Speed Test: 4G LTE Router vs Phone Hotspot. Which is Faster?

[@lisamein2589]

I was going to purchase cheap router a min ago but decided to search up a bit and found your vid. thanks for saving bucks for me.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Glad I could help

[@Faris_Almutairi_305]

I also wanted to buy the cheapest router but after this video I decided to keep using my pocket router and to buy a power bank. Because I only have problems with power. The speed is ok.

[@atnfn]

You can connect external antennas to a 4g router though, which probably provides faster speeds. But I'm not sure a "cheap" 4g router supports external antennas. Like the ones you can put up on your roof.

[@nandhinis7871]

Because mobile having 4g+ carrier aggression chipset, but router having only 4g not having 4g+.

[@nandhinis7871]

Mobile cost higher, router cost cheaper. 4g+ router also available but costly

[@mikolajwojnicki2169]

Thanks, I was thinking of buying a cheap 4G router, but it seems I'll be better off just using my smartphone when I need wifi

[@ElectronicsComputers]

A smartphone is a much better option, especially if you have a spare one dedicated solely to serving as a hotspot.

[@Hello-jz5lh]

Thanks a lot. I purchased this for 10 Euro, as I wanted to use it in my car, so that I can use my tablet for navigation. This will prove very useful.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

That mini router is a really cool device. I use it at home with up to four connected devices, and I also take it with me in my backpack or car whenever I go on a trip.

[@francescopresta2389]

nice video, but I was wondering if a good router/modem might have a better performance of a mobile. I use a S24+ and I have 3 BTS very close (less than 500 m) but in my apartment the connection does not work and I was thinking to install an indoor router/modem because I thought that they were better than a mobile, but according to this video the situation will not change, right?

[@ElectronicsComputers]

I also had an expensive router like Netgear, which, of course, works way faster than a cheap one for $30. However, it still provides the same or slightly lower speed than what you get from a phone's hotspot. So, if I already had an old phone, I'd use it as a hotspot. I'd only need a router for emergencies, I'd get the cheap one, I think 25-30Mbps is enough, at least for me. If I didn't have an old phone and needed to rely solely on mobile internet, then I'd invest in a more expensive router/modem that could provide the full available bandwidth. I hope this helps.

[@francescopresta2389]

@@ElectronicsComputers thank you for your answer. the weird thing is that 2 years ago I was working in the same place and without any apartment modification with the mobile (s10e) hotspot I could work without any problems. I moved again and now with a S24+, the connection is very slow, I cannot work on my laptop with hotspot and sometimes it does not even open the browser on the mobile. What can I do? Outdoor modem/router might be enough or it would be better to install also an antenna?

[@ElectronicsComputers]

@@francescopresta2389First, you need to identify where the problem lies. Test the internet speed on your phone in your apartment and then in another location to ensure that your phone receives the expected speed from the mobile carrier. If the speed is lower than expected, check your connection settings. Make sure it's set to utilize 5G, 4G, or whichever is included in your plan. If the speed is low only when using the hotspot, try switching the hotspot in settings to another band. If it was on the 2.4GHz band, switch it to the 5GHz WiFi band or vice versa. It's possible that your neighbors have a powerful WiFi router or some other equipment operating on the same channel, so changing bands might resolve speed issues.

[@프리미엄유튜브]

Thank you for this video , I was consider to buy the cheap router or using extra phone. but I have one question , Do you know the hotspot speed is depending on the host hotspot device ? for example compare with old phone hotspot performance(speed) is less than new device.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

If that phone supports 4G, I'm pretty sure it will be faster than any of these 4G cheap routers. To be honest, I've been using one of those cheap routers for about 3 months now, and I've never had any problems with watching KZbin in 1080p (4K is very bad) or watching Netflix. But of course, if you need it for gaming or downloading some big files, then it's not the best choice. But the smartphone's hotspot will definitely be better.

[@noypijr.1028]

Wow thank you. Almost all my queries were enlightened.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AweeYubu]

Does a mifi provide better Internet in places with slow Internet

[@ElectronicsComputers]

MIFI is the brand name of similar routers. They use the same principal and technology. If you buy a 5G MiFI router it will be faster, if it's gonna be 4G, then the speed will be about the same as on shown routers. I've been using 4G router with two external antennas for more than 4 months now and I've never had any problems with watching Netflix, KZbin or even downloading some huge files. Web browsing is very comfortable as well.

[@ahmedmustafa8166]

Do you think dedicated more advanced socket routers like tp link dwr 960, Tenda 4G09 or Huawei B535 (all cat 7) would match or exceed a phone? (Including with lan cable?)

[@ElectronicsComputers]

I've only tested Huawei from your list, and no, it's not faster. Expensive dedicated routers in 4G provide the same speed as any good smartphone. With a 100Mbps plan on my SIM card, my phone's hotspot provided me with 88Mbps, while the Huawei router was slightly slower at 86Mbps. The only router that was significantly faster than the phone, but only in 5G, was the NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro. However, paying $650 for that router is, in my opinion, unwise But if it's the only option you have to get fast internet, then it worth it.

[@ahmedmustafa8166]

@@ElectronicsComputers I appreciate your answer, thank you very much for the valuable info! The only thing to test is probably with an cat ethernet cable (wired connection) to see if it makes any difference.

[@richardc5100]

Do these routers bypass the network 1 device hotspot connection restriction

[@Mehbymeh]

Have you tried the ZTE MC889 5g router? (It can be used outside, and it supports mmwv)

[@ElectronicsComputers]

I tried another 5G model and the Smartphone was still faster than the router.

[@squiddymute]

what if you connect more than 1 client to each one ?

[@Yusufu-92]

Thanks for this very short and straightforward review. Take care of yourself.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Thanks, you too!

[@Eldor-117]

This vid helped me a lot, thanks fot saving me from wasting 60$.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

I'm happy to help!

[@YTtopPAULO]

hello bor how can i block users on my mifi ? there is no anythng is setting i search more and more

[@ElectronicsComputers]

On the first page you can see information (IP address and MAC) about all connected users. Simply go Settings-Firewall-Port Filtering. the enabale MAC/IP/Port Filtering, add the MAC address of the user you want to block and that user won't be able to connect to the internet anymore. Or simply change the password of your WiFi.

[@MandyZhang-WiFiRouterFactory]

Sometimes you bought 4g wifi router OEM can not use in your country. The general possibilities are as follows: 1. APN is incomplete, 2. The frequency band does not match. 3. The bands not full.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Usually, the seller includes information about the LTE bands the router supports in the product description. Some routers support all bands and can be used in any country, while others are locked to specific countries.

[@NaLovePHAT4Life]

How do I find web user interface for my router. It looks exactly yours

[@ElectronicsComputers]

You can find the IP address somewhere on your router's label. Simply type in your browser and press the enter key.

[@b4g4b3l]

so we should stick with phone hotspot, anything better since 9 months ago ?

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Well, if you already have a spare old phone, it could be a great option, comparable to mobile routers in the price range of several hundred dollars. Currently, among budget routers, the Benton mobile router stands out. It offers excellent speed, can be used 24/7 with multiple devices, and you won’t notice any drop in performance. Several users can stream KZbin, Netflix, and comfortably browse the web without issues. Here’s the link: alii.pub/71w34h I might do a review on this one soon.

[@CheulongSear]

I bought a cheap LTE router for home server since I can't get the internet cable to my apartment. It is too slow to have anything done. I plan to buy a cheap Galaxy A just to plug it as hotspot hub. I think I might have problems in the future if I want to connect more than one device via wire.

[@74357175]

Is there any case in which the external antenna can get better LTE connection in a place with poor reception?

[@ElectronicsComputers]

External antennas are only for the WiFi connection, the LTE antenna is always inside the router. However, there are some routers that allow you to connect external LTE/GSM and WiFi antennas. If it's just a regular 2cm (1-inch) piece of wire, it doesn't make any difference whether it's inside the router's case or attached as a protruding plastic antenna.

[@samuel_ford04]

buy at least used iPhone 8 (cat12 with 600/150 mbps) or used Samsung S8 (cat16 with 1024/150 mbps) as your Personal Hotspot… trust me this will serve you best than buying cheap router.

[@enjoytheeverydayandblessyo4596]

Sir, these pocket wifi routers can be used continuously for long time like 24/7 who don't have wifi? Or using it continuously will damage the device?

[@ElectronicsComputers]

@@enjoytheeverydayandblessyo4596 Yes, you can use these mobile routers continuously, just like a regular router. I keep mine running 24/7, powered by a phone charger. If you disconnect the USB cable from the power source or there's a power outage, it will automatically switch to battery power, similar to how a laptop works.

[@robhingston]

Personal hotspot should always be faster, a router is pointless to me, The only advantage of a router is battery life on your phone ..

[@mrbane2000]

Problem is most cheap routers come with LTE CAT 4 that tops 150Mbps, while most smartphones use CAT6 and above, meaning 300+ Mbps

[@ricardolourenco2814]

Will a better 4G LTE router have better results or they ate all the same?

[@ElectronicsComputers]

@@ricardolourenco2814 There's a link for 4G/5G router in the description and that one will give you maximum speed according to your mobile plan. I'll make a video review of that router soon.

[@yoyoyo3531]

My brother has tplink router with simcard in and he gets signal in many areas i dont with my samsung s21 ultra.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Smartphones typically have smaller antennas, which limits their ability to pick up weak signals. Mobile routers, on the other hand, are not as restricted by antenna size and usually feature more powerful antennas, allowing them to receive and transmit signals much more effectively, especially in areas with low coverage.

[@topbgmomoland5644]

At the end of the day a mobile phone isnt design to be a wifi router specially if youre connecting many devices, it will be hot if you use it with many device in a few hours

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Well, yeah, but mobile routers tend to get as hot as any phone in hotspot mode. If you have an old phone you don’t care about, it could still be the best option to use it 24/7 until it dies

[@topbgmomoland5644]

@@ElectronicsComputers you can use a phone hotspot 24/7? And only about 10 devices can connect in a phone hotspot right?

[@robkam1186]

I'd say that if you have a relatively new smartphone to spare - I'd make it a mobile hotspot - you'll not find band problems in various parts of the world as you may in case of dedicated router. My choice is old phone, not to invest in router.

[@williamslifestyle227]

Nice content. If I'm using just a single phone, do i need a mifi since there isn't wifi available in my apartment and i watch most videos on my phone. Also is mifi connection more stable when dealing with online forms that don't do well with internet interruption? Also is it worth the investment of saving battery when i can just carry a power bank with me? What do you think?

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Well, if you just use your phone for everything, then it's 100% not worth investing in that wireless router. You'll need an extra SIM card and an extra plan for that. Plus, the speed coming from that router, as you can see from the video, will be twice as slow as what you get on your phone. Also, you introduce a potential failure device between your mobile carrier and the phone. Even if you sometimes need to check email from your tablet or laptop, it's still worth connecting to your phone's hotspot rather than buying an extra device. In my case, I use that small MiFi router for Alexa, my laptop, my tablet, and my phone. That router runs 24/7, and I never had any problems with KZbin or Netflix. I even canceled my phone plan and just take that router with me whenever I go.

[@williamslifestyle227]

@@ElectronicsComputers Thanks for the response. Do you put the mifi in your pocket when are walking. And how many hours does the battery last while in use. Does it not get hot in your pocket? Honestly, I'm just asking because before you reply arrived, I was filling an online form then I had a call, the internet timed out and I had to fill the form from the beginning. I'm just worried about usage, advantages and disadvantages even though it's proven that most likely phone Internet might be faster.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

​@@williamslifestyle227 I usually put that router into my fanny pack or backpack. Yes, it gets warm but nothing crazy. I never had any issues with the internet. 25 Mbps is enough for what I do. I even sometimes download big files, like 5-10 gigs, using a torrent app and the router handles it pretty well. The battery lasts for about two days, but it depends on how you use it. The reason I decided to buy that router is that I would kill my phone's battery in several months. Also, most phones, even when connected to a USB cable, won't run solely from that cable and the battery will still discharge. This router doesn't have such a problem. If it's connected to the charger, the battery will always be 100% charged.

[@williamslifestyle227]

@@ElectronicsComputers Wow, 2 days? Which router has such battery capacity? Maybe I will buy it. A back pack sounds great. Seems you're using the mifi with a power bank. Thanks.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

​@@williamslifestyle227 I never used any power banks with that router. It has a huge 3000mAh battery. A few years ago, we had smartphones with batteries like that. This router has a very simple task to do, and in standby mode, it can last up to 4 days.

[@AKU666]

At same time such routers can receive signal better. In my location my phone can receive only 3G while router CPE can receive 4G.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

I haven't noticed any difference. If you have an Android phone, go to Settings -> Connections -> Mobile Networks, and in Network mode, select 4G. This will force your smartphone to use only 4G networks. If your phone has a good connection, then leave it as is. If it can't make a good connection, then in your case, the phone really has a worse connection than the router.

[@yoyoyo3531]

Yes my brother gets better reception on his tplink router than I do with my phone.

[@sherlockh4551]

Good job man.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Thanks!

[@HarrySoundClips]

Thank you so much.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

@HarrySoundClips Always welcome.

[@tondaspromos474]

Obrigado pelo teste foi muito útil!

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Fico feliz em ajudar.

[@kimsmile1624]

I'm using my old s10 as hotspot specially when I'm outside, so I won't damage my iPhone 15 pro max battery and save money not buying a pocket wifi that is expensive here in the Philippines

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Great choice!

[@lmwlmw4468]

Great video.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Thanks for the visit

[@abdulwafi2634]

The only downside of smartphone because is designed for apps. And service. Not for. Internet forwarding. Optimise all the bandwidth and delete all the app. On smartphones to make network devices beat the purpose of smartphone itself 😁

[@GregMcCall]

Comparing a cheap router to an expensive mobile I think is an unfair comparison.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Yeah, but the purpose of this video is to highlight that you might have a better alternative than buying an LTE router- it could already be lying in your drawer in the form of an old phone. I've noticed that many people, including myself, purchase these routers as backups. However, many of us possess old phones that can perform the same function at a higher speed, effectively covering an entire apartment or small house.

[@GregMcCall]

@@ElectronicsComputers It might not be a better alternative if it was a decent LTE router which is my point. I know there are better LTE router options and probably better than a mobile as they have good MIMO aerials so that's why I commented. Centaintly a cost effective option would be another mobile but it may not be the best or even effective in regional areas. Hence, too generalised title and not a fair comparison

[@deucevault7850]

yea i figured these things would be shit, thanks for the comparison. i think expensive phones beat expensive routers as well, even those with dedicated lte antennas

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Using an old smartphone as a router can often be a better option than purchasing a dedicated one, especially since many dedicated routers may have slower speeds or offer similar performance to some very expensive models.

[@BobDoe_69]

comparing appes to oranges aka 5ghz to 2ghz

[@Stealthywo]

So you need to pay for monthly data on ur phone for the sim card. Then u take the sim card out of ur phone and put it in to this device instead of just getting wifi from the device. What a scam

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Well, if you need several devices running 24/7, then using a mobile router isn't a bad idea. The phone's battery and the phone itself won't last long under such conditions.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

You could plug phone into PC with USB cable like me, wired tether always better. Oh, you did! I found out to do, when my PC lacked proper Wi-Fi connection, I realized from internet, to do USB tether.

[@ElectronicsComputers]

@@BigEightiesNewWave Yep, it's the best option speed-wise, plus your phone's battery is charging.

[@sossede6368]

Thanks

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Welcome!

[@realcartoongirl]

i use my old phone usb tethering to router, make use of what i have save money

[@ElectronicsComputers]

Great decision!

[@a9fc]

Well. You need to get a mobile router with 5ghz wifi to compare then. This comparison is pointless.

[@IqbalHossain-vg8vr]

And that 5g router costs so much that it’s better using spare phone

[@ZyroPapuchon18]

JESÚS CHRIST LOVES YOU. JESUS CHRIST DIED IN THE CROSS FOR YOU. JESUS CHRIST WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU HE WAS IN THE CROSS. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU. ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR.

[@BIWOODTV]

Christians like mixing things 😆😆😆 what's Jesus doing in internet matter now 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@edvinasdonse6012]

And then you won't be able to talk to God anyway

[@JohnPaulPURIFICACION-h5g]

Comparing 4G pocket wifi to a 5G phone,4g pocket wifi are not 5g wifi support

[@ElectronicsComputers]

The phone was 4G!

[@erichdaniels6000]

Hey how can we chat?