Referred to by a variety of different names including pocket wi-fi, portable wi-fi, or mi-fi, these are small, mini routers that can be carried anywhere. They are particularly popular with those who spend a lot of time away from home, whether they have a long commute, love jet setting or travel regularly for business purposes, as they allow you to connect to the internet on the move. Check out these wireless router reviews.
Unsure if you could benefit from a portable pocket wi-fi router? Here are some of the main reasons to consider buying a mobile router.
Connect Multiple Devices
Allowing you to stay online on the go, portable routers are able to connect multiple devices at any given time. This means whether you need to use your phone, tablet, laptop, or all of them at once, a portable router can act as a hotspot, allowing you to connect all of them at the same time. So, as long as you can get 4G signal, you can browse, download and stream as required. Alternatively, connect an RS ethernet cable and you can turn your pocket router into a wired network.
Save On Additional Tariffs
Depending on the kind of devices you use to access the internet, if you want to be able to access the web when travelling, you may need to invest in a data tariff for each one. This is where a pocket router can be both convenient and cheaper, meaning you only need to pay for one data plan. Simply connect devices straight to the router and use wherever you need it.
No More Roaming Charges
Your current mobile phone provider may offer free roaming across Europe, so you can enjoy the same prices and perks as you usually do at home. However, many still add daily charges when using data outside of the EU. Fortunately, a mobile router means you can take your devices with you when you travel, so you only have to pay one set of roaming charges, rather than being subject to additional expense across different tariffs.
Enjoy Additional Storage
In addition to providing internet access, many personal routers accept microSD cards. This allows you to increase the amount of storage you have on the go, while also allowing each of your connected devices to access the documents and images on the SD card. This prevents you from needing to upgrade storage across all of your devices.
Access a Secure Connection
No matter where you are travelling, you are likely to come across public wi-fi networks. While these can be handy, because a public network can be accessed by anyone, they are also unsecure which could leave your personal data at risk. Instead, a portable router offers a higher level of security, helping to keep your browsing sessions safe.
Make Your Battery Last Longer
Lastly, continually turning on roaming on connecting to your phone’s 4G can result in fast loss of power. By connecting to a pocket router instead this could help to save your battery, allowing you to use your devices for longer periods between charges.