Netgear is one of the major manufacturers of home broadband routers. Typically, these routers are intended for wired residential connections and lack many of the usual features we look for in a mobile-capable router for RVers and boaters.
However, Netgear has come out with a few models that include cellular modems and other features of interest to mobile users. While often not ideal solutions, these options may be worth considering for some.
Currently, Netgear offers two LTE-capable routers of interest to our audience:
Details of each are in the tabs below.
Product Variations
Netgear Orbi 4G
The Orbi 4G LTE Tri-band Wi-Fi Router by Netgear is a cellular and Wi-Fi enabled router supporting AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
It's primarily designed for homes and is part of the Orbi ecosystem, which means it can be paired with other Orbi products to create a mesh network.
The router was released in August 2020.
Specifications
- Model: LBR20
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Carriers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 66, 71
- 3G Bands: 1, 4, 5
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes
- LTE Performance Category: Category 18
(Max Theoretical Speed: 1.2 Gbps Down / 150 Mbps Up) - MIMO Support: Yes - 4x4 Internal
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2xSMA
- SIM Slots: 1 - Nano
- Wi-Fi Router:
- # of Connected Devices: 25
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: 192.168.1.1 or orbilogin.com or routerlogin.net
Default Password: "password" - Wi-Fi Support: AC2200 Simultaneous Tri-band WiFi
- Radio 1: 400Mbps @ 2.4GHz: Supports 256-QAM
- Radio 2: 866Mbps @ 5GHz: Supports 256-QAM
- Radio 3: 866Mbps @ 5GHz: Supports 256-QAM
- Wi-Fi Antennas: Internal only
- Wi-Fi as WAN: No
- Cellular Tethering via USB: No USB port
- Ethernet Ports:
- Other Ports: None
- Special Features: App control, voice control, Failover, Mesh compatible, Circle Parental Control
- Power Source: 12V/2.5A (includes AC power adapter)
- Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.1 x 8.9in / 1.75lbs
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Retail Price: $399.99
Nighthawk AX4
The Nighthawk AX4 4G LTE Modem WiFi 6 Router by Netgear is a cellular and Wi-Fi enabled router supporting AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
It's primarily designed as a wired broadband router, with the LTE modem intended as a fallback or failover option.
The router was released in March 2021.
Specifications
- Model: LAX20
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Carriers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint
- LTE Bands: b2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 25, 26, 29, 30, 66
- 3G Bands: 2, 4, 5
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes
- LTE Performance Category: Category 6
(Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up) - MIMO Support: Yes
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2xTS-9
- SIM Slots: 1 - Nano
- Wi-Fi Router:
- # of Connected Devices: Unspecified
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: 192.168.0.1 or routerlogin.net
Default Password: "password" - Wi-Fi Support: WiFi 6 (802.11ax) Dual Band WiFi (AX1800)
- Wi-Fi Antennas: 2x External
- Wi-Fi as WAN: No
- Cellular Tethering via USB: Not supported
- Ethernet Ports:
- Five (5) 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports -One (1) WAN & four (4) LAN
- Other Ports: USB 2.0 for storage drives
- Special Features: App control, voice control, Failover
- Power Source: 12V/2.5A (includes AC power adapter)
- Dimensions: 11.64 x 8.11 x 2.25 inches / 1.27lbs
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Retail Price: $299.99
News, Video & Status
We purchased an Orbi unit at full retail price from Netgear and tested it for performance and usability. Our review is available to members in the member section below.
We have not tested the Nighthawk AX4.
Video Overview:
Related News Stories & Updates:
Potential Alternatives to Consider:
For other popular mobile routers on the market we are tracking - here are our featured options:
Learn More About Selecting Mobile Routers
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