Verizon Jetpack AC791L NETGEAR Hotspot Review
I travel frequently and finding secure WiFi at restaurants, hotels or in airports is an exercise in futility. That is why I also carry a wireless hotspot. Verizon and NETGEAR have come up with their new Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot. I like to use the Verizon Jetpack while waiting at crowded gates in airports as nearly everyone else is always trying to connect to an overloaded access point. I enjoy having a stable and speedy connection via Verizon. Enter the Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot AC791L From NETGEAR.
Overview
Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot AC791L Unboxing by Chris Rauschnot @24k
The Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot AC791L from NETGEAR is a compact, easy to setup, dual-band mobile device. It took me only five minutes from inserting the battery to turning on the hotspot for it to acquire Verizon 4G LTE signal. It presented me with an information screen that showed its wireless SSID name and WiFi password. It also displayed the WiFi band in use. A blue light will blink slowly on the top right corner of the LCD screen while the hotspot is in operation and a connection is successfully established.
Disclaimer: I received the Verizon Jetpack at no cost review. I am a NETGEAR Ambassador and a VZWBuzz lifestyle blogger. I did not receive compensation for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The box contains:
- Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot AC791L
- Removable Li-Ion Battery 4,340 mAh
- Back Cover
- Power Adapter / USB Charger
- Setup Guide
- Universal Charging Cable
- Verizon 4G LTE SIM Card
Setup was done for me and all of the devices I connected worked right away. The LCD screen on the hotspot is easy to read and three touch sensitive buttons helps to change any settings. You may use them to setup its 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz and guest wireless networks, if needed. The network name and security password are already setup and are a combination of letters and numbers, which is good for security. All of the on-screen directions are easy to understand, no setup guide was necessary during the first or subsequent boot up sequences.
Verizon Jetpack AC791L Buttons
The touch sensitive buttons responsiveness on the top is fair, but were used rarely. No app download is needed to setup the device, but NETGEAR has a free one if you want. The NETGEAR apps are available for iOS and Android.
If you have mobile devices that operate via 5GHz WiFi, it might be a good idea to switch the Verizon Jetpack to that WiFi band. The majority of devices however, use 2.4GHz WiFi signal, so switching to 5GHz may alleviate any localized wireless congestion.
The 2.4GHz and 5.0 GHz connections performed well in my home and at other locations equally as quick. On the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE side of the hotspot, it is capable of 4G LTE Advanced where available. It can connect up to 15 devices simultaneously.
Verizon Jetpack AC791L Antenna Ports
Wireless performance exceeded expectations. I was able to upload gigabytes of video from my computer and smartphone. The hotspot never froze or reset while I used it during my testing period. If you need an additional signal boost, this Verizon Jetpack from NETGEAR offers two antenna ports.
Final Thoughts
The Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Hotspot from NETGEAR operated well inside of brick buildings, airports and cities on the West Coast of the USA. The portable hotspot with dual-band WiFi is an excellent option for anyone in the market for an easy to use, yet powerful mobile hotspot with options to meet most any traveler’s needs.
Verizon Jetpack AC791L Charging Cable
The AC791L supplied fast 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz wireless signals with a large removable battery at over 4k mAh, which is rated to last for about 24 hours. NETGEAR included a charging cable for cellphones that need a power boost. Scroll over to the Universal Charging option and enable it. The charge option will stay engaged until the battery in the hotspot reaches 25%.
I wrote this review in the cloud while using the Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot AC791L from NETGEAR and uploaded it via the fast Verizon Wireless network.
Rating: 5/5
Price: $49.99 (after $50 rebate) with a 2-year contact from Verizon.
Pros:
- Fast Setup, Only Takes A Few Moments
- Strong 4G LTE Verizon Signal Inside Brick Buildings
- Fast 4G LTE Verizon Network
- Compact size makes it easy to store in a bag or pocket
Cons:
- It should have a touchscreen rather than mini concave buttons