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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.
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If you’re looking for the best pocket WiFi of 2024 to use when exploring Italy this year, keep reading. We’re diving into your options, including the best prices currently on the market and your browsing alternatives.
With pocket WiFi in Italy, you can access the web and contact friends and family whether you’re exploring the Leaning Tower of Pisa or strolling by the Colosseum. We’ll explore the best options in this guide, along with their prices, plans, and alternatives.
Table of Contents
What is pocket WiFi for Italy?
A pocket WiFi is a small, portable device that gives you reliable mobile internet access while on the go. It works like a personal WiFi hotspot, allowing you to connect all your devices – like your phone, tablet, or laptop – to the internet wherever you are.
Instead of having to find local SIM cards or paying hefty data roaming fees when using mobile internet in Europe, mobile internet in Italy connects you to the internet through a local network. If you plan to use your cell phone in Italy for navigating with maps, checking out restaurants, or making international calls, pocket WiFi is a viable way to stay connected.
When you use your cell phone in Europe, such as in Italy, you typically need to rely on mobile internet. But, when you use pocket WiFi in Italy, you can avoid these pitfalls. You won’t have to worry about any unexpected charges for data roaming or switching SIM cards.
Renting pocket WiFi
Renting a pocket WiFi is a convenient alternative if you’re only traveling to Italy for a short time. When you rent, you get to use the pocket Wi-Fi in Italy and then simply return it when you’re home. This is a more cost-effective option, as you can avoid buying the device upfront.
If you’re a frequent traveler, buying portable Wi-Fi for Italy might be the better option, as you can use it after your Italy trip.
Best pocket WiFi for Italy in 2024
Planning a trip to Italy in 2024? If you want to stay connected while exploring this year, pocket WiFi may be your ideal travel companion.
At Roami, we have meticulously tested and reviewed the best pocket WiFi options for Europe, including Italy, to find you the best options. Our expert team tests each device to evaluate features, speed, user experience and coverage. Read more about our testing methodology.
If you’re planning to travel beyond Italy and need reliable internet access across multiple countries, you might want to check out our guide on the best pocket Wi-Fi in Europe. It covers devices that work seamlessly across the continent.
Below are our options for the best portable Wi-Fi hotspot for travel in Italy.
WiTourist
WiTourist offers five different options for a WiFi hotspot in Italy for 1 to up to 20 people. You’ll get coverage for 99.7% of Italy, so you can stay connected wherever you are!
Prices start at $3.90 per day for the Smart 3 device, which caters to 1 to 2 people. Or, you can pay up to $7.90 per day to provide coverage for up to 20 people. Once you select your plan, you’ll be expected to pay an extra $5 euros for order management.
WiTourist doesn’t ship internationally, so you’ll need to pick up your device in Italy. They will either ship to your Hotel, a FedEx Point, or the airport. Alternatively, you can pick the device up for free from the WiTourist Office. Prices are from $6 to $7 for shipping and returning.
WiTourist offers insurance, so you won’t have to pay if you lose or damage your device.
Hippocket WiFi
One of the best pocket WiFi Italy options is Hippocket WiFi, a french-based company offering roaming throughout Europe, including Italy. Hippocket offers high-speed internet connection for all devices. Prices start at $6.95 for 1GB of 4G data per day (if you’re traveling for six to nine days).
If you’d rather go unlimited, Hippocket charges $8.95 per day for 4G or $13.95 for 5G.
It’s also easy to collect Hippocket’s pocket WiFi device. You can choose standard delivery to your home or business address – free if you’re in Europe or $10 if you’re in the US or Canada. Or, you can go for express delivery, which is $10 for one business day if you’re in Europe or $20 if in the US or Canada.
There’s also a third and fourth option – collecting your Italy portable WiFi at your hotel or rental address in Europe. Know that if you lose or damage your Hippocket device, you’ll need to pay $153 to replace it.
Travel WiFi
Travel WiFi is one of your best options for pocket WiFi in Italy. The company has been on the market for quite some time, and offers the best pocket WiFi for Europe – including Italy.
You have the option to both buy and rent a hotspot for Italy, depending on how long you’re traveling. The Sapphire 3 offers fast, secure and seamless WiFi connection in 130 countries, including Italy. Prices start at $134.97.
If you’d prefer to rent your mobile Hotspot Italy, prices start at $8.25 per day for 1GB a day, $9.25 for 5GB a day, and $12.25 for 10GB a day. You can either get your device delivered to your home or collect it when you’re in Italy. If you’re collecting in the US, prices are €19.31. If you get it sent to Europe or Italy, prices start at € 38.62.
If you lose or damage your device, expect to pay $199 to replace it.
Cello Mobile
If you’re from the USA and want an alternative closer to you, Cello Mobile might be your best option. It allows you to connect up to ten devices to the pocket WiFi in Italy, so you and your family can all browse together.
Cello Mobile is one of the more expensive options on the list, but its plan does offer unlimited WiFi usage. Prices start at $49.99 daily, or $349.93 weekly. It costs $10 to ship your device to you and back to Cello mobile.
If you lose or damage a device, you’ll need to pay up to $75, but only if you pay the insurance premium during your stay.
MyWebspot
MyWebSpot offers unlimited internet internationally, including a hotspot in Italy. You can connect up to five devices and enjoy up to eight hours of battery life. There’s a minimum 3 day usage policy, with prices starting at $32.70 for three days, and $76 for one week.
You can either choose to get your WiFi hotspot delivered to your hotel or rental, your home, or pick it up at a post office. This will cost between 4 and $11, depending on the option you choose.
If you lose or damage your device, you’ll need to pay up to $204.41, depending on if you bought insurance or not.
Pocket WiFi alternatives for Italy
If you’re not interested in using a pocket hotspot in Italy, then there are three alternatives for you to explore – eSIMs, prepaid SIM cards, and using the public WiFi. Let’s take a closer look!
eSIM as alternative to pocket WiFi in Italy
While pocket WiFi is a fantastic option for browsing in Italy, an international eSIM offers a cheaper alternative. It allows you to access mobile internet directly from your phone without needing a physical SIM card. This is especially great for travelers who don’t want to carry a pocket WiFi around.
If you’re looking for the cheapest eSIM in Europe and the best eSIM in Europe, Holafly is an excellent choice. You can order the eSIM for Italy online and have it delivered to your door, so you can instantly connect as soon as you arrive.
Holafly eSIM’s offer great coverage and fast speeds. It’s also super easy to activate, so you can sit back and enjoy your travels. You could also consider looking into local IT providers in Italy, who will also offer eSIMs that you can collect while you’re on holiday.
Prepaid SIM cards in Italy as alternative to pocket WiFi
Another possible alternative to pocket WiFi is using a prepaid SIM card. A SIM card for Italy allows you to access mobile internet, make calls and send texts just like you would at home, but at the local Italian rates.
When you arrive, you’ll easily find prepaid SIMs at airports or mobile shops. This is a great option for those that prefer to use their phone without having to carry an extra device around. That said, as you’ll typically need to wait until you arrive in Italy to buy the local SIM, an eSIM generally offers a more convenient alternative.
Public WiFi in Italy, as an alternative to pocket WiFi
A public WiFi hotspot for Italy is available in central places and can be a convenient alternative to using a pocket WiFi device. You’ll find free WiFi in cafes, restaurants, hotels and even popular tourist attractions.
Major cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence will have WiFi hotspots in public squares and transportation hubs, so it’s easy to stay connected on the go!
All you need to do is connect to the network. You might need to fill in your email address, but then you’re free to browse! However, if you’re regularly on-the-go or are traveling outside of the city, your connection might be intermittent. In that case, opting for pocket WiFi or an eSIM is your best option.
FAQs about pocket WiFi in Italy
How much does pocket WiFi in Italy cost?
Italy WiFi hotspot rental costs range from $3.90 to $49.99 per day, depending on which option you choose from the list above. You’ll pay more for unlimited and 5G coverage, so only choose this if it’s absolutely essential.
The best WiFi hotspot for travel (and the cheapest) is currently WiTourist, but keep checking for new offers.
Is pocket WiFi a good option for traveling in Italy?
Yes, pocket WiFi is a good option if you want to travel in Italy without restrictions. The only downside is that you’ll need to carry the device around with you, and prices can be steep, so decide on if it’s the best option for you compared with alternatives like eSIM.
What are the best alternatives to pocket WiFi when traveling in Italy?
The best alternatives to pocket WiFi Italy are using prepaid SIM cards and eSims. Both options still allow you to roam freely and will give you a fast 4G or 5G connection. If you’re asking “Does Italy have WiFi?” then the answer is yes. You can use free WiFi, but it will be slow and not as secure as using an Italian SIM card.
