU5001 5G Mobile WiFi Router Review

ZTE MU5001 is a new 5G mobile WiFi Hotspot with WiFi 6 which is widely available for many network providers in many countries. If you had used the ZTE 4G Mobile WiFi Router such as ZTE MF970 or ZTE MF980, you will find the new 5G pocket WiFi router is very similar to the ZTE MF970 and MF980.

ZTE MU5001 – 5G Mobile Router with an Ethernet Port

On the front, there is a 2.4inch 320 x 240 color touchscreen which will show the WiFi status, Settings option, Data usage, signal strength, time, battery and network operator etc… On the top edge, there are two connectors for external antennas(if you need the 5G external antenna for ZTE MU5001, click here: https://www.4gltemall.com/huawei-5g-cpe-pro-external-antenna.html ) and the power button and SIM card slot. The type-C USB port for charging and an RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port is on the opposite side. If you want to use a 5G pocket WiFi with an Ethernet port, the ZTE MU5001 mobile router is a good option.

ZTE MU5001 Specifications

ZTE MU5001 MiFi is based on 5G Snapdragon X55 + QCA6391 modem and supports the latest WiFi 6 feature. The battery in ZTE MU5001 is unremovable with a capacity of 4500mAh, which can keep working for 8 hours. It also supports WiFi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax with 2 x 2 MIMO on dual-mode 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz. Up to 32 wireless devices could connect with ZTE MU5001 to access the internet simultaneously.

 

ZTE MU5001 Settings

The operation of ZTE 5G MiFi Router could be done in the web management page 192.168.0.1 or ZTELink App. Users can see the connected devices, Net surfing status, Settings for 5G and WiFi, and the options for data usage, SMS and advanced settings. It will also show the SIM card number, IMEI & IMSI number of this device and the signal strength data.

 

ZTE MU5001 Price

The ZTE MU5001 price is very cheap if you get it from the network provider with a data contract. But if you want an unlocked ZTE MU5001 without any contract and use with any compatible SIM cards. You can buy it from online retailer such as 4gltemall.com .

 

Conclusion

ZTE MU5001 is a highly capable 5G WiFi router that strikes a good balance between price and functionality. With high speeds, large battery capacity and simultaneous connection for many users, especially with the Gigabit Ethernet port, ZTE MU5001 MiFi provide great functions for most users. If you just want to travel or business trip, ZTE MU5001 will be a good partner for your surfing on the way.

 

ZTE MC8020 5G Indoor CPE Review

As the pioneer of 5G communication, ZTE had released the first 5G indoor WiFi Router since 2018, the model is ZTE MC801. And then in 2019, ZTE released the 2nd generation 5G WiFi Router: ZTE MC801A. Based the good performance and reliable quality, they were widely used in many countries worldwide. Now the third generation 5G CPE is announced: ZTE MC8020 5G Indoor CPE.

The new ZTE MC8020 CPE both 5G SA and NSA modes, as well as Sub-6GHz and mmWave spectrum bands. And it’s back compatible with 3G, 4G and 5G networks. To solve the problem of 5G signal decrease and short signal coverage, ZTE MC8020 adopts new antenna 3.0 design and had tested it in laboratory and real environment. It makes the omni-directional and high-gain true, which can improve the wireless speeds up to 20% and network coverage to 15%. And then the ZTE 5G WiFi router can provide 5G wireless connection for home users.

 

 

ZTE MC8020 5G Router is based the latest NPU from Qualcomm and it support WiFi6, 4 x 4 MIMO, peak speed up to 5.4Gbps, and it can support up to 128 users to access the internet wirelessly. The special 4K QAM can make the WiFi transmission speed of 5G flagship smartphone increase up to 25%, so the video watching will be more smoothly. Meanwhile, it supports key Wi-Fi 6 technologies such as OFDMA, TWT, and BSS coloring, and utilizes chip-level AI computing power – effectively reducing interference and power consumption while meeting higher service-level agreements (SLAs) for concurrently connected diverse usage profiles.

 

The advanced zLink Boost technology automatically converges wireless and wired broadband networks, doubling the upstream and downstream speeds of ZTE 5G Indoor CPE MC8020 to achieve a constant high-speed connection.

 

With new NFC functionality, ZTE 5G Indoor CPE MC8020 can be connected to NFC-enabled smartphones with just one touch. Connecting TVs, computers, and smart devices to the ZTE Indoor 5G CPE MC8020 can be automated without changes to Wi-Fi network settings.

D-Link Presents New 5G Routers at MWC2021

At the Mobile Workd Congress 2021 in Barcelona, D-Link presented various new products. Some of them support the new 5G cellular standard, such as the new 5G NR M2M Gateway DWM-3010 and the 5G/LTE Outdoor CPE DWP-1010.

 

D-Link DWM-3010 for business

With the DWM-3010, D-Link is introducing a new 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). The 5G NR M2M gateway is aimed at the business environment and enables 5G broadband connectivity. According to the manufacturer, download speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s are possible. In addition to high transmission rates, the new 5G cellular standard also shines here with its minimal latencies.

 

With the D-Link DWM-3010 5G Fixed Wireless Access, up to 50 devices can be connected, so that the D-link 5G Gateway can also be used in highly stressed work environments such as industrial or IoT environments. The FWA not only distributes the Internet to the connected devices, but also regulates efficient communication with each other. In addition, the system scores with a robust design and high temperature resistance. In this way, the device ensures reliable operation so that companies can take advantage of the benefits of reliable communication between machines (M2M). Management is carried out centrally and remotely with the in-house IoT management solution D-Link Edge Cloud Solution.

 

 

D-link DWP-1010 for the smart home

D-Link also has innovations for the MWC 2021 ready for private users. One of the innovations is the new 5G/LTE Outdoor CPE DWP-1010. It provides gigabit speeds at home or in the garden and thus ensures fast internet everywhere via 5G and LTE/4G. This D-Link 5G router is also equipped with a robust design in order to be optimally protected both indoors and outdoors. According to the manufacturer, the D-link DWP-1010 can be easily installed anywhere and offers optimal 5G connectivity for the whole family and friends.

 

There are also some other innovations. These revolve around Wi-Fi 6 and artificial intelligence (AI), among other things. A new product series consisting of a router, a mesh router and a WLAN extender was presented, which enables high-speed WLAN on a Wi-Fi 6 basis for all devices. Thanks to AI technology, connection problems are to be recognized and resolved automatically, and WLAN performance is to be continuously optimized.

 

Zyxel NR2101 Mobile 5G Router Test

Zyxel NR2101 was presented to the public last year and now the most affordable mobile 5G routers is available in mid-2021. Like the Netgear Nighthawk M5 are sold for around 850.00USD, the Zyxel 5G router is available at just around 400 euros. The Zyxel NR2101 comes with a replaceable battery, and it can use the current WiFi 6 standard and even has an integrated RJ45 Ethernet LAN connection. The 5G modem theoretically achieves speeds of up to 4 GBit/s.

The Zyxel NR2101 is delivered in a small box together with a 5300 mAh battery. There is also a Quick Charge power supply unit (output max. 18 watts) and a short USB to USB Type-C cable included in the box. A multilingual quick start guide is also included and makes it easier to use.

The setup is easy and takes 3 to 5 minutes. First, the cover must be removed from the back of the NR2101 in order to insert the nano SIM card and the battery. Here you should directly write down the WLAN name as well as the WLAN password and the access data for the web interface, the data is printed on a label in the battery compartment.

Internet access and WLAN can then be configured either directly on the large touchscreen or via the web interface in a browser; the device must of course be connected via LAN, WLAN or USB.

Connections and display

The Zyxel NR2101 5G router has a USB Type-C connection and a Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet LAN connection. The USB connection can be used both to charge the battery and to operate it directly on the power supply unit, without the battery being inserted. A data connection (“USB tethering”) can also be easily established via the USB port.

In addition to the power button, there is a small LED on the front that shows the operating status in multiple colors. Most important, of course, is the large color display, which can be used to operate all important functions thanks to the touchscreen function.

5G modem in the test

The 5G router has a Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G modem. All important frequency bands for Europe are supported, for example 5G bands n1, n3, n20, n28 and n78 as well as LTE bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38 and 46. UMTS/3G is still supported.

In the test, the download speeds were up to 850 Mbit/s in the 5G network, if band n78 was available. Up to 150 Mbit/s were possible in the uplink. A cable connection (USB tethering) was required for this, however, and only slightly lower download speeds of around 650 Mbit/s were usually possible via WLAN. In the 5G network with band n1 (DSS operation, Dynamic Spectrum Sharing ), download rates of around 300 Mbit/s and uploads of around 120 Mbit/s were usually possible.

The Zyxel NR2101 also delivered very good download speeds of 300 Mbit/s and more in the test in the LTE network. In the upload, the speeds of up to 80 Mbit/s were well below the performance in the 5G network.

WLAN and LAN

The 5G mobile router supports the new WiFi 6 standard and transmits on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Up to 16 devices can be connected via WLAN at the same time. This is certainly sufficient for the private sector, but the maximum of 16 devices could possibly connect with the Zyxel NR2101 Router.

In the test, the maximum speed was 1.2 Gbit/s, provided WiFi 6 could be used. With an older WiFi 5 device, 867 Mbit/s was still possible. In the 2.4 GHz band, the NR2101 theoretically achieves up to 574 Mbit/s. The WiFi range was decent in the test, an apartment of up to around 80 square meters or a small house can be supplied satisfactorily.

Battery pack

The exchangeable battery enabled an operating time of around 10 hours in the test. Depending on the application, a slightly shorter running time is also conceivable, for example if there are a lot of cell changes (in the train or in the car). Thanks to the quick charging power supply unit, the router is quickly recharged.

Software and web interface

Almost all functions can be configured directly on the device via the touchscreen, but a browser web interface is also available on request. This is clearly structured, but has the peculiarity that it can only be operated when the display is switched off. In the web interface, for example, the 5G and LTE frequency band used can be read, and the cellular technology can also be set manually, for example.

Conclusion on the Zyxel NR2101

The Zyxel NR2101 made a good impression in the test. The device is fully compatible with the 5G networks in the Europe and reached high speeds, but does not break any records. Operation via the touchscreen is simple and reliable. There is criticism for the lack of connections for an external cellular antenna, and the Internet access via LAN / WLAN as a supplement to the integrated modem would have been nice.

AVM FRITZ! Box 6850 5G Router Will be Available Soon

AVM announced a 5G router – the FRITZ! Box 6850 5G in 2019. The device never came on the market, instead a version with LTE modem – the FRITZ! Box 6850 LTE – was released in 2020. In the course of the summer of 2021, the 5G version of the FRITZ! Box 6850 should finally come onto the market. AVM has already mentioned technical details, but the company has so far been silent on the price.

Gigabit speed over LTE and 5G

Inside the AVM FRITZ! Box 6850 5G, a Qualcomm modem works, which supports speeds of up to 1.3 Gbit/s when downloading via 5G and up to 1 Gbit/s when downloading via 4G/LTE. The modem can also use 3G/UMTS, but the UMTS networks are currently being switched off in Germany, so that this technology is irrelevant, at least in this country.

The following frequency bands are supported according to AVM:

  • 5G: n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n40, n41, n78
  • 4G / LTE: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43

According to AVM, the FRITZ! Box 6850 5G is fully compatible with the current 5G networks, for example DSS (Dynamic Spectrum Sharing) is also supported. It is not clear from the information available whether the FRITZ! Box 6850 5G can also use 5G SA mode (standalone) in addition to 5G NSA (non-standalone).

Further Technical Specifications

The AVM FRITZ! Box 6850 5G is technically very similar to the FRITZ! Box 6850 LTE and the FRITZ! Box 7530. Both the shape of the housing and the technical data are almost identical. On the back there are two SMA connections for an external cellular antenna as well as four Gigabit LAN ports (RJ45) and a USB 3.0 interface. If you will buy the external 5G antenna for FRITZ! Box 6850 5G, we recommend this one: https://www.4gltemall.com/5g-external-antenna.html .

The FRITZ! Box 6850 5G is one of the world’s first 5G routers with an integrated telephone system and DECT function. There is also a TAE / RJ11 interface for an analog telephone.

The AVM 5G Router supports WLAN on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, the maximum speed is 866 Mbit/s in the 5 GHz band. Unfortunately, the new WiFi 6 standard is not supported.

Market launch in summer 2021

The AVM FRITZ! Box 6850 5G should appear in summer 2021, there is no price yet. As soon as it is available, the device will be tested.

Inseego Launched 5G/LTE Indoor CPE FX2000e

Inseego launches its “Wavemaker PRO” – 5G indoor router FX2000e in several countries around the world. The 5G WiFi router combines 5G / LTE broadband with Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6 and is primarily aimed at small businesses.

Small business router

Inseego, a leading provider of 5G and IoT device-to-cloud solutions, announced that the “Wavemaker PRO” 5G indoor router FX2000e has been approved for use in several markets. This means that the device can be sold worldwide. The 5G router is aimed primarily at smaller companies and decentralized employees who need fast, secure and reliable internet access.

 

The plug-and-play solution is designed for the fixed wireless area. It combines 5G / LTE broadband with Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6 – Connectivity and powers up to 32 connected devices. “5G solutions are a great choice for broadband access for businesses and consumers in their remote offices and homes,” said Ashish Sharma, Inseego’s president of IoT & Mobile Solutions. “Our FX2000e is a compact solution and supports many different use cases for broadband connectivity: Small businesses can get high-speed internet access anywhere. Companies can easily set up a secure WAN solution for their branch offices and remote employees. And SD-WAN providers can now use a 5G WAN connection as the primary broadband connection for decentralized locations. ”

Speeds in the gigabit range

The Inseego FX2000e enables speeds in the gigabit range via 5G, if the respective network allows this. The FX2000e is designed to operate in a wide range of global 5G and 4G frequency bands in order to be versatile. In addition, the compact device is equipped with a WAN interface for SD-WAN deployments so that it can also be used as an Internet solution for small residential units or as a cable modem replacement for larger houses with mesh Wi-Fi systems and other connectivity requirements.

 

The “Wavemaker PRO” -5G indoor router FX2000e is primarily intended for companies such as restaurants, retail locations, branches or home offices. The functionality of the Inseego 5G router is rounded off by the “Inseego Mobile” app. It simplifies installation for end users and offers an intuitive user interface. In addition, IT managers can remotely configure and manage the router and all connected devices using the Inseego Connecti cloud software.

 

Netgear Nighthawk M5 Mobile 5G Router Test

Last year, Netgear offers one of the first mobile 5G routers: The Nighthawk M5. As the successor to the Nighthawk M2, the device with the model name MR5200 not only offers a fast cellular modem, but of course also a large battery, fast WiFi 6 and plenty of connections.

 

The Netgear Nighthawk M5 MR5200 is packed in a small cardboard box. In addition to the mobile 5G router, the package also includes a power supply unit with adapter for EU and UK plugs, a USB to USB-C cable and a battery with a capacity of 5,000 mAh. A quick start guide and a warranty card are also included.

 

At first glance, the Netgear Nighthawk M5 differs only slightly from the previous models Nightahwk M1 (MR1100) and Nighthawk M2 (MR2100). All devices have a cuboid design with a large display on the front, the connections are on the lower side.

The Nighthawk M5 looks high-quality thanks to the rubberized and structured frame, and the matt back also leaves a positive impression. The front with the touchscreen and buttons is less successful, it has a high-gloss finish and magically attracts fingerprints and scratches. That was solved even better with the Nighthawk M1.

The back of the Nighthawk M5 can also be easily removed. Underneath is the battery and the slot for the SIM card. A welcome innovation compared to the previous models is the slot for the nano SIM card. The M1 and M2 still required micro-SIM cards, so that nano-SIM cards could only be used with an adapter.

5G modem in the test

The main reason to buy the Netgear Nighthawk M5 is certainly the 5G modem. A Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 chip is installed. Theoretically, the 5G WiFi router can thus achieve speeds of more than one gigabit per second in the downlink and several hundred megabits per second in the uplink. In the practical test, the Nighthawk M5 was tested with a SIM card from Vodafone at several locations in the 5G network, both via LAN and WLAN.

Both the LAN connection and the WLAN represent a bottleneck for maximum Internet speed. The Nighthawk M5 allows a maximum of 1 GBit/s via RJ45 Ethernet, and up to 1.2 GBit/s (5 GHz band) is theoretically possible via WLAN. You should definitely be aware of this limitation.

In the 5G network of Vodafone using the frequency range around 3.6 GHz (band n78), around 900 Mbit/s was measured for downloading and around 140 Mbit/s for uploading via LAN. If the connection was made via WLAN, around 800 Mbit/s were possible in the download. In a direct comparison with a measurement on the 5G smartphone, the Nighthawk M5 was slightly slower – around 950 Mbit/s were possible on the iPhone 12 mini under the same test conditions.

 

The 5G connections are naturally much slower when using dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS, band n1). Vodafone relies widely on 5G n1 with DSS, the Netgear Nighthawk M5 can use the technology without any problems and achieved speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s in the downlink and up to 130 Mbit/s in the uplink in the test. Incidentally, LTE was always a little bit faster at the same location in the downlink, but the uplink speed over 5G was almost twice as high as over LTE. Depending on the server, the latency times were well below 20 milliseconds and thus at a normal level.

 

The Netgear Nighthawk M5 supports all 5G frequency ranges that are important for Europe. In detail, these are the bands n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n40, n77 and n78.

 

 

In addition to 5G, the Netgear Nighthawk M5 naturally also supports 4G / LTE and 3G / UMTS. The frequency ranges around 700/800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz for FDD-LTE and 2300/2600 MHz for TDD LTE are supported here. In the 3G area, the bands around 850/900/1900/2100 MHz are supported. These are good prerequisites for use in Europe, but the Nighthawk M5 is not ideally suited for use in North and South America. It’s a shame – many current smartphones offer significantly better frequency band support!

 

 

If necessary, you can also connect two external antennas to the Netgear Nighthawk M5 to improve reception quality and increase speeds. For this purpose, Netgear has installed two TS-9 connections on the underside, which are protected from contamination by a rubber cover as standard. If you need the 5G external antenna for Nighthawk M5, we recommend this one: https://www.4gltemall.com/5g-external-antenna.html .

 

WLAN with repeater function

The Netgear Nighthawk M5 supplies up to 32 devices simultaneously with a WLAN connection. Thanks to the current WLAN 6 standard, speeds of up to 1200 Mbit/s gross in the 5 GHz frequency band and up to 600 Mbit/s in the 2.4 GHz frequency band can be used. However, the speed depends heavily on the device used and on other factors such as the distance. In the test, the speeds were usually significantly lower and fluctuated between 300 and 867 Mbit/s.

 

 

The WiFi range of the Netgear Nighthawk M5 turned out to be very decent in the test for a mobile router. An apartment with 80 to 100 m2 can easily be supplied with the small router, provided the walls are not super thick. If necessary, the range can also be reduced to save energy. Incidentally, there is no WLAN timer, but a guest network can be set up. The latest WPA3 encryption is also available on request.

Internet via Ethernet and USB

As an alternative to the wireless connection via WLAN, the Netgear Nighthawk M5 can also share the Internet connection via LAN (RJ45 Ethernet) or via USB interface (“USB tethering”). Both types of cable connection are activated automatically, all you have to do is connect the cable and you are connected to the Internet.

 

The Nighthawk M5 can be configured so that the WLAN is automatically switched off as soon as a device is connected to the Internet via USB. The USB tethering function can also be deactivated if necessary, then the USB connection can only be used for power supply.

The “data offloading” function allows the LAN port of the Netgear Nighthawk M5 to be configured as a WAN port, ie an existing Internet connection via LAN is also used as soon as the LAN cable is plugged in and an Internet connection is available. If the LAN connection is interrupted, the Nighthawk M5 automatically switches back to the cellular connection.

Display and operation

Most of the settings can be made directly via the touchscreen on the front of the Netgear Nighthawk M5. Here there is, for example, the possibility of changing the name and password of the WLAN, providing a WLAN guest network or changing the WLAN range. Further setting options concern, for example, the cellular connection (APN, preferred network technology, roaming, etc.). It is also possible to carry out a software update directly via the touchscreen.

 

The display itself is of poor quality compared to a current 5G smartphone, the resolution is low, the color representation is poor and the plastic cover is reflective. There is also not always a reaction to inputs.

 

A lock screen is shown on the display, showing the time and date. The network operator, the current network technology, the reception strength and the battery status (in percent) are also displayed. The actual start screen can be protected with a PIN if required; the WLAN data and the data volume used can be displayed here if required.

 

At the bottom of the start screen there are shortcuts for WiFi, SMS and settings. By the way, SMS can not only be received on the Netgear Nighthawk M5, but also sent.

 

Some information on the cellular connection can be viewed via the “Status” menu item. This includes, for example, the current network status, the technology used and the main frequency band, the reception strength (RSRP) and the IP addresses. Unfortunately, when the 5G (NSA) connection is active, there is no detailed information on the frequency bands; here, too, only the main radio cell (LTE anchor cell) is displayed, the network status signals “5GSUB6”.

 

Web interface and app

In addition to the touchscreen, the browser web interface can of course also be used for configuration. The visual appearance of the web interface has hardly changed compared to the previous models and offers more functionality than the app and the touchscreen. For example, the WLAN repeater function (WLAN as Internet access) or the WAN function (Internet access via LAN or failover) can also be activated via the web interface.

 

The web interface reacts quickly and is clearly structured. The range of functions is basically good, but there is still a lot of potential for improvement in the details. For example, 5G and/or LTE can be deactivated if necessary. However, manual selection of the frequency bands is not possible. Detailed information on the frequency bands used by the Nighthawk M5 is also nowhere available, although this information would certainly be very interesting for some users.

 

The “NETGEAR Mobile” app is available for both Android and iOS and enables the Nighthawk M5 to be configured easily and clearly using a smartphone. All functions from the web interface can also be used via the app, for example the “data offloading” feature. The app responded quickly and reliably in the test on an Apple iPhone.

 

Battery and power supply

The 5,000 mAh battery of the Netgear Nighthawk M5 is easily exchangeable by the user, so if necessary, a second or third battery can be bought to swap instead of recharging on the go. The battery life in the test was around 8 hours with continuous 5G use (Internet radio stream via WLAN).

 

For longer stationary use, it can be advisable to remove the battery from the router and only operate the device directly on the power supply unit via a USB cable. This has the advantage that the heat development is significantly lower. In the test it happened that the Nighthawk M5 got very warm after intensive use (2 WLAN devices, streaming) and simultaneous charging of the battery.

 

Conclusion: Netgear Nighthawk M5

The Netgear Nighthawk M5 made a good impression in the test. 5G modem and WLAN are very fast, there are many connections and operation are impressive. The Nighthawk M5 has to accept criticism, for example, for its weak LTE frequency band support. Even simple 5G smartphones allow better connections abroad than the Nighthawk M5, as they can use many more frequency ranges. There is also room for improvement in the software: some users will miss a timer function for the WLAN, others will miss more detailed information and setting options for the cellular connection.

 

If you really want to have 5G in your mobile router, you can hardly ignore the Nighthawk M5. If LTE is enough for you, you will find almost equivalent alternatives in the cheaper sister models Nighthawk M1 and Nighthawk M2.