12 Best Portable Wi-Fi Routers for Traveling in 2022.
It's time to start holiday travel to visit family and friends, near and far. Despite the fact that the internet service is more accessible than ever, some places are still nearly disconnected. When traveling, you'll need a portable Wi-Fi router.
We present the best portable Wi-Fi routers for travel to keep you connected during the holidays and 2022.
Why Would I Want a Portable Wi-Fi Router?
There are many reasons why you want to set up a mobile hotspot with your own portable Wi-Fi router.
Security. At times, the connection to public Wi-Fi hotspots seems a little unstable. Having your own mobile hotspot allows you to connect to a Wi-Fi network, which will always be more secure. Some road Wi-Fi routers also have built-in VPN and firewall support. Savings: If you have a Wi-Fi router capable of using cellular data, everything Your devices should only have Wi-Fi capability to connect to this mobile hotspot. You don't need to buy tablets with SIM cards and transfer them to any tariff plan. You can also give older kids smartphones to use in the car instead of buying cell phone plans. Also, if kids have old devices and something happens to them, it's not such a big blow to the wallet. Speed: Ever been in a hotel, was connected to their Wi-Fi – Fi network, and I wonder if you only connected to dial-up internet in the 1990s? This is not a problem with your portable Wi-Fi router. Also, if your portable Wi-Fi router is 5G compatible, you can connect your 4G LTE or earlier device and take advantage of 5G speed.
1. Best High End Mobile Wi-Fi Router – Netgear Nighthawk M5
Price: $ 699
Cellular network: 5G
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi version 6
The $ 700 Netgear Nighthawk M5 mobile Wi-Fi device should be able to do just about anything. And so it is. If you travel a lot or use it as your primary internet connection at home, it's well worth it. Note that it works best on AT&T and T-Mobile networks in the US. The battery is easily removable, so consider buying a spare one so it stays charged for a quick replacement. If there is no 5G cellular service in your area, consider the Netgear M1 for 4G service.
VPN, DMZ and password support. Connect up to 32 devices. Battery life up to 13 hours. Ethernet and USB C connectors Built-in touchscreen controls also track data usage. 2x TS-9 external antenna connectors for range extension 1 Gbps Ethernet port Web management and applications. Ability to exchange SMS messages.
2. Runner Up High End Mobile Wi-Fi Router – NetGear Nighthawk M1
Price: $ 400
Cellular network: 4G
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a / b / g / n, dual band, 2.4 and 5 GHz
Yes, another NetGear Nighthawk. You can probably guess this is a NetGear Wi-Fi router that came before the M5. However, it is still in demand. It's also the perfect mobile Wi-Fi router if you only have access to 4G cellular connections.
VPN, DMZ and password support. Connect up to 20 devices. Battery life up to 11 hours. Ethernet and USB C connectors Built-in touchscreen controls also track data usage. Offload to regular Wi-Fi or Ethernet, if available, to reduce cellular data consumption. Web and Application Based Management External Hard Drive Data Transfer JumpBoost to Charge Phones
3. Best Affordable Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot – NetGear 4G AC797
Price: $ 219
Cellular network: 4G
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a / c, dual band, 2.4 and 5 GHz
NetGear is popular for a reason. If more expensive NetGear devices are not available, this is a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for you. With the many features available on Nighthawks, you will pay off. Although it has a peak download speed of 400Mbps, that's good enough for most people.
Login to guest Wi-Fi using a timer. Battery life up to 11 hours. The maximum speed is 400 Mbps. Color display shows network battery information and more. Connect up to 32 devices. Management with the NetGear mobile app.
4. Runner Up Affordable Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot – GlocalMe U3 Mobile Hotspot
Price: $ 120
Cellular network: 4G
Wi-Fi: 802.11 b / g / n 2.4 GHz
Small, 4.4 ounces, and about the size of 8 credit cards folded together. Battery life up to 13 hours. The maximum speed is 150 Mbps. USB Type-C port Connect up to 10 devices. Manage and buy data packages with the GlocalMe app.
5. Best Budget Portable Wi-Fi Router – Alcatel LINKZONE MW41NF
Price: $ 60
Cellular network: 4G
Wi-Fi: 802.11b, 2.4GHz
If you are looking for a lightweight, affordable and versatile mobile hotspot in multiple countries, the Alcatel Linkzone MW41NF may be for you. This hotspot mobile device requires a SIM card, so it will not work with CDMA services such as Sprint, Virgin, or Verizon. Alcatel also warns that if left charging for more than 10 hours, it could cause overheating.
Small, weighs 10 ounces and is about the thickness of a cell phone. Up to 7 hours of battery life, 300 hours of standby time. Transfer rates up to 150 Mbps Micro USB 2.0 slot Micros SD slot supporting up to 32GB Button WPS for easy mobile Wi-Fi connectivity. Connect up to 15 devices. Application Driven Basic LED Display
6. Runner Up Budget Portable Wi-Fi Router – Yeacomm P21-2 4G LTE CPE Router
Price: $ 99
Cellular network: 4G
Wi-Fi: 802.11 n / bg, 2.4 GHz
If you need more Wi-Fi range and have somewhere to connect it, the Yeacomm P21-2 might be for you. It's affordable, but more than the other listed mobile Wi-Fi routers. Ethernet and telephone ports are ideal for cottage or remote offices. Yes, you can connect landlines and make voice calls over the cellular network.
Two external antennas for longer range 4 Ethernet ports 2 RJ-11 telephone ports for connection of desk phones. Accelerate data transfer download up to 150 Mbps Built-in VPN client Connect up to 32 devices Application controlled External power required
7. Best High End Travel Wi-Fi Hotspot – GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Beryl
Price: $ 90
Wi-Fi: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, dual band, 2.4 and 5 GHz
GL.iNet Beryl may be the prettiest portable Wi-Fi router, but it's also great for making a reliable mobile internet connection. This mobile hotspot is small enough to fit in your pocket, yet secure and versatile. Beryl can be used as a Wi-Fi router, repeater, or tethering to your phone via a USB 3.0 port.
Uses OpenWRT firmware, making it highly customizable. Pre-installed OpenVPN and WireGuard to support over 30 VPN providers. Pre-installed Tor service Pre-installed Cloudflare for DNS security. MicroSD support up to 512GB. USB 3.0 port. 1 WAN port + 2 Gb Ethernet LAN ports Maximum Wi-Fi speed 867 Mbps. Must be connected.
8. Runner Up High End Travel Wi-Fi Hotspot – GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Slate
Price: 70 dollars
Wi-Fi: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, dual band, 2.4 and 5 GHz
Slightly less cute and powerful, GL.iNet Slate gives you most of Beryl's security features, MicroSD card support, and a respectable Wi-Fi speed of 433 Mbps. It can also be used as a range extender. Think of him as Beryl's little brother, who happens to be the same size.
Uses OpenWRT firmware, making it highly customizable. Pre-installed OpenVPN and WireGuard to support over 30 VPN providers. Pre-installed Cloudflare for DNS security MicroSD support up to 128GB USB 2.0 port 1 WAN port + 2 Gb Ethernet LAN ports Maximum Wi-Fi speed 433 Mbps Must be connected
9. Best Affordable Travel Wi-Fi Router – TP-Link Wireless N Nano
Price: 35 USD
Wi-Fi: 802.11a / b / g / n 2.4GHz
What are these cute travel routers? TP-Link N300 is probably the most popular Wi-Fi router for travel. Price, features, and a 2-year warranty with unlimited technical support make it unbeatable – even if it's double the price. Plus, it's small enough to fit in your pocket so you can carry it around in your laptop bag. Since it can be used as a repeater, access point (AP) or mobile hotspot, you can use it even when you are not traveling. Visit the Nano Router Emulator page to learn how to manage it.
Router, repeater, hotspot, and mobile hotspot modes. Can be powered by adapter, smartphone charger or laptop USB port. 1 x 10/100 WAN / LAN port, Mbps 300 Mbps wireless speed Built-in firewall and access control Built-in Parental Controls Managed by application or web interface. Ability to connect to the guest network.
10. Runner Up Affordable Travel Wi-Fi Router – MikroTik – hAP Mini
Price: $ 22
Wi-Fi: 802.11 b / g / n 2.4 GHz
The MikroTik hAP mini is approximately 4 "high and long and less than 2" wide. That's small considering it also has three Ethernet ports. He uses MikroTik RouterOS, which is configured to work out of the box, or you can access his configuration web page to make him do what you want. In any case, the possible setting depth may be too great. Of course there is an app too.
At least 5 years of free updates. Bridging and routing capabilities. 3 WAN / LAN ports 10/100 Mbps. Extensive control over configuration Managed by application or web interface. Supports VPN and other security standards. Managed by application or web interface. Ability to connect to the guest network
11. Best Budget Travel Wi-Fi Router – GL.iNet microuter-N300
Price: $ 22
Wi-Fi: 802.11b / g / n 2.4GHz
Another entry from GL.iNet, the microrouter-N300 is supposed to be the smallest Wi-Fi router available. Such a small size gives less scope and range. However, this wireless router is still very efficient and energy efficient.
Tiny, 2 "x 2" x 0.72 "and just over an ounce. Uses OpenWRT firmware, making it highly customizable. Router, repeater and access point modes Connect up to 32 devices. 1 port WAN / LAN 10/100 Mbps Can be powered by adapter, smartphone charger or laptop USB port
12. Runner Up Budget Travel Wi-Fi Router – Kasda KW55293
Price: $ 16
Wi-Fi: 802.11b / g / n 2.4GHz
It's cheaper and has more Ethernet ports than the GL.iNet microuter-N300, so why isn't Kasda the best in its class? It is about the size of 6 N300 micro routers. But at this price, it cannot be denied.
Wireless speed up to 300Mbps. 4 LAN ports and 1 WAN Ethernet. WPS to connect devices with one button. VPN pass- over MAC address filtering configuration over the Internet status LEDs Supports Telnet connections
Happy Trails and Safe Travels
One of our portable Wi-Fi routers will keep you connected while on vacation with family and friends. You might even want to give them as gifts. Could there be a better and more affordable filler for technical stockings?
12 Best Portable Wi-Fi Routers for Traveling in 2022
12 Best Portable Wi-Fi Routers for Traveling in 2022