Question:

I am a touring musician who needs to work remotely while traveling. What are the most reliable and affordable mobile hotspot options for my situation? I will be covering a large area from Texas to the northeast of the US in two and a half weeks.

Answer:

How to Stay Connected on the Road: The Best Mobile Hotspots for Touring Musicians

As a touring musician, you know how important it is to stay connected to your fans, your colleagues, and your work while traveling. But finding reliable and affordable internet access on the road can be challenging, especially if you need to cover a large area in a short time. That’s why having a dedicated mobile hotspot device can be a lifesaver for your online needs.

A mobile hotspot is a small gadget that connects to a cellular network and creates a Wi-Fi network that you can share with your other devices, such as your laptop, tablet, or phone. Unlike using your phone’s hotspot feature, a mobile hotspot device has a longer battery life, supports more simultaneous connections, and offers better security and performance.

But not all mobile hotspots are created equal. Depending on your travel itinerary, your data usage, and your budget, you may want to consider different options for your mobile hotspot device and plan. In this article, we will review some of the best mobile hotspots for touring musicians in 2024, based on the following criteria:

• Network coverage and speed: You want a mobile hotspot that works with a reliable and fast cellular network, especially in rural or remote areas where public Wi-Fi may be scarce or unreliable. You also want a mobile hotspot that supports 5G, the latest generation of mobile broadband that offers blazing-fast speeds and low latency.
• Battery life and portability: You want a mobile hotspot that can last through your gigs and travels without needing to recharge frequently. You also want a mobile hotspot that is compact and lightweight, so you can easily carry it in your backpack or pocket.
• Data plan and pricing: You want a mobile hotspot that offers a generous and flexible data plan that suits your online needs, whether you need to stream music, upload videos, or work remotely. You also want a mobile hotspot that is affordable and offers good value for your money.

With these criteria in mind, here are some of the best mobile hotspots for touring musicians in 2024:

If you are looking for the best Verizon hotspot, the Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW is a great choice. This mobile hotspot supports Verizon’s ultra-fast 5G Ultra Wideband network, which uses millimeter-wave technology to deliver speeds up to 4 Gbps in select cities. It also supports Verizon’s nationwide 5G network, which uses low-band spectrum to provide wider coverage and more consistent performance. And of course, it works with Verizon’s 4G LTE network, which still offers the best coverage and reliability in the US.

The Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW has a 3,500 mAh battery that can last up to 24 hours on a single charge. It also has a 2.4-inch color touchscreen that lets you easily manage your settings and view your data usage. It can connect up to 30 devices at once, and it has a USB-C port that can charge your phone or other devices.

The Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW costs $299.99 upfront, or $12.49 per month for 24 months. You can choose from various data plans, starting from $10 per month for 1 GB of data, up to $90 per month for 100 GB of data. You can also get unlimited data for $30 per month if you have a Verizon smartphone plan.

T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000

If you are looking for the best 5G hotspot, the T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 is a solid option. This mobile hotspot connects to T-Mobile’s mid-band 5G network, which uses 2.5 GHz spectrum to offer fast speeds and broad coverage across the US. It also works with T-Mobile’s low-band 5G network, which uses 600 MHz spectrum to reach more rural and remote areas. And of course, it supports T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network, which is still widely available and reliable.

The T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 has a 5,050 mAh battery that can last up to 16 hours on a single charge. It also has a 2.4-inch color touchscreen that lets you easily manage your settings and view your data usage. It can connect up to 30 devices at once, and it has a USB-C port that can charge your phone or other devices.

The T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 costs $336 upfront, or $14 per month for 24 months. You can choose from various data plans, starting from $10 per month for 2 GB of data, up to $50 per month for 100 GB of data. You can also get unlimited data for $50 per month if you have a T-Mobile smartphone plan.

NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router

If you are looking for the best AT&T hotspot, the NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router is a powerful choice. This mobile hotspot supports AT&T’s C-band 5G network, which uses 3.7 GHz spectrum to deliver fast speeds and low latency in select markets. It also supports AT&T’s nationwide 5G network, which uses low-band spectrum to provide wider coverage and more consistent performance. And of course, it works with AT&T’s 4G LTE network, which still offers good coverage and reliability in the US.

The NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router has a 5,040 mAh battery that can last up to 14 hours on a single charge. It also has a 2.4-inch color touchscreen that lets you easily manage your settings and view your data usage. It can connect up to 32 devices at once, and it has a USB-C port that can charge your phone or other devices. It also supports Wi-Fi 6, the latest standard of wireless technology that offers faster speeds, lower latency, and better efficiency.

The NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Router costs $699.99 upfront, or $29.17 per month for 24 months. You can choose from various data plans, starting from $25 per month for 3 GB of data, up to $75 per month for 50 GB of data. You can also get unlimited data for $55 per month if you have an AT&T smartphone plan.

Alcatel LINKZONE

If you are looking for the best budget hotspot, the Alcatel LINKZONE is a cheap and cheerful choice. This mobile hotspot works with T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network, which offers decent coverage and speed in most areas. It does not support 5G, but it still provides a reliable internet connection for your basic online needs.

The Alcatel LINKZONE has a 1,800 mAh battery that can last up to 6 hours on a single charge. It also has a simple LED display that shows your signal strength, battery level, and data usage. It can connect up to 15 devices at once, and it has a micro-USB port that can charge your phone or other devices.

The Alcatel LINKZONE costs $72 upfront, or $3 per month for 24 months. You can choose from various data plans, starting from $10 per month for 2 GB of data, up to $50 per month for 100 GB of data. You can also get unlimited data for $50 per month if you have a T-Mobile smartphone plan.

Huawei E5577-320

If you are looking for the best hotspot for international travel, the Huawei E5577-320 is a versatile choice. This mobile hotspot is unlocked, meaning you can use it with any SIM card from any carrier in any country. It supports 4G LTE networks in most regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. It does not support 5G, but it still offers fast and reliable internet access wherever you go.

The Huawei E5577-320 has a 1,500 mAh battery that can last up to 6 hours on a single charge. It also has a 1.45-inch color LCD screen that lets you easily manage your settings and view your data usage. It can connect up to 10 devices at once, and it has a micro-USB port that can charge your phone or other devices.

The Huawei E5577-320 costs $89.99 upfront. You can choose from various SIM cards and data plans from different carriers, depending on your travel destination and budget. You can also use local SIM cards or international roaming SIM cards to save money and avoid hassle.

GlocalMe G4 Pro

If

you are looking for the best user-friendly hotspot, the GlocalMe G4 Pro is a smart choice. This mobile hotspot has a built-in cloud SIM card that lets you access the internet in over 140 countries without needing to swap SIM cards or sign up for contracts. It automatically connects to the best available network in each location, and it offers competitive rates and flexible plans for your data usage