NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 5G Wi-Fi 6 Mobile Hotspot Router, Unlocked, Up To 2.5Gbps Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Jane Warwick
My Netgear Nighthawk M6 5G WiFi6 Mobile hotspot Router unlocked arrived in perfect condition courtesy of Parcel Force 24 hour delivery service.
The packaging is very informative and, on the front, shows a picture of the router, its model number and the company’s name NETGEAR. On one side of the box, there is a list of the contents which are the Nighthawk M6 Mobile Router device and battery, a quick start guide, manufacturer warranty card, USB Type C Cable, AC Adapter plus information on its dimensions and weight (252g), which includes the battery and a list of its technical specifications.
On the other side of the box there is a list of the features of this router, which are that it is unlocked so any 5G and 4G network can be used (this is very useful); it boosts Wi-Fi coverage by up to 92.5 square metres and the USB C port can be used as an ultra-fast wired connection with speeds up to 5Gbps and this port can be used to charge your mobile phone. This feature will be very useful when travelling or in the event of a power cut. 5Gbps basically means that data can be transferred 5000 Megabits per second which is pretty quick.
The battery is long lasting up to 13 hours on a single charge which is ideal for journeys and a day’s work. On the same side of the box, it shows a picture of the bottom of the router which has the different ports so as well as the USB C port, there is a 1Gbps ethernet port and two external antenna ports where you can add 5G antenna but unfortunately this is not included in the box but are sold separately ( (cost about £45) to increase your 5G coverage. Though there are internal antennae, this external antenna helps to further improve reception particularly where network coverage is sparse. A shame it is not included in the original package of the M6 Mobile router.
The back of the box has the basic marketing blurb such as fast internet so you can use it to stream, game and work all at the same time; fast speeds and huge capacity stating a mind blowing fact that 32 devices can be connected to it so provides exceptional performance for the whole family. That I would like to try and test. It mentions again the 1Gbps ethernet port which can be used to connect to a Wi-Fi router or lap top and that the router has a 2.4inch which is 6.1cm colour touch screen. All this information is also written in another 6 languages. A slight criticism is that as this router is for the European market, it would be excellent if all the information in English is UK English rather than American.
On opening the box, it is like opening your new smart phone box, the router box is neatly packaged with the contents as mentioned before and as it is catering for the European market it has an adapter for UK sockets as well as a two prong socket for the rest of Europe. I initially tried the router using my mobile nano sim card but that is not normally something I would do as I would just use the personal hotspot of my mobile to connect to my lap top. I decided I wanted to try the router in an area without Wi-Fi to see how well it works so went and bought a data activated nano sim card and inserted this into the router. This is easy to do as the back comes off very easily using your fingernails along the edges (The quick start guide warns you to only use your fingers to insert and remove the nano card otherwise the device could get damaged). The diagrams in the quick start help to guide you through the set up though does not tell you when you know the battery has been charged. To charge the battery either add the USB Type C adapter to the laptop or use the plug and connect to a socket. The power switch is at the top edge of the router, and this is pressed down to switch on. You can then use the touch screen at the front to personalise your Wi-Fi router and create a password for Wi-Fi and an admin password.
When connecting the router to your lap top you need to open settings or just go to the Wi-Fi diagram at top right corner of your lap top screen and then click on the Wi-Fi name you have given to the router, and you are connected. First time you do this you will have to enter the Wi-Fi password. You can see if this device is connected to your router by touching Wi-Fi on the router screen and then touching the word devices which shows one is connected and then press this and it will show you which device is connected to the router. I am amazed that you can connect 32 devices. I connected my laptop, smart phone and tablet but if I wished I could connect another 29 devices! I like the fact you can increase your Wi-Fi coverage range at home by removing the battery and plugging it in as this gives the best performance and range.
I have had the nighthawk M6 Mobile router for a few days, and I think it will take more time to play around with it to find out where it is most useful for me and if it works efficiently and effectively where I want it to. It is an expensive item and although all other reviews speak highly of it, the main criticism does seem to be the cost. Like with most new technology devices they are expensive to begin with but as 5G coverage becomes more accessible in this country usually what happens is that the devices reduce in price. I do like the ease of which you can set it up and how you can monitor everything on the touch screen of the router but be warned if you have no 5G in the area you cannot get 5G even if though this router can use it.
This is a good Christmas present for someone who works from home or enjoys gadgets and will benefit the whole household.
Rating: 4/5
RRP: £759.99
This product can be purchased from Netgear.com here.