Hands-On ReviewTop PickFeatured
Released Around: April, 2022 /
The Netgear Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro are flagship 5G mobile hotspots first released for AT&T in April 2022. Since then, multiple versions have been released carrier unlocked or for Dish network.
These were the first mobile hotspots to utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon X62 and X65 cellular chipsets, which include 5G mid-band support and carrier aggregation that previous 5G modems lack. The hotspots also feature Wi-Fi 6/6E.
Product Variations
These mobile hotspots utilize the same basic architecture but have some substantial differences.
- M6 (MR6110) - AT&T version without 5G millimeter-wave (mmWave) support and uses the X62 modem.
- M6 (MR6150) - Unlocked version without 5G millimeter-wave (mmWave) support and uses the X62 modem.
- M6 Pro (MR6500) - AT&T version that includes mmWave support and uses the X65 modem.
- M6 Pro (MR6550) - An unlocked, multi-carrier version of the MR6500.
- M6 Pro (MR6400) - Dish Project Genesis-specific version similar to the AT&T M6 Pro, but it does not include mmWave support. It cannot be used on other carriers.
For the detailed specifications of these models, explore the tabs below.
M6 - AT&T
The Nighthawk M6's X62 modem lacks millimeter-wave 5G - which shouldn't be of much concern to most nomads. Additionally, it also only comes with Wi-Fi 6 instead of 6E, a slower Ethernet port (1Gbps vs 2.5Gbps) and the device itself has a smaller 2.4-inch color touch display than the M6 pro.
Specifications
- Model:Nighthawk M6 MR6110
- # of Connected Devices: 32
- Control Panel and Default Password:
- Address:http://192.168.1.1
- Password: attadmin
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Modem Chipset:Qualcomm X62
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T
- 5G Sub-6GHz: n2, n5, n12, n14, n30, n66, n77
- 5G mmWave: None
- LTE:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 29, 30, 46, 48, 66
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: 2.5 Gbps
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: 2x 5G Carrier Aggregation - Mid-and & Low-and 5G can be combined
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Category 19 (Max Theoretical Speed: 1.2 Gbps Down/ 316 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: At least 5x Download, 2x Upload
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO Sub6 5G and LTE
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x TS-9
- Other Ports: Gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Battery:
- Claimed Battery Life: Not Specified
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Battery Part #: TBD
- Battery Purchase: Not Specified
- Dimensions: 4.15 x 4.15 x 0.85 inches
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $309.99
M6 - Unlocked
The Nighthawk M6 MR6150 is similar to the MR6110, but it is an unlocked version and will work with all of the major carriers, although Netgear says it will work best with AT&T and T-Mobile. The X62 modem lacks millimeter-wave 5G - which shouldn't be of much concern to most nomads. Additionally, it also only comes with Wi-Fi 6 instead of 6E, a slower Ethernet port (1Gbps vs 2.5Gbps) and the device itself has a smaller 2.4-inch color touch display than the M6 pro.
Specifications
- Model: Nighthawk M6 MR6150
- # of Connected Devices: 32
- Control Panel and Default Password:
- Address:http://192.168.1.1
- Password:attadmin
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Modem Chipset:Qualcomm X62
- Supported Networks and Bands:AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon
- 5G Sub-6GHz: n2, n5, n12, n14, n25, n30, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77
- 5G mmWave: Not Specified
- LTE: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 30, 41, 48, 66, 71
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: 2.5 Gbps
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: 2x 5G Carrier Aggregation - Mid-and & Low-and 5G can be combined
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Category 19 (Max Theoretical Speed: 1.2 Gbps Down / 316 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: At least 5x Download, 2x Upload
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO Sub6 5G and LTE
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x TS-9
- Other Ports: Gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Battery:
- Claimed Battery Life: 13 hours
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Battery Part #: Not Specified
- Battery Purchase: Netgear
- Dimensions: 4.15 x 4.15 x 0.85 inches
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $649.99
M6 Pro - AT&T
The Nighthawk M6 Pro, as the name implies, is the higher-end hotspot. It supports AT&T's 5G+ network including support for millimeter-wave. Additionally, it has Wi-Fi 6E and a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, and a larger color display than the standard M6. It is priced at $150 more than the M6 and is only worth the price increase for those who want the absolute most future-proofed device.
Specifications
- Model:Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6500
- # of Connected Devices: 32
- Control Panel and Default Password:
- Address: http://192.168.1.1
- Password: attadmin
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Modem Chipset:Qualcomm X65
- Supported Networks and Bands:AT&T
- 5G Sub-6GHz: n2, n5, n12, n14, n30, n66, n77
- 5G mmWave:n260
- LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 29, 30, 46, 48, 66
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: 8 Gbps
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: 3x 5G Carrier Aggregations - Mid-and & Low-and 5G can be combined.
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Category 20 (Max Theoretical Speed: 2.0 Gbps Down / 316 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: At least 5x Download, 3x Upload
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO Sub6 5G and LTE, 2x2 MIMO mmWave 5G
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x TS-9
- Other Ports: 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (2.5 Gigabit Ethernet speed only enabled when the battery is
removed; with the battery in, the port is limited to 1Gbps speed) - Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11axe)
- Battery:
- Claimed Battery Life: Not Specified
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Battery Part #: Not Specified
- Battery Purchase: Not Specified
- Dimensions: 4.15 x 4.15 x 0.85 inches
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $459.99
M6 Pro - Unlocked
The Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6550 is a variant of the AT&T exclusive M6 Pro, but it comes unlocked and supports the cellular bands for all three major carriers, not just AT&T. Like the AT&T M6 Pro, this hotspot uses the 4th generation Qualcomm X65 cellular modem and also supports mmWave 5G frequencies.
The MR6550 comes with many features, and combined with the X65 modem, it is the most advanced and capable multi-carrier mobile hotspot available today. But that capability comes at a jaw-dropping $999.99 price, making it the most expensive 5G mobile hotspot ever released.
Specifications
- Model: Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6550
- # of Connected Devices: 32
- Control Panel and Default Password:
- Address:http://192.168.1.1
- Password:attadmin
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Modem Chipset:Qualcomm X65
- Supported Networks and Bands:AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon
- 5G Sub-6GHz: n2, n5, n7, n12, n14, n25, n29, n30, n38, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78
- 5G mmWave: n260, n261
- LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: 8 Gbps
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: 3x 5G Carrier Aggregations - Mid-and & Low-and 5G can be combined.
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Category 20 (Max Theoretical Speed: 2.0 Gbps Down / 316 Mbps Up)
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: At least 5x Download, 3x Upload
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO Sub6 5G and LTE, 2x2 MIMO mmWave 5G
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x TS-9
- Other Ports: 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (2.5 Gigabit Ethernet speed only enabled when the battery is
removed; with the battery in, the port is limited to 1 Gbps speed) - Wi-Fi Standard:Wi-Fi 6E (802.11axe)
- Battery:
- Claimed Battery Life: Not specified
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Battery Part #: Not Specified
- Battery Purchase: Not Specified
- Dimensions: 4.15 x 4.15 x 0.85 inches
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $899.99
M6 Pro - Dish
The Nighthawk M6 Pro 6400 has all the same features of the AT&T version, but lacks any mmWave support and includes support for many more cellular and sub-6GHz 5G bands. Otherwise, it is the same as the AT&T pro version with support for Wi-Fi 6E, a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, and a larger color display than the standard M6.
Specifications
- Model:Nighthawk M6 Pro MR6400
- # of Connected Devices: 32
- Control Panel and Default Password:
- Address: http://192.168.1.1
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Modem Chipset:Qualcomm X65
- Supported Networks and Bands:Dish
- 5G Sub-6GHz: n2, n5, n12, n14, n25, n30, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77
- 5GmmWave: Not Specified
- LTE: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 30, 41, 48, 66, 71
- 5G Cellular Performance: Not Specified
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: Not Specified
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category:Category 20 (Max Theoretical Speed: 2.0 Gbps Down / 316 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 7-band
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO Sub6 5G and LTE
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x TS-9
- Other Ports: 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (2.5 Gigabit Ethernet speed only enabled when the battery is
removed; with the battery in, the port is limited to 1Gbps speed) - Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11axe)
- Battery:
- Claimed Battery Life: Not Specified
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Battery Part #: Not Specified
- Battery Purchase: Not Specified
- Dimensions: 4.15 x 4.15 x 0.85 inches
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $349.99
News, Videos, and Status
At our own expense, our team acquired an M6 and M6 Pro (AT&T) for evaluation. We also acquired the MR6400 used by the Dish Project Genesis service.
Our MIA members will be able to follow along in our forums, and members have access to our full review below:
- Testing in Progress Forum:
- Testing in Progress Forum: Project Genesis M6 Pro MR6400 (Carrier / Mobile Hotspot)
- Peplink Introduces 5G Cellular Version of the B One Router - the B One 5G - for $599 Posted on: April 5, 2024
- WiFiRanger Launches First 5G Product - The Everest Outdoor Router With An X55 5G Cellular Modem Posted on: February 14, 2024
- Posted on: November 20, 2023
- Next Generation Qualcomm X62 Modems Coming to Peplink Routers, At Last! Posted on: October 12, 2023
- The InvisaGig - A New 5G Cellular Adapter With An X62 Modem Posted on: June 28, 2023
Alternatives to Consider
For other popular mobile hotspots on the market - here are our featured options:
Learn more about Selecting Hotspots
Review: Virtual SIM Multi-Carrier Devices & Plans (Mobile Hotspots & Cellular Data Plans)
Review: Netgear Nighthawk M6/M6 Pro Mobile Hotspots MR6110/MR6150/MR6400/MR6500/MR6550 (Mobile Hotspot)
Review: RG2100 Series 5G Mobile Hotspot by Franklin (Mobile Hotspots)
Review: M3000 Series MiFi X Pro 5G by Inseego (Mobile Hotspot)
Review: Linkzone 5G UW by TCL (Mobile Hotspot)
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- - Favorite Features & Potential Downsides
- Deep Dive
- Nighthawk M6 vs M6 Pro
- Should You Upgrade?
- Data Plan Options
- Getting an M6 Device
- Diagnostic Info
- Comparison Chart
- Summary
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Mobile hotspot devices are small, self-contained units that receive a cellular data signal and transform it into an internet connection.They are a cellular modem and router combined. Most can create their own personal Wi-Fi network.
They are typically designed with a specific cellular carrier in mind and require a suitable cellular data plan of their own to operate. You might see them called Jetpacks (Verizon's term for them) or MiFi (Inseego's name for them).
Here's a quick video going over the features of a hotspot, and what makes one better than another:
The guides below have been hand-picked to help further your education about selecting mobile hotspots and bestutilizing them in yourmobile internet setup.
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Understanding Cellular Modem Specifications (Mobile Routers, Hotspots, Phones)
Mobile Hotspot Device – Selecting and Understanding MiFis, Jetpacks & AirCards
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