Mobile WiFi dongles

Mobile Wi-Fi dongles are portable battery-powered devices that create a Wi-Fi network which you can then connect all your gadgets to.

Their major selling point is that they are extremely portable, so you can use them on-the-move or at home. Many of the devices can connect to 64 devices at once, which should be more than enough for even the biggest technophile.

How does Mobile Wi-Fi work?

Mobile Wi-Fi connects to 4G or 5G mobile networks and then shares this connection with over devices over a Wi-Fi network. They come with a SIM card that enables them to connect to the mobile network.

They are battery-powered, so you can use them anywhere you have mobile signal. The plug and play devices come with a pre-setup Wi-Fi network and you’ll normally find the details printed on the bottom of the device itself.

What speeds can I expect with Mobile Wi-Fi?

Speeds from mobile broadband will differ based on the network, location and even the Mobile Wi-Fi dongle being used.

Higher speeds are possibly using a 5G Mobile Wi-Fi dongle, so we’d always recommend those looking for the highest speeds to look for a device that is 5G Ready.

On average with a 5G Mobile Wi-Fi dongle you can expect average speeds of around 100Mbps, but as mentioned this depends on many factors. A starting point would be to compare coverage in your area and see which networks have good 5G coverage.

If purchasing a 4G Mobile Wi-Fi dongle you are more likely to see average speeds of around 20Mbps, which is perfect for browsing, social networks and emails. But will struggle more with streaming high-quality video.

After purchasing a Mobile Wi-Fi device, you have 30-days to return it if unhappy with the performance and get your money-back.

What Mobile Wi-Fi dongles are available?

Each network has their own Mobile Wi-Fi dongle and quite often they have both 4G and 5G options available.

If you’ve got the budget available, we’d always recommend choosing a 5G Mobile Wi-Fi dongle. Even if you can’t access 5G today purchasing one now will future proof you. Although, if you want to save cash and are only browsing then choosing a 4G dongle can still be a good choice.

Each Mobile Wi-Fi dongle has its own maximum support download speeds, but often these are far in advance of the performance you’d ever reach in the real world. Although, we’d advise those looking for the fastest speeds to avoid devices maxing out at 300Mbps and below as this can impact real-world performance.

Similarly, each one has their own support Wi-Fi version. Generally, higher versions deliver improved coverage, faster speeds and additional functionality.

When isn’t Mobile Wi-Fi suitable?

Mobile Wi-Fi is generally suitable when you want to connect devices in a smaller area.

If for example, you want to connect a whole household to mobile broadband we’d advise getting a mains-powered 5G or 4G Router instead. These are designed to share Wi-Fi over a wider range, and you can also connect external antennas to improve signal and speeds.

Additionally, if you are looking for the very best speeds at home we’d recommend choosing a fibre-broadband install instead. However, high-speed fibre is subject to availability, requires a landline, a long contract duration and can’t be used outside the home.