Nighthawk 5g mobile hotspot pro unlimited data

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AT&T's first 5G device was a Netgear hotspot, but since that time -- and a brief Netgear device in 2020 -- it's been fairly quiet on new portable data offerings. That seems set to change on Friday as the nation's third-largest carrier is adding two new Netgear offerings to its lineup. 

Called the Nighthawk M6 and Nighthawk M6 Pro, both devices are available online and capable of connecting to AT&T's higher-frequency millimeter-wave and midband C-band 5G networks (what the carrier calls "5G Plus") as well as its lower-band 5G offering. The two hotspots each feature a touchscreen (2.4 inches on the M6, 2.8 inches on the M6 Pro), removable batteries, an Ethernet port and the ability to broadcast Wi-Fi 6 connections to up to 32 devices. 

The regular M6 will retail for $310 while the M6 Pro will run $460. Beyond the larger display, the pricier hotspot will support 2.5Gbps Ethernet connections and the ability to broadcast in Wi-Fi 6E (the regular M6 can only broadcast in Wi-Fi 6). 

AT&T touts that these devices can "allow users to use a 5G connection as their primary Internet and deliver multi-gigabit speeds to their home or on the go," though the carrier isn't making it easy with its plans. 

Available only to postpaid customers, AT&T's hotspot plans are pricey and limited. A 25GB-per-month plan runs $50, while 40GB is $75. Exceeding your data allotment will run you an extra $10 per every 2GB, an incredibly costly proposition for frequent travelers or those thinking about using this as a home internet solution and streaming videos or participating in video calls. 

Those hotspot plans are not only bad relative to its rivals -- T-Mobile offers a 5G Inseego hotspot with 100GB of monthly data for $50 per month while Verizon has a variety of hotspot plans that not only deliver better value in data ($40 per month gets you 50GB, $60 gets you 100GB) but will slow down speeds as opposed to charging you overage fees -- but even compared to some of AT&T's own prepaid offerings. 

AT&T has prepaid hotspot options that are significantly more reasonable, with 100GB of data available for $55 per month. Unfortunately for those looking for a 5G hotspot, the carrier tells CNET that these new Netgear devices will not work with those better, prepaid plans. 

4.0 out of 5 stars Check The Fine Print
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2022

My DSL went down and repair service was a week away. I have successfully used my phone "Hot Spot" feature to ride out previous interruptions-- so I bought this and upped my ATT service to unlimited data. I figured it would be my new faster ISP. Nope -- the unlimited data is phones only-- not the Nighthawk. I cannot purchase a reasonable level of data for the device. Installing new OS eats most of it up. ATT auto-adds 2Gigs at $10 a pop when you go over. You can take and use the hotspot anywhere there is cell service. T-Mobile ( I did not try them) has an unlimited Hot Spot plan for $50. Unlike ATT, it is **LOCATION** specific (you cannot take it on the road). Their fine print speaks to vague abuses that hint at hi def streaming, P2P, "unattended" programs, excessive data use (no specific number) -- that can lead to blocking and even throttling down to old-style analogue modem speeds. The device performs nicely-- 5 stars for that! The included Quick Start Guide is not for old eyes (tiny print and pix). I had to find it online so I could read it. I had a hekuva time finding the slot to put the SIM card in. The Quick Start Guide also tell you to download NETGEAR Mobile app--- IOS version doesn't see the device -- neither does their newer KnightHawk app. The NetGear community seems to think it's an IOS version specific problem. I strongly suggest using the WiFi Manager option that uses your browser for doing the setup. The Quick Start Guide implies that keeping it plugged in to power is a battery destroying no-no --- you have to choose battery in to ride out power outages, or with no battery having to manually restart it after a power bump. The 73 page MR5100_MR5200_UM_EN says that after a week of being plugged in with the battery in place, it goes into a battery maintenance mode--- drawing the battery down to 75% and maintaining it from there. The 73 page item tells you step-by-step what to do with each setting (and how to get there). I find 2 critiques of the doc:1. It doesn't tell you what the settings do in John Q Public layman terms.2. It alternates between the device LCD screen and the computer browser screen. It would be a bit less confusing for me if they had grouped the instructions by screen---- instead of by setting. Anyway, I am returning the device because it does not satisfy my intended purpose --- unlimited data ISP.

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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 23, 2022

My DSL went down and repair service was a week away. I have successfully used my phone "Hot Spot" feature to ride out previous interruptions-- so I bought this and upped my ATT service to unlimited data. I figured it would be my new faster ISP.

Nope -- the unlimited data is phones only-- not the Nighthawk. I cannot purchase a reasonable level of data for the device. Installing new OS eats most of it up. ATT auto-adds 2Gigs at $10 a pop when you go over. You can take and use the hotspot anywhere there is cell service.

T-Mobile ( I did not try them) has an unlimited Hot Spot plan for $50. Unlike ATT, it is **LOCATION** specific (you cannot take it on the road). Their fine print speaks to vague abuses that hint at hi def streaming, P2P, "unattended" programs, excessive data use (no specific number) -- that can lead to blocking and even throttling down to old-style analogue modem speeds.

The device performs nicely-- 5 stars for that! The included Quick Start Guide is not for old eyes (tiny print and pix). I had to find it online so I could read it. I had a hekuva time finding the slot to put the SIM card in.

The Quick Start Guide also tell you to download NETGEAR Mobile app--- IOS version doesn't see the device -- neither does their newer KnightHawk app. The NetGear community seems to think it's an IOS version specific problem. I strongly suggest using the WiFi Manager option that uses your browser for doing the setup.

The Quick Start Guide implies that keeping it plugged in to power is a battery destroying no-no --- you have to choose battery in to ride out power outages, or with no battery having to manually restart it after a power bump. The 73 page MR5100_MR5200_UM_EN says that after a week of being plugged in with the battery in place, it goes into a battery maintenance mode--- drawing the battery down to 75% and maintaining it from there.

The 73 page item tells you step-by-step what to do with each setting (and how to get there). I find 2 critiques of the doc:
1. It doesn't tell you what the settings do in John Q Public layman terms.
2. It alternates between the device LCD screen and the computer browser screen. It would be a bit less confusing for me if they had grouped the instructions by screen---- instead of by setting.

Anyway, I am returning the device because it does not satisfy my intended purpose --- unlimited data ISP.

4.0 out of 5 stars Check The Fine Print
By Old Guy on March 23, 2022

My DSL went down and repair service was a week away. I have successfully used my phone "Hot Spot" feature to ride out previous interruptions-- so I bought this and upped my ATT service to unlimited data. I figured it would be my new faster ISP.

Nope -- the unlimited data is phones only-- not the Nighthawk. I cannot purchase a reasonable level of data for the device. Installing new OS eats most of it up. ATT auto-adds 2Gigs at $10 a pop when you go over. You can take and use the hotspot anywhere there is cell service.

T-Mobile ( I did not try them) has an unlimited Hot Spot plan for $50. Unlike ATT, it is **LOCATION** specific (you cannot take it on the road). Their fine print speaks to vague abuses that hint at hi def streaming, P2P, "unattended" programs, excessive data use (no specific number) -- that can lead to blocking and even throttling down to old-style analogue modem speeds.

The device performs nicely-- 5 stars for that! The included Quick Start Guide is not for old eyes (tiny print and pix). I had to find it online so I could read it. I had a hekuva time finding the slot to put the SIM card in.

The Quick Start Guide also tell you to download NETGEAR Mobile app--- IOS version doesn't see the device -- neither does their newer KnightHawk app. The NetGear community seems to think it's an IOS version specific problem. I strongly suggest using the WiFi Manager option that uses your browser for doing the setup.

The Quick Start Guide implies that keeping it plugged in to power is a battery destroying no-no --- you have to choose battery in to ride out power outages, or with no battery having to manually restart it after a power bump. The 73 page MR5100_MR5200_UM_EN says that after a week of being plugged in with the battery in place, it goes into a battery maintenance mode--- drawing the battery down to 75% and maintaining it from there.

The 73 page item tells you step-by-step what to do with each setting (and how to get there). I find 2 critiques of the doc:
1. It doesn't tell you what the settings do in John Q Public layman terms.
2. It alternates between the device LCD screen and the computer browser screen. It would be a bit less confusing for me if they had grouped the instructions by screen---- instead of by setting.

Anyway, I am returning the device because it does not satisfy my intended purpose --- unlimited data ISP.

Images in this review

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 9, 2022

I have owed 3 of these. 1 Broke and 1 lost, now my third is also good speed and usually works, but can be glitchy. It resets often, and the battery life is rough enough that I need 2 batteries. Charge time is slow. Speed is pretty good. Fine for email and browsing but not great for Zoom, Teams, or Google Video. It breaks up on video about 50% of the time, but you can work around it. Unit reset today for no reason. Frustrating. AT&T is part of the problem. They sell these, but only LOOSELY support them. They can sell you and activate a SIM, but they typically have no technical knowledge of the unit at all. I CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT THIS WHEN TRAVELING. But I really hope they make a better unit. Disconnects too often for no reason. This is a true 3 star review. I would buy it again, but I really hope it gets better tech. These kinds of bugs NEVER happen on Apple products. If Apple products are Grade A, this unit is a Grade C-.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 3, 2022

This is a good 5g hotspot. It's a bit expensive and 32 gadgets may not be enough for business use.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 6, 2022

Yes, it's true, this unit will work on the Verizon network. However, entering the IMEI number into Verizon's site will show that this unit is not compatible. **Workaround** Since I already had a Verizon MiFi Jetpack, I took that active SIM card and put it into the Netgear unit. Initially, I tried using my SIM from an iPad. It DID work, but I got alerts from Verizon that the SIM had been moved. Once I used my hotspot SIM, those alerts stopped.

My primary reason for buying this unit was the ability to integrate it into my existing home network via the ethernet port. I use this hotspot as a bonded signal with my Suddenlink cable internet. My speeds went from 25Mb/s down - 1.5Mb/s up to 110Mb/s down - 12 Mb/s up once I added in the M5.

Set-up is not simple (especially how I have it set up), but it is not horrible. I wish Verizon would get their act together and make this easier to use on their network.

If you don't already have a Verizon hotspot with an active SIM, you may need to purchase a hotspot first, then swap the SIM card. If you don't mind the alerts and just need occasional service, using an active SIM card from another device will work.

My other suggestion would be to make sure you have the very best cell signal possible. In general, the more bars, the faster your service. I actually installed an Affanni cell signal booster (search Amazon) and placed the indoor relay antenna very close to the M5. I have 5 bars most of the time, and the unit has proven to be pretty reliable.

4.0 out of 5 stars It works great on the Verizon network, but it's NOT simple to set up.
By Wesley W. Hartley on February 5, 2022

Yes, it's true, this unit will work on the Verizon network. However, entering the IMEI number into Verizon's site will show that this unit is not compatible. **Workaround** Since I already had a Verizon MiFi Jetpack, I took that active SIM card and put it into the Netgear unit. Initially, I tried using my SIM from an iPad. It DID work, but I got alerts from Verizon that the SIM had been moved. Once I used my hotspot SIM, those alerts stopped.

My primary reason for buying this unit was the ability to integrate it into my existing home network via the ethernet port. I use this hotspot as a bonded signal with my Suddenlink cable internet. My speeds went from 25Mb/s down - 1.5Mb/s up to 110Mb/s down - 12 Mb/s up once I added in the M5.

Set-up is not simple (especially how I have it set up), but it is not horrible. I wish Verizon would get their act together and make this easier to use on their network.

If you don't already have a Verizon hotspot with an active SIM, you may need to purchase a hotspot first, then swap the SIM card. If you don't mind the alerts and just need occasional service, using an active SIM card from another device will work.

My other suggestion would be to make sure you have the very best cell signal possible. In general, the more bars, the faster your service. I actually installed an Affanni cell signal booster (search Amazon) and placed the indoor relay antenna very close to the M5. I have 5 bars most of the time, and the unit has proven to be pretty reliable.

Images in this review

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 3, 2022

If you need a good 5g hotspot for Verizon that has external antenna ports and ethernet port, this is the one! It's a little more expensive than the Inseego junk that Verizon sells, but it's worth the difference!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 5, 2022

Bought to replace a 3g unit that I had unlimited plan on. When I activated this unit AT&T told me this hotspot could no longer go on an unlimited plan. They only would offer at most 40 gig a month. We would burn through that in days. Tried a T-Mobile sim and it wouldn’t activate at all. They said that unit is also not supposed. I purchased a T-Mobile home internet device which gives 5-G internet on an unlimited plan for $50 a month. Speeds are 3 times faster than I had before. Returned this item. If. T-Mobile home internet is available at your location that’s a better choice. Unit it self was fine. Just be aware you may have issues using it.

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