The best mobile hotspots of 2023

Smartphones allow us to keep the internet in our pockets wherever we go but a mobile hotspot will allow you to get better speeds for your laptop, gaming console, smart TV, etc., while offering additional security options. Lots of phones can serve as a mobile hotspot in a pinch, delivering WiFi to other nearby devices; however, your phone’s antenna and battery are finite. A dedicated mobile hotspot can serve mobile internet to a whole collection of connected devices via WiFi, keeping you truly connected wherever you get service. With more people working from home, untethered to a desk, a mobile hotspot really extends what “remote” can mean. Smartphone service providers are constantly expanding their 5G networks, meaning you’ll barely even be compromising the home wireless internet speeds you’re used to. We’re here to help you find the best mobile hotspot, no matter your network or needs.

• Best overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro
• Best T-Mobile hotspot: Inseego 5G MiFi M2000
• Best AT&T hotspot: Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200)
• Best Verizon hotspot: Jetpack MiFi 8800L
• Best Verizon 5G hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2100
• Best hotspot for international travel: Skyroam Solis Lite
• Best budget unlocked hotspot: KuWFi 4G LTE

How we chose the best mobile hotspots

More than most hardware categories, mobile hotspots neatly sort themselves into categories because they are tied to particular service providers and their networks. That contractual link to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others narrows our choices for most of us.

Among those options, we simply selected the current top-tier hotspots available, with all the cutting-edge features to ensure you get the best possible experience. And we ensured our selections were well-reviewed by customers and professionals alike from manufacturers with proven track records.

The best mobile hotspots: Reviews & Recommendations

If you want to put the internet in your pocket with the best mobile hotspot, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve simplified your choice, picking the best hotspots for each of the major carriers, plus a few extra options that may serve you better internationally.

Best overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro

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Specs

• Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 6E – 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz
• Connections: 32 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• Battery: 5040mAh

Pros

• WiFi 6E Support
• Speeds up to 8GBps
• Ethernet port

Cons

• Price

If you need a secure wireless network both domestically and abroad, Netgear’s Nighthawk M6 Pro is the ultimate solution. It supports WiFi 6E, can create a network on three frequency bands, can be connected to up to 32 devices simultaneously, and can reach speeds of up to 8GBps. If you encounter slow speeds, the bottleneck won’t be the M6 Pro; it’ll be the 5G network it’s connecting to and your current signal strength.

This hockey puck-shaped portable router is more technically capable than most at-home WiFi routers, which was Netgear’s intent. This hotspot is a fully-fledged router to-go, not a watered-down piece of networking gear you’ll settle for out of the house. That’s made clear not only by its wireless connectivity options but also by the presence of a 2.5GBps Ethernet port, which allows you to use the hotspot the same way you would a cable modem. This makes the M6 Pro an excellent conduit for getting fast home Internet speeds in rural areas.

For this use, you’d disable the hotspot’s WiFi broadcast and connect a router to the M6 Pro’s Ethernet port. The router would then create the wireless network. The benefit of this approach would be the ability to set up a whole-home multi-router mesh WiFi system using a cellular data connection rather than copper or fiber optic line running into your home.

On its own, the Nighthawk M6 Pro can create a WiFi network with a range of up to 1,000 square feet on battery power or 2,000 square feet when plugged in. You can manage its settings through Netgear’s Nighthawk app or its built-in touchscreen, making it possible to set up and use the hotspot independently. The screen is also helpful during use, as you can monitor your current Internet connection, troubleshoot issues, and keep an eye on both the M6’s battery level and signal strength.

A big reason to get the M6 Pro over many of our other mobile hotspot recommendations is that it comes unlocked and is compatible with data plans offered in 125 countries. Domestically, you can pop in a SIM card from T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, with support for both pre and post-paid data plans. Whether you’re an international business person whose job depends on a stable Internet connection anywhere you go or somebody whose only chance at getting better-than-dial-up speeds is using a hotspot, Netgear’s Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G cannot be beaten.

Best T-Mobile hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2000

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Inseego’s MiFi M2000 hotspot offers the best value of any 5G hotspot from T-Mobile right now.

Specs

• Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 6 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Connections: 30 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• Battery: 5050mAh, up to 24 hours claimed

Pros

• 5G, WiFi 6
• Most extensive 5G network
• Least expensive 5G hotspot

Cons

• No mmWave antenna

As of May 2022, T-Mobile has the most extensive 5G rollout of any major US carrier. As it is the first and only officially supported 5G hotspot, the Inseego MiFi M2000 is automatically the most widely effective 5G mobile hotspot right now. It has support for the newest networking standards—namely 5G and WiFi 6—and solid performance across the board. Functionally, it’s very similar to Inseego’s Verizon hotspot, though it lacks support for millimeter-wave signals. That said, T-Mobile has a more limited mmWave rollout than other networks anyway, so it isn’t a huge loss, and dropping the feature keeps its cost down.

Best AT&T hotspot: Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200)

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Netgear Nighthawk M5 is the most flexible 5G hotspot on the market.

Specs

• Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 6 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Connections: 32 devices
• Ports: USB-C, ethernet
• Battery: 5040mAh, up to 13 hours claimed

Pros

• 5G, WiFi 6
• Works unlocked
• First C-band hotspot

Cons

• Expensive
• No mmWave antenna

The Netgear Nighthawk M5 is the most expensive option on our list but also packs the most features and flexibility. It supports the current standard, 5G and WiFi 6, but also has other bells and whistles. It is, for example, the only 5G option on our list with an Ethernet port for more flexible tethering and network extension options. Although it lacks mmWave support, it is the first mobile hotspot to support C-Band. 

As an added bonus, the Nighthawk works unlocked with any of the three major U.S. networks, though it pairs best with T-Mobile and AT&T, which could be great if you’re planning to change networks in the near future.

Best Verizon hotspot: Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: If you don’t need 5G where you’re going, then the Jetpack is the last generation’s standout.

Specs

• Mobile: 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 5 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Connections: 15 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• Battery: 4400mAh, up to 24 hours claimed

Pros

• Most extensive LTE network
• Compact
• Long battery life

Cons

• No 5G

5G may get all the marketing hype, but it still provides limited coverage. Even when you can find it, not all 5G works equally well. The standout hotspot of the previous generation is the Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L, paired with Verizon, which is still consistently rated to have the most extensive and consistent network coverage in the US, particularly outside of metro areas. As an added bonus, the Jetpack is more compact and gets battery life than many newer models because it doesn’t have the additional antennas needed for 5G and WiFi 6 support.

Best Verizon 5G hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2100

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Just like our T-Mobile Pick, the Inseego MiFi M2100 is a solid 5G, WiFi 6 hotspot.

Specs

• Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 6 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Connections: 30 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• Battery: 3500mAh, up to 24 hours claimed

Pros

• 5G, WiFi 6
• mmWave support

Cons

• Underwhelming battery life

Inseego’s Verizon-exclusive M2100 is very similar to its T-Mobile counterpart, the M2000. Most of what we said about our top pick for T-Mobile users applies here as well. It’s a solid performer that supports the latest standards. One key difference, though: Verizon’s version supports mmWave signals, whereas T-Mobile’s doesn’t. In exchange, though, it features a smaller battery (though it can be easily swapped out). Otherwise, it’s the current best option for accessing Verizon’s 5G network.

Best hotspot for international travel: Skyroam Solis Lite

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Skyroam Solis Lite is a simple, powerful, and flexible mobile router built specifically for international travel.

Specs

• Mobile: 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 4 – 2.4GHz
• Connections: 10 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• Battery: 4700mAh, up to 16 hours

Pros

• Long battery life
• Compact
• Flexible plans

Cons

• App required for operation
• Only WiFi 4

Most of our picks are tied directly to U.S. cellular carriers, but Skyroam’s Solis Lite is designed to provide internet to the whole world–or at least over 130 countries. It uses a virtual SIM card rather than a physical one, so it can slip chameleon-like between available networks wherever you go. It only supports WiFi 4 with 2.4GHz, which means slower speeds, but also very long battery life. In fact, the Solis Lite doubles as an effective portable charger, which is perfect for travel. Skyroam offers a flexible range of data plans from daily up to monthly subscriptions, so you only need to pay for the time that you’re actually using it.

Best budget unlocked hotspot: KuWFi 4G LTE Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot Unlocked

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: KuWFi offers excellent unlocked 4G speeds for a rock-bottom price.

Specs

• Mobile: 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 5 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Connections: 10 devices
• Ports: Ethernet, USB 3.0
• Battery: 2400mAh, up to 8 hours claimed

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Small
• Unlocked

Cons

• Inconsistent performance outside North America

At just $50, you’d be hard-pressed to find a cheaper mobile hotspot than this KuWFi model that delivers fast 4G LTE performance. At a slim 6 ounces, it will easily fit in your pocket and deliver solid WiFi 5 performance on most networks. Some customer reviews complain about it not working with some SIM cards outside the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, where it is specified to mostly work, but customer service seems reasonably responsive. Even with limited international utility and older network standards, it’s a rock-bottom price for a mobile hotspot.

What to consider before buying the best mobile hotspots

Mobile hotspots are pretty straightforward devices. They’re small bricks of plastic with an antenna that connects to a mobile broadband network and a router that passes that signal along to other devices in its network. You should be familiar with the details if you’ve purchased a WiFi router and a smartphone. Consider your intended usage: When do you see yourself using a hotspot? How many devices do you intend to connect? How long do you hope to use it without being able to plug it into an outlet and charge it? Where do you intend to go?

Another thing to keep in mind: It is not enough to purchase a mobile hotspot—you also need to activate and connect it to a compatible mobile network. Assuming you already have a cell service contract at a major carrier, we recommend sticking with whatever network you are already on. You can buy an affiliated device and add it to your account through your provider. This will almost certainly be less expensive than opening up a new account with a different service.

5G or LTE—that is the question

5G is the latest and fastest cellular network standard but still isn’t as widespread as older 4G LTE networks. Since the newest devices all support previous standards, we recommend getting a 5G-capable hotspot, regardless of its current availability near you. Ultimately, these are just the newest and best-performing hotspots, even on the older 4G LTE networks.

If you won’t be anywhere near cities, however, and speed doesn’t matter to you as much as saving money, going back for an LTE-only capable hotspot can be a good way to save upfront on the hotspot and still get the most range possible. To get a precise understanding of local coverage options, check out the FCC’s LTE coverage map. You can also see the current state of each provider’s 5G network directly from the AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon websites.

One notable difference we found among 5G hotspots was whether or not they support millimeter-wave signals, a portion of the 5G frequency spectrum that supports higher data throughput, which should translate to faster loading. There’s a catch, though—mmWave only works over short distances and is very easily blocked by physical objects, like walls. That means it will make the most noticeable difference outdoors and within close range (on the order of hundreds of feet) of a tower. Only Verizon and Inseego’s 5G router currently support it right now, which makes sense since Verizon has also invested the most in building out its mmWave network by quite a wide margin.

C-Band, another potential component of 5G, adds substantial data bandwidth to the signal. The US has lagged behind the rest of the world in integrating C-Band into its 5G networks, but carriers have promised to expand C-Band support in cities in the near future. Only one hotspot currently available from Netgear supports C-Band as of spring, 2022.

Hi-fi Wi-Fi

Mobile hotspots have two key components: the cellular antenna, which receives the wireless signal from a carrier network, and the wireless antenna broadcasting that signal to nearby devices. Fortunately, WiFi has now caught up with mobile and simplified their formerly too-technical standard names (e.g., 802.11ac) into much more consumer-friendly generation numbers. WiFi 6, the latest standard, offers a jump in overall upload and download bandwidth. It specifically improves a router’s ability to serve multiple devices at once, which is very helpful when you tether a computer, phone, and tablet to one network all at once. New WiFi 6-enabled hotspots have more than double the connection limits of previous iterations.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best mobile hotspots

• Best overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro
• Best T-Mobile hotspot: Inseego 5G MiFi M2000
• Best AT&T hotspot: Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200)
• Best Verizon hotspot: Jetpack MiFi 8800L
• Best Verizon 5G hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2100
• Best hotspot for international travel: Skyroam Solis Lite
• Best budget unlocked hotspot: KuWFi 4G LTE

Mobile internet providers all over the world are in the process of spreading 5G services all over the world, which makes this the best time ever to consider the benefits of a mobile hotspot. In the US, your options are likely limited by the carrier, which isn’t ideal, but it may make choosing your device a bit easier. Free yourself from wired internet and embrace the nomadic life with a wireless mobile hotspot.

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Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

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