Best Mobile Hotspots for Gaming

These devices will help yous game online from pretty much anywhere

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A mobile hotspot is a neat way for gamers to access the internet remotely, so they can play from just about anywhere y'all tin can go a cell point. Here are four mobile hotspots to consider if you're on the AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon networks.

There's goose egg wrong with playing a video game all alone (heaven knows I've spent a million hours playing Concluding Fantasy games by myself). Just we're in the 2020s now, and to get the all-time gaming feel you'll want to get online to play with others.

The easiest way to get online is to have a nifty dwelling house internet service. Simply if that's not an option for y'all because yous're in a rural area or you're constantly on the go, so you should invest in a quality mobile hotspot device that will keep you gaming from coast to coast.

Nosotros're going to review the hotspot devices that will keep y'all in the game, no thing where you are.

What to look for in a mobile hotspot

Before nosotros jump into the reviews, we should apace become over how dedicated mobile hotspots work.

Most mobile hotspots will simply work with a specific network. For example, the Nighthawk LTE that we're nearly to talk about only works on AT&T—unless you manage to unlock the device, in which case it may piece of work on T-Mobile, simply you lot shouldn't count on that. And then you'll want to make sure that the device y'all're buying is on a network you like.

You'll also want to brand sure that the network has a great mobile hotspot plan that gives you plenty data to fuel your gaming habit. Without that, the device is just a useless (and expensive) plastic brick.

Best operation: NETGEAR Nighthawk LTE

A premium accommodating hotspot for gamers on AT&T

Nighthawk LTE

Pros

  • Fast speeds

  • Nifty battery life

  • Uses AT&T network

  • Sleek design

What we like

If you're looking for a solid, reliable, and fast mobile hotspot, then the sleek NETGEAR Nighthawk LTE should definitely be on your list of devices to consider. Let's talk through the details.

Fast speeds

The Nighthawk can reach a whopping speed of one,000 Mbps. But that'southward similar saying yous can drive 1,000 miles per hr on the autobahn. It's technically possible, but no one is really going that fast. More probable, y'all'll finish up getting speeds around 30–40 Mbps.

Simply that's enough of speed for gaming. You shouldn't experience whatsoever latency or lag with that kind of speed on most games. Of course, if y'all're a pro gamer (or want to become one), then you might want to invest in a super-fast 5G hotspot, which nosotros'll review in a moment here. Otherwise, the Nighthawk will exercise the play tricks.

Want to get the best telephone plan for your hotspot?

Battery life

There's not much point in having a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot if it dies afterward merely a couple hours of use. Luckily, you tin can count on the Nighthawk LTE for a full 24 hours. That'southward enough time to play like 150 matches in Telephone call of Duty. Nice.

Works on AT&T network

Nighthawk LTE users will take to be on the AT&T network. Simply if y'all've got to exist stuck on one mobile network, AT&T ain't a bad choice.

AT&T's network has great coverage (coming in simply behind Verizon) and fast information speeds (abaft T-Mobile by just a few Mbps). Gamers shouldn't have an issue finding fast and reliable speeds with the Nighthawk on the AT&T network.

Sleek pattern

This is the terminal thing we'll say well-nigh the Nighthawk, we promise. We simply accept to mention that it's a beautifully designed hotspot. This little black foursquare looks and feels like class-A technology, which information technology is. Then you can expect fashionable while you're pwning the n00bs.

What nosotros don't like

What could nosotros possibly complain about? Oh, wait, nosotros found something: the price!

Pricey

If you buy the Nighthawk LTE mobile hotspot at retail cost, nosotros've seen the cost vary from $290 to about $350. That's a lot of dough, specially considering the fact that you'll have to pay for your monthly data plan on elevation of that.

Only if y'all're signing up for a new unlimited data programme to power your hotspot, you might be able to cutting a deal. For case, if you lot get the AT&T Unlimited Extra plan (featured below), you tin get the Nighthawk LTE for as little equally $eight.34 a month. Woohoo! You've got to honey payment plans.

Best cost: Alcatel LinkZone 2

A cheap hotspot for those on T-Mobile'southward network who don't need the fastest speeds

Alcatel LinkZone 2

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Great network

Cons

  • Weaker modem

  • Inconvenient design

What we similar

T-Mobile'south network has been beefing up since its merger with Sprint. But the company'southward mobile hotspot device options haven't changed. The Alcatel LinkZone ii is yet the company's flagship device, and while information technology isn't amazing, information technology is affordable.

Affordable

With a price hovering around $90, the Alcatel LinkZone 2 is less than one-half the cost of other flagship hotspot devices, similar the Nighthawk (which we just talked almost) and the Jetpack 8800L (which we'll review in a moment).

If you're looking for a good-enough device to concord you over until you switch to 5G, then this is the manner to become.

Is your phone nib eating up too much of your paycheck?

Money

High-end unlimited data plans come with tons of perks, but they aren't inexpensive. If you want to save on your telephone bill, check out these plans. They may not have quite every bit much data, but they'll exercise the fox for plenty of folks.

Great network

The LinkZone two will work on T-Mobile'southward network. That now includes folks who are still on retired Dart plans and those who use T-Mobile MVNOs, similar Metro. T-Mobile's network actually has the fastest 4G LTE information speeds in the industry.

Of course, your data speeds will vary depending on where you're located and what kind of plan yous're using.

What nosotros don't like

Equally y'all might expect, there are some drawbacks to this budget device. Allow's review the not-so-great features of the Alcatel LinkZone 2.

Weaker modem

Having a fast mobile network is only part of the speed equation when it comes to mobile hotspots. The other part of the equation is your device's modem. Unfortunately, the LinkZone 2 sports a less advanced modem than its competitors.

This device uses the Qualcomm MDM9207 chipset. This means you lot'll probable get a top speed of well-nigh 30 Mbps, even though T-Mobile's network is capable of much higher speeds.

xxx Mbps is going to be enough for some casual gaming in WoW or Minecraft. Simply if you're a competitive Fortnite player, then you might desire to go with another device on this list.

Inconvenient blueprint

We've got 1 more complaint about the LinkZone two: the pattern. This hotspot doesn't come with a touch screen. In fact, information technology doesn't even have a display screen. Instead, you take to use a web portal to see what'due south going on with the hotspot, change settings, and troubleshoot problems.

Best coverage: Verizon Jetpack 8800L

A top-notch Verizon hotspot with amazing coverage and tons of perks

Jetpack 8800L

Pros

  • Powerful modem applied science

  • Amazing network coverage

  • Tons of features

  • Skilful battery life

Cons

  • Pricey

  • Cheap-looking build

What we similar

Verizon easily takes the prize for the all-time coverage in the nation. Then, if your gaming life takes you into rural areas, state parks, and other out-of-the-way places, so the Jetpack MiFi 8800L on Verizon'due south network will be the hotspot for yous.

Here's everything we beloved near the device.

Powerful modem technology

The Jetpack utilizes a powerful Qualcomm X20 modem. This modem is equipped with all kinds of fancy features, like Licensed Assisted Access, 5GHz frequency, and tons of compatible bands. To put that into plain English: this puppy is fast. Very fast.

Astonishing network coverage

We already told you that Verizon'due south network (on which the Jetpack 8800L functions) has the best mobile coverage in the nation, but you don't have to take our word for it. Only cheque out this coverage map.

As you can run across, Verizon will get you 4G LTE coverage in every major metropolis and in tons of rural areas too. Are y'all playing Destiny ii in your RV during a road trip? Yes, I am, thank yous very much.

Tons of features

Having a bunch of fancy features on your mobile hotspot is not the most of import affair. Just it sure is nice.

The Jetpack 8800L comes with a touch screen, ii external antenna ports and ii USB ports. That's all very nice, but it's the internal features that are really great.

This device comes equipped with a built-in GPS, VPN customer, and firewall. Yous'll get security features like port forwarding, port filtering, and MAC filtering. Plus, you tin create multiple Wi-Fi networks. Now that'south what I phone call a hotspot device.

Skilful bombardment life

Ane final positive annotation Jetpack hotspot: information technology's got pretty impressive battery power. Yous should become about 15 hours of juice on this device, plus it'due south easy to charge pretty much anywhere using the USB-C port.

Can you supplant your home net with a mobile hotspot?

Light Bulb

If it's hard to find a reliable abode net provider in your surface area, then you may desire to consider ditching wired internet altogether. Just make sure y'all take a data plan that can handle it.

Another choice is to bank check out satellite internet providers.

What nosotros don't like

There'southward plenty to dearest well-nigh the Jetpack 8800L, but that doesn't hateful it'south flawless. The biggest upshot that nigh folks will have with the device is the price tag.

Pricey

At $200+ dollars, the Jetpack 8800L is on the expensive side for 4G LTE hotspot devices. It's almost equally pricey as buying an Xbox One, and you can't even play Assassinator'due south Creed: Valhalla on it!

There is one way to save some dough on the Jetpack, and that's to go a new unlimited information plan from Verizon. The visitor volition normally disbelieve the hotspot device by about $100 when you sign upwards.

All-time 5G hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW

A super-fast hotspot for those who live in an area with Verizon's 5G coverage

Image of Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW mobile hotspot

Pros

  • 5G speeds

  • Connect upwardly to 30 devices

Cons

  • Expensive

  • 5G coverage is limited

What we similar

People accept been talking about 5G technology for a while now, simply, to exist honest, it hasn't always lived up to the hype. However, that'south starting to alter. 5G coverage is expanding across the nation and new 5G devices are being released, like the Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW—sheesh, that's a long name, so we'll just telephone call it the M2100 for short.

Hither's what nosotros beloved about the M2100.

5G speeds

The most obvious advantage of having a 5G hotspot (and a 5G capable mobile programme to fuel information technology) is the lightning fast speeds. How fast, y'all inquire? Try 1,000 Mbps. Yep, a recent speed test in Denver recorded Verizon 5G speeds at 988.37 Mbps. That'due south similar 30 times faster than 4G LTE speeds.

To exist very articulate: you volition non get those kinds of speeds everywhere. In fact, most of the nation is not equipped with the necessary millimeter-wave infrastructure for information technology, and some rural areas probably never will be.

Just there is another kind of 5G, called ultra-wideband, that you'll be able to choice up in more areas. This will still deliver very fast information speeds, simply they won't exist anywhere almost the gigabit speeds that you tin go in some urban settings.

Connect upwardly to xxx devices

Normal defended mobile hotspot devices can tether to a few other devices—like four or five—only this powerful car can tether to up to thirty devices! Aye, you lot can keep an entire home, function, or classroom connected with this puppy.

What nosotros don't similar

So the M2100 is conspicuously a powerful hotspot. Just there are some downsides to jumping on the 5G bandwagon this early in the game.

Expensive

The Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW will cost yous a cool $400. Yes, y'all read that right, this hotspot costs four Benjamins, 400 clams, forty grand pennies—or well-nigh the same toll every bit a PS5.

While this might seem outrageous for such a modest device, it'due south actually cheaper than the contest (which would be NETGEAR Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro). This is only what happens when y'all're on the cutting edge of a new engineering. For many people, it will be worth waiting a few years until prices are lower and 5G networks are more robust. Speaking of 5G networks …

5G coverage is limited

As we mentioned above, 5G'south awesome speeds are tempered past its limited range. In most parts of the state, you won't get a real 5G betoken. Instead, your M2100 volition pick upwards 4G LTE indicate. While that signal will all the same do the trick for most casual gaming, it'southward not the reason you shelled out then much cash for this fancy device.

Alternative options for 5G hotspot: your phone

If you're not gear up to invest in a standalone 5G hotspot, but you all the same want those sweet 5G speeds, and so you might want to upgrade your phone instead. The newest lines of phones from Apple, Samsung, Google, and other companies are equipped with 5G engineering, which means you can turn them into mobile hotspots.

The biggest downside to these devices is—you guessed it—the price. 5G phones can price more than a grand. So make sure you check for the latest deals on new phones before you brand a buy.

Recap: What'southward the best gaming hotspot for you?

And then, which of these hotspots is best for keeping you online while you game? Nosotros'll do a quick epitomize to aid you decide.

  • Best performance: The NETGEAR Nighthawk LTE mobile hotspot offers keen speeds, long bombardment life, and access to AT&T's wide mobile network. It's the perfect all-around option.
  • All-time cost: The Alcatel LinkZone 2 costs significantly less than other leading hotspots and information technology volition go y'all on T-Mobile'southward lightning fast network. If you're willing to forgo some special features and put up with older modem technology, this is the manner to go.
  • All-time coverage: The Verizon Jetpack 8800L connects you lot to Verizon'due south incredible mobile network. With this hotspot you'll go the best coverage bachelor, and plenty of other neat features, like long battery life, born VPN, and top-notch modem technology.
  • Best 5G hotspot: Those who are ready to swoop into the 5G world should check out the Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW. It may price a pretty penny, just this device will claw y'all up to network speeds that are probably faster than your home broadband connection.

Hopefully we've helped you figure out your next hotspot without too much hassle so that you can get back to more important things (similar playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive). Don't forget to pick up a groovy mobile hotspot programme to become forth with your new device!

* Amazon.com Price as of 1/27/21 x:15 a.m. (MT). Product prices and availability are authentic as of the date/fourth dimension indicated and are discipline to modify. Any price and availability data displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Reviews.org utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'Equally IS' AND IS Discipline TO Alter OR REMOVAL AT Whatever TIME.

Easton Smith

Written by

Easton Smith

Easton has worked equally a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more than Terms of Use contracts than any homo alive. When he'due south not sitting in front of a computer, Easton spends his time camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

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