The Netgear Nighthawk M5 series of 5G mobile hotspot devices are the 5G successors to the popular Netgear M1 LTE series of mobile hotspots.
The first version, released in September 2020 (our news story) as an AT&T exclusive, is the Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro (MR5100). This was AT&T's first widely available mobile hotspot supporting 5G technology and became AT&T's flagship mobile hotspot.
Like most 5G devices of this generation, the Nighthawk 5G is based on the very capable Qualcomm X55 modem used in the other mobile hotspots such as the Inseego MiFi M2000 and M2100, the iPhone 12, and many of 2020's flagship 5G phones.
Netgear released an unlocked global version in September 2021.
Product Variations
Since the MR5100 first released with AT&T, Netgear has come out with additional models in the series, tailored to specific markets. The current versions are:
- Model # MR5100: The AT&T exclusive version called the "Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro"
- Supports both mmWave and Sub-6GHz 5G
- Model # MR5200: The Global unlocked version - available from Netgear.
- Supports Sub-6GHz 5G bands but no mmWave.
- Model # MR5100C: The version exclusive to Bell Canada.
- Does not support mmWave 5G
Additionally, there is a version for the Australian market.
Other than the cellular bands supported by each device and branding, these are identical devices, with the same features.
For the detailed specifications of these models, explore the tabs below.
MR5100 - AT&T
Specifications
- Model: Netgear MR5100
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 32 via Wi-Fi
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://attwifimanager or http://192.168.1.1
Default Password: admin - USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Supported Networks and Bands:
Sub-6GHz 5G: n2, n5, n66
mmWave 5G: n260
4G/LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 17, 29, 30, 46, 66
3G: UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 MHz - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 7-band
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO Sub6 5G and LTE, 2x2 MIMO mmWave 5G
- LTE Performance Category: Category 22
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x TS-9
- Other Ports: Gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: Wi-Fi 6 - 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n/ax - 2.4GHz and 5GHz
- Battery: 5040mAh (Removable)
- Claimed Battery Life: 8 hours usage, 11.3 days standby
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Battery Part #:
- Battery Purchase:
- Dimensions: 4.14in x 4.14in x 0.85in
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $509.99
MR5200 - Global
Specifications
- Model: Netgear MR5200
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 32 via Wi-Fi
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://192.168.1.1
Default Password: Printed on the device label - USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Supported Networks and Bands:
Sub-6GHz 5G: n2, n5, n25, n41, n66, n71, n77
mmWave 5G: None
4G/LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 29, 30, 38, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
3G: 1, 2, 5, 8 - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 6-band
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO Sub6 5G and LTE
- LTE Performance Category: Category 20
- (Max Theoretical Speed: 2.0 Gbps Down / 316 Mbps Up)
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x TS-9
- Other Ports: Gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies:Wi-Fi 6 - 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n/ax - 2.4GHz and 5GHz
- Battery: 5040mAh (Removable)
- Claimed Battery Life: 8 hours usage, 11.3 days standby
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Battery Part #:
- Battery Purchase:
- Dimensions: 4.14in x 4.14in x 0.85in
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $699.99
MR5100C - Bell Canada
Specifications
- Model: Netgear MR5100C
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 32 via Wi-Fi
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://attwifimanager or http://192.168.1.1
Default Password: admin - USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Supported Networks and Bands:
Sub-6GHz 5G: n5, n25, n66, n71, n77, n78
mmWave 5G: None
4G/LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 25, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71
3G: UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 MHz - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 7-band
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO Sub6 5G and LTE, 2x2 MIMO mmWave 5G
- LTE Performance Category: Category 22
- (Max Theoretical Speed: 2.5 Gbps Down / 316 Mbps Up)
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x TS-9
- Other Ports: Gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies:Wi-Fi 6 - 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n/ax - 2.4GHz and 5GHz
- Battery: 5040mAh (Removable)
- Claimed Battery Life: 8 hours usage, 11.3 days standby
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Battery Part #:
- Battery Purchase:
- Dimensions: 4.14in x 4.14in x 0.85in
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $636.00 Canadian Dollars
Here's a chart comparing the AT&T MR5100 and Global MR5200 versions:
News, Videos, and Status
Netgear sent us an MR5100 evaluation unit in early October 2020. Our deep dive of this option has been updated in the member area below, and MIAs can also follow along with testing data and notes:
- In Progress Testing Forum: AT&T Netgear Nighthawk 5G Hotspot Pro (5G Mobile Hotspot)
Alternatives to Consider
For other popular mobile hotspots on the market - here are our featured options:
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MR5100 model: AT&T | Netgear | Best Buy
MR5200 model: Netgear
MR5100C model: Bell Canada
Mobile hotspot devices are small, self-contained units that receive a cellular data signal and transform it into an internet connection. They are a cellular modem and router combined. Most can create their own personal Wi-Fi network.
They are typically designed with a specific cellular carrier in mind and require a suitable cellular data plan of their own to operate. You might see them called Jetpacks (Verizon's term for them) or MiFi (Inseego's name for them).
Here's a quick video going over the features of a hotspot, and what makes one better than another:
The guides below have been hand-picked to help further your education about selecting mobile hotspots and best utilizing them in your mobile internet setup.
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