skip to main content

The Best Mobile Hotspots for 2024

Get Wi-Fi on the go with one of these portable beauties.

  • Best overall
    T-Mobile Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G
    T-Mobile Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G
    $264.00
    • Most generous data plan
    • Widest 5G availability
  • Best Verizon hotspot
    verizon inseego 5g hotspot
    Verizon Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW
    $399.99
    • Intuitive touchscreen
    • Long-lasting battery
  • Best AT&T hotspot
    NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 4G LTE Mobile Router
    $246.99
    • Lots of features
    • Easy usability
  • Best budget hotspot
    Alcatel LINKZONE
    $84.99
    • Affordable price
    • Powerful battery
  • Best hotspot for international travel
    Huawei E5577-320 4G LTE Mobile WiFi Hotspot
    $77.42
    • Compatibility with global data plans
    • Easy setup

Mobile hotspots (also called Wi-Fi hotspots) give you Wi-Fi internet access using cellular data. They can connect anywhere from 10 to 30 devices at a time, and they deliver robust 4G LTE and 5G speeds. Most of us get by fine using our cell phone hotspot to connect a laptop or tablet to Wi-Fi while we’re out and about, but a mobile hotspot saves your phone’s battery power while getting you a more dependable connection for more users.

We’ve done a ton of research into hotspots to help you find the best device for when you need Wi-Fi on the go. See our guide below for our top recommendations.

Our pick: Which mobile hotspot device is best?

T-Mobile’s Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G packs a huge punch for a fair price. It’s well designed and easy to use, has a long-lasting battery, and can connect up to 32 devices at a time. Most importantly, it works over all 5G bands, making it extremely versatile and fast.

While not everyone needs a 5G hotspot, the MiFi X PRO’s Wi-Fi 6 capability means you get consistent speeds even when you’re connecting a lot of devices. And T-Mobile has the best hotspot data plans, with affordable rates and more data available any time you run out.

Looking for an easy way to test your hotspot speed?

Take our internet speed test or download our free speed test app to test your speed from anywhere.

Download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results.

The 7 best mobile hotspot devices

Best hotspot devices

Best forProductPriceConnectivityMax devicesOrder online
Best overallT-Mobile Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G$264.005G (mmWave, C-band, sub–6GHz), 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)32View on T-Mobile
Best Verizon hotspotVerizon Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW$399.995G (mmWave, sub–6GHz), 4G LTE, 802.11ac30VIew on Verizon
Best AT&T hotspotNETGEAR Nighthawk M1 4G LTE Mobile Router$246.994G LTE, 802.11ac20View on Amazon
Best 5G hotspot for AT&TNETGEAR Nighthawk M6 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router$649.995G (mm-wave, C-band, sub–6GHz), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)32View on Amazon
Best budget hotspotAlcatel LINKZONE$84.994G LTE, 802.11n16View on Amazon
Best for international travelHuawei E5577-320 4G LTE Mobile WiFi Hotspot$77.424G LTE, 802.11n10View on Amazon
Best user friendly optionGlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Router$169.994G LTE, 802.11n10View on Amazon

For the most part, you can buy a hotspot directly through your cell carrier. It’s easiest to buy the hotspot and add it as an extra line on your current phone plan. But you can also set up a plan on a different carrier just for the hotspot.

Some of these hotspots are available unlocked, so you can use them with multiple providers. Before ordering, make sure to check with your cell carrier first to ensure your hotspot will work on the plan you have.

Pro Tip:

Remember: you need data to make your hotspot Wi-Fi work. Take a look at our guide to the best hotspot data plans to see which one works best with the hotspot you want to get.

What should you look for in a mobile hotspot device?

You should look for a mobile hotspot device that gives you wide and reliable network coverage, has a battery that lasts at least 10 hours (but ideally more), and uses current Wi-Fi standards for a better connection. You should also consider investing in a hotspot that gives you access to affordable data plans—and it’s even better if you can unlock the hotspot to use with multiple providers.

What the best hotspot can do:

  • Works over a large nationwide cellular network (Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T)
  • Has long battery life (10 hours or more)
  • Features current Wi-Fi standards (802.11ac or 802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6)
  • Includes affordable data plan options
  • Can be unlocked to use with multiple providers

Take a look at our hotspots specs and features section farther down for more details on what makes a great hotspot shine.

When should you stick with your phone’s hotspot?

You should stick to using your phone’s hotspot if you’re on a budget or only need a hotspot once in a while. You’re also probably fine using a phone hotspot when you connect just one or two devices to hotspot Wi-Fi.

The vast majority of smartphones nowadays have a built-in hotspot function, and a lot of phone plans come with data you can use just for hotspots and tethering. So it’s fairly easy to set up a hotspot on your phone. And if you don’t feel like going through all the trouble, you can always seek out free Wi-Fi at a restaurant, hotel, or public library.

Can you use a hotspot for home internet?

You can use a hotspot for home internet, but it’s not particularly cost effective or reliable to do so. While great for portable Wi-Fi, mobile hotspot data tends to be pricey. But they really come in handy if you travel a lot for work or school, need Wi-Fi for holiday weekends at a vacation home, or have a big overseas trip coming up.

Search your zip code to see what kind of internet you can get in your area.

Best overall—T-Mobile Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G

Best overall
T-Mobile Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G

Price: $264.00

Specs:

  • Wireless connection: 5G (mmWave, C-band, sub–6GHz), 4G LTE
  • Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
  • Ports: USB-C
  • Connects up to 32 devices

T-Mobile’s Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G is the most well-rounded hotspot you can get. It comes at the lowest price out of all the major 5G hotspots and connects up to 32 devices—way more than a phone or 4G hotspot can do. It connects uses Wi-Fi 6 (the latest wireless standard) to maintain strong and consistent Wi-Fi signals even when you’re using it with a large group.

The MiFi X PRO also comes with settings for guest networks, MAC filtering, and a security firewall—all of which you can adjust by logging in to the device’s interface from your browser. Just as importantly, the hotspot’s data plans are cheap and flexible: T-Mobile’s data options start at just $5 per month, and you can add extra data any time you run out.

T-Mobile has the largest 5G network in the United States. A recent report from Opensignal shows it gets the fastest average 5G speeds compared to Verizon and AT&T. And the MiFi X PRO is compatible with all 5G bands—so you can count on getting the fastest speeds possible from this little beast.

Reasons to buy:

  • Full 5G connectivity (including mmWave and C-band)
  • Biggest 5G network coverage

Reasons to avoid:

  • No Wi-Fi 6E

Pro Tip:

Take our speed test to see how fast your hotspot goes. A 5G hotspot can give you much faster speeds than what you get on most 4G hotspots and cell phones.

Best Verizon hotspot—Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW

Best for Verizon customers
verizon inseego 5g hotspot

Price: $399.99

Specs:

  • Wireless connection: 5G (mmWave, sub–6GHz), 4G LTE
  • Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Connects up to 30 devices
  • Ports: USB-C

Verizon’s MiFi M2100 5G UW is compact but sturdily built, with a touchscreen that makes it easy to switch on and adjust configurations. It’s a bit pricey compared to T-Mobile’s flagship 5G hotspot, but it still has the right Wi-Fi standards and components to ensure a fast and reliable connection.

The MiFi M2100 5G UW connects up to 30 devices, has a powerful battery, and comes with a USB-C port you can use to charge other phones and devices. And there are some great security settings, including the ability to set up a guest network for friends and other users.

Reasons to buy:

  • Intuitive touchscreen
  • Long-lasting battery

Reasons to avoid:

  • No C-band support
  • No Ethernet or antenna ports

Best AT&T hotspot—NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 4G LTE Mobile Router

Best for AT&T customers

Price: $246.99

Specs:

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

At 8.5 ounces, NETGEAR’s M1 4G LTE Mobile Router is chunkier than the Jetpack MiFi 8800L. And it’s not as user friendly since it doesn’t have a touchscreen. But it can get Wi-Fi to more devices and has more ports, including a USB-C port for charging your phone and an Ethernet port that gives your laptop a direct internet connection.

Another big plus with AT&T is that you can get a ton of data. AT&T’s best hotspot service plan hooks it up with 100GB of data for $90 per month—it’s rare to find hotspot plans that give you so much. To get the plan, look for AT&T’s prepaid hotspot data plan.

Reasons to buy:

  • Lots of features
  • Dependable performance

Reasons to avoid:

  • Awkward controls compared to other hotspots
  • Bulky weight

Pro Tip:

You can buy the Nighthawk M1 unlocked on Amazon, which means you can use it even without an AT&T cellular plan.

Still, make sure to double-check that your provider will actually let you use the Nighthawk M1. Some T-Mobile customers have reported experiencing issues with the carrier blocking the device.

Best 5G hotspot for AT&T—NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router

Best for 5G

Price: $649.99

Specs:

  • Wireless connection: 5G, 4G LTE
  • Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
  • Connects up to 32 devices
  • Ports: USB-C, Ethernet, and TS9 (for antennas)

OK, so $700 is a lot to pay for a hotspot. Most hotspots cost somewhere in the range of $100 to $300, so this is steep. But the Nighthawk M6—which is designed to work primarily over AT&T and T-Mobile networks—is one of the only 5G hotspots on the market right now with C-band 5G capability. And that gives it a lot of versatility, since millimeter-wave and C-band frequencies make it possible to get speeds of anywhere from 100Mbps to 1,000Mbps on a mobile device.

The Nighthawk M6 is formidable in other ways too. It employs Wi-Fi 6 to better manage multiple users and maintain strong speeds. The Ethernet port lets you set up a wired connection between your laptop and the hotspot. You can also use security features like VPN pass-through support and password protection. Inseego’s 5G hotspots are still a better bet if you’re on the T-Mobile or Verizon network, but go with the M6 if you’re an AT&T customer.

Reasons to buy:

  • Fastest possible speeds for a hotspot
  • Extra security features

Reasons to avoid:

  • Extremely high price

Pro Tip:

Not sure what millimeter-wave and C-band mean? See our guide to C-band 5G for details on how different types of 5G get you different speeds.

Best budget hotspot—Alcatel LINKZONE

Best for budgets

Price: $84.99

Specs:

  • Wireless connection: 4G LTE
  • Wi–Fi standard: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • Connects up to 16 devices
  • Ports: USB-A, USB-C

The LINKZONE is a basic device that works best for occasional hotspot use and one or two users. Its microchip components aren’t top of the line, so it may not hit the same speeds you could normally get on a phone on T-Mobile’s network. But it still can get you speeds of around 30Mbps in areas with strong cell service, and the powerful battery reportedly lasts up to 16 hours.

Reasons to buy:

  • Affordable price
  • Powerful battery

Reasons to avoid:

  • Clunky controls
  • Limited speeds

Best for international travel—Huawei E5577-320 4G LTE Mobile WiFi Hotspot

Best for international travel

Price: $77.42

Specs:

  • Wireless connection: 4G LTE
  • Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • Connects up to 10 devices
  • Ports: microSD slot and TS9 ports (for antennas)
  • Network access: 4G LTE in Europe, Southeast and Southern Asia, the Middle East, and Africa; 3G in other locations (doesn’t work in US)

The elaborately-named E5577-320 is a basic unlocked hotspot that gives you data over cellular networks in Europe, most of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Just get a SIM card from an international provider while you’re traveling and the device can get you sweet Wi-Fi.

The device has an outdated Wi-Fi standard (802.11n), which means you aren’t going to get the fastest speeds. But a device like this is your safest bet for international travel because it doesn’t cost too much and works with a wide number of providers. We recommend this any day over a locked hotspot like the Skyroam Solis, which uses its own data plan and doesn’t work as reliably.

Reasons to buy:

  • Compatibility with international networks
  • Affordable price

Reasons to avoid:

  • Weak battery
  • No US connectivity

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

Best user-friendly option

Price: $169.99

Specs:

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

The GlocalMe G4 Pro is big and clunky, but it’s very easy to use—it looks a bit like a smartphone with a big touchscreen and pre-installed Google Maps app. You don’t need a SIM card with this hotspot; the device uses so-called CloudSIM technology to get you internet from a range of cellular providers. GlocalMe has its own data plans that you need to buy to stay connected.

Those data plans are pretty expensive, unfortunately. But the device works in both the United States and overseas, so it could make for a useful travel hotspot. Mainly we like it because it’s so user friendly and easy to set up.

Reasons to buy:

  • Connectivity in the US and overseas
  • Large smartphone-style touchscreen

Reasons to avoid:

  • Expensive CloudSIM data plans
  • Old Wi-Fi standard

What are the most important hotspot specs and features?

Pick the best cellular carrier, not the best device speeds

Don’t be lured in by promises of über-fast speeds when you’re shopping for a hotspot. A hotspot works over a wireless cellular network, and the speeds you get tend to fluctuate based on a range of factors—so the fastest speeds might only be available at certain times or in limited places.

For that reason, focus on picking a hotspot that works with the best cell carrier for your needs. According to recent reports from Opensignal, T-Mobile delivers the fastest average speeds on both 4G LTE and 5G networks across the United States. The reports show that T-Mobile also has the best score for 5G availability and reach. However, Verizon gets the top ranking for reliable 4G coverage, making it a better choice if you need a hotspot to use in rural areas and small towns.

An affordable data plan is a must

Since hotspots tend to be locked to specific cellular carriers, you want a data plan that’s flexible and not too expensive.

T-Mobile’s data plans are best for thrifty users. You pay a small monthly fee upfront for a little bit of data, and you have the option to re-up whenever you run out.

AT&T offers much larger chunks of data as part of monthly prepaid plans. Those plans cost a lot more, but this makes things easier if you use a hotspot on a regular basis and don’t want to worry as much about exceeding your data allowance.

Verizon also offers plans with a lot of data upfront, but its plans cost the most. You can get a hefty discount, though, if you’re also signed up for a qualifying phone plan.

Long battery life makes a hotspot more convenient

The best hotspots work all day long without requiring a recharge. In fact, battery life is one of the biggest advantages that standalone hotspots have over phones, which tend to lose their power much more quickly when the hotspot is activated. Higher-end hotspots tend to hold battery charge for longer, but Alcatel’s bargain-priced LINKZONE hotspot is well known for its removable battery, which can last for up to 16 hours.

Do you need a 5G hotspot? Not necessarily

5G hotspots pack a lot of punch, and they’re able to get you much faster speeds compared to a 4G LTE hotspot. But they also cost a lot more than your average 4G hotspot, and not all of them are able to access the stupendous gigabit speeds that 5G is known for. Frankly, most people don’t need a 5G hotspot right now—a 4G LTE hotspot still works quite well.

A hotspot isn’t as good as a home internet plan—but 5G internet is

PlanDownload speedPricesPerksOrder online
Verizon 5G Home300–1,000Mbps$25.00/mo. (for Verizon Unlimited phone plan subscribers) or $50.00/mo. (for nonsubscribers, w/ autopay)*Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for 6 mos., Verizon Stream TV device included, 2–yr. price guarantee
T-Mobile Home Internet33–182Mbps$40.00–$50.00/mo. (for T-Mobile phone subscribers), $60.00/mo.Vix+ for 12 mos.View Plans

Cellular companies have ramped up their hotspot options over the past year, but hotspots still aren’t an adequate replacement for home internet—you simply can’t get the same speeds or amount of data from a mobile plan.

But if you are looking for a wireless solution to home internet, consider 5G home internet. Verizon and T-Mobile both offer affordable 5G internet services that give you unlimited data and respectable speeds at a flat monthly rate—no need to worry about contracts or extra fees. (AT&T has no plans to release a 5G internet of its own, but we’d be intrigued if it did!)

5G internet is still pretty new, so it might not work for everybody: you may experience occasional internet disconnects or other bugs. But a plan like those from T-Mobile or Verizon are well worth trying out if you’re looking to get away from traditional fiber or cable internet providers.

Search your zip code to see what kind of internet you can get in your area.

FAQ about mobile hotspot devices

How much does a mobile hotspot cost?

Hotspots cost anywhere from $59 to $400 for the device, plus the cost of a data plan. Good quality 4G LTE hotspots are usually $200 and up and give you just what you need. 5G hotspots cost much more, but there are fewer of them to choose from. And they might not be worth the investment since nationwide 5G networks are still in the early stages of coming together.

How much does a hotspot plan cost per month?

A hotspot plan costs about $50 per month if you want a lot of data and wide network coverage. But hotspot plans range in price depending on what you get—the cheapest plans with the smallest amount of data cost as little as $10 per month, while more sophisticated plans with a lot of data can cost upwards of $90 per month.

Can you use a hotspot with Mint Mobile?

Yes, you can use a hotspot with Mint Mobile . Each of Mint’s unlimited plans gives you 5GB per month to use on your phone’s mobile hotspot.

Mint Mobile is a MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), a cellular company that uses a larger cell carrier’s network. Most MVNOs allow you to use a hotspot as part of your phone plan—just make sure you’re signed up for a plan that gives you hotspot data and you can switch on your phone’s hotspot feature.

Does Visible service include a hotspot?

Yes, every customer who signs up for a Visible phone plan automatically gets the hotspot function included with their service. Visible gives you unlimited hotspot data to use on one device, with max speeds of 5Mbps.

How do you get a mobile hotspot?

The best way to get a mobile hotspot is to order one online through your cell phone provider. You can also buy them on Amazon, including unlocked models that work with multiple phone companies. If you go that route, just make sure you confirm with your cell phone company that whatever you get has been approved to work with the plan you have.

Disclaimer

Author -

Peter Holslin has more than a decade of experience working as a writer and freelance journalist. He graduated with a BA in liberal arts and journalism from New York City’s The New School University in 2008 and went on to contribute to publications like Rolling Stone, VICE, BuzzFeed, and countless others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on covering 5G, nerding out about frequency bands and virtual RAN, and producing reviews on emerging services like 5G home internet. He also writes about internet providers and packages, hotspots, VPNs, and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.

Editor - Cara Haynes

Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.

Find Providers in Your Area
Back to top