The Best Mobile Hotspots for Portable Wifi and Remote Work

As remote work becomes the norm, workcations are in full swing. And mobile hotspots have proven to be an item you absolutely cannot miss in your arsenal of gadgets; a quality internet connection is a necessity of modern work, traveling or not.

Whether you want to work from a nearby cafe, a beach, or another country, a mobile hotspot lets you access the internet on your smartphone, laptop, or tablet—no need to rely on poor-quality public Wi-Fi that can expose your gadgets to viruses and malware.

Investing in a portable mobile hotspot guarantees you’ll have a cellular signal virtually anywhere. Hop on audio and video calls, reply to emails, and get your work done without any hassles.

• Best mobile hotspots
• Other hotspots worth considering
• What are mobile hotspots?
• Choosing the best mobile hotspot
• Where to get a mobile hotspot

Best mobile hotspots

Investing in the right mobile hotspot is essential. With so many features at different price ranges, making the right choice can be tricky. We have curated the top mobile hotspots to help you find the best hotspot that meets your budget and needs. Take a look at our top picks below.

1. Nighthawk LTE Mobile Hotspot
2. Inseego 5g MiFi M2000
3. Jetpack MiFi 8800L

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1. Nighthawk LTE Mobile Hotspot

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Nighthawk LTE is an advanced mobile Wi-Fi hotspot that provides a downloading, streaming, and media-sharing experience. It comes with an intuitive app-driven user interface, parental control options, and an improved JumpBoost feature. It supports most carrier plans up to 1 Gbps. However, it is best suited for AT&T.

Technical specifications:

• Battery: 5040mAh lithium-ion battery
• Speed: 1 Gbps download speeds; 150 Mbps upload speeds
• SIM: Nano-SIM (4FF)
• Port: Ethernet Port, USB-C Port, and Dual TS-9 external 3G/4G antennas connectors

Price and functionality:

• Price: $449
• Screen Size: 1.4 inches
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi
• Battery Life: 5040mAh for up to 24 hours of use
• Size and Weight: Dimensions: 4.15 (L) x 4.1 (W) x 0.8 (H) inches; Weight: 240 gms (with battery)

Pros:

• Share with up to 20 devices
• High-end security features
• Excellent Wi-Fi network

Cons:

• No touch screen
• No 5G support
• Pricey

You can purchase the Nighthawk LTE Mobile Hotspot (renewed version) on Amazon.

2. Inseego 5g MiFi M2000

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Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 can connect to 5G Wi-Fi services and allows for connecting to 4G services as a fallback. With fast download speeds, you can stream movies, reply to emails, take video calls, and more.

The Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 is also packed with enterprise-grade security features that keep your data safe (including advanced-level encryption, a guest Wi-Fi network, hacker prevention, password protection, and more). You can also take advantage of mobile device management tools like GPS location, remote device settings configuration, Geofence alerts, and device logs. Inseego 5G MiFi 2000 works best with T-Mobile.

Technical specs:

Battery: 3500mAh battery (5050 mAh version available too)

Speed: Download speeds up to 2.7 Gbps

SIM: 4FF Nano-SIM

Chipset: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ SDX55

Ports: USB-C port for charging, tethering, and universal charging of external devices

Price and functionality:

• Price: $224.99
• Screen Size: 2.4 inches (LED display)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6
• Battery Life: Up to 24 hours of use
• Size and Weight: Dimensions: 5.9(L) x 2.2 (W) x 0.70 (H) inches; Weight: 210 grams

Pros

• Connect up to 30 devices
• Touchscreen display
• Wi-Fi 6

Cons:

• No external antenna port
• Heavy

You can purchase Inseego 5G MiFi 2000 through Amazon or T-Mobile’s official website.

3. Jetpack MiFi 8800L

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Verizon’s Jetpack MiFi 8800L uses 4G LTE technologies and comes with innovative security features like data monitoring, Auto VPN, and an optional guest network. It can also be used as a universal charger and USB port to fuel other smart devices.

The 8800L has a great on-screen user interface, letting you check data consumption details. You can change passwords and Wi-Fi options, and take note of how many devices are connected to your network. It supports up to 15 smart devices. It is packed with QuickCharge™ technology, which means it can charge the battery from 0% to 100% in just three hours. Jetpack MiFi 8800L works best with Verizon.

Technical specs:

• Battery: 4400mAh Li-Ion Battery (Removable)
• Speed: Wi-Fi bands 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz (around 50 Mbps range)
• SIM: 4FF (pre-installed)
• Ports: Type C USB - Charging, Tethering, MiFi Share, and Dual TS9 test ports

Price and Functionality:

• Price: $199.99
• Screen Size: 2.4-inch touchscreen
• Battery Life: 24 hours of battery life
• Size and Weight: Dimensions: 0.71 (L) x 2.64 (W) x 4.29 (H) inches; Weight: 152 grams

Pros:

• Covers 200+ countries
• Reliable CAT 18 LTE technology
• Excellent battery life

Cons:

• No 5G network support
• Doesn’t work well with other carrier providers
• Pricey

You can purchase the Jetpack MiFi 8800L Mobile Hotspot through Verizon’s official website and Best Buy.

Other hotspots worth considering

Some other hotspots to consider checking out include:

1. Verizon Airspeed 4G Mobile Hotspot
2. Netgear AirCard 797 4G Mobile Hotspot
3. Franklin T9 Mobile Hotspot
4. Alcatel LINKZONE Cat7 Mobile Wi-Fi
5. GlocalME G4 PRO
6. Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro
7. Inseego MiFi M2100 5G Mobile Hotspot
8. Skyroam Solis Lite

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4. Verizon Airspeed 4G Mobile Hotspot

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Verizon Airspeed 4G is a good pick if you are on the lookout for a budget-friendly mobile hotspot device. Apart from an excellent battery and fast internet speeds, its LCD color display lets you keep track of connected devices and data usage. It also lets you modify device settings without installing any software or apps. It comes with on-device data usage monitoring that assists teams in managing data and avoiding costly overages. Verizon Airspeed 4G Mobile Hotspot works best with Verizon.

Technical specs:

Speed: Download speeds up to 150 Mbps, upload speeds up to 50 Mbps

Battery: 3,000 mAh battery

SIM: 4G LTE SIM Card (pre-installed)

Price and functionality:

• Price: $59.99
• Screen Size: 1.77" LCD color display
• Battery Life: 10 hours of battery life
• Size and Weight: Dimensions: 4 (L) x 2.80 (W) x 0.75 (H) inches; Weight: 139 grams

Pros:

• Works in 200+ countries
• Connect up to 10 devices
• Excellent battery life

Cons:

• No 5G support
• No touchscreen

You can purchase Verizon Airspeed 4G Mobile Hotspot on Verizon’s official website, and at Walmart and Best Buy.

5. Netgear AirCard 797 4G Mobile Hotspot

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Netgear Aircard 797 4G Mobile Hotspot is a fast, secure, and reliable personal Wi-Fi for your travel needs. It has an intuitive display that provides information about the network, connectivity, battery life, and more. You can manage your device and network settings and track data usage with the NETGEAR mobile app. In terms of security, you get a VPN pass-through, an optional timer for guest users, Wi-Fi security encryption, and Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). It also has 3G fallback support. Netgear AirCard 797 4G Mobile Hotspot works best on AT&T and T-Mobile networks.

Technical specs:

• Battery: 2930mAh lithium-ion battery (removable)
• Speed: Up to 400 Mbps
• SIM: Micro-SIM (3FF)
• Ports: Micro-USB 2.0 port

Price and functionality:

• Price: $350.58
• Screen Size: 1.77-inch color LCD display
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi
• Battery Life: 11 hours
• Size and Weight: Dimensions: 4.33 (L) x 2.68 (W) x 0.61 (H) inches; Weight: 136g (with battery)

Pros:

• 4G technology: LTE Cat 13
• Supports up to 32 connected devices
• Robust security features

Cons:

• No 5G support
• Average battery life
• Pricey

You can purchase the Netgear AirCard 797 4G Mobile Hotspot through Walmart.

6. Franklin T9 Mobile Hotspot

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The Franklin T9 mobile hotspot offers LTE technology and multi-band support. It comes with Wi-Fi connection management tools so you can turn on password protection and set up rules about who can connect to the device. It comes with a tiny OLED window that showcases information like cellular signal strength, battery level, and the number of connected devices. It supports 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE. This is a good pick for anyone who wants a T-mobile hotspot. You also get a data plan of up to 50GB.

Technical specs:

• Battery: 2450 mAh
• Speed: 50-150 Mbps
• Ports: Micro USB (for charging)
• Processor: Qualcomm MDM9207-0

Price and functionality:

• Price: $27.72
• Screen Size: 128 x 36 pixels display resolution
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac,UMTS, HSDPA, HSPA+, LTE
• Battery Life: 8 hours of battery
• Size and Weight: Dimensions: 4.69 (L) x 2.91 (W) x 2.24 (H) inches; Weight: 85 grams

Pros:

• Connect up to 15 devices
• Cost-effective
• Advanced LTE technology

Cons:

• Small RAM size
• No 5G support
• Shorter battery life

You can purchase the Franklin T9 Mobile Hotspot through Amazon.

7. Alcatel LINKZONE Cat7 Mobile Wi-Fi

The Alcatel Linkzone Cat7 LTE Hotspot is a smaller version of the Linkzone Cat12. It is the smallest mobile hotspot device, but is packed with powerful features. You can work, play, or stream no matter where you are traveling. Manage this hotspot and securely transfer files via the app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices. It comes with dual-band Wi-Fi and provides commendable 4G LTE speeds.

Technical specs:

• Battery: 2150mAh
• Speed: Download speeds up to 300Mbps; upload speeds up to 100Mbps
• Processor: Qualcomm MDM9240-1
• SIM: Nano 4FF

Price and functionality:

• Price: $108
• Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
• Size and Weight: Dimensions: 3.6 (L) x 2.4 (W) x 0.5 (H) inches; Weight: 85 grams

Pros:

• High-speed 4G LTE
• Share with up to 32 Wi-Fi devices
• Hands-free

Cons:

• No 5G support
• App installation required
• Average battery life

You can purchase Alcatel LINKZONE Cat7 Mobile Wi-Fi from Alcatel's official website or World Sim. ‍

8. GlocalME G4 PRO

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GlocalMe G4 PRO is a touchscreen-enabled data Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect up to 10 devices at the same time. You get top utility apps like Google Maps and Trip Advisor, which are great for travelers. Even though a SIM card isn’t required, it comes with two nano-SIM slots and can be utilized as a power bank.

It offers internet access without the need to subscribe to any particular cellular service. In case you don’t want your devices to consume a large chunk of data, there is an automatic setting that disables that. It is similar to the size of an iPhone Pro, so it can fit in your backpack or back pocket.

Technical specs:

• Battery: 3,900mAh battery
• MAX speed: LTE: DL 150Mbps/UL 50Mbps
• Ports: Type-C USB / USB 2.0 port
• Control method: App and touch screen

Price and functionality:

• Price: $169.99
• Screen Size: 5-inch touch screen
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi
• Battery Life: 18 hour
• Size and Weight: Dimensions: 5.35 (L) x 2.84 (W) x 0.47 (H) inches; Weight: 190 gms

Pros:

• Coverage in 140+ countries
• Cloud-based SIM data plans
• Connect 10 devices

Cons:

• Fewer configuration options
• On the heavy side
• No 5G support

You can purchase the GlocalME G4 PRO through GlocalMe’s official website.

9. Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro

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If you are looking for blazing-fast 5G speeds, the Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Mot Spot Pro is a great pick. With its 5G mobile broadband internet, you get exceptional download speeds up to 7Gbps. It comes with password-protected Wi-Fi and a VPN pass-through. You can also block devices or filter out content. Stream high-quality videos or get on video calls without interruptions. Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro works best with the AT&T network carrier.

Technical specs:

• Battery: 5040 mAh
• Speed: Max 7Gbps on 5GHz
• SIM: Nano 4FF
• Processor: Qualcomm SD X55

Price and functionality:

• Price: Up to $500
• Screen Size: 2.4-inch LCD touch screen
• Connectivity: 5G, LTE, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Wi-Fi 6
• Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
• Size and Weight: Dimensions: 4.14 (L) x 4.14 (W) x .85 (H) inches; Weight: 240g

Pros:

• Wi-Fi 6 enabled
• Share with up to 32 Wi-Fi devices
• Intuitive Touch UI Screen

Cons:

• Expensive
• Data plans are limited
• Average battery life for 5G hotspot

You can purchase the Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro through Nightgear’s official website or Amazon.

10. Inseego MiFi M2100 5G Mobile Hotspot

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Inseego MiFi M2100 5G comes with lightning-fast 5G upload and download speeds. You get the option of 4G LTE in places 5G isn’t available so you can experience a seamless, reliable connection. Its enterprise-grade security features protect your personal data and defend against malware. Power users can purchase an 8500mAh accessory battery separately. Inseego MiFi M2100 5G Mobile Hotspot works best with the Verizon network carrier.

Technical specs:

• Battery: 3500 mAh
• Speed: Download speeds up to 2.7 Gbps
• SIM: Pre-installed 5G 4FF Nano-SIM
• Control method: App and touch screen
• Chipset: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ SDX55

Price and functionality:

• Price: $399.99
• Screen Size: 2.4-inch touchscreen display
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and USB
• Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
• Size and Weight: Dimensions: 5.9 (L) x 2.2 (W) x 0.70 (H) inches; Weight: 210 gms

Pros:

• Connects up to 30 devices
• Can be used as a power bank
• Wi-Fi 6

Cons:

• Inconsistent performance
• No C-band support
• Expensive

You can purchase the Inseego MiFi M2100 5G through Verizon’s official website.

11. Skyroam Solis Lite

Skyroam Solis Lite provides top-notch mobile data access via a virtual and multi-carrier network. This means you get fast, uninterrupted internet access. No SIMs, roaming charges, or coverage fees are required. Advanced SignalScan™ feature lets you automatically switch to the strongest signal available. Skyroam Solis Lite is a pocket-sized hotspot best for international travels and can be shared with up to 10 devices. It is compatible with the Solis Wi-Fi App across iOS and Android devices. It comes with a speaker and a built-in voice assistant. Skyroam Solis Lite works best with Verizon users, and you can purchase daily rental plans.

Technical specifications:

• Battery: 4700 mAh
• Speed: Download speed up to 150 Mbps; Upload speed up to 50 Mbps
• SIM: Proprietary eSIM. No physical SIM is required
• Port: USB Type C

Price and functionality:

• Price: Ranges from $120 to $320
• Screen Size: 3.5 inches
• Connectivity: Supports 802.11 b/g/n/a 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz Wi-Fi bands and Bluetooth
• Battery Life: 16-hour battery
• Size and Weight: 3.46 (L) x 3.46 (W) x 0.91 (H) inches; Weight: 155 g

Pros:

• Can be utilized as a power bank
• Works in more than 130 countries
• Pocket-sized

Cons:

• Using third-party USB-C cables can be difficult
• The signal can be poor outside urban areas
• No 5G support

You can purchase Skyroam Solis Lite on its official website and Amazon.

What are mobile hotspots?

A mobile hotspot is similar to a home Wi-Fi router. The only difference is that it is meant for anyone who needs a solid internet connection while traveling. The best mobile hotspots are portable, provide great security features, and can be used across multiple devices.

Choosing the best mobile hotspot

We have compiled a list of factors to help you make the right purchasing decision when shopping for a mobile hotspot.

Price

Basic Wi-Fi hotspot models cost under $100 and top-tier models can cross $200. Expensive mobile hotspots offer advanced features like 5G technology, superb battery life, and exceptional security features. Basic models come with 4G speeds and are the perfect choice for occasional users. Note that apart from the device cost, you will be required to pay for a monthly data plan.

Speed: 4G vs. 5G

When it comes to speed, you have two options: 4G or 5G. The right choice, in this case, depends on your usage. If you don‘t require high-speed internet connections or are only an occasional user, then 4G is preferable. However, 5G is the right pick for heavy users, or if your work requires you to have a consistent, fast, and uninterrupted internet connection at all times.

Note that a 5G-enabled mobile hotspot is only useful if you travel around areas with 5G access. As of now, there is limited network availability of 5G hotspots in certain areas. For example, selected urban areas have 5G coverage, but many suburbs and rural areas only have 4G or 3G coverage. Most service providers offer a coverage map on their website to help you better understand where 5G coverage is offered.

Before making a purchasing decision, you should consider where you will use the hotspot most of the time. Most 5G hotspot mobile devices provide a 4G fallback if you are in an area that does not support 5G.

4G hotspots have around 30Mbps to 150Mbps speeds, whereas 5G can range between 150Mbps to 1000Mbps, or even more.

Network Support

While shopping for mobile hotspots, you need to consider the plan you’ll buy to make it work. Mobile hotspot plans are similar to home internet bills. However, they can be more costly per byte due to the extended service they offer. You can purchase mobile hotspot plans via popular network carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

In certain cases, specific hotspot devices are compatible with only specific providers. You may also come across options to purchase the mobile hotspot at a discounted rate. Typically, you can choose from multiple hotspot plans depending on your usage.

Where to get a mobile hotspot

You can purchase mobile hotspots from several places.

• Network carrier. Network carriers like Verizon and AT&T sell mobile hotspots they support through their respective websites. You may also purchase them over the phone with a network carrier.

• Retail store. Almost all retail stores that sell tech-related gadgets offer mobile hotspots.

• Walmart. Walmart has an extensive assortment of mobile hotspots across multiple price ranges. You can either visit your nearby storefront or purchase directly from the website.

• Best Buy (U.S.). Best Buy provides a good range of mobile hotspots. The website has limited options, so it might be best to visit your local store location.

• Amazon. You can also purchase a mobile hotspot from Amazon (look for sales).

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Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this section. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

Prices are current at the time of writing and may change over time based on each service’s offerings.

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