Best pocket WiFi for the USA: Costs and alternatives

In the past, using a pocket WiFi device was the easiest way for people to stay connected while traveling. These devices made access to mobile internet in the USA easy, and even with plenty of alternatives available, they are still used nowadays. 

Follow along as we take a look at the best pocket WiFi options for the USA, cover their pricing and features, as well as some alternatives to consider, such as the Holafly Plans eSIM subscription that allows you to share data without additional devices.

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How much does pocket WiFi cost in the USA?

You can expect to spend $50-$90 per week to rent portable WiFi hotspots for the USA. The price will depend on how much data you choose, and it doesn’t include shipping, insurance, or any potential damage fees you may need to pay.

You also have the option to buy a mobile hotspot device, in which case, you only need to buy data plans when you travel. This reduces running costs, but the upfront cost is higher.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular pocket WiFi options available for the USA:

What’s the best pocket WiFi for the USA?

As with all things, the best pocket WiFi is the one that suits your personal needs. There are plenty of options for the USA, so all you need to do is choose one that’s easy to get and doesn’t break the bank with its pricing. Let’s take a look at some of the top options, how you can get them, and how much they cost.

MioWiFi

MioWiFi is a company located in Argentina, offering unlimited data plus the device itself for $8 per day.Renting out MioWiFi for a week in the USA would cost $56 plus delivery fees. If you need to extend your plan, you can do so by paying for the extra days you need. 

Deliveries typically take three to five working days and can cost anywhere from $10 to $50 for delivery and return, depending on where you’ll be receiving and returning the device.

If you lose or damage the hotspot device, MioWiFi charges up to $250 for the damage, so it is better to take good care of the device while using it.

Skygo WiFi

If you don’t want to wait for your portable WiFi device to arrive, or if you simply want to save money on delivery fees, Skygo WiFi is a good option to consider. It has physical pick-up locations in Los Angeles and San Francisco airports, as well as a number of other locations within the United States.

There’s only one plan on offer with Skygo, which includes unlimited data and connections for up to five devices at once for $10/day.  Pick-up and return on location are free while shipping to other locations in the USA is $20 ($10 shipping and $10 for return). Shipping can take up to a week, so make sure to book your device in advance.

You can pay an insurance fee of $2/day, which protects you in case you damage or lose the device. With insurance, you’ll only have to cover $50 for any damages in case anything happens, without it, you’d be charged $300.

My Webspot

My Webspot is located in Europe but delivers pocket WiFi devices all over the world, including the USA.

The company offers a fixed price of $12.90 per day, which includes unlimited data and the ability to connect up to five devices at once. The shipping costs range from $10 to $30 dispensing on where you’ll be receiving and returning your device.

You also have the option to rent out a car charger, a power bank, a travel adaptor, or purchase insurance which reduces the cost of losing or damaging the device. You’d be charged $204 without insurance and $102 with insurance if you lose or damage the device while using it.

TravelWifi

TravelWifi is a European company that allows you to rent and use its devices in the USA. You can rent the device online and have it shipped to you wherever you are. The company ships from its warehouses in the USA, France, Chile, and Spain. If you order before 3 PM, your TravelWifi device will be shipped out on the same day.

The plan pricing ranges from $9.70 a day to $15.50 a day, depending on how much data you need. The cheapest plan offers 1 GB of data daily, while the most expensive plan includes unlimited data. All plans offer a connection speed of up to 4G LTE and allow up to five connected devices at once.

On top of that, shipping can cost an extra $25-50 for return and delivery. If you fail to return the device or return it damaged, the company will charge a fixed fee for the device.

Holafly Plans: Unlimited mobile hotspot with no extra devices

What if we told you there was a way to get the benefits of pocket WiFi technology in the USA, but without the extortionate costs, clunky device, or potential damage fees?

Holafly Plans is a monthly eSIM subscription service with a focus on digital nomads, long-term travelers, and larger groups with heavy data usage. For $64.90 a month, you receive unlimited data and unlimited hotspot sharing in 170+ global destinations. This means you can stay connected both in the USA and during international travel at no extra cost.

No worrying about running out of data or battery life on your router, no hiding hotspot passwords from your friends, and no surprise fees at the end of the month. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone, which you can turn into a mobile hotspot and provide secure connection to multiple devices.

Connectivity made easy

Activate Holafly Plans in a few simple steps and manage your plan through our dedicated app.

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Pocket WiFi alternatives

While pocket WiFi is a great option for staying connected on the go without resorting to roaming in the USA. Other alternatives, such as eSIM cards or international SIM cards, arguably have pocket WiFi beat both in terms of pricing and convenience. Let’s take a closer look at some of the alternatives you might want to consider.

• eSIM: eSIMs are the go-to option for millions of travelers who don’t need to constantly share data to multiple devices. You can get an eSIM for the USA from Holafly, with prices ranging from $1.55 to $3.90 per day, and enjoy a reliable connection with unlimited data and up to 1 GB of data sharing daily.
• Prepaid SIM card: If you don’t have an eSIM-compatible phone or prefer using a physical SIM, you can get a prepaid SIM card for the USA from local providers such as Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T. These cards give you mobile internet in the USA, calls, and texts, but also require you to remove your regular SIM if you don’t have a dual-SIM phone.
• Free WiFi: Public WiFi hotspots offer you a free way to get online. However, they won’t keep you connected on the go and are not a secure way to get connected, so only use them if you have no other option.

Pocket WiFi vs. Holafly Plans

Still not sure what’s the best pick for you? Let’s take a look at how using pocket WiFi devices compares to Holafly Plans, an eSIM subscription with unlimited data sharing from Holafly.

All in all, Holafly Plans is more affordable, while offering all the same perks that pocket WiFi does. It doesn’t require any contracts or long-term commitments either, so you can use it to stay connected for as long as you want and simply cancel your plan when you no longer need it.

Connectivity made easy

Activate Holafly Plans in a few simple steps and manage your plan through our dedicated app.

Get Holafly Plans

Traveling beyond the USA? These pocket WiFi articles for neighboring countries can also help you plan your trip.

• Pocket WiFi for Canada
• Pocket WiFi for Mexico
• Pocket WiFi for Costa Rica

Plans that may interest you

eSIM USA

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eSIM Mexico

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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