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4G routers offer tremendous network flexibility, from quick onsite installation to increased network reliability. The benefits are significant. But finding the best 4G router isn't that easy. Don't worry, we at ProXPN got you covered with a detailed and in-depth guide so you can find the perfect type and brand for your home. Read our guide and learn everything about the best 4G routers of 2024.
Ben Grindlow is the founder of ProXPN, a company that provides reviews about VPN products and services. Ben's interest in cybersecurity and privacy led him to start ProXPN, which has become one of the most well-respected VPN providers in the world. Ben is passionate about his work, and he is constantly exploring new ways to improve ProXPN's in-depth guides.
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4G routers offer tremendous network flexibility, with rapid on-site installation and increased network reliability. The benefits are significant. But you need the facts on hand in order to find the best 4G router for you.
Do you have a business need for a 4G router or is a MiFi router (a router that provides a mobile hotspot) a better choice? Do you want to buy one just for personal use? Do you need a mobile network?
There are some factors that you should be aware of before choosing a 4G router, because how you will use it will affect which model you need.
There are many 4G routers on the market that offer a wide range of features. Most of all, you should make sure that the router offers the functionality and flexibility for your needs. Read on for the key points to consider when purchasing a 4G router. We start with some definitions.
A 4G router works essentially like the regular broadband you find in most homes, but with a few key differences. Regardless of which router you choose, you will get a stable internet connection and you can connect all your devices.
Unlike regular internet that runs through cables and Wi-Fi signals, a 4G router works over 4G. That means it works the same way as your phone; via micro-SIM, nano-SIM, or regular SIM card and mobile signals. It is essentially a mobile router; you have network coverage wherever you go.
A 4G router replaces your traditional router if necessary or acts as a backup, but you can also use it to take with you on the road or even on a trip. This means you always have a wired or wireless internet connection in your pocket! All you need is a SIM card with a data plan to use the 4G network.
4G is an abbreviation for ‘fourth-generation' cellular communications and offers speeds approximately ten times faster than on 3G (third-generation) networks. In brief, the benefits of 4G are improved speeds, reduced latency and crystal clear phone calls.
5G is the latest generation of mobile internet and offers speeds much higher than 4G data connections. Unfortunately, there are not many 5G routers on the market at this point because 5G technology is not yet fully present around the country.
The good news is that 5G may offer network speeds similar to what you would get using a broadband internet connection. In time, a good 5G router could replace your broadband connection.
An important aspect to consider when purchasing a 4G router, as with WiFi routers or a specific router for Ziggo, is internet speeds.
It's not uncommon to have a 4G connection that offers throughputs of tens of Mbps (megabits per second) for downloads and uploads. While these numbers are often lower than what 4G theoretically promises, it's still impressive. Keep in mind that for many people, download speeds will matter more often, but for some people, upload speeds will be nearly as important.
When comparing 4G routers, you've probably come across several variations of the term Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax. This alphabet soup indicates the different WiFi standards with which the device is compatible.
The oldest standards are wireless-a/b/g. The most common standard is 802.11n. Finally, 802.11ac/ax are the newest and fastest standards.
Go for a 4G router with a standard of at least 802.11n or, even better, with the Wi-Fi 802.11ac standard. This standard promises speeds of up to 1300 Mbps, while 802.11n achieves a speed range between 150 and 600 Mbps.
Just like a router that works over WiFi, a 4G router has a certain WiFi band. Single-band only offers Wi-Fi on the 2.4 GHz frequency band and does not exceed 600 to 800 Mbps in terms of speed.
Dual band offers Wi-Fi on both the 2.4 and 5.0 GHz frequency bands, allowing you to enjoy all the benefits at the same time. On the 5 GHz network you get higher speeds, and the network is less affected by interference than the 2.4 GHz network, because there are far fewer devices on that frequency.
Use the 2.4 GHz band to connect devices for low-bandwidth activities such as browsing the Internet or for accessing the Internet over a greater distance.
On the other hand, 5 GHz is best suited for high-bandwidth devices or activities such as gaming consoles and streaming HD TV. If gaming is your main activity, go for the best gaming router.
For a small home network and most small-scale users, a 4G router with a single cellular data connection will suffice. If you're going to use a 4G router for a business, you might need something that delivers a lot more data.
For business use, you want a device that can handle more than one data connection to the router: this is called dual SIM or multi-SIM technology. This means that the router has more than one SIM card slot that accepts multiple (usually between 2 and 18) SIM cards, usually from 2 or more network providers.
Using different network providers provides a significant performance advantage. It means that even if their network goes down, your network will still survive because you are connected to a backup network. Even if you lose a little signal strength, you'll stay online and your end-user experience is unlikely to deteriorate.
Battery life is very important with a 4G router, especially if you want to use it on the go without a power supply nearby. Some models on the market can last up to 12 hours, depending on how intensely you use the router.
Go for a router with long battery life, at least 10 hours, because then you can enjoy a constant connection for a typical day without being dependent on the electricity grid.
It may often be useful to have a wired connection in addition to a Wi-Fi connection. So check out the routers that offer the option to connect using a cable (in other words, having wired network ports or ethernet ports).
The ability to connect multiple USB devices via USB ports is also handy and makes it easier to share the network with multiple users. Most 4G routers can connect more than one device, and sometimes as many as 32!
For those who want some flexibility in their internet contract, who live in a rural area without fiber optic cables or who like to stay connected at all times while on the road, a 4G router offers an excellent solution, especially for a roaming WiFi network for your wireless devices.
Some 4G routers are mainly designed to be portable and intended to be taken with you on the go. Others can replace a traditional router with wired connections. These routers usually remain in the same place, just like the traditional models.
Definitely consider the data transfer rate when evaluating your options. Depending on who you work with and which package you choose, some options have data limits. However, unlimited data packages are also available. The more data you need, the more expensive your package will be.
A 4G router connects to a 3G or 4G network via a SIM, micro SIM or nano SIM card, the same way smartphones do.
A mesh router, however, is a ‘normal' router that works with satellites. Unlike a normal router that broadcasts a mobile Wi-Fi router network from one place, a mesh router shares the network with satellites as mentioned above. The satellites, in turn, broadcast the WiFi signal throughout their environment.
The answer depends primarily on what you want to use the 4G router for, as well as on your budget. All of them let you enjoy download speeds up to 150 Mbps, but the other features vary. Consult the table below showing the main specifications for what I consider the best 4G routers, to help you make the best choice for your needs.
A 4G router can provide a mobile data connection wherever you go and is helpful if you don't have access to a fiber optic connection. You can connect multiple Wi Fi devices to the router at the same time, including mobile devices. The conclusion? A 4G router is a reliable, secure and speedy solution for internet access.
Now you should know exactly which router you need. Get in touch if you are interested in one of the models in our top 5 list!
With a download speed of up to 100Mbps, 4G is over 20 times faster than 3G. Although theoretical maximum 4G speeds are more than double at 300Mbps, they can only be achieved in controlled laboratory settings.
A SIM card is used in a 4G WiFi router to share internet connections. You may use a 4G WiFi router for internet sharing anywhere you have network coverage provided by your mobile provider, as long as the network range of the network service offered by them is within reach.
You may connect up to seven devices at the same time to a 4G router-setup Wi-Fi hotspot, and there are models that can handle more connections than this. Check out our review to find the perfect model for you.
A 4G network connection allows you to access the internet from your mobile phone provider and use it in places where you have cellular signal. Because data is encrypted when sent and received over a 4G network, it is safer than using a public Wi-Fi network.
A SIM card is used in a 4G WiFi router to enable the sharing of internet connections. You may use a 4G WiFi router for internet sharing anywhere within the network coverage area of your mobile phone service provider's network.
