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7 of our favorite portable Wi-Fi hot spots for travelers, with tips from our experts
By Ana Pelayo Connery and Andrew Kunesh, CNN Underscored
Updated
2:41 PM EDT, Tue August 13, 2024
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Whether you’re in charge of navigating, want to keep your socials updated or have some work to catch up on, traveling can take quite a toll on your cell phone battery, especially when using data. That’s why portable Wi-Fi hot spots can be an essential piece of travel gear for digital nomads and remote workers.
Hot spots connect to cellular networks for high-speed data, so you can extend your connectivity time and also give access to kids, colleagues or anyone else traveling with you. This means more data to more devices, which is a big win when you need to track flight schedules and meeting times, or you simply find yourself off the beaten path.
“Portable hot spots will use data just like cell phones do, and coverage will depend on the carrier and the coverage they offer in that area,” says Best Buy Mobile Expert Thomas Walker. “Since hot spots require data, they also require a plan, something to remember as you consider buying a portable hot spot. For example, if you’re in an area that has less coverage, you might see slower speeds on the connected devices.”
Sure, your smartphone probably has a hot spot mode, but roaming charges can rack up your bill before you’ve even sent a few emails. Wi-Fi hot spots can provide a flexible alternative that eliminates worrying about data caps.
With a Wi-Fi hot spot, you’ll never rely on spotty connectivity at airports, hotels or random stores again. Just keep in mind that depending on your carrier, some portable Wi-Fi hot spots may only be used in the US or with certain carriers, so make sure you check before you buy.
With all this in mind, here are seven of the best portable Wi-Fi hot spots for travelers who need to stay connected on the go.
This relatively new product from Solis does it all. It supports 4G LTE and 5G speeds in over 135 countries around the world and works with up to 16 devices at once. Its touch screen lets you view connected devices, the remaining battery and other important stats. You can pick from a variety of Solis prepaid plans that range from daily passes to monthly unlimited data plans. It also includes 1GB of global data per month with all new device purchases.
This more budget-friendly hot spot from Solis supports 4G LTE networks in over 135 countries. Like the higher-end model above, it includes 1GB of free mobile data per month. It supports up to 10 devices at once and has flexible data packages like daily passes and monthly plans. Note the lifetime 1GB per month plan is only included if you purchase on Solis' website or Amazon.
This hot spot from RoamFi is affordable, provides plenty of high-speed data both at home and abroad, and comes in a cheery shade of summer sherbet. It includes 10GB that can be used in the US and another 1GB for travel in any of 160 countries out of the box. It can share data with up to five devices, making it perfect for family road trips, especially since it guarantees 18 hours of continuous battery.
This touchscreen hot spot lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously and provides connectivity from virtually anywhere in the world — more than 140 countries, to be exact. It doubles as a power bank for other devices and supports 4G LTE with download speeds of up to 150 megabits per second. You can purchase data plans through GlocalMe's website.
The Netgear Nighthawk supports 4G LTE networks — not 5G — and is carrier unlocked so you can use it with the network of your choice both at home and abroad. That said, Netgear says it works best with AT&T, T-Mobile and Google Fi. It has an ethernet port too, so you can hard wire it to your laptop or other device for faster speeds.
With 5G and 4G LTE connectivity and the ability to connect a whopping 30 devices with Wi-Fi 6 technology, this is an affordable hot spot for family reunions and group work trips. Reviewers love its easy-to-use interface, all-day battery and built-in Ethernet port, which expands its use further. Just note that this device only works with T-Mobile's hot spot plans, so look through those before you buy.
It’s not as new as many of the other models and it doesn’t support 5G, but it has one of the largest and most reliable LTE networks, ensuring fast data speeds wherever you go. Its data plans are also more generous and less expensive than many others, so it secured a spot on our list.
Yes, many providers offer unlimited data plans, but prices and speeds vary. For example, Solis offers a 24-hour unlimited-data day pass for $9 that can be used in more than 135 countries, though speeds may vary based on your data usage. You can also purchase monthly unlimited plans.
You might also find unlimited data plans with local carriers in your destination. Just ensure these plans are compatible with your mobile hot spot before you purchase a plan.
Many hot spots work with Google Fi, but do your own research to ensure the hot spot you own or plan to purchase is both carrier unlocked and compatible with the network. If it’s compatible, you can request a data-only SIM card from Google Fi and add it to your plan.
You may be able to use your smartphone’s mobile hot spot feature abroad depending on your mobile carrier. However, you could be subject to high roaming fees if your plan doesn’t include international data. And even if it does, your plan may not allow for international mobile hot spots.
Consider buying an international eSIM to reduce these charges. An international eSIM gives you access to local data plans around the world and can be purchased from various marketplaces like Airalo.
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