You've got your exciting adventure all planned out - but now it's time to determine how to stay connected throughout your trip (hint, hint, get your own mobile hotspot).
If you’re reading this article, you may have experienced the dread of not having enough Internet access (a.k.a. your own mobile hotspot for travelers) while traveling. As a traveler, you can’t always count on having Wi-Fi available at every destination. Nothing is worse than being in a spectacular, yet unfamiliar place and not being able to look up where the best gourmet restaurant, deluxe spa, or your next meeting location is. Unless you already have a specific wireless internet service for traveling, you’ve probably come to the conclusion that you need to find out what the best mobile hotspots for travelers are.
Everything You Need To Know About the Best Mobile Hotspots for Travelers:
Credit: Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Unless you live under a rock, you’ve likely heard of a hotspot. A hotspot is what enables users to connect to the Internet. A hotspot is similar to a wireless router that most people have in their homes. It functions as a wireless access point that provides Internet for devices such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops that want to connect to that specific network. All Wi-Fi networks must have a provider of wireless internet.
How do the best mobile hotpots for travelers actually work?
Mobile hotspots for travelers allow you to have Wi-Fi access when you’re on the go. However, they won’t just work at any location in the world. Similar to how cell phones work, mobile hotspots tap into a 3G and/or 4G cellular network. Once the device has found a cellular data connection, the mobile hotspot gives internet access to any nearby device. Therefore, in order to work, mobile hotspots for travelers need a cellular connection.
Data plans are available from most of the major providers, like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others. Once you have a data plan set up, a SIM card will enable your mobile hotspot to give you internet from whichever provider you selected. From there, the best mobile hotspots for travelers promise to keep you connected and in the know.
Why are mobile hotspots beneficial for travelers?
We’ve come a long way from the 1990s when Wi-Fi first made its appearance. Today, it would be hard to go to any modern city and not have access to a cellular network. When traveling, if you simply rely on your phone’s cellular data, you'll likely incur roaming charges. It's now easier than ever to turn off data roaming on your mobile devices and connect them to one of the best mobile hotspots for travelers.
In 2018, cellular networks cover significant area. Thus there’s plenty of coverage out there for you to still have access to upload your travel selfies and food pictures (if that’s your thing). Simply put, having one of the best mobile hotspots for travelers offers ample value – from saving on roaming charges, avoiding slow public Wi-Fi networks, and helping conserve your cell phone’s battery life.
Even still, the best mobile hotspots for travelers are useful for protecting personal information too. While using public Wi-Fi can be secure, it is usually not as protected as your own private network. Most mobile hotspots come complete with security tools. Follow the security instructions, and your network should be safe. Clearly the benefits of the best mobile hotspots for travelers extend far beyond the connection itself.
The Best Mobile Hotspots for Travelers:
Now that you're aware of how the best mobile hostpots for travelers work and why they're essential, let's scope out the best hotspots on the market. We've chosen a variety of options sure to meet your travel needs.
1. GlocalMe G3 LTE
Source: Amazon
The GlocalMe G3 LTE Mobile Hotspot is one of the most positively reviewed, pay-as-you-go best mobile hotspots for travelers. This product offers three kinds of data packages: individual packages for single country, multi-country, or a regional and global package. In addition, GlocalMe has covered over 100 countries and regions to ensure you have plenty of access to Wi-Fi with their product.
Each of these devices comes with 1GB of initial global data. The manufacturers of this device also designed a user-friendly app, where you can manage your data easily and purchase data packages all in the same place. Sleek and slim, this product is just 5” by 2.5”, and will easily fit in pocket, purse or bag. With one lithium metal battery inserted, this pick for the best mobile hotspots for travelers will supply you with hours of internet access.
One reviewer had this to say about the product: “This just works. You link your G3 to a GlocalMe account, deposit money and use it to buy a data package valid for the country you're traveling to. Then, you just boot up the device. It finds and connects to a local cell network and creates a password-protected Wi-Fi hotspot you can log into with your phone, tablet, laptop, etc. You're good to go.”
Credit: Amazon
This product was created in the United States, designed in Germany, and produced in China to deliver one of the best performing, highest quality and sleek smart travel device. With this mobile hotspot device, users can share among five devices.
Skyroam offers their own data plan, which only requires you to pay for what you use. To use it, just turn it on and press the “Start” button. Buy and activate the 24-hour day passes anytime, and get unlimited global internet in 120+ countries. Additionally, a one-year warranty is provided on this product, so if anything happens on your adventures, they’ve got you covered.
One user had this to say about the product: “The Skyroam device is a like a lot of Apple products. It just works! I travel a lot and it has been a game changer for me. I could become a rep as I sell them to other travelers I meet who are still messing around with foreign SIM cards and holding their breath until they get to a Wi-Fi signal.”
Credit: Amazon
This pocket-sized device is just 2.5” by 4.2” in size and has a unique wallet design, fashioned with a leather textured handle. 1 lithium polymer battery is all you need to fuel this mobile hotspot device for up to 25 hours of working time.
One user said the 4G worked great for him in Brazil. While reviewers were typically positive about this product, a few people had some less positive things to say about it, typically regarding spotty connectivity.
Credit: Amazon
This device ranks number one and is one of the best selling mobile hotspots for travelers on Amazon. Featuring a large capacity battery with 22 solid hours of streaming at 4G LTE speeds, you'll have no problem staying connected.
Worried about running out of phone battery while traveling? This product comes with a battery boost cable, which you can use to charge your phone. Furthermore, it weighs less than a pound and is just 4” by 2.2” in size - perfect for your pocket.
One reviewer had this to say about the product: “Netgear Unite Expore 4G LTE Rugged Mobile Wifi is one the best in the market. I use it daily. Highly recommend the unit for traveler and business use.”
Credit: Amazon
Stay connected wherever you go with the ZTE Z915 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot, designed specifically for T-Mobile. This device allows you to connect up to 10 devices. At 5.4” by 4.6”, it weighs 12 ounces and requires 1 lithium ion battery.
One reviewer had this to say about the mobile hotspot: “Great product! This T-Mobile hotspot is better than others. I bought it for my brother who lives in a rural area where it’s difficult to get internet. He loved it. Now, I decided to buy one for myself. Cannot go wrong with this one. Another thing, we just buy a T-Mobile prepaid card with the amount we are going to use for the month. Great for traveling.”
Credit: Amazon
The Verizon JetPack, for the Verizon network (obviously), boasts 24 hours of continuous use, and allows you to connect up to 15 Wi-Fi devices. At 6.7” by 4.2”, this product’s size is slightly larger than the others featured.
The Verizon JetPack doubles as a charger for your smartphone, with an included USB attachment. Of course, this device is perfect for the traveler who wants to utilize a Verizon plan. If you're utilizing the network already, adding a hotspot to your plan is fairly simple.
A user had this to say about the product: “Product is extremely good. I took it to a conference where Wi-Fi was super expensive and we connected it to four devices. No problem at all. Very reliable and really great battery life. Charge once and lasts all day.”
What are you waiting for? Get yourself one of the best mobile hotspots for travelers - and leave slow connections and no connections behind.
While they may not be necessary for everyone, mobile hotspots for travelers can be useful while on the go. From saving you from using all of your cell phone’s data and roaming charges, to protecting battery life, one of the best mobile hotspots for travelers comes in handy. In addition, most come in small and convenient pocket sizes, and are easy to pair with your selected data plan. So, what’s stopping you?
If you have tried one of the portable Wi-Fi devices featured above, or had success with a different hotspot device, comment below and let a fellow traveler know!
Related Article: How to Travel in Style Without Sacrificing Comfort or Convenience
