Top 6 Travel Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots – 2020
BTG will provide you with some tips for finding the best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots on the market so that you can make an informed purchasing choice and not get stranded at a business meeting with no Wi-Fi. Let’s take a look at some of the more critical features available with today’s top mobile Wi-Fi hotspots and the best method to select the right mobile hotspot for your needs:
Intended Use?: Before we start surfing through the waves of mobile hotspot technology we should first determine the functionality that best benefits your intended use. Several of the factors that you must consider when selecting a hotspot include:
- International Travel – Will you be traveling abroad and is your hotspot ready?
- Number of users – Will you need to connect multiple devices to your hotspot?
- Cost of Data Usage – Do you understand the true cost of using the mobile hotspot?
Cellular Communication vs Data Transmission – If you use a cellphone, then you may already be familiar with the difference between cellular and data. If nothing else you understand that your cellular plan and your data plan are separate on your monthly bill.
If you are not familiar, then let’s take a minute to discuss the difference, since it is permanent to the discussion regarding hotspots. Cellular communication, the type of communication used by cellphones to make voice calls. The information is sent through the air using radio waves and is sent in the form of packets.
These packets are of equal size and must be sent and received in a specific order, otherwise, the voice call would be jumbled and impossible to understand. Once the packets are received they are converted back into sound and broadcast through your phone’s speaker.
Data transmission, on the other hand, is not so rigid. Data is also sent in packets, but these packets can be sent and received in any order. This makes the transmission of data far less complicated than voice. Once all of the packets are received, the receiving processor will simply put the data packets in the proper order and then execute the command included in the data transmission.
Selecting a Carrier: Chances are you currently have a cellphone and that cellphone has a carrier like Verizon, T-Mobile or Sprint. You may want to check into the mobile hotspots that these carriers offer, but never overlook cost in lieu of loyalty.
Larger carriers may not have the best deals, they have millions of customers and may not have your individual best interest at heart. Carriers understand that you will pay for convenience and take full advantage of that fact.
When you purchase or lease a piece of equipment from a company like Verizon, they are going to mark up the price of the equipment to make a profit. Now this is nothing new and honestly, a company is only in business to make a profit, so we certainly cannot fault them for earning a living… BUT, we need to be frugal as well.
When selecting a mobile hotspot and the carrier that you will use to access the internet, make sure that the total cost of the equipment is the best deal for you and not the provider. Trust me a wireless provider will connect your independently purchased unit, just as quickly as they will a unit purchased from them.
Best Business Travel Hotspots for 2019
| Product Image | Product Name | Network | Rating | Price Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Skyroam Solis X: WiFi Smartspot Best Overall Wireless Travel Router | SkyRoam |  4 out of 5 Stars | $$$ |
  | Verizon 6620L Jetpack 4GLTE Mobile Hotspot Best Mobile Hotspot for the Domestic Traveler | Verizon |  3.7 out of 5 Stars | $$ |
  | Huawei E5785Lh-22c 300 Mbps 4G LTE Mobile WiFi Best Mobile Hotspot for International Travel | Huawei |  5 out of 5 stars | $$ |
  | NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem – Instant Broadband Connection | AT&T and more | 4 out of 5 Stars | $$ |
  | T-Mobile Alcatel Linkzone 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot | T-Mobile | 3.5 out of 5 Stars | $ |
  | NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 Mobile Hotspot 4G LTE Router | ANY | 4 out of 5 Stars | $$ |
Data Transmission Speed: Speed is something that we have come to expect in today’s business world. And I’m sure you know how frustrating a slow internet connection can be, particularly when you’re in the middle of a business presentation.
When it comes to mobile hotspots, data transmission speed is commonly referred to by a Number/Letter designation that refers to the “generation” of cellular data transmission technology the unit possesses. For example, 4G refers to the 4th generation of cellular technology and 5G the 5th generation.
5G is the very latest in technology and 5G units are slowly replacing the slower 4G hotspots. According to HowtoGeek.com, 5G technology is expected to be 100 times faster than it’s fourth-generation predecessor. So look for the newer units soon.
Number of Devices, Bandwidth, and Speed
One of the more important capabilities of a mobile hotspot may be the bandwidth that the device is able to support. Now for the average user, it may be sufficient to check the product description and determine if the device meets your specific needs.
For example, in the image to the right, you can see that our top-rated hotspot the SkyRoam Solis is capable of supporting up to 10 devices.
However, it may be helpful to understand exactly what that means in terms of how you personally intend to use your mobile hotspot.
For example, if you are going to use the hotspot in your office and 6 people will be connecting to the device, all checking email and generally surfing the internet, this device will be more than adequate.
Bandwidth will vary from device to device and 5.0 GHz devices will provide much more bandwidth than a 2.4GHz device. In fact, a 2.4 GHz wifi device will support about 450 Mbps depending on the type of the router while a 5 GHz Wi-Fi will support up to 1300 Mbps.
All in all more bandwidth means more devices and faster internet speed. Increased bandwidth also allows for more bandwidth “hungry” activity, such as streaming video and gaming.
Verizon Signal Booster for your Home Office
This Verizon Cell Phone Signal Booster is fantastic for your home of the office. When your cellphone signal is not what you need it to be this booster can help relieve a great deal of stress.
Designed to work with Verizon 4G LTE Phones which are operating frequency 700MHz Band 13, this booster will improve signal strength in an area up to 4000 sqft in size. This unit proudly features the hi-tech Yagi directional antenna for maximum input and output ranges.
The unit is FCC certified and comes with a 30 Day Customer Satisfaction Return Policy, the unit also comes with 3 Months Free Replacement and a 5 Years Manufacturer Warranty.
SkyRoam Solis – Mobile WiFi Hotspot
Best Overall Wireless Travel Router per BTG
If you are on the move, then you are fully aware of the need for reliable connectivity. The SkyRoam mobile hotspot is the premium device we have all been searching for, until now. When you are in need of the latest internet connectivity business travel gadget, this mobile hotspot fits the bill.
We proudly rated this mobile hotspot as our number one recommendation. The SkyRoam Solis was engineered to meet the needs of any given warrior-style business traveler. With built-in VPN, remote camera, power bank and global connectivity this unit brings everything to the table.
The SkyRoam Solis Mobile Hotspot provides blazing fast internet connectivity for any of your mobile devices. Solis uses the latest and greatest in mobile internet technology to provide superfast 4G LTE data in over 130 countries around the globe. And if that wasn’t enough the Solis also has a built-in power bank to give you that extra boost where ever and whenever it may be needed.
Traveling with the entire team? No problem… Connect up to 10 mobile devices with the Solis. SkyRoam offers competitive data plans that are Pay-As-You-Go so you will never run out of data when you need it most.
Best Features on the SkyRoam Solis – Mobile WiFi Hotspot
- Internet in 130+ countries. Countries across Asia, North, South and Central America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the South Pacific
- The Portable Global Smart Hub allows your devices to be connected without data usage.
- Rent the unit for a single trip!
- The Solis X has a built-in 8MP remote camera with a flash and wide-angle view. the camera has a self-timer to capture, record, monitor and live stream on-the-go. The remote camera and everything about the Solis S can be controlled through the Solis WiFi app.
- Suitable for a short business trip, quick weekend getaway or an extended stay. The SkyRoam allows you to connect, post, charge, email, track, photograph… all without SIM cards or contracts.
Keep your transmissions safe and secure with this device because the SkyRoam Solis provides a secured encrypted connection to the internet. The Smart Assistant features with built-in GPS allows the user to control thousands of apps and services.
The SkyRoam hotspot provides absolute peace of mind, when you absolutely need connectivity, this unit delivers. And when fully charged this unit will provide up to 16 hours of seamless internet service so you can be connected all day long.
Business plans are available so that the entire organization to stay connected. And individual users can choose from 3 distinct plans ranging from single usage to a monthly plan for the heartiest of travelers.
 |  |
Verizon Jetpack MiFi 6620L Mobile Hotspot
Verizon is clearly one of the biggest names in telecom and I have been a proud Verizon customer for over 30 years. This is the mobile hotspot I use on a daily basis and have had no trouble with the unit, at all.
The Verizon Jetpack has been my travel companion and the internet connectivity for my entire family at various points in our history. Verizon proudly states that the Jetpack offers global reach utilizing the vast Verizon network around the world and I can personally tell you that the unit worked perfectly for me in the Netherlands and in Mexico.
The Verizon Jetpack offers full security with password protection and parental controls. And allows the user to have as many as 15 devices connected at once. The unit provides the ability to set up temporary passwords that allow guests to log into the unit without fear of reconnecting at a later date.
Verizon’s Jetpack can keep you connected for up to 24 hours on a single charge and provides power to your other devices with its built-in power bank feature.
Best Features on the Verizon Jetpack 6620L Mobile Hotspot
- Jetpack allows 15 connected Wi-Fi enabled devices. So feel confident that the entire family, the whole office or a few colleagues at the conference can be connected.
- International travel? No problem, Jetpack is Global Ready with one of the largest networks on the planet.
Check Verizon’s Global Coverage Map Here. - 24 hours of continual use battery life
- Large color display with touch navigation keys
Use your laptop, tablet, gaming console, cameras, music players and smart TV with the Verizon Jetpack 6620L.
Verizon also offers a web-based management interface to use with most of its wifi hotspots. The management interface allows the user to view data usage, setup a VPN passthrough, change firewall settings, create port filtering and port forwarding.
A just like the management of your Verizon cellphone there are parental controls as well. The system allows you to block specific websites per device, and “WiFi privacy separation” which prevents peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connections between devices using the hotspot.
Some of the feedback that users have offered resulted in a lower than expected 3.5 out of 5 Stars Rating for the jetpack. Users have reported that the unit is slow to transfer from tower to tower, causing a reduction in effectiveness when you are moving in a vehicle.
To be honest, I generally do not use a mobile hotspot while in a vehicle and I can see where the effectiveness of the device may suffer when truly mobile. And after some quick research, it appears that mobile hotspots should have the capability of being used when in a moving vehicle.
Huawei E5785Lh-22c 4G LTE Mobile WiFi
The positive reviews for this product are enough to make anyone take notice. With an outstanding 66% of Amazon reviewer giving this unit 5 stars.
Add to that the 15% who give the Huawei Wifi Mobile Hotspot a rating of 4 stars and you have nearly 80% giving the E5785 a very good or better rating.
The “claim to fame” for this unit is International Travel, The Huawei unit offers 4G technology were available in Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa, then offers 3G technology for the balance of the globe.
Staying power is yet another outstanding feature with this product, this mobile hotspot offers up to 12 hours of working time and up to 700 hours of standby with its removable 3000 mAh battery. Making this hotspot perfect for traveling!
It’s important to note that this unit is not compatible with wifi technology within the continental United States, so as mentioned this unit would be best for those who travel internationally often.
International Travelers boast about the performance of this unit. Reviews coming in from Romania, Cambodia, Far East, Europe, and Asia, all suggest that the Huawei mobile hotspot should be your international connectivity companion.
Best Features on the Huawei E5785Lh-22c 4G LTE Mobile WiFi
- Amazing 1 GB per second data transfer rate – 10x the competition
- Use with laptops, smartphone, iPad, tablet, gaming consoles and many more
- TFT-LCD screen with 2D Barcode easy connection and multiple languages
- Supports up to 10 devices with fast internet upload and download speeds.
The fact of the matter is that radio frequencies vary from country to country and radiofrequency is what wifi networks are built upon. We have all heard about 3G (older technology, not used much anymore) 4G, 4G LTE and now 5G technology. Well the G’s stand for generation, so 4G is fourth-generation cellular technology
Use your laptop, tablet, gaming console, cameras, music players and smart TV with the Huawei E5785Lh-22c 4G LTE.
Some reviewers stating that “Charge it once a month and you’re good.
NETGEAR 4G LTE Broadband Modem
This Netgear unit was designed to be a replacement for your main internet provider and is perfect for remote areas where broadband service is weaker or not available at all.
An unlocked Netgear device will accept all Micro-SIM cards. And for users who have AT&T or T-Mobile this device supports all mobile bands. For users with Verizon service the device only supports limited bands and may not connect in some areas.
Alcatel LINKZONE | Mobile WiFi Hotspot
We will admit that the Alcatel is probably only “BEST” with regard to price, but for a price point as low as this one, we felt that you should know it exists.
