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Best pocket WiFi for China + how much does it cost?
Regarding Pocket WiFi for China, there are many options to consider. Here you will learn everything about each one of them!
China is a modern country, meaning there are lots of options for getting online and staying connected. Pocket WiFi devices are among these options, but who provides them, and how much does it cost to use them?
As the idea is to have an internet connection in China, you’ll need to know everything about this service, but we’ll also discuss alternatives, like the eSIM, to help you choose the best option for a your trip!
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What is a pocket WiFi?
A pocket WiFi is essentially portable WiFi router you can carry with you at all times. You can either rent or purchase one before traveling.
The idea of a pocket WiFi device is to provide users with internet access on different devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices that need an internet connection to work.
These devices are accessible through companies that rent them but are also available for purchase. Renting these is more accessible as you will have an internet connection as soon as you arrive.
Currently, there are two different pocket WiFi China devices on the market, such as the WiFi egg, a smaller version of the traditional version, and the standard model that most companies still use.
Your pocket WiFi may look something like this:
How much does pocket WiFi for China cost?
When renting a pocket WiFi for China, prices will range depending on the data plan and additional items you’ll add.
For China, prices start at $31.15 USD for a week but can cost up to $83 USD or beyond, depending on your chosen company.
Which is the best pocket WiFi for traveling in China?
Choosing a pocket WiFi to stay connected in China requires checking both features and prices, which takes time.
Since different companies rent pocket WiFi for travelers to China, it’s ideal to have information about what each one offers.
So, here, we’ll discuss prices, additional features, data speeds, and any other information you may need to choose your next pocket WiFi.
BeFreeTour
Our first option is BeFreeTour, an Indonesian company that’s an option for Asian travelers looking for pocket WiFi.
BeFreeTour offers low-cost connectivity, with a week’s worth of $31.15. This works in most of Mainland China. The data plan included with this price provides 4G LTE speeds, which is reasonable for staying connected during a trip.
For those renting the pocket WiFi from BeFreeTour, it’s important to note that there’s no delivery service; you must pick up their device when arriving in China at the airport.
As for payments, you can use credit or debit cards and PayPal to rent a device from BeFreeTour.
Lastly, it’s important to note that BeFreeTours has a damage/loss policy. While the fee is not mentioned on the website, it’s better to be cautious during your trip!
A good alternative to avoid these lost policy charges is to use eSIMs for Indonesia or any other destination. Secure and easy to use for travelers.
Roamingman
Roamingman is a company founded in Malaysia that has now moved to the United States. It offers worldwide coverage with its delivery services to get pocket WiFi for China, but it is quite expensive.
With this data plan, there’s no coverage for China as a stand-alone destination, but Roamingman offers coverage in Asia as a region, including China on the package. This is an advantage if you plan to visit other countries while accessing 1GB of data for $7.99 daily. Other plans, including 3GB and 5GB, are available for a higher rate.
If you don’t want to wait for the delivery service, you can always pick up the device at Chinese airports. This helps you save some money, which you can later use as you prefer!
The available payment methods on Roamingman are credit cards and PayPal, which can be used to rent these mobile hotspot devices.
Finally, it’s important to note that the business penalizes for late return deliveries and lost equipment. While the second penalty costs $86 for losing one piece of equipment, the first penalty will be determined once restored. An alternative to avoid these fines is to use Malaysian eSIMs that allow data sharing such as pocket WiFi.
Rent n’ Connect
Our third alternative for visiting China with a pocket WiFi is Rent n’ Connect, a company mostly focused on the European market and less available on the African and American continents.
Don’t get us wrong, you’ll get mobile internet with their devices in China. However, the company only offers pick-up in a handful of destinations, so forget about delivery services if you are not on their list.
For $8.99 per day, you can get unlimited internet access to stay connected in China. This said, you need to add the shipping fee, which is roughly $12 USD, depending on where you are located.
The overall purchase process is complicated since Rent n’ Connect requests lots of info, such as the flight ID, return information, where you are staying, and more, before accessing the payment methods: Stripe, Sofort, and credit cards.
The company imposes fines on customers who lose or damage their devices. The issue is that the information is unavailable on their site, but the fee ranges from €130 to 190, which is around $142 to $207 USD.
Travel WiFi
Our last option to get pocket WiFi to stay connected in Mainland China comes with Travel WiFi.
Currently, this company provides three different internet connection options, with data plans ranging from $7.95 to $11.95 daily and including 1 GB, 2 GB, and 5 GB.
There are different options for getting your pocket WiFi from Travel WiFi. There are pick-up options available in certain locations, such as Spain, while most countries have an additional delivery fee that ranges from $3 to $29.
Like other companies, Travel WiFi offers two payment methods: credit cards and PayPal.Lastly, there’s a loss or damage fee, as expected, which varies from $149 to $199 depending on if the traveler lost only the pocket WiFi device or if there was an additional device, such as the charger or its bag.
Pocket WiFi alternatives
Even though there are different pocket WiFi devices available when visiting China, due to pricing and contract conditions, this might not be the ideal solution for getting internet when traveling.
So, it’s time to talk about alternatives to get internet in China, such as local SIM cards, free WiFi, and our favorite due to what it offers, eSIM cards.
Unlimited data eSIM for China
When it comes to getting mobile internet abroad without worrying about delivery services and additional fees, the Holafly China eSIM is a great solution for you in 2024.
While these work best on mobile phones, you can share your data with other devices with a limit of 500 MB daily. But what’s more important is that you’ll get unlimited data to visit China, and you can choose how many days you travel. Prices start at $6 for 1 day and go up to $139 for 90 days with unlimited data!
Also, Holafly offers more features to its users. 5G data speeds are available in China, and you can top-up your eSIM if you stay longer; an Android and iOS app to manage and buy your eSIM, with Alipay available for China. An easy activation process, 24/7 customer support, and you don’t have to worry about the delivery time.
China prepaid SIM card
If you don’t have an eSIM-compatible device, there’s no need to worry because local SIM cards will help you connect to the internet.
To use your mobile phone in China with a SIM card, your device needs to have open bands to connect to international networks, like China Unicom. You can also get one from vending machines, online stores, convenience stores, and similar places.
Lastly, if you use a SIM card in China, keep in mind these have a basic plan, so chances are you get 4G LTE limited data plans, which is not as good as an eSIM providing 5G connections!
Free WiFi
Our last option offers free Wi-Fi. While this option can save you some money, there’s a need to have a safe internet connection, so we don’t recommend using it all the time.
Try to rely on free WiFi only when necessary. This option is helpful for looking for addresses in Google Maps, looking for information about a tourist destination, or something similar, but we don’t recommend using Facebook or any other social media, as well as finance apps, with free WiFi.
Which option is better to get an internet connection in China?
Up to this point, we’ve discussed different options, including portable WiFi devices, SIM and eSIM cards, and free WiFi, but it’s time to decide which one is better for travelers to connect to the internet in China.
Based on the features of each service, the eSIM Holafly for China is our choice. It has better prices, there are no additional fees to pay, no long delivery times, better data speeds with 5G networks, and much more.
So, if you are planning to visit historical destinations in China, don’t forget to order your unlimited data eSIM!
FAQs about pocket WiFi for China
Choosing the best pocket WiFi device varies depending on where you are located. If you are in the Asian region, Roamingman and BeFreeTour are your go-to options, but if you are in Europe or America, Rent n’ Connect and Travel WiFi are better alternatives.
While many methods are available, pocket WiFi devices are not as reliable as before, especially because options like the eSIM card are better for staying connected during a trip.
It depends on which company you use. Asian companies, such as BeFreeTour and Roamingman, are more accessible, with data plans having a price of $31 per week, while companies from Europe or America can cost up to $80 per week, which is a lot higher than other alternatives.
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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.
