Pocket WiFi in New York: what are the best options?

There are movies about it, songs about it, stories about it, and poems about it. New York, the Big Apple, or the City That Never Sleeps. Whatever you call it, it’s a city that’s worth visiting, and millions of people from around the world go every year. It’s jam-packed with attractions, but a city so big and intimidating can be especially scary when you don’t have your mobile data. Fortunately, pocket WiFi New York can help you get around with ease.

Whether you need access to Google Maps to locate the Empire State Building, WhatsApp to stay in touch with your family while you’re away, or even just social media to upload your tourist snaps, a WiFi egg USA can give you all the data you need right from your pocket. These mobile routers, sometimes called eggs or hotspots, connect to 3G or 4G in the local area and turn it into a private WiFi signal that you can use on your different devices. It’s useful for tourists who may not have a local SIM card to surf the web using data on the local network.

A one-day WiFi pass doesn’t have to break the bank, either, which is great news for travelers on a budget. However, you need to know what the available options are and what they cost. Luckily for you, we’re experts in portable WiFi, so stay tuned for our review.

Companies Offering Pocket WiFi for New York

Data is important to almost everyone these days. As a result, there is a long list of companies offering WiFi rental USA. Each one has different pros and cons that you need to carefully consider, including:

• Area of coverage
• Insurance
• Rental period
• Data package

And, of course, the big one: price. For most travelers, cost is the biggest factor when it comes to choosing pocket WiFi. Some providers offer different plans to suit different budgets, with larger or smaller data packages to suit your needs. Either way, it’s important to consider the cost. The table below summarizes the best providers for pocket WiFi in New York, with the most up-to-date costs for a one-week rental.

Rates of Pocket WiFi providers for New York

Details and Prices of the Pocket WiFi in New York

Knowing these costs is one thing, but there’s more information you need to be aware of. You might only want to rent internet for a day, for example, and not the whole week; some of these providers allow you to do exactly that.

Here are some more details on the different options, including their plans and rental periods.

Cello Mobile

Cello Mobile offers exceptional coverage for pocket WiFi rental USA. It’s an American company that provides coverage virtually around the world from one single device. If you’re traveling to the USA, you can use their Unlimited Advance+ plan, but be warned: it’s not cheap.

With a daily rate of $49.99, you can expect to pay $349.93 per week. However, you get unlimited data with exceptional coverage; Cello Mobile has 4G LTE agreements with over 160 networks. Plus, you can connect up to 10 devices at once! With up to 5 devices, it offers speeds of up to 150Mbps on 4G LTE.

By the way, shipping is also fairly expensive. For Mexico, Canada, and the USA, shipping is $20-$40, but elsewhere, it can be up to $75. Payments can be limiting, too, as you can only pay by credit card.

Still, this is the best option for travelers seeking the ultimate coverage.

MIOWIFI

Argentinian company MIOWIFI had to feature in this list for its unlimited high-speed 4G data package. It’s also a much cheaper option than Cello Mobile, offering wireless hotspot rental for just $8 per day ($56 per week), tax included.

This is an incredibly competitive rate, especially for unlimited service. MIOWIFI allows you to recieve the device no matter where you are in the world, with a shipping fee of $50. This is a little high, but you’re saving on the device rental. MIOWIFI will send the device in 3-5 working days, and you must return it within 3 working days after your trip.

By the way, if you lose the device, you must pay a $250 fine. MIOWIFI will keep your credit card as a guarantee in case of loss, theft, or damage.

In terms of payment, you can pay by either credit card or PayPal, so it’s easy to access the service.

Travel WiFi

The Spanish company Travel WiFi also had to feature on this list due to its really flexible offerings. They provide pocket WiFi US to suit a range of travelers and budgets.

There are several packages available for travelers to the United States:

• Adventure Plan: 1GB of data per day for €8.25 (€57.75)
• Escape Plan: 5GB of data per day for €10.25 (€71.75)
• Voyage Plan: 10GB of data per day for €12.25 (€85.75)

This is super budget-friendly, but you do receive limited data. So, you could pay a bit more for a better quality plan. On the other hand, Travel WiFi doesn’t make shipping complicated; they will send the device to any destination, but you’ll need to pay up to $29 to receive it depending on where you are.

You can pay by either credit card or PayPal, with payment methods also making this an accessible service.

It’s worth noting the penalties that Travel WiFi has in place. If you lose your pocket WiFi in new York, you will have to pay between $149 and $199, depending on the plan and any extra accessories.

Borderless Connection

Borderless Connection is actually based in New York City itself. Again, this is one of the more expensive options on the list, costing $100 for a one-week rental. Here are the prices for different rental periods:

• Two Days: $50
• Three Days: $60
• Four Days: $70
• Five Days: $80
• Six Days: $90
• One week: $100
• Two weeks: $190

With all of these plans, you can connect up to 10 devices at once. The basic package includes 2GB of 4G LTE data per day, which is very low for the cost. However, you can add to this package by paying $10 for each additional GB of data.

If you want to get portable WiFi USA through Borderless Connection, you’ll have to arrange FedEx shipping. By the way, they only ship within the USA. 

In terms of payments, the company offers some flexibility. You can pay either by credit card or with PayPal.

Finally, the penalty fees. You will have to pay a fine for late returns and losses, but these fees are not outlined on the company’s website. It’s best not to lose or damage your device, because you have no idea how high the fees will be!

My Webspot

This company hails from Europe, and it’s a great option for pocket WiFi no matter where you’re traveling in the world. Their plans allow you to get coverage in multiple countries, which is perfect for backpacking trips.

For 7 days of pocket WiFi in New York, you are looking at roughly €76.30. The device has around 8 hours of battery life and provides you with unlimited data for this relatively low cost. It’s worth noting, however, that you only get several GB of 4G data before being downgraded to lower speeds. Still, it means you don’t have to worry about becoming disconnected.

Shipping is also an economical alternative to some other companies. Depending on the destination, you’re looking at $5.60 to $11.32 depending on your location.

Finally, as in other cases, My Webspot does charge a penalty for losing equipment. You can pay insurance ($13.68) to reduce the amount of the fine. Without insurance, it’s $205.13. With insurance, it’s $102.56. 

Alternatives to Pocket WiFi in New York

Pocket WiFi in New York is a great way to stay connected while traveling. It’s a private, secure connection that won’t drop out unexpectedly. However, it’s far from the only choice.

You can also try these options:

• Public WiFi: New York is a huge city, and it has plenty of free WiFi. Hotels, restaurants, parks, and bus stations all offer free public WiFi. Just don’t expect a high-speed connection.
• Prepaid SIM card: If you’re in New York for a while, consider getting a prepaid SIM card that allows you to browse to your heart’s content with the city’s local network.
• eSIM: Connect to local data using the same phone number, without having to change the physical SIM card in your phone.
• Roaming services: Depending on where you’re from, your network provider might have roaming services available for New York City. Check their website to find out where you can roam and how much a day pass costs.

So, while pocket WiFi USA is a good option, it’s not the only one. eSIMs, however, have been popular for a while, and they’re likely to stick around. They can provide a better internet connection and a more stable service, which is why it’s our preferred alternative.

eSIM for New York

If you’re thinking of getting an eSIM, there are tons of options. International eSIMs, for example, allow you to travel everywhere on the same plan. But, you should always check which one provides the best coverage in your destination.

When it comes to the best eSIM for New York, look no further than Holafly. You can use their amazing service without putting aside your old SIM, and with unlimited data, you’ll never be disconnected.

If you want to learn more, check out the Holafly website for roaming in New York. 

Free WiFi in New York

New York is a fantastic city, and one that expects tourists. As a result, you can get free public WiFi in most places there. However, these networks may or may not be useful. The congestion from so many connected users and the lack of security are concerning, and you still might become stranded without WiFi while you’re out and about.

So, while public WiFi is certainly an option, we think that it’s always safer to get pocket WiFi in New York. That way, you won’t face any unexpected surprises or get lost in an unfamiliar city without your phone connection. 

And with so many options suited to all different budgets and data plans, there’s no excuse not to try it!

Cintia Soto Tomeu

Adventurer, passionate traveler, and tech enthusiast. On Roami, I aim at sharing the best solutions to help you navigate the complexities of staying connected abroad, ensuring a hassle-free experience. I enjoy playing chess, reading Brian Greene, and exploring different cultures!