Best Mobile Hotspot 2023
Mobile hotspot have been in existence for a while now. Although some people do not see the need to own one, it is a very essential device especially to people who surf the internet often. In this guide, we shall look at the best mobile hotspot. If you intend to get one mobile hotspot, then this guide is perfect for you.
What is a mobile hotspot?
A mobile hotspot is a device that has the ability to cast a wireless signal for other devices to connect to while on-the-go. This is not to be confused with a hotspot, which can be picked up in public places like hotels, malls, and coffee shops, where buildings or businesses have private networks that offer free Wi-Fi.
Mobile hotspots generally operate by taking an LTE connection, sometimes from your phone, and converting it into a Wi-Fi signal. You can then “connect” your computer or another device to it the same way those devices would connect to a home or public Wi-Fi network.
Physical mobile hotspots are small enough to fit into your pocket and have a generally reliable battery life, sometimes up to one day. They can be utilized when about in public, say in a park or at the beach, while traveling abroad, or anywhere your LTE connection works. They’re able to connect to any Wi-Fi-based device, such as a laptop, smartphone, tablet, or game console.
While hotspots have become pretty standard on mobile smartphones, accessing them might incur additional costs depending on your carrier and device. Your mobile hotspot’s speed and longevity will also depend on your data plan and how many gigabytes you have.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Mobile Hotspot
Know Your Limits
Wireless broadband connection isn’t cheap. It’ll cost you a lot more per megabyte than standard DSL or cable. However, when you’re traveling to foreign places, away from the people you know, Internet becomes vital – like air, and finding a reliable and affordable mobile data provider can make all the difference in the world.
Plans vary from $24 per GB of high-speed mobile data valid for a full year with Keepgo, to $120 (or more) for that same 1GB valid for thirty days with AT&T. Of course you could purchase a local SIM card but that’s rarely a good deal because 9 out of 10 times your data will expire after about 2 weeks and you will get to use only a small percentage of your allocated balance. So if you travel more than 2-3 times a year, local SIM cards are not for you.
Hardware Types
Before you pick a mobile hotspot, think about how many devices you need to connect. Is high speed imperative? What could be potential interference? What about the easy of setup, limits, duration of use, coverage, hardware flexibility?
USB sticks provide the fastest connection and are much more portable than WiFi hotspots. They go perfectly with a single notebook. Generally, they require you to download special drivers and connection software onto your PC for the USB stick to work. However, USB sticks lost their popularity so, we will focus on WiFi hotspots.
The majority of the “palm-sized” mobile hotspots can only provide only a few WiFi connections simultaneously. The MiFi, for instance, only allows five connections, while Keepgo WiFi hotspot can easily maintain up to 15 connections. The smallest and the most lightweight WiFi hotspot delivers high speed 4G Internet connection in 100+ countries, without throttling down internet speed or filtering traffic.
Easy Set Up
The first hurdle faced by travelers once they buy a mobile wi-fi is making it work or in technical words setting up the router. These include setting the API Setting and the manual selection of the preferred network if required. Thanks to the latest generation of mobile wi-fi routers, these can be done with the touch of a button or an app.
Massive Battery
Running out of juice during travels at critical moments can be a big turn off for any traveler. Most of us use internet 24/7 and always like to be connected wherever we are. Most mobile wi-fi routers don’t emphasize this feature. Ideally, a 5000 mAh battery can last for more than a day and also serve as a power bank. While buying mobile wi-fi routers travelers should keep this critical aspect of pocket hotspots in mind.
Visual Display
Mobile wi-fi routers often run into network issues during travels due to lack of signal. This can easily frustrate a traveler while they access the internet. Having an interface or a display in the mobile wi-fi can easily inform the working condition of the router and they can also learn about any issue in case the internet stops for no reason.
Another key benefit of having a display is tracking the amount of data a traveler is using during travels. The visual display shows the network name, battery level, speed, and current data usage to a user. For tourists using the Pay as you go plan tracking the data, they use is vital for saving roaming charges.
Branded & Unlocked
In most of the countries, mobile wi-fi routers are locked to work with only a partnered sim card. This severely reduces a traveler’s chance for seamless connectivity and their freedom to use a sim card of their choosing. Tourists should only vouch for branded mobile wi-fi routers such as Huawei, TP-Link, and other similar products. They should also keep in mind that the mobile wi-fi they are buying should also be unlocked or technically speaking sim free.
| NAMES | SPECIFICATIONS | WHERE TO BUY |
Orbic Speed 5G
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GET IT ON AMAZON |
Netgear Nighthawk M6
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GET IT ON AMAZON |
Inseego 5G MiFi M1000
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GET IT ON AMAZON |
GL.iNet GL-E750
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GET IT ON AMAZON |
GlocalMe Mini Turbo Wi-Fi Hotspot
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GET IT ON AMAZON |
NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 Wi-Fi Hotspot
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GET IT ON AMAZON |
Alcatel Linkzone Wi-Fi Hotspot
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GET IT ON AMAZON |
Huawei E5577Cs-321 4G LTE Mobile WiFi Hotspot
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GET IT ON AMAZON |
Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L
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GET IT ON AMAZON |
Skyroam Solis Lite
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GET IT ON AMAZON |
Best Mobile Hotspot
Orbic Speed 5G
Verizon customers will want to turn to the Orbic Speed 5G UW, which not only connects to the carrier’s nationwide 5G coverage but also its super-fast Ultra Wideband service in the areas where the mmWave-based 5G connectivity is available. Up to 30 Wi-Fi-enabled devices can connect to the Orbic Speed, and the hotspot’s dual-band Wi-Fi 6 support should translate to fast data speeds.
At 9.91 ounces, this is one of the heavier hotspots we’ve seen and the promised 12 hours of continuous battery life is nothing to write home about. Still, the reason to turn to the Orbic Speed is the promise of faster 5G speeds via the C-Band 5G support this hotspot offers to Verizon customers.
Pros
- Supports Verizon’s fastest 5G networks
- Wi-Fi 6 compatibility
- Support for 30 connected devices
cons
- Somewhat heavy compared to other hotspots
- Battery life isn’t as robust as other hotspots
Netgear Nighthawk M6
Like Verizon’s 5G hotspot, the Netgear Nighthawk M6 weighs about the same and promises up to 12 hours of continuous use. This AT&T-friendly hotspot includes a removable battery, though, so you can always swap in another power pack to keep the 5G connectivity going.
You can connect up to 32 devices to the Netgear Nighthawk M6, which is two more than Verizon’s 5G hotspot supports.
Pros
- 5G connectivity for AT&T customers
- Battery is removable
- Support for up to 32 connected devices
cons
- -Empty List
- -Costs more than $300
Inseego 5G MiFi M1000
If you’re a Verizon customer who can get the company’s 5G network, then the Inseego 5G MiFi M1000 is the best 5G hotspot for you. It offers dual-band Wi-Fi support, and also includes USB-C and Ethernet tethering for devices which require a wired connection. The battery life is large enough to power you throughout the day, and it charges quickly as well. The only issue is that while this is great for Verizon customers, if you’re not with the network, or you live outside the US, then this isn’t going to be the right choice for you.
Pros
- Fast 5G
- Good battery life
cons
- Verizon exclusive
GL.iNet GL-E750
The GL.iNet GL-E750 Hub is currently the best 5G mobile hotspot money can buy. Sure, there’s not a huge amount of competition out there at the moment, as 5G is still relatively new, but GL.iNet has come out of the gate with a winner. EE, the UK’s biggest network provider, is offering data subscriptions with this hotspot.
It’s not cheap, but you are getting a very accomplished bit of kit. It can handle up to 20 wireless devices connected at once, which should be enough for most households, and an Ethernet port for wired devices as well. A powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor powers the device, and there’s a 5-inch HD touchscreen that gives you all the information you need to keep an eye on your 5G network.
Pros
- Incredibly fast
- Large battery life
cons
- Expensive
- 5G sill in its infancy
GlocalMe Mini Turbo Wi-Fi Hotspot
This mobile hotspot by GlocalMe is an attractive-looking touchscreen hotspot that’a about the size of a smartphone. It comes with 1GB of 4G LTE data, and works in over 100 different countries.
The touchscreen hotspot offers 10 hours of battery life, and has a built-in USB-C port for fast-charging other devices. It supports up to 10 simultaneously connected devices. GlocalMe also allows users to download a free app to track their data usage and add more data to their line in the event that they run out. Their data rates vary based on location.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Works with a wide number of providers since it’s unlocked
cons
- GlocalMe offers several plans, which is a bit confusing
NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 Wi-Fi Hotspot
If you want to use a hotspot on AT&T, we recommend going with this one from Netgear. It’s capable of hosting up to 20 devices via 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, up to the 802.11 b/g/n/ac specification.
It’s equipped with a 5,040 maH battery that lasts for a day, and when the hotspot dies, it recharges quickly because it’s compatible with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0.
It’s one of the few hotspots with a built-in Ethernet port, which you can use to offload your traffic to limit your cellular usage. Like Verizon’s hotspot, it has a USB port for charging other devices — but this one has a full-sized port as compared to Verizon’s USB-C port. Its USB port can also be used to connect an external hard drive or thumb drive to share files to connected devices.
Netgear has a complementary app that lets you manage the Wi-Fi connections for all of your devices, adjust settings, check usage, and view media files.
Pros
- Impressive battery life
- Equipped with Ethernet port
cons
- Bulky design
- No touchscreen
Alcatel Linkzone Wi-Fi Hotspot
This mobile hotspot device weighs a tad more than 3 ounces and is smaller than a deck of cards, so you can easily slide it into your pocket. It can deliver Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n connectivity to up to 15 devices by utilizing GSM networks.
Unfortunately, though, it only works on a 2.4 GHz band: Other hotspots can output a 5 GHz band, which comes in handy in congested areas like airports.
The hotspot’s 1,800 mAh battery is slightly smaller than other hotspots, too, and provides about 6 hours of use. This hotspot doesn’t have a display, so there’s no way of telling from the outside how strong the signal is. Despite these shortcomings, however, the Alcatel LINKZONE is a good value for the price.
Pros
- Affordable
- Portable
cons
- Smaller-sized battery
- Only works on 2.4 GHz band
Huawei E5577Cs-321 4G LTE Mobile WiFi Hotspot
The E5577Cs-321 is a basic unlocked hotspot that gives you data over cellular networks in Europe, most of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Just get a SIM card from an international provider while you’re traveling and the device can get you sweet Wi-Fi.
Pros
- Compatibility with international networks
- Affordable price
Cons
- Weak battery
- No US connectivity
Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L
Weighing in at under half a pound, Verizon’s Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L is compact but sturdily built, with a touchscreen that makes it easy to switch on and adjust configurations. It doesn’t use 5G networks, but it’s way more affordable than 5G hotspots, and it still has the right Wi-Fi standards and components to ensure a fast and reliable connection.
The Jetpack MiFi 8800L connects up to 15 devices, has a powerful battery, and comes with a USB-C port you can use to charge other phones and devices. It also has ports for antennas to get a stronger Wi-Fi signal. And there are some great security settings, including the ability to set up a guest network for friends and other users.
Pros
- Intuitive touchscreen
- Long-lasting battery
Cons:
- High price tag
- No Ethernet port
Skyroam Solis Lite
The Skyroam Solis Lite is portable enough to take with you, and it promises connectivity in 130-plus countries. All you have to do is fire up the hotspot and you should be connected (provided you’ve signed on to one of Skyroam’s data plans, of course).
Up to 10 devices can connect to the Solis Lite at any one time, and the device is rated to last up to 16 hours on a charge.
Pros
- Works in 130-plus countries
- Extremely portable
- No SIM card needed
cons
- Users report occasional connectivity issues
Conclusion
To conclude, the mobile hotspot shown above are of top quality. You won’t have any regret going for any of them. Also, while selecting, be sure to pick the one that suits your needs best.
