Regardless of whether you use an Android smartphone or an iPhone, chances are it has a built-in hotspot feature that allows you to share your internet connection with other devices.
That’s a great feature, but if this is something you’re using a lot, what you really need is a dedicated mobile hotspot router.
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I’ve been using Netgear mobile hotspot routers for years and they’ve become part of the equipment I take with me when I go out.
I just received the new one Nighthawk M6 Pro for testing and i have used it through its paces and it is the best mobile hotspot router i have used.
Note that in US Nighthawk M6 Pro is now an AT&T exclusivebut if you want the unlocked version, you can get the one with slightly lower specs Night Falcon M6This is still a great mobile hotspot router.
So why would I use a mobile hotspot router when I have a hotspot smartphone with me 24/7/365?
That’s because portable hotspot routers like the Nighthawk M6 Pro are packed with a lot more fun and versatile features.
First of all, my phone is used for a lot of different things during the day and I don’t necessarily want it to constantly provide internet to devices. It’s inconvenient and it also takes a heavy toll on the battery.
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Mobile hotspot router has one mission – to provide internet to devices.
The Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro can use available 5G & 4G LTE networks to fill up to 2,000 square feet of space with high-speed Wi-Fi for up to 13 hours using the built-in battery, allowing maximum access 32 devices to the internet.
13 hours not enough? Connect it to an available USB power adapter or power bank.
Mobile hotspot routers also help you control your internet usage, which is extremely important if you don’t have an unlimited data plan on your smartphone. I’ve heard horror stories about people using the hotspot feature on their smartphones to burn through all their data in a matter of hours and consume huge amounts of usage bills.
Want to connect an Ethernet device to the internet? No problem! These portable hotspot routers have built-in Ethernet ports.
Also: How to set up a VPN on your router
I was also impressed with the Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro pro’s mobile signal capture. In the tests I performed, these mobile routers received a better, stronger signal than my routers. iPhone 14 Pro Maxmaking them a great choice in areas with weak signal.
Cellular signal not good enough where are you? You can attach external antennas to the TS-9 . ports on the mobile router.
Still need to be connected to the internet if the main internet at your home or office goes down? It’s simple with a mobile hotspot router like the Nighthawk M6 or M6 Pro because you can connect it to your network and switch it to the cellular network if your main internet connection goes down.
Netgear mobile hotspot router packed with advanced features Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Need to set up a wireless internet connection at a campsite, construction site, emergency scene, or in your car or RV? It’s quick and easy with a mobile hotspot router.
Sharing your internet connection with devices is also quick — the built-in display allows easy access to network names and passwords. You can even get a handy QR code just scan it with your smartphone’s camera to go online.
Also: How to Easily Scan QR Codes in Android 13
Want to change your Wi-Fi password or network name? It’s easy with a mobile hotspot router. Netgear routers allow you to do this on-device, using the app on your smartphone, or by connecting to a web portal.
Good mobile hotspot routers aren’t cheap — Nighthawk M6 itself is the price of a good smartphone — but nothing beats them when you need to create for yourself (and your family, friends or colleagues) an internet bubble wherever you go.
After using it once, you’ll find it difficult — if not impossible — to go back to using the hotspot feature on your smartphone.
