The Best Portable Wifi Hotspots For Travel
Nothing can ruin your time on a vacation like bad Wi-Fi coverage, but that doesn’t mean you always have to struggle to stay connected. With your own portable Wi-Fi hotspot, you can boost your signal and make sure you have the internet connection you need to answer emails, book flights, or just stay preoccupied. It can be hard to sort through all the options, so we’ve narrowed down the best of the best to help you find the portable Wi-Fi hotspot that’s right for you.
What to Look For
When narrowing down the best portable Wi-Fi hotspot routers on the market, we considered size, connection quality, overall features, and price. For example, if you want the best 5G connection possible, the GlocalMe Numen Air 5G mobile WiFi router is your best bet. If you want an affordable option that doesn’t skimp on quality, the TP-Link N300 wireless portable nano travel router offers some serious speed at a great price. Read on to see all our top picks and find the portable WI-Fi hotspot router that fits your needs.
GL.iNet Mini Travel Pocket Router
Simple and sweet
If you’re looking to stay connected while traveling, this tiny wonder is about as simple as it gets for getting a Wi-Fi signal on the go. It has four different modes, so you can use it as a router, repeater, access point, or Wi-Fi hotspot. This means you can connect to an existing public network and make it private for your own use, connect to an ethernet cable and use this as its own router, use a USB output for a gaming system, or connect to an existing router and extend it to your laptop or phone wirelessly. Despite all its functionality, it still boasts a simple layout and compact frame. At its price point, this pocket router packs a serious punch.
Pros:
- Great price
- Has four different modes to choose from
- Can be powered by a micro USB
- Built-in OpenVPN
Cons:
- The antennas may be a bit bulky to travel with
SIMO Solis Lite 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot
See the world
If you want to make sure you have reliable internet access even in foreign countries, this mobile hotspot from SIMO is a must-have. It works by connecting to the Solis Wi-Fi app and choosing a plan for your internet needs. You can choose from daily and monthly plans, per-GB plans, and even unlimited plans for Wi-Fi access. It uses cellular data signals from multiple carriers to make sure you get the best access possible in whatever area you’re in. Better yet, it has a built-in power bank with 16 or more hours of battery life, so you can stay connected for longer. For international travel, this practical hotspot is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Built-in power bank
- Doesn’t need a SIM card
- Compatible with multiple carriers
- Works in over 135 countries
- Can share with up to 10 devices at once
Cons:
- May not work in wilderness areas since it connects to cellular coverage
GlocalMe Numen Air 5G Mobile WiFi Router
If speed is important to you, this 5G-compatible router may be just what you need for staying connected on the go. This low-latency router features 5G speeds that are up to 15 times faster than a 4G connection. This makes for seamless streaming and downloading speeds even in a foreign country. This router also has a sleek look, touchscreen interface, and charging capabilities to keep your devices at full power. It may be pricey, but it’s worth the money for the wide range of features it brings to the table. For modern speeds on the go, this router is in a league of its own.
Pros:
- Touch screen controls
- Can charge mobile devices
- Access to 5G in over 50 different countries
- Works with up to 16 devices at once
Cons:
- Fairly pricey
TP-Link N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router
Don't break the bank
Getting a lot for a little may not be very common these days, but this router from TP-Link proves that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a quality internet connection. This mini router comes in an extremely comfortable size with a simple device layout. It just has LAN access input, power input, and a reset button. Despite its simple design, it can still access Wi-fi at 300Mbps for effortless streaming to your phone, laptop, or even Chromecast and Firestick devices. For the price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better bargain than this.
Pros:
- 300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed
- Comfortable size
- Can work with Chromecast and Amazon Firestick
- Includes an ethernet cable
Cons:
- May not work in hotels if you have to enter your room number and information to access Wi-Fi
Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Router
The more the merrier
If you want the same quality of a home router while away, this premium mobile hotspot router from Netgear may be just what you need. This heavy-duty router has enough bandwidth to connect to up to 20 devices at once for powerful internet access across the board. The router itself has a 5040mAh battery for all-day use and a color LCD screen that makes it easy to see the specs on your Wi-Fi signal. It has more than enough power to enable high download speeds and blistering fast streaming for the whole family. If you have the cash to spare, this hotspot router is worth the price.
Pros:
- Can connect to up to 20 devices at once
- Has a color LCD screen
- Long-lasting battery life
- Up to 1Gbps download speed
Cons:
- Very pricey
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Wi-Fi hotspot router work?
Simply put, a portable Wi-Fi hotspot router provides access to the internet in places other than your home Wi-Fi network. Some Wi-Fi hotspot routers work almost anywhere by connecting to a cellular provider, which normally means that it’s connected to some kind of coverage plan for purchase. Others can connect to an existing public network and convert it into a private one that’s just for you, making it more secure with a better connection. They all function differently, so be sure to check before buying.
Can I use my phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot?
In some cases, yes. Most modern smartphones are capable of sharing their mobile data with another device, which is also known as tethering. This essentially just takes the mobile data that you pay for on your phone plan and shares it with another laptop, tablet, or phone. However, this isn’t the same as a hotspot router that can share internet access with multiple devices.
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