Wi-Fi and internet access on the road are a must these days in our 21st-century world where our entertainment, news sources, and even the ability to talk to our loved ones rely on internet access.

Being on the open road using nothing but your mobile phone’s cellular plan can quickly deplete the allocated data in said mobile plan. Not only that but if you are also looking to use alternative devices such as laptops and streaming devices connected to your computer and tablets, using a hotspot on your phone to provide an internet connection each time can become quite time-consuming and tedious, and will once again drain the data on your mobile phone plan.

Thankfully a solution for this problem has been created thanks to mobile phone carriers who are now offering hotspot devices and SIM data plans, these devices rely on battery power to run and can be charged by a simple USB cable. An internet connection is provided via the 4G LTE network with some now offering 5G solutions for an even faster and more reliable internet connection. Often these devices do not cost anything to purchase, however you pay a monthly fee on a contract and will be allocated data to be able to use each month.

The upside to these products is that they will give you a dedicated internet connection that runs on battery life, therefore meaning that you can run this in remote areas provided the hotspot box has enough charge. Not only that but because this is your own private Wi-Fi, you will not struggle with a lack of speed due to other people on the same campsite being connected to the internet provided by the campsite (if they offer this service), the devices can also have multiple users connected at the same time and are small meaning they can be tucked away quietly.

The downside to the products is that they run on the same signal your phone’s SIM card will run from, therefore if you find yourself in an area where the signal is poor, you will be without internet/experience slow internet.

These devices are small but powerful and there is a handful on the market with many companies such as EE creating their own device and offering SIM card deals with monthly tariffs to keep you connected on the road.

When comparing these devices, it is important to note the maximum connection speed on offer, the advertised battery life, and how many devices can connect.

Vodafone RG219

  • 10 devices
  • Up to 150mbps download speed
  • Battery life – 6 hours of use

Vodafone’s RG219 is a great option for anyone looking for a starter device, there are various deals online whereby it comes pre-loaded with data, once this data has run out a monthly SIM card would need to be bought to continue using the data.

It is small but powerful offering up to 150mbps speeds with 6-hour battery life to ensure you can enjoy your favourite TV shows in the evenings and browse the internet as you please.

Vodafone RG219

TP-Link M7350

  • 10 Devices
  • Up to 150mbps download speed
  • Battery life – 8 hours of use

The TP-Link’s system is very similar to the Vodafone version however boasts a bigger battery, the downside to this is that it does not include a pre-loaded SIM card therefore you will need to go and purchase a SIM card at an additional cost, this is not locked to any network meaning you are free to choose whoever is offering the best deal.

TP-Link M7350

NETGEAR AC810

  • 15 Devices
  • Up to 600mbps download speed
  • Battery life – 11 hours of use

Netgear are one of the best brands on the market for internet routers, if you’ve ever had to buy a new router for your home, no doubt their name will have come up. The AC810 is a massively improved version of the previous two boasting four times the maximum download speed for those people who are needing a rapid internet connection.

This device also comes with an LCD screen that drastically improves the user experience with top reviews online, once again this is unlocked to any carrier and will require an additional SIM card and data plan.

NETGEAR AC810

EE 4GEE Wi-Fi Mini

  • 20 Devices
  • Up to 300mbps download speed
  • Battery life – 8 hours of use

EE offer a 4G broadband service on their own network, said network is a collaboration between T-Mobile and Orange, the brand also utilising BT as a supplier. This means that they can offer you signal nearly anywhere in the UK on their superfast network, they have their own ‘4GEE’ Wi-Fi data box which allows you to use Wi-Fi on their 4G network from anywhere in the UK.

The difference between EE and the previous devices on this list is that EE does not charge for the box and instead only charge monthly for the SIM card which will allow you to access the internet, plus with data bundles from 4GB to 100GB to Unlimited, there’s something for everyone!

EE 4GEE Wi-Fi Mini

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