Traveling brings up a crucial question for most people today: Is there Wi-Fi? With a mobile hotspot, you can essentially bring your own internet connection with you. These devices get online the way your smartphone does — even in your car — by picking ups a cellular signal and then broadcasting it to your computer, smartwatch, smartphone, or anything you want to use to get online.

Today, many smartphones, like the iPhone 14, can act as personal mobile hotspot, and you don't necessarily need one. However, if you work from home and plan to spend time working from the beach or poolside at your vacation home in the woods, you might want to get a mobile hotspot. You also might want to get one for the entire family to use when on vacation so you don't have to use the hotel or resort's Wi-Fi.

If you plan to get one, you have two options: go through a cell phone provider or buy an unlocked mobile hotspot from an online retailer like Amazon and get a SIM card from your cellphone provider. Unlock devices let you use them on any network, whiled locked mobile hotspots will only work on the network from what you bought the device.

Another key point? Because these need a cellular signal to work, a mobile hotspot isn't going to be a great solution for a rural area, such as camping in the mountains. If the location where you're going doesn't have cell service, the mobile hotspot is unlikely to help.

But if you're looking to boost your online access, and you're heading for a trip this summer and don't want to rely on your current smartphone's data plan, here are six options that you can buy on your own.

Inseego MiFi X PRO

Inseego MiFi X PROInseego

If you are a T-Mobile customer, one of the best mobile hotspots for you is Inseego MiFi X PRO. This mobile hotspot is a 5G-enabled device that offers blazing-fast speeds and long battery life. It supports both sub-6 and mmWave 5G bands so that you can take advantage of the fastest speeds available in your area. The MiFi X PRO also supports up to 32 Wi-Fi devices, so you can easily share your connection with friends and family.

Some of the key features of the Inseego MiFi X PRO include support for 5G sub-6 and mmWave bands, up to 1 Gbps download speeds, support for up to 32 Wi-Fi devices, a built-in 5050 mAh battery, up to 13 hours of continuous use and it comes unlocked. But it is compatible with most carriers besides T-Mobile. We know Verizon also offers this device.

How much does it cost? Inseego MiFi X Pro costs will vary by carrier and retail outlet. On T-Mobile, it costs $11 per month for 24 months for the service and cost of the device. The retail cost for Inseego is $264. On Verizon, the MiFi X Pro has only a $9.64 monthly fee for 36 most for both device and plan. The retail cost of the Inseego hotspot is $364.

Overall, the Inseego MiFi X PRO is a great option for users who need fast and reliable internet access on the go. It is a bit expensive, and it does not support Wi-Fi 6E. But it offers some good features and performance, especially if you live in areas where 5G is available.

Get on Verizon Site.

Skyroam Solis 5G and Power Bank — $179.99

Skyroam Solis 5G and Power BankSkyroam

This mobile hotspot is a 2-in-1 device and comes with a rugged and sleek design. It is slim enough to fit in your pocket yet tough enough to endure drops, dust, and water. With lightning-fast and secure 5G and 4G LTE speeds in over 135 countries worldwide. Solis 5G comes with a battery life of about 24 hours on one charge, and it can help keep your other devices powered up since its a power bank.

The Skyroam Solis 5G and Power Bank hotspot can share up to 16 devices (a big plus if you're traveling with other people), and it works in more than 135 countries. It even has a camera inside, so you can record and even livestream just with this little device.

Skyroam Solis 5G also has a deal where you can sign up for 15GB of data in the U.S. for just $6 on its website, but you can also get other deals, including a pay-as-you-go GB plan or a $ 9-a-day unlimited global day pass for up to 15 devices.

Orbic Speed 5G Mobile Hotspot:

Orbic Speed 5G UWVerizon

If you are a Verizon customer and want a mobile hotspot, take a look at the Orbic Speed 5G UW mobile hotspot. The Orbic Speed 5G UW is a portable mobile hotspot that supports 5G Ultra Wideband (UWB), 5G Nationwide, and 4G LTE. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 modem and can achieve download speeds of up to 4.0 Gbps. The Speed 5G UW supports up to 30 Wi-Fi devices at once and has a built-in 4,400 mAh battery that provides up to 9 hours of continuous use.

Some of the key features include support for 5G UWB, 5G Nationwide, and 4G LTE, up to 4.0 Gbps download speeds, support up to 30 Wi-Fi devices, a built-in 4,400 mAh battery, and you get up to 9 hours of continuous use. It is also unlocked and compatible with most carriers, like Verizon and T-Mobile.

Overall, the Orbic Speed 5G UW is a great option for users who need fast and reliable internet access on the go. It is a bit expensive and doesn't support Wi-Fi 6E. Verizon offers a 36-month play for $8.33 per month, or you can buy the device for $299.99. You can also buy the device on Amazon for a lot less. Keep in mind this hotspot offers many features and performance compared to other mobile hotspots.

Orbic Speed 5G UW Mobile Hotspot RC400L

List Price: $201.05

Used From: $201.05in Stock

Inseego Verizon 5G and 4G LTE MiFi M1000 Hotspot - $299.99

Inseego Verizon 5G and 4G LTE MiFi M1000 HotspotAmazon

Years ago, we wrote about this mobile hotspot, a 5G option, one of the first hotspots to piggyback on this new high-speed network. And today, you are not going to be limited on where you can take advantage of the faster speeds since 5G is almost everywhere. The battery size is a respectable 4400mAh, and there is a USB-C and RJ45 Ethernet port if you want to tether. There's also a color touchscreen, and the hotspot supports dual-band Wi-Fi of both 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands.

You're also going to pay more for this hotspot than a typical one, as it's priced at about $299 on Amazon. But if you agree to sign up for Verizon's data plan ($9.72 a month if you have another Verizon phone account), you can snag one for free.

Buy on Amazon

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro Mobile Hotspot

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro Mobile HotspotAT&T

If you are an AT&T Wireless customer, you might want to look at the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro Mobile Hotspot. This Netgear device is a high-end 5G mobile hotspot that offers blazing-fast speeds and long battery life. It supports both sub-6 and mmWave 5G bands so that you can take advantage of the fastest speeds available in your area. The M6 Pro also supports up to 32 Wi-Fi devices, so you can easily share your connection with friends and family.

Key features of the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro include support for 5G sub-6 and mmWave bands, up to 8 Gbps download speeds, support for up to 32 Wi-Fi devices, and a built-in 5040 mAh battery for up to 12 hours of continuous use. This mobile hotspot comes unlocked and is compatible with most carriers. We found it offered on AT&T's site.

The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro costs $12.78 per month for 36 months on AT&T's site. This includes the service and cost of the device. If you were to buy the Netgear M6, it retails for $459.99. AT&T does offer another version of Netgear's Nighthawk mobile hotspot, M6, which comes with an $8.62 per month plan for 36 months. The retail cost of the M6 is $309.99.

If you are an AT&T customer and need fast and reliable internet access on the go, the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro is the mobile hotspot for you. Keep in mind the M6 Pro and M6 do not support 6E and are a bit expensive. But the features and performance will outweigh the cost of this mobile hotspot.

NETGEAR Nighthawk MR6500 M6 Pro 5G Mobile Hotspot Router (AT&T GSM Unlocked) (Renewed)

List Price: $294.59

New From: $294.59in Stock

Franklin A10 Mobile Hotspot

Franklin A10 Mobile HotspotAT&T

If you are looking for an inexpensive option to use while on vacation or outside of your home or home office, AT&T has an option, the Franklin A10 mobile hotspot. This mobile hotspot is a low-cost, entry-level LTE hotspot device that offers LTE Cat-4 connectivity and supports up to 15 devices via Wi-Fi 5. The A10 does not have an Ethernet port but a USB-C charging/data tethering port that can be connected to any Windows PC or Mac.

The key features of the A10 mobile hotspot include LTE Cat-4 connectivity, support for up to 15 devices via Wi-Fi 5, USB-C charging/data tethering port, compact and lightweight design, and long battery life (up to 8 hours).

On AT&T's site, Franklin A10 costs only $2.33 per month for 36 months, and the retail price is $79.99.

The Franklin A10 is a good option for users who need basic internet access on the go. It is not the fastest hotspot on the market, has limited features, and has no Ethernet port. However, it is affordable and easy to use. So if you are looking for a budget mobile hotspot, the Franklin A10 is one device to consider.

If you need help finding mobile hotspots that are compatible with your smartphone or want to turn your car into a mobile hotspot, use The GearBrain. Our product find engine helps you find, buy and connect any smart device, including mobile hotspots.

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T-Mobile T10 Mobile Hotspot

T-Mobile T10 Mobile Hotspot

List Price: $32.95

New From: $32.94in Stock

Used From: $19.99in Stock