© Presse-citron
Launching in late 2023, Netgear's Nighthawk M6 Pro promises to deliver the fastest 5G and WiFi connection on the move. This router integrates everything that allows it to deliver on this promise, including WiFi 6E, 5G NSA and SA connectivity. All in a compact and lightweight object, so you can stay connected everywhere, all the time.
Does the Nighthawk M6 Pro keep its promises ? Does it do better than a smartphone connection sharing ? Above all, is it worth the 990 euros (gulp !) asked by Netgear ? To find out, we used it daily for several months.
© Presse-citron
From a purely aesthetic point of view, the Nighthawk M6 Pro is not particularly impressive. Compact and lightweight (105 x 105 x 21.5 mm for 256 g), it can slip into a large pocket, a fanny pack, a handbag or a backpack. Despite its plastic coating, which is a bit cheap (especially for 990 euros), it can withstand the ravages of everyday life. For example, it held up well during our little week at the MWC in Barcelona, a trade show where equipment is sometimes mistreated.
The connectivity consists of a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet socket and two TS9 portsallowing you to connect an external antenna (sold as an option for 50 euros) which improves the connection to the mobile network. A removable 5,040 mAh battery powers the beast. It recharges via the USB-C port and/or can be replaced on the fly by an additional battery sold as an option for 35 euros.
© Presse-citron
© Presse-citron
© Presse-citron
© Presse-citron
Finally (and this is probably the most important), the Nighthawk M6 Pro has a 2.8’’ LCD touchscreen as well as two capacitive keys (back and home). The simple and intuitive interface allows you to access the modem settings, choose your network or manage connected devices (up to 32 simultaneously). Netgear offers a companion application available on Android and iOS as well as a web interface on PC and Mac. We hardly touched it (except for the needs of this test) as the screen and interface of the Nighthawk M6 Pro are practical on a daily basis.
© Presse-citron
No need to have studied at the Polytechnic to use the Nighthawk M6 Pro. After installing a SIM card (slot under the battery) and waiting a few (long) minutes, the modem turns on for an initial configuration. After a few seconds, you can connect any device (smartphone, tablet, PC, Mac ) in WiFi 6E. Some will regret the absence of WiFi 7. In Netgear's defense, this standard did not yet officially exist when the product was designed. The brand also assures that another WiFi 7 model is planned.
On the network side, performance is closely linked to the chosen operator. The Nighthawk M6 Pro supports 5G SA (Stand-Alone) and NSA (Non Stand-Alone). The first, often called “true 5G”, offers better speeds and reduced latency. Unfortunately, it will not be deployed in France until the end of the year, if the schedule is respected.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000We must therefore “make do” with 5G NSA, which is based on readapted 4G antennas. Category 20 4G (the most efficient) and 3G are also available. Netgear announces theoretical speeds of up to 3,600 Mbps. These performances vary according to several criteria: frequency band (6, 5 or 2.4 GHz), obstacles, quality of the network of the chosen operator.
© Lemon squeezer
Netgear offers three modes of operation:
- Balanced: enabled by default, this mode reduces WiFi power to preserve battery life
- Performance : prioritizes WiFi power but consumes more energy
- Plugged in: performance is pushed to the maximum without taking into account the consumption of 'energy. Hence the obligation to plug it in for it to work
© Presse-citron
For several months, we carried our Nighthawk M6 Pro everywhere: on the train, in cafes, in France and abroad (Spain and the Netherlands). -Down). We alternated between 5G SIM cards from the major operators: SFR, Bouygues Telecom, Orange and Free.
In order, Orange, Bouygues Telecom, SFR then Free offer the best speeds. This ranking is not surprising, it matches the data published by Arcep for several years.
So why use the modem from Netgear rather than a smartphone tethering ? For one essential reason: the speeds are significantly higher.On average, between the connection sharing of an iPhone 15 Pro and a Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the connection offered by the Nighthawk M6 Pro, the download speeds are four times higher.
Concretely, this translates into faster downloads, smoother browsing, a streaming experience with better image quality on the move. On the other hand, the upload speeds remain roughly the same as those of a smartphone in connection sharing. Sending large files (in our case 4K videos during the MWC) therefore takes just as long. A slight disappointment.
Finally, the battery life is one of the other strong points of the Nighthawk M6 Pro.We used the modem for an average of 10 hours depending on the number of connected devices and the quality of the available network. An excellent performance that allows you to use this mobile 5G modem for a day without fear.
Netgear also offers the M6, a comparable but more affordable solution. Obviously, for its price (699 euros), you have to accept making some technical sacrifices. First, the M6 has a design that is a little more elegant than its big brother. A detail for many mobile router users, and a sacrifice that many are willing to make.
The M6 does not support WiFi 6E but standard WiFi 6. In concrete terms, the connection can be more complicated in saturated environments, although. Most of the electronic devices we own have not yet upgraded to WiFi 6.
On the other hand, the speed of the Ethernet port reduced to 1 Gbps (compared to 2.5 Gbps) will be a bigger sacrifice for some users. We are thinking for example of image professionals who would need to transfer large files more quickly or gamers who would like to continue their gaming sessions on the move with faster connection speeds.
So M6 Pro or M6? For the most demanding users, the M6 Pro remains the model of excellence with a more refined design and cutting-edge technologies. But for most users, even professionals, the M6 is more than enough. It's up to each person to decide what budget they are willing to allocate for a mobile router and, above all, whether the differences are worth the 200 euros requested by Netgear.
With its Nighthawk M6 Pro, Netgear undoubtedly offers the best mobile 5G modem of the moment. Its compact size, its very practical screen and interface, its excellent download speeds as well as its very good autonomy transform the experience of working on the move.
However, we would have liked a coating other than plastic as well as higher upload speeds so that it really meets our specific needs such as sending large files. Especially for a device sold for nearly 1,000 euros.
📍 To not miss any Presse-citron news, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.