How we pick our products
Have you ever been somewhere with no wifi connection and you needed to use your computer? If you have found yourself in this frustrating situation, a mobile hotspot is the item for you. You can use these gadgets to create a wifi connection from cellular data when you do not have access to a wifi connection. Sound interesting? Keep on reading.
Now that many phone companies have come out with unlimited plans, some people even use a mobile hotspot to connect to the internet in their home, instead of a traditional wifi router. Even though these items are so useful, they are still not very popular on the market, and quite a few people don’t even know that they exist. We have written this shopping guide to teach you what exactly these items are, how to use them, and how you can choose one for your home. Are you ready?
Contents
Key Facts
- With a mobile hotspot, you can connect to the internet when you don’t have a wifi connection. All you need is cellular data.
- Mobile hotspots do not require any type of installation. All you have to do is put a SIM card inside of the machine and start surfing the web. What else could you ask for?
- When you purchase your mobile hotspot there are a few criteria that you need to keep in mind to make the best purchase, including the battery life, connectivity, and many more. We will go over these factors in the section titled “Shopping Criteria.”
Our Selection: The Best Mobile Hotspot on the U.S. Market
In the following section, we will present you with four of our favorite wireless wifi routers currently available on the U.S. market. We will provide you with a link to the item and short product description. Click on the link to read the full product description and to compare prices and reviews from users like you.
- The Best Mobile Hotspot to Buy on a Budget
- The Best Huawei Mobile Hotspot
- The Most Versatile Mobile Hotspot
- Best-Quality Mobile Hotspot
The Best Mobile Hotspot to Buy on a Budget
We want to consider all audiences, including those that are on a budget and still want a quality mobile hotspot. If you find yourself in this situation, the first product on our list is for you. For just under 26 dollars, you get a stylish, small, portable, great-quality hotspot from a trusted brand called TP-link. This item can fit in your pocket; you can take it anywhere.
The Best Huawei Mobile Hotspot
The second item on our list is from Huawei, a recent technology company that has been becoming increasingly popular. They continue to come out with new and improved phones, computers, and, you guessed it, mobile hotspots! This item comes in black or white; you choose. It supports download speed up to 150 Mbps. This device is unlocked and you can use it with the network of your choice.
The Most Versatile Mobile Hotspot
Are you a fan of gadgets that have multiple, cool functions. If so, pick this mobile hotspot. You can choose to make a private or public wifi hotspot out of this item and share it with various users. This device comes with media share, meaning that you can easily share videos and photos with your friends and family connected to the hotspot. Read more about this item on Amazon; you really can’t go wrong with this device.
Best-Quality Mobile Hotspot
Sure, the last item on our list is more expensive than the other products. However, if you are looking for a mobile hotspot to invest in, this is the choice for you. In this case, you are paying for quality. Look for yourself; this item has countless good reviews and ratings. This Netgear mobile hotspot is unlocked. That means you can use it with whatever network you want.
Shopping Guide: Everything You Should Know About Wireless Wifi Routers
So, you are still considering purchasing a wireless wifi router. Are you ready to connect your smartphone or laptop to wifi wherever you want? After reading all the product description above, you might have some questions. Don’t worry; we are here to help. In the following section, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions on the U.S. market to help you with your purchase.
(Source: Kittichai Boonpong: 67633385/ 123rf.com)
What are mobile hotspots exactly?
What are the main benefits that come with using a mobile hotspot?
- You don’t need a telephone line.
- A mobile hotspot allows you to use wifi wherever you have 3G, 4G, or LTE connection.
- This item is perfect for traveling, as you’ll be able to take your wifi with you on the road, even in different states.
- This router will provide you with fast and stable wifi, sometimes even faster than traditional routers.
- Unlike traditional wifi routers, a mobile hotspot does not require any installation and is extremely simple to set up. Just put the sim card into the router and you are ready to surf the web.
- If the electricity goes out, and you have already charged your mobile hotspot, you can still use the internet, making this item great as a backup.
- You can connect various devices to the wifi at the same time.
- You can use a prepaid SIM card and do not necessarily need to subscribe to a monthly plan.
(Source: Chainarong Chokrung: 70258009/ 123rf.com)
What type of person needs a mobile hotspot?
Do I need a mobile hotspot if I have data on my smartphone?
This way, you will not have to worry about using up your battery, you will be able to connect various devices to the wifi, and the connection will be much more stable, especially if you use an ethernet cable. In conclusion, the internet that a good-quality mobile hotspot offers you is much better than the hotspot built into your smartphone.
What different types of mobile hotspots are there?
| Portable | Fixed | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Much smaller. Some are the size of a credit card. | Larger and more similar to the size of a traditional router. |
| Main use | To use on the go. | For homes where a traditional wifi router does not work. |
| Connections | Usually only wifi. | Usually wifi, USB, and Ethernet. |
| Price | Usually less expensive. | Usually much more expensive. |
Shopping Criteria
If you have reached this part of the article, you are probably still thinking about purchasing your very own mobile hotspot. This is wonderful news. However, there are still a few factors that you need to consider before making your purchase. We have laid these criteria out and expanded on each one to help you with your choice. Let’s go!
Design and Size
Mobile hotspots are generally quite small. Some are the same size as a credit card. This aspect is especially important if you plan on taking your little router with you on the go. Some mobile hotspots even have a practical screen that will provide you with important information.
(Source: Sergii Molodykov: 98149341/ 123rf.com)
Data Transmission Speed
The data transmission speed is extremely important and goes hand and hand with Wi-Fi compatibility. We recommend that you look for Wi-Fi compatibility of at least 802.11n. Remember that this standard has a data transmission speed of between 150 Mbps and 600 Mbps. Ideally, you should get a mobile hotspot that has WiFi connectivity of 802.11a that can reach up to 1,300 Mbps. Some routers offer dual-band connectivity. This way, some devices can connect at 2.4 GHz and others at 5.0 GHz.
Connections
While all mobile hotspots provide wifi, some come with Ethernet cables where you can connect your device and have even faster internet. It should also come with a MicroSD slot and some even have USB connections that you can plug your devices into. You can usually connect as many devices as you want to a mobile hotspot’s wifi.
Battery
The battery life of a mobile hotspot is one of the most important factors to keep in mind when making your purchase. The strongest battery that you will find on the market will most likely last you ten hours. However, this also depends on how much you use the router. Read the product description and the other users’ comments and reviews to make sure you are satisfied with the battery life before making your purchase.
Summary
Mobile hotspots are such practical items. You do not have to install them like traditional routers and setting them up is a piece of cake. With this item, you will be able to access the internet using cellular data. There are also many models that you can carry with you wherever you go so that you always have internet what else could you ask for?
A mobile hotspot is an excellent option for when you do not have access to a traditional router, when you are traveling, for example. So, what are you waiting for? It is your turn. We are confident that we have provided you with the correct information for you to make the best purchase possible.
We hope that you have enjoyed our article about mobile hotspots. If you liked this shopping guide and review, don’t forget to share it with your friends on social media. Have you tried using this item? Tell us about your experience; we want to hear from you. Thank you so much!
(Source of featured image: Kirill Makarov: 40577853/ 123rf.com)
