If you travel with a phone, laptop, and tablet, you’re probably burning through multiple SIMs or fighting for weak hotel Wi-Fi which is why you need the best portable wifi for travel
A portable Wi-Fi router is a small, self-contained device that turns a single SIM card into a private network for all my gear.
This post explains how the Mercusys MT110 MiFi became the best portable WiFi for travel, and how it cuts both my costs and stress every time I’m abroad.
How Portable WiFi Works
Think of it as your home wifi router — just pocket-sized and battery powered.
You insert a SIM card (any local or travel data SIM), and the MiFi connects to 4G mobile networks just like a phone.
Then, your phones, laptops, tablets, or e-readers connect to it by WiFi — exactly like connecting to your home internet.
It handles the outside connection, distributes it across your devices, and keeps them all private on one secure network.
No Bluetooth pairing, no cables, no tethering settings. You simply join the WiFi name (SSID) printed on the back and enter the password once.
Why a Single SIM Makes All the Difference
Without a MiFi, you’d need:
- One SIM for your phone (data only or roaming).
- Another SIM for your Chromebook if it’s LTE-enabled.
- Possibly an eSIM or roaming pack for a backup phone.
That’s three data plans — triple the admin and triple the cost.
With a MiFi, one SIM covers everything.
It shares that data to up to 10 devices at once — your phone, Chromebook, tablet, maybe a friend’s phone too — all running off a single 4G connection.
It’s not just cheaper; it’s smarter.
You can buy a high-value local data SIM (for example Vietnamese SIM for under £10) and spread it across every device you own.
No roaming charges. No juggling SIM trays.
Best Portable WiFi for Travel: The Mercusys MT110
I’ve tested a few — Huawei, TP-Link, random “global” knock-offs — but the Mercusys MT110 hits the perfect balance of cost, size, and reliability.
Key Specs
- 4G LTE speeds up to 150 Mbps — quick enough for streaming, uploading photos, and Zoom calls.
- Connect up to 10 devices — phones, tablets, laptops etc. your and your travel companions
- 2200 mAh battery — 8-10 hours real use; recharges from any USB-A or USB-C port.
- Plug-and-Play SIM slot — insert, switch on, done.
- Mercusys App — check usage, change passwords, block freeloaders.
It’s roughly the size of a bar of soap — light, durable, and simple to use.
I throw it in the same pouch as my phone charger and forget it’s there.
Connecting Your Devices
- Insert a SIM (micro size) into the slot.
- Press the power button — it’ll connect to the mobile network automatically.
- On your devices (phone, tablet, laptop), select the MT110 Wi-Fi name and enter the password printed inside the cover.
- Done. All your devices are online through one secure, private network.
The MiFi acts as a middleman — it connects to the internet through the SIM and creates your own Wi-Fi bubble around you.
If you’ve ever used your home router, this works exactly the same way — just portable and battery powered.
Real-World Travel Example
On a recent trips, I used a single 50 GB local SIM in the MT110.
That one SIM covered:
- My phone, for WhatsApp and maps.
- My Chromebook, for writing and uploads.
- My backup phone, for testing travel apps.
Total cost? Around £10 for a month.
I left the MiFi switched on all day in my bag — instant Wi-Fi everywhere.
Back in the hotel, it charged overnight through my MyTravelPal adapter, ready to go again by morning.
How It Compares to Tethering or Hotel Wi-Fi
| Feature | Hotel / Public Wi-Fi | Phone Hotspot | Mercusys MT110 MiFi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Shared / risky | Secure | Private |
| Speed | Unreliable | Depends on phone | Stable 4G |
| Battery impact | N/A | Drains phone fast | Separate battery |
| Simplicity | Login screens | Manual tether | Auto connects |
| Devices supported | Usually 1–2 reliably | 1–2 | Up to 10 |
| Data cost | Free but throttled | Multiple SIMs | One local SIM |
Everyday Convenience
- Always-on internet while moving — café, train, park, wherever.
- No need to re-enable hotspot or re-pair devices every time.
- Data usage control through the app — track how much you’re burning.
- No public Wi-Fi risk — your connection, your password.
It’s the simplest, cheapest, and most reliable way to stay connected without fiddling with roaming or network menus.
Final Verdict: The Best Portable WiFi for Travel
The Mercusys MT110 MiFi does exactly what a traveller needs:
- Keeps every device online through one SIM.
- Cuts data costs dramatically.
- Avoids dodgy public Wi-Fi.
- Weighs less than most phones.
It’s not fancy — just functional, reliable, and cost-effective and at around £30 it’s paid for in two short trips
For anyone running a Chromebook or Laptop, phone, and/or tablet setup like mine, this is an essential part of the travel tech kit.
👉 Get yours here: Best Portable Wi-Fi for Travel
🔗 Further Reading:
For more of my essential travel-tech picks — from power banks to adapters — see Tools & Resources
Ofcom – Using your mobile abroad
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/using-your-mobile-abroad