If you’re a keen traveler and don’t have a portable WiFi solution yet, you need to get one. They’re great! What more can we say? Well, plenty…
Portable WiFi devices (especially the ones in this list!) are the best mobile hotspots to keep you connected to the world wide web no matter where you are on the planet. (No more searching for unsecured or patchy public wifi!) When connected to the internet via a mobile network any WiFi-enabled device will be able to gain access to a fast and secure internet connection.
Enabling you to have full access to all your online applications, these portable WiFi solutions are ideal for anyone who wants to stay in touch with friends & family back home and enjoy all their favorite online games, whilst streaming their favorite shows. They are also a godsend for digital nomads who need to work whilst they’re on the go.
So, if staying online is important to you during your travels, read on to discover our top picks when it comes to portable WiFi devices.
Disclaimer: Almost all posts on this site contain Affiliate links, and this one about the Best Mobile Hotspot & Portable Wifi Devices for Travel in 2020 is no different. This means that if you click on any of the links in this post (and make a purchase) I may receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. Each post is carefully crafted to (hopefully!) answer all your questions and recommendations are made where we believe they will improve your trip and help with your planning. As such we thank you in advance should you decide to click & buy. Read my full Disclosure here.
In This Post
Mobile Hotspot / Portable WiFi Top Tips (That You Should Know Before Purchasing)
To Sim or Not to Sim: this really is the main question you need to ask yourself before jumping on board the pocket wifi bandwagon. Basically, do you want to have a device that is set up an ready to go as soon as you switch it on – or are you prepared to source a local sim card in whatever destination you find yourself in, to give your portable WiFi hotspot some juice?
The key difference between the two models is that for those that require a local data sim, you will (obviously) need to find and purchase a local sim card prior to being able to get online. This is often very easy, with most major airports around the world now selling sim cards to arriving visitors. Your next ‘issue’ will be deciding how much data to purchase, and how easy it is to top up once you are on the road. To this end, a little research into the available telephone networks in a country, along with their costs before you arrive will help you out immensely.
For those that don’t want to go through the rigmarole of sourcing a local sim card at the start of their vacation – and don’t want the inevitable roaming charged from using their personal cell phone plans, there are a few portable wifi hotspot options that come with built in data. They are essentially plug-in and play, and you pay by the day or with data packs – but I would also triple check they cover the destination you are visiting before investing in one.
We have outlined the key differences between the two different styles of portable WiFi devices below and have split our recommendations into the two sections (mobile hotspot that requires a local sim & portable WiFi hotspot with built in data)
– Often Inexpensive Device
– Need to buy enough Data for your trip
– Learn how to top up in country
– Used multiple times with different sim cards
– Plug and Play
– Different costs for different countries
– Data not available in every country
– Often slightly more expensive for the convenience
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| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Size | Weight | Battery life | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1. HUAWEI E5573CS-322 | 15.4 x 9.6 x 6.2 cm | 259g | 6 hours | Check Price |
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2. HUAWEI E5885 CAT6 | 6.9 x 2.3 x 11.2 cm | 200g | 25 hours | Check Price |
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3. TP-LINK M7200 4G LTE MIFI (FOR UK READERS) | 9.4 x 5.7 x 2 cm ; 49.9 g | 141g | 8 hours | Check Price |
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4. NETGEAR NIGHTHAWK MR1100 | 10.5 x 10.5 x 2 cm | 240g | 24 hours | Check Price |
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5. HUAWEI E8377 | 6 x 5 x 9 cm | 68g | None required | Check Price |
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6. HUAWEI E5788 | 13 x 1 x 7 cm | 150g | 12 hours | Check Price |
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7. GLOCALME U2 | 12.7 x 1.4 x 6.6 cm | 150g | 13 hours | Check Price |
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8. ZTE MF920V | 13.5 x 0.7 x 20 cm | 181g | 8 hours | Check Price |
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9. TENDA 4G680 (FOR UK READERS) | 22.3 x 13.3 x 6.7 cm | 490g | Power supply required | Check Price |
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10. RAVPOWER FILEHUB PLUS | 3.8 x 5.5 x 1.1 cm | 150g | Will charge a device at least once | Check Price |
The Best Portable WiFi Devices that require a local data sim
Huawei E5573Cs-322
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Size: 15.4 x 9.6 x 6.2 cm
Weight: 259g
Battery life: six hours
Works in: worldwide (excluding USA)
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A best-seller on Amazon, this 4G low-cost travel hotspot from Huawei is a fully unlocked hotspot to roam on all networks worldwide to help keep your data costs down. Pocket-sized and lightweight, insert your data sim into the card slot and connect up to 10 devices for browsing, gaming and streaming.
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Huawei E5885 CAT6
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Size: 6.9 x 2.3 x 11.2 cm
Weight: 200g
Battery life: 25 hours
Works in: worldwide
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For something a little more serious from Huawei, why not try their 4G+ Mobile WiFi Hotspot Wireless Router. With the ability to connect up to a whopping 32 WiFi-enabled devices, this easy to use high-speed mobile WiFi solution also features an inbuilt power bank. Enabling you to charge devices on the go with up to 25 hours of battery life from the 6,400 mah battery powerhouse.
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TP-LINK M7200 4G LTE MiFi (for UK readers)
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Size: 9.4 x 5.7 x 2 cm ; 49.9 g
Weight: 141g
Battery life: eight hours
Works in: 100+ countries across Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australia
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Supporting 4G LTE network this portable travel WiFi is also compatible with 3G/2G networks. Suitable to use in over 100 countries, enjoy download speeds of 150Mbps for high-speed internet connection without interruption. Insert your data sim to plug and play for up to 10 WiFi-enabled devices.
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NETGEAR Nighthawk MR1100
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Size: 10.5 x 10.5 x 2 cm
Weight: 240g
Battery life: 24 hours
Works in: Worldwide
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Unlocked for use on all networks, this mobile hotspot 4G router from NETGEAR allows users to enjoy superfast download speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Connect using a data sim for up to 20 WiFi-enabled devices with a battery life of 24 hours. Utilise the LCD screen to monitor mobile strength and network management.
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Huawei E8377
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.Size: 6 x 5 x 9 cm
Weight: 68g
Battery life: None required
Works in: Worldwide
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The 4G travel In-Car portable WiFi hotspot from Huawei is the ultimate accessory for your international road trip. Insert your data sim, plugin and play with this advanced high-speed Car-Fi. With no charging required, connect up to 10 WiFi-enabled devices every time you’re on the go. With an added USB port you can also charge all your devices too.
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Huawei E5788
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Size: 13 x 1 x 7 cm
Weight: 150g
Battery life: 12 hours
Works in: Worldwide
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Known as the worlds-first super-fast 4G 1Gbps, pocket-sized travel hotspot. This fully-unlocked solution from Huawei features a colour touch screen to manage your connection and devices. With up to 12 hours of usage, connect up to 32 WiFi-enabled devices anywhere around the world.
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GlocalMe U2
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Size: 12.7 x 1.4 x 6.6 cm
Weight: 150g
Battery life: 13 hours
Works in: Worldwide
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The GlocalMe 4G LTE mobile Wi-Fi hotspot comes with 1.1GB of worldwide data. Featuring a dual sim function, unlocked for all networks, users can enjoy up to 13 hours of battery power when using up to 5 WiFi-enabled gadgets.
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ZTE MF920V
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Size: 13.5 x 0.7 x 20 cm
Weight: 181g
Battery life: 8 hours
Works in: Worldwide
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An affordable 4G low-cost travel hotspot available from ZTE, this pocket-sized solution is unlocked for all networks. Insert your sim card and select the best network in your area for the lowest roaming charges. Use the LCD touch screen to manage speed and up to 10 devices for over 8 hours of browsing.
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Tenda 4G680 (for UK readers)
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Size: 22.3 x 13.3 x 6.7 cm
Weight: 490g
Battery life: Power supply required
Works in: Worldwide
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With no configuration required, this 4G mobile WiFi router from Tenda features two detachable antennas to ensure smooth coverage, wherever you are. Compatible with sims in over 135 countries, users can enjoy download speeds of up to 150 Mbps & upload speed of 50 Mbps for up to 32 devices. With additional LAN/WAN ports enjoy flexibility and connect to an ethernet cable when required.
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RAVPower FileHub Plus
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Size: 3.8 x 5.5 x 1.1 cm
Weight: 150g
Battery life: Will charge a device at least once
Works in: Worldwide
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This all in one solution from RAVPower not only acts as a portable travel router by converting a wired network to wireless network, it also acts as a storage backup device, media streamer and sharer, an SD Card USB reader and an external battery pack.
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The Best Mobile Hotspot Devices with in-built data
Skyroam Solis Lite
Size: 18.8 x 11.6 x 3.3 cm
Weight: 313g
Battery life: 18+ hours
Works in: Destination across North & South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia
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Enjoy the Skyroam Solis mobile wifi hotspot and stay connected with a high-speed, reliable connection. With no sim required the patented virtual sim technology connects to local mobile networks, allowing you to connect up to 10 WiFi-enabled devices. It’s one of the best standalone mobile hotspots on the market today.
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Keepgo Global
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Size: 1.2 x 9.7 x 5.9 cm
Weight: 240g
Battery life: 6 hours
Works in: 100+ countries worldwide
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With 1GB of data included, the Keepgo Global is compatible in over 120 countries. Insert the sim included to use pre-paid data within one year of purchase whilst you’re on the go. Create your secure mobile hotspot and connect up to 16 WiFi enabled devices at any one time.
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Macaroon Mobile WiFi Hotspot (for UK readers)
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Size: 8.5 x 8.5 x 2.1 cm
Weight: 109g
Battery life: 12 hours
Works in: 200 destinations across Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Oceania
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This fully 4G unlocked portable mobile Wifi router from Macaroon allows users up to 5GB EU data and 1GB global data. With download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload 50 Mbps, this device allows you to wave goodbye to sim cards by using their built-in software. Covering over 200 countries, you can connect up to 10 WiFi-enabled devices.
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TEP Wireless
With Pocket WiFi you can find anything in Hong Kong.. including Dough Balls & Dumplings
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Size: 4.2 inches x 2.3 inches x 0.5 inches
Weight: 134g
Battery life: 8 hours
Works in: Over 35 destinations across Europe
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For simless internet connectivity in over 35 European countries, the pocket-sized WiFi hotspot from TEP Wireless is a great travel companion. With a Teppy plan to suit every traveller, you can choose to rent or buy a TEP Wireless device for unlimited internet on up to five WiFi enabled devices.
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HTC 5G Hub
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Size: 129 x 100 x 43 mm
Weight: 340g
Battery life: 24 hours
Works in: Worldwide
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It’s the world’s first smart hub, enabling users to enjoy 5G network internet speeds both at home and on the go. Share your data connection with up to 20 devices when you turn your 5G mobile hub into a hotspot. It’s like having your own home wifi in your pocket! Click the link about and check amazon for the latest deals and take advantage of one of the only 5G mobile hotspots on the market.
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4GEE WiFi Mini (UK Readers Only)
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Size: 62.5mm x 92mm x 13.3.mm
Weight: 85g
Battery life: 8 hours
Works in: Over 35 destinations across Europe
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With the 4G mini WiFi router from EE you can stay connected to the internet wherever you are. With up to 8 hours of battery life, connect up to 20 devices at once in the UK and use up to 15GB whilst roaming in Europe.
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Wondered how you’ve ever lived without one of these portable WiFi devices? We did! If you’ve already clicked buy now for any of the solutions featured in our guide, we would love to hear what you think. Give it a test run and let us and our readers know in the comments below.
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