A mobile Wi-Fi router (also called MiFi) is a useful device to get car Wi-Fi if you or your family travel a lot. You can usually get a Wi-Fi connection on trains and buses, and with a portable Wi-Fi router, you can achieve the same in your car for much more enjoyable in-car entertainment for your passengers. We’ve put together this article to help you decide whether Wi-Fi in your car is worthwhile for you and which devices are best for achieving on-road internet connections.
Some brands, such as BMW, offer car Wi-Fi hotspots pre-installed. These use a built-in SIM, and you can connect several devices to it through BMW’s ever-evolving iDrive system. If you’d like to develop your in-car entertainment system, we’ve ranked our favourite DAB radio adapters.
The best mobile car Wi-Fi routers at a glance
But not all modern cars offer this function. The Toyota Corolla, for example, does not. The Toyota Corolla is in the majority at this point in time. Although connectivity is becoming more readily available in almost every part of life, most cars are still without Wi-Fi. If you’d like to install WI-FI in your car, we’ve picked some of our favourite routers below. Click here to check out our favourite speakers for your car to complete the set-up.
The best mobile car Wi-Fi routers
Editor's choice
At constant use, the 2000mAh battery will give you about eight hours using 4G or, if left on standby, several days. To recharge, simply do so via USB. You can enjoy HD movies using this MiFi device thanks to a maximum of 150Mbps download speed.
Pros
- Fast download speed
- Great screen display
- Good value
Cons
- TP-Link M7000 is even better
| Network connection | 4G LTE |
| Max number of devices | 10 |
| Battery | 2000mAh |
| Display | Colour LCD |
| Unlocked | Yes |
Best value
As with everything these days, there is an app (tpMiFi) from which you can access all the information you need regarding how much data you’ve used, who’s connected, and all that sort of thing. Aside from the screen, the other primary difference here is that the M7000 does not support a microSD card that allows you to share content through the tpMiFi app.
Pros
- Best value MiFi unit
- Fast downloads
- Small size
Cons
- Lack of proper screen
| Network connection | 4G LTE |
| Max number of devices | 10 |
| Battery | 2000mAh |
| Display | Basic LCD |
| Unlocked | Yes |
Best 4G
The maximum number of devices that can connect is 20. This is more than what most people need, but what we really rate about this device, in addition to the performance, is the excellent LCD screen and the large 5040mAh battery - the former clearly shows all the detail you need, and the latter easily allows for all-day use.
Pros
- Fantastic performance
- Big battery
- Best display screen
Cons
- Battery performance could be better
| Network connection | 4G LTE |
| Max number of devices | 20 |
| Battery | 5040mAh |
| Display | Colour LCD touchscreen |
| Unlocked | Yes |
Best for multiple users
All the useful information you need is available at a glance. The screen displays information on Data Usage, Battery Life, Signal Strength, Wi-Fi status, connected users and more.
Pros
- Long-lasting battery
- Fast
Cons
- Set-up can be confusing
| Network connection | 4G LTE |
| Max number of devices | 16 |
| Battery | 1500mAh |
| Display | LCD |
| Unlocked | Yes |
Best budget buy
The interface is rather basic, but you can connect up to ten devices, and there's parental control to keep the kids safe, plus its compact size makes it easy to carry around with you. It's not the fastest or most sophisticated system on the planet, but if you're looking for a budget Mi-Fi solution, you can't go far wrong with this.
Pros
- Sim supplied
- Compact size
Cons
- Battery life could be better
| Network Connection | 4G |
| Max number of devices | 10 |
| Battery | 2000mAh |
| Display | BAsic LCD |
| Unlocked | Yes |
FAQs
Why get Wi-Fi for your car?
We should address the elephant in the room first. Yes, most people have generous mobile data plans on their phones, and we will say that buying a mobile Wi-Fi router to use in the car is not necessary for everyone. But it is advantageous to some people in some situations.
The Wi-Fi signal will remain strong, fast, and secure throughout your trip – this is great for streaming videos and music. And multiple devices can connect at once. Want to keep your mobile phone stable while on the move? Consider investing in a magnetic phone holder.
Mobile Wi-Fi routers let you take Wi-Fi-only devices with you (such as some tablets) on car journeys without having to use a battery-draining hotspot from your phone. Conversely, if you have a mobile Wi-Fi router, you can save money on your next tablet because Wi-Fi-only tablets are cheaper than the version with a 4G/5G data connection.
Using a mobile Wi-Fi router with a SIM on a data-only plan can actually make your portable internet connection fairly inexpensive.
Tips
When buying a SIM to put into an unlocked MiFi, it’s best to go with a provider that has good coverage. You can check via providers’ websites – for example, Vodafone’s network status checker. Shop around and see who will offer you the best deal. It tends to save you money over time. You may also want to consider a USB to USB-C adapters for your car.
You can buy a mobile router such as the above EE PAYG Mini Mobile Wi-Fi router, which already comes with a bundle from a network provider. Just remember that these lock you into that network provider’s coverage.
Seth Walton is an Autos Product Writer for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and motorsport. He also contributes to What’s The Best with interests in audio equipment and technology.
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