The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro represents Netgear’s latest iteration of mobile routers, offering a comprehensive feature set including 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E support, a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, a rated 13-hour battery life, and the ability to handle up to 32 simultaneous connections. Having previously reviewed the Netgear Nighthawk M5 with favorable results, we approach the M6 Pro with considerable expectations. This review will assess whether the Nighthawk M6 Pro lives up to its potential.
Installation
The router features a 2.8-inch touchscreen interface for initial setup, enabling configuration of essential settings such as Wi-Fi network name (SSID), password, and administrator credentials. A minor inconvenience lies in the unilluminated home and back navigation symbols adjacent to the screen, potentially hindering usability in low-light conditions.
For optimal ease of setup, utilizing the Netgear mobile application is recommended. The app streamlines the entry of complex passwords, mitigating the limitations of the small and somewhat sluggish touchscreen.
Selecting the correct Netgear application is crucial, as multiple versions exist. Despite being part of the Nighthawk series, the standard Nighthawk app is incompatible; the Netgear “Mobile” app is required for proper device management.
The router’s side panel incorporates dual TS9 RF connectors for external antenna attachments, a USB-C port for charging, and a 2.5 Gigabit LAN port. This port allows connection to existing network infrastructure (switch/router) or can function as a WAN port, facilitating 5G failover capabilities using an available internet connection.
The M6 Pro offers a Wi-Fi extender mode, enabling connection to existing Wi-Fi networks in locations such as airports or hotels, thereby allowing multiple devices to share a single network connection.
The router supports several operational modes:
Mobile hotspot: Supports up to 32 wireless devices and one wired device via the network port.
USB-tethering: Enables a computer connection via the USB port. In this mode, the router can operate as a standard router or with Wi-Fi disabled.
Mobile modem: Direct WAN IP assignment to a device connected via the network port, useful in Dual-WAN configurations or when integrating with existing mesh networks.
5G as backup: The router can utilize Ethernet or Wi-Fi as the primary connection and employ 5G as a backup.
A key enhancement of the M6 Pro is its support for Wi-Fi 6E, expanding operation beyond the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to include the less congested 6 GHz spectrum.
Interestingly, the Wi-Fi band configuration options are limited to 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 2.4 + 5 GHz, or 2.4 + 6 GHz. Simultaneous operation of all three bands or 5 and 6 GHz concurrently is not supported.
These settings can be configured directly on the device or through the web interface. However, the mobile app omits the 6 GHz band as a selectable option.
Three power modes—Balanced, Performance, and Performance without battery—influence battery life and performance. The default “Balanced” mode provides moderate range and employs a Wi-Fi standby feature (requiring physical interaction to reactivate Wi-Fi after a period of inactivity).
For maximum performance, including 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port operation, the included power adapter must be used in conjunction with battery removal. The inability to bypass battery charging while using the power adapter is a notable drawback.
Power mode settings are accessible via the router interface or the web interface, but are absent from the mobile application.
Performance
The M6 Pro demonstrates impressive 5G performance. Testing across multiple carriers and subscription plans revealed that subscription limitations often dictate performance ceilings. In our office environment, we consistently achieved speeds exceeding 300 Mbit/s with sub-15 ms latency. Peak speeds of 970 Mbit/s were recorded in central Stockholm.
Wi-Fi network performance is also commendable. The router adeptly managed 10 concurrent devices streaming video and conducting downloads. Range is adequate for a mobile router, and using it with a power connection and without the battery (e.g., in a summer house) provides suitable coverage. While it cannot match the performance of high-end stationary routers, the M6 Pro can serve as a mobile modem connected to a mesh system via Ethernet for enhanced range in larger residences.
Battery life
The device is rated for up to 13 hours of battery life. Our tests yielded 8–10 hours of operation per charge, contingent on the number of connected devices and network load.
The integrated power bank function is a practical feature for on-the-go emergency charging. The 5040 mAh battery provides sufficient capacity for charging a smartphone, but mindful battery management is necessary.
The lack of fast charging support is a disadvantage, resulting in charging times of 2.5–3 hours for a full charge.
Conclusion
The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G is a capable mobile router, characterized by its compact design, reasonable battery life, and strong performance. Similar to our experience with the Netgear Nighthawk M5, the primary concern is the price. The suggested retail price is SEK 10,990 (!!).
Limitations in Wi-Fi 6E implementation, specifically the inability to simultaneously utilize 5 and 6 GHz bands, are also noteworthy. Inconsistencies in feature availability between the mobile app and web interface exist. However, these are minor issues relative to the device’s cost. While performance and features are compelling, the high price point is a significant deterrent.
For users prioritizing performance above cost considerations, the M6 Pro represents an excellent choice in the mobile router category.
Netgear provided a review sample for this evaluation. Content creators do not have any editorial influence on our reviews. We retain full independence to deliver objective analysis for you.
