Some people don’t want to buy a new cell phone but want the freedom to connect their laptop or tablet to the internet while on the road.
The answer is a mobile hotspot — a device that connects you directly to the internet so you can browse, email, stream, and game on any Wi-Fi-enabled device. The best mobile hotspots for travel allow you to connect multiple devices at once.
The advantage of using a mobile hotspot is that it connects to 3G or 4G service, which means you can access the internet anywhere that you have a cellular signal. Smartphones are also mobile hotspots, but many data plans limit how much data you can use before they charge overage fees. Mobile hotspots give you unlimited data, so you never have to worry about running out.
A mobile hotspot is a small device that uses a 3G or 4G service to create an Internet connection for your laptop or another Wi-Fi-enabled device. We’ve put together a guide to help you decide whether turning your phone into a mobile hotspot is the right option for you.
Best Mobile Hotspots For Travel
NETGEAR Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot
What would you decide to do if you were in the middle of a job crisis and away from your home office? You pull out your NETGEAR mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. This AC797-100NAS is a mobile hotspot router that reliably delivers up to 400 Mbps download speed, and you can remain connected wherever you are.
This pocket-sized mobile hotspot connects multiple devices to your own Wi-Fi internet access and works with any network. It also has a 1.8″ LCD screen that provides data usage monitoring, mobile signal strength, and network management information.
It’s unlocked worldwide for 3G/4G LTE internet access using your provider’s SIM card (excluding Sprint legacy network in the USA). With its 2930 mAh rechargeable battery, it powers up to 11 hours of use.
GlocalMe DuoTurbo 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
With GlocalMe DuoTurbo’s 4G LTE mobile hotspot, you can get instant service at home or on the road in over 140 countries. The DuoTurbo also supports one Nano SIM card, so you can buy service from your local carrier if you want.
It doesn’t matter where you are, and there are no contracts, and no roaming fees! You’ll pay as you go and be able to use the data plans that work best for you—and they’re easy to manage from the GlocalMe App. And when it comes to sharing your internet connection, this product is second to none. With just one device, up to 10 people can jump online at once.
But what about speed? This mobile hotspot has dual modems and a wide range of signal enhancement technologies, making for a fast and stable connection—even in complex environments. An intuitive 2.4-inch touchscreen makes it easy to check your data flow and signal status at a glance.
Verizon – Jetpack MiFi 8800L 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
Don’t get stranded without internet access when you’re travelling—use the Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L 4G LTE mobile hotspot to take your Wi-Fi with you!
This hotspot is compatible with most Wi-Fi-enabled devices. It has dual-band Wi-Fi to allow users to connect simultaneously to 5.0GHz or 2.4GHz bands to enhance link speed, reduce network congestion, and improve connection quality.
The MiFi 8800L has 4G LTE speed and a large 2.4″ colour touch screen that provides an intuitive interface with various features at your fingertips. The user-friendly menus and on-screen help prompts make it easier to get connected.
This mobile hotspot also has a long-lasting 4400 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lets you stay productive throughout your entire day. You can also go unplugged for up to 24 hours, and it fuels up faster with the built-in QuickCharge™ technology.
TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router
The TP-Link AC750 wireless portable nano travel router is the perfect companion for your next trip. It’s small, light, and easy to pack so that it won’t take up too much room in your suitcase. And its Micro USB port can be plugged into an adapter, portable charger, or laptop to power it.
While on the road, you can create a Wi-Fi network via Ethernet so that all your devices can easily connect, no matter where you are.
And if you’re trying to surf the internet in your hotel room and find yourself frustrated by a slow connection, just plug in the TP-Link AC750 and enjoy a strong, fast Wi-Fi connection for HD streaming on all of your devices.
So whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure—whether you’re out of the country or across town—take the TP-Link AC750 with you and keep your devices connected wherever you go!
Huawei E5576-320 Unlocked Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot
With the Huawei E5576-320 unlocked mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, No matter where in the world you are, this mobile hotspot will give you 4G LTE Cat4 150 Mbps download and 43.2 Mbps 3G download speed.
It’s perfect for a road trip—you can connect your laptop, iPhone, smartphone, iPad, tablet, and gaming consoles all at once—and it’s also a great way to stay connected while you’re studying abroad or travelling for work.
And if that wasn’t enough to convince you to add this to your portable tech toolkit? We’ve got one more selling point: it supports 2D Barcode easy connection and LTE/3G/Wi-Fi auto offload. So if you want to be online AND let everyone know that you’re online? There the mobile hotspots for travel.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our rundown of the best mobile hotspots for travel has helped you narrow down your selection. So you’re going to be travelling, and you need internet, but the thing is that you don’t have any data plan on your phone.
You can always get one of those pay-as-you-go type plans or even just buy a local SIM card, but there are other ways. You could build your mobile hotspot and use it to connect to your other devices without paying for data.
Best Overall
The NETGEAR mobile wireless hotspot allows you to create a secure Wi-Fi network anywhere you go. Unlike other hotspots that only work with your carrier, this unit can roam across different networks. That means it will automatically switch between carriers and still provide Wi-Fi service.
Best in Budget
The TP-Link AC750 wireless portable nano travel router is compatible with various operating systems that can be used in various ways. It is available in black, blue, white, and orange. It also features an in-built Ethernet port, making it a great travel companion.
