It’s not always easy to find an open WiFi network these days. Even if you do find a hotel or café that offers free WiFi, these public networks can be dangerous. To protect yourself, and keep your private data out of the hands of hackers, here are the best mobile hotspots you can get in 2019.
What is a Mobile Hotspot Router?
A mobile hotspot router is a portable device that converts 3G/4G/5G signals into WiFi. The process creates a WiFi network that can you can access on your phone, computer, game console, or any other computing device.
While you can turn your smartphone into a hotspot without a plan, having a dedicated portable router has its advantages too. For one, you will not drain your phone’s battery. Mobile WiFi routers can also share a connection with more devices than a smartphone.
Best Mobile Hotspots for Travelling
For those who travel a lot, a trusty mobile hotspot that comes with a wide array of global plans is a must-have. Sure, you can connect to your hotel or Airbnb’s WiFi, but you shouldn’t do that if security is a major concern for you. Instead, take one of the following mobile hotspots with you.
Roaming Man G3 4G LTE Hotspot
Offering 4G LTE connectivity in more than 130 countries, the Roaming Man G3 is the perfect portable WiFi router for any international traveler. You get unlimited data anywhere that 4G is available, and you can even use the device as a power bank when your phone dies.
You can get the Roaming Man G3 for $149.99, but you also need to buy a data plan along with the device. There are several plans to choose from, including daily, monthly, or yearly plans. The best part? These are pay-as-you-go plans, so you don’t have to sign a contract or subscription.
Shop: Roaming Man
GlocalMe G3 4G LTE Hotspot
The GlocalMe G3 portable WiFi router comes with 8GB data in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and 1GB data in another 141 countries.
The GlocalMe G3 has an estimated 15 hours of battery life, connectivity for up to 5 devices, and 150 Mbps download speed. It also acts as a power bank with fast charging. Because it’s unlocked (does not come with a contract with a cellular company), you can use any local data SIM card with it.
Skyroam Solis
The Skyroam Solis is a great-looking portable WiFi hotspot that is also fantastic for international travelers. Dubbed as a portable global hub, the Skyroam Solis comes with instant coverage in over 130 countries.
What’s great about this mobile router is that it comes with virtual SIM technology, which allows you to connect to different cellular networks without having to buy a local SIM card. In other words, you won’t have to go to a phone shop and buy a new SIM card every time you land in a new country. The Skyroam Solis allows you to connect up to five devices at a time, and it also doubles as a power bank.
Best 5G Mobile Hotspot
If 4G just isn’t fast enough for you, a mobile WiFi hotspot with 5G speeds is what you need. Here are two to consider:
Warning: 5G coverage is not available everywhere yet. Without 5G, these portable routers will automatically connect to 4G or 3G networks.
Sprint HTC 5G Hub
Sprint’s HTC 5G is considered to be the world’s first smart mobile WiFi hub. While this device is quite pricey, there’s no doubt that it is one of the best dedicated mobile hotspots on the market. It has a whopping 32-hour battery life, 4K video streaming, and connectivity for up to 20 devices.
This portable hub is ideal for travelers since it offers an easy way to connect to your VPN service. If you want to know more about the benefits of a VPN, check out our previous article here.
Verizon Inseego 5G MiFi M1000
The Inseego 5G MiFi M1000 is a fairly new product. In fact, it’s only been on the market for a few months. However, if you want a portable WiFi hotspot with 5G connectivity (and money is not an issue), you can’t go wrong with this device.
The Inseego 5G MiFi M1000 can support up to 16 devices. It lets you use VPNs or your own DNS. You can take the Inseego 5G with you when you go overseas, but it will only give you 3G connectivity in other countries. According to Verizon, the battery will last up to 24 hours, but this largely depends on the type of connection you use. Constant 5G usage should eat up the battery much faster.
Shop: Verizon
Cheapest Mobile Hotspot
Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L
At only $99.99, the Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L is one of the cheapest mobile hotspots available today. This portable router lets you connect up to 15 devices at once, and it has a battery that will last up to 15 hours. It doesn’t have the most impressive design, but it has a touchscreen user interface that is easy to navigate.
Shop: Verizon
Unlocked Mobile WiFi Hotspots
Unlocked mobile WiFi hotspots do not saddle you with subscription plans. They are only compatible with GSM carriers that use SIM cards, not CDMA carriers, such as Sprint or Verizon.
Huawei E5577Cs-321 4G LTE Mobile WiFi Hotspot
Costing less than $100 (without a SIM card), this mobile WiFi hotspot has 4G LTE connectivity. It can support up to 10 devices at once, and it has six hours of battery life. This device also allows you to store data on a microSD card.
Netgear Unite Explore 4G Rugged LTE Mobile WiFi
The Netgear Unite Explore is a great choice for those who want data without contracts and everything else they entail. The device costs $199 on Amazon, but it does let you connect up to 15 devices at once. It has an IP65 rating, which means that it is water-resistant, but not water-proof. If you plan to go off the grid, but still want to go online, the Netgear Unite Explore will be your trusty sidekick.
Browsing the internet is safe and easy with your very own mobile WiFi hotspot. Don’t be caught without one the next time you go on vacation.
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