Need a 5G mobile router? Read this Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro review. Discover a promising device for always reliable internet.
A mobile hotspot is a solution for those who need reliable internet on the go. One of the best choices is Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro. The ‘Pro’ tag on its name is not without purpose.
Able to share connections with up to 32 devices, this router can cater to large teams. The latest Wi-Fi technology ensures fast network speed anytime. It supports 5G, which is the fastest you can get in this day and age.
Furthermore, the mobile router also has a big battery. Portability is nothing without long battery life. Additionally, you’ll see the router also has an LCD display for easy operation.
In this Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro (MR5100) review, we’ll take a look into the device specs closely. Should you purchase this router? That’s a question we’re trying to help answer.
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Key Specs
Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro specifications:
- Weight: 244.9g
- Dimensions: 105.1 x 105.1 x 21.59mm
- Screen size: 2.4-inch
- Resolution: 320 x 240
- CPU: 1.5GHz Single-core, Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G modem-RF
- Storage: 8GB
- Battery: 5,040mAh, Removable
Design
Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro comes in a rectangle shape measuring 105.1 x 105.1 x 21.59mm. This device is quite heavy, more than a smartphone. It weighs 244.9g.
However, it is still relatively light and compact for a mobile hotspot. You can easily slip it into your bag and it won’t take too much space. It is slightly larger than the non-pro version of Netgear Nighthawk routers.
You will see the Power button and the LCD display on top. The bottom of the rectangle houses ports where you can plug other devices or a charger. The whole design is simple and not confusing even for unfamiliar users.
Read also: Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro (MR5100) User Manual
Display and Control
The 2.4-inch LCD screen is an improvement from the previous version of Netgear Nighthawk routers. This one is an interactive touchscreen. It means you can use the display to manage your connection, configure a setting, and operate other functions.
Previously, if you wanted to control your modem, you had two options. You can use either the mobile app or a browser. But it’s a lot more hassle-free now with Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro. You don’t need another device to manage it.
Performance and Storage
This modem uses a special Snapdragon X55 5G modem-RF chipset to run its system. It is a CPU specifically designed for a 5G network. The frequency speed at 1.5GHz is also faster than many of its competitors. The device can handle up to 35 devices thanks to this setup.
The setup also ensures no decreasing performance during heavy usage. Each device can have consistent download and upload speed throughout the day, no matter how many devices are connected.
Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro provides 8GB internal storage. Aside from system files, you can use it as some kind of a mini server, where you can share data among connected devices.
Read also: Netgear Nighthawk LTE Mobile Hotspot Router (MR1100) Review
Connectivity
This router is among the few modems that support 5G. In addition to the older band like 4G LTE, the 5G support is probably the main attraction here.
So far, the 5G network is only available in select cities. It means not every user will be able to use the 5G feature yet. However, as carriers continue to broaden the 5G coverage across the country, this device can be a good investment. It will be a long time until Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro becomes obsolete.
Furthermore, the type of Wi-Fi it uses to broadcast the internet is Wi-Fi 6. Again, Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro is the first device from the manufacturer that supports this technology. It claims to deliver data throughput 4 times than the Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
Aside from the mobile hotspot, this modem also supports Ethernet. Connect your laptop with a LAN cable to the available port. If you are not moving around, this method of connecting can be your option. It is faster than the wireless one.
We also notice that there are two TS-9 antenna ports on this device. If you want to widen the modem’s coverage, use this port to enhance signals.
Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro packs a lot of awesome network features. There’s one downside though. It’s bad enough that 5G is still limited. Network carriers also offer limited data plans. So far, there is only a handful available like the ones offered by AT&T. We hope it’s just temporary. Hopefully, carriers will keep up and continue to roll out better plans for the future.
Battery
Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro comes with a 5,040mAh battery. The battery is an aspect of this modem we like a lot. It is impressively big, almost twice than most modem out there. It is capable of 8 hours of non-stop usage, with up to 11 days on standby.
Equipped with quick charging capability, you can fill it up to 50% in 150 minutes. This is a relatively speedy process considering how huge it is. The removable nature of the battery is also useful. Users can replace it with a spare when traveling.
Is the Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro a good device?
Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro is a next-level modem. For individual users, this device might seem too much. You don’t need all the capabilities if you just need a mobile hotspot once in a while.
The 5G support is also a relatively new technology. Unless you’re in a big city, it’s hard to be able to benefit fully from its features. The price is quite expensive too at $510.
However, his mobile router is perfect for businesses. We can imagine it’s being helpful for teams in a professional situation. It is capable of handling large users, and battery life are impressive. The price won’t be a problem either.
All in all, our Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro review concludes this modem as overkill for most people, but perfect for business customers.
Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro Pros
- 5G supports
- LCD touchscreen
- Up to 32 connected devices
- Big battery
Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro Cons
- Expensive price
- 5G coverage is still limited
- Limited data plan