Edimax 3G-6210n: Totally wireless battery powered 3G router

More and more people have their mobile broadband as their only internet connection. This increases the requirements to be able to share it between several computers. We have previously tested routers with the possibility to plug in a 3G dongle, but they usually had this as an extra function, and were also tied to power sockets, which is a bit against the whole idea of ​​a mobile broadband.

Edimax wants to change that. Their new router 3G-6210n puts wireless connection and 3G at the center and is truly mobile. On the one hand it is small and easy to carry with you, on the other hand it is battery powered so you can use it just about anywhere. A surfing PC or iPhone in every seat in the car? Lan party on the summer meadow? No problem.

Freedom in a small box
The device is really really small and flexible. It is not much bigger than a cigarette case, and weighs like a small mobile phone. The physical ports are few. A DC connection to run power from the wall or charge the battery, a USB port to connect 3G modem and an Ethernet port that can either be used for lan or wan.

The 3G-6210n is primarily built to share a 3G connection with computers connected by wi-fi. The installation is fairly simple. Charge the battery, plug in the 3G modem and connect to the router in the usual way from a computer. Then you insert a CD that starts a setup wizard that configures the modem, wireless security, and so on.. If you don’t have a CD reader, you can do the same thing via the router’s web interface.

Swedish operators are missing
The router supports most 3G modems and has ready-made settings for a variety of subscriptions. Unfortunately no Swedish, so here it is important to have all the necessary information about your subscription at hand, such as username, password and APN. And of course your modem’s PIN code. Once it is done once, handling is then quick and smooth.

The 3G-6210n is not particularly fast as a router. It is claimed to be 802.11n compatible, but will never come close to that capability. With such a small box, there is simply no room for a substantial antenna, and the signal strength is low.
We get a decent connection for about ten meters, and walls and other obstacles have an unusual effect. On the other hand, it is the 3G modem that sets the limit for the speed of Internet traffic, so in most cases it is not a big loss.

The battery lasts for about three hours if you only use local wi-fi. With the 3G modem in, the battery life is reduced by one hour. Given that the router is still as small and light as it is, we think it is clearly approved. It is not difficult to imagine a heavier model that could last all day.

Edimax 3G-6210n
Contact: Edimax, www.edimax.eu
Product type: Portable router
Contacts: 1x 10/100Mbps Ethernet, usb 2.0 for 3G modem (umts/hsdpa/cdma), mini usb for power
Wireless: 802.11b/g (compatible with 802.11n)
Router features: pppoe/pptp/l2tp, dhcp, ddns, wmm, qos, dmz, upnp
Security: 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, firewall with MAC/IP filter, url blocking, dos protection
Battery: 3.7V, 1880mAh
Size: 10.3x7x1.8 cm
Weight: 119 g
Approx price: SEK 1,000

Plus: Small and light, easy to use
Minus: No Swedish operators, no Swedish menus
Grade: (8 out of 10)

Edimax 3G-6210n