Unlocked lte wifi hotspot

The Best Unlocked Hotspots of 2023

Use any cellular carrier with one of these unlocked mobile hotspots.

Data effective 12/21/2022. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*Amazon.com prices (as of 12/21/2022 07:54 MST). Read full disclaimer.

Our pick: Which unlocked hotspot is best?

We love NETGEAR’s Nighthawk M1 4G LTE Mobile Router. Although it costs more than many hotspots, its reliability and speed make it well worth the price. The Nighthawk M1 uses Wi-Fi 5, which helps maintain respectable speeds even when you connect up to 20 devices. The M1 also has a bunch of extra features to boost signal strength, improve speeds, and even charge your phone.

Unlocked hotspots are awesome, but many of the best hotspot devices are tied to specific cellular carriers. Take a look at our guide to the best mobile hotspots for details on pricing, data, and more.

The 5 best unlocked hotspots

• Best overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 4G LTE Mobile Router
• Best no–SIM card option: GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Router
• Best for 5G: NETGEAR Nighthawk M5 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router
• Best for international travel: Huawei E5577Cs-321 4G LTE Mobile WiFi Hotspot
• Best budget option: Alcatel LINKZONE

Compare unlocked hotspot prices and features

Hotspot	Price	Max devices you can connect	Wireless/wi-wi standards	Order online
Best overall	NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 4G LTE Mobile Router	$308.40	20	Wi-Fi 5 / 802.11ac	View on Amazon
Best user friendly option	GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Router	$169.99	10	Wi-Fi 4 / 802.11n	View on Amazon
Best for 5G	NETGEAR Nighthawk M5 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router	$996.00	32	Wi-Fi 6 / 802.11ax	VIew on Amazon
Best for international travel	Huawei E5577Cs-321 4G LTE Mobile WiFi Hotspot	$118.99	10	Wi-Fi 4 / 802.11n	View on Amazon
Best budget option	Alcatel LINKZONE	$59.99	16	Wi-Fi 4 / 802.11n	View on Amazon

*Amazon.com prices (as of 12/21/2022 07:54 MST). Read full disclaimer.

What should you look for in an unlocked hotspot?

Look for an unlocked hotspot compatible with your cell provider or data plan—not all hotspots and networks are compatible, so make sure to double-check. You should also look for an unlocked hotspot with the latest Wi-Fi standards (preferably 802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ac/Wi-Fi 5) and enough oomph to connect all your devices to meet your needs.

Every hotspot needs a data plan to go with it—take a look at the best hotspot data plans to see how many gigabytes you can get for your dollar.

Best overall—NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 4G LTE Mobile Router

Price: $308.40

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)
• Wireless standard: 4G LTE
• Connects up to 20 devices
• Ports: USB-C, Ethernet, and TS9 (for antennas)

*Amazon.com price (as of 12/21/2022 07:54 MST). Read full disclaimer.

The Nighthawk M1 is one of the most powerful hotspots you can get. It lets you connect to a ton of Wi-Fi devices, and it comes with an Ethernet port to give your laptop a direct internet connection. The Nighthawk lets you connect to 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands simultaneously, giving you more options and flexibility if multiple users are using the single hotspot. It also has a USB-C port so you can charge your phone.

This device is primarily designed to work over AT&T and T-Mobile data plans. NETGEAR doesn’t explicitly say it can’t work with other cellular carriers, but it’s probably safe to stick with a data plan from one of them. (T-Mobile has the best mobile hotspot plans anyway, so it’s not a bad pairing.)

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Best user-friendly option—GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Router

Price: $169.99

• Wi-Fi standard: 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)
• Wireless standard: 4G LTE
• Connects up to 10 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• No SIM card required

*Amazon.com price (as of 12/21/2022 07:54 MST). Read full disclaimer.

The GlocalMe G4 Pro is big and clunky, but it’s the most user-friendly hotspot you can find—it almost works like a phone, thanks to its huge touchscreen and onboard Google Maps app. The hotspot doesn’t require a SIM card, which saves you some time and effort. To get data, just pay for one of GlocalMe’s data plans, which provide service across the United States and in over 100 countries worldwide.

GlocalMe’s data plans are expensive, and like a lot of budget hotspots, its somewhat outdated Wi-Fi 4 tech means you get slower speeds overall. Also, we’re honestly not sure how well your connection would be overseas: in our experience, you get much more reliable speeds when you stick to your phone’s hotspot with an international SIM card. Still, this hotspot comes at a good price and makes for easy hotspotting wherever you go.

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Test your hotspot speed

Download our speed test app to see if your hotspot is getting enough bandwidth to support all of its users. Speeds may fluctuate throughout the day depending on available cell service and network congestion.

Test your hotspot speed

Take a speed test to see if your hotspot is getting enough bandwidth to support all of its users. Speeds may fluctuate throughout the day depending on available cell service and network congestion.

Best for 5G—NETGEAR Nighthawk M5 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router

Price: $996.00

• Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 6
• Wireless standards: 5G, 4G LTE
• Connects up to 32 devices
• Ports: USB-C, Ethernet, and TS9 (for antennas)

*Amazon.com price (as of 12/21/2022 07:54 MST). Read full disclaimer.

The Nighthawk M5 seems to be the only mobile hotspot on the market with C-band 5G capability—that by default makes it the most versatile 5G hotspot around. C-band is a relatively new 5G frequency spectrum that sends wireless speeds far past 4G levels on a much wider scale than was previously possible with 5G networks, making superfast speeds reliable and easily accessible. (Just make sure you’re on Verizon or AT&T’s 5G networks, which have wide C-band coverage.)

This Nighthawk M5 is formidable in other ways too—it sports an Ethernet port for wired connections, as well as security features like VPN pass-through support and password protection. But it’s incredibly expensive, so we recommend getting the M5 only if you plan to use it with big groups, like for travel assignments for work or with classmates. Also, although it’s technically unlocked, NETGEAR’s website makes clear that the M5 works best over AT&T and T-Mobile networks.

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Источник

The 5 Best Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots of 2023

Nicole LaMarco has 15+ years’ experience writing about web hosting, antivirus, backup software and other technology for publications like Tech Republic and Web Hosting Sun.

Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire.

• Monitors
• Keyboards
• Mice
• Cards
• CPU
• USB/USB-C
• Storage
• Laptop Bags & Backpacks
• Printers

Wi-Fi or mobile hotspots quickly and inexpensively connect your devices to the internet. Hotspots are relatively small and portable, perfect for anyone on the go.

You can use your phone as a hotspot, but that’s susceptible to disruptions from bandwidth limitations, and you are destined to overload and eventually kill your battery.

We’ve taken the guesswork out for your Wi-Fi hotspot purchase and researched the best ones to suit your desires.

Best Overall

Skyroam Solis Lite

The Skyroam Solis Lite is perfect for world travelers, due to its easy setup and unlimited data. The device allows users to receive 4G LTE mobile Wi-Fi speeds in more than 135 countries. The Solis’ reach includes North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. While you hop from country to country, you don’t have to worry about locating and purchasing local SIM cards. Instead of a traditional SIM card, the Solis is based on the patented vSIM technology. Not only can you take this hotspot across the globe, but the unit also can connect up to 10 devices at once. With an impressive 6,000mAh power bank, the Solis provides 16 hours of battery life. While you’re working off the speedy Wi-Fi, you also can charge your mobile devices, as the unit includes a USB-C connection.

The flexibility of the network is just as flexible as the Solis’ data plans. Since Skyroam doesn’t offer contracts, users can purchase data by the day, month, or gigabyte. Plans are available for the United States and for the globe, ranging from $9/day to $99/month. If you prefer to purchase data by the gigabyte, Skyroam offers a Go Data plan, which gives users 1GB of data use per month for just $6. Many reviewers expressed that the data gets easily consumed when multiple devices are connected, or when performing data-heavy activities. Fortunately, if you need more data, you can purchase more data for only $6. For most carriers, domestic or otherwise, $6 is considerably cheaper than roaming charges.

Best International

GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot

If you’re looking to travel, the GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE mobile hotspot is the best way to stay connected wherever you’re located. With GlocalMe’s cloud SIM technology, travelers aren’t bound by a particular network. Specifically, hotspot users can access the internet with a local SIM card in over 100 countries. Although the hotspot is compatible with any local SIM card, GlocalMe invites travelers to use its own networks with 1GB of free data. Users are able to use that data anywhere the device has a signal.

Despite the G4’s reach, the hotspot provides only 50Mbps max upload speed and 150Mbps download speed. While the speeds aren’t the fastest available, they’re enough to make calls, send texts, check emails, and peruse the World Wide Web. In addition to connecting with family and friends, users can connect up to five devices at once.

The G4’s built-in 3,900mAh battery provides almost two days of battery life. When charged, the hotspot can be used in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, and anywhere in Africa. To avoid wasting data and shelling out more money than necessary, GlocalMe offers data packages with competitive pricing. The company’s pay-as-you-go plans eliminate the need to purchase local SIM cards. Plans range from $36 to $99.

Best Unlocked

KuWFi 4G LTE Unlocked Hotspot

KuWFi’s 4G LTE Unlocked Hotspot is one of the most economical options on the market, as it’s priced under $100. While the hotspot won’t hurt your pockets, it may not be the most pleasing on the eyes. The overall design of the KuWFi has been described as “childish” and “quirky.” Irrespective of the appearance, the hotspot is extremely versatile and provides notable browsing speeds. In particular, the unlocked KuWFi is compatible with a number of SIM cards such as 4G LTE Sprint 2500 MHz, Redzone Wireless, SpeedConnect, UScellular, and AT&T.

The KuWFi’s performance is outstanding for the price and size of the hotspot. For example, the unit connects via 802.11n, which offers peak speeds of 150Mbps. Having a KuWFi is comparable to having an entry-level, at-home router in your pocket. The hotspot is the perfect travel companion as it weighs in at 6 ounces and sports a super-slim profile. You can fit the KuWFi in your pocket, purse, or backpack without issue. Not to mention, you can connect up to 10 devices at once. While bandwidth will inevitably decrease with each device, the performance specifications are extraordinary.

Best for AT&T Users

Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 Mobile Hotspot 4G LTE Router

Once you get past the shock of the Nighthawk M1’s price, you’ll understand that it’s worth every penny. As AT&T’s first gigabit LTE hotspot, the Nighthawk is the fastest hotspot available. In addition to speedy network connections, the hotspot doubles as a travel router and backup battery. Although referred to as a travel router, the Nighthawk is larger in size than most hotspots. The device weighs almost 9 ounces and is 4 inches in both height and width. Moreover, the display screen is clean, allowing for an easy setup.

Despite its large size, the Nighthawk runs on a 5,040mAh battery that provides a day of use. The durable battery can support up to 20 devices. To provide even greater connectivity, the Nighthawk has Ethernet and USB Type-A and -C connectors. With the inclusion of the Ethernet port, users can establish a Wi-Fi source from a wired connection. If you find yourself needing more, such as onboard storage, you can upgrade the device with 512 MB of additional storage.

To lessen the price tag’s brunt, AT&T offers an install agreement. If a user signs up for a 30-month agreement, the carrier allows users to pay off the Nighthawk for less than $9 per month.

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