Netgear's Pricey M6 Pro Unlocked Mobile Router Adds Wi-Fi 6E, 5G mmWave (2024)

Netgear's Pricey M6 Pro Unlocked Mobile Router Adds Wi-Fi 6E, 5G mmWave (1)

While Wi-Fi 6E routers for your home are a dime a dozen these days, that isn’t the case regarding portable routers. Today, Netgear announced the launch of its new unlocked version of the Nighthawk M6 Pro (MR6550), which brings faster internet connectivity to users on the go or for consumers that lack reliable fixed broadband service at home.

Compared to its predecessor, the M6 Pro adds Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and mmWave support for broader compatibility with 5G networks at speeds up to 8 Gbps (up from 2.5 Gbps max). The M6 Pro also features a larger 2.8-inch touchscreen (versus 2.4 inches) and ups maximum LTE speeds from 1.6 Gbps to 2 Gbps.

The mobile hotspot has 3,600 Mbps of available bandwidth (2,900 MHz 5/6 GHz, 700 Mbps 2.4 GHz) and an integrated 2.5 GbE port (the M6 has just a 1 GbE port) on the back. You’ll also find a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port on the back, which is used for charging and data. Another intriguing addition to the M6 Pro are two TS-9 antenna connectors. This allows you to connect external antennas to boost reception beyond what the M6 Pro’s internal antennas can provide (an ideal setup for users that need internet connectivity in more remote regions).

Netgear's Pricey M6 Pro Unlocked Mobile Router Adds Wi-Fi 6E, 5G mmWave (2)

The M6 Pro’s internal battery can also last up to 13 hours per charge, which should be sufficient for even the most demanding users, Netgear told us via video call. I also asked how mmWave connectivity would affect battery life but was assured that endurance hit would be minimal. The M6 Pro’s Wi-Fi coverage is roughly 1,000 square feet on battery power. However, if you connect it directly to a power outlet, coverage doubles to 2,000 square feet.

You might ask why you would want to use a mobile hotspot like M6 Pro when a smartphone can perform the same task. According to Netgear, 88 percent of people purchasing a dedicated mobile hotspot use it as their primary home internet connection. Many Americans live in rural areas with non-existent or substandard broadband connectivity, so a cellular-based solution is ideal — and smartphones can’t simultaneously support up to 32 devices like the M6 Pro can.

Netgear’s research also found that 54 percent of people use portable routers as a “primary” connection in vacation homes, and 50 percent use them inside their vehicles while traveling.

There is one “gotcha” to the M6 Pro, and that's would be pricing. You can get an AT&T carrier-locked version of the M6 Pro for $460 or pay $12.78 per month on an installment plan. However, the unlocked version will set you back $999.99 direct from Netgear (and soon from Amazon). According to Netgear, the unlocked M6 Pro is currently only supported by AT&T and Verizon SIMs that have previously been activated or with T-Mobile BYOD plans. However, it does note that new BYOD activations for AT&T and Verizon will be "coming soon."

Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter

Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.

Netgear's Pricey M6 Pro Unlocked Mobile Router Adds Wi-Fi 6E, 5G mmWave (3)

Brandon Hill

Brandon Hill is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware. He has written about PC and Mac tech since the late 1990s with bylines at AnandTech, DailyTech, and Hot Hardware. When he is not consuming copious amounts of tech news, he can be found enjoying the NC mountains or the beach with his wife and two sons.

See more Routers News

More about routers

Best Wi-Fi Routers 2024: High-Speed, Low Cost Choices for Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7Asus RT-AX57 Go Wi-Fi 6 router review: Pocket-sized router for travel

Latest

Zephyr launches 'world's first' Nvidia RTX 4070 ITX form factor card — dual-slot and just 172mm long
See more latest►

No comments yetComment from the forums

    Most Popular
    Cooler Master bundles free 27-inch 240 Hz gaming monitor with 850W fanless power supply — X Silent Edge Platinum 850 goes up for preorder at $399
    AMD RDNA 3 and Radeon RX 7000-series GPUs: Everything we know
    Scientists used a retired supercomputer to prep for NASA’s Roman mission — Argonne Theta supercomputer created nearly four million simulated images
    Asetek halts revenue guidance as large customers cancel orders
    Despite controversy, Recall adds new ‘Screenray’ feature, which analyzes current desktop contents
    Asus launches budget-friendly overclocking motherboard — Z790-AYW WIFI W debuts with DDR5-8000+ support
    Asus introduces compact Nvidia GPUs for SFF PCs — Prime lineup includes RTX 4060 Ti, RTX 4070, and RTX 4070 Super
    Fixing Windows Update or Upgrade into Black Screen
    XFX's new GPUs with swappable fans go up for sale — RX 7900 XTX start at $999 and RX 7800 XT at $549
    Intel slapped with class action lawsuit over foundry revenues — litigants allege securities fraud
    55-year-old bug found in 'Lunar Landing,' the most popular video game from the 70's
    Netgear's Pricey M6 Pro Unlocked Mobile Router Adds Wi-Fi 6E, 5G mmWave (2024)
    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Arielle Torp

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6547

    Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

    Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Arielle Torp

    Birthday: 1997-09-20

    Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

    Phone: +97216742823598

    Job: Central Technology Officer

    Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

    Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.