Access to the internet has become a basic necessity for most everyone, and people are looking for reliable internet connections when they’re on the move. The hotspot your phone provides may be fine for simple tasks, but if you want to use multiple devices simultaneously, you should get a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
The best portable Wi-Fi hotspot is GlocalMe G4, which provides fast and reliable service. This device can be used internationally and can accept SIM cards from any provider to boost data capacity. Other good hotspots include Jetpack MiFi 8800L, Netgear Aircar 797, and Netgear Nighthawk.
In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the above options and more. We will include pros and cons to help you make an informed decision regarding portable hotspots. There are several options out there, so you should know what is best for you. Keep reading to learn more.
Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots For Multiple Devices When Working or Traveling
If you are on the road traveling for business or pleasure and have multiple devices that need Wi-Fi, your smartphone hot spot may not be enough. Often times hotels also throttle their internet and it can be frustrating to use their systems if you are busy and working or don’t want to pay extra for a premium service.
Some companies pay for these service plans for their employees and you can bypass traditional Wi-Fi with Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots (SMHS) also referred to as Wi-Fi Sharing or tethering. These hotspots can work in difficult coverage areas or outside.
Portable Wi-Fi hotspots work with cameras, laptops, tablets, and anything else that needs Wi-Fi. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots have larger internal antennas than your cell phone for optimal reception and a large battery that doesn’t drain your phone’s battery.
Best Overall: GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
GlocalMe G4 Pro is one of the best portable hotspots you can find, offering you reliable service at a very reasonable cost. This device can fit in your pocket and provides over ten hours of battery life. It offers one gigabyte of international data for free and can support up to ten different devices.
Pros
- No Contract. You dont need a carrier contract to use this SIMFREE, High Speed Pocket WiFi Device.
- You can use GlocalMe G4 Pro internationally. This hotspot connects to the internet in over 140 countries worldwide, so you will have no problem accessing the internet wherever you are.
- GlocalMe G4 Pro allows you to use a local SIM card. If you want a faster connection or are running out of data, you can use a SIM card from a provider in the area.
- You can use an app to monitor your data usage. GlocalMe G4 Pro comes with a free app that you can download on your device, be it Android or iPhone, where you can see how you use your data and how to buy more if you need it.
Cons
- GlocalMe G4 Pro doesn’t support 5G. If you need faster access to the internet, you may need to look for another device.
- Customer service is poor. Some customers reported that the customer service was rude and unhelpful when they had trouble with the product.
- The internet fees may be high. Some users claim that the internet fees for using this device were higher than expected.
Best 5G: NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 5G Mobile Hotspot
NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 5G Mobile Hotspot Wi-Fi Hotspot is certified with AT&T and T-Mobile and requires a 5G compatible SIM card, but it can also work with other providers. This device supports 5G internet speeds of up to 2.5Gbps, and WiFi 6 speeds up to 3.6Gbps and is password protected. According to the manufacturer, it can handle up to 32 devices at a time, and the battery lasts for an average of 13 hours.
Pros
- You can use this device with a 5G SIM card. Unlocked, portable hot spot for 5G and 4G LTE around the world, certified with AT&T and T-Mobile and requires a 5G compatible SIM card.
- Extend 5G internet speeds throughout your home. Plug your home’s Wi-Fi router or Orbi mesh system into the 1 Gig Ethernet port.
- This device is very portable. It has a thickness of 3.5 and can easily fit in your pocket.
Cons
- Expensive. $700.00 on Amazon.
- Some users report that this hotspot doesn’t last long. According to the experience of some customers, this device only lasts for a few months.
- Customer service can be slow. According to some customers, customer service is helpful but often replies late.
Best for Verizon: Jetpack MiFi 8800L Mobile Hotspot
The best portable hotspot for Verizon and one of the best options is the Jetpack MiFi 8800L. This device has reliable LTE connectivity, allowing you to access the internet wherever you are in the country. It can also become a portable charger for your other devices if they can connect via a USB-C connector.
Pros
- Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L has a 24-hour-lasting battery. Such a long-lasting battery can be helpful in cases where you have no access to electricity, like when you’re camping.
- This service includes guest connections. With Jetpack MiFi 8800L, you can share your connection with others without giving out your password.
- You can use Jetpack MiFi 8800L internationally. This device can work with different carriers worldwide.
Cons
- Jetpack MiFi 8800L doesn’t support 5G. If you need a 5G connection, Jetpack MiFi 8800L will not work for you.
- Some devices may be defective. Several users report that their purchases come broken or defective.
Best for AT&T: NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot
AT&T users can choose the Netgear Nighthawk portable hotspot for the best possible service. It’s compact and very user-friendly, giving you your data use on its LED screen at all times. Moreover, it includes an ethernet port which you can use if you’re nearing your data limit. Although it’s recommended for AT&T users, it can work with other providers.
Pros
- Netgear Nighthawk is incredibly fast. This device is one of the fastest, supporting up to 1Gbps download speed.
- You can connect up to 20 different devices simultaneously. Netgear Nighthawk is powerful enough to handle multiple phones, laptops, tablets, or cameras with no problem.
- This device comes with a free app you can download. The app lets you know how much data you have already used and control which devices are connected.
Cons
- Netgear Nighthawk does not support 5G. If you want 5G service, you may purchase an upgraded version of this device for a significantly higher price.
- The battery does not last too long. The manufacturer does not specify how long the battery lasts, so if battery life is one of your primary concerns, you should choose another option. According to user experience, Netgear Nighthawk’s battery lasts around 10 hours.
- The company’s customer support is poor. Some customers maintain that customer support is not helpful for potential questions or issues.
Best for T-Mobile: NETGEAR Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot, 4G LTE Router 797 (AC797)
NETGEAR AirCard 797 (AC797) Wi-Fi Hotspot works best with T-Mobile, but it can also work with other providers. This device supports speeds of up to 400 Mbps and is password protected. According to the manufacturer, it can handle up to 14 devices at a time, and the battery lasts for an average of 11 hours.
Pros
- You can use this device with any SIM card. Even though it’s recommended to use it with T-Mobile, you can still use any SIM card with it worldwide.
- AirCard 797 is very user-friendly. The device is easy to use, with an LCD screen to help you check your internet use and a free app that can give you more information and help you purchase additional data.
- This device is very portable. It has a thickness of half an inch (1.27 cm) and can easily fit in your pocket.
Cons
- AirCard 797 uses a micro-SIM format, which is an old version that might not be compatible with all types of SIM cards. As a result, it may not work with current SIM cards.
- Some users report that this hotspot doesn’t last long. According to the experience of some customers, this device only lasts for a few months.
- Customer service can be slow. According to some customers, customer service is helpful but often replies late.
Best Low-Cost: ZTE ZMax Connect MF928 Mobile 4G Hotspot
ZTE ZMax Connect MF928 is one of the cheapest options, but that doesn’t mean it offers poor service. This device can be connected to different providers, even internationally. In the United States, it seems to work better with T-Mobile. You can monitor the data by watching the LED indicators or going to a website online.
Pros
- ZMax Connect MF928 has a competitive price. It’s the cheapest option on this list by a wide margin.
- It offers a very good signal. The WiFi signal is quite strong and can be accessed from a relatively large distance with no problem.
- To use the device for a longer time, you can use battery-saving options. ZMax Connect MF928 offers options to decrease the strength of the signal to make the battery last longer.
Cons
- ZMax Connect MF928 may not work with all providers. Although manufacturers claim that this hotspot can work with around 20 different providers, some customers claim that they have not been able to connect to some of them.
- The customer service is poor. Users report that customer service is slow and unhelpful in different situations.
- The service is quite slow internationally. Some customers maintain that they found it hard or even impossible to connect to the internet outside the United States.
Final Thoughts
Portable WiFi hotspots provide an excellent solution for people who need constant access to the internet for multiple devices. Different hotspots work best with different providers inside and outside the United States, so you should choose the right one for you keeping in mind your service provider.