5G router 2023: Four top devices for at home and on the go

The 5G network is slowly conquering Germany. It is the hope for all suffering rural residents to finally be able to enjoy fast internet. A look at the Network coverage Unfortunately, Telekom reveals that 5G has mainly arrived in metropolitan areas. There are still huge dead spots, especially in the east and rural regions. So it might be. Compared to the LTE network, 5G theoretically offers enormous speed advantages and better latencies: the LTE network transfers a maximum of between 300 and 500 megabits per second (Mbit/s). In comparison, 5G delivers twice the speed in the first phase at 1 gigabit per second (Gbit/s). And it doesn’t end there: In the further expansion phases, up to 20 Gbit/s should be possible.

5G router for home

Unfortunately, all theory in life is gray, because network operators usually throttle the speed of their 5G contracts and set it at around 300 to 500 Mbit/s, which in many places is significantly faster than the copper cables in the ground, which is why 5G is a real option for many people Alternative to the DSL connection. If you are looking for a 5G router as a central access point for your home network, make sure it offers Wifi 6 and is mesh-capable.

Higher data transfer rates are possible via Wifi 6. If you rely on the older radio standard in the lower frequency range, this slows down the speed that is theoretically received via 5G and that is exactly what you want to avoid. Don’t worry: Wifi 6 is backwards compatible. So if you have older devices that can’t yet connect to Wifi 6, that’s not a problem.

A mesh network provides different access points for your devices. This works via mesh repeaters that you place in the different rooms. The special thing about it is that a mesh router automatically detects the best access point for the devices if, for example, you walk from the attic to the basement with your smartphone, without having to constantly reconnect to a repeater. Unfortunately, this usually only works with routers and repeaters of the same brand.

AVM FRITZ!Box 6850 5G International

Most people already know Fritz boxes from their cable or DSL connection. Of course, the German manufacturer also has a 5G router on offer: AVM FRITZ!Box 6850 5G International. It’s worth it if you use additional AVM accessories in your home, because of course they also work with the manufacturer’s mobile router and save you the annoying reconfiguration of the home network. Nice: The Fritzbox is of course backwards compatible. This means that you can also use it to connect to the LTE network if 5G is not yet available where you live. The AVM FRITZ!Box 6850 5G transmits a maximum of 1.3 Gbit/s per Wifi 5 on smartphones, televisions, etc. in the home network.

The speed is sufficient for the next few years. Also positive: It offers a feature for finding the optimal position for the router to the nearest mobile phone antenna. Provided there is a power outlet in the space. Unfortunately, the Fritzbox does not have a battery, which is why it is only partially suitable for camping trips. Of course it is also mesh-capable. Means that they are with the appropriate Mesh repeaters set up a network that automatically finds the best access point for smartphones, laptops, etc. Unfortunately, you have to put the SIM card into the Fritzbox. It does not have an eSIM.

ZTE MC801A HyperBox 5G

It’s cheaper and significantly slimmed down ZTE MC801A HyperBox 5G. It is worthwhile for people who do not need a mesh network and are looking for an easy way into the 5G network. The 5G router supports transfer rates of up to 1.7 Gbit/s. Unfortunately, ZTE also does not have a battery. So you have to find a suitable place near a power outlet if you rely on the ZTE MC801A HyperBox 5G. Of course, the 5G router is also backwards compatible and can connect to the LTE network. Nice: The ZTE MC801A HyperBox 5G also works with the Wifi 6 standard.

Compared to the Fritzbox, it only offers two LAN ports. It’s a shame if you want to connect several computers to the 5G router via cable. In addition, you cannot manage home telephones with the router. This requires the Fritzbox. And the ZTE MC801A HyperBox 5G has an even bigger drawback: for some unknown reason, the Telekom firmware works on it. This can make setting up the router significantly more difficult, which is why inexperienced buyers should stay away from the ZTE MC801A HyperBox 5G. Unless you are under contract with Telekom.

5G router for on the go is in your pocket

Corona caused a real camper boom and now a number of couples are touring the country in converted diesel bombers. This is only half as much fun without the internet, after all, every meal, every “spontaneous” snapshot and every event wants to be shared. Should someone else say that you go on vacation to relax? Most travelers already have the relevant 5G router in their pockets. At least if you bought a 5G-capable smartphone last year.

The chips that connect smartphones and routers to the 5G network are usually the same (often the Qualcomm X55). The smartphone mutates into a 5G router using the tethering function. Tethering is sharing your smartphone’s mobile internet with other devices such as a laptop or television. This works either via a cable connection such as USB. Alternatively, a smartphone can also serve as a WiFi hotspot. With a hotspot, the smartphone creates a WiFi network that other devices can connect to.

When should you use your smartphone and when should you use your router?

Now you might think that a mobile 5G router is a waste of money when a 5G-capable smartphone can perform the same service. The answer to that is clearly: no. Although smartphones and routers have the same chips, for example, with which they connect to the 5G network, problems can still arise with the smartphone. Let’s look at the iPhone 13 as an example. This offers the option of connecting the laptop to the Internet via USB connection while on the go.

Unfortunately, Apple now relies on USB 2.0 for the USB Lightning cable. USB 2.0 offers a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbit/s upstream and downstream, i.e. 240 Mbit/s in one direction and the other. This results in a maximum transfer rate of 240 MBit/s, which the smartphone passes on to the computer. This is stupid if, for example, the 5G connection is 1 gigabit fast because 760 Mbits/s is wasted because the data throughput of the USB cable is too low.

The weaknesses of iPhone 13 & Co.

With the iPhone 13, it’s better to create a WiFi hotspot and connect to the WiFi 6 network with your laptop. Important: You still have to activate the faster Wifi 6 connection on the iPhone. By design, it uses the slower WLAN in the low frequency range. The Google Pixel 4a presents a different picture. Although the mid-range smartphone is compatible with WiFi 6, it cannot create a hotspot itself with the new and faster WiFi standard.

If it serves as an access point to share the Internet with other devices, the fast 5G speed is lost in the slow WLAN standard, which is also annoying. You should find out beforehand whether your smartphone can set up a Wifi 6 network. Last but not least, a smartphone can only serve as an access point for a limited number of devices. There are usually four to five, although the manufacturers are silent about the exact number. Annoying when you are traveling in groups. In addition, sharing mobile internet also uses up a lot of electricity.

Tip: With this voucher you save at Saturn. Of course, the electronics store also has LTE and 5G routers on offer.

Mobile 5G routers

If you want to connect several devices to a 5G router while traveling or even want to set up a small smart home in the camper, it is better not to use a smartphone, but rather a mobile 5G router. The advantage of them is that they easily provide internet to multiple devices. The battery should last a day.

ZyXEL 5G NR: For 16 devices

If you want to connect up to 16 devices to the 5G router, you can use it ZyXEL 5G NO. According to the manufacturer, it forwards up to 2.3 GBit/s and of course via Wifi 6. Tethering – the wired part of the Internet – works via USB-C or Ethernet port. Unfortunately, the ZyXEL 5G NR only offers one of the sockets. You can connect your devices to the router using a QR code if you don’t feel like entering the WiFi password manually. The router’s battery is 5,300 milliamp hours and, according to the manufacturer, lasts about a day. Nice: The touchscreen on the front shows how many devices are in the network, what the signal strength is in the 5G network and what the battery charge level is. And of course the 5G router also connects to the LTE network if there is no 5G antenna within range.

Netgear Nighthawk M5 for up to 32 devices

If you are traveling in large groups and want to provide even more devices with the Internet, this is the one Netgear Nighthawk M5 the right choice for you. Up to 32 devices can be connected to it. According to the manufacturer, its maximum data transfer rate is 1.8 GBit/s and of course via Wifi 6. Unfortunately, there is only one Ethernet port on the router. It’s a shame if you’re looking for a stable cable connection. According to the manufacturer, the router’s battery lasts up to 13 hours and of course the Nighthawk M5 also has a display that shows you the charge level, reception and data consumption.

Note: This article was first published in June 2022.

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Sources:youtube.com/LTEForum

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