When you’re on the go with laptops and tablets, you rely on your smartphone for internet access using its Wi-Fi hotspot feature. However, this can quickly drain the battery and use up precious data if you don’t have an unlimited plan.
Contents
- What is a portable Wi-Fi hotspot?
- How do portable Wi-Fi hotspot devices work?
- 5 things to consider before buying a Wi-Fi hotspot device
Fortunately, a dedicated portable Wi-Fi hotspot can be a good alternative if you’re in need of an additional internet connection, allowing you to connect several Wi-Fi-enabled devices at one time 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 article will explain what a Wi-Fi hotspot is, how it works, and some things to consider before buying one.
Related
- Your Google One plan just got 2 big security updates to keep you safe online
- The best Android tablets in 2023: the 8 best ones you can buy
- The best tablets in 2023: top 9 picks you should buy
What is a portable Wi-Fi hotspot?
A Wi-Fi hotspot is one of two things. It can either be a dedicated device that takes a mobile cellular connection and rebroadcasts it as Wi-Fi to multiple devices wirelessly, or you can use your smartphone to act as a mobile hotspot in the same way. In either case, you get to leverage a single mobile connection for several devices that only have Wi-Fi.
Although you can create a hotspot for home internet use, most people use them as secondary connections for when they’re away from home. Portable Wi-Fi hotspots provide more flexibility by letting you connect while on the go. You’ll just need access to a network through a cellular carrier, with some offering fully unlimited and simpler prepaid plans.
Internet speeds on portable Wi-Fi hotspots are typically the same as what’s available to a smartphone on the same network, which can reach over 2000 mbps on 5G.
How do portable Wi-Fi hotspot devices work?
A portable Wi-Fi hotspot device uses a 3G, 4G, or 5G internet connection to create a Wi-Fi network for multiple devices, including tablets, phones, and computers. You can tap into the network to stream your favorite shows, complete school assignments, and do other activities without worrying about loading data onto individual devices.
In essence, a portable Wi-Fi hotspot is a smartphone without a screen or advanced operating system — it only has the ability to take a mobile connection, and create a Wi-Fi network. Portable hotspots have their own battery (of varying sizes), and typically recharge the same way smartphones do over USB.
Do portable Wi-Fi hotspots work anywhere?
To create a mobile hotspot network, you’ll need a cellular data plan from a network provider. That means you’ll only get coverage in places where that specific carrier has a network. Nowadays in the U.S. that’s just about anywhere, outside of the most rural places in the country.
Be sure to check your desired carrier’s coverage maps before buying a hotspot from it. Make note that carriers have different coverage areas depending on whether you’re looking to get 4G or 5G speeds.
5 things to consider before buying a Wi-Fi hotspot device
Are you planning to buy a Wi-Fi hotspot device? If so, there are a few things you should know before deciding on a particular device. These factors include:
- 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
Check limitations with your wireless carrier
If you want to enjoy a quality internet connection, try to choose a provider with the best coverage in your area and the most ample data plans. Wireless carriers offer portable hotspot plans with varying features and coverage. For instance, some data plans come with monthly caps that limit your usage. At the same time, some carriers may offer unlimited data but will cap or throttle your internet speeds after a certain point.
It’ll be easier to choose a hotspot device as long as you’re aware of these conditions or limitations. Just make sure to read the fine print of your data plan, particularly if you plan to engage in data-intensive online activities (e.g., video streaming). You may detect a drop in video quality if your wireless carrier throttles the connection after reaching a certain data limit.
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’s a good idea to check your carrier’s network availability map to determine whether you can get adequate coverage in specific remote or rural areas. Thankfully, major network providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have near complete coverage of the U.S.
Urban areas with the best network coverage are usually ideal locations for portable Wi-Fi hotspots.
Check the battery life of your Wi-Fi hotspot device
To ensure you can meet all your internet needs, you’ll want to choose a hotspot device with a long-lasting battery. Some Wi-Fi hotspots are small and sleek, but usually have much shorter battery life as a result — as little as a few hours. The more data you use, and more devices you have connected, the weaker your battery life will be as well.
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.
3G/4G/5G capabilities
The connectivity capabilities of portable Wi-Fi hotspot devices vary. Some devices can handle 5G connections, while others are only compatible with 4G. These differences in wireless internet technology can also determine the price of the device and plan.
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 formost tasks, but will be outpaced by the latest hotspots with
If you invest in a 5G hotspot device, you can enjoy even faster upload and download speeds for all connected devices on your mobile network. This type of wireless technology is more reliable, but you can expect to pay a significantly higher price for a
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. If you are going to add several devices to a single hotspot, keep in mind that that will greatly decrease the available data speed for each one. You’ll want to make sure you’re using a 5G hotspot if so.
Editors' Recommendations
- A new Android 14 update is here — but you still shouldn’t download it
- Have a Pixel Watch? You need to stop using one of its most important features
- You paid too much money for your Pixel Watch — and Google knows it
- Apple cracks down on ChatGPT apps with harsh age ratings
- The best Android phones in 2023: top 12 best you can buy
FAQs
What do I need to know about Wi-Fi hotspots? ›
A Wi-Fi hotspot uses wireless data from a cellular provider to give you internet access for phones, computers, tablets, and other Wi-Fi enabled devices. A mobile hotspot usually provides a connection over 4G LTE wireless technology, providing max speeds of around 30 Mbps.
What to look for when buying a hotspot? ›- 5GHz Wi-Fi Support. Travelers while exploring different travel locations constantly multitask from their smartphones and tablets. ...
- Massive Battery. ...
- SD Card Reader. ...
- Easy Set Up. ...
- Branded & Unlocked.
A portable Wi-Fi hotspot works like a router by routing a cellular network to your phone or computer. Once activated, you can use the internet on the devices connected. Most cellular phones have a hot spot that you can activate for a fee or you can purchase one separately.
Are portable hotspots worth it? ›Most Consumers Don't Need Hotspots
The advantage of using the hotspot mode on your phone, of course, is that it's a lot cheaper. Your existing wireless service plan probably includes some hotspot usage, and if it doesn't, it'll be cheaper to add a few gigabytes of hotspot use than to buy a whole new dedicated device.
Whether you have to pay a monthly fee for portable Wi-Fi depends on the provider. Some providers will charge a flat fee and a monthly fee for their data afterward.
What is the difference between Wi-Fi hotspot and Wi-Fi? ›Hotspots are physical locations that are typically public places that are served by an access point that is used to connect devices to one another using WiFi. WiFi is a wireless network technology that connects mobile devices to the Internet without the use of actual cables.
How many GB is good for a hotspot? ›...
Mobile Hotspot Data Usage.
If you are using a mobile hotspot, whether it's your phone or a dedicated hotspot, it is important to understand how long that data will last you. 15GB of mobile hotspot data can last a couple days or a month, depending on what you are doing on the internet.
Can you use a hotspot without Wi-Fi? ›A Personal Hotspot lets you share the cellular data connection of your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) when you don't have access to a Wi-Fi network.
How much does it cost for a portable Wi-Fi? ›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.
How do I setup a portable Wi-Fi hotspot? ›
- Go to Settings.
- Then tap your network and connectivity settings option. On Samsung phones, this will be under “Connections.” ...
- Open Hotspot & Tethering. ...
- Tap Portable Hotspot.
- Toggle the switch on to share your data.
- Plug the cable into the designated port on the Wi-Fi router.
- Go to the device settings and turn on the Wi-Fi.
- Connect to the network set up by the router and you are good to go.
Nowadays in the U.S. that's just about anywhere, outside of the most rural places in the country. Be sure to check your desired carrier's coverage maps before buying a hotspot from it. Make note that carriers have different coverage areas depending on whether you're looking to get 4G or 5G speeds.
Is hotspot better than cell phone? ›Mobile hotspots are designed to serve a single purpose of connecting to the internet, and as a result, their large antennas offer a much better connection than the hardware found inside a mobile phone. Speeds vary by carrier and price, but you can expect to see up to 50 Mbps with the best models and data plans.
Does hotspot use a lot of internet? ›In order to connect other devices to the internet, your mobile hotspot uses the data included in your phone plan. Hotspot data usage is directly related to the activities you do on the devices you are tethering to your hotspot. In general, a hotspot uses anywhere from 60MB/hour to 810MB/hour depending on the activity.
Which is the best portable Wi-Fi? ›- Best Overall. GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot. ...
- Best Budget. Alcatel LinkZone 4G Mobile WiFi Hotspot. ...
- Best for AT&T. Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 Mobile Hotspot 4G LTE Router. ...
- Best for T-Mobile. Inseego 5G MiFi M2000. ...
- Best for Verizon. Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L. ...
- Best for International Use. ...
- Most Durable. ...
- Best Router.
The FCC Lifeline program can provide reduced-cost or even no-cost internet access. You can go to the Lifeline Support site to check your eligibility and to apply to the program. You can also check out our in-depth analysis of government programs for free and low-cost internet.
How much a month does Wi-Fi cost? ›Average costs for internet service in 2022 range from around $36 to $58 per month, depending on speed.
What is a Wi-Fi hotspot good for? ›WiFi hotspots are internet access points that allow you to connect to a WiFi network using your computer, smartphone or another device while away from your home or office network. Many cities, businesses, and other organizations have begun offering WiFi hotspots for public use.
Does hotspot use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth? ›You can use your phone's mobile data to connect another phone, tablet, or computer to the internet. Sharing a connection this way is called tethering or using a hotspot. Some phones can share Wi-Fi connection by tethering. Most Android phones can share mobile data by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB.
Is a hotspot the same as a modem? ›
To boil it down:
A hotspot is used for sharing the connection with multiple devices and usually has to be connected to the Internet in some way. A modem is a piece of equipment for establishing the communication to the Internet which can but doesn't have to, allow connections of multiple devices.
Most people need around 600 GB of data per month for their home internet connection. That gives you enough data to stream movies, play online games, and participate in video conferencing calls.
How long does 1gb of hotspot last? ›Exactly how quickly you'll burn through it will depend on what you're doing on your phone, with it lasting roughly an hour and a half if you're streaming standard-definition video, around eight hours if you're streaming music, through to several weeks if you're only sending and receiving basic emails.
Can you stream TV with a hotspot? ›You can connect a smart TV to a hotspot device or a phone being used as a mobile hotspot. To connect the two, from your TV join the Wi-Fi network attached to your hotspot . Be careful of hotspot data limits. High-resolution streaming can quickly eat up data.
What are the disadvantages of hotspot? ›- Requires adequate mobile network connection (not available in all areas)
- Data caps may serve as a barrier to meeting the broadband needs of the user.
Keeping hotspot switched on all the time along with your data will definitely consume a lot of battery. This will also lead to heating issues and will affect the performance of your mobile. In a long run you will hate your mobile on doing so. Why not buy a hotspot device instead?
How long will 5 GB of hotspot last? ›A 5GB data plan will allow you to browse the internet for around 60 hours, to stream 1,000 songs or to watch 10 hours of standard-definition video.
Can you use your hotspot on your own phone? ›Yes, if your service provider limits how much data you can use via hotspot at 5G or LTE speeds, then this includes all data being shared from your smartphone to another device. This limit is in effect whether you use your mobile hotspot for a Wi-Fi connection or tether via either USB or Bluetooth.
How do I know if my phone has a hotspot? ›Navigate to Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering. Here, you can select to share a connection via Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth. For a Wi-Fi connection, tap Wi-Fi hotspot and toggle it on. The hotspot name will be displayed on this screen.
What is the cheapest way to get Wi-Fi? ›- Buy your own modem and router.
- Reduce your internet speed.
- Negotiate your internet provider bill.
- Bundle your services.
- Check on government subsidies.
- Get bare-bones internet service.
How much does a hotspot cost a month? ›
Mobile WiFi Hotspot Provider | Hotspot Plan Cost | Mobile Network Used & Peak Speed on Hotspot Device |
---|---|---|
AT&T hotspot | $25/mo (12 months prepay): 20GB $35/mo: 15GB $55/mo: 50GB | AT&T, 5G speeds |
Boost Mobile hotspot | $15/mo: 2GB $20/mo: 5GB $25/mo: 7GB $50/mo: 35GB | T-Mobile, 5G speeds |
Adding these basic business functions to your everyday smartphone habits, the minimum amount of data you should have to work remotely is at least 8-10GB per month… but ideally, you'll want an unlimited data plan.
Is my hotspot unlimited if my data is? ›If you have a plan with a limited amount of data, Personal Hotspot usage will be taken from your monthly data allowance. If you have Unlimited data, you can use your phone as a Personal Hotspot to your heart's content. No need to worry about hefty bills. It's all covered by your Unlimited data plan.
How many GB data do I need? ›Even 2GB will be cutting it close, so for some breathing room we'd generally suggest at least 3GB. Meanwhile, if you're using mobile data much of the day, every day, or using data intensive things like video streaming and tethering regularly, you'll probably want at least 50GB – and even that might not be enough.
Is hotspot free with unlimited data? ›A lot of people get confused about unlimited data plans, thinking that this means that mobile hotspot data is also unlimited. But, this isn't the case. Even on cell phone plans with unlimited data, there will be a cap for how much data you can use as a mobile hotspot.
What is the main advantage of being in a Wi-Fi hotspot? ›A Wi-Fi hotspot is an area with an accessible wireless network, say in an airport, at a park, in a hotel, or in a public area. Consumers can use these to easily get connected to the internet, and typically rely on wifi hotspots while they're on the go, as they're exceptionally convenient.
How long does a Wi-Fi hotspot last? ›If you are using a mobile hotspot, whether it's your phone or a dedicated hotspot, it is important to understand how long that data will last you. 15GB of mobile hotspot data can last a couple days or a month, depending on what you are doing on the internet.
Is a hotspot a good option for home internet? ›Low data limits mean mobile hotspot isn't the best option for most homes. Generally slower speeds also make mobile hotspot a poor option for homes with more than two people. Light internet users may be able to replace home internet with mobile hotspot without a hitch.
Are portable hotspots Unlimited? ›Unfortunately, most hotspot plans don't give you unlimited data. Cellular providers don't deliver internet at the same capacity as broadband internet service providers, so many standalone data plans come with fairly strict data limits, and your speeds will be slowed down to a crawl once you use up your data.
How much does it cost to run a hotspot? ›In most cases, a mobile hotspot doesn't cost anything extra. Typically, your hotspot cost is rolled into your cell phone plan, either in the form of a specific allotment of hotspot data, or by using your plan's general data.
Can you use your own hotspot on your phone? ›
Yes, if your service provider limits how much data you can use via hotspot at 5G or LTE speeds, then this includes all data being shared from your smartphone to another device. This limit is in effect whether you use your mobile hotspot for a Wi-Fi connection or tether via either USB or Bluetooth.
Is a mobile hotspot better than using your phone? ›Mobile hotspots are designed to serve a single purpose of connecting to the internet, and as a result, their large antennas offer a much better connection than the hardware found inside a mobile phone. Speeds vary by carrier and price, but you can expect to see up to 50 Mbps with the best models and data plans.
Does a hotspot give you internet? ›Hotspot: A hotspot is a physical location where people can access the Internet, typically using Wi-Fi, via a wireless local area network (WLAN) with a router connected to an Internet service provider.
How long will 1 GB of hotspot last? ›Exactly how quickly you'll burn through it will depend on what you're doing on your phone, with it lasting roughly an hour and a half if you're streaming standard-definition video, around eight hours if you're streaming music, through to several weeks if you're only sending and receiving basic emails.
Can a hotspot work anywhere? ›Available on your smartphone or tablet, or through a dedicated hotspot device, mobile hotspots let you establish a secure internet connection nearly anywhere and anytime.
Does portable Wi-Fi work without service? ›Q: Does portable WiFi work without service? Yes, the purpose of a mobile router is to be the source of connection to the Internet, without having to rely on your phone's service connection.
How much is a hotspot per month? ›Mobile WiFi Hotspot Provider | Hotspot Plan Cost | Mobile Network Used & Peak Speed on Hotspot Device |
---|---|---|
AT&T hotspot | $25/mo (12 months prepay): 20GB $35/mo: 15GB $55/mo: 50GB | AT&T, 5G speeds |
Boost Mobile hotspot | $15/mo: 2GB $20/mo: 5GB $25/mo: 7GB $50/mo: 35GB | T-Mobile, 5G speeds |