Netgear Nighthawk M3 WiFi Mobile 5G Router 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 Helen O
As a Tech-lover, I’m always on the lookout for the latest gadgets and I was really excited to be offered the opportunity to try out the Netgear Nighthawk M3 Wi-Fi Mobile 5G Router.
The mobile router arrived in a sturdy cardboard box in pristine condition. First impressions were that the product looked high quality and I was impressed with the box design. Upon opening the box, I found that the router was a nice compact size, perfect for on the go.
Inside the box I found:
– 1 x Nighthawk M3 Mobile Hotspot device & 5185mAh battery
– 1 x USB Type-C charging cable
– 1 x Quick start guide
– 1 x Warranty Card
Although there was limited information included on the box, a quick look at the website revealed the following key features for the product:
– it has a high-performance 5G internet connection with Wi-Fi 6
– it operates up to 2.5Gbps
– it has up to 1,000 sq. ft coverage (with plugged-in mode)
– it can support up to 32 devices simultaneously
– it works in over 125 countries
– you can get up to 13 hours of battery life from a single charge (when usage is optimised)
– it has a 2.42” LCD colour touch screen
The mobile hotspot arrived unlocked and therefore you are free to use a compatible provider of your choice; the technical specification states that the unlocked device works with all major 5G-4G LTE network providers (all that you need to get started is a nano SIM card and a data plan that suits your needs).
I couldn’t wait to get started with setting up the device. In terms of usability Netgear couldn’t have made things any easier. You simply put the SIM in the device, switch it on and use the only button on the device to toggle to the on screen QR code. The QR Code adds the Wi-Fi SSID and password to your phone or device and you are connected. If the QR code can’t be scanned it also displays the details on the screen.
This compact device is a fantastic solution for staying connected to the internet while you’re out and about. Whether you’re working remotely or enjoying a getaway, it offers a dependable, low-latency connection that makes it easy to keep up with work tasks or stream your favourite content without interruption. Perfect for anyone who’s constantly on the go.
What’s impressive is that The Nighthawk M3 allows up to 32 devices to be connected while on the move which is far more than a tethered hotspot would be able to support and you won’t need to worry about your phone battery being drained because the hotspot has a battery which lasts up to 13 hours, which is fantastic.
The nighthawk M3 is brilliant choice for staying connected while on the go, because it keeps your connection isolated and more secure than using a public Wi-Fi connection. The Wi-Fi 6 connection offers a more reliable 2.5Gbps connection than you’ll get from a tether and likely a public Wi-Fi connection. This makes the hotspot also great for gaming on the move if you or your kids need entertaining. This would also be a great option at home for when your internet provider has an outage or if you have a power outage and need to keep essential home devices, such as security cameras the ability stay online.
Whilst the device has it’s uses, I feel it would have been beneficial to have an ethernet port on the device, similar to the one offered on the M6 and M6 Pro versions.
The RRP of the mobile router is £449, which is a reasonable price if you would be likely to be use the device on daily or frequent basis. If you looking to use it on an ad hoc, infrequent basis it wouldn’t provide good value for money, in my opinion. Although, it would be useful to have in reserve for an emergency access needs situation.
The mobile router comes with a 2-year limited warranty and 90-day complimentary technical support (if purchased from an authorised Netgear reseller), which is definitely beneficial, should you encounter any problems covered by the warranty or have any teething problems.
I’d recommend the product for any tech-lovers out there, who are looking to add a cool device to their repertoire. As I said previously, it’s good value for anyone looking to use a device like this on a frequent basis- those frequent flyers, if you will!
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £449
For more information or to buy, visit www.netgear.com