Pocket Wi-Fi for New York: How it works and where to get it

How does rental pocket Wi-Fi work in New York?

Renting pocket Wi-Fi for your trip to New York may involve placing an order online and shipping a router to your hotel or home address. These online rental companies have an agreement with a local network provider like Verizon or AT&T, so you’ll be able to instantly get internet access without having to purchase an additional internet plan. 

Keep in mind that pocket Wi-Fi goes by several other names, including “portable Wi-Fi,” “mobile internet,” “mobile hotspot device,” or a “mobile internet device.” So, if you’re struggling to find “pocket Wi-Fi” online or in-store, check for one of these other aliases. 

Getting a pocket Wi-Fi rental for New York may be a bit more cost effective and convenient than purchasing a device. More specifically, you won’t be able to use your mobile internet device unless you’ve purchased an internet plan to go along with it. This may involve picking up a SIM card (or sometimes, the device comes with a built-in eSIM), and then activating your plan.

Portable Wi-Fi devices work similarly to your Wi-Fi router at home except for two key differences: 

1. Mobile internet devices either require a SIM card or have a built-in eSIM.

2. The devices are small enough to carry around with you. 

Folks traveling in groups are drawn to this internet solution because you can connect multiple devices to a single router at once. Digital nomads heading to The Big Apple can also benefit from a portable router if they need to use multiple devices at once. 

Let’s take a look at how you can find a portable Wi-Fi device for your trip to NYC. 

How to get pocket Wi-Fi for New York

You have a few ways of finding portable Wi-Fi for New York, including from a rental company online, a local electronics retailer, or a local telecommunications retailer like Verizon or T-Mobile. You might also be able to find a mobile internet device at an airport. Let’s explore all your options for renting a mobile internet device in New York. 

New York airports

Some online sources suggest that you may be able to rent or purchase mobile internet devices at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). However, the airports’ official websites provide no information about this. As such, we wouldn’t suggest betting on the fact that you can rent or purchase mobile internet at a New York airport, but it might still be worth checking an electronics kiosk to confirm.

Local electronics retailers

Some electronics retailers like Walmart or Best Buy offer mobile hotspots for purchase. Best Buy’s mobile hotspots retail from anywhere between US$45-600. You can either pick up the device at a store in New York City or order one online and have it shipped to your hotel. That being said, you’ll need to purchase an internet plan separately in order to actually use the device. 

Telecommunications retailers

You can also purchase a prepaid mobile hotspot device from Verizon and T-Mobile, with prices ranging from US$80-90. You can either order a device online and have it shipped to your accommodation or pick one up from a nearby retail store. However, shipping may take a few days if you plan on ordering online. To avoid any days without a mobile internet connection, it’s best to pre-order a device before your trip or simply pick one up in person. 

Also keep in mind that some companies require you to lock into a two-year plan in order to use their internet services. As such, this option doesn’t make much sense if you’ll only be in New York for a short period of time. 

Online rental companies with delivery

Another way to get a pocket Wi-Fi device for New York is by ordering one online from a rental company or retailer and having it shipped directly to your hotel or rental property. If you’re having trouble arranging delivery to your hotel, you can ask a concierge for help. 

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Best portable Wi-Fi providers for New York: Prices

Finding affordable and reliable portable Wi-Fi rental for New York is a bit tricky, but MIOWIFI and Travelers Wifi are two online companies that offer rentals at competitive rates. 

Here’s a cost and feature breakdown of two of the best pocket Wi-Fi rentals for New York:

Please note that currency conversions are subject to change. 

Best alternatives to pocket Wi-Fi for New York 

We’ll cut to the chase — purchasing an eSIM is the best alternative to getting pocket Wi-Fi for New York. It’s quick, affordable, and flexible, and when it comes to the Saily eSIM app, it’s better for protecting your online privacy. However, other alternatives to renting portable Wi-Fi for your trip to New York include buying a prepaid SIM card or relying on free Wi-Fi around the city. Let’s take a look at how to find a local SIM card for New York and free Wi-Fi and why getting an eSIM is your best bet out of all these options. 

Prepaid SIM card for New York 

One alternative to getting pocket Wi-Fi for your trip is to purchase a prepaid SIM card in New York instead. The thing is, many portable hotspot devices require a SIM card anyway, so you can save yourself an extra step by just getting a SIM card and inserting it into a phone or tablet with a SIM slot. That way, you won’t have to carry an additional device with you and risk losing it, damaging it, or having it stolen. Although these risks still apply to a SIM card, at least you won’t be stuck with fees from a portable Wi-Fi rental company for damaging or losing their equipment.

You can find prepaid SIM cards at kiosks or telecom retailers located around the city. Keep an eye out for SIM cards made by carriers such as: 

AT&T. One of the biggest telecom companies in the US, AT&T is renowned for its reliable networks. 

Verizon. Another telecom giant in the US, Verizon is said to have extensive nationwide coverage. 

T-Mobile. T-Mobile boasts the largest and most extensive 5G network coverage in the country. 

Free Wi-Fi in New York 

Of course, you could always stick to free public Wi-Fi in New York instead of getting pocket Wi-Fi — but this isn’t the best internet solution for online privacy. While it’s true that LinkNYC has made getting free high-speed internet around the city pretty darn easy, the network is unsecured. When you connect to unsecured public networks, you’re risking being snooped on by hackers eager to get ahold of your banking details or other sensitive info. Yes, the risk of cyberattacks like man-in-the-middle and evil twin attacks is often overlooked by unassuming travelers, who just want to upload photos from the Top of The Rock or search for directions to Katz’s Deli. Aside from the LinkNYC network, “free” Wi-Fi may still come with a price, especially at trendy cafes serving $8 hojicha lattes. 

Between the looming security risks and unreliability that comes with using free Wi-Fi, it’s best to opt for an internet solution that’s better at protecting your online privacy while remaining as convenient as New York’s public Wi-Fi networks. 

Top recommendation: An eSIM for New York 

Instead of getting pocket Wi-Fi for New York, our top recommendation for staying connected on your trip is by getting an eSIM. While some portable Wi-Fi devices require a SIM card, many actually come with a built-in eSIM anyway. Because of this, when you rent a mobile internet device, you’re mostly paying for the ability to connect multiple devices to one shared hotspot. But the thing is, when you install an eSIM on your phone through an app, you’re able to share a hotspot with others anyway. In other words, your phone becomes the “mobile hotspot” using the same eSIM technology. 

As such, getting an eSIM directly on your phone is a far more convenient option than renting a portable hotspot. You won’t have to worry about placing an order online, waiting for the device to be shipped to you, and returning it. Not to mention, you can’t lose, damage, or have an eSIM stolen unlike a pocket Wi-Fi router because an eSIM is embedded in your phone. All you need to do is download an eSIM app, choose a data plan that works for you, install the eSIM on your phone, and you’ll be online in a couple of minutes. 

Some eSIMs come with additional benefits. For instance, Saily recently launched online privacy features like ad blocker, web protection from malicious sites, and location privacy. Not only do these features keep you safer as you browse, but they actually save your precious data. In other words, you get way more bang for your buck. 

Instead of dealing with the hassle of getting a portable Wi-Fi router for New York, consider trying an eSIM for the United States. 

Do you really need pocket Wi-Fi when visiting New York?

No, you don’t really need portable Wi-Fi for your trip to New York, because cheaper and more convenient internet options are abundant. Renting portable Wi-Fi for New York involves ordering a device online or finding it in a store, carrying it around with you constantly, and returning it back to the company. While a mobile hotspot rental can be a good option if you’re traveling in a group or with kids, keep in mind that everyone will have to be in close proximity of the device to stay connected at all times. Pocket Wi-Fi is also a slightly better option for online privacy because you won’t have to connect to unsecured public networks that can leave you at the mercy of cyberattackers. 

All that being said, the most convenient and cost effective solution is to purchase an eSIM. Many portable Wi-Fi devices come with an eSIM embedded in the device anyway. The difference is that getting a portable Wi-Fi rental device for New York requires a bunch of time and effort. Instead, you can just download an eSIM app and get mobile data in minutes. Plus, you’re still able to turn on your hotspot and share your data with family and friends in range of your phone. 

TL;DR — an eSIM is a better internet option than pocket Wi-Fi for New York.