Pocket Wi-Fi for Australia: Pros, cons and alternatives

What is pocket Wi-Fi for Australia, and how does it work?

Pocket Wi-Fi is a small device that produces wireless internet using local mobile networks. You can carry this Wi-Fi modem in (you guessed it!) your pocket, providing coverage to devices like phones and laptops. Alternatively, put it in your bag or under one of those hats with all the corks attached to the brim — the pocket bit isn’t essential. 

Let’s say you’ve landed at Sydney airport. The sooner you can order an Uber and get to your hotel, the sooner you’ll be on the beach, soaking up the sun! Instead of turning on data roaming and racking up fees, you fire up your pocket Wi-Fi.

Once the device is active, you can connect your smartphone to its Wi-Fi just like any other network. Sure, you could do the same with the airport Wi-Fi, but once you leave the terminal, your connection would drop.

With pocket Wi-Fi, you can scroll on Sydney’s sun-washed beaches, post photos of the coolest Melbourne coffee houses, and make sure everyone back home is suitably jealous. 

Pros of using pocket Wi-Fi in Australia

Pocket Wi-Fi is a great way to stay connected in Australia. Let’s break down some of the big benefits offered by this little device.

Reliable internet access

As long as you’re in areas that have decent mobile coverage, you’ll be able to maintain a reliable internet connection. You might lose signal if you venture into the wilds of the Australian bush, but if you stick to slightly more populous areas, coverage should be consistent. Of course, your device probably has the capacity to connect to local networks directly through a feature called roaming, but that can be expensive! Avoid data roaming in Australia if you can.

Multiple device connections

One pocket Wi-Fi network can usually cover around five devices. Digital nomads rejoice! The router will connect to phones, tablets, laptops, and any other smart hardware. Just bear in mind that the more connections you add, the slower your internet speeds will be.

High-speed internet

The best pocket Wi-Fi can often be faster than the public hotspots in places like cafes and hotels. We just covered the fact that connecting more devices slows down your speeds, right? The same principle applies to all networks. Choosing a private connection instead of an overcrowded public one can often mean a faster, more stable internet experience.

No local SIM cards

Possibly the biggest advantage of using pocket Wi-Fi is the fact that you won’t be using local SIM cards. A local SIM is a physical card that you place in your mobile phone to connect with a regional network. They can be expensive, easy to lose or damage, and won’t necessarily allow for device tethering. Pocket Wi-Fi lets you skip all that hassle.

Cons of using pocket Wi-Fi for Australia

Before you pack your pocket Wi-Fi, you should get to know some of the device’s downsides. A portable router isn’t perfect — and alternatives are available. 

Requires charging

Pocket Wi-Fi devices use batteries, so you’ll need to keep yours charged. That’s not a problem when you’re indoors, but a portable hotspot is really intended to be used on the go. If you forget to charge it or you’re out for longer than you expected, you might end up without internet right when you really need it (“Okay Google, is this giant Australian spider venomous?”).

Potential data limits

Unless you’ve shelled out for a pricey unlimited data deal, you’re likely to have some restrictions on the amount of data you can use. If you run out, you could unexpectedly find yourself disconnected from the internet. You’ll be able to top your allowance back up, but contacting your provider to buy more data isn’t most peoples’ idea of a relaxing afternoon by the pool.

Rental costs

In most cases, you don’t buy a pocket Wi-Fi hub — you rent it. In addition to having to pay for the data itself, you’re now burning money on hardware. That’s one of the areas in which alternatives to pocket Wi-Fi, like local SIMs and eSIM apps, have a real edge.

Personal liability 

When you rent out a pocket Wi-Fi device, you’re potentially liable for any physical damage that it might suffer in your possession. If you lose the hub or damage it in some way, that could mean even greater expense (and, of course, no internet). The last thing you want on a night out in Melbourne’s busy clubbing district is a nagging worry about losing your Wi-Fi router!

How to get portable Wi-Fi for Australia

You’ve weighed up the options and decided to splash out on a portable Wi-Fi router for your Aussie getaway. Now how do you go about getting one?

Prebook your pocket Wi-Fi online

If you like to plan ahead, you can prebook a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and have it delivered to you, either at home or at your Australian accommodation. You can rent the hardware from sites like Travelers Wifi, Rent ‘n Connect, and Klook. These companies let you choose the data plan you want as well.

Most pocket Wi-Fi providers can deliver their devices to a wide range of destinations, so if you want to cut down on packing, you can have your portable router sent directly to your hotel on the day you arrive. Just remember that the device needs to be returned within the time window you agreed during the ordering process. Missing the return deadline can result in extra payments. 

Rent your pocket Wi-Fi on arrival

Forgot to order your pocket Wi-Fi in advance? Don’t panic — you’ll still be able to send your friends photos of yourself outside the Sydney Opera House if you rent your hotspot on arrival. Airport kiosks sell portable Wi-Fi solutions, so you can always grab one there. 

Alternatively, you can order a pocket Wi-Fi device through one of the usual online stores we mentioned, but just bear in mind that the device might take a while to arrive.

Best rental pocket Wi-Fi providers for Australia and prices

You’ll find a lot of providers offering pocket Wi-Fi for Australia. Here are some of the best.

Travelers Wifi

Travelers Wifi is a Swiss company that offers reliable pocket Wi-Fi in Australia (among many other countries). Its hotspots can connect up to five devices at once, which should be more than enough for most people. According to the Travelers Wifi website, these portable hotspots have around 13 hours of battery life when fully charged. The rates are reasonable, starting at around $6 USD, but the longer you rent the device for, the more you can save. 

RentnConnect

RentnConnect is another popular pocket Wi-Fi provider. You can have its devices sent to your home, but it doesn’t currently deliver to Australian addresses. Wherever you’re based, it can take up to five business days for the hub to arrive, so plan ahead! The pricing for unlimited internet access starts around $12 USD per day, which is a little more expensive than some services on the market, but this company’s online reviews are consistently high.

Klook

Klook offers a few options that might be of interest if you’re planning an adventure to Australia — and beyond. This company’s basic Australian router can be picked up from Sydney airport, connects up to five devices, has a battery life of 10 hours, and starts at around $7.60 per day. It also offers a package that covers both Australia and New Zealand, a great option for travelers who want to hop across the Tasman Sea. The downside of that double deal is the battery life, which comes in at around six hours. 

Introducing the eSIM: The best alternative to a pocket Wi-Fi for Australia 

The best alternative to pocket Wi-Fi is the eSIM. With an eSIM app, you can get all of the benefits of pocket Wi-Fi without worrying about daily rental costs or low battery life. 

Pocket Wi-Fi comes with a range of logistical problems: delivery or pickup, extra fees, the potential for loss or damage, and the annoyance of carrying an extra device everywhere you go. By contrast, an eSIM for Australia lets you skip these issues while getting the same level of coverage.

Why an eSIM is a better option than pocket Wi-Fi when traveling in Australia

An eSIM app like Saily gets your phone connected to trusted local networks as soon as it’s activated. You don’t need to procure and carry an extra piece of equipment, and the only thing you pay for is your specific data plan.

You can also set up a hotspot with an eSIM to connect other devices to the same network. Your phone is now your pocket Wi-Fi, and your plan can be activated, managed, and extended through the Saily app.

Your next trip to Australia should be about brilliant sunshine, sparkling blue seas, and terrifyingly weird animals — not lugging a pocket Wi-Fi device around with you. Keep it simple with Saily.