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Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro: 30-second review
If you’re unfamiliar with what exactly a mobile 5G router is, then essentially it’s a device that enables you to connect to the Internet when you’re out and about, in exactly the same way as you would by tethering to your mobile phone using a personal hotspot. However, as the device in this case, the Nighthawk M7 Pro, is solely designed for this task, it applies a far faster and more reliable hotspot that enables not only you but others (with the access details) to connect.
Initial setup is exceptionally easy, with the battery charging inside the device using the integrated USB-C port to supply power. This port also enables PD power, so if you know that you’ll have a number of people connected, which will drain the power of the device faster than you’d want, then it is possible to have external power connected.
Once the device is charged, you will also need a data SIM, which needs to be installed. These are available from most of the major mobile phone network providers, and in this test, I signed up to Vodafone Unlimited. My data SIM cost just over £200 for the year.
Once the SIM is installed into the Nighthawk M7 Pro, you’re almost set to go, but there are a few more setup steps. These include downloading the Mobile Netgear app, connecting to the Nighthawk M7 Pro, and then setting a Wi-Fi name and password. Once that’s done, you can connect your mobile, laptop or any other Wi-Fi-enabled device so that you can then have a portable Wi-Fi router.
Using the router over a mobile phone has obvious benefits. First and foremost, you’re not going to be draining your phone’s battery as much. Then the actual tether speed between your mobile and your laptop when using the Nighthawk is much better. One of the things I noted through the review is that when you’re connected either through USB-C or through the network port, the speed again takes a leap, even in areas where the mobile phone signal is relatively low.
As a whole, when you compare a side-by-side mobile phone on the Vodafone network and the Nighthawk M7 Pro on the same network, the 5G signal strength was often one to two bars greater than on the mobile phone. When it came to data transfer speeds again, it was just a step ahead.
When I first looked at a mobile router, I was unsure about how useful they would actually be, as I’ve always used my mobile phone. But as I’ve looked at more of these devices, their usefulness is now more than apparent. Whether you’re working up in the city and want a secure network connection without logging onto a café or public Wi-Fi for security reasons, or you’re out in the field working with others and just need a strong connection, then this device absolutely makes sense.
For me, on a recent photo shoot, what really came into its own was that my colleagues and I could all be on the same network. This meant that when we were transferring files from one person to another, the speed of transfer was far faster. With the network port also built into the device, you can essentially create a mobile wired network, which is ideal if you’re working with others off-site.
Unfortunately, the price of the M7 Pro will be prohibitive for many people. You are getting a level of network connection and speed that is unmatched by any standard mobile device. However, there are cheaper versions available, such as the M3 5G router I looked at earlier in the year (review here), which is still an exceptional device and half the price of the M7 Pro. As with all of these mobile routers, like your mobile phone, the speed of your connection really does rely on how good your network service is in your location.
Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? From $899 / £899
- When is it out? Available now
- Where can you get it? Directly from Netgear and online retailers
I remember looking at the M3 5G router and thinking it was one of the best devices I’d ever used, but I was then shocked at how expensive it was.
However, now I see yet another upgrade in performance, and with it comes another leap in cost, with the latest Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro retailing for between $300 on Amazon.com up to $700 in the US, and around £899 in the UK, such as on Amazon.co.uk.
The unit can be purchased directly through Netgear and is also widely available online through retailers such as Amazon. It’s also worth considering that, alongside the cost of the unit itself, you’ll also need an additional data SIM.
Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro: Specs
5G Band: Sub-6
Max 5G Speeds: 6 Gbps
WiFi technology: WiFi 7
Max WiFi Speed: 5.8 Gbps
Wired Port: 2.5 Gbps (Ethernet), 10 Gbps, (USB-C)
International Roaming: 125+ countries
LCD screen: 2.8″ color touchscreen
Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro: Design
Like the M3 and M6 5G routers, the M7 follows a very familiar design: a simple square box with rounded corners. It’s an elegant unit and will easily slip into a backpack pocket or any bag.
When it comes to size, it measures 10.5 by 10.5 cm with a depth of 2 cm. So, while small, it’s just a little too large to slip into a trouser or jacket pocket. In terms of weight, it comes in at 275 g for the unit with the battery and SIM card inserted. This compares to a standard iPhone 15 Pro, weighing 200 g, so for 75 g extra, you have the potential for faster and more robust Internet.
Access to the inside is gained by pushing your fingernail under the small tab on one of the corners, and this enables you to remove the cover, revealing the battery and SIM card slot. It’s worth noting that you need to be a bit careful when removing the base with the battery installed; it takes a little pressure to remove, and the battery can pop out. It’s one of those things you only do once, then you know.
Once the battery is removed, if it doesn’t come out on its own, it’s very easy. In the top left, you’ll see where the SIM card slots in. Once inserted, simply reinsert the battery and click the base back in place.
Once that’s done, a long press on the button on top of the unit will power it on. It takes around 30 seconds to a minute to power up and find a connection, dependent, of course, on the strength of the network in your location.
One of the major features of the M7 Pro is the large LCD touchscreen, enabling you to go into the settings directly on the device, including Internet, Wi-Fi and Ethernet settings, network status, and mobile messages. Navigating through these is relatively easy, although the interface is simple in its design.
On the outside of the device, there are a few other ports or connections, including a USB-C port for power delivery and a LAN port so that you can connect to a network hub. There are also two small slide-down covers on either side, enabling you to connect the optional 5G antenna for a stronger signal in low network areas. These antennas are not included in the box.
Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro: Features
The previous Nighthawk portable 5G routers were impressively feature-packed, and once again, the M7 Pro takes a step forward with improved connection strength that enables 5G speeds of up to 6 GB/s. It also incorporates Wi-Fi 7 with an exclusive 6 GHz band. One of the most notable features is the ability for up to 64 devices to connect at any time.
This is over double what I’ve seen in most other devices, and it also has a 2.5 multi-gig Ethernet port, so you can connect it to a network hub. While it operates on the mobile network for data collection, the devices can be connected by a wired connection to ensure the best possible transfer rates.
Likewise, there’s a USB-C port that’s used for power delivery and charging, but again will also provide a data transfer connection.
Network connection strength has also been improved and now reaches up to 1000 ft² from the device. This means you don’t need to stay in close proximity. If you’re working on-site, you can place the router in the best possible position to get a signal, and still be confident that your connection will remain strong as you move around.
On the front of the M7 Pro is a large 2.8-inch LCD screen, giving you direct access to many of the device’s settings. When it first wakes up, you’ll quickly see how much data has been used, your data allowance, and how many days remain in your contract. Below this, it shows the type of connection, 4G or 5G, and the number of devices connected. A quick swipe up takes you into the main settings page, and the bar across the top instantly tells you the Wi-Fi name and password, which is exceptionally helpful.
The screen includes settings adjustments that include Internet, which enables you to set 4G/5G-only usage as the sole connection method. One feature I like is Wi-Fi offloading, which uses Wi-Fi when available and switches to cellular otherwise. There’s also an Ethernet + 5G/5G backup option, which prioritises Ethernet but falls back to cellular if needed.
The Wi-Fi option shows Wi-Fi settings and includes a QR code for quick connection. Guest Wi-Fi is also available, enabling temporary access for visitors. You can also select which bands to use for backwards compatibility with older devices.
Devices simply list connected devices, which can be handy, and means that you can check if someone is trying to connect cheekily.
In the Options settings, you can see the Wi-Fi range, standby, and whether to display Wi-Fi info. Most of the time, I had this information on display as I was working with trusted people, but when I travelled to the city, I switched it off—since I’d often forget the device was showing my Wi-Fi name and password on the screen.
As standard, the Ethernet setting is switched off, so if you do need a low-latency connection, then this option must be enabled before plugging in a cable.
Other features include network mapping, mobile network messages, and a variety of general settings, including aeroplane mode, screen brightness, data usage and device information.
While the touchscreen is relatively simple, it packs in many features, and the interface is exceptionally user-friendly and intuitive.
Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro: Performance
Before running any performance tests, the one thing I wanted to see was whether the connection between my laptop and the Nighthawk M7 Pro was faster than the connection between my laptop and my iPhone 15 Pro, both using essentially the same network contract.
For this test, I was on the outskirts of the New Forest, where connections are unreliable. While 4G is available and offers decent speeds, the 5G network, though visible, doesn’t provide a stable data connection. The first thing I noticed was that, while my iPhone attempted to utilise 1–0 bars of 5G to access the Internet, the Nighthawk instantly switched to 4G with a full five bars. Tethering to my MacBook Pro and M1 Max, I had no Internet connection on the iPhone, whereas the Nighthawk gave a relatively fast 30 MB/s connection, so there was an instant boost in connection performance.
To investigate deeper into the connection speeds, I travelled to Salisbury, where there’s a strong 5G signal. On connecting to the first the Nighthawk and then the iPhone, the speed difference between the devices was noticeable. As I tested the connection speeds of both when tethered to a laptop, I found that the benchmark speed tests showed a similar raw speed; however, in the real-world tests, the M7 Pro offered a much more stable connection. This consistency was especially apparent when streaming media and uploading files via WeTransfer.
I also noticed that while tethering to my mobile phone quickly drains its battery, the Nighthawk M7 Pro’s battery remained consistent during the two hours I worked in a café.
As I ran tests side-by-side, I became more impressed with the reliable connection offered by the Nighthawk M7 Pro. While raw speed may be comparable to my iPhone, in terms of reliability, there was little comparison.
I then tested the Wi-Fi offloading mode, switching from 4G/5G only. Once again, the Nighthawk offered better speed and reliability when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile networks. Across all cases, the connection to my laptop was generally faster via the Nighthawk.
This difference in speeds became the two devices became more apparent as more phones and laptops were added. As I was working with a couple of friends on a job, we added two additional MacBook Airs and their phones, bringing the total devices connected up to six, and while the performance dipped in transfer speeds, it remained usable. The iPhone, after one additional connection, ground to a halt.. The
What I really liked about the M7 Pro is that, while its Wi-Fi is fast, you also have the option to plug in directly via USB-C or Ethernet, further increasing both speed and reliability. This was ideal for transferring images from a shoot directly to the client. Ordinarily, I’d send over low-res JPEGs after the shoot. With this ultra-fast network (and unlimited data), I was able to send full-resolution images on the spot.
As I continued testing, I thought of a couple of features I’d like to see in future models. Firstly, a secondary 2.5 or even 5 GHz LAN port, which would make wired connectivity even easier. Secondly, I’d like to see support for dual SIMs with automatic switching. That way, if your main network goes down, you have redundancy ready to go.
At the end of the test, there’s just no comparison between using your mobile phone as a hotspot and using the Nighthawk M7 Pro. However, it does still rely on the available signal. If you’re in an area like the New Forest where the signal is weak, it doesn’t matter how powerful the router is; it can’t pick up what isn’t there. In the city, however, the benefits are obvious, from the added security of using your own hotspot to fast data transfer and the ability to create an isolated work network away from the office.
When it comes to performance out of the box, it is exceptionally good. If you need a portable 5G router for work, then there’s no doubt the Nighthawk M7 Pro is the best unit available. But if the budget is tighter, the M6 and the excellent M3 are still worth considering.
Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro: Final verdict
If we look at the Nighthawk M7 Pro solely as a portable network router, then it’s the best on the market for this price. It offers a marked improvement in reliability and performance over creating a hotspot on your mobile phone, and it also helps conserve valuable phone battery life.
While many of us can get by using our phones to tether, if you’re working with others and need a reliable connection, the fact that everyone can connect to this one unit makes a huge difference. Uncapped contracts are now available from mobile providers at relatively affordable monthly or yearly rates, which makes this sort of setup more viable.
Beyond basic portable 5G usage, the M7 Pro has several additional features I liked, primarily its seamless switching between mobile and Wi-Fi networks, ideal for conserving data. The inclusion of a 2.5 GHz LAN port lets you create your own mobile network, improving reliability, particularly useful in the field.
And this is just the base unit. If you plug in the external 5G antennas, it can further boost signal strength. So maybe even in the New Forest you could get reception. Essentially, if you need a reliable network connection for work, the Nighthawk M7 Pro is an excellent option. However, do consider that the price is prohibitive. If you want similar performance at a lower cost, the M6 and M3 are still strong alternatives and well worth considering if your budget doesn’t stretch to the M7 Pro.
Should I buy a Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro?
|
Value |
There’s no getting around the fact that £899 is a huge sum of money for a small 5G portable router. |
3.5/5 |
|
Design |
Following the same tried and tested design of other Nighthawks, it’s a form factor that just works |
4.5/5 |
|
Features |
Focused on network features, the Nighthawk M7 Pro offers more than most |
4.5/5 |
|
Performance |
Compared to previous Nighthawk 5G routers, once again, the performance takes a big step up |
4.5/5 |
|
Overall |
An exceptional 5G portable router that provides a more reliable Internet connection than most, but it comes at a price. |
4.5/5 |
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