Netgear 5G Router Archives

Netgear Nighthawk M6 VS Nighthawk M6 PRO

Netgear’s Nighthawk series has long been synonymous with high-performance routers, and the Nighthawk M6 and Nighthawk M6 PRO are no exceptions. These 5G Mobile WiFi routers are designed to cater to different needs, offering robust features and impressive specifications. Let’s delve into a detailed comparison to understand which one suits your requirements better.

Design and Build:

The Netgear Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro are both portable Wi-Fi hotspots with sleek and stylish designs. They are both built with durable materials and can withstand everyday wear and tear.

Speed and Connectivity:

Both devices support 5G NR and 4G LTE connectivity. The Nighthawk M6 offers maximum download speeds of up to 4Gbps on 5G networks and up to 2Gbps on 4G LTE networks. On the other hand, the Nighthawk M6 Pro can deliver even faster download speeds, up to 7.5Gbps on 5G networks and up to 2Gbps on 4G LTE networks.

Battery Life:

The battery life of the Nighthawk M6 is up to 18 hours of continuous usage, while the Nighthawk M6 Pro can last up to 16 hours on a single charge. Both offer a long-lasting battery life, making them suitable for extended periods of use.

Number of Connected Devices:

The Nighthawk M6 can connect up to 32 devices simultaneously, while the Nighthawk M6 Pro can connect up to 32 Wi-Fi-enabled devices and up to one wired device via USB-C. This makes the Nighthawk M6 Pro suitable for individuals and small groups who require multiple connections.

Screen Display:

The Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro both have 2.4-inch color displays with touch controls. They display key information about the device’s performance, connection status, and battery life, making it easy for users to monitor and manage their connection.

Wireless and Security Features:

Both devices support Wi-Fi 6 and WPA3 protocols for faster speeds and advanced wireless security. The Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro also feature NETGEAR Armor, a multi-layer security solution that protects against cyber threats and malware.

Design and Accessories:

The Nighthawk M6 Pro comes with a removable battery, while the Nighthawk M6 has a non-removable battery. Additionally, the Nighthawk M6 Pro includes a travel case to protect the device when on the go.

In conclusion, the Netgear Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro are both powerful Wi-Fi hotspots with great connectivity speeds and various features. The Nighthawk M6 Pro stands out with its faster download speeds, the ability to connect wired devices, and the inclusion of a travel case. However, the Nighthawk M6 offers a longer battery life and is suitable for larger groups with multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices. Ultimately, the choice between the two Netgear 5G Pocket WiFi Routers depends on individual needs and preferences.

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.

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.

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6550 5G WiFi 6E Router Review

The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6550 is a high-performance mobile Wi-Fi hotspot designed to meet the demands of users who require fast and reliable internet connectivity on the go. With its advanced specifications and features, this device offers a superior wireless experience that’s both secure and intuitive. It looks very similar to its predecessor Netgear Nighthawk M5.

The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6550 is powered by a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon X65 5G modem. This advanced modem ensures that the device can connect to the fastest available 5G networks, providing blazing-fast internet speeds of up to 8Gbps for smooth streaming, gaming, and browsing experiences. The Nighthawk M6 Pro also supports Wi-Fi 6E technology, which offers improved range and faster speeds(up to 3.6Gbps) for devices connected to the hotspot. It can provide up to 1,000 sq. ft. of WiFi coverage.

The Nighthawk MR6 PRO MR6550 can support up to 32 Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously, making it an ideal choice for families, small groups, and businesses on the go. The Netgear 5G mobile WiFi Router boasts a long-lasting battery life that provides up to 13 hours of continuous use on a single charge, and supports Quick Charge 2.0 technology to ensure that it can charge quickly when you need it most. The battery is removable with 5040mAh capacity, which can keep working for up to 13 hours.

The Nighthawk MR6550 offers simple and intuitive setup through the NETGEAR Mobile app, which lets you manage all your connected devices, customize the device settings, and monitor your data usage. The 5G Mobile Hotspot router also has an easy-to-use touchscreen interface which displays key information such as battery life, signal strength, and data usage.

Moreover, the Netgear Nighthawk MR6550 ensures reliable and secure connectivity. It supports WPA3 encryption for wireless security, ensuring that all data sent over the network is protected from unauthorized access. Additionally, it includes a tethering option, which allows you to establish a wired connection between your mobile device and the hotspot, enabling reliable and secure internet connectivity anywhere.

Overall, the Netgear Nighthawk MR6550 is a top-of-the-line mobile Wi-Fi hotspot that provides reliable, fast, and secure internet access on the go. With its advanced specifications, intuitive setup and user interface, and support for essential features like tethering and WPA3 encryption, it stands out as an excellent choice for users in search of a powerful mobile hotspot.

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.

Netgear Nighthawk M5 5G WiFi Router Test

Netgear Nighthawk M5 is a new 5G mobile WiFi hotspot which is already available in many countries. Regarding the performance for internet connection, we will take a test and you will read the detail in the following.

We have already shown what the Netgear 5G router looks like and which accessories are included in our picture unboxing linked above. In the first weeks of testing, the hardware of the Netgear Nighthawk M5 proved to be quite robust. Unfortunately, the touchscreen magically attracts fingerprints, so we had to clean it several times with a cleaning cloth.

However, you shouldn’t expect the Netgear Nighthawk M5 MR5200 to respond as quickly as a smartphone touchscreen. Sometimes the software took a small millisecond in our test before it responded to our input. We encountered a phenomenon with the Nighthawk M5 that owners of previous Netgear 4G routers reported. If the nano-SIM card is blocked with a PIN, a PIN query appears after the 5G WiFi router starts up. However, this screen is visually incorrectly designed. You can enter the PIN easily using the numeric keys, but the confirmation button is partly outside the visible area and must be aimed very precisely with your finger.

Otherwise, we did not notice any serious software errors when using the router.

Firmware: Latest version is required

At this point we still have to go into more detail about the software: If you buy the Netgear Nighthawk M5, you should make sure that you have the latest firmware in the “Settings – Software” menu immediately after booting up and connecting to the Internet the number 10.29.10.00 from November 17th and install it. With the old firmware, the router may only contact LTE networks, which is not the point of a 5G router.

We also observed with the Netgear Nighthawk M5 that WiFi modules from Android smartphones, which otherwise find any 5 GHz WiFi without any problems, have problems finding the 5 GHz WiFi set up by the Nighthawk M5 and connecting to it. Even manually entering the SSID and password failed in our test on at least three Android devices.

One device that the 5 GHz WiFi of the Nighthawk M5 could always find and connect to was an iPhone 11 Pro used in the test. The Android smartphones could connect to the 2.4 GHz network of the Nighthawk M5. Due to the regional overload of the 2.4 GHz band and the lower data rates, it is of course quite pointless to use a 5G router in this case if it cannot pass on the high 5G data rates via WLAN.

Features of the software

In terms of operation and functions, the software of the Netgear Nighthawk M5 is of course quite sophisticated, as always. On the start page, network information, time and battery charge status are displayed in the status area. This is followed by the SSID and password of the 2.4 and 5 GHz WiFi hotspots. With a mobile tariff with a data throttle, you can also see how much data volume is left on the home page. At the bottom you can see how many devices are connected via WLAN and whether new SMS messages have arrived.

In the settings menu the user can configure things like the APN. The brightness of the screen can be regulated or an unlock password can be assigned. The Netgear Nighthawk M5 also supports USB tethering; the function can either be activated at the same time as the WLAN or as an alternative to the WLAN hotspot. The Netgear Nighthawk M5 can also be integrated into an existing WLAN or Ethernet network via the data-saving mode and then only serves as a network bridge for the connected devices.

Data rates in the test

For our test of the Nighthawk M5, we received 5G-capable SIM cards from CSL and PCCW. After the firmware update, the hotspot immediately logged into the available 5G networks.

The measured data rates come close to the values that we measured with the 5G router from HTC: HTC 5G Hub. In CSL’s 5G network, we determined maximum data rates of up to 781 Mbit/s in the downstream and 134 Mbit/s in the upstream. In the PCCW network, the data rates we measured in the downstream were a maximum of 187 Mbit/s in the downstream and 82 Mbit/s in the upstream. The CSL data rates at the locations we measured actually corresponded to a typical LTE value rather than a 5G value.

Of course, we also took measurements with a laptop that was connected to the Nighthawk M5 via the Ethernet interface rather than WLAN. Here we could observe that the measured values were always around 12 to 15 percent above the values measured via WLAN.

Netgear has not received any further error messages about the problem with the 5 GHz WLAN under Android.

Battery life in the test

The Netgear Nighthawk M5’s 5040 mAh battery is strong, but it doesn’t work miracles either. Even if the router’s display switches off in the meantime, the maximum battery life is around 6 hours. That is a decent value, but not a top performance either. If you really have to work with the Nighthawk M5 all day long, you should have access to a socket again in between – or take a mobile power bank with you.

Conclusion

With the current firmware, the Netgear Nighthawk M5 did its job properly and without any real errors. In the 5G network, the router achieved peak values of just below 800 Mbit/s at the locations we tested. We are in contact with Netgear about the 5 GHz WiFi problem. The battery lasted around 6 hours in the test. There was little to criticize about the intuitive operation of the router.

NETGEAR Nighthawk M5 5G Mobile Hotspot Review

The manufacturer NETGEAR has launched the first MiFi 5G with Wi-Fi 6 technology to achieve the best possible wireless performance in all circumstances. The new model is the NETGEAR Nighthawk M5 Mobile Hotspot, and it is designed to offer the best possible experience in the mobile broadband network, and also so that we obtain the maximum speed when we connect devices via Wi-Fi. Do you want to know all the details of this new model?

Thanks to this 5G portable router we have the latest mobile and WiFi technologies, with which we can stay connected at home or away from home, while enjoying a connection with fast speed, low latency and improved bandwidth.

This year we have seen an increase in teleworking, due to the fact that more and more work is done remotely, and the coronavirus pandemic has also contributed to accelerating the process. Since many work or study from home right now, they need to have a fast and secure Internet connection with WiFi connectivity that meets their needs.

The Nighthawk M5 Mobile Hotspot Pro will allow us to bring a quality Internet connection to our home with 5G. In small and medium-sized towns especially, we find that cable, DSL or other service is not good enough.

However, thanks to the 5G connectivity offered by this Netgear 5G mobile Hotspot, we will be able to obtain fast speed connections. That’s not all, thanks to WiFi 6 technology it will allow us to deliver those speeds to your connected devices without affecting bandwidth or connectivity when we have many wireless clients. That means we will not have delays or interruptions when working or studying at home. That extra bandwidth that WiFi 6 provides us compared to the previous WiFi 5 technology will allow us to do videoconferences or other activities in a more fluid way.

The Nighthawk M5 Mobile Hotspot Pro comes equipped with the chipset of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 mobile platform to offer us next- generation 5G connectivity . Thanks to this 5G modem, we can achieve high download speeds of up to 7 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 3 Gbps.

In addition, it has WiFi 6 technology that allows us to have more devices connected and transmitting simultaneously without penalizing performance. With a greater capacity compared to WiFi 5, we can rest assured that our smartphones, tablets and computers will have the necessary bandwidth to carry out any task.

It also allows us the 5G connection in our home or office through the use of its Gigabit Ethernet port. To do this, we can connect the 5G mobile router to our home or work router and thus we can enjoy 5G speeds in our local network from which all devices can also be used.

With a secure and reliable network we can avoid the risks of public WiFi networks thanks to the compatibility with VPN Pass-through and password protection. Regarding the capacity of this model, it allows us to connect up to 32 WiFi devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops regardless of where you are.

This model has a 5,040 mAh rechargeable battery that will provide us with a long duration to use it all day. We can also use it without a battery since it can be connected to a power outlet at home so that it works throughout the day. In that sense, we could keep it connected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by removing the battery.

As for the Nighthawk M5 Mobile Hotspot Pro, it has a 2.4-inch color LCD touch screen that is intuitively operated. Thanks to it, we can easily control the use of data, see the name and password of WiFi, as well as the strength of the mobile signal. We can also manage device and network settings. On your lock screen it shows important information such as the time, date and the use of data that we have consumed. On the other hand, we have the NETGEAR Mobile app to manage and configure our device.

Netgear Nighthawk M5 MR5200 5G Mobile Hotspot Review

Netgear Nighthawk M5 MR5200 is a new 5G flagship mobile pocket WiFi router which was announced at the January 2020 CES trade show. As the successor to the 4G mobile router Netgear Nighthawk MR1100, Netgear Nighthawk MR5200 looks similar to the Nighthawk M1, but it has much difference and the specs configuration has much improvement. The Nighthawk MR5200 is likely destined to be AT&T’s 5G mobile hotspot, but it’s not the first one. The first one is the Netgear Nighthawk M5 Fusion MR5000.

Netgear Nighthawk M5 MR5200 Appearance

Like the Nighthawk MR5000, the Netgear 5G Router features a touch screen interface, gigabit ethernet port, USB-C for charging and tethering, and it appears to have antenna ports as well. From the 2.4″ color LCD touch screen, users can conveniently monitor data usage, see WiFi name/password, mobile signal strength, and manage device and network settings. Time, date, data usage and important status information are displayed on the lock screen.

Netgear Nighthawk M5 MR5200 Specifications

Netgear Nighthawk M5 MR5200 is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55, a second generation 5G modem chipset, supporting all versions of 5G, including both millimeter-wave and sub-6 networks, it also supports Wi-Fi 6 for devices that are connected to it.

Simply connect your Nighthawk M5 Mobile Router to your existing home router to deliver 5G speeds throughout your home. The router supports the latest 5G Technology: 5GNR Sub 6 GHz (NSA). It also supports LTE CAT.22, LTE Advanced, 4×4 MIMO, 256QAM.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 will also support dynamic spectrum sharing – allowing 4G and 5G technologies to co-exists on the same frequency bands, allowing for a faster rollout of 5G coverage nationwide. And when there is no 5G coverage to be found – the M5 will support the latest Cat-22 LTE technology, theoretically capable of well over gigabit speeds in fully developed LTE areas. The M5 also has other benefits of 5G, including up to 10x lower latency compared with 4G, and much better spectrum efficiency.

Netgear is claiming the 5G mobile router will have enough horsepower to enable peak theoretical 5G downlink speeds of “Close to 4Gbps” – though it will undoubtedly take a long time for cellular networks to evolve to support this level of performance.

Netgear Nighthawk MR5200 WiFi 6 Technology

The other exciting new feature included in the Nighthawk M5 is support for Wi-Fi 6, the next evolution of the Wi-Fi standard more technically known as 802.11ax. Wi-Fi 6 hotspots and routers will remain backwards compatible with Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 4 clients too – and the Nighthawk M5 supports simultaneous use of both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi spectrum with as many as 32 client devices connected at once. With increased capacity, you get faster speeds for high-end video streaming on your smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Netgear Nighthawk MR5200 Battery

For the power source, the M5 uses a USB-C port for charging and a removable rechargeable battery. Netgear says the mobile router has a long battery life, but can also work when plugged in, with the battery removed. The Netgear Nighthawk M5 mobile router features a long lasting battery for all day usage. You also have the option of plugging into a power outlet at home for a 24/7 operation with battery removed.

Netgear Nighthawk MR5200 Price and Availability

The Nighthawk M5 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router is available in the second half of this year. The price of M5 MR5200 is not yet known but once it’s available, we will update it.

Netgear Nighthawk XR700 Gaming Router Review

The Netgear Nighthawk XR700 gaming router delivers superlatives: huge body, spectacular design, many wireless antennas, and the latest wireless 802.11ad technology, in addition, an SFP connection for 10 Gigabit Ethernet. So it is clear: this Netgear XR700 router is not aimed at the classic standard user, but at users who want to have super fast connections and lots of power in the home network such as gamers.

Netgear Nighthawk XR700 Appearance

Netgear has gone all-in for the design and designed a very unique case. The XR700 gaming router is huge and heavy in comparison to other router models, especially the bulky wireless antennas catch the eye. A large ventilation grille on the front allows a view of the technology and the active fan, red stripes on the body provide a fresh look. Overall, the design takes a bit of getting used to and certainly not compatible with any home decor – the XR700 is more likely to fit between gaming computers and network switches rather than on the dresser in the entry hallway.

Nighthawk XR700 WLAN Features

The Netgear Nighthawk XR700 can use WLAN on three frequency ranges: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 60 GHz. Over 2.4 GHz, a maximum of 400 Mbit/s is possible, over 5 GHz up to 1733 Mbit/s and over 60 GHz even up to 4,600 Mbit/s – in each case a suitably equipped terminal provided. The router supports 4 × 4 MU-MIMO antenna technology and offers a comparatively good range. An apartment of 60-80 square meters can be easily provided without the further repeater.

The integrated 802.11ad WLAN at 60 GHz is a curiosity. Theoretically, very high data rates are possible at a short distance – ideally a few meters and visual contact. Practically, however, it lacks of devices that have integrated 802.11ad. In fact, very few devices around the world are with this technology. Although there are retrofit solutions, including from Intel, but even Netgear has no retrofit adapter for USB or PCIe in the range. The 60 GHz WLAN could therefore not be tested.

Nighthawk XR700 Gaming Pro Interfaces

The Netgear XR700 has six RJ45 Gigabit LAN ports on the back, two more than an ordinary wireless router. Ports 1 and 2 can even be combined via Link Aggregation and thus significantly increase the speed, if supported by the end device (for example, a NAS). If you need an even faster LAN, you can buy a 10 GBit/s SFP module from a retailer and install it in the XR700’s SFP bay. Then up to 10 Gbit/s are possible.

The Netgear XR700 has no integrated modem. This is a shame given the high price on the one hand, on the other hand, there are now with (V) DSL, TV cable and fiber- three common types of connection and so anyone can take the modem, which fits best. The modem is then connected to the XR700 via the 1 Gbps WAN port.

For external devices such as hard drives or printers, there are two USB 3.0 ports on the Netgear XR700. In practice, a USB stick was easily detected and could be used within a short time. The data transfer rates were not tested in detail.

Conclusion

One thing is clear: the Netgear Nighthawk XR700 is not a router for everyone. This is already visible at the incredibly high price. But when you get the Netgear XR700, you can get other things that are otherwise in hardly any other router: an extraordinary design, good workmanship, top wireless performance, an SFP port for 10 GBit LAN and good software. Due to the lack of end devices, the integrated WLAN 802.11ad can hardly be used by anyone – but it is, after all, integrated. If you want to combine this combination of high-end features in one router, the Netgear Nighthawk XR700 is just what you need.

Telstra Presents Netgear Nighthawk M2 5G Mobile WiFi Router

As the successor to the Nighthawk M1, Netgear presented a new 5G mobile router Nighthawk M2 for the Australian network carrier Telstra at CES 2019. The new mobile hotspot supports 4G LTE Category 20 and could provide faster speeds for surfing. The appearance of the new 5G mobile hotspot is very similar to the first 5G mobile router Netgear Nighthawk M5, which is available for the AT&T 5G networks in the USA.

The Nighthawk M2 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X24 modem, and the theoretical data rates are 2Gbps for download and 316Mbps for upload. It’s possible to achieve 7 carrier aggregations for download and triple carrier aggregation for upload. The 4 × 4 MIMO antenna technology is supported on up to 5 carriers simultaneously. The 256QAM modulation is supported not only in the downlink but also in the uplink. Combining the mentioned technologies, the device reaches the mentioned 2 gigabits per second – but only if the mobile networks support these technologies as well.

Like the predecessor M1, Netgear M2 could also support maximum up to 20 wireless devices to access the internet. What’s more, the Nighthawk M2 has one RJ45 Ethernet port, one USB-C Port and one Type-A USB port. And two connectors for external antennas are available, but what’s the connector type is unknown yet. More details of the Netgear Nighthawk M2 is waiting for the official specs from Netgear or Telstra.

According to the Telstra news, the Nighthawk M2 is the world’s fastest 4G device on Australia’s fastest mobile network, and it’s said the M2 was already under test and it would be available in the market in early 2019. However, the price of Netgear Nighthawk M2 is not yet known, but we will keep updating the news.