Given the price displayed, this mobile router from Netgear, the Nighthawk M6 Pro, had better be at the top! In any case, on paper, the small square pad measuring approximately 10.5 cm on a side and 2 cm thick concentrates the technologies needed to satisfy the most demanding traveling professionals in terms of connection: 5G, Wifi 6E and even Ethernet socket. We added a nano-SIM card, so that it can switch between 5G, 4G and even 3G depending on the location. Netgear specifies that the device is compatible with networks in 125 countries.
We tested it the hard way for several weeks: on commuter trains, the metro and on the TGV. But also in the office.
No fuss on the interface and hardware
The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro router, 2023, Ph. Moctar KANE/ZDnet France.
Even at this price, Netgear has not spoiled us in terms of design. Nothing fancy, the Nighthawk M6 Pro’s case is all plastic. In the middle is a touchscreen. On the side, you touch the logo of a house or that of an arrow to go to the main screen or go back in your navigation. In fact, the latter is basic, simple. The main screen clearly shows the information and the main settings that can be changed.
For example, from the “Data” box we access information on the quantity of gigabytes swallowed since the last reset: this data counter is very good to be able to situate yourself in the consumption of your package. Another example, the “Wifi” box which marks the number of devices connected to the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro. By going further into the Wifi menu, it is possible to have information on each connected device, on which band (5 Ghz, 2.4 Ghz, even 6 Ghz, i.e. the available frequencies of Wifi 6E), its MAC address, …
Quickly, on the screen, it is possible to press the terrible (but protective) red “Block this device” button. It is a “Game Over” that can be opposed to the unauthorized connection of an intruder or it is a form of parental control exercised on a child who can benefit more or less generously from his Internet connection. travelling. Namely, the Wifi connection from a smartphone can be done easily by displaying a QR code on the screen to scan. The password for this connection is also indicated in full on the home screen.
How does the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro perform on the move?
On public transport, in libraries or other public places, the connection sharing mode of the smartphone is often used to connect our laptop to the Internet. From experience, on an iPhone, even if the connection is recorded, the establishment of this connection is not always as automatic and rapid. With the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro, the experience was much easier and more pleasant: recognition between the devices, which have become familiar, does not take long, the connection is made quickly. In the Paris region, on suburban trains and inside the metro, 5G coverage seemed very good to us!
However, two criticisms can be made of the Nighthawk M6 Pro router. When you turn it on, it takes a while to start. About a minute until you’re ready. It takes less than a third of that time, or about twenty seconds, for an iPhone to complete its preparation.
We would have liked to have had on the Nighthawk M6 Pro the presence of a hole or a system for attaching a wrist strap. In order to hang it for example on a backpack. For fear of dropping it or forgetting it behind us in the metro where we wanted to work, the laptop on our knees, how many times have we left the device inside the backpack, partially open so that it does not heat up?
The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro router used in the TGV, 2023, Ph. Moctar KANE/ZDnet France.
The experience in a TGV was still physically more comfortable, the PC being placed on the train tablet. But who says TGV, says long distance and high speed. Our trips were an opportunity to note that the Nighthawk M6 Pro is not only 5G, but also 4G, and 3G with, among other things, the HSDPA variant: the connection wandered around and swapped between the different networks.
And at times there was no connection or very little, when the train crossed a white zone. In such a situation, it may be best to test the train’s WiFi, if possible.
How does the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro perform in the office?
This mobile router is also useful when you have to work in static mode, in the middle of nowhere or in the city without access to a secure or high-speed WiFi network. It is also used when sharing a connection with colleagues (or with family members and friends). According to Netgear, its Nighthawk M6 Pro connects up to 32 devices simultaneously.
We did the test with a maximum of six devices connected.
Be aware that the Nightawk M6 Pro has three “power” modes. In fact, this is a performance mode of the router, which will thus vary the signal transmission power. From the home screen, it is possible to choose your power mode between “Balanced” (for “Best battery life”), “Performance” (for “Optimal Performance” which consumes more energy). ‘energy’) and ‘Plugged in’ (for ‘maximum performance’ with the battery removed and the router plugged into a charger via its USB-C socket).
We carried out several flow measurements, with the Speedtest application installed on two smartphones, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Crosscall Core-Z5, two devices compatible with Wifi 6E. Obviously, we have never reached the maximum theoretical throughput allowed with the Nighthawk M6 Pro, namely 3.6 Gbps (gigabits per second). Especially since the router’s wifi output speed also depends on the quality and speed of the 5G network provided by the operator. Below are the results of the flow rates taken at 50 cm from the router, at 3 m (staying in the same room) and at 12 m (with three walls separating the devices), in balanced mode and in plugged-in mode:
The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro on battery, in “balanced power mode”
About 50 cm away
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 606 Mbps – 93.9 Mbps
- Crosscall Core-Z5: 698 Mbps – 63.8 Mbps
About 3 m away
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 274 Mbps – 64.7 Mbps
- Crosscall Core-Z5: 313 Mbps – 78.7 Mbps
About 12 m away, in another room
The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro on battery, in “plugged-in power mode”
About 50 cm away
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 693 Mbps – 104 Mbps
- Crosscall Core-Z5: 611 Mbps – 107 Mbps
About 3 m away
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 317 Mbps – 43.3 Mbps
- Crosscall Core-Z5: 568 Mbps – 89.3 Mbps
About 12 m away, in another room
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 1.27 Mbps – 0.06 Mbps
- Crosscall Core-Z5: 11.3 Mbps -14 Mbps
We notice that the WiFi downlink speed roughly decreases by more than half when going from 50 cm to 3 m (from 606 Mbps to 274 Mbps for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, from 698 Mbps to 313 Mbps for the Crosscall Core- Z5) in “balanced” power mode. And that it is the “connected” power mode which allows it to catch up with the flow at 3 m (this is more visible for the Crosscall Core-Z5 which generally gives better results than the iPhone 15 Pro Max) and especially at 12 m where there is still a connection, certainly at low speed, but still usable.
Therefore, you should not rely on the Nighthawk M6 Pro to correctly supply flow to devices located in other rooms and separated by walls.
What is the battery life of the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro?
Netgear claims that the Nighthawk M6 Pro router can run for 13 hours. Battery life obviously depends on the number of connected devices and the consumption of each of them. We tested it in different situations.
For example, after a full charge, the router worked for almost 9 hours (8h43) connected to a smartphone and an actively used computer. With six devices (two computers, three smartphones and a tablet), the battery worked for 7 hours 50 minutes (and consumption of 6.48 GB).
The particularity of the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro, unlike many current mobile devices, is that its battery is removable! So before a long trip or a trip far from any power outlet, you can recharge a second battery which you will use when the first has been exhausted.
The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro router with its removable battery, 2023, Ph. Moctar KANE/ZDnet France.
Our purchase recommendation for the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro
The outgoing speed that you will have with this Nighthawk M6 Pro router will depend on the incoming 5G network of your telephone operator. Please note that there is an optional antenna to improve the quality of its 4G/5G reception signal. The Nighthawk has not demonstrated its ability to replace a good fixed WiFi router to properly power devices placed in several rooms ten meters apart.
The antenna of the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro router, sold as an option, 2023, Ph. Moctar KANE/ZDnet France.
Other than that, this Wifi 6E router does its job. And even very well, because it connects efficiently to the various devices already registered. The easy management of these connections, permissions, WiFi transmission frequency, the clarity of information and the simplicity of the various settings are among the strengths of the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro.
Its removable battery is another additional point to facilitate access to the Internet on the move, to enjoy it alone or with a large number of people. A very good product. That you have to pay a lot (€1000) to stay connected.