Netgear Nighthawk M6 review 2024: lacks millimeter-wave 5G

The Nighthawk M6 ($799.99) mobile hotspot from Netgear is an upgraded version of its more competent predecessor, the Nighthawk M5. It allows for quick connection rates, it can be configured with little effort, and it features a user-friendly touch screen. Although its compatibility for Verizon is restricted, it is the most technically capable 5G hotspot approved with AT&T and T-Mobile.

In addition to this, it does not survive nearly as long as its predecessor did. In spite of this, it is a good option to consider if you require unlocked network flexibility. Having said that, you might save a large amount of money by purchasing a carrier-locked device, such as the $209 Franklin A50(Opens in a new window) on AT&T, the $336 Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 on T-Mobile, or the $299.99 Orbic Speed 5G UW Mobile Hotspot ($299.99) on Verizon.

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Specifications

Netgear Nighthawk M6: Design

The MR6150 Nighthawk M6 Mobile Hotspot is the same size (4.1 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches) and weight (8.8 ounces with the battery) as Netgear’s previous generation M5 mobile hotspot, also called the MR5200. In fact, the two are easy to tell apart because the newer M6 has gray edges and the older M5 is all black.

It looks big compared to the 7.6-ounce T-Mobile 5G Hotspot, which is 4.9 by 3.1 by 0.7 inches and weighs 7.6 ounces. Even though the 5G Hotspot is heavier than the M6, it has a bigger battery pack with 6,460 milliamp hours (mAh) instead of 5,040 mah. You can buy this from its official website

Netgear Nighthawk M6: Setup

Setting up the M6 hotspot is easy, and it took me about 5 minutes, including the time it took to update the device’s software. First, we put in the battery and my nano-SIM card from T-Mobile. Then we took a picture of the QR code that is on a piece of plastic that covers the screen. It gave clear, simple directions that started with tapping “Let’s go” on the unit’s screen. Next, we gave the M6 a network name and password.

Netgear Nighthawk M6: Performance

We tested the Nighthawk M6 using AT&T’s network in and around Danbury, CT. Even though the M6 is compatible with AT&T’s faster 5G+ network, which includes the C-band, it could only connect to AT&T’s slower 5G network when we tried it. We used an iPhone 14 Pro Max to connect to the hotspot and tested the speed in an area with good AT&T service. The fastest speed you could receive was 92Mbps, and the fastest speed you could upload was 40Mbps. When the Nighthawk M5 from the year 2021 was tried in Queens, New York, it showed speeds of almost 700Mbps. We also tried the hotspot in a place with poor 5G service and got download speeds of 22Mbps and upload speeds of 8Mbps.

Final Words

The Netgear M6 Mobile Hotspot provides you with multiple options to help you stay connected to the internet regardless of where you are. It is able to give out powerful Wi-Fi 6 signals while simultaneously receiving a data signal from a 4G or 5G mobile network. The M6 is an excellent choice for any activity, from spending the day at the beach to avoiding using the Wi-Fi in a hotel. It also has the flexibility to be utilized as an alternative internet connection at home in the event that your primary broadband connection becomes unavailable. The M6 is a little on the large and hefty side, and it costs $800; but, it does have something that the majority of hotspots do not: a pair of antenna ports that can be utilized to enhance its range.

Netgear Nighthawk M6 review: The good and The bad

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