Fastest/Reliable mobile hotspot

The network your hotspot uses is key. You need to research the areas you will be driving in or you need a device/plan that uses Verizon or ATT. Last I checked they have widest availability.

I noted at your link it was touting "fastest growing network". That usually means smaller network. Fast growth comes from growing from 2 to 4 to 8 to 16 etc towers rather than 8,000 to 9,000 to 10,000 towers. Lots of people have gotten burned on cellphone plans that are cheap, and they're cheap because you can only connect along major interstate highways. 2 miles from the big road and your device may have 1g connection only.

 

If you have an unlimited data plan on your phone, use it. I have an old Note 4 that has an old enough OS to use a tether masking app that allows me to turn on the hotspot without having a subscription from my provider. It doesn't stress your phone, I watch tv, talk to my wife and surf the web when she asks a question I don't know the answer to...all at the same time, without issues (most of the time)

 

Verizon performance for pre-paid (no contract) is slower than on-contract post-paid accounts. I switched from Verizon to Xfinity Mobile which uses Verizon's network. It saved me $20 and uses the same network as before.

Just remember your experience & price depends on connecting wherever you use the hotspot. You need to really nail down where you will be using it to know if it's a good deal. Having a great hotspot on the network that is available most places, but weak where you are trying to connect is no bargain.

 

Get yourself a Verizon phone acct with unlimited. Use your phone as a hotspot.

 

Do not count on the truck stop Wi-Fi
It's almost always crap
I have an unlimited cricket plan too
Mine doesn't slow down until 22 gigs
I don't use anywhere near that much
You might want to check with cricket about your plan

 

I would say Verizon has the fastest and the most coverage. Especially when you get out west. On verizon places like wyoming are not verision but a local cell system that Verizon has a contract with. It very fast but it only works of you have a Verizon phone on the Verizon system with a Verizon account.

Verison has pre paid card the only work on the true Verizon system. So places like Wyoming they don't work. From my understanding.

I have Straight Talk phone on the Verizon system but it probably won't t work in Wyoming. I have 60GB for $55 plus unlimited talk and text.

 

Best advice right there in my opinion. Using a hotspot when you already have unlimited data on your phone is just redundant.

In my experience Verizon is your best bet for data availability in most places. There will be some dark areas with poor/no connectivity on highways, but it's good on the interstate and in/near urban areas.