Depending on the type of mobile router that you are purchasing, you can come across a variety of different features and specs that you can use to compare. Some of the things that you will want to consider include things such as the operating system, the processing power, the included features, as well as what the extra costs are and their availability. You should also find out how long your mobile router will be in use for and also how long it will give you to spend on it before you need to recharge it. As a result, you can also find out how much that you are getting for your money and also what are the costs of buying accessories to go along with your mobile router.
When I moved into my house, my apartment had an 18-month fibre-installed internet connection paid for. I needed to move immediately, but I was stuck with the contract. There was no way I could opt-out at that time as I would be wasting my energy, and the company wasn’t even paying attention because it amounted to them losing money. It was one of the most challenging times for me. Immediately, I recalled how I had ignored the ads about routers with sim slots because I didn’t think I would ever need them or be in a bind such as this.
I spent a lot of money both on regular internet bill for the house (since we already signed a contract) and keeping up with the agents that needed to find a new occupant for the apartment. However, I purchased a router with a sim slot a week after moving out, and I must say that life became much easier for me. I could carry my router any and everywhere and still get the connection on my devices. My data security was intact, and the relationship was considerably more robust on the mobile router than with the former house.
I make bold to say I never regretted buying a 4G router that has a sim slot because since it can use a standard sim, I can do whatever I want like putting the sim back into my smart devices like iPad, modems, smartphones, and more. So even if my router’s sim data is exhausted or there is a problem with the connection, I can insert my regular smart device sim and still enjoy limitless internet services.
Also, when I was on a vacation last year, I could still enjoy data services as my sim was activated for roaming. Although this option was quite expensive, it was worth the investment because the host country didn’t have efficient internet service.
Table of Contents
Top 10 4G Router With Sim Slot UK
NETGEAR UK AirCard Mobile Hotspot 4G Wifi LTE Router (AC797)
Welcome to the future! NETGEAR went all out on this 4G router, and the deal is the attached sim slot which makes it customizable to my preferred WLAN. Its relatively large 1.8 inch LCD screen displays the 2,900mAH battery consumption. The device can power downloads up to 400mbps speed, and there is absolutely no reason why anyone wouldn’t have the best experience with this device. Also, this router can connect up to 15(fifteen) smart devices plus there is a USB storage device attached to this router hence it can provide functions of both internet provision and file sharing and storage.
Features
- 1.8 inch LCD screen display
- 2,900mAH lithium-ion battery
- The small, lightweight device
Read More: Best Wifi Dongle UK
TP-Link M7350 UK 4G Portable Wifi with SD Card Slot
This wifi-box is built to support the recent 4G technology. This compact device can fit into your pocket and can be carried around everywhere one goes. It has a 2000mAH battery that can last for at most eight hours of usage. The router can accommodate local sims and can work in any country (more than 50 regions) and easily connects with the 2G/3G network.
If you want an extra storage option, this 4G router is equipped with an SD card slot, which holds as much as 32GB of memory. This device reaches an upload speed of 50mbps and a download speed of 150mbps. The LCD screen displays all the information you need about the device at a glance, and these include battery consumption, network strength, data usage, number of connected devices, and wifi status. As a person, I could not have asked for more from a mobile router.
Features:
- LCD screen display
- Unlocked sim card slot
- Plug and play system
- Micro SD card reader
- 2000mAH battery
- Charging port and short USB cable
Huawei E5576-320 (2020)-4G Sim Wifi Router
This low-cost network router has been a blessing, according to a friend of mine that travelled to Africa for a business meeting. I too can confirm that because I bought something similar after I gave out my original router and this 4G beauty from Huawei has it all.
When I travelled and spent some time in a hotel in Spain, the wifi repeater function ensured I still had a free connection from the hotel even when I went for a picnic down in the open. This compact pocket-size device allows the connection of up to 16 devices at a time and works for up to 6 hours. Also, if you choose to activate data roaming, this device has options to help cut down roaming charges for convenience. It doesn’t have a large display, but the lights indicate battery usage and network reception strength.
Features:
- Lithium polymer battery
- Wifi repeater function
- Pocket-sized
Huawei B311 2020-4G UK/ LTE 150 Mbps Wifi Speed
This is another beast from tech giants, Huawei. This 4G router with a sim slot works with any sim card and is powerful enough to connect not less than 32 devices at a time. It means a travel team can continue to work anywhere and have strong connections, even in areas of poor reception.
This router also has a gigabit Ethernet and an attached antennae interface. Documents and files can be downloaded with the speed of lightning (up to 150mbps), and the great thing is that this router works in most parts of the world including Asia, Africa, and across Europe.
Features:
- External antennae attachment
- Features a plug and play system
- Gigabit Ethernet ports
D-Link DWR-932 4G/3G Router With Sim Slot LTE Router
Talk about having value for our money, and we may be talking about D-link DWR 4G router. The pocket-sized device helps bring portable wifi to our tools and can connect multiple smart gadgets at the same time. A critical feature of this device is the built-in firewall that helps keep our connection free from cyber-attacks and also the WPA2 security type that ensures unauthorized access to your data connection.
Features:
- 2-year warranty
- Firewall
- for internet protection
- 2000mAH battery
Zyxel 4G LTE-A Portable 802 Router With Sim Card Slot
![Zyxel 4G LTE-A Portable 802. 11ac MiFi Hotspot Router Cat6 300Mbps Carrier Aggregation, 2800mAh battery, UK Plug [WAH7706]](https://149951528.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zyxel-4G-LTE-A-Portable-802.-11ac-MiFi-Hotspot-Router-Cat6-300Mbps-Carrier-Aggregation-2800mAh-battery-UK-Plug-WAH7706.jpg)
What I liked most about this 4G router is the availability of a sim slot and the extra SD card space for around 32GB of memory. It really can connect up to 32 devices without a hitch and can be used on the go. Download speed reaches up to 300mbps as well as 50mbps for upload speed. Its LCD shows connection strength, incoming messages, and battery usage.
Features:
- Power adapter
- Ethernet cable
- Warranty card
- 4 LAN ports
- Detachable aerial antennae attachments
NETGEAR High Speed Nighthawk MR1100 Mobile 4G Router
I like NETGEAR because of the lots of considerations they give to their products. This mobile router with a sim slot almost beats every imagination. It looks rugged and is, of course, rugged. The small LCD shows all the information at a glance, including the name of the operator in use, data usage, number of devices connected, and days left before the subscription expires. This router reaches a mind-boggling download speed of 1Gmbps, so you know downloads happen in seconds!
Twenty devices can be connected to this device at a time and still enjoy the excellent strength of browsing the internet plus. It has a USB port for sharing files and charging other devices. The 5,040mAH battery can work for a whole day!
Features:
- 2 inch LCD intuitive display
- Rugged build
- 5,040mAH battery
TP-Link TL-MR6400 300 Mbps 4G Mobile Router With Antenna
The good thing about this 4G router with a sim slot is that it is unlocked for any type of sim. Although it carries an antennae attachment, these are detachable, and you can share your wifi with multiple devices (32) at a time. The WLAN and LAN ports allow for flexibility, and you can enjoy an internet download speed of as much as 150 to 300mbps. The router doesn’t need configuration. All one needs to do is insert a loaded sim card and enjoy fast internet.
Features:
- Ethernet cable and port
- Installation guide
- Power adapter
Tenda 4G680 4G Mobile SIM Slot 300Mbps Wifi Router With Antenna
As a traveller, I would recommend this device for people like me because it works in more than 140 countries. It has a download speed reaching 150mbps and an upload speed of almost 50mbps. The current 4G tech router is unlocked to work with any sim and hence is a plug and play system. The LAN and WLAN ports offer options for mobility, and it also has an installed data usage limiter to help the user save more.
Features:
- Detachable antenna
- Network strength indicator
- Data usage limiter
- VoLTE voice service
TP-Link High Speed 150 Mbps 3G/4G Router with SIM Card Slots
The last item I decided to add to the list is this robust travel router from TP-Link. Compatible with both 3G and 4G network sims, this router is everything that speaks value for money. It also has ports for Ethernet cables in case you are not travelling anytime soon. It can be powered by a PC and once connected, one can enjoy download speeds of up to 150mbps.
Features:
- Single-button control
- Ethernet cable
- IP QoS control
Buying Guide 4G Router With Sim Slot UK
A router connects your several internet-enabled devices to our modem. This principally means that while a modem fixes the internet into our home space, our devices can only connect to this internet via a router. This was the story many years ago. It was impossible to use a SIM card in devices that weren’t a smartphone. IoT devices, mobile routers, and tabs were all devices that wouldn’t use anything besides a broadband sim. As time passed, more powerful routers were made that didn’t need a modem anymore to transfer the internet to devices. These devices had the functionalities of a modem and a router in one device.
These days, since 2018, after the Ofcom ruling of the same year, it became possible to have regular sim cards used in routers. Thanks to the EU’s OIAR (Open Internet Access Regulation), net neutrality allows any equipment or device to have uninhibited access to their network for as long as necessary. As the years rolled by, 3G and 4G routers with sim slots became a thing. For being internet and tech-savvy, I have had my own experiences with these devices. Let me share one with you.
For a tech-savvy like me, it may be easy to identify what I want from a 4G router with a sim slot. However, it might be difficult for others. That is why I have chosen to take it upon myself to help people who are interested in finding alternative means to internet broadband and want internet on the go.
While not all of the routers that you will come across will be of high quality, you can use this guide to compare the different models and see the ones that match your needs the best. The best mobile router for your mobile device will be the one that works the best in your particular environment. For instance, if you are out camping in the woods, you will not want to use a USB port with your mobile router that you got from your mobile carrier. Instead, you would want to use the USB port that you have with your computer to upload photos to Facebook. When you go to a park to relax, you would not want to use the router that comes in the package with your portable hotspot. Instead, you would want to use a mobile router that has access to the internet.
If there is a pay-as-you-go internet data plan, there will be no means of suffering the considerable loss and wastage I suffered when I continued paying for a broadband contract in the home I left. I would have used the money to do something much better. Still, I. Still, I wouldn’t want anyone else to suffer what I did because buying an inefficient router may just cause as many expenses as the wasteful contract I involved in.
Here is what you need to know if you want to buy a 4G router with sim slot:
- DATA AND COST
- Multi-Sim Compatibility
The biggest mistake would be to get a router that is unclocked to support multiple sims. If internet speed is your priority, you might need options, and ask your vendor for a router that meets this specification as a step on the right track.
Traffic Priority
You may want to create priority traffic over your internet connection. If this is your interest, you should look out for routers that offer the function. With real-time apps, prioritizing traffic might be the difference between an excellent and mediocre experience.
Reduced connection costs
A wireless connection may not be vital, but it takes a lot of bucks to establish wired internet connectivity. If the business is a small one, or for just home use, a wireless connection should do the trick.
INFORMATION STORAGE AND REUSAGE
Data stored from router cache can be easily reused when necessary. When data over the network is cached, getting the information again or opening the page can become more comfortable and faster. I would lookout for a router with this technology.
How to Choose a Best Router
While most people know that they should be able to buy a decent mobile router to go along with their mobile device, many of them may not know which one is going to work best for their needs. While it is important to consider the differences in the devices that you can choose, you should also be considering your needs, because these things may vary. When deciding on a mobile router, you should consider the following things:
Operating System
Operating System are very important and there are a lot of different versions to choose from. To determine what type of device you have, you should check your manufacturer’s website for the specific mobile device you have.
Mobile data speeds
Whether you are using WiFi or 4G, you should be considering the mobile data speeds that are available. For instance, if you are using WiFi, you should consider getting the model that has the most 5G ready capabilities.
Speed
As the price of mobile internet access increases, it may be worth considering purchasing a mobile hotspot to take advantage of the best that it has to offer.
Power consumption
If you are using a mobile hotspot, you will not want to use it for very long. If you want to utilize the best of the best, you should consider getting a model that has the lowest amount of power consumption that it has to offer.
How Has Routers With Sims Helped Us So Far?
Traditionally, routers are connected to modems, and it beeps away while bringing the internet connectivity into smart devices like phones and tablets. However, since they can now have sim slots, here are a few advantages that we enjoy for having them:
- I was sure of having an internet connection anywhere, and everywhere I went.
- I could connect as many devices as I had at a time. Even without sim cards in the connected devices, I could relate at least five devices at a time.
- Any sim worked with the router – I used a local sim once, and it worked just fine.
Being tech-savvy, before I bought my current router after doing a lot of research online. I have decided to make it less hectic for my readers by outlining some of the best routers with a sim slot I found in the UK and narrow down the options.
I had to pay a small fee to get this router, and I loved the flexibility it offered me because since I was mostly on the road, I could do my work and do online research anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a phone sim be used for a 4G router?
Yes. Nowadays, a local phone sim works with any device, including tablets, and routers.
Is 4G faster than internet broadband?
It depends on the location. Anywhere that fibre optics are found such as cities, towns, or urban areas, broadband tends to be faster than 4G.
Is 4G good for online gaming?
The answer would have been no but these days, since the improvement in 4G, uploads can become much faster and can offer considerable gaming speed.
Conclusion
There are a plethora of companies out there advertising data contracts and router with 4G sim slots. Before I purchased mine, I was sure that a particular unit was already sim unlocked; that way, I could use anyone that favours me depending on my location. After leaving my old apartment, I got a job at the embassy that meant I had to travel often to Africa and the middle east. If I had relied solely on my phone sim data, I wouldn’t have been able to carry my team along, and it would have been expensive.
However, when I bought the NETGEAR AIRCARD ROUTER (which I strongly recommend), I had all the data sharing expenses covered for my team throughout the trip. HUAWEI 4G ROUTER is also the best value for my money product. And I also got cheap deals that meant I paid less for the excellent services I enjoyed.
We do hope that our review of the best 4G routers has not only broadened your view on the subject but that it has given you a clear idea as to what you should look out for when purchasing a router.
