Today, modern technologies are becoming more and more firmly established in our lives and devices for mobile communication are increasingly being used. The presence of portable equipment that allows you to connect to the Internet in any conditions has become commonplace. You can go online outside the city, in transport, distribute Wi-Fi in the country. But this requires a portable Wi-Fi router.

What kind of device and why is it needed?

A router or it is also called a router is a wireless type device for connecting wireless access (wi-fi) to the Internet. It is designed to solve many problems, but the main one can be called an organization local network access to Internet resources. Some models may support not only signal transmission to different speed, but also a wired interface.

This router is designed to communicate with global network, which makes it possible to effectively distribute Internet traffic, and you can also use alternative paths between network nodes. If you have an Ethernet cable (don't forget if you set it up yourself), connect a portable one and organize wireless access for many devices. And in nature or in the country, use a device with a SIM card and get communication from mobile operator.

How to choose

Before you buy a portable Wi-Fi router, you need to decide on the parameters that will allow you to purchase the model you need. The main criteria include:

• Type of WAN ports. This indicator should correspond to your home Internet. If it is incorrect, then the device simply will not work. Most often, the equipment works on the basis of a SIM card from a mobile operator. An example is the portable Wi-Fi routers Beeline, Megafon or MTS.
• Signal speed is one of the important characteristics of a router. If you buy a portable Wi-Fi router, the price of which does not exceed 1000 rubles, then the speed will be somewhere in the range up to 150 Mbps. This option is suitable when used on 1-2 devices. At a cost of over 1500 rubles, you can count on speeds over 300 Mbps.
• The frequency of the routers. Here are two options from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz. Since today routers are present in almost every apartment, the 2.4 GHz frequency can be overloaded and the signal transmission speed may suffer from this. Using a frequency of 5 GHz allows you to get a free frequency without interference. It is also possible to purchase a device that can support several frequencies at once.

Rating portable wi-fi routers

Among the models that, according to Yandex Market reviews, are very popular can be noted.

In the usual user's view, a router is a device that receives the Internet from a provider via cable, and then distributes it via air or wires to client devices. However, there is a separate type of routers that are not tied to a cable and work wherever there is cellular network coverage. These are portable (pocket) Wi-Fi routers. What is it and why are they needed, we will tell in this article.

Types of routers

There are three main types of routers:

• Ethernet routers. This is the type of routers familiar to most users that connects to the provider via a twisted pair cable. A special cable is brought to your apartment or office, which provides data reception and transmission at speeds up to 100 megabits per second. This cable connects to a router, which then distributes the Internet to your computer, laptop and smartphone. Older models were not equipped with a Wi-Fi module, so client devices were also connected to them using a twisted pair cable. Modern devices operate in wireless network mode and can be connected to them over the air.
• ADSL routers. They are a hybrid of an ADSL modem and a router. They receive internet from a telephone line and then distribute it via cable or Wi-Fi.
• LTE router. This is a portable portable router that works in 3G and 4G mobile networks. This router does not need wires. It receives the Internet over the air in the coverage area of ​​the mobile operator, and then distributes it over the air to other mobile devices in the same way.

Just about the third type of routers and will be discussed.

Why you need a pocket router

Today, mobile Internet is still expensive and the most expensive in comparison with the wired data transfer method. However, it is indispensable on the road or, for example, outside the city in the country, where a wired connection is not available. Wherever there is coverage of your mobile operator, the Internet will work one way or another.

Almost all mobile users use mobile Internet on their phones. To do this, you do not need to purchase additional devices - any modern smartphone does an excellent job with this task. Then why do you need a pocket Wi-Fi router?

Consider the main reasons for using:

• A portable router allows you to organize access to the Internet from several devices at once, regardless of which tariff of which operator is used for them. And even on those devices that are not connected to the mobile network, for example, on tablets without a built-in 3G function.
• All devices connected to such a router use the Internet within the tariff package installed on it. That is, if an unlimited package is paid for on the router, it will be unlimited for all devices connected to it. No need to separately pay unlimited for each smartphone.
• You can connect not only a smartphone or tablet to a portable router, but also any device equipped with a Wi-Fi module. For example, a laptop. And it is comfortable to use the Internet where there is no access to the services of cable providers.

At the same time, pocket routers weigh a little, are compact and can long time work at the expense of the rechargeable battery, which makes them truly mobile.

Main technical characteristics

In general, portable Wi-Fi routers work in the same way, but differ in their technical specifications:

• Communication standards. Mobile routers operate in CDMA, GSM, UMTS, 4G LTE networks. There are routers that support several standards. There are sharpened under a specific standard.
• Transfer rate. Depends on the communication standard and model used. It can be 3.1 Mbps or up to 14-16 Mbps. There are routers with higher speeds - 42.2 Mbps in 3G networks and up to 300 Mbps in 4G networks. However, most operators today are not yet able to provide such a speed.
• Radius of action. Depending on the model, the Wi-Fi signal coverage of a portable router can be from 10 to 30 meters.
• Battery Life. Depends on the capacity of the battery and can be from 2 to 15 hours.
• Work via USB cable as a modem. All routers can connect to a computer via a USB port, but not all models can distribute the Internet to a computer via a USB cable.
• Maximum number of connections. In budget models, the number of simultaneously connected users is usually limited to four. In more expensive ones, it can reach 10-15.
• External antenna. Majority pocket wifi routers have a connector for connecting an external antenna. This allows you to use the device in a bad signal area.
• File Server. Modern portable routers are equipped with a slot for connecting an SD memory card and can be used as a network storage device.
• Support for RUIM cards(similar to SIM in mobile phones). On some mobile routers, data on the number and connection parameters are flashed in the device itself, and changing the operator in this case is not so easy. This requires a flashing in the service center. In models with support for RUIM cards, it is enough to simply replace the card as in a regular mobile phone.

Choice of operator and communication tariff

Today, all Russian mobile operators provide 3G/4G Internet services. Also, users are offered a wide range of tariffs from budget to unlimited on an all-inclusive basis. The choice of operator and tariff depends on how often and where you plan to use the mobile Internet.

Consider the main telecom operators:

• MTS. The main advantage of this operator is a large selection of tariffs. As well as a large coverage map. The Internet speed of MTS is not higher than that of other operators, and in small towns the Internet is often very slow. Of the main disadvantages - price policy. This is the most expensive operator to date.
• Beeline. This operator will please relatively low prices. However good speed Internet is available only in large cities and their suburbs.
• Megaphone. By far the fastest provider mobile internet. Guarantees stable work in large cities. Constantly expands the coverage area by increasing the number of base stations. Of the minuses - the price of the service is not the lowest.
• Tele 2. It cannot boast of good coverage due to the small number of base stations. However, where there is coverage, the Internet works stably and at high speed. At the same time, the prices for services are quite democratic.

First of all, when choosing an operator, you should make sure how well it works in your area.

If you plan to use the mobile Internet in the city, then you don’t have to bother with this - in most large settlements There are no problems with the work of mobile operators. However, if the Internet is needed in the country or for trips to the countryside, it is worth checking the coverage of which providers are available there. The best option is to take the router for testing. Many stores provide this service. In this case, you can check the quality of the connection on the spot.

As for the tariff, it all depends on how often you use it. If the Internet is needed for a trip to the country for the weekend or for business trips, then paying an expensive monthly tariff does not make sense. Get a daily rate package. For example, Internet XS from Megafon. If you need the Internet all the time, especially if the mobile router is yours the only way connection to the network, then you should think about purchasing an unlimited package. True, they are not cheap.

Which is better to choose

There are many offers of mobile routers on the market. What to choose?

Basically, the functionality of portable routers is practically the same. Therefore, the choice should be guided by the following criteria:

• A pocket router means mobility. This means it can be used on long trips. That's why pay attention to battery capacity. The larger it is, the longer your device will be able to work autonomously. If you plan to use the router while traveling, you should choose a model with a battery capacity of at least 1500 milliamps. Such a battery guarantees you 4-5 hours of continuous operation. Also make sure that changing the battery on your device will not cause problems.
• Number of connections. If you plan to use a router to connect two or three devices, then this will not be a problem. The minimum number of connections on mobile routers is usually at least four. If your router will work in an office where many client devices are used, then it makes sense to purchase a more expensive model with connectivity more devices.
• Radius of action. If the router is always in your bag or pocket, this parameter does not matter much. But if you plan, for example, to use it in the country and want the signal to cover the entire area, then specify at what distance the connection to the router will be stable. Some routers are equipped with an additional antenna socket, to which you can connect an antenna that amplifies the Wi-Fi signal.
• Transfer rate. The quality of mobile Internet is constantly improving, so if you want to have access to the network at a good speed and your provider provides it, get a router that supports the desired speed.

Huawei E5776

Works on both 3G and 4G networks. It is equipped with a powerful battery with a capacity of 3000 milliamps, which provides autonomous operation of the device up to eight hours. Ten client devices can be connected to the router at the same time. The weight of the device is 150 grams.

TP-LINK M7350

A good router that also works in 3G / 4G mode. Equipped with a 2550 milliamp battery. The device is a compromise between price and quality. Suitable for most users. At the same time, its price is significantly lower than the previous model.

ZTE MF90

A budget router for users who do not have high requirements for such devices. This model has a minimalistic design and basic functionality. At the same time, it is equipped with a 2300 milliamp battery, thanks to which it can work up to 5 hours offline. Allows you to connect up to ten users at the same time. One of the minuses is the lack of a jack for connecting an external antenna.

The desire of a modern person to stay in touch and online continues to develop the market of gadgets, the purpose of which is to provide the user with the usual “conveniences” in the form of Internet access and wireless Wi-Fi connection. This is how USB modems for laptops and tablets appeared, which ensure the mobility of Internet users outside the apartment and office. Smartphones have also appeared that can switch to modem mode, distributing the Internet via a Wi-Fi signal. And one of the more modern and convenient options was a new gadget - a pocket Wi-Fi router.

What are the benefits of a pocket WiFi router?

• Ability to use anywhere where there is a cellular network.
• Compatible with almost any modern smartphones, tablets and other devices.
• Autonomy: thanks to the built-in battery, the router can work without an electrical network.
• The ability to use the Internet on multiple devices with only one SIM card.

If you want to buy a pocket wifi router, the price may puzzle you: the spread is quite large. So, we choose a pocket wi-fi router, the price will depend on the following points:

• battery capacity (on average, it is designed for 5-6 hours, maximum - 12);
• the ability to connect an external antenna to amplify the signal;
• gadget dimensions;
• manufacturer.

In addition, the price of a pocket Wi-Fi is not only the cost of a router, but also the price of the mobile Internet used to connect the gadget to the World Wide Web.

Wifire Mobile - Internet for a pocket Wi-Fi router

If you decide to buy a pocket wifi router, choose a profitable and high speed internet WiFi Mobile. It will work in the country and on a hike, on vacation and for a walk, on the territory of seven Russian regions, in 2G, 3G and 4G LTE networks.

Wifire Mobile - these are four tariffs for any budget and any traffic needs. You can choose a package from 1 GB to 36 GB, depending on how actively you use mobile Internet in life and work. The cost of Wifire mobile Internet starts from 150 rubles. per month. In addition, Wifire Mobile (mobile Internet) and Wifire Home (home Internet) subscribers have access to special, favorable conditions for connecting Wifire TV digital television.

FAQ

If you have already bought a pocket Wi-Fi router and want to purchase a SIM card for it, send an application through the website. The SIM card will be delivered to you by a courier, or you can pick it up yourself at the Wifire service office. After activating the SIM card, new opportunities will be opened for you with Wifire Mobile.

Tariffs and services of Net By Net Holding LLC may be changed by the operator. Complete actual information about tariffs and services - in the "tariffs" section or by calling the number indicated on the site.

This article will help those people who have heard about the existence of portable Wi-Fi routers, but do not fully understand what it is and what this device is intended for. Suitable for those who have already decided to purchase a portable Wi-Fi gadget, but do not know how to choose the right one among the many models on our market.

Let's start with what kind of device it is and about its areas of application.

A portable Wi-Fi router is a mobile device that receives a signal from the operator's network and re-eats the Internet over WiFi networks. You can connect to it any device that can receive the Internet via a Wi-Fi network (phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, TVs, IPTV players). Moreover, you can connect several devices at the same time. The portable Wi-Fi router operates in the 802.11 b/g/n standard (up to 150 Mbps). The range of the average model is 10-20 meters.

Portable routers can be used in cases where it is impossible to access conventional cable Internet and for trips to places with limited access to the Internet (to nature, fishing, to the country), going to a cafe, library, school. It is convenient to take with you on business trips, take with you for presentations. And most importantly, with such a device you can use the Internet even in the absence of electricity in the network.

Each device of this type has its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

• Suitable for Wi-Fi connection with almost all devices.
• Own battery, no need to connect additional power cords through other devices.
• Usually the tariff for the Internet is cheaper than on mobile phones, smartphones.
• Stable good Wi-Fi signal.
• The ability to use the router both at home and outside the city.

Flaws:

• You will have to carry another gadget in your pocket or purse.
• There is no auto-off mode (it's easy to forget to turn off the device after work).
• Short battery life from 2 to 5 hours, even for models with large batteries no more than 12 hours.
• Some models may work unstably in rooms, car interiors with high temperatures and high humidity. But this is a problem with many electronic gadgets.

Now you can move on to the purchase itself. How to choose the right device for you, because in our stores and sites there are now a lot that allows you to receive the Internet that is so necessary for us without wires. When choosing a portable Wi-Fi router, there are many factors to consider.

• Decide on the choice of provider (operator providing services). An important factor is the coverage of a particular mobile operator.
• The presence of a connector for connecting an antenna (to increase the signal strength of a portable device).
• Operating conditions, whether the device will be stationary or constantly moving with you. An important factor here is the dimensions, weight and autonomy (battery capacity) of a portable Wi-Fi router.
• Familiarize yourself with the operating instructions, technical characteristics and operating conditions of the device.

When buying in stores or communication salons, a sales manager will surely help you. And when buying in online stores, it is better to use the provided filters that will facilitate your choice. Or contact the online manager.

In previous articles, we have already talked about the fact that a mobile Wi-Fi router as a type of accessory has firmly entered our lives, and for some Internet users it has become almost an essential device. Nevertheless, the variety of models and their wide functionality continue to confuse those who first encountered the choice of such a device. How to understand which mobile Wi-Fi router is better? How to determine which of them performs its tasks most efficiently? But most of all, users are interested in which type of router is suitable for specific tasks and conditions of use?

First of all, you need to decide on the purpose of the purchase and the method of use.

In this article, we will look at the most popular features that a mobile Wi-Fi router provides, consider their most common types, and also try to help you choose the device that is most suitable for you.

First of all, it is convenient Internet access that does not tie you to a specific location, wires or sockets. For the greatest compactness and convenience, devices of this type have the most compact dimensions, which allow them to always remain with the user. The power source in the form of a battery is most often built into the router and provides a long operating time without additional recharging. Thus, wherever you go, wherever you are, on trips around the city, at an off-site conference, at a country house, on a business trip in a foreign country, the Internet will be with you. The only important condition is the availability of stable coverage by the networks of the mobile operator from which the device receives a signal.

The main advantage that any mobile router has, compared to modems and other tools for connecting mobile Internet, is the ability to broadcast a signal to several gadgets at once. Wi-Fi signal is considered to be the most universal type of data transmission today, and connection via this protocol supports the widest possible number of mobile devices. This gives a great advantage in cases where you have, for example, a laptop or tablet without the possibility of installing a SIM card, a smartphone, and so on.

Well, the third advantage, when buying and connecting a mobile router, can be called savings. It no longer makes sense to purchase several modems, several SIM cards for various mobile gadgets and pay for the Internet in each of them separately.

Varieties of mobile routers

All mobile routers are divided into several categories depending on the functions, data transfer technologies and additional features. You can choose the best of them only by considering everything and comparing the information received with personal needs and requests.

Conventionally, we will divide routers into several categories:

• the fastest, providing access to the network at maximum speed;
• the most powerful, capable of operating even in the most remote corners of the country, and due to the possibility of connecting an external antenna, receiving a signal even where there is no stable coverage by the operator's networks;
• universal devices capable of working with the largest number of networks and data transmission standards;
• low-cost models designed for daily use within a small area of ​​the user's movement, for example, within the same city.

Portable handheld devices for using mobile Internet

And now we will take a step-by-step look at each of these categories and try to identify the main advantages of each of them, which will help you decide which device is best for you.

High speed mobile routers

In cases where your router will be connected a large number of devices and each of them will require data transfer at the same time as the others, a fairly high connection speed will be required. If there are not so many devices, but the tasks of a mobile connection will include downloading large files, watching streaming video or broadcasting it to the network, then a high data transfer rate is certainly necessary. High data transfer rates are also required for online games, which have become widespread in recent years.

In order to get the most high speed data transfer, it is best to choose a router that supports LTE, EVDO Rev.B or UMTS / HSDPA networks. Such models can provide a connection at a stable speed from 7 to 25 Mbps, which will be enough for watching HD video in real time or broadcasting the most High Quality stream using such common programs and applications as Ustream, Twitch, YouTube and so on. The rest, less demanding tasks, will also be able to get sufficient connection speed.

Powerful routers with a plug-in external antenna

If you plan to use the router mainly outside the city, in the country or in a country house, if you are often on the road and the road runs in places where the cellular signal is not well received, then it is best to consider options for models with a connected external antenna. Its connection significantly improves the quality of signal reception, respectively, the connection speed also increases, which can suffer quite noticeably with an uncertain cellular network signal. Before buying a device, look at the coverage map of the mobile operator that will provide data transmission and make sure that there are base stations near the places where you plan to receive a signal.

Routers that have the ability to connect an external antenna most often work in networks that support the Rev.A standard. His throughput reaches 3–4 Mbps, which allows you to work with email, social networks and file sharing services such as Dropbox or OneDrive. In some cases, such routers make it possible to view online video of medium quality. Watching FullHD video in real time may cause some difficulties and delays in downloading the stream.

Universal routers working with several standards

For those users who travel a lot or regularly go on foreign business trips related to professional activity, the best option is a universal mobile network device with support for several data transfer standards. Among them may be support for CDMA and GSM networks.

The versatility of this type of device lies in the fact that a SIM card of a certain operator is installed inside it, which the user can quickly and independently change to any other. Arriving in any country in the world with such a router, the user will have the opportunity to purchase a SIM card from a local operator. This will provide more reliable reception of the local signal and more economical tariffs compared to roaming.

Affordable routers with basic features

This category of devices is more common than others. It presents the largest number of models and varieties. Finding them for sale is the easiest and they are relatively inexpensive. Such a distribution of affordable routers is due to the fact that even those users who live in big cities and rarely travel to other countries strive to have them in their arsenal of mobile devices.

You can use this type of mobile router at any time during the day, ensuring a stable connection to the network of all portable devices on the go, in the car or even outdoors. So far, the saturation of open Wi-Fi access points in the cities of the CIS is very low, so many users strive to have the Internet in their pocket, purse or backpack.

As a rule, routers of this class do not have the most capacious batteries, since their users regularly have access to a power outlet and do not need continuous operation of the device for several days. Such models most often have access to the network according to the Rev.A standard. A speed limit of 3-4 Mbps is often sufficient for current needs as users move between home and office. Such routers are used to maintain a connection to the network, but no more.

Outcome

Based on the information provided in this article, as well as your personal needs, you can easily choose the type of mobile router that will be a great help for you and provide the necessary speed and quality of the Internet connection. We wish you good luck in choosing a mobile router and hope that our material will be really useful for you.