What is a 4G WiFi Router?

Compared to a WiFi-only router, which only supports wireless standards, a 4G WiFi router supports mobile technology via a 4G wireless module.

Once you plug in a micro SIM card with a data plan, the router can communicate with the carrier’s surrounding cell towers to access the internet and generate a reliable WiFi signal. You can easily share this internet access with family and friends.

Do I Need a 4G WiFi Router?

Obviously, whether or not you need a 4G WiFi router depends on your situation.

Mobile networks, especially the 4G LTE network, have come a long way in the last 10 years. That makes it an attractive alternative when people are going to remote places or somewhere that cellular data works better than fixed networks or public WiFi. Though people can easily turn on a mobile hotspot, its performance can be underwhelming. Hotspot sharing usually ends up draining battery power and offers limited client access.

A plug-and-play 4G WiFi router is strongly recommended in the following situations:

You are going somewhere lacking stable wired internet or reliable WiFi.
You want a 3G/4G connection to backup fixed networks.
You want to waste no time in accessing the internet.
You do not want to subscribe to an expensive broadband service for internet access.
You do not want complicated cable deployment for home networking and want to avoid the installation bill.

What Are the Benefits/Features of a 4G WiFi Router?

With the development of 4G technology, mobile data has become an important source for internet connection. 4G routers can use mobile data to share internet connections and provide multiple benefits.

Easy to Use

With an integrated 4G LTE modem and a built-in SIM card slot, all you need to do is insert a micro SIM card and turn on the router. Enjoying fast, stable Wi-Fi on a 4G LTE network has never been easier.
Powerful Compatibility

Tested in the field for years, TP-Link 4G routers are widely compatible with different ISP services in more than 100 countries, ensuring universal compatibility with 2 advanced antennas to deliver a smooth connection.
Low Cost

Unlike a traditional WiFi router, you don’t need to buy broadband service and another fixed-line device such as cable, DSL, or fiber. You don’t have to deploy cables, just buy a SIM card and subscribe to a cellular data plan provided by your mobile service operator.
More Connections

With WiFi and LTE antennas and Ethernet ports, TP-Link 4G routers can easily share a 3G/4G connection with multiple wireless devices, such as phones, tablets, and laptops, at the same time, and provide internet for wired devices like desktop computers.

What is the Difference Between a 4G WiFi Router and a DSL Modem Router?

4G WiFi routers and DSL modem routers can both provide network connections and have the same functionality, but there are some differences.

Providing internet connection without cable restrictions, 4G routers are convenient and widely popular in the networking market. A 4G WiFi router, containing a built-in LTE broadband modem, uses a SIM card to share internet connections. You can use a 4G WiFi router for internet sharing anywhere, as long as it is within the network range of the network service provided by your mobile operator.

A DSL modem router is a router with a built-in DSL modem. It can provide internet connections using a telephone line. Connect the cables and subscribe to broadband services from DSL service providers, then you can enjoy a stable and reliable network.

When using a 4G router, you are charged based on your cellular data usage plan, while for a DSL modem router, the fee is for the broadband service.

How Does a 4G WiFi Router Work?

TP-Link’s 4G WiFi router supports two operation modes: 3G/4G Router mode and Wireless Router mode. In Wireless Router mode, you can use 3G/4G networks as backup internet if your broadband connection fails. On the other hand, you can flexibly turn to fixed networks in case your mobile networks are less stable.

3G/4G Router Mode: In this mode, the router should have a micro SIM card to generate a WiFi signal.

LTE Standard	LTE Download speed	LTE Upload speed	Related Products
4G+ Cat6	300 Mbps	150 Mbps	Archer MR600
4G Cat4	50 Mbps	50 Mbps	Archer MR200

Wireless Router: In this mode, the 4G router’s WAN port should connect to a modem or a network port to provide internet access.

How Do You Set Up a 4G WiFi Router?

It just takes a few steps to get your internet set up with a 4G WiFi Router.

1. Install the antennas and position them upwards.

2. Insert a micro SIM card into the slot until you hear a click.

3. Connect the router to a power source and turn it on.

Done! You can connect to the router’s network wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable.

TP-Link 4G WiFi Router vs Huawei 4G WiFi Router

	TP-Link	Huawei
Appearance
Model no	Archer MR600	B525
4G LTE standard	Cat6: DL 300Mbps / UL 50Mbps	Cat6
Bands Support	4G: FDD-LTE (B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28), TDD-LTE (B38/B40/B41) 3G: DC-HSPA+/HSPA+/HSPA/UMTS (B1/B5/B8) Better compatibility, access to LTE network in more countries and regions	4G: FDD B1/B3/B7/B8/B20/B32, TDD B38 3G: DC-HSPA+/HSPA+/UMTS B1/B8 2G EDGE/GPRS/GSM B2/B3/B5/B8
CA Combo	B1+B5, B1+B7, B1+B8, B1+B20, B3+B3, B3+B5, B3+B7, B3+B8, B3+B20, B3+B28, B3+B38, B3+B40, B5+B5, B5+B7,B7+B7, B7+B8, B7+B20, B7+B28, B28+B40, B38+B38, B40+B40, B41+B41 Connects to high-speed 4G+ network in more countries and regions	B3+B3, B7+B7, B38+B38, B3+B7, B3+B20, B7+B20, B7+B8, B3+B8, B1+B20, B1+B8, B20+B32
WiFi	AC1200	AC1600
2.4 GHz	300 Mbps	300 Mbps
5 GHz	867 Mbps	1300 Mbps
LED Indicator	Power, Internet, WiFi, LAN, 4G+, 3× LTE Signal Strength	Power, Internet, WiFi, LAN, 5× LTE Signal Strength
Ports	1× GE WAN/LAN + 3× GE LAN+ 1× Micro SIM card slot	1× GE WAN/LAN + 3× GE LAN+ 1× RJ11 + 1× USB 2.0 + 1× Micro SIM card slot
Antennas	2× Detachable 4G antennas	Internal 4G antennas
Buttons	1× Power on/off + 1× WiFi on/off + 1× WPS + 1× Reset	1× Power on/off + 1× WPS + 1× Reset
Co-Current Client	64	64
Parental Controls	√	×
QoS/Bandwidth Control	QoS	×
App	Tether APP	×
Mesh Technology	OneMesh	×
MU-MIMO	√	×

What are TP-Link’s Best 4G WiFi Routers in 2020?

Archer MR600

Archer MR600 is a 4G+ Cat6 AC1200 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router that utilizes 4G+ and Cat6 to boost data speed to up to 300 Mbps. Four full Gigabit ports ensure reliable wired connections. It supports TP-Link OneMeshTM —working with TP-Link OneMeshTM products to create a flexible and cost-efficient mesh network.

Archer MR400

Archer MR400 is an AC1200 Wireless Dual Band 4G LTE Router that takes full of advantage of your cutting-edge 4G LTE network to deliver download speeds of up to 150 Mbps. It creates simultaneous dual band WiFi networks, with maximum speeds of up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band.

TL-MR6400

TL-MR6400 is a 300 Mbps Wireless N 4G LTE Router that shares internet access with up to 32 WiFi devices while providing download speeds of up to 150 Mbps.

Model	Wireless Standard	Wireless Rate	Standard	Interface
Archer MR600	Wi-Fi 5	2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps 5 GHz: 867 Mbps	LTE-A Cat 6 300 Mbps	10/100/1000 Mbps
Archer MR400	Wi-Fi 5	2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps 5 GHz: 867 Mbps	LTE Cat 4 150 Mbps	10/100 Mbps
TL- MR6400	Wi-Fi 4	2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps	LTE Cat 4 150 Mbps	10/100 Mbps

Common Questions about 4G WiFi Routers

What should I do if want to extend my current WiFi network?

If you are using a TP-Link OneMesh™ router to share the internet connection, you can buy a TP-Link OneMesh™ WiFi extender to easily extend your network and establish a mesh WiFi network.

Does TP-Link has more portable 4G network products for travel?

Yes we do! We have battery-powered MiFi (mobile WiFi) devices, which can be charged via a micro USB cable connected to a laptop, portable charger, or adapter for unlimited 4G sharing. You can click the TP-Link MiFi product list to see all MiFi products.

What is a 4G WiFi Router?

A Guide to 4G WiFi Routers in 2020