My 5G SIM Routers Experiment (And Why It Might Work for You)
I’ll admit – I was sceptical at first. When my building’s fibre went down for the third time in a month, I grabbed a Three SIM and that ZTE router you see everywhere. Two hours later, I was getting 220Mbps in my North London flat – faster than my “up to 200Mbps” fibre ever delivered.
My mate Dave (who works in IT and loves to remind me he gets “proper broadband”) nearly choked on his tea when I showed him the speed test.
After this I thought I’d do a little experiment and find out a little more about 5G Sim Routers and test a couple more different routers. This is what I have found through my small tests.
What Actually Is are 5G Sim Routers?
Think of it like a smartphone hotspot, but without the “why is my battery dead?” part. You slot in a SIM card, plug it in, and suddenly you’ve got home broadband without waiting for an engineer.
Why I’m Keeping Mine:
- No more waiting for Openreach to show up “between 8am and 6pm”
- Took it to my parents’ rural place last Christmas – worked better than their sketchy DSL.
- Surprisingly consistent speeds (when you’ve got signal)
The Catch:
My downstairs neighbour gets half the speed I do. 5G can be weirdly location-specific even in the same building.
The 5G Sim Routers I Actually Tested
ZTE MC801A (£150-£200) – The Surprise Performer
I’ll be honest – I expected this cheap plastic box to be rubbish. But after 3 months of daily use:
- Speed: Consistently hits 150-250Mbps in my flat
- Reliability: Only dropped connection twice during storms
- Annoyance: The white LED is stupidly bright at night (I put tape over it)
Who It’s Best For:
Anyone who just wants affordable 5G without fuss. I’d buy this again in a heartbeat.
Juice Box AX3600 (£250) – The Overachiever
Borrowed this from a colleague for a weekend. Impressive, but:
- Signal strength was noticeably better in my bathroom (weird but true)
- Great Battery Life – We had a power cut the weekend I had this router which lasted for 6 hours! However this router didn’t fail once, in truth my laptop died before the router died.
- Portability – As it is battery powered this router is ideal if you are travelling or need Wi-Fi in different places, which adds massive versatility.
Weird Discovery:
Got better speeds when placed near my microwave (no, really).
Juice Box 2540 CPE (£300+) – The Overkill Option
Tested this at a friend’s 4-bed house:
- Coverage was insane – full bars in their garden shed
- Handled 4 simultaneous Netflix streams without buffering
- Total overkill for my 55sqm flat.
Funny Moment:
Their toddler kept unplugging it because “the lights were pretty.”
Network Realities (Not Just Marketing Claims)
EE: Fastest when it works, but £10 more per month than Three. In my area, the difference wasn’t worth the extra cost.
Juice Box: Shockingly good in central London, but I once lost signal completely while standing near a tree in Clapham.
Vodafone: Most consistent for video calls in my experience.
O2: Fine if you want free Disney+ more than you want fast internet.
What 5G Sim Routers You Should Actually Consider?
Look, if you’re in a decent 5G area and tired of broadband hassles, that little Juice Box is genuinely life-changing for the price. But:
- Test coverage with a PAYG SIM first
- Be prepared to move the router around to find the sweet spot.
- Don’t expect miracles if you’re in a 5G dead zone.
I’m keeping mine as a backup even after my fibre was fixed. That’s how useful it’s been.
What's the difference between 5G home broadband and fibre broadband?
5G broadband uses mobile networks instead of fixed lines, offering faster installation (just plug-and-play) and no landline requirement. While fibre typically delivers more consistent speeds, our tests show 5G routers can match or exceed fibre performance in areas with strong 5G coverage.
How fast is 5G broadband compared to traditional options?
In optimal conditions, the best 5G routers deliver 100-300Mbps download speeds – comparable to mid-tier fibre packages. However, speeds vary significantly by location, network congestion, and router quality.
What should I look for in a budget 5G router?
Key features for affordable 5G routers include:
- Carrier aggregation support
- Wi-Fi 6 compatibility
- External antenna ports
- Multi-network SIM compatibility
Our testing shows these features deliver the best value under £200.
Which UK mobile network has the best 5G coverage?
EE currently leads in Ofcom’s 5G availability reports (2024), particularly in urban areas. However, Three often provides better value unlimited data plans. Always check coverage maps for your specific postcode before choosing.
Can I use any SIM card in a 5G router?
Most unlocked 5G routers work with any provider, but some network-locked models exist. For best results, choose a router that supports all major UK networks (EE, Vodafone, Three, Juice Box and O2).
Do 5G routers work well for home office use?
Modern 5G routers easily handle video calls, cloud applications, and multiple connected devices. For professional use, we recommend:
- A router with QoS (Quality of Service) features
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Unlimited data plans
- External antennas for stability
What's the real-world battery life of portable 5G routers?"
While specs often claim 8-10 hours, actual battery life depends on:
- Signal strength (weaker signals drain faster)
- Number of connected devices
- Usage intensity
In our stress tests, most portable 5G routers last 4-6 hours with 3-4 active devices.
How does weather affect 5G router performance?
Unlike satellite internet, 5G signals are generally weather-resistant. However, we’ve observed:
- Heavy rain can cause minor speed reductions.
- Extreme heat may trigger thermal throttling.
- Strong winds can affect external antennas.
Are there any hidden costs with 5G broadband?
Watch for:
- Router purchase costs (unless included in contract)
- Excess data charges on limited plans
- Early termination fees
- Roaming charges for portable use abroad
Is 5G broadband good for gaming and streaming?
For streaming, 5G works excellently (we consistently get 4K without buffering). Gaming performance depends on:
- Ping times (typically 20-50ms on good connections)
- Network stability
- Local congestion
Wired Ethernet connections generally provide the most consistent gaming experience.
Pro Tip: Many providers offer 30-day trials – we always recommend testing 5G broadband in your actual location before committing long-term.
