The Netgear Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro are flagship 5G mobile hotspots for AT&T that were first released in April 2022. In June 2022, a version of the M6 Pro was released for the Dish Project Genesis 5G network.
These are the first mobile hotspots to utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon X62 and X65 cellular chipsets, which include 5G mid-band support and carrier aggregation that previous 5G modems lack. The new hotspots also feature Wi-Fi 6/6E.
Netgear has a long history of supplying mobile hotspot devices for AT&T, and like previous devices, the new M6 models are exclusive to AT&T and Dish. Historically, AT&T exclusivity lasts for a year - after that point, unlocked versions will likely be available.
Product Variations
The mobile hotspots utilize the same basic architecture but come with some substantial differences.
- M6 (MR6110) - AT&T version without millimeter-wave (mmWave) support and uses the X62 modem.
- M6 Pro (MR6500) - AT&T version that includes mmWave support and uses the X65 modem.
- M6 Pro (MR6400) - Similar to the AT&T M6 Pro, but does not include mmWave support but does support many more LTE and 5G cellular bands.
For the detailed specifications of these models, explore the tabs below.
M6 (MR6110)
The Nighthawk M6's X62 modem lacks millimeter-wave 5G - which shouldn't be of much concern to most nomads. Additionally, it also only comes with Wi-Fi 6 instead of 6E, a slower Ethernet port (1Gbps vs 2.5Gbps) and the device itself has a smaller 2.4-inch color touch display than the M6 pro.
Specifications
- Model: Netgear MR6110 M6
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 32 via Wi-Fi
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://192.168.1.1
Default Password: attadmin - USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Supported Networks and Bands:
Sub-6GHz 5G: n2, n5, n12, n14, n30, n66, n77
mmWave 5G: None
4G/LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 29, 30, 46, 48, 66 - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 5-band
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO Sub6 5G and LTE
- LTE Performance Category: Category 19
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x TS-9
- Other Ports: Gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies:Wi-Fi 6 - 802.11ax - 2.4GHz and 5GHz
- Battery: 4050mAh (Removable)
- Claimed Battery Life: Not Specified
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: TBD
- Battery Part #: TBD
- Battery Purchase:
- Dimensions: 4.15in x 4.15in x 0.85in
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $309.99
M6 Pro (MR6500) - AT&T
The Nighthawk M6 Pro, as the name implies, is the higher-end hotspot. It supports AT&T's 5G+ network including support for millimeter-wave. Additionally, it has Wi-Fi 6E and a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, and a larger color display than the standard M6. It is priced at $150 more than the M6 and is only worth the price increase for those who want the absolute most future-proofed device.
Specifications
- Model: Netgear MR6500 M6 Pro
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 32 via Wi-Fi
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://192.168.1.1
Default Password: attadmin - USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Supported Networks and Bands:
- Sub-6GHz 5G: n2, n5, n12, n14, n30, n66, n77
mmWave 5G: n260
4G/LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 29, 30, 46, 48, 66 - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 7-band
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO Sub6 5G and LTE, 2x2 MIMO mmWave 5G
- LTE Performance Category: Category 20
- (Max Theoretical Speed: 2.0 Gbps Down / 316 Mbps Up)
- Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x TS-9
- Other Ports: 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port can only be enabled when the battery is
removed) - Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: Wi-Fi 6E - 802.11axe - 2.4GHz, 5GHz, & 6GHz
- Battery: 5040mAh (Removable)
- Claimed Battery Life: Not specified
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Battery Part #: TBD
- Battery Purchase:
- Dimensions: 4.15in x 4.15in x 0.85in
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $459.99
M6 Pro (MR6400) - Dish
The Nighthawk M6 Pro 6400 has all the same features of the AT&T version, but lacks any mmWave support and includes support for many more cellular and sub-6GHz 5G bands. Otherwise, it is the same as the AT&T pro version with support for Wi-Fi 6E, a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, and a larger color display than the standard M6.
Specifications
- Model: Netgear MR6400 M6 Pro
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 32 via Wi-Fi
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://192.168.1.1
Default Password: - USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Supported Networks and Bands:
- Sub-6GHz 5G: n2, n5, n12, n14, n25, n30, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77
- mmWave 5G: None
- 4G/LTE: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 30, 41, 48, 66, 71
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 7-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: 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port can only be enabled when the battery is
removed) - Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: Wi-Fi 6E - 802.11axe - 2.4GHz, 5GHz, & 6GHz
- Battery: 5040mAh (Removable)
- Claimed Battery Life: Not specified
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Battery Part #: TBD
- Battery Purchase:
- Dimensions: 4.15in x 4.15in x 0.85in
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $349.99
News, Videos, and Status
Our team has acquired, at our own expense, both an M6 and M6 Pro (AT&T) for evaluating this new hotspot with AT&t. We have also acquired the MR6400 used by the Dish Project Genesis service.
Our MIA members will be able to follow along in our forums and members will have access to our full review once it is complete below:
- Testing in Progress Forum: AT&T Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro (5G Mobile Hotspot)
- Testing in Progress Forum: Project Genesis M6 Pro MR6400 (Carrier / Mobile Hotspot)
Alternatives to Consider
For other popular mobile hotspots on the market - here are our featured options:
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- Thoughts & Analysis - Favorite Features & Potential Downsides
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- AT&T - M6 vs M6 Pro
- AT&T -Upgrade Considerations
- AT&T -Data Plan Considerations
- Getting an M6 Device
- Summary
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MR6500/M6 Pro model: AT&T
MR6110/M6 model: AT&T
MR6400/M6 Pro: Dish Project Genesis
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.
Mobile Internet Resource Center is founded by Chris & Cherie of