Note: This is a shorter product review that is part of a larger article.
Mobile Modem – Take Your Wi-Fi Anywhere
While many modern smartphones offer tethering (Apple) or hotspot (Android) functionality to serve as portable modems, these solutions are often inadequate for consistent, high-performance connectivity. While useful for temporary laptop connections in emergency situations, such as when encountering unreliable public Wi-Fi, they can be unstable, lack performance, and struggle to support multiple devices simultaneously. For users requiring a more robust solution, a dedicated mobile modem is recommended.
The Netgear Aircard 810 provides an excellent option. This compact and stylish device functions as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, leveraging 4G (LTE) and tri-band support to deliver theoretical speeds of up to 600 Mbps. (While impressive, note that most Swedish 4G providers typically offer speeds leveling out at 80 Mbps, with real-world performance around 20-40 Mbps depending on coverage.) The Aircard 810 supports simultaneous connections for up to 15 devices and is compatible with all standards up to 802.11ac. Its rechargeable battery provides approximately ten hours of use, and can be supplemented with a power bank for extended operation. The Aircard’s display screen provides access to essential information and configuration options, including network name setup, password management, and data consumption tracking – a crucial feature for users without unlimited data plans. The Aircard 810 delivers exceptional performance in its class, surpassing its competitors; however, its price reflects this capability. Expect to invest around 2,300 SEK for reliable, high-quality mobile internet access.
For larger groups, families, or users who frequently host guests and require enhanced internet sharing capabilities, the Netgear Aircard Smart Cradle offers a valuable extension. This dock transforms the mobile hotspot into an enhanced, portable Wi-Fi router, equipped with internal 3G/4G antennas and an external Wi-Fi antenna, effectively creating a fully-featured Wi-Fi router. The Smart Cradle provides significantly improved coverage (testing showed a range of approximately 15 meters outdoors before signal degradation), dual-band data management, support for up to 20 connected devices, and improved speed through Beamforming technology on both 2.4 and 5GHz bands. A primary limitation is the lack of battery power; the Smart Cradle requires a direct electrical connection. This makes it ideally suited for locations like summer cottages or leisure boats equipped with power outlets. The dock will add approximately 1,900 SEK to the total cost, bringing the combined price to just over 4,000 SEK, approaching the cost of the Nighthawk. However, the resulting configuration provides a portable, high-performance Wi-Fi solution that can operate on a SIM twin card with data from your provider, virtually anywhere.
