Internet
What Is a Pocket WiFi? How Does It Work? And How to Use It
In this post, we will deeply explore what Pockets WiFi are, how they work, how much they cost, and what are the alternatives.
Advertising Disclosure
Advertising Disclosure
Roami was founded to serve as a trusted resource for travelers in need of reliable internet solutions abroad. Our team, comprising avid travelers, provides comprehensive reviews and guidance on data SIM cards, eSIMs, pocket WiFi devices, and free WiFi apps, drawing from firsthand usage during our travels.
We are committed to offering unbiased and thorough recommendations. To support our website, we earn affiliate commissions from links to products on our site. While our reviews are independent and based on our own experiences and detailed product testing, these commissions allow us to cover costs and continue bringing valuable advice to travelers worldwide.
Our reviews and articles are updated regularly to ensure relevance and accuracy. Please note that we may not review every product in the market, but we strive to cover as many as possible to maintain a wide-ranging resource for our readers. Join us at Roami to stay connected wherever your travels may take you.
Discover the best pocket WiFi options for your travels to France in 2024 based on price and device connectivity options, ensuring you stay connected.
With a France pocket WiFi, you can access the web wherever you are, giving you the freedom to explore the Eiffel Tower or snap pictures at the Palace of Versailles without restrictions! In this ultimate guide, we’re covering the best Europe pocket WiFi for France, including their prices, features, pick-up options, and alternatives.
Table of Contents
What is pocket WiFi for France?
A Pocket WiFi for France is a small and lightweight device that gives you fast and reliable mobile internet service while you’re exploring. Rather than having to use data roaming or connect to unstable public WiFi in France, Pocket WiFi gives you a consistent connection wherever you are.
Your Portable WiFi in France connects to local networks. Wherever 4G or 5G is available, you’ll be able to access the web with your Pocket WiFi.
Why use pocket WiFi in France?
Using pocket WiFi in France is a great way to get reliable and affordable mobile internet while you’re traveling. When you rely on data roaming in France with the mobile carrier you use at home, you might face high charges and only have limited data.
A pocket WiFi device offers a better alternative, providing you with unlimited mobile internet in France without the worry of unexpected fees.
Whether you need to use your cell phone in Europe to navigate France, post your photos on social media, or make international calls in France, having pocket WiFi ensures you have fast and secure mobile internet in Europe during your trip.
It’s especially useful if you’re going to multiple countries in Europe, as you can avoid the hassle of switching SIM cards or dealing with spotty coverage.
You don’t have to outright buy a pocket WiFi in France either. You can rent a device to save on costs if you’re only visiting the country for a short time.
Price of pocket WiFi in France
Here are the prices for a Paris pocket WiFi and beyond. This list is up-to-date as of Summer 2024.
| Pocket Wi-Fi Provider Brand | Rate for one week, including postage and handling + insurance |
| Hippocketwifi | $46.29 (1GB data per day) to $61.85USD (Unlimited) per week + $11.11 to $22.23 (Shipping to US) |
| MIO WIFI | $56 (unlimited data access) per week + $20 (Shipping to US) |
| Travel WiFi | $48.55 – $62.47 USD (Weekly rent) + $3 to $30 USD (Shipping) |
| Cello Mobile | $349.93 USD (Weekly Rental) + $14.99 USD (Insurance) + $75 USD (Shipping outside the United States, Canada or Mexico) or $20 to $30 USD (Shipping to Mexico, United States or Canada) |
| My Webspot | $84.80 USD (Weekly rent) + $17.67 (Insurance) + $10.90 USD (Shipping) |
How many people can use a single pocket WiFi?
The amount of people that can use a WiFi hotspot in France depends on the device and plan option you choose. Here’s a quick overview of what each provider offers and the price per person.
Hippocket WiFi and Cello Mobile’s standard pocket WiFi can connect with up to 10 devices at the same time, so ten people can each use their phones throughout the day. Hippocketwifi costs just $46.29 per week, while Cello Mobile costs $349.99 per week.
MIO WIFI’s mobile WiFi France and Travel WiFi’s HotSpot connect to up to five devices, making it perfect for smaller groups. The cost is $56 per week for MIO WIFI and $48.55 for Travel WiFi, making them both more expensive than Hippocket WiFi.
MyWebspot’s mobile hotspot France also can connect to up to five devices, but it offers unlimited data for $84.80 per month. So, if your group is constantly online, this may be the best option for you!
Best pocket WiFi for France in 2024
If you’re planning your trip to France in 2024 and you want to stay connected while you explore, pocket WiFi could be your ideal travel companion.
We understand the importance of fast connection at Roami, which is why we meticulously test and review every option to find the best pocket WiFi in Europe and France. With our recommendations, you can enjoy fast WiFi without worrying about data roaming fees or unreliable connections.
Our expert testing team takes time to assess each and every pocket WiFi device to evaluate their speed, features, user experience, and coverage capabilities.
If you’re traveling beyond Italy this summer and need reliable internet access across different countries, read our guide on the best pocket WiFi in Europe. It covers all devices that work seamlessly across the continent.
Below are our best portable WiFi France options for your travels in 2024.
- Hippocket WiFi
One of the best pocket WiFi France options is Hippocket, a French company offering fast roaming in Europe. They offer high-speed internet connection for up to 10 devices, with prices starting at just $46.29 for one week along with cheap shipping.
If you’d rather go unlimited, Hippocket charges just $8.95 per day for 4G or $13.95 for 5G.
It’s also simple to collect your pocket WiFi. You can choose to have it shipped to France, or to your home in Europe, the US, or Canada. Shipping is free if you are in Europe, too! If you’d rather collect it in France to save on costs, you can collect it at your hotel or rental address in Europe.
- MIO WiFi
MIO WiFi is another great option if you’re traveling in France. It offers lightning-fast connections in Europe and can connect up to five devices. Prices start at just $56 per week for unlimited data access.
You can collect your Mio pocket WiFi from your home, office, hotel, or delivery points in France, all within five days of your trip. The cost of shipping depends on the option you choose.
- Travel WiFi
Travel WiFi is one of the more reliable options for your pocket mobile WiFi France. It’s one of the oldest pocket WiFi companies out there, and gives you the option to both buy or rent a device, depending on your needs.
The Sapphire 3 offers secure and seamless WiFi connections across all of Europe, Including France, making it a great option if you’re exploring the continent. It costs $134.97 to own.
If you’re just going for a short trip and want to rent your device, prices start at $48.55 – $62.47, and you can connect up to five devices. It’s actually cheaper to collect your pocket WiFi in the US, rather than in France, costing $19.31 over $38.12.
- Cello Mobile
Cello Mobile offers the broadest coverage on this list but also the highest price. At $349.93 per week, this pocket WiFi provider is the most expensive on our list. But for that, you get unlimited 5G data and can connect up to ten devices, so your whole group can enjoy lightning-fast WiFi.
Cello Mobile is also based in the US, so it’s easy to collect your pocket WiFi device if you live in America. It costs just $10 to ship your device to you and then the same amount to send the device back to Cello Mobile.
- My Webspot
Another viable option is MyWebspot. Offering unlimited internet in France, this pocket WiFi can connect to up to five devices and has an eight-hour battery life. There’s a 3-day minimum usage policy, but with that, you can enjoy cheap prices. You can expect to pay $84.80 for one week.
MyWebspot gives you the option to either get your France WiFi delivered to your hotel or your home. You can also choose to pick it up at a post office for a cheaper price. You’ll pay between $4 and $11, depending on the option you decide on.
- RentNconnect
Finally, we have RentNConnect, a pocket WiFi company offering fantastically low prices for France. It offers an unlimited 4G connection for just $55.92. You can also get the pocket WiFi directly shipped to your home, costing just $12 on top.
You can also connect up to ten devices to the pocket WiFi, making it a great option for larger groups traveling together!
Pocket WiFi alternatives for France
If you’d rather try another WiFi option when you travel to France this summer, you have three options. You can either use an eSIM, try using the international internet, or you can try out a prepaid SIM card.
Explore all three in more detail below.
eSIM as a pocket WiFi alternative in France
If you’re looking for an easy way to stay connected in France without having to carry a pocket WiFi around, an international eSIM is a great alternative. With an embedded sim card for France, you can enjoy the internet directly on your phone.
Plenty of companies offer eSIMs for travel in France, but Holafly stands out as the top choice. It’s well-known for providing the best eSIM in Europe and offers reliable coverage and easy activation.
Other options include Airalo and Nomad, which also provide solid services but can’t match Holafly as it’s the cheapest eSIM in Europe – especially when you factor in their data packages and customer support.
If you need an eSIM in France, we recommend Holafy as your best option because of its great value.
Prepaid SIM cards as a pocket wifi alternative in France
A prepaid SIM card for France is a simple alternative to pocket WiFi. With a France SIM card, you can access the internet in France directly on your phone – without needing an extra device. Whether you’re in Paris or other regions, buying a SIM card in France is straightforward. You can do it at airports or convenience stores.
If you are staying in the capital, picking up a SIM card in Paris gives you instant access to the local data plans, so you can stay connected wherever you go. However, you’ll usually need to arrive in France before you pick up the SIM, meaning eSIMs may be the more convenient alternative.
Public WiFi as a pocket WiFi alternative in France
Of course, you can always go with the public WiFi in France, which is widely available. It’s a viable alternative to pocket WiFi if you’re on a budget and only use the internet casually.
You can find free WiFi in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and even public spaces like train stations. Major cities like Paris will offer much broader coverage, so you can rely on having free WiFi.
Accessing public WiFi is easy, too – all you need to do is connect to the network and follow the log-in instructions. Public WiFi is not as secure as other channels, so never access sensitive data. It also has a tendency to be slow, especially in rural areas. If you’re all about speed, opt for pocket WiFi or an eSIM.
