Rating of the best Wi-Fi routers with a SIM card in 2022

We have long been accustomed to living "under the umbrella" of home Wi-Fi. But sometimes you have to travel, and the mobile phone, as a signal distributing device, does not always have enough data transfer speed. In this case, a router with an Internet connection via a SIM card comes to the rescue, which is an excellent alternative to a telephone, there is no need to go to the cafeteria on duty, drink coffee using Wi-Fi.

In the review, we will provide recommendations: what to look for in order not to make a mistake when choosing a novelty you like; which transmitter company is better to buy, we will determine the functionality of top products, popular models and their selection criteria.

WiFi router or mobile phone?

Often you need to leave your cozy home to go on the road, office, and mobile Internet will not always be a quality replacement for Wi-Fi. There are several disadvantages of using the phone as an access point:

• The data transfer speed is usually lower than that of 4G routers.
• The cost of traffic costs a pretty penny, tariffs usually include 5-30 GB, which can be enough for just a few days. It depends on the frequency, duration of trips, need for the Internet. If you are often away from home, then you should think about the need to purchase a wide-frequency 3G / 4G router with a sim card operating in the Wi-Fi bands.

A smartphone, like a router, can be used as an access point, a router that is capable of distributing the Internet. As a source, unlike the home Internet, which uses ADSL technology or fiber optics, mobile data is transmitted using 4G networks, which is not always convenient, because they may not cover the entire territory where you travel.

Today, prices for gigabytes are becoming more competitive, you can find tariffs that exclude unfavorable roaming conditions, which opens the door to the use of routers within the whole country at favorable conditions.

Another benefit of 4G routers is that they offer more stable connections and better maximum wireless speeds than phones, allowing users to connect more users, depending on the product.

The Russian market offers both compact, convenient and affordable models, as well as more advanced universal premium devices for those who are going to use the Internet intensively, such products can simultaneously work in two bands.

How to choose a Wi-Fi router with a SIM card

As we mentioned above, the need for a 4G Wi-Fi router for a long vacation for several days will not be the same as for users who only need it on their way to work or summer cottage. Accordingly, for different tasks it is necessary to purchase the proper equipment. The router market is essentially divided into three types, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the tips for choosing them:

• The best-selling, simple devices that create a hotspot thanks to an embedded SIM card are powered by the device to which they are connected. The hardware is similar to a regular flash drive.
• Another variety of popular models is also very portable, suitable for use on the road, it allows you to connect the Internet to several gadgets using a SIM card. They do not need to be plugged into an outlet as they have a built-in battery. These products are perhaps the best in terms of price and quality.
• The best 4G phones have a format similar to traditional routers. They need electricity from the network, they can, in addition to the SIM card, work as a standard router, connect to ADSL, have a large number of LAN ports, better power

Below we consider a table of Wi-Fi band standards and their corresponding speed limits:

Standard	Frequencies, GHz	Theoretical maximum speed, Mbps
802.11a	5	54
802.11b	2,4	11
802.11 g	2,4	54
802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)	2.4 and 5	600
802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)	5	1,3
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)	2.4 and 5	10

If mobility is important, you use the gadget only in public places or on the road, it is recommended to use the first option. When you need to move to the country, and the size of the equipment does not matter much, you should bet on the other two models. They allow you to put them fixed, using non-slip surfaces, furniture will not only perform its direct function, but also please the eye.

The outer case must be resistant to shocks, falls, protect the electronic components inside, have sufficient ventilation, and have a beautiful design. If you want your router to have Internet access anywhere, park or train, it is important that it has a good battery. Get a router that can work autonomously for about eight hours, as a rule, this will allow you to use gadgets all day. If you intend to purchase equipment for a summer residence or a tourist trip, you must select a Wi-Fi router model that connects to the electrical network.

Today, 5G networks are being actively introduced, so it is worth buying routers, mobile phones with the prospect of using them. New generation technologies are brought to life by the best manufacturers in 4G LTE (4G+) models. Below you can see the maximum theoretical internet speeds, minimum delays:

	4G	4+G	5G
Speed, Mbps	200	1200	10000
Ping (signal delay), m/s	100	20	1-2.

When buying a product, you should focus on download speeds that exceed 150 Mbps. This will allow you to enjoy streaming broadcasts (HD), fast downloads of any information or online games that require the transfer of a significant amount of data.Of course, it is important to consider that Internet speed depends on the network (operator) and signal strength. There are 4G routers that are compatible with 3G technology, if you are interested in such a network, it is important to check with the seller for information.

Popular brands differ not only in advanced bands and frequencies, you also need to pay attention to duplex. This technology defines the transmission of information, "FDD" or "TDD" (frequency or time division). "FDD" is used in Europe, while "TDD" is used mainly by China, some US operators.

Depending on the type of equipment purchased, there are some restrictions on the number of gadgets connected to it, so it is important to carefully study the characteristics. If you need a solution for a single computer, just look at the simplest models, they can be placed in a case, replacing a traditional router.

The next point that is important to consider is the signal range of the received devices. If you purchase a router operating on one frequency, and the console, tablet or smart TV operates on another, then you will not be able to connect them. In general, it is better to buy equipment with a large number of frequencies available - this will ensure their efficiency. The most advanced models have technologies capable of forming a concentrated beam to improve the signal, due to the orientation of the energy emitted by the antennas.

Most home use SIM routers offer a traditional router style configuration menu. In it, you can change the bandwidth, network access password, the number of connected users.In the most portable devices, there is nothing but a USB connector and a SIM card slot. More advanced routers read SD cards, integrated USB ports that allow you to stream content to other computers, they can be charged from a "power bank".

Desktop-style models that support cabled home network connectivity have 1 Gbps Ethernet, LAN ports for connecting TVs, laptops, and WAN for internet from a carrier modem.

Where could I buy

A budget model can be purchased at an electronics supermarket, managers will tell you: “what kind of routers are there”, orient at an average price, and provide their description. Popular devices can be looked at in the online store, ordered online.

Rating of high-quality Wi-Fi routers with a SIM card for 2022

Our review is based on real reviews, it takes into account the opinion of buyers who purchased the product, who are familiar with different sets of equipment, who know how much it costs.

Inexpensive

Huawei E3372

If you need a simple mobile device in the form of a flash drive to work with a laptop or tablet, wherever you are, Huawei E3372 is a great option. Among its strengths is its compact size and ease of use: you need to integrate a SIM card; connect it to your computer via USB.

According to the manufacturer, the product achieves 150 Mbit/s download, 50 Mbit/s data transfer with 4G LTE-FDD. It has an SD slot for file sharing and an application for setting up security and user restrictions.

Technical indicators:

Options	Characteristics
Modem type	GSM/3G/4G
Connection interface	USB
Execution	External
Operator	All operators
3G	+
GSM	+
GPRS	+
EDGE	+
HSPA+	+
EV-DO	+
microSD	+
Connecting an external antenna	+
Adaptation for Russia	+
USB powered	+
Width	28mm
Height	12 mm
Length	88mm
The weight	35 g
Additional Information	Reception up to 150 Mbit / s; transmission - up to 50 Mbps, MicroSD up to 32 GB, connector for an external antenna

• supports all sim cards;
• can work with a channel of vertical, horizontal polarization (MIMO);
• automatic setting;
• connectors for an external antenna.

• noticeably warms up;
• dialing a USSD request does not automatically switch 4G to 3G;
• using an extension cable may disable the port.

HuaweiE5576

"Huawei E5576" can be connected to a USB charging port, it is designed in the style of "power bank", it is very easy to carry from one place to another. The device supports the 4G LTE-FDD standard, providing download speeds up to 300 Mbps, upload speeds up to 50 Mbps for about 6 hours.

To use "Huawei E5576", just insert a SIM card inside, turn it on. The equipment can send a signal to 16 users, which is an excellent indicator. Another argument in favor of "Huawei E5576": it is able to work as a Wi-Fi repeater.

Technical indicators:

Options	Characteristics
Communication type	Wi-Fi
Type of	router
Wi-Fi Standard 802.11	b, a, g, n
frequency range	2.4GHz
3G	+
4G LTE	+
Max. wireless connection speed	300Mbit/s
Internet connection (WAN)	SIM card
DHCP server	+
Firewall	+
NAT	+
Possibility of outdoor installation	+
autonomy	+
Dimensions, mm	100 *58*14
The weight	72 g
Additional Information	Configuration and control via a mobile application
WEP	+
WPA	+
WPA2	+
Communication Protocol	Wi-Fi
Connection type	Wireless

• light, durable;
• internal battery;
• compact;
• acceptable price.

• small radius of action;
• warms up.

TP Link M7200

"TP-Link M7200" is another easy-to-use design that supports up to 10 connections at the same time, and can withstand up to 8 hours of uninterrupted operation.
Despite the unpretentiousness of the product (no screen), its indicators, icons are intuitive, it supports next generation 4G FDD / TDD-LTE networks.

"TP-Link M7200" can reach up to 300Mbps download, 50Mbps upload. The interface has an app called "tpMiFi" that sets a data limit, controls which devices can access Wi-Fi, and sends messages.

Technical indicators:

Options	Characteristics
Wi-Fi Standard 802.11	b, a, g, n
frequency range	2.4GHz
3G	+
4G LTE	+
Max. wireless connection speed	300Mbit/s
Internet connection (WAN)	SIM card
DHCP server	+
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)	+
Web interface	+
autonomy	+
Offline time	8 h
Dimensions, mm	94*20*57mm
Additional Information	Built-in 2000 mAh battery
WEP	+
WPA	+
WPA2	+

• compact;
• perfectly catches the network;
• the ability to read, send SMS from the web interface.

• connection breaks occur;
• no low battery indicator
• heats up while charging.

Middle price segment

Alcatel HH41V

The universal "Alcatel HH41V" will be of interest to a large number of users in order to instantly access the global network. The equipment works thanks to the advanced Qualcomm MDM9207 processor with a clock frequency of 1200 MHz. It guarantees a high speed of receiving / transmitting data, makes it easy to work with mobile gadgets and desktops. 128 MB of RAM helps speed up the performance.

The Alcatel HH41V single-band router is capable of transmitting information at a speed of 300 Mbps.WPS and Denial-of-service standards are used to secure the wireless network. The device supports several protocols, DLNA and others. The kit includes two external antennas.

Technical indicators:

Options	Characteristics
Wi-Fi Standard 802.11	b, a, g, n
frequency range	2.4GHz
MIMO	+
3G	+
4G LTE	+
Wireless connection	300Mbit/s
Internet connection (WAN)	SIM card
Number of external antennas	2
Type of external antenna	Removable
RAM	128 MB
Flash memory capacity	256 MB
Number of LAN ports	2
Port speed	100 Mbps
IPv6	+
DHCP server	+
Firewall	+
NAT	+
Dynamic DNS	+
Web interface	+
Flash memory	+
Dimensions, mm	134*32*134
The weight	310 g
Additional Information	RJ11 port for phone connection
WEP	+
WPA	+
WPA2	+

• simple, clear setup;
• removable antennas, you can connect outdoor for better signal reception;
• price quality.

• intermittent communication interruption.

Netgear AirCard 782S

"NetgearETGEAR AirCard 782S" is a compact, versatile model that allows you to connect up to 15 users to the Internet at the same time. The router is very small, yet it has full software to manage network security.

"NETGEAR AirCard 782S", thanks to a removable battery, stands out for its autonomy (up to 11 hours). The design is easy to use, has an intuitive screen on which you will see the necessary information, signal quality, network management.

Technical indicators:

Options	Characteristics
Wi-Fi Standard 802.11	b, a, g, n, ac
frequency range	2.4 / 5 GHz
Simultaneous dual band operation	+
MIMO	+
3G	+
4G LTE	+
Max. wireless connection speed	300Mbit/s
Internet connection (WAN)	SIM card
Guest network	+
DHCP server	+
Firewall	+
NAT	+
VPN (VPN pass through)	+
Web interface	+
autonomy	+
Offline time	10 h
Dimensions, mm	110*15*69
The weight	112 g
Additional Information	Two connectors for external antennas; 2500 mAh battery
WEP	+
WPA	+
WPA2	+

• 11 hours of battery life;
• screen.

• not detected.

D-Link DWR-921

"D-Link DWR-921" is a router that serves both to connect to a Wi-Fi network and use a 4G LTE SIM card. The design has a rather compact design. Like other models in this line, the "D-Link DWR-921" achieves download speeds of 150 Mbps, and between devices connected to Wi-Fi, it reaches 300 Mbps when using the 2.4 GHz band.

The machine is easy to use and set up, has two detachable antennas, four RJ-45 Fast Ethernet 10/100 Mbps LAN ports and one 10/100 Mbps WAN port.

Technical indicators:

Options	Characteristics
Wi-Fi Standard 802.11	b, a, g, n
frequency range	2.4GHz
3G	+
4G LTE	+
Max. wireless connection speed	150Mbit/s
Internet connection (WAN)	SIM card
Number of external antennas	2
Type of external antenna	Removable
Number of LAN ports	4
Port speed	100Mbit/s
DHCP server	+
Firewall	+
NAT	+
SPI	+
Dynamic DNS	+
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)	+
VPN	+
VPN (VPN pass through)	+
PPTP	+
L2TP	+
IPSec	+
Monitoring and configuration
Web interface	+
SNMP	+
RIP v1	+
RIP v2	+
Dimensions, mm	190*23*111
The weight	500 g
WEP	+
WPA	+
WPA2	+
802.1x	+

• reliable signal reception.

• not detected.

TP Link M7350

"TP-Link M7350" has strengths that will be useful to every user. The model has excellent indicators of autonomy, functionality, while maintaining a compact design, easy to carry, the device has an integrated OLED screen that displays connection information.

The equipment offers 4G LTE with download speeds up to 300Mbps and data transfers up to 50Mbps. Up to 10 external gadgets can be connected to the router. It supports a micro SD card that provides up to 32GB of additional storage.

Technical indicators:

Options	Characteristics
Wi-Fi Standard 802.11	b, a, g, n
frequency range	2.4 / 5 GHz
3G	+
4G LTE	+
Max. wireless connection speed	300Mbit/s
Internet connection (WAN)	SIM card
File server	+
FTP server	+
IPv6	+
DHCP server	+
NAT	+
Web interface	+
autonomy	+
Dimensions, mm	106*16*66
Additional Information	SD card up to 32 GB
WEP	+
WPA	+
WPA2	+
Transmitter power	20 dBm

• ease of use;
• attractive appearance;
• quality assembly;
• the kit provides for the presence of an adapter micro, nanoSIM.

• the plastic screen is easy to scratch;
• connecting several devices, the battery is not enough for a whole day.

Expensive

Huawei B535-232

"Huawei B 535-232" is an advanced router that can be used with a microSIM card or as a traditional router by connecting to a Gigabit Ethernet network through the 1 Gigabit LAN/WAN port.

Be careful, because the product allows you to connect up to 64 gadgets, it has an application for configuring full network settings. With dual antennas, the router forms a concentrated transmission beam to improve signal strength. “Huawei B 535-232 has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and supports dual band Wi-Fi.

Technical indicators:

Options	Characteristics
WAN port	Ethernet, SIM card/micro-SIM, 4G up to 300 Mbit/s
Standards	(802.11b), (802.11g), (802.11n), (802.11ac)
frequency range	2.4GHz, 5GHz
2.4GHz	300Mbit/s
5 GHz	867 Mbps
Number of LAN ports	4 ports / 1xLAN/WAN
LAN Port Speed	1 Gbps
Total Antennas	2 pcs
Antenna type	Internal
Gain	3.5 dBi
Transmitter power	18 dBm
Signal strength 2.4 GHz	15.5 dBm
Signal strength 5 GHz	18 dBm
Safety standards	WPA, WEP, WPA2
Functions and features	NAT, firewall (Firewall)
Additionally	DHCP Server, VPN, DMZ
Working temperature	0°C ~ +40°C
Dimensions	219x138x26mm
The weight	325 g

• 4g+ support;
• user-friendly interface;
• strong body;
• connectors for external antennas;
• does not heat up.

• it is not possible to select a base station;
• high price.

TP Link TL-MR6400

Your attention is a universal equipment that can be used via 4G LTE (FDD-LTE and TDD-LTE), connect to a 4G LTE-FDD network. "TP-Link TL-MR6400" has LAN / WAN ports, which allows you to flexibly choose the type of connection. For external users, the speed reaches 300 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band.

This router has a traditional design with two detachable antennas (a pair of internal ones) and requires an electrical outlet, so it's not the best option for outings.

Despite being easy to start, this compact router provides multiple configuration options and flexibility, with advanced security measures, parental controls.

Technical indicators:

Options	Characteristics
Wi-Fi Standard 802.11	b, g, n
frequency range	2.4GHz
3G	+
4G LTE	+
Max. wireless connection speed	300Mbit/s
Internet connection (WAN)	SIM card
Number of external antennas	2
Type of external antenna	Removable
Number of internal antennas	2
Number of LAN ports	4
Port speed	100 Mbps
WDS	+
Bridge Mode	+
Guest network	+
IPv6	+
DHCP server	+
Firewall	+
NAT	+
SPI	+
Dynamic DNS	+
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)	+
VPN (VPN pass through)	+
PPTP	+
L2TP	+
IPSec	+
Web interface	+
SNMP	+
Static Routing	+
IEEE 802.1q (VLAN)	+
Flash memory	+
Dimensions, mm	202*34*141
Additional Information	Two external LTE antennas
WEP	+
WPA	+
WPA2	+
Transmitter power	20 dBm
Communication Protocol	WiFi, Ethernet
Connection type	Wired, wireless

• friendly interface;
• the possibility of installation on the wall;
• an external antenna is connected.

• not detected.

D-link DWM-222

We present one of the most compact 4G routers "D-Link DWM-222". It has an easy-to-understand design that works with SIM cards of any operator, the equipment supports LTE / DC-HSPA + / HSPA / WCDMA / GSM / GPRS. / EDGE.

The "D-Link DWM-222" does not have a built-in battery, so it will have to be connected directly to the equipment with which we want to work. Thanks to the built-in antenna and easy-to-configure software, you can add a few more advantages to the product. The device reads microSD memory cards up to 32 GB.

Technical indicators:

Options	Characteristics
Type of	Cellular network modem
Market positioning	Portable
2G	Edge, GPRS, GSM
3G	DC-HSPA+,HSPA,UMTS,WCDMA
4G	LTE
4G frequencies	800,1800,2600MHz
UMTS frequencies	900.2100 MHz
Number of USB 2.0 ports	1
Compatible memory cards	Micro SD (TransFlash)
Maximum size of a flash card	32GB
Mac operating systems	Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks
Certification	RoHS, CE, WHQL
The weight	33g
Dimensions (WxDxH)	34 x 103 x 11.5mm
Gross weight	79g
Minimum RAM	128MB
Minimum hard disk space	50MB

• microSD slot;
• price quality.

• not detected.

Choosing a quality router with a SIM card is not a trivial task, we hope our review will help you purchase reliable equipment.