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We scoured the internet for the best mobile hotspots – and we were not disappointed. With millions of products on the market, we had to go through and find the best models to test.
Once we narrowed it down to the top 20 picks, we tested them extensively, to choose the 10 best mobile hotspots on the market today. Whether you need something simple while you’re traveling, or you want extremely fast speeds in areas with poor coverage – we have the device for you.
Devices range from just over $20, to over $1,000 – it all depends on how much you want to invest. So without further adieu, here are our picks, for the best mobile hotspots on the market today.
Our Top Pick
Netgear Nighthawk M5 5G Mobile Hotspot
This is the Ferrari of mobile hotspots, as it has every feature known to man, and looks sleek at the same time. We tested this extensively in every environment, yet we could not find a flaw.
Obviously you can pay less, but if you care about high quality, this is a perfect hotspot. Highly recommended, and easily our top choice.
Other Great Picks
GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
With thousands of great reviews, this hotspot is another solid choice. With a price substantially less than our main pick, it is also much better for your wallet.
Some reviewers have even noted that they use this as their primary internet – it’s that reliable. While there are many other choices out there, this is another great pick.
Verizon MiFi 6620L Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
Verizon is of course well-known for their internet service, and this mobile hotspot is definitely top notch. Up to 15 different devices can be connected to this hotspot, and we noticed no notable slowdown when doing so.
While you can certainly spend more to get more features, for most people, this is a perfect choice. A great blend of high-end features and affordability, and backed by tons of five star reviews.
Alcatel LinkZone
This very affordable mobile hotspot is another winner, though it lacks some of the highest end features, as you might guess. For our modest needs though, it worked great.
It even works great in locales like the Dominican Republic, which makes it a no-brainer for overseas traveling. We highly recommend it, and it’d be hard to go wrong with this model – especially at this price.
Skyroam Solis Lite
With thousands of five star reviews, this is another great mobile hotspot. It did everything we needed (and more) – and we think it will fulfill most everyone’s needs.
You do not need a SIM card, and up to 10 different devices can connect to the hotspot simultaneously. Another great pick, and we highly recommend it.
Netgear Unite Explore
Netgear is very famous for their networking products, and this device is no different. With tons of great reviews, an affordable price point, and great performance – we were blown away.
While you can certainly spend more to get extra features, for most people, this is a perfect choice. You will need a SIM card for this hotspot, it should be noted.
Huawei E5576-320 Unlocked Mobile WiFi Hotspot
This is an incredible value for the price. With up to 16 concurrent connections allowed, it is simply unbeatable for other countries.
You may not find yourself needing this device in the United States, but for international travel it’s fantastic. Highly recommended, especially if you like a good bargain.
RoamWiFi R10
This is another great mobile hotspot, and it comes in at a very low price point. It had most features we were looking for, but not everything.
You will not need a SIM card to use this device, which is definitely a plus in our book. A great WiFi roaming option, especially if you live in another country, and definitely recommended.
Netgear Nighthawk M1 Mobile Hotspot
This is another stallion when it comes to mobile hotspots – and was one of our office favorites during testing. We loved the speed, the features, and even the look.
While it’s certainly not the cheapest option on our list, it has every feature you could possibly need. Highly recommended, and our top pick for those who don’t mind spending a bit more.
ZTE Velocity
This very affordable mobile hotspot allows up to 10 simultaneous devices to connect, and won’t hurt your wallet. While it does lack some of the high end features of the more expensive models, it served our needs just fine.
You can get up to 150MBPS download speeds, which was more than enough for us. If you want a great mobile hotspot, but don’t want to spend a lot – this is a perfect choice.
What Is A Mobile Hotspot?
If you want Wi-Fi no matter where you go – a mobile hotspot is definitely the right device for you. These little devices give you great speeds and internet connectivity, no matter where you go.
You can also use your cell phone as a mobile hotspot, but this article only features mobile hotspots that are their own separate devices. We highly recommend these devices if you are traveling, or just find yourself in places with bad service frequently.
What Is The Most Reliable Hotspot Device?
If all you care about is reliability, you may want to go with a less expensive, budget pick. However, if you want every feature under the sun, spending a little more money will definitely be worth it.
Who Offers The Most Mobile Hotspot Data?
Once again, there is no one device that offers the most mobile hotspot data. It’s a combination of different brands and devices, and you can always opt for more data with a different plan.
Deciding on the right amount of data for you personally, comes down to how often you need to use the hotspot, and where you might be using it. If you are often flying or traveling to foreign countries, you’ll want lots of data, and compatibility with those countries, for example.
Is There A Mobile Hotspot With Unlimited Data?
Yes, there are many different data plans that will give your mobile hotspot unlimited data. This again comes down to just how much you might use the hotspot, as some people will not need unlimited data.
Is A Mobile Hotspot Worth It?
This is a personal question, but in our opinion a mobile hotspot is definitely worth it. You can have better service in remote areas, travel to any country and still have great internet, and much more.
What Is The Best Hotspot For Work?
There are a number of great choices, when it comes to using a hotspot for work. You will want a more deluxe model, and one that offers data in many different countries, if traveling is a work requirement.
We would not recommend a budget pick for work use, as these models may not have enough power and features for you. Ultimately though, almost any pick on our list will be great for work use.
Are Hotspots Easy To Use?
What Is The Best Hotspot For International Travel?
What Is The Best Mobile Hotspot?
What Are The Best Mobile Hotspots For Heavy Data Usage?
There isn’t one specific hotspot that’s best. You should look for an unlimited data plan, and then a hotspot that offers fast download speeds.
Other Buying Factors For The Best Mobile Hotspots
There are actually many different things to consider, when buying a mobile hotspot. Download speeds, whether or not things are prepaid, whether you can easily access a 5G network, whether or not you have unlimited data, and even the battery life – can all factor in.
Different mobile hotspots may all have slightly different functionality, and you will likely have a different experience using them, compared to your high-speed home internet connection. A good hotspot device (like an InSeeGo hotspot from Amazon, for example) will likely be able to give you good speeds on a mobile network, but even mobile hotspot plans will differ.
Different cell carriers (like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and others) will all have different plans and rules for data usage, as well as for speeds like MBPS. One of our favorites, the Nighthawk 5G has different capabilities than other mobile hotspots, as each mobile hotspot will differ at least slightly.
If you’re using a VPN over a Wi-Fi network, that can also impact your speed. In some countries, SIM cards may matter, and phone plans may also be affected.
Whether you have an Apple iPhone, or an Android, portable WiFi is definitely convenient. Whether you want the best hotspot overall, or you want the best budget hotspot – we’ve got you covered.
We looked at factors like broadband, dual-band, connected devices (and if there were limits), international travel, hotspot data, ethernet ports, USB-C slots, and LTE connectivity. Most tech devices are simple and don’t really have that many factors to consider – but this is not the case with the best mobile hotspots.
Cell phones themselves are all different, though things have definitely been streamlined, compared to the early 2000s. Your router, data plan, antennas, and cellular data plan can all impact your decision, on what mobile hotspot is best – so be sure to carefully consider these, before making a pick.
If you have a touchscreen, it will be easy to use internet service – and even with a weak Wi-Fi signal, you can use a mobile hotspot to get better service on all your normal Wi-Fi devices. Tethering, power banks, and old school modems were not things we really considered, though phone hotspots and mobile routers were obviously points of interest for us.
The Best Mobile Hotspots
There you have it, our picks for the best mobile hotspots. Whether you want something cheap, or a deluxe version – we’ve got you covered. These days, Wi-Fi is everywhere, but there are still times when a mobile hotspot will be ideal.
As more and more devices come online, more and more mobile hotspots will enter the market. Make sure you don’t go with something too cheap, but other than that, many hotspots should work just fine for you.
The same manufacturers that make your favorite phones and computer networking gear are the ones who make the best mobile hotspots. It’s generally a good idea to spend a little more on a mobile hotspot, as you’ll get many more features.
When it comes to data, you’ll likely want to choose an unlimited plan. There’s no reason to limit yourself these days, when it comes to data.
If you’re traveling and working, you’ll need as much data as possible. Since many of us conduct our entire lives on our cellphones these days, you’ll want to always be connected to solid WiFi.
5GHz and other specifications continue to advance, and as they do, so will mobile hotspots. Each year, a new iPhone comes out, and with it, more devices to update and improve.
Technology will always advance, but it’s how we advance with it, that matters. The world is more connected than ever, and having a mobile hotspot allows us to be connected all the time.
Whether you need something for flying, on the bus, or just when vacationing – we’ve got you covered. As always, if you enjoyed this review, be sure to check out some of our other product reviews.