Dear Lifehacker, I've seen people using mobile hotspots for internet access on the go, and read your top five, but I don't get it. Why would I ever buy a hotspot when I can just tether to my phone and use it instead? Is there a benefit to having another gadget that I'm missing?
Sincerely,
Dubious Traveler
Dear Dubious Traveler,
Whether a mobile hotspot is right for you depends heavily on the type of traveling you do, your mobile carrier, and the data plan you have. They're not for everyone, but using a hotspot does have some advantages over tethering to your smartphone. Let's take a look.
Simplifying your life usually means carrying fewer gadgets with you, especially if you have one item that can pull double-duty. However, a mobile hotspot does have some advantages over tethering to your phone. Here's why you might consider one:
- You don't have unlimited data, or want a data plan that makes sense for tethering. If you need to do any real, bandwidth-hogging work while tethered, you may catch yourself running out of data with your phone before you know it. Using a hotspot can get you out from under that.
- You spare your phone's battery. Using a hotspot means never draining your battery just because you needed to get some work done. This comes with the benefit of better long-term usage, since you're not taxing your phone just to stay connected.
- You can reliably tether multiple devices. While you can tether multiple devices to your phone, the more you add, the worse the experience usually is. While most hotspots will put a limit on the number of devices you can connect, you can always connect more than one or two without performance problems.
- You can work for longer periods without drops or throttling. When The Wirecutter tested mobile hotspots, they explained that tethered phones dropped signal more frequently. Part of it is just a matter of firmware, but part of it is the fact that the phone itself is connected and working while your devices are, too. Similarly, even "unlimited " data plans—depending on carrier—get throttled after a certain point. You won't have to worry about that with a hotspot, especially a pay-as-you-go one.
- You don't have to choose between data and voice. This varies by carrier, but with Verizon Wireless and Sprint, tethering means you can't talk on the phone. Sure, it may ring, but if you choose voice, data is disconnected, and vice versa.
- You can diversify carriers. If you travel frequently—and let's face it, the people who really need hotspots probably do—you now have the option of whichever carrier offers the better service where you roam. Even if you're at home, you now have the option to pick the carrier with the best performance, or switch off when you need to.
If you're worried about money, a mobile hotspot doesn't have to come with contracts and fees. The best ones are pay-as-you-go, so you only pay for the data you use, and refill when necessary. The carriers with the best coverage and speed (Verizon Wireless, for example) are usually the most expensive, and may demand a contract. The ones with the best prices and value (Karma, FreedomPop, etc) sometimes suffer less-than-stellar coverage and speed. We get into more detail about this in our complete guide to choosing the best mobile hotspot for you.
Mobile hotspots are generally for people who need a reliable, backup internet connection, wherever they are—home or abroad. Personally, I found there's a tipping point between "Comcast is out, I can tether to my phone," or "riding the train from DC to New York, would love to check my email on the way," to "Comcast is out for hours and I have a deadline to meet" and "this hotel's Wi-Fi is horrible and I really need to finish uploading this." That tipping point is different for each of us, and it's up to you to decide where on that line you fall.
Of course, a mobile hotspot isn't ideal for everyone. It's another gadget to carry and keep charged. If your ISP is reliable or your work doesn't require a constant connection, a dedicated device may not make sense. Similarly, if you're lucky enough to still have truly unlimited data, then your smartphone is a better option than a hotspot. For the longest time, I just tethered to my phone since my needs were sparse and didn't justify the expense.
Ultimately, it comes down to your use case. If someone tells you they know what's "best" without knowing what your needs are, they're full of it. Make your own call based on your own situation.
Good luck,
Lifehacker
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Photos by marimedi (Shutterstock), marimedi (Shutterstock), and Lorenz Timm (Shutterstock).
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