10 Best Portable Hotspot Device

The NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro is a powerful portable hotspot designed to provide fast and secure internet access with 5G mmWave support and WiFi 6E technology, making it a solid choice for travelers or those needing reliable backup internet. It supports up to 32 devices simultaneously, which is excellent for group use or multiple smart devices, and it works unlocked with major Australian carriers like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, plus international roaming in 125 countries. This flexibility with SIM cards is convenient if you switch networks or travel frequently.

The device is compact and lightweight (about 256 grams, roughly the size of a small paperback), which makes it very portable. It features a user-friendly 2.8-inch color touchscreen that simplifies managing connections and data usage without needing tech skills. It includes a removable battery and can be used plugged in to extend Wi-Fi coverage indoors, which is useful if you want stable internet over a larger area. The Wi-Fi 6E standard means it offers faster speeds and better congestion handling compared to older Wi-Fi versions, ideal for streaming, gaming, or work.

The device comes at a premium price, and some users might find the advanced 5G mmWave coverage limited depending on location, as mmWave signals don’t travel as far or penetrate buildings well. Also, since it requires a nano SIM and carrier activation, setup might involve an extra step compared to plug-and-play models. This hotspot is well suited for users who prioritize top-tier mobile internet speed, need to connect many devices at once, and want a reliable, portable solution for both travel and home backup use.

The Netgear Nighthawk M6 is a strong choice if you need a portable hotspot that supports the latest 5G networks, offering very fast internet speeds up to 2.5Gbps. It uses WiFi 6 technology, which means it can handle multiple devices efficiently—up to 32 at once—making it great for families or small workgroups on the move. The hotspot is unlocked, so you can easily switch between SIM cards from major Australian carriers like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone without hassle. This flexibility is perfect if you want to find the best data deals or travel within Australia.

The device weighs about 520 grams and has a compact size, making it quite portable, though not the smallest model on the market. Its user interface runs on RouterOS, which should be straightforward for most users to set up and manage, but those unfamiliar with routers might need a bit of time to explore the settings. If top-notch speed, multiple device connections, and carrier flexibility are your priorities, the Netgear Nighthawk M6 is a reliable and future-proof hotspot to consider.

The GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) is a compact and lightweight travel router designed to boost your Wi-Fi experience on the go. Its main highlight is Wi-Fi 6 support, providing faster and more reliable wireless speeds on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, which means better performance when connecting multiple devices. It has a multi-gigabit WAN port and a gigabit LAN port, useful if you want a wired connection or to share a public Wi-Fi safely.

The router runs on open-source OpenWrt firmware, giving tech-savvy users room to customize, but it also includes an easy-to-use admin panel and a helpful app that guides setup, making basic operation straightforward. Security is a strong point here, with built-in VPN clients (OpenVPN and WireGuard), parental controls, and modern protections like WPA3 encryption. It supports connecting multiple devices, suitable for families or small groups traveling together.

Due to its small size and light weight, the device is very portable and ideal for travelers needing secure, fast Wi-Fi from hotels or public spots. While it does not include built-in cellular connectivity, it offers tethering to use your phone’s mobile data as the internet source. This device excels as a versatile travel router to secure and improve existing Wi-Fi connections with advanced features in a pocket-sized form.