Our method
Mobile Wlan routers offer a good and strong Internet connection where there would otherwise be none. Whether in the countryside or at the lake, you have good internet access for surfing or working everywhere. This is particularly practical for people who travel a lot for work.
With our mobile WiFi router test 2021 we want to help you find the right mobile WiFi router for you. We have compared different mobile WiFi routers with each other and listed the respective advantages and disadvantages. This should make your purchase decision as easy as possible.
Contents
The most important facts
- Mobile WiFi routers enable you to get internet access almost anywhere in the world and thus to work on the move.
- Basically, there are several basic factors that you need to consider, such as the dimensions and weight.
- With the various mobile wireless routers, there are different numbers of devices that you can connect to your router. They also have different transmission rates and battery life.
The Best Mobile Wifi Router: Our Picks
In the following, we have compiled our favourites. This should help you to simplify your purchase decision and find the right mobile wireless router for your needs.
Mobile Wifi Router: Buying and Evaluation Criteria
To make sure you are not overwhelmed when buying mobile wireless routers and to find the perfect router for you, we have picked out and compiled some of the most important buying criteria that you should consider when making your purchase. These criteria should make it easier to compare the individual models so that you can make an objective and informed choice.
The criteria that you can use to compare the mobile WiFi routers with each other include:
In the following paragraphs, we will explain what is important for each criterion.
Dimensions and weight
In general, you should think about the size and weight of your mobile wireless router right from the start. Of course, this depends on where you want to place it in the end. Therefore, you should measure the given space at the beginning so that your mobile WiFi router is not too big in the end.
Actually, all mobile wireless routers are similar in size and weight. Nevertheless, there are differences: some are very flat but rather wide and others are rather tall but narrower. Some are more like a rectangle, others more like a square.
Data transmission rate
The data throughput describes the net amount of data per time transmitted over a wired medium (2).
The newer the technology, the lower the frequency band in GHz, the higher the data transmission rate (gross theory) or throughput rate (net practice). This ranges from up to 5 Mbit/s, which would mean a very slow wifi speed, to up to 900 MB/s or even 1.3GB/s, which would then again promise a very fast and high data throughput rate.
This means that the higher the specified Mbit or GB per second, the more data is transmitted per second via a wired or, as in this case, a mobile medium (3).
Number of devices
With mobile Wlan routers, there are different total numbers of devices that can connect to your mobile Wlan router. It all depends on your wishes and the number of devices you need.
There are wireless routers that can connect up to 10 different devices and then there are some that offer up to 35 different devices.
So you can choose the one that suits you best.
Battery life
The battery life also depends on the mobile wireless router, there are mobile wireless routers with a very long battery life and others have a somewhat shorter one. All in all, as with the number of devices, you just have to see what you need. How long are you usually on the road, how long do you need the battery life for?
When buying, however, you must also bear in mind that there are also mobile wireless routers without a battery, i.e. these are not really suitable for on the move, as they require a power connection (4).
But now let's look at those that have a built-in battery. Here, the battery life ranges from 6 to 24 hours. In some cases, the battery even lasts a whole day.
Mobile wifi routers: frequently asked questions and answers
In the following, we would like to answer the most important questions about mobile wireless routers. We have selected the questions for you and will answer them shortly. In this way, we want to give you a deeper insight into the topic. After you have read through the guide, you will know all the essential background information about mobile WiFi routers.
What is a mobile WiFi router?
In such situations, you can use a mobile WiFi router to access the Internet. This means you are no longer dependent on a stationary router, but can use all the advantages of being mobile.
You can also use different SIM cards from different providers in your mobile router, so you can directly connect several devices to the internet. This step can also save you extra money, as you don't have to sign up for an additional data plan (5).
What types of mobile WiFi routers are available?
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile wifi router with battery operation | Particularly flexible, you can use it anywhere, use abroad possible | You have to make sure that the battery is really charged |
| Mobile wifi router with car charging cable | You can take advantage of wifi in the car | Can only be used in the car, not for on the road, as it relies on electricity |
| Mobile wifi router with power connection | Only needs a conventional socket for charging, can be used comfortably from home | Absolutely nothing for on the road, also not suitable for the car, no use abroad possible |
Here in the table you can see the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of mobile wireless routers. In the following, we will go into more detail about all the features.
- Mobile wireless router with battery operation: The big advantage of a mobile wireless router with battery operation is that you are very flexible with such a mobile wireless router. You are not dependent on a power source or anything similar. You can use your router anywhere there is an LTE network, whether at the lake or in rural areas. The only thing you have to make sure of here is that your battery is really charged, as a conventional plug cannot help you here.
- Mobile wifi router with car charger cable: Alternatively, there is also the mobile wifi router with a car charger cable. This is the middle way between the three different variants presented here. Here you are not tied to a stationary location, as is the case with the third variant, but you cannot take it with you wherever you are. This version is dependent on the car. At least you don't have to travel on the motorway without wifi.
- With a conventional household socket: The last variant would be the one that requires a conventional household socket. You can then use this on the road at the campsite, for example. In this case, however, you usually have to specify fixed surf areas, and it is also not possible to use it abroad. This is also suitable as a solution in fixed locations, such as a garden shed or hut (6).
What alternatives are there to a mobile wireless router?
- Mobile hotspot: This is a very common and often used method. It allows you to quickly and easily turn your smartphone into a router to which you can connect your PC or other smartphones, for example. However, this consumes a lot of battery power and is not practical in the long run. It also consumes a lot of your own data volume.
- Mobile data stick: The mobile data stick is connected to your notebook via USB, but requires a suitable SIM card to access the mobile data network. However, this quickly reaches its limits on holiday trips or during leisure time.
Each of the routers has certain advantages that are not to be despised. All in all, it is difficult to find a proper alternative to a mobile wifi router that also fulfils all the advantages of such a router. These are more of a temporary solution.
Nevertheless, the mobile wifi router seems to be superior to the others in many criteria. It is not without reason that mobile wireless routers have become so popular and are often found in German households.
How does a mobile wireless router work?
This is especially helpful in rural areas, for example, as there is usually insufficient coverage or only very slow connections.
In general, a mobile wireless router is very practical if you are on the road a lot for business, for example, or are generally on the road a lot, but cannot or do not want to do without good internet. This way you can work or simply surf the Internet from anywhere without any problems.
Is the installation of a mobile Wifi router difficult?
Every mobile wireless router also comes with a manual that lists step-by-step instructions on how to set up your new mobile wireless router and connect it to your devices.
Conclusion
With the use of a mobile wifi router, you can access the internet anywhere in the world. No matter whether you are in the middle of the forest or swimming at the lake. You have good and fast internet everywhere without using up your own mobile data.
Of course, you can also use alternatives, but these are not really a long-term solution because they are usually a bit impractical and complicated. Mobile wifi routers are very easy to install and also easy to use. There are no major difficulties, which is why even people who are not really tech-savvy will get on well with it.
Image source: Axeiz / 123rf
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