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I recently reviewed the Netgear NBK752 Orbi 5G WiFi 6 Mesh System, which is an outstanding premium-priced mesh system with a built-in 5G modem allowing you to use 5G as your main form of Internet or as a failover connection.
During the review, I wanted to get the best speeds possible, so I bought the Poynting XPOL-1 V2 outdoor antenna to see if it would improve my speeds.
The results were disappointing, but I think results will vary for people, and while this didn’t really have any benefits for me, it might work for some people.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poynting XPOL-1-5G 2x2 Antenna | £88.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Specification
- Omni Directional LTE or 5G Antenna.
- Wideband frequency from 698 MHz to 3800 MHz for LTE & 5G.
- Medium gain antenna of 3 dBi.
- 2×2 MIMO capability.
- LTE / 5G Ready and future proof antenna.
- Works on all Cellular LTE networks across the world, including new 3.5GHz 5G/CBRS band.
- Also covers the 2.4 GHz WiFi band.
- SAN Marine ASA plastic enclosure – ensures UV stable and chemical protected enclosure.
- Water & dust resistant enclosure (IP65).
- Suitable for urban applications.
- Robust and strong design to survive adverse weather.
- Able to withstand winds of up to 160 km/h.
- DC grounded to prevent static build-up discharge from damaging router equipment.
It is worth noting that this antenna does NOT support the 1400MHz cellular frequencies (Band 32), which are used by Three and Vodafone in some areas of the UK. Please check prior to purchase.
Set-Up
The antenna has a long built-in cable with SMA connectors that should fit any router with an external antenna connector.
It has a built-in bracket that can be screwed to the wall and also includes some suction cups that should allow you to fit it into a window.
Unfortunately, I was unable to get the suction cup mounts through the screw holes, so they were completely useless for me. I eventually settled on mounting it to a drainpipe with zip ties.
Performance
Unfortunately, the performance wasn’t as good as I had hoped. Speeds didn’t really improve, nor did the ping.
However, I don’t think the below numbers paint a completely accurate picture. When using the antenna, I did find that there was less variability with the results when running the speed test multiple times.
- Three
- Mobile Speed: 71Mbps DL, 30Mbps UL, 75ms ping
- Netgear with built-in antenna: 74Mbps DL, 40Mbps UL, 64ms ping
- Netgear with Poynting antenna: 74Mbps DL, 44Mbps UL, 71ms ping
- Vodafone
- Mobile Speed:121 Mbps DL, 28Mbps UL, 36ms ping
- Netgear with built-in antenna: 154Mbps DL, 34Mbps UL, 26ms ping
- Netgear with Poynting antenna: 123Mbps DL, 40Mbps UK, 34ms ping
- EE
- Mobile Speed: 60Mbps DL, 11Mbps UL, 24ms ping
- Netgear with built-in antenna:73Mbps DL, 25Mbps, 26ms ping
- Netgear with Poynting antenna: 90Mbps DL, 33Mbps Ul, 29ms ping
Price and Alternative Options
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Poynting XPOL-1-5G 2x2 Antenna | £88.00 | Buy on Amazon |
I paid £66.25 for the Poynting XPOL-1 V2, but it is currently over £100 on Amazon.
Even at £100, it is one of the cheapest 5g omnidirectional outdoor antennas you can find on Amazon with half-decent reviews. However, in my case, it looks like you get what you pay for.
Overall
I am reluctant to say that the Poynting XPOL-1 V2 is bad or that it doesn’t work, I think there are too many variables with the sort of thing to make such a sweeping generalisation about it.
However, in my case, the performance I saw from it did not justify the investment.
Perhaps if I had gone to the effort of mounting it on a pole higher up on my property, I might have seen better results. I was reluctant to spend time and money doing that as I would have hoped for at least some improvement with a window placement.
Overall, I still think this is worth considering for some people. If you are reliant on a 4G/5G signal for your broadband, it is certainly worth experimenting with to see if it helps. Just make sure you buy from somewhere with easy returns.
Poynting XPOL-1 V2 5G 3dBi Omni-Directional Cross Polarised LTE 2x2 MIMO Outdoor Antenna Review
Summary
This made little to no difference with the performance of the Netgear NBK752. However I suspect it could be useful for some people that are reliant for 4G/5G as the main form of Internet
Overall
50%-
Overall - 50%50%
Pros
- Possibly more reliable throughput
Cons
- In my case, no meaningful improvement in speed
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2025-01-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These things are utterly pointless. 3dB of gain, 3dB lost in the cable.
Also, calling this medium gain is massively overstating it’s capabilities. I can gain 3dB just by standing behind my router using my body as a reflector.