The need to stay connected has become an essential aspect of our lives. We like to stay connected for work and leisure and prefer to be reachable at all times. The constant need for connectivity requires support from proper Wi-Fi systems, at home, at work, and even in cars.

A car Wi-Fi system provides Internet connectivity in the car for the times when you drive to work, go from one city to another for professional commitments, or on a road trip with your family or friends.

How can you get Wi-Fi in your car?
A car Wi-Fi system works as a router for all devices on-board and provides excellent reception to multiple devices. It is heavy-duty equipment, so you can do more while on the move than just check your messages or emails. Car Wi-Fi systems are specifically designed to provide proper coverage while you are on the go.

There are two ways to get Wi-Fi in your car. One is to purchase the latest model of car that comes fitted with a modern Wi-Fi system. Almost all the top brands in the country make automobiles with Wi-Fi systems across different price segments and car types. If your car does not have a built-in system, you can add Wi-Fi equipment to most vehicles manufactured after 1996.

The cars that come with built-in Wi-Fi systems are service-ready and do not need any additional equipment except a data plan. Some popular brands that add this system to their select vehicles are Chevrolet, Infiniti, Mercedes, Jeep, Jaguar, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Dodge, and Ford.

Another method of getting Wi-Fi in your car is to purchase add-on equipment - a mobile hotspot and place it in your car for use. A mobile hotspot is different from a built-in system and is quite popular because of its versatility. Car Wi-Fi plans are offered by various telecom companies and start from as low as USD 10 per month. Various plans come with unlimited data, and some let you connect as many as 10 devices at a time.

Reasons to use Wi-Fi
Are you looking for reasons why you should get Wi-Fi in your car? Read on, and we will tell you why it will be worth it to invest in an excellent in-built system or add-on equipment.

  • Get entertainment-related features
    When you travel with family and have kids in tow, you need something to keep the little ones entertained, especially if your drive is longer than two hours. This is because, for the first two hours, they will look outside the window, take a nap, nibble on their snacks, and listen to songs. After two hours, they start bickering, which is when the car Wi-Fi will come to your rescue. It will keep the little munchkins busy with their favorite movie or stay engaged by chatting with their friends on social media or messaging apps during the drive.
  • Enjoy superior-quality reception
    A car does not get excellent reception, especially at high speed. So, when you are out on the highway, you may not receive proper reception on your mobile phones, and most of your devices may end up buffering a lot more than you would like them to. A car Wi-Fi system has a purpose-built antenna that has been designed to help you receive better connectivity while on the move. A car Wi-Fi system will ensure that you receive non-stop reception and work or play on the go without having to worry about losing the signal.
  • Save data
    If you do not have a Wi-Fi System in your car, you may use your phone data when needed. Doing so will either exhaust your daily limit or rake up a huge data bill. A car Wi-Fi system runs on its data plan that needs to be boosted from time to time. Moreover, most telecom companies offer reasonably priced car Wi-Fi offers, making it cheaper to use car Wi-Fi than your mobile data.
  • Work seamlessly
    Sending important files on the go while driving becomes quite tough due to the unstable reception. If you would like to download a spreadsheet or attend an online meeting while in a car, you can do so only with the help of a car Wi-Fi. This simple device ensures that you drive non-stop without having to make pick stops because of connectivity issues.

How much does a car Wi-Fi system cost?
A car Wi-Fi offers a wide variety of facilities. However, it comes at a high price. A good car Wi-Fi system may cost you anywhere between USD 50 to USD 500. There are a huge number of options in this price range.

Most car brands in the US now make cars pre-equipped with a car Wi-Fi system. The device’s cost is included in the car’s price, and you do not have to pay anything extra other than for the monthly services from the telecom company. Some of the brands that you can consider are Budd’s, Chevrolet, GMC, and Buick.

Additionally, you have to pay for a connection from a service provider like AT&T and Verizon. You can choose different car Wi-Fi plans based on your requirements. Some plans will let you connect as many devices to the Wi-Fi system; this means a car Wi-Fi can take care of your entire family’s connectivity requirements while you are on a family vacation or have gone out for a long drive.

Which are the best car Wi-Fi devices?
Here are some of the top car Wi-Fi devices available in the market:

  • Novatel Jetpack MiFi 7730L
    Novatel Jetpack MiFi runs on the Verizon 4G LTE network. This device requires a nano-SIM card and offers a battery life of up to 15 hours. This small, 5.4-Oz device is highly portable and provides a network everywhere in the US.
    Novatel Jetpack has a touchscreen that facilitates easy navigation through the device. You can quickly check your data consumption, change the settings, and do many other activities with just a few touches. This Wi-Fi device comes with a USB-A charging outlet and two ports for fixing the antenna. You can enjoy both 2.4 and 5 GHz and enjoy non-stop connectivity while on the go.
  • NetGear Nighthawk M1 Mobile Hotspot
    This Wi-Fi system is ideal if you require gigabit speeds on national highways. Netgear Nighthawk is equipped with a massive 5000 mAh battery and can work the whole day while charging two mobile phones. Yes, this mobile hotspot can morph into a power bank and take care of your charging needs.

Netgear NightHawk can create 2.4 and 5 GHz networks according to your requirement, and it has forward ports for ease-of-use. This versatile device can also become your music center and connects a whopping 20 devices, and none of them have to buffer.

The USB-A port on the device facilitates file transfer while the USB-C port takes care of charging. There is also an Ethernet port for when you want to connect the device to a wired Internet connection. This will help you create a Wi-Fi other than your service providers.

  • GlocalMe U2 4G Mobile Hotspot
    It is a powerful device that enables you to take a road trip to Canada without losing your signal. This device has a compact design that will take less space on your dashboard. U2 does not have an LCD screen but provides information like signal strength and Wi-Fi using a series of lights. Fitted with a 3,500-mAh battery, this mobile hotspot can provide your car with lightning-fast signals for up to 12 hours.

To use U2, you have to install the GlocalMe app, which lets you create an account and choose a payment option. This app allows you to opt for the country you will use the device in, select a plan, and enjoy a maximum download speed of 150 Mbps. It is the star of the whole setup because it is easy to navigate and lets you do so much with it. Additionally, U2 has two sim card slots.

  • Alcatel Linkzone
    Alcatel Linkzone works exclusively with T-Mobile to offer a reliable connection along with a functional Web interface. This small yet sturdy car Wi-Fi lets you connect almost 15 devices without any connectivity and quality issues.
    Alcatel Linkzone is much loved for its design. It is a little black device with a few lights that indicate battery life, messages, Wi-Fi signal strength, and mobile signal strength. Linkzone comes with a smaller battery of 1,800 mAh that provides six hours of entertainment. The best thing about the battery is that you can replace it with a more powerful device in long-distance road travel.
    T-Mobile has the most generous data plans. Therefore, when you invest in LinkZone, your monthly data bills reduce drastically. This device has a Web-based interface, which means you have to log on to a link to check your data usage and recharge your account when needed. When you exhaust your monthly limit, the device shifts to 2G connection, allowing you to reply to your emails and surf the Internet.

Factors to consider while choosing an add-on car Wi-Fi
Various factors decide which Wi-Fi system will be the best for you. Let’s talk about them.

  • Network
    The main purpose of investing in a car Wi-Fi device is to enjoy non-stop connectivity. Without a reliable cellular network, it is just like a mobile phone with no features. Therefore, you will have to consider the network of the equipment and the device’s capability to catch the reception before you invest in it. Verizon and T-Mobile are two companies that offer excellent speed and coverage on the road.
  • Charging time and battery life
    When you are on the move, the charging time of devices and their battery life becomes important. The same goes for car Wi-Fi devices. An add-on Wi-Fi device needs to have an impressive battery life along with the capability to charge in a jiffy. Some cars come with charging points, which can be used to charge mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices with the help of a regular adapter or a USB port. However, if there are no charging points, you need your Wi-Fi device to last as long as the journey. Most devices available in the market provide anywhere between eight to 15 hours of battery life.
  • Ports
    It always helps if a portable car Wi-Fi device has certain ports like an Ethernet port and a USB port. A USB port comes in handy to connect external hard drives, and it can take care of the device while charging on the go. Some Wi-Fi devices have USB-A outlets that can charge mobile phones and tablets.
    There’s one more crucial port that can improve the reception quality of the device, and that is a TS9 external antenna port. This needs to be purchased separately in most cases.
  • Frequency
    Wi-Fi devices operate on two frequencies, 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz. Some devices offer a choice between them, which means, an individual can toggle between the two frequencies according to their requirements.
  • Display
    A decent display helps in managing the device’s settings. While some Wi-Fi devices come with in-built screens, others may connect to an app on the user’s mobile phone for all the device-related information and settings.

When does a car Wi-Fi system prove valuable?
A car Wi-Fi makes a lot of sense in two scenarios: when you travel a lot and when you have a big family and everyone wants to stay connected inside the car. This system will help you work while on the road and in case of a family vacation. It will keep everyone entertained.

Various options are available in the market. So, before you spend money, you will have to do your homework considering how much you will use a car Wi-Fi, how many devices need to be connected, and how much money you can shell out to buy it.