Best 4G LTE Routers
Internet speeds have improved over the years both for wired and wireless connection. Cellular connectivity particularly, which enables mobile communication, is slowly adopting 5G standards which promises faster speeds of up-to 10Gbps.
With improved base station set up such as massive MIMO configuration, small cell, and beamforming in antennas, which are part of 5G characteristics, faster speeds will be realized. 4G LTE is already offering fast speeds of up-to 1Gbps with the LTE-A Pro technology which is the Gigabit version of the 4G standard. With these high speeds on the 4th and 5th generations, the 3G standard may soon be laid to its death bed in the US.
With the evolving mobile network speeds, end user devices need to keep up with the developments to give users the 4G and 5G experience. Different cellular routers or mobile hotspots have varying specs which of course determines their prices. You may want to check LTE-UE categories, which determine how base stations will communicate with the end devices and determine speeds to these devices.
Other important considerations include:
- Bands of operation for the cellular and Wi-Fi networks.
- Routers with external antennas both for cellular and Wi-Fi can come in handy when you want to improve the signal coverage/reception.
- The type of SIM slots and number of slots. A dual SIM is good for switching between different providers
- Portable routers should have good battery life for long connection hours before requiring a recharge.
We have listed below some of the best cellular routers for consideration:
Rank: 1
Cradlepoint COR IBR900
Cradlepoint COR IBR900 LTE Router
Ruggedized high-performance router with embedded LTE modem (LTE). Includes integrated mounting plate for easy installation and offers great download and upload speeds.
Key features:
- Includes external antennas for signal improvement
- Supports band aggregation to provide higher speeds
- The IBR900-600M is FirstNet Capable
Buy options:
Rank: 2
Inseego SK160NE-ACR
Inseego Skyus 160 LTE Cellular Gateway, Wifi, Bluetooth, GPS
An LTE router suitable for high data demands and critical missions. With its battery, it provides proper backup to maintain connectivity during power outages.
Key features:
- Includes SMA external antenna ports for signal improvement
- Has a 4400 mAh integrated backup battery for continued connectivity during power outages
- LTE Cat 6 (up to 300 Mbps) with multiple data interfaces: Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi
Buy options:
Rank: 3
Digi International EX12-R004-OUS
Digi Transport EX12 Cellular Router
Affordable LTE router equipped with dual SIM slots to provide uninterrupted primary or backup connectivity for applications such as POS systems, ATMs, mobile kiosks, and digital signage.
Key features:
- Offers redundant cellular connectivity with dual SIMs
- Includes SMA external antenna ports for signal improvement
- Feature automatic cellular carrier detection and switching with Digi's Carrier Smart Select
Buy options:
Rank: 4
Teltonika RUT955J034S0
Teltonika RUT955 4G LTE Cat 4 Router For USA/CAN
Reliable and secure LTE cat 4 for mission-critical missions. Just like the SK160NE-ACR, the RUT955 features dual SIM, and external antenna connectors (which make it possible to attach desired antennas for better reception)
RUT955J034S0 works with ATT, T-Mobile, and Bell. Consider other versions available for the U.S. like RUT955K034S0 that works with Verizon.
Key Features
- 4G (LTE) Cat 4 router with up to 150 Mbps
- Includes 2 x SMA for LTE signal improvement, 1 x SMA for GNSS, 2 x RP-SMA connectors for WiFi signal improvement
- For easy and secure monitoring, the device is compatible with teltonika's Remote Management System
- Supports a high number of simultaneous Wi-Fi users
Buy options:
