Best Mobile Hotspots
1. BEST OVERALL
Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G Wi-Fi 6E Mobile Hotspot
PROS
- Supports the very latest Wi-Fi signals and cellular frequency bands
- Is available unlocked for use on multiple carriers
CONS
- Extreme price gap between unlocked and AT&T models
There’s no single best mobile hotspot, since most people’s needs (and performance) are carrier dependent. Still, Netgear’s Nighthawk M6 Pro is one of the most enticing options we’ve found. On the cellular side, the M6 Pro connects to the full range of modern frequency bands, ranging from the outdated-but-still-kicking 3G, to US standards like 4G LTE, and 5G, as well as the ultra-fast 5G mmWave signal.
On the broadcasting side, it supports Wi-Fi 6E, the current wireless standard, for a potential throughput of 3,600 Mbps within the local network. If you want wired connectivity to the device, it also jumps the Ethernet port up from 1 Gbps to 2.5 Gbps.
It has its flaws: The M6 Pro isn’t well-equipped for international travel and its advanced feature set makes it expensive, even though most people won’t get the chance to take advantage of mmWave all that often. Still, in the right spot, with the right carrier, you’ll forget you aren’t on your home internet.
2. BEST VALUE
Verizon Wireless Jetpack MiFi 8800L Mobile Hotspot
PROS
- Supports a broad range of LTE bands
- Lightweight for easy carrying
- Antenna ports for improved reception
CONS
- No 5G connectivity
- No Wi-Fi 6 or Ethernet port
Verizon doesn’t sell the Jetpack 8800L directly anymore, but it’s still easy to find new or refurbished online, and it delivers decent specs for a song. It offers 4G LTE connectivity over Wi-Fi 4, and a replaceable 4400 mAh battery to ensure that you can stay online as long as you need to.
There’s a guest option, too, if you want to let someone use your wireless network without giving them network access to your own devices. You can also use it as a backup battery bank via its USB-C port—another reason to pick up an extra battery for your bag.
3. BEST PAY-AS-YOU-GO
GlocalMe DuoTurbo 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
PROS
- Pay-as-you-go service plan available
- Unlocked with guaranteed coverage in many countries
CONS
- No 5GHz support
If you don’t want to fuss with contracts—or add a line to your current data plan—consider this mobile hotspot from GlocalMe.
It’s an attractive-looking touch screen hotspot that’s about the size of a smartphone — just much thicker. It comes with 1GB of global 4G LTE data, 8GB of data in the U.S., and works in over 100 different countries. It also features two modems, one for operations and the other for backup, to ensure your connection keeps stable.
The touch screen hotspot offers 12 hours of battery life and has a built-in USB-C port for fast-charging other devices. It supports up to 10 simultaneously connected devices. GlocalMe also allows users to download a free app to track their data usage and add more data to their line in the event that they run out. Their data rates vary based on location — check out their pricing here.
4. BEST FOR VERIZON
Orbic Speed 5G UW Mobile Hotspot
- Gigabit Ethernet Port
- Supports 5G mmWave
CONS
- No antenna ports
Verizon has been expanding its 5G network in the last few years, focusing especially on the 5G mid-band section of its network. If you’re looking for 5G speeds from the Verizon network, then the Orbic Speed 5G is the way to go. It’s competitively priced, and supports Verizon’s 5G mid-band and mmWave networks. The biggest downside of this device is a lack of TS9 Antenna ports to expand its range for picking up stronger cellular signals.
5. BEST FOR T-MOBILE
Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G Mobile Hotspot
PROS
- Can handle lots of devices at once
- Ethernet port
CONS
- Small touch screen is tricky to use
Also available on Verizon.
If you’re on T-Mobile, the Inseego MiFi X Pro will give you access to the provider’s 5G networks, giving you faster download and upload speeds. Not only can it connect to up to 32 devices, but it also has an ethernet port for wired connections. You can expect 18 hours of battery life before it will need charging with the included USB-C cable.
In PCMag’s review, critic Dave LeClair says he was able to achieve download speeds up to 600 Mbps, which is plenty fast for streaming video.
“The new model carries over everything we liked about the previous model, and introduces some welcome improvements such as an ethernet port and the ability to connect even more devices via Wi-Fi,” he says.
6
Netgear Nighthawk M6 5G Wi-Fi 6 Mobile Hotspot
PROS
- Wide range of bands supported
- Ethernet Port for direct connectivity
- Detailed, sharp display
- Antenna ports for extended range
CONS
- Not the latest model
The Nighthawk M6 Pro is the best of the best, but the standard Netgear M6 is still an amazing option if you’re looking for an unlocked hotspot with a ton of bells and whistles.
The last-gen Nighthawk M6 (sans Pro) is an extremely capable hotspot that you can add to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile plans. Like the M6 Pro, it connects up to 32 devices via 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. It only supports Wi-Fi 6, not 6E, though that won’t be a noticeable issue for most users. It also has an Ethernet port to set up a wired connection.
Its 5,040 maH battery should last through a work day, and when the hotspot dies, it recharges quickly thanks to its speedy USB-C port. We’ll add that Netgear has a companion app for its hotspots, which lets you manage the Wi-Fi connections for all of your devices, adjust settings, check usage, and view media files.
Not everyone needs the best of the best, but if you want a high-end hotspot for slightly less, this is the move.
7. BEST FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
GlocalMe G4 Pro Mobile Hotspot Router
PROS
- 144 countries supported
- Pay-as-you-go plans available
- Android interface supports additional travel apps
CONS
- Countless international data plans are hard to parse, get very expensive
- No 5G support
If you’re going all over the world, GlocalMe’s G4 Pro is a great choice. Though it doesn’t have 5G support, it more than makes up for that with highly flexible plans. GlocalMe offers daily and weekly pay-as-you-go data plans tailored to different countries, so you can buy data plans for different countries as you need them.
GlocalMe boasts connectivity in 144 countries (out of 195 total). Compared to more expensive models, you can’t connect as many devices or connect as quickly, but you can go anywhere and you’ll have lots of options for how much you want to pay.
The plans can get wonky, though: The cheapest options are very cheap–A 500MB day pass costs $2–but the most expensive options can get expensive, like the $1,399 “CEO exclusive” plan. That makes this a great option for travelers, who need Wi-Fi support in bursts, rather than remote workers who plan to use it regularly all year round.
