Everyone needs to have access to the internet, especially when they are traveling. Luckily, there are many open WiFi networks that you can connect to, and if you don’t want to connect to open WiFi networks, you can always use a portable WiFi router instead. But what is a travel WiFi Router?
Travel or portable WiFi routers allow people to connect to the internet while traveling without having to use mobile data on their phone. Portable WiFi routers use a SIM card to create a WiFi network linked to a name and account. It gets the Internet from the GSM SIM in your router, similar to your phone.
Travel or portable WiFi routers are extremely useful. Below is more information about how they work, why you should purchase one, and which portable WiFi routers are the best.
How It Works
Travel WiFi routers create a new WiFi network that tablets, smartphones, personal computers, and cameras can connect to. They can be used by up to 10 people, but if many people are using a router at once, your internet may be slow.
Portable WiFi routers use a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) to create a WiFi network that is linked to your name and account. You can change the name and password that appear when you connect to your portable WiFi router.
You need to have a subscription to an internet provider to use your travel WiFi router. Portable WiFi routers use a signal from a nearby internet provider and allow others to connect to it if they use the correct password. They can connect to 3G-5G networks.
Portable travel WiFi routers have an impressive range of 30-50 feet, so you don’t have to be right next to your router to use the internet.
Portable WiFi routers are wireless, so you never have to find an unused power outlet to use the internet. It does need to be charged periodically, but travel routers don’t need to be plugged in to be used. The amount of time that your travel WiFi router lasts for varies on the WiFi router, how often you use it, how many people are using it, and the amount of battery life it has left when being used.
Your internet speed while using a portable WiFi router will vary depending on the strength of its connection, the number of megabits it has, the internet provider that it is using, and how many people are using the router. You can choose the number of megabits that your portable WiFi router has.
Why You Need a Portable WiFi Router
You probably need a portable WiFi router if you travel often because you never know when you will need to connect to a secure WiFi network. Although nowadays there are many open WiFI networks you can connect to while traveling, they are typically not secure. Hackers can steal your information while using these open WiFi networks.
Portable WiFi routers provide a secure network for you to connect to. While using a portable WiFi router, you can work or access your banking information while in the airport without any worry that your information will be stolen. It also ensures that you have a dependable WiFi network to connect to. Oftentimes, open WiFi networks don’t work well and web pages take a long time to load. That won’t happen if you have a portable WiFi router.
If you have a portable WiFi router, you will always have access to the internet, even when the power goes out. It may not work as well because there might not be any strong signals nearby, but you will have some internet access, which many people won’t have. You will also be able to access the internet while at restaurants that don’t have a customer-accessible WiFi network and while at the park or even hiking.
Overall, portable WiFi networks are useful and should be purchased by frequent travelers and those who want to have internet access at all times.
2 Best Travel WiFi Routers (Connect with Public WiFi)
Before you purchase a portable WiFi router, you need to know which ones are the best. Check out the best portable WiFi routers listed below.
Ext Gigabit Travel AC Router
The Ext Gigabit Travel AC Router is the best portable WiFi router on the market. It is rated 5 stars by consumers and only costs $80. It has 3 gigabit ports and a USB charging port. You can connect to it wirelessly or through a USB port. It is also compact and lightweight, so you may not even notice that it is in your pocket. If you are having trouble connecting to this device, there is a small reset button that you can use to fix the issue.
TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router
The TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router is rated 4.3 stars by consumers and only costs between $30 to $42 depending on where you purchase it. This small pocket router is easy to carry anywhere, this is easy to configure and secure network. Supports as a Bridge, Hotspot, Range extender, USB stick from GSM provider.
2 Best Travel WiFi Routers (SIM Card slot)
Cudy N300 WiFi 4G LTE Router
The Cudy N300 WiFi Unlocked 4G LTE router is rated 4.5 stars by consumers and costs less than $99 at Amazon. It supports major telecom networks like AT&T, T-Mobile. You can download the internet up to 150 Mbps and supports multiple devices.
NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 Mobile Hotspot 4G LTE Router
The NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 Mobile Hotspot 4G LTE Router is rated 4 stars by consumers and costs around $300 at Amazon. It comes with 1Gbps download speeds, if you are looking for a portable router to support your WiFi needs in a cottage or remote work location this is best suitable router for your needs.
Overall, portable WiFi routers are useful devices that all frequent travelers should use.