If you need to access the internet while you're on the go, a specialised portable Wi-Fi hotspot can be a good substitute. It lets you connect several Wi-Fi-enabled devices at once and share Wi-Fi with friends and family.
If you’re interested in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot but aren’t sure where to start, you’re in the right place. This post will describe what a Wi-Fi hotspot is, how it operates, and some things to think about before making a purchase.
There are also separate portable Wi-Fi hotspot devices and data plans available from all three major wireless carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon).
What is a portable Wi-Fi hotspot?
You can think of two things as Wi-Fi hotspots. One option is to use a specialised gadget that rebroadcasts a mobile cellular connection as Wi-Fi to several devices, or you can use your smartphone to function similarly as a mobile hotspot. Either way, you may use a single mobile connection for several Wi-Fi-only devices.
Hotspots can be set up for home internet use, but most people use them as backup connections for when they travel. You can connect while on the go with portable Wi-Fi hotspots, giving you more flexibility. All you'll need is cellular carrier access to the network; some provide simpler and fully limitless prepaid plans.
When using a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, you can usually get internet speeds comparable to what a smartphone on the same network can get, which can exceed 2000 mbps with 5G.
How do portable Wi-Fi hotspot devices work?
A 4G or 5G internet connection is used by a portable Wi-Fi hotspot device to establish a Wi-Fi network for several devices, such as laptops, tablets, and phones. By using the network, you may stream your preferred shows, finish your homework, and engage in other activities without having to worry about downloading files to specific devices.
A smartphone with no screen or sophisticated operating system that can only establish a Wi-Fi network via a mobile connection is essentially what a portable Wi-Fi hotspot is. With its own battery (which comes in different sizes), portable hotspots usually refuel via USB in the same manner as smartphones.
Do portable Wi-Fi hotspots work anywhere?
A cellular data plan from a network provider is required in order to set up a mobile hotspot network. This implies that you will only be covered in areas where the network of that particular carrier is present. These days, outside of the nation's most remote areas, it may be found almost anywhere in the United States.
Before purchasing a hotspot from your preferred provider, make sure to review the coverage maps available. Be aware that depending on whether you want 4G or 5G speeds, carriers have varying coverage zones..
5 things to consider before buying a Wi-Fi hotspot device
Do you intend to purchase a Wi-Fi hotspot gadget? If so, before choosing a specific gadget, there are a few things you should be aware of. Among these are:
- Wireless carrier limitations
- Service or wireless network availability
- The number of connected devices
- 4G and 5G capabilities
- Battery life of the Wi-Fi hotspot device
1. Check limitations with your wireless carrier
Choose a provider with the most extensive data plans and the best coverage in your area if you want to experience high-quality internet service. Plans for portable hotspots with different features and coverage are available from wireless operators. For example, certain data plans include monthly restrictions that restrict how much you use. However, other providers may offer unlimited data, but after a set amount of time, they will cap or slow your internet speeds.
Selecting a hotspot device will be simpler if you are aware of these restrictions or criteria. Simply make sure to read your data plan's tiny print, especially if you want to use it for bandwidth-intensive online activities like streaming videos. If your wireless carrier throttles the connection after hitting a data cap, you can notice a decrease in video quality.
2. Consider the service availability of your wireless carrier
Depending on your wireless carrier, a portable hotspot may not be the right option. Remote areas generally suffer from sporadic network coverage, making it difficult to establish a stable internet connection using a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
It is a good idea to look at the network availability map provided by your carrier to see if you can receive sufficient coverage in particular rural or isolated places. Thankfully, almost all of the United States is covered by major network providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
3. Check the battery life of your Wi-Fi hotspot device
You should select a hotspot device with a long-lasting battery to make sure you can satisfy all of your internet needs. Certain Wi-Fi hotspots are sleek and compact, but as a result, their batteries often last for only a few hours. Your battery life will decrease as you utilise more data and have more devices linked to it.
You may also need to invest in a high-quality power bank to keep your device powered up while on the go. Wi-Fi hotspots charge the same as smartphones, over USB, so you can use a phone charger or battery to keep them going.
4. 4G/5G capabilities
The gadgets that are portable Wi-Fi hotspots have different connectivity capacities. While some devices are limited to 4G, others are capable of handling 5G connections. The cost of the device and plan may also vary depending on these variations in wireless internet technologies.
Cheaper Wi-Fi hotspots, like those from prepaid carriers, can often be limited to just 4G or simple 5G networks. They’ll be good enough for most tasks, but will be outpaced by the latest hotspots with 5G connections.
You can get even quicker upload and download speeds for all connected devices on your mobile network if you purchase a 5G hotspot device. A 5G Wi-Fi hotspot will set you back a substantial amount of money, but this kind of wireless technology is more dependable. Although 4G hotspot devices cost less than $100, a 5G version can set you back several hundred dollars.
5. How many devices you plan to connect at once
Most Wi-Fi hotspots can handle connecting at least five Wi-Fi devices at once, but higher-end models can handle 10 or more at a time. Most people will be just fine with having only five, though, as battery and bandwidth considerations start to be important beyond that point. Remember that adding many devices to a single hotspot will significantly reduce the amount of data speed that is available for each device. If so, you should confirm that you're utilising a 5G hotspot.
How much does a portable Wi-Fi hotspot cost?
Portable Wi-Fi hotspots can cost anywhere from $50 for a basic 4G-enabled unit all the way up to nearly $1,000 for an ultra-fast 5G mmWave-enabled device. Most of the midrange (and perfectly capable) portable WI-Fi hotspots from the wireless carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T) cost between $250 and $300, however.
Are portable Wi-Fi hotspots worth it?
The portable Wi-Fi hotspot is 100% worth it if you want a reliable internet connection on the go and don't want to drain your phone plan's data allowance. The major cell phone carriers offer portable Wi-Fi hotspot devices and data plans at very reasonable prices.
What’s the difference between a mobile hotspot and portable Wi-Fi hotspot?
In contrast to mobile hotspots, portable Wi-Fi hotspots are separate hardware devices that provide an internet connection. Dedicated portable Wi-Fi hotspots may be worth considering if you use a wireless connection a lot while on the go to power your computer, tablet, or other devices. This way, you don't use up your monthly hotspot data allowance on your phone plan.