Your On-The-Go Savior: Mobile Hotspots
At Wifi Map we give you access to thousands of connections around the world, but sometimes you need a constant connection not matter where you are, and that’s where mobile hotspots come in.
Mobile hotspots allow you to bring WiFi with you on vacation, at remote client meetings, in a taxi and wherever else your heart desires. It’s a portable device that you can connect your various devices to and can be a great investment if you need to be able to access WiFi at all times.
You may be thinking, why would I purchase a physical hotspot when I can just use my mobile device as a hotspot? There are actually a few significant benefits of using an actual hotspot over your phone:
Benefits of a Mobile Hotspot:
- Save Battery: Using your phone for your different devices can drain your battery significantly. While it is a quick fix, it won’t last long if you need more consistent usage.
- Save Valuable Data: If you’re on a fixed data plan, tethering your phone to your laptop or other devices can quickly use up a lot of your data plan. Having a separate WiFi connection can save you on your monthly phone plan.
- Increased Reliability: For those with unlimited data who don’t mind using up as much as necessary via their phone, your mobile connection won’t be as reliable as a physical mobile hotspot. People are known to have issues connecting to external devices from their phones, so it is a less consistent option.
How much does a mobile hotspot cost?
There are many options to choose from when picking a mobile hotspot, and the cost can vary from $50 to $200. Wirecutterand PCMag created a breakdown of the best ones to purchase, which includes providers like Verizon and AT&T. You should consider a few things before choosing which one you would like to purchase:
- Battery Life:The battery life of a mobile hotspot can vary significantly, from as little as 7 hours to over 20 hours. If you’re someone who wants to be able to have a longer connection or travel a lot, a high battery option is a better choice.
- Service Provider:Choosing a service provider that has the best connection in the areas you live and work helps to ensure coverage. You don’t want to be stuck with a plan that is slow and unreliable in your region.
- Areas Covered:If your primary use for a hotspot is travel abroad, you need to make sure the one you choose has areas covered abroad. A lot of plans cover Canada and Mexico, but for a wider range of countries you need to double check that your plan will include that area.
Still not sure if you’re ready to invest? Check out “The Cheapest Mobile WiFi Hotspot Plans” on 20SomethingFinance for an exact breakdown of current providers and costs.