Best 4G modems

A 4G modem is a unique device that provides wireless Internet access wherever there is adequate coverage. They are mobile, battery-powered and with a USB connector for direct connection to a PC. The ranking considers the best 4G modems of both types, each providing fast loading sites and maintaining a stable signal.

Which company is better to choose a 4G modem

In our rating, only 3 companies are manufacturers of Internet modems - Samsung, ZTE and Huawei. The rest of the companies are just suppliers who reflash the devices of the previously mentioned brands for their networks and sell them under their own trademark. Moreover, their prices are about the same.

Let's describe each company in more detail:

• MTS Is a Russian mobile operator that provides tariff packages for cell phones and sets for accessing the Internet using the 4G standard. The company's modems provide a high speed of loading pages (about 150 Mbit per second), quickly pick up the signal and maintain a stable connection. Inside, there is usually room for a memory card up to 32 GB.
• Samsung - a firm for the production of household and digital appliances, operating in the middle price segment. It has both standard modems for connecting to a laptop via a USB connector and operating at an average distance of up to 10 m from the signal receiver. Models with Wi-Fi provide the Internet for up to 10 gadgets in one session - a phone, set-top box, tablet, etc.
• ZTE Is a Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturing company founded in 1985. Its range includes modems powered by both USB and battery. The capacity of the latter is about 2000 mAh, which is quite enough for uninterrupted operation for 7-9 hours. They support several communication standards, except for LTE, this is 2G and the maximum page loading speed here is the same as that of the competitors mentioned above - 150 Mbps.
• Huawei Is a Chinese company founded in 1987. She, in particular, supplies the market with equipment for Internet access. She has both ordinary 3G modems and universal routers with remote access to the network via Wi-Fi. Many of them are adapted for Russian operators. Some devices have a slot for a memory card up to 32 GB. Some variants are equipped with an antenna port for signal amplification.
• Beeline Is a Russian mobile operator, which presents on the market mainly USB options that connect directly to a PC. Most of them support two wireless standards - 4G and 3G, and automatically switch between them, depending on the quality of the coverage. Its 4G modems are recognized as one of the best for the Internet on this network due to the high page load speed of 100 Mbps.
• Megaphone Is a telecommunications company headquartered in Moscow, specializing in the sale of tariff packages and equipment for connecting to the Internet. It offers modems with a USB connector and a SIM card with remote access to the network via Wi-Fi. Within one session, 8 users can work simultaneously from different devices. Data reception speed is standard - up to 150 Mbps, and transmission - up to 50 Mbps.

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Rating of the best 4G modems

The decision to include a particular 4G modem in the rating was made as a result of a thorough analysis of the characteristics of the goods. When studying them, we took into account numerous features:

• Connection type - via USB-port or remotely;
• Availability of Wi-Fi and the number of simultaneously connected devices;
• Supported standards - 2G, 3G, 4G;
• Network connection time;
• The maximum distance to the laptop from the modem when distributing it via Wi-Fi;
• Download and data transfer speed;
• Signal stability;
• The ability to install a flash card and its maximum size;
• The presence of a built-in antenna and an input for connecting an external one;
• Operating temperature range;
• Battery capacity and duration of its work without recharging;
• Supported operating systems on PC.

Also, when deciding to include the 4G modems presented here in the rating, we were guided by their affordability, warranty duration, simplicity of settings, the level of quality of the case, and the ergonomics of devices.

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Best 4G USB modems

These modems work exclusively via USB and connect directly to a laptop or desktop PC. You cannot connect more than one piece of equipment to them. They usually look like a regular flash drive. Of the models on the market, the fastest and most stable are two options, and it is the modems that are described in this category.

MTS modem 832 FT 3G / 4G LTE

High-speed 4G-modem 832 FT from the mobile operator MTS provides an Internet connection up to 100 Mbps. It supports the most common communication standards - 2G / 3G / 4G LTE, which allows it to be used almost everywhere. Its configuration is quite simple and does not require contacting specialists thanks to built-in programs. The model is equipped with a slot for a memory card up to 32 GB, due to which the product can also act as a flash drive.

Advantages

• Excellent signal reception;
• Ease of Management;
• Profitable price;
• Connects to the network quickly;
• Intuitive interface.

disadvantages

• Cannot be used at subzero temperatures;
• Slot for non-standard SIM card "Micro".

To work in conditions of poor network coverage, a special antenna is built into the modem, which allows you to pick up the signal faster and maintain a stable connection more confidently.

Samsung GT-B3730

This is one of the fastest premium 4G modems, adapted to work with all Russian operators. It can be reprogrammed without problems, depending on the chosen cellular company. The control menu language can be either English or Russian, depending on the type of firmware, but the instructions are always provided in Cyrillic. This model supports two popular communication standards - 3G and 4G. True, the data transfer rate in the second case does not exceed 100 Mbit. The modem catches the signal well, but just in case there is a connector for an external antenna.

Advantages

• Small size;
• Ease of firmware;
• Good throughput;
• Not tied to any specific mobile operator.

disadvantages

• The price is above average;

The Samsung GT-B3730 is powered via the USB port. The reviews indicate that with frequent and inaccurate connection and removal of the device from the laptop, the socket can be loosened.

The best 4G modems with Wi-Fi internet distribution

This is a universal device that has a built-in wi-fi module for distributing it to multiple devices. A PC can be connected to them both via a USB port and remotely. Most often they are powered by a battery. We compared 10 options and selected 4 of the best Wi-Fi modems for the rating.

ZTE MF79

A convenient and versatile modem that can be used both in Russia and abroad, but this requires a flashing, which is not cheap. It is "sharpened" for Beeline, MTS, MegaFon, Iota and some other operators. The case has a place for a SIM card in the free access area. Within one session, ZTE MF79 can distribute the Internet to 8 devices without losing speed.

Outwardly, the device looks like a USB flash drive, and is inserted into a laptop in the same way, into a USB port. The modem demonstrates good data transfer rates in different modes - LTE (up to 173 Mbit / s), HSPA + (70 Mbit / s), HSUPA (up to 5.7 Mbit / s).It also supports EDGE, W-CDMA, EDGE and GPRS, but the response and connection stability in these cases, of course, are not the best.

Advantages

• Low weight;
• Neat dimensions;
• Supports memory card up to 32GB;
• Stable distribution of the Internet;
• High speed network connection.

disadvantages

• The maximum possible distance from the router to the receiving device is 10 m.

The ZTE MF79 is sold in black and white. In the reviews, it is recognized as one of the best 4G modems due to the possibility of using it both via a USB port and as a mobile Wi-fi router.

Huawei E8372

This is a mobile router that, due to its small size and weight, is easy to take with you on the road. Access to wireless Internet is possible here through two standards - via 3G and 4G. This expands the area of ​​use of the device and allows you to select the desired standard, depending on the coverage area in a particular area. A stable signal is provided in both modes, and the data reception speed reaches 150 Mb / s. Huawei E8372 has a built-in Wi-Fi transmitter, thanks to which up to 10 devices can simultaneously access the Internet.

Advantages

• The slot can accommodate a microSD memory card up to 32 GB;
• Status indication;
• There is an internal antenna for signal amplification;
• Compatible with various operating systems - Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1 / SP2, Windows 7, 8, 8.1, Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8;
• The speed of work with the 4g LTE standard is 150 Mb / s.

disadvantages

• The speed of data sending in 2g mode does not exceed 236.8 Kbps;

Beeline 4G LTE router + tariff "Internet for computer"

For one price, the buyer receives a favorable tariff and a mobile 4G router with remote distribution of the Internet via Wi-Fi to 10 devices, regardless of their type. However, buyers note that the higher the load on it, the lower the download speed of information. If there are no funds on the account at the time of the traffic overrun above the 25 GB norm, then failures may also occur. Support for three popular communication standards 2G / 3G / 4G provides access to the Internet in almost any place and they do not need to be configured, the modem switches between them automatically.

Advantages

• Capacious battery - 2300 mAh;
• Supports several Wi-Fi standards - 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n;
• There is a slot for a memory card up to 32 GB;
• High quality plastic case;
• Federal type of number;
• Withstands subzero temperatures - up to -10 degrees;
• From day 120, the number of prepaid GB increases to 30 GB per month.

disadvantages

• Not cheap subscription fee - 1200 rubles.

Wi-Fi router MegaFon MR150-6

The model from the MegaFon operator in the rating of 4G modems is distinguished by a combination of high-quality and fast access to the network, as well as a good data transfer speed - up to 50 Mbps, instant creation of a local network and simple distribution of the Internet to 10 devices at once. It works without power for 7-8 hours thanks to a sufficiently powerful Li-Ion-battery of 2300 mAh, and a special indicator warns of the end of charging. The device is suitable for use in roaming abroad and supports 3 standards - 4G / 3G / 2G.

Advantages

• SMS notifications arrive;
• Supports several operating systems - Microsoft Windows and Mac OS;
• Undemanding to the USB interface (version 2.0 is enough);
• Loads at a speed of about 150 Mbps;
• The warranty is given for a whole year.

disadvantages

• Internet access from MR150-6 is carried out only when installing a MegaFon SIM card.

Which 4G modem is better to buy

For those who plan to connect only one laptop or desktop computer to the network, it is quite possible to limit themselves to a modem with a USB port. To distribute the Internet to several signal receivers, it is best to choose a mobile version with a Wi-Fi module. If you have to travel long distances, where there is not good 4g coverage everywhere, a model with 3G / 2G support will also be relevant.

Here are some recommendations for choosing a specific modem from the rating:

• If you need high-speed Internet, you should pay attention to the ZTE MF79, Huawei E8372 or MegaFon MR150-6 Wi-Fi router.
• To create a large network via a Wi-Fi router, it is better to take a closer look at the option from Beeline, which does not lose its speed, regardless of the number of connected devices.
• If you need a universal offer that works in 2G, 3G and 4G LTE standards, it is recommended to choose Samsung GT-B3730 or MTS 832 FT 3G / 4G LTE.

When compiling a rating of the best 4G modems, we relied primarily on Internet speed, and this is usually the main criterion for choosing them.