Best eSIM Hotspot Routers in 2023 (For Remote Work & Travel)
Portable WiFi eSIM routers are must-have travel accessories for people who travel in groups or work while they’re exploring new places. Sure, you can set up an eSIM hotspot without a router, but it will drain your device’s battery faster than you can say ‘router’.
The eSIM hotspot routers I’m about to tell you all about are all pocket-sized, have large batteries, and support 4G at the very least. As long as you pair them with an eSIM that supports high-speed internet access and data sharing, you’ll quickly become the favorite in your travel group thanks to the high-speed WiFi coming out from your pocket.
Top Product Overview
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| SEE ON TELTONIKA → |
Top Products
MOGO S2 eSIM Global Mobile Router
MOGO S2 is a very good router with eSIM support and many functionalities. It’s a 4G router that supports download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps. The router has a battery capacity of 2000mAh, a USB-C port for charging, and it supports wireless charging.
Also, this router has a tiny display on the front that keeps all the important information at a glance. You can see the battery percentage, WiFi speed, data consumption, password, and other important information
However, it works only with MOGO eSIMs. Although the data plans from MOGO are generally inexpensive, the provider doesn’t operate in nearly as many countries as the other providers, so you’d be heavily limited.
Also, MOGO doesn’t offer any unlimited data plans, and for many countries, the largest data package they offer is 10 GB. It might sound like a lot, but if you have 4-5 people browsing TikTok on the WiFi, you can burn through that in a day.
The upside of this design is that you can easily control everything through a single app. The downside is that you’ll have no use for this router in too many countries.
Pros
- Very small
- USB-C charging port
- Fast internet
- Display with important information
Cons
- Only supports MOGO eSIMs
- Battery capacity is small
eSunFi eSIM Mobile WiFi Hotspot Router
The eSunFi mobile router supports dual-band WiFi and works in 200+ countries all over the world. It supports both Bluetooth and VPN, and it allows up to 10 devices to be connected to it at the same time.
The router has a USB-C port for quick charging and supports 3G and 4G networks with a maximum WiFi rate of 433 Mbps. It also has a convenient display on the front that offers all the important information at a glance: network speed, password, signal strength, battery percentage, etc.
The downside of this router is that it only works with three eSIM providers: Ubigi, KeepGo, and Links Field. None of those are known as affordable eSIM providers, and although the router is extremely convenient, it’s unlikely to be a money saver because KeepGo and Ubigi have higher prices than most other eSIM providers.
Pros
- Dual-band WiFi
- Bluetooth and VPN
- 3G and 4G support
- Display with important information
Cons
- Supports only 3 eSIM providers
Roam-ON R10 eSim Mifi Router
The Roam-ON R10 router is a very portable 4G router. It has a battery capacity of 5,000 mAh for prolonged battery life, and it can support a connection with up to 5 devices at the same time. The maximum upload speed with this router is 50 Mbps, while the maximum download speed is 150 Mbps.
Additionally, this router also has a slot for a physical SIM card, so it can work with local SIM cards. This is a great way to get coverage in destinations where eSIM is not supported, but also if you want to save money on data packs.
The Roam-ON router only works with eSIM data plans purchased on the company’s website, and those tend to be rather expensive. The cheapest plan is 5.5 Euros per day for just 500 MB of data, which is way too expensive. You’ll need to pay 10 Euros per day for unlimited internet, and that’s not even available in most countries.
Pros
- Easy control via the app
- 4G support
- Large battery capacity
Cons
- Expensive data plans
- Maximum download speed is 150Mbps
Teltonika Routers
Teltonika is a tech company that manufactures a variety of different internet-related products, including all sorts of routers. This company makes industrial routers that are some of the best on the market, but also some of the most expensive.
This manufacturer offers many routers that support a physical SIM card, and I’ve also seen a version that supports embedded SIMs, but it’s available only upon inquiry. Also, Teltonika routers are not exactly portable or pocket-friendly; not only are they bulky, but they also need to be plugged into an outlet to work.
The upside is that this will probably be the best eSIM router. It should work with any eSIM, but the configuration process won’t be simple. The downside is that the router will cost you a lot of money (regular routers are on sale for $300+), and you can’t actually take it places.
I think this router could be a good solution for van lifers who want an eSIM-compatible router for their home on wheels, but not for travelers who want to have an internet connection while exploring foreign cities on foot.
Pros
- Industrial routers
- Physical SIM card support
- Dual-band WiFi
- 4G support
Cons
- eSIM routers available upon inquiry
- Not portable
What Is An eSIM Router & How Does It Work?
An eSIM router is a pocket router with an eSIM chip. It works in the same way as a standard SIM card router but with the benefit of supporting eSIM technology. What this router does is connect to the mobile network provided by the eSIM, and then turn that 4G/5G connection into WiFi that is easily accessible to everyone in your travel group.
Just like with any other WiFi connection, you can set up the name and password for protection. The network speed largely depends on the eSIM data plan you purchase, and I highly recommend referring to our eSIM guides for different countries so you can be certain which network providers offer the best and fastest internet.
Benefits of Using an eSIM Router
If you’ve ever been the designated hotspot sharer during a group trip, I feel your pain. It drains the battery on your smartphone very quickly, so you have to carry around portable chargers lest your phone runs out of battery and you’re left without any internet access.
With a physical SIM card, it’s possible to transfer it to a different device, but this can’t be done with eSIMs.
Another advantage of an eSIM router is that it’s capable of offering a faster internet connection than mobile phones. Well, it depends on the router and the type of network it can connect to, but you can usually get information on the maximum upload and download speeds for each eSIM router.
How to Set Up an eSIM Router
Most eSIM routers have accompanying smartphone apps that let you complete the setup process. The first thing you need to do is purchase data package for the router, which is usually going to be an eSIM from the provider supported by the router.
Unfortunately, you usually have to stick with one or two providers that a specific router supports and it’s usually the providers with the most expensive data plans.
Buy the eSIM plan, but don’t activate it on your phone. When the activation code or instructions arrive, open the app for your eSIM router and find the option to connect to your phone first, usually with Bluetooth.
This should allow you to access the setup of the router, and then you just need to select the option to add an eSIM/data plan/data package and follow the on-screen instructions. Some routers will allow you to scan a QR code, while others might require you to input the eSIM details manually.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an eSIM router
The first thing you should consider when choosing an eSIM router is which eSIM providers it supports. Some providers are better than others, and this is especially important for network coverage in different countries. If you like a router but see that it’s not supported in several of the countries you plan to visit in the near future, there’s no point in buying the router.
Battery is another important factor to consider. Ideally, the router should be able to stay turned on the entire day with multiple connected devices.
Another factor to consider is the type of network supported and maximum WiFi speed. The best routers will support primarily 4G and 5G, but also 2G and 3G as backups. Internet speeds should be at least 150 Mbps for downloads, and I wouldn’t settle for anything less than 50 Mbps for uploads.
Then there’s the number of devices supported. Consider how many people you normally travel with, but also how many devices you plan to use. It’s going to be at least a laptop and a smartphone, right?
Well, if you’re traveling with three other people and all of you want to connect two devices to the router, that’s six devices minimum, so a router that only supports up to 5 simultaneous devices wouldn’t work for you.
Finally, consider whether the router supports a physical SIM card. I know we’re talking primarily about eSIM routers, but the technology is still very much new and expensive. If you get a router that supports physical SIM cards, you can probably save a lot of money by buying and using local SIM cards, instead of purchasing overpriced plans that charge you $70 for just 5 GB of data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an eSIM router for international travel?
Yes, you can use an eSIM router for international travel, but not every router will work in every single country. Double-check the restrictions, and make sure that eSIM is supported in the country you are traveling to, to make the most of your eSIM router.
Can I use an eSIM router with a VPN for added privacy & security?
Yes, you can absolutely use an eSIM router with a VPN. Many routers have built-in VPNs for maximum privacy and protection.
What network types can eSIM routers connect to?
It depends on the specific routers. Some routers support everything up to 5G and emit dual-band WiFi, while others support only 3G or 4G, with a single-band WiFi connection.
