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How to get a hotspot for cars: 3 Easy methods
Find out which is the best for cars, from built-in WiFi to mobile hotspots. Read our comparison and pick your preferred hotspot for car option.
Hotspots for cars help you keep multiple devices connected throughout your entire journey. Streaming the kids’ favorite shows in the back, queueing the next Spotify track in the passenger seat, and simply comparing live traffic updates can all be managed under a single hotspot.
So, how can you get a hotspot for your car? Keep reading as we discuss the best hotspots for cars – including the Holafly travel eSIM, which gives you unlimited data while you’re on the move.
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Types of mobile hotspot for cars
There are different ways to keep an internet connection across multiple devices while in your car.
Here are some of the most popular hotspot for cars alternatives and how each one works:
1. WiFi tethering (personal hotspot) for cars
You can use your cell phone’s tethering to create a hotspot with an eSIM or SIM card and keep your car connected to the internet with your data allowance.
This is the simplest option for those with older cars, but many mobile plans have a cap on hotspot allowance, so ensure you research your limits beforehand or go directly for an unlimited data plan.
2. Mobile hotspot device for cars
Dedicated mobile hotspot devices, like pocket WiFi, can create a secure WiFi hotspot for your car and for other passengers.
These devices are commonly rented and primarily work with 4G with limited data plans. However, you can buy one and get a separate data plan with up to 5G connectivity and access unlimited data plans.
3. Built-in WiFi for cars
Car WiFi is becoming more common with 4G connectivity. Mainly used for emergency services, software updates, and navigation systems, these can be turned into portable hotspots with specialized plans from carriers like Verizon or T-Mobile.
With these options in mind, let’s compare them to choose the best car hotspot.
How to choose the best mobile hotspot for a car?
Let’s quickly run down the key factors for choosing the ideal hotspot for your car.
- Data plan: An unlimited data plan is the best option for providing a stable internet connection to your car and other devices. However, not all portable hotspots offer this feature.
- Pricing: Depending on your preferred option, you can pay anywhere from $90/month to $8/day for a limited data plan. When choosing a mobile hotspot for your car, the main aim is to find the sweet spot between pricing and a higher data cap.
- Battery life: Built-in WiFi and WiFi adapters will work for as long as the car is on. Pocket WiFi and mobile devices have an average battery life of ~15 hours. However, some devices have a lower battery life of ~8 hours. Devices connected to the OBD-II or light port won’t have to worry about this.
- Coverage: The better the coverage is, the more stable connection you’ll get. The idea is to get WiFi on highways, cities, and certain remote areas with a proper cellular service.
- Delivery times: When renting or purchasing devices, you must wait a bit longer before using them in your car. Plus, there are additional fees for delivery/return.
- Data speed: Some mobile and pocket WiFi devices include up to 5G connectivity, which provides a higher internet speed. However, you’ll stay connected at lower speeds when using a WiFi adapter or 4G devices.
Best hotspot for cars: 3 Top choices
Keeping these factors in mind, which is the best hotspot option for your car? Let’s dive into some top choices:
Holafly Connect: Best for long drives with unlimited data
Tethering two devices is an excellent way to turn your smartphone into a valuable tool as you drive. Simply turn on your phone’s hotspot and you’ll create a secure, portable private WiFi network fit with its own password.
All you need is a plan that matches your data usage, like Holafly Connect’s unlimited data and unlimited hotspot allowance. For $64.90/month, you’ll be able to connect to local networks in 170+ global destinations, often at 5G speeds.
Looking for a lighter alternative? The 25 GB plan comes with 25 GB of monthly data and tethering, with all the other perks like 24/7 customer support, at $49.90/month.
As long as you have an eSIM-compatible phone, Holafly Connect is the most reliable option for getting data plans for your car. Thanks to its speed and global coverage, it’s a go-to portable hotspot for streaming and navigating in the moments you need it most.
Built-in WiFi: Best option for newer vehicles
With newer cars from companies like BMW and Toyota including built-in WiFi – BMW even has its own eSIM – connecting multiple devices while on the road will be easier without a smartphone or portable hotspot.
To use the built-in car WiFi, you’ll need a compatible plan. Verizon and T-Mobile offer Verizon In-Vehicle WiFi or the T-Mobile Magenta Drive plans, respectively, which range from $20 to $75 for a limited amount of cellular data.
These plans allow drivers to forget about the battery life of their smartphones or pocket WiFi devices, with a hotspot costing no additional money. However, since plans have a low data cap, you might need more data in the long term.
Pocket WiFi: Best alternative for the off-roading
Whether you have a phone that’s not eSIM-compatible, need coverage in remote areas, or your car doesn’t have built-in WiFi, your best option will be a pocket WiFi to get in-car WiFi.
Pocket WiFi devices are mobile hotspots that strengthen connections for multiple devices to use at once. You’ll still need a data plan to use them, and costs for rental can prove expensive.
This said, companies like Solis offer portable mobile hotspot devices with up to 5G speeds that work in over 140 countries worldwide. A monthly plan will set you back $84.15, and you will have only 20 GB to share with passengers and other devices.
Other options, including the Verizon Inseego MiFi, are available for purchase. The device costs $349.99, so it is an investment for your car’s hotspot..
Holafly eSIMs: Hotspots for cars and beyond
Built-in WiFi is a great option for staying connected on the move, but only some vehicle models and data providers currently offer this solution. As for portable hotspot devices like pocket WiFi, they will keep you connected at a cost.
Choosing an eSIM subscription like Holafly Connect gives you flexibility on the go.
Unlimited data, unlimited hotspot sharing, and local coverage in 170+ global destinations. Or, should we say, unlimited music, unlimited streaming, and expert navigation wherever you are?
Stay connected as you drive with Holafly.
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
