Remote work has been booming, with a 170% increase in remote jobs since 2005. Staying connected is crucial when working on the go. That‘s where portable routers come in.
What Are Portable Routers?
A portable router is a small, lightweight device that creates a personal WiFi hotspot by grabbing a cellular signal or nearby WiFi network. This allows you to wirelessly connect your other devices like laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Benefits include:
- Portability: Compact size for travel
- Connectivity: Share internet access with multiple devices
- Backup connectivity: Reliable fallback if your primary internet fails
- Improved security: Encrypt network traffic
Below we review the top 10 portable routers for staying connected in 2023.
Top 10 Portable Routers for Remote Work in 2023
1. TP-Link AC750
Overview:
- Dual-band router
- 802.11ac WiFi standard
- Up to 300Mbps (2.4GHz band) & 433Mbps (5GHz band)
- 2000mAh battery
TP-Link‘s AC750 Travel Router is a top choice for faster dual-band WiFi speeds reaching up to 733Mbps. The 2000mAh battery provides over 10 hours of continuous usage for an all-day connection.
Pros
- Dual-band WiFi
- Good battery life
- Travel-friendly size
Cons
- No LTE support
Ideal For: Business travelers who need dual-band WiFi speeds without relying on mobile data.
Price: $39.99
2. GL.iNet GL-AR300M16
Overview:
- Single-band 2.4GHz WiFi
- Up to 300Mbps speed
- 2 x Ethernet ports
- OpenVPN supported
- 128MB RAM
GL.iNet‘s mini travel router is loaded with connectivity options including a USB 2.0 port for sharing mobile data. It even packs in advanced OpenVPN encryption protocols for enhanced security on public networks.
Pros
- Good wired connectivity
- Small and portable
- OpenVPN support
Cons
- No 5GHz or LTE support
Ideal For: Travelers who need to wirelessly extend their wired hotel internet connection.
Price: $31.90
3. GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2
Overview:
- 300Mbps WiFi speed
- Dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz
- 2 x Ethernet ports
- OpenVPN support
- Mango color
GL.iNet packs the power of a VPN router into a portable mini format. It delivers fast 300Mbps dual-band speeds perfect for HD video streaming.
Pros
- Compact dual-band performance
- Ethernet ports for wired devices
- OpenVPN protocols
Cons
- No LTE support
Ideal For: Travelers who want to securely tunnel their internet traffic through VPN on public networks.
Price: $29.90
4. SIMO Solis Lite
Overview:
- 4G LTE connectivity
- No SIM card required
- Connects up to 10 devices
- 1GB monthly data included
SIMO Solis provides multi-carrier 4G LTE speeds without needing a SIM card. It includes 1GB of data monthly to get you started. You can add more data as needed with flexible prepaid plans.
Pros
- Built-in 4G LTE modem
- Global connectivity
- No contracts
Cons
- Only 1GB of data monthly
Ideal For: Jet-setting professionals who need multi-region 4G LTE speeds without juggling SIM cards.
Price: $111.99
5. NEWQ AC750 Travel Router
Overview:
- 300Mbps + 433Mbps dual-band WiFi
- SD card support
- 10000 mAh power bank
- Filehub functionality
NEWQ crammed a travel router, media hub, file server and power bank all into one convenient device. It‘s a road warrior‘s dream with versatile connectivity.
Pros
- Multi-functional
- Robust media capabilities
- Large power bank
Cons
- No LTE support
Ideal For: Digital nomads needing to both backup and access media from USB drives & SD cards while traveling.
Price: $79.90
6. MightyWifi Global Hotspot
Overview:
- Cloud SIM technology
- 150Mbps LTE speeds
- 3600mAh battery
- 150+ country coverage
MightyWifi‘s portable WiFi hotspot provides LTE-powered connectivity across the globe without needing local SIMs. It offers both global and US-only data plans to suit your travel destination.
Pros
- Cloud SIM for global LTE data
- Good speeds and battery life
- No SIMs to manage
Cons
- Requires their subscription plans
Ideal For: Jet-setting professionals who need fuss-free fast internet when traveling abroad.
Price: $95
7. Amazon eero Mesh WiFi
Overview:
- Mesh router (3-pack)
- 4500 sq. ft coverage
- Works with Alexa
- Simple setup
Amazon‘s eero Mesh system blankets your entire home or office in fast reliable WiFi. It auto-updates to improve speed and coverage over time. The easy app setup takes only minutes.
Pros
- Whole home mesh WiFi solution
- Self-optimizing performance
- Syncs with Alexa ecosystem
Cons
- No LTE or wired ports
Ideal For: Remote workers needing whole home or office WiFi with rock solid wireless performance.
Price: $167 (3-pack)
8. NRadio AC1200 Dual Band Router
Overview:
- 4G LTE with WiFi fallback
- Up to 150Mbps LTE
- Dual-band WiFi router
- USB-C charging
NRadio‘s portable router packs in speedy 4G LTE connectivity along with dual-band 802.11ac WiFi speeds reaching up to 1200Mbps for when LTE is unavailable.
Pros
- Fast dual-band performance
- Flexible LTE + WiFi operation
- USB-C powered
Cons
- Relatively expensive
Ideal For: Travelers seeking the flexibility of auto-failover between LTE cellular and WiFi internet connectivity.
Price: $89.98
9. WDINLY Mobile Hotspot Router
Overview:
- Unlocked 4G LTE
- Supports LTE bands 2/4/5/12/17
- Connects up to 10 devices
- Includes 30-day 2GB SIM
WDINLY‘s versatile router provides fast LTE connectivity on major US networks like AT&T and T-Mobile. No contract is required.
Pros
- Uses LTE for internet source
- Good connectivity with US carriers
- No contract
Cons
- Only 2GB of data included
Ideal For: Travelers in the US needing connectivity across different carrier networks.
Price: $52.99
10. Huawei E5576 Mobile Hotspot
Overview:
- Cat4 LTE speeds up to 150Mbps
- 1500mAh battery
- Connects up to 16 devices
- Gaming & entertainment focus
Huawei built their E5576 hotspot to deliver lag-free mobile gaming and 4K video streaming anywhere thanks to robust LTE connectivity.
Pros
- Speedy LTE throughput
- Good connectivity for multiple devices
- Gaming-friendly performance
Cons
- Only compatible with foreign LTE networks
Ideal For: Gamers who want to remain online even when traveling outside their LTE coverage area.
Price: $53.95
Key Takeaways on Choosing a Travel Router
When picking a portable WiFi router for staying connected on business trips or working remotely, consider these key factors:
- Connectivity – Choose LTE, WiFi or both
- Ports – Consider your needed wired options
- Battery life – Longer is better for all-day use
- Security – VPN, firewalls and encryption add privacy
- Speed – Faster is better, especially for streaming
- Budget – Prices range from $30 to $100+
Focus on your individual connectivity needs when deciding which portable router best fits your lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Reliable internet is now a requirement for many whether traveling or working from home. Portable routers empower you to stay productively connected from anywhere.
We hope this guide has helped you shop for the right travel router to suit your needs in 2023 and beyond. Share your router recommendations with us on social media!
Share on:
