The best mobile hotspot in 2024: top 4G LTE and 5G hotspots for working from home

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one of the best mobile hotspots against a techradar blue background

(Image credit: Future)

1. Best overall
2. Best 5G
3. Best hybrid
4. Best 4G LTE
5. Best UK
6. FAQ
7. How to choose
8. How we test

The best mobile hotspot in 2024 is more relevant than ever in today's fast-paced environment, and one can find a range of options offering fast, secure internet connectivity virtually anywhere around the globe. These devices are particularly vital for those needing a reliable and secure internet connection for business purposes, where using public Wi-Fi hotspots might pose security risks.

The advancement in mobile network technology means you no longer have to compromise on internet speed. With 4G, users can experience speeds that rival traditional broadband connections, especially in areas with strong network coverage. This ensures a smooth browsing experience, often surpassing the performance of free or shared Wi-Fi spots that typically come with data limits and heavy traffic.

Moreover, the expansion of 5G coverage is revolutionizing internet connectivity. 5G, the latest in mobile internet technology, offers speeds that not only match but often exceed those of broadband internet. This rapid pace of 5G adoption is gradually bringing more 5G mobile hotspots into the market. While the options are still growing, we include only the best in our list, ensuring they meet high standards of performance and reliability.

For those relying heavily on mobile data for work or personal use, the transition from 4G to 5G can be a game-changer. Some network providers are even offering upgrades from 4G to 5G contracts at no extra cost. Investing in one of the best 5G mobile hotspots could significantly enhance your productivity and internet experience.

As technology continues to evolve, we're also beginning to see the emergence of the best Wi-Fi 6E routers that feature 5G connectivity as well. These routers promise even faster and more efficient internet connectivity, making them an exciting development in the world of mobile hotspots. Stay tuned as we guide you through the best mobile hotspot options available in 2024, helping you stay connected, secure, and productive wherever you go.

The best mobile hotspot of 2024

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(Image credit: Inseego)

The Best mobile hotspot overall

1. Inseego 5G MiFi M1000

The best mobile hotspot for Verizon customers

Specifications

Speed: 5G LTE
Max number of devices: 15
Features: Dual-band Wi-Fi, USB-C and Ethernet ports, 2.4-inch color touchscreen

Reasons to buy

+
Fast 5G
+
Good battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Verizon exclusive

If you're a Verizon customer who can get the company's 5G network, the great news is that the Inseego 5G MiFi M1000 is your best 5G hotspot. It offers dual-band Wi-Fi support and includes USB-C and Ethernet tethering for devices requiring a wired connection. 

The battery life is large enough to power you throughout the day and charges quickly. The only issue is that while this is great for Verizon customers if you're not with the network or live outside the US, this isn't the right choice for you - so check out our other picks below.

On the hunt for a new webcam for your next business meeting? Then make sure to check out our review of the best business webcams.

If you are a Verizon customer or looking to become one, you might be interested in our Verizon promo codes to save money on Verizon purchases. 

(Image credit: HTC)

The Best 5G mobile hotspot

2. HTC 5G Hub

The best mobile hotspot out there for 5G

Specifications

Speed: 5G LTE
Max number of devices: 20
Features: 7660mAh battery, 802.11 a/b/g/b/ac/ad, microSD slot

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly fast
+
Large battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
5G not fully mainstream

The HTC 5G Hub is the best 5G mobile hotspot money can buy. Sure, there's not much competition out there now, as 5G is still relatively new, but HTC has come out of the gate with a winner.

EE, the UK's biggest network provider, offers data subscriptions with this hotspot. 

It's not cheap – you pay £100 upfront and then £50 a month for 50GB of data – but you are getting a very accomplished kit.

It can handle up to 20 wireless devices connected simultaneously, which should be enough for most households, and an Ethernet port for wired devices. 

A powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor powers the device, and a 5-inch HD touchscreen gives you all the information you need to keep an eye on your 5G network. It also has a large battery life that should keep you going while you're out and about.

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro

(Image credit: Cliff Joseph // Future)

The Best mobile and Wi-Fi hotspot

3. Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro Wi-Fi Router

Fast and versatile router that offers 5G and WiFi 6E on all major carriers

Specifications

Speed: 5G LTE
Max number of devices:
Features: Wi-Fi 6E,

Reasons to buy

+
Unlocked 5G
+
Wi-Fi 6E
+
2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port
+
All day battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Really expensive
-
Might be overkill

This small, portable mobile router makes a great companion for business travelers and remote working. The M6 Pro is a beast of a hotspot that offers some of the latest and greatest features for staying connected on the go. The device comes unlocked for all major mobile networks and supports 5G data speeds with WiFi 6E connectivity. 

The built-in battery provides about 13 hours of run time, plenty for a full day’s work, and offers 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz, and the new 6.0GHz frequency bands. Also included is a mains power adapter for working indoors near an outlet.

While it may be overkill for some, for those who need the fastest speeds and all-day connectivity, the Nighthawk M6 should jump to the top of your list.

Read the full review: Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro Wi-Fi Router

The Best 4G LTE hotspot

A great versatile pick with long battery life

Specifications

Speed: 4G LTE 150 Mbps
Max number of devices: 10
Features: 2000mAh battery, dual band WiFi, microSD slot

Reasons to buy

+
Dual band
+
Fast

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulkier than most hotspots
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No wireless 802.11ac 

The TP-Link M7350 may be a little chunkier than some of the other top mobile hotspots on this list, but it remains an excellent mobile hotspot that supports both micro and nano SIM cards. This means it will almost certainly be compatible with your own SIM card. 

It has a small display informing you about your connection and supports dual-band Wifi on both 2.4 and 5GHz. Up to 10 devices can access it simultaneously, and performance is very good on 4G LTE. It's also unlikely to run out of juice when you need it most, with a 2000mAh battery that guarantees around eight hours of 4G connectivity.

Need some tips on sending large files without requiring bloated emails? Check out our list of the best ways to send large files in 2024

The Best mobile hotspot in the UK

5. EE 4GEE WiFi Mini mobile hotspot

Best in the UK

Specifications

Speed: 4G LTE
Max number of devices: 10
Features: 1500mAh battery, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, various data plans

Reasons to buy

+
Compact
+
Good design

Reasons to avoid

-
Locked to EE network
-
Again, no wireless 802.11ac support

The EE 4GEE WiFi Mini is one of the better-looking mobile hotspot devices on this list, and its compact design means it can be easily carried around with you. The 1500mAh offers up to 50 hours on standby and six hours when connected to the internet. 

It can support up to 10 devices at once, but it doesn't have an LCD screen, like the TP-Link M7350, so it's not quite as user-friendly. You also need to use the EE network, which isn't too much of a hardship due to EE's coverage and fast 4G speeds, and the network offers a range of data plans to go alongside the EE 4GEE WiFi Mini. 

However, if you want something more future-proof, check out the HTC 5G Hub at the top of this list of EE's best mobile hotspots.

Find the best EE deals with our EE promo codes.   

Best mobile hotspot: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mobile hotspot?

A mobile hotspot can be plugged in almost anywhere to provide users with a mobile Wi-Fi network. It does so by connecting to a 4G or 5G data network and transmitting a secure Wi-Fi connection that can be used by a limited number of users who have required login details. 

The best mobile hotspots: how to choose

There are several factors to consider when aiming to whittle down the choice of the best mobile hotspots to just one. 

First, consider the reasons behind your interest. If security is a big concern - and with public Wi-Fi hotspots not usually secure and often unreliable, it certainly should be - then you might want to consider mobile hotspots that offer robust security features or additional ethernet ports. Speed should also be a consideration, and you might wish to purchase a hotspot that is 5G compatible when this becomes more prevalent. 

Lastly, consider how many users the hotspot will have. If it's just you, you'll have a pick of the lot, but if you're in a business with upwards of ten users, you'll have a more limited selection.

The best mobile hotspots: How we test

On this page, we've looked at mobile hotspots that offer the best speed, the number of devices they can accommodate, and other key factors such as port availability and dual-band capability. 

The 4G and 5G mobile hotspots we've listed are battery-powered modem routers that use a SIM card that connects to the internet via cellular data and broadcasts a secure Wi-Fi network to which you can connect your device.

Note that while we've analyzed and rated the technical performance of each hotspot, we haven't touched upon the running costs, which will vary according to your provider. As with smartphone SIM cards, you'll need a data contract and pay for the service, either a monthly rolling contract or a pay-as-you-go SIM, which can be a more affordable choice if you only need to use these devices sporadically. 

Desire Athow
Managing Editor, TechRadar Pro

Désiré has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. He dabbled in website builders and web hosting when DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium.

With contributions from