Mobile Wi-Fi, also known as MiFi, uses your smartphone's mobile data connection to establish a wireless signal that uniform devices can share to become online. Information technology'due south particularly handy when y'all are travelling and not within range of a standard Wi-Fi connection, or as a failsafe for flaky or overloaded domicile broadband.

A mobile Wi-Fi connectedness tin be created by the smartphone itself, using a process known as internet tethering, or past a portable device called a mobile router or a mobile hotspot, into which you insert a SIM card.

When used frequently, mobile Wi-Fi routers can exist the preferred solution considering they won't drain your smartphone's bombardment, there'southward no little around with swapping SIM cards, and you won't demand to go out your telephone with whomever is sharing its cyberspace connexion. They tin can too exist used with data-only SIMs (those that practise not offer calls and texts), which tin make it cheaper to become online.

The difference between a mobile Wi-Fi router and a mobile data dongle is that a router does not physically connect to your device, and it can share a mobile information connection with more than than one device. These days, USB dongles are really useful only for devices such every bit old laptops and PCs that do non support Wi-Fi connectivity.

You tin connect multiple devices: Some MiFi devices let you lot connect 10 or more than devices to a single hotspot, which will piece of work out a lot cheaper than paying for a mobile data programme for each of those devices - simply you lot'll want a generous information allowance.

You tin can connect Wi-Fi-only devices to a mobile data connection: Tablets are neat to utilize at domicile, but what about on the railroad train, on the beach or by the pool? Wherever y'all can get a phone signal, you can use MiFi to create a wireless network and get online from whatever Wi-Fi device.

You can save money on your next tablet: Buying a tablet with a 4G or 5G data connection adds around £100 to the price, and that's before you consider the monthly fee for your information. Apply some of that money to buy a MiFi router instead and you'll never need to buy a cellular tablet again.

You tin can reduce roaming charges: Most mobile operators offer gratis roaming in the EU (for now, anyway!), but fixed-fee roaming elsewhere, allowing you to accept your domicile tariff with you for a set cost. Rather than paying this extra charge on all your devices, plow off information roaming on them and connect them all to a mobile hotspot. You'll pay this charge only in one case, merely get all your devices online. Note that 5G roaming is not widespread, but it is currently offered by Vodafone and VOXI.

You tin avoid using slow hotel Wi-Fi: When visiting hotels that still accuse for Wi-Fi, you can go the kids online all mean solar day and at a lower price than what the hotel would accuse. Ameliorate still, y'all tin avoid using the same network as all the other guests, which is usually slow and often has poor betoken in your hotel room. Sometimes these networks tin can besides be unsecured, then using MiFi will be preferable.

You tin can add 5G connectivity to a 4G device: Many of us take yet to spring on the 5G bandwagon, but where available it is seriously fast. Although your phone may exist limited to 4G, your data plan almost certainly includes 5G. A 5G mobile router will allow you to connect your 4G phone to the net at 5G speeds.

You tin can get faster download speeds: Even if your device already supports 5G, you could potentially become faster download and upload speeds past switching to a MiFi that supports a faster connection. But think that 5G is not yet available everywhere, and purchasing a 5G hotspot will push up the price.

You tin can share storage across your own mobile network: If your MiFi supports a microSD card, you can share that storage across all your devices, which is especially handy if they don't support expandable storage themselves.

What is the best mobile hotspot?

1

TP-Link M7350 - Best Overall Mobile Router

TP-Link M7350 4G Mobile Router

  • Pros
    • SIM-unlocked
    • Supports 10 devices
    • 10-hr battery
    • microSD
    • Dual-band
  • Cons
    • Cheaper options are bachelor
    • May be overkill for some
  • All-time Pricesouthward Today:

TP-Link's M7350 is a solid 4G mobile router that has the big do good of existence network-unlocked. That ways although yous'll pay in total upfront, you can choose any information deal from whatever Uk network operator, and you aren't tied to a contract.

The TP-Link supports all three Britain 4G LTE bands, with up to 150Mbps download speeds and 50Mbps uploads. It can create a wireless network for up to ten devices, and supports a microSD menu for shared storage and has an LCD that tells you the signal strength, how many devices are connected, how much data y'all take used of your total limit, plus the remaining battery chapters.

Y'all tin also use the LCD to cycle through a menu that caters to such options as toggling on or off data roaming, switching betwixt two.iv- and 5GHz output, and choosing between 4G, 3G or a mixture of both.

A final choice displays a QR code that takes you directly to Google Play or the App Store to download the tpMiFi app, which lets you manage users, change the range, share files and read text letters.

The TP-Link'due south 2550mAh battery should be proficient for up to 10 hours of 4G connectivity, but lasts days on standby.

two

Huawei Mobile WiFi 3s (E5576-320) - Best Value Mobile Router

Huawei Mobile WiFi 3s (E5576-320)

  • Pros
    • Supports up to 10 devices
    • Nicely designed
    • Simple to use
    • Affordable
  • Cons
    • 6-hour bombardment life is shorter than some
  • All-time Prices Today:

Bachelor on contract through Three, the Huawei E5576-320 offers such nifty value that you lot'd be crazy not to merely purchase the network-unlocked version outright.

This is a 4G mobile router that lets you connect upwards to 10 devices, with its 1500mAh bombardment offer a standby time of upward to 350 hours and working time of upward to half dozen hours.

It'south small, compact and easily portable - but, more chiefly, information technology'southward functional, with up to 150Mbps download speeds and 50Mbps uploads.

At that place are no fancy extra features, with this affordable mobile router from Huawei instead concentrating on one primary job: getting your mobile devices online wherever you are.

3

TP-Link M7200 - Best No-Frills Mobile Router

TP-Link M7200

  • Pros
    • SIM-unlocked
    • Supports 10 devices
    • eight-hr battery
    • Quick to gear up
  • Cons
    • Plasticky design
    • Difficult to prise off rear panel
  • Best Costs Today:

TP-Link'south M7220 is a no-frills mobile Wi-Fi router that supports 4G FDD-LTE/TDD-LTE and 3G networks. Information technology's SIM-unlocked, so you only unclip the dorsum console, pop in your SIM, and switch it on. It's that easy to prepare.

The ii,000mAh internal battery can concluding up to 8 hours in use, simply significantly longer on standby, and you lot can share its 2.4GHz mobile Wi-Fi connexion with upwardly to ten devices.

This is a rather plasticky device, and nosotros were worried virtually snapping the rear panel when trying to prise it off to insert the SIM, but it's tougher than it looks. The Wi-Fi network proper noun and password are hidden under this panel, even so, so you might prefer to make a note of it than to have to keep pulling on and off the panel every time you want to share the network.

The LCD tin't display stats nearly how much data y'all've used and then forth, only 3 status lights continue things super-simple: you tin can see how much battery remains, whether you lot're connected to the internet and if it is sharing a Wi-Fi network.

Should y'all want to access more settings you lot tin can employ the free mobile app or connect to the router via its login page on a browser, but otherwise the TP-Link keeps things uncomplicated for those who just want to turn it on and get online.

4

TP-Link M7450 - Best 4G Mobile Router

TP-Link M7450

  • Pros
    • Supports 32 devices
    • Dual-ring
    • 15-hour bombardment life
    • microSD
  • Cons
    • Expensive
    • Might be overkill for some
  • Best Prices Today:

The TP-Link M7450 is a newer, more advanced version of the M7350, but it'south also more than expensive and nosotros recollect the older model currently offers better value.

Like the M7350, it's sold unlocked and should work with any major network, either in the Great britain or abroad. It supports Cat6 LTE, with 300Mbps downloads (double the M7350) and 50Mbps downloads; you tin can option between either the ii.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi bands; and you can connect up to 32 devices simultaneously - way, way more than most people will ever need.

Menu navigation is simple, and the clean UI makes the most of the two buttons and small screen to requite you lot the info you need. For more circuitous setup - including USSD support, useful for connecting to many foreign networks - yous tin can use either the web portal or gratis smartphone app.

The 3000mAh bombardment should give you an impressive 15 hours of working battery time. You even get a microSD slot, which supports cards up to 32GB and can exist used as a quick way to share files between devices.

5

Huawei 5G Mobile Wi-Fi Pro E6878-370 - All-time 5G Mobile Router

Huawei 5G Mobile Wi-Fi Pro E6878-370

  • Pros
    • 5G support
    • Wireless power banking concern functionality
    • Top performance
  • Cons
    • Very expensive
    • Bank check 5G support in your area
  • Best Pricesouth Today:

Meaty mobile routers that support 5G are withal relatively uncommon. They are significantly more expensive than 4G routers, and 5G connectivity is not nevertheless bachelor everywhere.

However, if you are routinely inside attain of a 5G signal, a 5G mobile router could offer a cheaper way to admission faster mobile data speeds on all your 4G mobile devices than having to upgrade each one.

Huawei'southward 5G Mobile Wi-Fi Pro is available network-unlocked or on contact through O2. Ownership it SIM-free will permit you to choose your own data packet, stopping you being tied into a contract for longer than you lot'd like.

This is rather a chunky router with an 8000mAh battery inside, simply it can also act as a power depository financial institution and offers 40W SuperCharge and both opposite wired (22.5W) and wireless (15W) charging.

Also housing a Balong 5000 chip, Huawei claims theoretical download speeds of up to 1.65Gbps.

6

MyWebspot - All-time Rental Mobile Router

MyWebspot

  • Pros
    • Corking for one-off employ
    • Set up to get out of box
    • Local charger supplied
  • Cons
    • Rental prices will stack upward
    • Fair usage policy
    • No LCD or app
  • Best Prices Today:

Many of the options in this chart are suitable for those who volition regularly need the employ of a mobile Wi-Fi router, only MyWebspot is more appropriate for those who take a one-off requirement.

If you're going on vacation abroad (potentially outside the realms of complimentary roaming in Europe) and have several devices to get online, the service allows you to hire a hotspot for use by up to v devices in more than 100 countries.

Daily charges are calculated based on where you are going and for how long. At first glance they might seem steep, but they are nothing compared to what your mobile operator volition charge you once you overstep your data allowance. Information technology can also be very expensive to connect to Wi-Fi provided by some holiday resorts, which is often tiresome and time-limited.

The data is technically unlimited, simply one time you exceed the fair usage (1GB/day in Europe, U.s. and Canada; 2GB in United mexican states; fully unlimited in S Eastern asia; and 512MB everywhere else) the speed drops to an nigh unusable 256kbps.

Setup couldn't be simpler. The device can exist delivered directly to your resort (or dwelling house if y'all prefer), so yous plow information technology on, wait a moment for it to connect to a local 4G LTE network, and option it upwardly on your mobile device as you would any other Wi-Fi network using the SSID and password printed on the label on the back. On your way dwelling house you lot pop information technology in the postal service box using the prepaid envelope.

MyWebspot claims download speeds upward to 100Mbps, and uploads of up to 40Mbps. In our testing in Lake Garda, Italian republic, nosotros recordedan average download speed of 33.5Mbps, and upload speed of 26.8Mbps. Naturally these speeds volition decrease equally you add multiple devices.

You'll get almost eight hours battery life from the Mi-Fi router, which is supplied with the appropriate local charger for your holiday destination.

There'southward no companion app, which ways even technophobes will get along with MyWebspot, though it would be handy to have some way of monitoring usage beyond multiple devices given that at that place's no LCD screen.

7

3 Huawei 4G Plus MiFi - Best Value Contract Mobile Router

Three Mobile Router (Huawei)

  • Pros
    • Unlimited data
    • Supports 10 devices
    • Shorter contract options
  • Cons
    • vi-hr battery life is shorter than some
  • Best Costsouth Today:

If you'd rather buy a mobile Wi-Fi router on a contract, 3 has some of the best deals right now. Information technology uses the Huawei E5783B-320, and pairs it with some great data bundles.

We similar the fact y'all can subscribe to a i-month rolling contract, because the way the globe is right now no-one really knows how much they'll be traveling over the next couple of years!

Iii offers neat value on unlimited data, with the one-month plan costing £27 per month (plus £29 upfront), the 12-month program costing £26 per month (no upfront toll), and the 24-calendar month plan costing £22 per month (again, no upfront cost). Buy either the 12- or 24-calendar month choice and right now yous get the first six months half-cost.

If you lot don't need this much data, 10GB and 40GB plans are also available, with the 10GB 24-month plan starting from £12 per calendar month.

A huge benefit of ownership from Three is that if you're going away Iii's Feel At Domicile policy lets you connect to the web with no roaming charges in several strange destinations.

Can I use whatsoever SIM in a mobile hotspot?

Technically, yes. If you have a significant or unlimited data allowance with your mobile tariff you could merely take the SIM out your smartphone and insert it into a mobile router.

Withal, not all mobile operators support unlimited tethering (cheque your contract), diverse phone functions are not going to exist bachelor on your smartphone while it'south missing its SIM, and you lot might regret the decision if you are overly generous with that shared mobile Wi-Fi connectedness and run out of data some fourth dimension before the assart renews.

You can at present purchase data SIMs or SIM-only plans with big data allowances on PAYG or contract from all the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland's major mobile operators. Which pick you choose is largely going to be based on how much data y'all need to use, and how frequently you need to use information technology.

If you want something simply for when you go on vacation, choose a PAYG programme and pay for information just when yous need it. If yous desire something to get effectually a flaky home broadband connectedness or for utilise on your daily commute, choose either a rolling one-month contract option or save a bit of coin with a 12- or 24-calendar month programme.

What are the best data SIM deals?

We'd advise looking for a deal from a well-known mobile operator that has reliable coverage in your surface area (or your holiday destination), with a big data assart, no restrictions on tethering, free or inexpensive roaming, and a low monthly or PAYG toll.

You lot can check network coverage in your area for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G on the mobile operator's website. Utilise the following links to jump straight to a mobile operator'southward coverage checker: Vodafone, EE, O2, Three, GiffGaff, Smarty, VOXI, iD Mobile, Virgin Mobile, TalkMobile.

There are many more companies offering information SIMs than we have listed here, but all are what are known every bit MVNOs, or mobile virtual network operators. This means they piggyback on another mobile network (Vodafone, EE, O2 or Three) for connectivity. As long as you accept coverage with the big iv, all the MVNOs should exist covered in your area.

The all-time data SIM deals are always changing. Nosotros've collated more than in-depth advice in our often updated guide to the best SIM-just deals, just our preference currently falls to Iii. All its SIMs support 5G.

At Three y'all'll observe a range of SIM options including unlimited information from £22 per month, or y'all can choose i of 4 PAYG packages that are valid for upwards to 12 months. For the latter, 24GB of data costs £60; 12GB of information costs £40; 3GB costs £xvi; and 1GB costs £10.

Smarty, which also runs on Three's network, currently has a nifty deal on 50GB of information for £fifteen on a one-month rolling program. Tethering is unlimited in the Great britain.

How practice I choose a mobile router?

There are three options when purchasing a mobile Wi-Fi router:

  1. Buy a device and data SIM packet direct from a mobile operator in return for a fixed monthly subscription
  2. Buy a network-unlocked MiFi router and add your own information SIM
  3. Hire a mobile router to embrace only the menstruation you need (see MyWebspot, reviewed beneath)

Many people will automatically become to their mobile operator for a MiFi device, since it'due south an easy solution and you don't need to pay anything upward front. But this isn't always the best idea.

If y'all purchase a MiFi router from a mobile operator information technology will probably be locked to that network, preventing yous from shopping around for the all-time information deal. You will likewise most probable pay over the odds if you choose to pay goose egg upwards front simply tie yourself into a ii-year contract.

However, purchase a network-unlocked router and shop around for a not bad-value data SIM plan and you lot will relieve coin in the long run.

Note that the mobile hotspots offered past U.k. mobile operators are typically made past Huawei, just too Netgear, HTC and TP-Link. If you lot know the model yous can usually detect these devices bachelor network-unlocked through retailers such as Amazon.

For case, Three'south Huawei 4G Plus MiFi is in fact a Huawei Mobile WiFi 3s (E5576-320), while its Huawei HomeFi is actually a Huawei B311. O2's Huawei 5G Pocket Hotspot Pro is actually a Huawei 5G Mobile Wi-Fi Pro (E6878-370), and its Pocket Hostpot Pro Netgear M1 is a Netgear Nighthawk MR1100.