Internet anywhere.
No landline needed.
Compare the best mobile broadband deals in the UK. Hotspots, dongles, GigaCube home broadband and data SIMs from Vodafone, compared in one place.
Mobile broadband is internet access delivered over a 4G or 5G mobile network, using a SIM card in a device like a hotspot, dongle, or router, no landline or fibre cable needed. The best deal for most people is the Vodafone 5G Mobile Hotspot at £35/month for unlimited data you can take anywhere. If you need a home broadband alternative without a fixed line, the GigaCube 5G at £21/month is the standout option.
What type of mobile broadband do you need?
5G Hotspot
Portable WiFi for multiple devices. Ideal for travel, commuting, or backup internet.
4G Hotspot
More affordable portable WiFi on the 4G network. Good for lighter everyday use.
GigaCube
5G home router. A fixed broadband alternative with no landline required.
Dongle
USB device for a single laptop. Simple, low cost, plug-in-and-go internet.
Data SIM
SIM-only data. Use in any compatible device. Flexible and no hardware cost.
The best mobile broadband deals right now
5G Mobile Hotspot
Best for travel and portability
GigaCube 5G
Best home broadband alternative
Data-only SIM
Most flexible option
4G Mobile Hotspot
Budget portable WiFi
4G Mobile Dongle
Single device, plug and goCompare all mobile broadband types
| Product | Price/month | Data | Network | Portable | Home use | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5G Hotspot | £35 | Unlimited | 5G | Yes | Yes | Multiple |
| GigaCube 5G | £21 | Unlimited | 5G | No | Yes | Multiple |
| Data SIM | £30 | Unlimited | 5G/4G | Yes | Yes | 1 (SIM device) |
| 4G Hotspot | £20 | Unlimited | 4G | Yes | Yes | Multiple |
| 4G Dongle | £17 | 5GB | 4G | Yes | Limited | 1 (USB) |
So what actually is mobile broadband?
It is basically the internet without the faff of a phone line. Your connection comes through a SIM card on the 4G or 5G network, just like your phone uses when you are out and about. The difference is the device. Instead of your phone, you have a hotspot, a dongle, a home router, or just a data SIM in a tablet or laptop.
The four options on this page each suit a different situation. A hotspot sits in your bag, runs off its own battery, and creates a WiFi network your phone, laptop, and tablet can all join at once. A dongle plugs into a USB port on one laptop and gets that laptop online, nothing else. The GigaCube plugs into the wall at home and acts like a normal broadband router, except there is no Openreach engineer, no installation date three weeks away, and no landline required. And a data SIM just goes into any device that takes one.
Is it fast enough?
On 5G, yes, genuinely. In a decent signal area you can get 100 to 300 Mbps, which is faster than a lot of home fibre connections. 4G is slower, typically 20 to 60 Mbps, but that still handles Netflix, Zoom calls, and most working-from-home setups without any drama.
The honest caveat: it depends where you are. In a city centre with strong 5G coverage, mobile broadband is a real alternative to fixed broadband. In a thick-walled basement flat or a village with patchy signal, you might find speeds all over the place. If you are thinking about using the GigaCube as your main home connection, it is worth checking Vodafone's coverage at your specific address first.
Who actually benefits from it?
Honestly, more people than you might think. The obvious ones are frequent travellers who want their own connection rather than sketchy hotel WiFi, and people moving house who cannot face weeks without internet waiting for a broadband installation. But it is also genuinely useful for:
- Remote workers who split time between home, client sites, and coffee shops and want one connection they can rely on in all three.
- Anyone whose address cannot get decent fibre. If you have checked and the best you can get on a fixed line is 20 Mbps, 5G home broadband via the GigaCube could well be faster.
- People who want a backup when the home broadband goes down. A 5G hotspot on the kitchen counter gives you something to switch to instantly rather than waiting on hold with your provider.
- Occasional users who do not want a long contract. Pay as you go options let you top up data when you need it without committing to 24 months of monthly payments.
How does it compare to home broadband?
If you have a family of four and everyone is streaming something different at 9pm, fixed fibre is still the safer bet. It is more consistent, usually cheaper per Mbps, and does not share capacity with everyone else on the local mobile network at peak times.
But if you are a single person, a couple, or someone who is not home that much, the gap is a lot smaller than it used to be. Mobile broadband has genuinely caught up. See our home broadband deals if you want to compare both options side by side.
What about for work?
A 5G hotspot or data SIM works well for sole traders and freelancers who move around. No installation wait, no being tied to one address. If you run a small business and need something more permanent at a fixed premises though, a dedicated business broadband line is a better call for the reliability guarantees alone. We cover those on our business broadband page.
Questions people actually ask
What is mobile broadband?
Internet access that runs through a mobile network (4G or 5G) rather than a fixed phone line or fibre cable. A SIM card in a hotspot, dongle, or router handles the connection, so there is no landline needed and no installation wait.
What is the difference between a hotspot and a dongle?
A hotspot has its own battery and creates a WiFi network that your phone, laptop, and tablet can all join at the same time. A dongle plugs into one laptop via USB and gets just that device online. If you only ever need internet on one computer, a dongle is cheaper and simpler. If you need to connect more than one device, get the hotspot.
What is the GigaCube?
It is Vodafone's 5G home router. You plug it into a wall socket, it picks up the 5G signal, and broadcasts WiFi around your home just like a normal broadband router would. No landline, no engineer visit, no waiting. It is designed for people who either cannot get decent fixed broadband at their address or just do not want the hassle of a traditional setup.
Can I actually work from home on mobile broadband?
Yes, for most people. Video calls, emails, cloud tools, and file sharing all work fine on a good 5G connection. Where it can get tricky is if you are doing something that needs very consistent low latency, like live video production or large file syncing all day. For a standard home office setup though, it is fine.
Is a dongle worth it?
Only if you genuinely just need internet on one laptop. The Vodafone dongle is the cheapest option here at £17 a month, but you only get 5GB of data, which runs out fast if you are streaming anything. It is best for light use, occasional work tasks, or as a backup. If you are going to be using it regularly for more than just browsing, the 4G hotspot with unlimited data at £20 a month is a much better deal.
Which deal is best for travelling?
The 5G Mobile Hotspot at £35 a month. Unlimited data, 5G speeds where available, and you can connect your phone, laptop, and anything else to it at the same time. If you travel a lot and have been relying on hotel WiFi or burning through your phone data, this pays for itself quickly.
Can I use it as my main home internet?
Yes, particularly with the GigaCube. Lots of people do, especially in areas where fibre is not available or where the fixed broadband speeds on offer are genuinely poor. The main thing to check first is Vodafone's 5G coverage at your home address. If you have got good signal, it works well. If the signal is weak, you will have a frustrating time.
Related guides
Not sure which option is right for you?
Our team can help you choose between hotspots, GigaCube, and data SIMs based on how and where you use the internet.
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