IN A HURRY? OUR #1 PICK — NETGEAR NIGHTHAWK M6 PRO (5G + Wi-Fi 6E) TOP PROS:
True 5G global hotspot with Wi-Fi 6E, Ethernet for hotel/airbnb passthrough, outstanding speeds, and removable battery. Excellent if you want one device that works at home, on the road, and abroad.
- Sub-6 5G + LTE fallback, Wi-Fi 6/6E
- Unlocked global model available (check bands)
- Ethernet + antenna ports; strong battery life
A mobile hotspot is a pocketable router that shares a cellular connection with your laptop, tablet, and phone. In 2025, the best travel hotspots add 5G for faster speeds, Wi-Fi 6/6E for better performance in crowded hotels and airports, and eSIM support so you can buy local data instantly without hunting for a physical SIM. Yes, your phone can tether—but dedicated hotspots deliver longer battery life, better range, and fewer interruptions so your calls, maps, and camera keep working while your laptop stays online.
If you only need to check email occasionally, phone tethering is fine. But if you travel frequently, run video calls from the road, or connect multiple gadgets, a dedicated hotspot is the more stable, secure choice.
CONTENTS
- Before you buy: 2025 buying guide for travel hotspots
- 6 best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots for international travelers
- Quick comparison table
- Setup, roaming & security tips (eSIM, bands, VPN, WPA3)
- FAQ
- How we choose
Before you buy: 2025 buying guide
- 5G (Sub-6) + LTE bands: For global trips, prioritize unlocked models with a wide band list. mmWave is rare overseas; Sub-6 is the practical win. Always confirm your destination bands.
- Wi-Fi 6/6E: Delivers higher throughput and lower latency in busy places; 6E adds the clean 6 GHz band (hotels/airports increasingly support it).
- eSIM + physical SIM: eSIM lets you buy local or regional data plans instantly; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano-SIM) is ideal for hopping between countries.
- Battery & ports: Look for 5,000–6,500 mAh or swappable packs, TS9 antenna ports, and Ethernet for hotel passthrough.
- Security: WPA3, simple guest SSID, and automatic firmware updates. A killswitch/VPN on your laptop is smart for public networks.
- Locked vs unlocked: Locked carrier hotspots are easy to use at home; unlocked models are best for international roaming flexibility.
- Costs: Consider plan fees and day passes. Unlocked + local eSIM is often cheaper than roaming.
Quick comparison table
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Our #1 Choice
NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro |
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Check on Amazon |
 |
Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G (carrier versions) |
|
Check on Amazon |
 |
NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 (unlocked) |
|
Check on Amazon |
 |
GlocalMe Numen Air 5G |
|
Check on Amazon |
 |
Solis Lite (day-pass hotspot) |
|
Check on Amazon |
 |
Verizon Jetpack / Orbic Speed 5G |
|
Check on Amazon |
The 6 best travel hotspots (2025)
1. NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro — Best overall (5G + Wi-Fi 6E)
Why we love it: The M6 Pro is the most versatile travel router you can buy: 5G Sub-6 + LTE with excellent band coverage, Wi-Fi 6E for congested environments, Ethernet for hotel/apartment passthrough, removable battery, and TS9 antenna ports. There’s a global unlocked version and U.S. carrier variants (AT&T).
- Pros: Fast, flexible, future-proof; Ethernet + external antennas; good battery life.
- Cons: Premium price; check exact variant for your destination bands.
Best for: Frequent flyers who want one device that works in the U.S. and abroad without compromises.
2. Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G — Best for Verizon / T-Mobile users
Carrier-branded versions of this hotspot (Verizon “5G UW”, T-Mobile) deliver excellent U.S. coverage, solid speeds, and strong battery life. It’s a great pick if you’ll mostly travel domestically and want carrier support, with occasional international roaming.
- Pros: Easy carrier setup; reliable U.S. 5G; good battery; Wi-Fi 6.
- Cons: Typically locked; roaming costs can add up; fewer bands than unlocked global units.
3. NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 (unlocked) — Best value 5G global
If you don’t need 6E but still want a fast 5G Sub-6 travel router with Ethernet and long runtime, the standard M6 is terrific value. Combine it with local eSIM plans for affordable data in most regions.
4. GlocalMe Numen Air 5G — Best eSIM-first global hotspot
Made for international travelers: dual-SIM (eSIM + nano-SIM), a slick app store for country/region data packs, and decent battery life. It’s not as fast as the M6 Pro but far more convenient for spontaneous trips.
- Pros: Buy data in-app; dual-SIM flexibility; compact.
- Cons: No Ethernet; speeds vary by local carrier; check supported bands carefully.
5. Solis Lite (formerly Skyroam) — Best no-setup day-pass option
Tap to get online in 130+ countries with pay-as-you-go day passes or monthly plans. Simple and dependable for casual travelers who value convenience over raw speed. Battery doubles as a power bank on some models.
- Pros: Dead-simple setup; wide coverage; day passes.
- Cons: Not the fastest; no Ethernet; speeds fluctuate by region.
6. Verizon Jetpack / Orbic Speed 5G — Best simple pick for Verizon families
Verizon’s branded hotspots remain a good choice if your household is already on Verizon and you prefer one bill and storefront support. Newer 5G models (vs the older AC791L) are much faster and support Wi-Fi 6.
- Pros: Easy account management; solid U.S. coverage.
- Cons: Locked to Verizon; international roaming can be pricey.
Setup, roaming & security tips
- Use eSIM when possible: Buy a country or regional data pack before landing; keep a physical SIM as backup. Learn more about eSIM on Wikipedia.
- Check bands: Look up your destination’s 4G/5G bands and match them to the hotspot’s spec sheet. This matters more than the “5G” label.
- Hotel Ethernet trick: With the M6/M6 Pro, plug hotel Ethernet into the hotspot, then broadcast your own WPA3 Wi-Fi for all your devices.
- Battery & flights: Carry spares in your cabin bag and review airline rules for lithium batteries (TSA guidance).
- Privacy: Enable WPA3, set a unique admin password, and use a trusted VPN on laptops when using public networks.
- Tether vs hotspot: Phone tethering is fine for short sessions, but dedicated hotspots avoid dropped calls, overheating, and battery drain on your phone.
FAQ
Will 5G work everywhere I travel?
No. Sub-6 5G is common in cities; rural areas often fall back to LTE. That’s fine—modern hotspots still perform well on LTE with carrier aggregation.
What’s the difference between locked and unlocked?
Locked devices tie you to one carrier’s SIM and plans. Unlocked lets you pop in local SIMs or use eSIMs for cheaper data abroad.
Do I need Wi-Fi 6E?
Not required, but great in congested areas (large hotels/airports). If your laptops/phones support 6E, you’ll see more consistent performance.
Can I use this as home internet?
You can, but data caps and deprioritization often make it expensive for heavy streaming. Treat it as a travel or backup connection.
How we choose
We prioritize wide band support, battery life, Wi-Fi 6/6E performance, Ethernet/antenna expandability, eSIM convenience, and proven reliability. We also factor total ownership cost (device + plans) and real traveler needs like size, UI, and security features.
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