A Guide to 4G Routers 2024

What are 4G routers?

A 4G router looks just like a standard home broadband router, though there are a few key differences. The main difference is that a 4G router uses 4G data signals to provide a WiFi connection, whereas standard home broadband uses copper or fibre cables to connect your home to a cabinet in your area. Often referred to as mobile broadband, it works in the same way your phone does, getting its internet connection through a SIM card which receives 4G data signals from a mobile network.

A big advantage of a 4G router is that you don’t need a phone line and there are no set-up costs to pay. You’re connected from the moment you receive your router - simply plug it in and connect to your 4G WiFi connection. Another advantage is that these hubs are portable. All you need is a plug socket and to be in an area with 4G coverage and you can access the internet.

On top of all this, mobile broadband often comes in flexible contracts that last anywhere from 30-days to 24-months. This is ideal if you’re looking for a short-term WiFi solution or are between homes and can’t commit to a long-term broadband contract just yet.

If a 4G hub sounds like an ideal internet set-up for you, we’ve explained everything you need to know about them, including a list of the best 4G routers on the market so that you can find the best option for you, well as answers to some key question about 4G home broadband.

How do 4G routers work?

4G routers operate similarly to phones in that they receive mobile data signals rather than using cables. This means that, unlike regular internet, there is no fixed-line or set-up process of any kind - it’s completely wireless. You simply plug in the router, insert your SIM card into the SIM slot and your connection goes live instantly.

4G internet speeds are roughly equivalent to lower-end fibre broadband speeds, which are highly competitive. Most mobile providers offer excellent 4G coverage, with up to 99% population coverage in the UK. Just keep in mind that 4G routers will only work effectively in areas where there is good 4G data coverage, so it’s not always an effective option.

Many mobile and internet providers also offer 5G routers. 5G WiFi is at least five times faster than 4G broadband, so it’s worth considering if you live in an area with coverage.

Can 4G replace home broadband?

This depends on your internet needs, but there are many advantages to having 4G internet instead of regular internet. Contract lengths for mobile broadband deals tend to be more flexible, with many 30-day deals available, plus your hub is in most cases portable. If you need a WiFi connection when travelling, 4G LTE internet is certainly a better option than regular internet.

There are, however, some inconveniences. Unlike most regular broadband packages, 4G mobile broadband sometimes sets limits on the amount you can download. A data cap may be an issue if you enjoy streaming, gaming or if you work from home and frequently download large files. In addition, standard home internet, while not necessarily faster, is for now more reliable and you will likely experience fewer drop-outs with a wired connection.

Overall, both 4G and regular home internet provide a good wireless internet connection, but you may find that one is more convenient than the other depending on your specific needs.

Types of 4G router

4G Routers with a SIM Slot

Operates similarly to a regular wireless router, but a 4G SIM card router converts the 4G LTE signal into WiFi through 4G antennas.

The data SIM is inserted into the SIM card slot (similar to a smartphone) through which it accesses the 4G network without the need for a fixed line.

Dual-SIM 4G Router

Dual-SIM hubs allow you to insert a second SIM which acts as a backup if there is ever an issue with the primary 4G network. The backup connection is usually 3G, which is slower but will ensure you’re not without WiFi if you suddenly can’t access 4G in your area.

4G MiFi Router

MiFi is a portable, battery-powered wireless router with a 4G WiFi connection. It works similarly to a hotspot and only requires a battery to work, so it’s convenient for when you’re on the go.

Use it when you’re travelling by train, bus, car, plane or simply when you’re out of the house and need a stable internet connection for a device such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or even games console.

What are the best 4G routers?

There are multiple 4G internet hubs on the market, all of which offer slightly different features. We’ve put together a list of some of the best, including those from major network providers such as Three, EE and Vodafone, as well as some less well-known brands. By comparing, you can ensure you choose the best option for you. Here are some of the most sought-after 4G routers on the market:

Now we’ll go take you through some of the best 4G routers in a little more detail:

Three 4G Hub

Three’s 4G router is a Cat12 product and one of the quickest LTE broadbands on the market - with an upload rate of up to 150Mbps and a download download of up to 600Mbps. Be aware that your speeds will depend on the signal and network coverage in your area and will only reach these speeds if they are specified in your deal.

That said, it is definitely one of the most powerful 4G routers, offering four ethernet ports for a wired connection (recommended for streaming and gaming in 4K). There are also two external antenna ports and this hub can support up to 64 connected WiFi-enabled gadgets at the same time.

Three just released the Three 4G Hub Plus, which is a more advanced version of this one. Three also offers a 5G router with the potential to deliver up to 1,000Gbps. This means you’ll suffer from less lag while streaming and gaming and increased user capacity.

4GEE Home Router 3

This is EE’s latest 4G home hub, which supports up to 64 connections at once across a 30-metre bandwidth radius. It’s a sleek-looking hub with four ethernet ports for a wired connection, which will help maintain quick and stable internet access. EE doesn’t advertise its maximum download and upload rates but it seems they can compete with Three’s because EE regularly comes first in speed tests.

Upgrade to a 5G router if you want to upload and download at a faster rate, but keep in mind that it will be more pricey than 4G internet and availability is subject to location.

4G/LTE Vodafone Gigacube

The Gigacube brings high-speed dual-band 4G, theoretically capable of download rates of up to 300Mbps - which is what you’ll get with most 4G routers. It also supports 64 simultaneous connections, in line with its biggest competitors.

Vodafone’s 5G router is quite a lot faster, with up to 1Gbps speeds - which is more than you’ll get with 4G home broadband or even with most regular wireless internet packages.

BT 4G Home Hub

This router is designed to work with either EE’s or BT’s mobile network. It performs well, supporting up to 300Mbps when downloading and 100Mbps when uploading.

It supports fewer connected devices than other 4G broadband plans on the market, with a limit of 32 devices at once. Still, this should be more than enough in most cases.

TP-link router TL-MR6400

TP-link 4G LTE routers are used by 4G National Broadband and has download speeds of up to 150Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50Mbps. It does, however, have the potential to download at 300Mbps if used as regular internet and not as LTE WiFi.

A newer version, known as the MR600, delivers even faster speeds of up to 300Mbps. It also has the ability to support up to 64 devices, like the 4G LTE routers from Vodafone, Three and EE.

Huawei B535 WebBox

Huawei’s 4G hub used to be known as the Three 4G hub, but now the provider manufactures its own product. It can get up to 64 devices online at once and is reasonably fast, with download speeds of up to 300Mbps and upload speeds of up to 100Mbps.

It’s notably not as fast as the 4GEE Home Router 3, Three 4G Hub or the GigaCube, but these speeds are still competitive. This router used to be available from Three, but now you’ll have to purchase it SIM-free from a third-party seller.

Huawei’s 5G router, known as the Huawei 5G CPE Pro, is more powerful and a decent choice for those who need speeds north of 300Mb.

D-Link DWR-921

This LTE router is a less well-known product, sold only in tech stores. It’s worth considering, however, as its speeds are fast with download speeds of up to 300Mbps. It’s also typically cheaper than LTE routers from major providers.

Teltonika RUT240

Teltonika mostly provides 4G LTE internet for professional M2M and loT solutions. It is often used for 4G backup, advanced VPN and tunnelling services in loT applications.

It’s a CAT 4 device with a download rate of up to 150Mb and upload rate of up to 42Mb.

Teltonika RUTX14

This is a next generation LTE-A (Long Term Evolution Advanced) router and Teltonika’s fastest single modem 4G LTE hub. It can reach speeds of up to 600Mbps when downloading and up to 150 Mbps when uploading.

RUTX09 is also an LTE-A router, offering slightly slower download and upload rates than the RUTX14.

Teltonika RUTX11

This hub, as well as the Teltonika RUT950 and RUT955, is a dual-SIM device designed to be either a main or backup internet source.

It has two modems and two 4G antennas, plus multiple VPNs for additional protection from cyber-threats.

DrayTek Vigor 2862

DrayTek 4G LTE hubs, like Teltonika hubs, are generally aimed at business owners and are designed to act as a backup internet connection in the office.

This product comes with DC-HSPA, which helps achieve fast upload and download rates and has a built-in VDSL. Expect to get up to 150Mbps when downloading and 50Mbps when uploading. If you have a business and want to avoid internet downtime, this might be a good option for you.