Everything You Need to Know About T-Mobile Hotspots

Data effective 6/21/2022. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

The starter pack—Here’s the best T-Mobile hotspot, hotspot plan, and hotspot-friendly cellular plan

Most mobile hotspots are locked for use with specific cellular carriers, a reality we’re not thrilled about because it means you have limited choices and less flexibility no matter which hotspot you choose. But T-Mobile is a smart cell carrier to go with since it has the best 5G hotspot around, great prices on all of its mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, and a dirt-cheap hotspot data plan that lets you get more data whenever you run out.

Here’s a quick rundown of your best options if you go with T-Mobile as your one-stop hotspot shop.

The best hotspot: Get Inseego’s 5G MiFi M2000 for $336. Sure, it’s a pretty high price for a hotspot, but it gives you cutting-edge 5G access with 100+ Mbps speeds in some areas. It’s also fully loaded with security features and Wi-Fi 6 efficiency, able to connect up to 30 devices at a time. Stick to a cheaper device if you’re only hotspotting once in a while, but spring for the M2000 if you go on lots of work-related trips and share your hotspot data with groups of coworkers or students.

The best hotspot data plan: T-Mobile’s 2 GB data plan is the best hotspot plan in our opinion. This plan costs only $10 a month, which is a steal compared to the inflated prices you usually see for hotspot plans. It doesn’t come with a whole lot of data, but that isn’t a problem if you use a mobile hotspot occasionally. And if you run out, you can buy more data for a reasonable price any time.

Pro tip:

Download our speed test app to see what kind of performance you’re getting.

Pro tip: 

Take our speed test to see what kind of performance you’re getting with your hotspot. If you’re on a phone hotspot, a mobile hotspot device could give you a major boost.

The best cellular plan for your phone’s hotspot: Not everyone needs a standalone hotspot—a cell phone’s hotspot works just as well in a pinch. A lot of phone plans come with a little data you can use for hotspot tethering. T-Mobile’s Magenta Max plan comes with 40 GB of high-speed hotspot data and costs $85 for one line. That 40 GB should give you plenty to cover your needs at a work conference or holiday weekend Netflix binge.

*Amazon.com prices (as of 6/21/2022 17:35 MST). Read full disclaimer.

Outside of the MiFi M2000, most of T-Mobile’s hotspots are fairly standard. The Franklin T10 Mobile Hotspot and the Alcatel LINKZONE don’t come with the digital touchscreens or security features of higher-priced hotspots. But they’re cheap, and they get the job done, giving you decent speeds over 4G LTE networks. Get one of those if you only occasionally use a hotspot or use it for just a handful of Wi-Fi devices at a time.

Data as of 6/21/2022. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*Per connected device with AutoPay. Plus Taxes & fees.

While it’s tempting to be drawn in by lots of gigabytes upfront, for many people it’s actually smarter to start small, especially if you use hotspots only occasionally. That’s why we recommend T-Mobile’s 2 GB plan as the best option: you get a little bit of hotspot data for a super cheap price. You can just buy more when you run out, in quantities ranging from 5 GB to 50 GB.

If you’re in need of a big bunch of data right off the bat, consider T-Mobile’s prepaid Unlimited Mobile Internet plan. It’s a pretty good option if you live in a rural area and want to use a hotspot in place of a pricey and cumbersome satellite internet plan. Keep in mind that your speeds will be throttled considerably once you use 50 GB of data.

A standalone mobile hotspot gives you faster speeds than a smartphone hotspot. Plus, a dedicated device lets you connect more users and doesn’t drain your phone’s battery. Still, for many users a phone hotspot is enough, and T-Mobile’s Magenta Max plan gives you a ton of data to tether your phone to Wi-Fi devices all day long.

T-Mobile has a good prepaid option if you want something cheaper. Or if you’re really going for a budget option, Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network and offers a ridiculously cheap plan. Just be mindful of your hotspot data use because it counts towards your cell phone data. (Other MVNO providers like Boost Mobile also offer cellular and hotspot plans that give you data to work with. The connection isn’t quite as reliable, but the plans are usually great budget options.)

FAQ about T-Mobile hotspots