Smartphones have given us the habit of having access to the Internet wherever we are, thanks to the magic of the 4G mobile network. Obviously, in practice, 4G is not magic: it operates a network distributed by a mobile telephone operator, whose speed can replace that of a traditional Internet connection when no WiFi access is available. . However, sometimes the smartphone is not enough to connect to the Internet: you may need to do so from a laptop or tablet, for example. In this case, having a personal 4G hotspot can prove particularly useful. This is a device that allows multiple devices to be connected to the Internet through a suitable 4G plan.But
how to choose a 4G hotspot
?
There are a large number of models on the market.
Our selection highlights 10 models from different brands, at a wide variety of prices.
All you have to do is compare them and make your choice.
our selection
4G Hotspot M7350, TP-Link
4G Hotspot E5576-320, Huawei
4G LTE Hotspot E5573Bs-322, Huawei
Indoor Router Box 4G, TP-Link
AirCard 810 4G mobile router, Netgear
B818-263 Indoor 4G + Router, Huawei
Nighthawk M1 4G LTE Mobile Router, Netgear
4G LTE Nighthawk M2 Hotspot, Netgear
Nighthawk M5 5G Mobile Router, Netgear
What is a 4G hotspot used for?
A hotspot is a device that works with a 4G SIM card, and which provides access to the Internet by creating a WiFi network from a mobile network. This WiFi network is similar to the one that can be created from a traditional Internet box: it is accessible from nearby devices such as smartphones, laptops, portable or non-portable game consoles, and other connected objects. which require an Internet connection to function. There are different situations in which having a 4G hotspot can be very useful.
The first concerns
travel
: you can go to a foreign country, buy a local SIM card for an affordable amount, equip your hotspot with it and share the connection on your different devices, all for a single investment. This saves you from having to pay for hotel WiFi access, or from connecting to public WiFi networks which are often very insecure. With your hotspot, you have control of the connection, you can lock it with a password, but also activate and deactivate it whenever you want.
The other situation where a hotspot comes in handy is
when your home has a finicky local connection.
A faulty ADSL network or a failed connection, and that's the tragedy!
Having a 4G hotspot guarantees you are always connected, which is reassuring.
In addition, using a 4G router, whether mobile or not, is generally very simple, and therefore accessible to everyone.
They are available at all prices, with a wide variety of features, so it's easy to find the one that best suits your needs.
Enough to make it an essential device for technophiles who are always afraid of running out of network.
How to choose the right 4G hotspot?
Different criteria must be taken into account when choosing the ideal hotspot. These points of importance also tend to influence the price you pay to get the right model for your needs. Here are the ones that should not be overlooked.
On battery or on mains:
if your only objective is to use the 4G router at your home to compensate for a faulty ADSL connection, or to protect yourself against possible connection cuts, in this case, you can directly choose a model that is plugs into the mains to operate. If, on the contrary, you are looking for a 4G mobile hotspot, to carry it everywhere with you, then choose a model that works on battery. In this case, it is also important to pay special attention to the battery capacity and the associated autonomy. Note that there are no mobile 4G routers running on batteries: the models available on the market can be recharged from the mains or via a USB connection in the vast majority of cases.
Connection speeds:
two speeds are to be taken into account, namely downloading and sending. The download speed is generally the one that is most emphasized by the manufacturers, because it is the most important: it is requested to watch videos, download applications, play online ... but the sending speed is not is not to be overlooked either. The ideal is to make sure that the gap is not too big between the two. The speed varies mainly according to the technologies which are integrated into the router, in terms of version of WiFi, but also of wired connectivity available, mainly Ethernet. Most of the time, entry or mid-range routers, which display affordable prices, offer an average speed, suitable for simple and controlled uses.The most expensive 4G hotspots embed recent technologies and display higher performance. It is also possible to turn to 5G mobile routers, but they are very expensive these days.
The number of devices that can be connected simultaneously:
While, on average, a router can accommodate ten devices connected at the same time, entry-level hotspots may be limited to five or six devices. Conversely, high-end models can accommodate 20 devices, sometimes more. Obviously, we must take into account the fact that all the devices connected at the same time to a router divide the available 4G connection by as much. The experience will not be the same with 10 devices connected to a hotspot that delivers a 150 Mbps connection, as with 20 devices connected to a router offering a 2 Gbps connection ... It is also important to check if the router has, in addition to its wireless capabilities, one or more Ethernet ports, allowing a wired connection to a fixed computer, for example.This can still be used for home use.
How to correctly place your 4G router?
There isn't really a magic recipe for positioning your 4G router well: it all depends on where you are and whether your operator's 4G network is nearby, strong or weak. Most routers integrate a very useful feature allowing you to visualize the presence of the 4G signal available: this can take the form of LEDs that change colors, or a specific visual indicator when the hotspot is equipped with a screen. There are a few rules, however, that using a hotspot in a moving vehicle, such as a car or train, often gives poor results. If you are in a room with a weak signal, try to position the router near the window… In short, the same rules apply with a classic smartphone.
Do I need a special package for a hotspot?
Indeed, in order to be able to use a 4G hotspot, it is necessary to have a SIM card, and therefore a package taken out from a mobile telephone operator. Orange, Bouygues Telecom or even SFR offer mobile plans composed only of data for hotspots, but you can also opt for a traditional mobile plan, which also works. However, the device will not allow you to make calls or send text and multimedia messages. Better to focus on a plan that offers a lot of mobile data, and that includes its use abroad if you tend to travel a lot. The prices are very variable. Make sure the plan you choose supports hotspot mode: not all offers, especially the cheapest ones.
The SIM card can be easily installed in the hotspot box, in a space provided for this purpose.
Once the latter is activated, all you have to do is turn on your router and use it with complete peace of mind, while taking care not to exceed the mobile data envelope provided for in your plan.
Do not hesitate to check with your usual operator, it is sometimes possible to take advantage of a data plan at an attractive price if you are already a customer for your smartphone.
Will 4G hotspots take 5G into account?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. If 4G routers are 3G compatible, they will not be 5G compatible, because the technologies are different: the devices generally show backward compatibility with older technologies, but do not anticipate the future. Also, to enjoy a 5G connection using a hotspot, you have to invest in a 5G router, which is also 4G compatible ... it is indeed complicated, but it is a reality that must be taken into account. consideration when purchasing a hotspot. The 5G models are, moreover, still rare, and sold at high prices by the manufacturers who offer them. To this must be added the subscription to a dedicated 5G package. In short, this represents a significant investment,which again tips the scales towards 4G models when making a purchase. If you're in no rush, you can wait a bit to buy a cheaper 5G model, but it may take several years before you see a significant drop in prices.
The ideal seems to invest in a high-end 4G hotspot, to benefit from a high speed which is close to that of an accessible fixed fiber offer. You don't have to spend a lot of money on a 5G mobile router to have a good connection wherever you are: a good 4G device combined with a plan from a qualified operator can be just as effective. Our selection is proof of this, so do not hesitate to look at the different models presented, to find the one that suits you best in 4G. And if you are necessarily looking for a 5G model, we have not forgotten you.
