10 best laptop modems

A computer without the Internet can be compared to a TV without an antenna. This laptop concerns to a lesser extent, but the ability to establish an Internet connection in a place where there are no free Wi-Fi access points can also be extremely important. Today's rating review from expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ is dedicated to compact devices - modems that solve the problem of the Internet in places where there is at least a mobile connection. In the old manner, they are called modems, although the principles of Modulation-DEM modulation in them are completely different.

There will be presented universal models that support the standards of both 3G and 4G, since the coverage of the network of the new generation 4G is far from everywhere, and with 3G the situation is better. The interface for all - USB. PCMCIA modems were not included in our review, as they are in extremely low demand.

Ranking of the best laptop modems

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best simple modems for laptops	1	HUAWEI E3276	3 100 ₽
	2	HUAWEI E3372h	3 190 ₽
	3	ZTE MF823	2 699 ₽
	4	Alcatel link key	2 080 ₽
	5	HUAWEI E398	4 400 ₽
Top 3G laptop modems	1	HUAWEI E1820	1 500 ₽
	2	HUAWEI E1550	700 ₽
	3	ZTE MF627	1 200 ₽
The best modems routers for laptops	1	Huawei E8372	3 390 ₽
	2	HUAWEI E8231w	1 990 ₽

The best simple modems for laptops

Let's start with the modems, the functionality of which includes the performance of their direct functions - to take the Internet directly to the laptop of its owner. Here, our experts were guided by the fact that the device worked normally, did not slow down, did not break, the connection did not hang and, if possible, did not cost too much. Consider six decent models. All of them “by default” support the LTE standard, work via USB, do not need additional power, are adapted to work in Russian mobile networks.

Let's make another remark to fully understand the logic of the rating. In the review we have as many as four models of production HUAWEI. It so happened that it is this company that produces good and inexpensive communication equipment on such an industrial scale. And we also recall that there is not enough just a high-quality device - it is also important that it be “sharpened” for mobile networks of Russian mobile operators.

HUAWEI E3276

Rating: 4.9

To begin, consider a single modem, hotly loved by customers. This is HUAWEI, model E3276. It is already characteristic even with a form and a folding structure - the USB contact conveniently hides inside the case, and the user is spared from such a frequent chance to lose the lid sooner or later.

Due to such a folding form factor, the modem, when worn, has compact dimensions - 92x14x32mm and weight - 30 g. The design even has a touch of originality. The plastic of the case is good, it does not play after several sim card replacements, as in cheap and simply low-quality models. On the front side there is a LED that starts flashing green as soon as the modem detects a signal.

This model supports the following data transmission technologies: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, LTE, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA +. It operates in the B38 TDD / 2600 and B40 TDD / 2300 frequency bands. R-UIM technology does not support. It has a socket for connecting an external antenna and a slot for a flash memory card.

The maximum data transmission / reception speed is 50/75 Mbit / s, respectively (depending on the modification). These are quite modest values, but for such an inexpensive device and for such stability it is quite acceptable.

This model has 10 modifications, so you definitely need to be interested in a particular seller before buying.

HUAWEI E3372h

Rating: 4.8

Continuing rating another worthy product of the company HUAWEI. This model has quite tangible differences from the previous one. Firstly - the form factor. Here it is a compact candy bar in black or white.

Dimensions of the device - 91x29x10cm. The case is made of high-quality plastic, a special hole is made in the lid on the side. You can thread a thin chain, thread, or anything else into it that will allow you to wear the modem around your neck or arm for a while. So it will be impossible to lose the cover.

The modem supports GSM, EDGE, 3G, LTE data transmission technologies. It works on a whole range of possible frequencies: within the framework of 3G technology - UMTS / HSDPA / HSPA / HSPA + / DC-HSPA + at frequencies 900/1900/210; when working in LTE: band 1/3/7/8/28/40 (FDD 700/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz, 2300 MHz TDD).

The maximum possible speed: reception - up to 63.3 Mbit / s for 3G, 150 Mbit / s for LTE, sending - up to 12.6 Mbit / s for 3G and 50 Mbit / s for LTE.

A web interface is “flashed” into the modem, with which you can easily configure it directly from a laptop. But the initial settings, according to user feedback, are so well “picked up” on many networks that this is enough to connect to the Internet.

In places of weak signal, or where the laptop performs the function of a stationary computer, a special external antenna can be connected to the modem. To do this, at the end of the device case there are two holes of CRC9 type connectors. Also, the modem contains a card reader for microSD memory cards of up to 32GB.

ZTE MF823

Rating: 4.7

Now in our rating follows the modem produced by another well-known manufacturer of telecommunications equipment - ZTE. Externally, the modem is expectedly similar to the previous model - a “big flash drive” with rounded edges. This form is generally recognized as optimal in all respects.

Dimensions of the device - 91x34x13mm, weight - 45 g. On the case has a signal availability indicator. Also at the ends there are plugs protected by plugs for connecting cables of external antennas and a microSD card reader slot.

The modem covers GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G and HSPA + communications standards. The layout of the frequency bands: GSM 850/900/1800 / 1900mHz, UMTS 900 / 2100mHz, 4G LTE 800/1800/2100 / 2600MHz.

The maximum possible speed: reception - up to 42.2 Mbit / s for 3G, 150 Mbit / s for LTE, sending - up to 5.4 Mbit / s for 3G and 50 Mbit / s for LTE.

Alcatel link key

Rating: 4.6

The fourth position in the ranking of the best laptop modems according to expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ is the best device of this type manufactured by the brand of French origin Alcatel. He is as good in everything as the models described above, but he still has some interesting additional functions and useful “effects”.

This is a modem for a laptop of the same form factor as the majority of 28x11x88mm sizes presented in the survey in a case of high-quality, pleasant to the touch plastic. Like almost all modems for laptops of this kind, there is an LED indicator on the case that indicates a connection, a connector for an external antenna, a card reader slot (flash cards up to 32GB).

What is interesting in this modem for a laptop is the presence of internal memory already by default from the factory - 1GB of internal memory and 2GB of flash memory.

The modem supports GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, LTE communication standards. The GSM standard can operate in five bands - 850/900/1800/1900.In LTE, the maximum data reception speed is 150 Mbps.

HUAWEI E398

Rating: 4.5

And again in our rating is a modem from HUAWEI, model E398, only this time it will be something special. The model differs from all previous unexpectedly expressive design. Such a thing looks spectacular and futuristic in tandem with any laptop.

The dimensions of the device are 92x32x15 mm (as we see, this laptop modem is slightly larger than the others), weight is 40 g. Overall dimensions are compensated by the swivel mechanism of the USB connector - it can be installed in a vertical position, and this is true for thin notebooks.

This modem has a good story. He is the actual follower of another successful development of the Huawei E392, and it differs from it just by the turning mechanism of the connector and some more details. Its electronics is based on the Qualcomm MDM9200 processor. Like all previous modems for laptops, it contains a slot for an external memory card reader up to 32GB.

For connecting external antennas in the modem there are as many as two sockets type TS9. You can connect to them either separately 3G and 4G antennas, or one two-standard MIMO antenna. The second option is preferable in places of poor reception.

The modem supports GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA and HSPA + standards. The layout of the operating frequencies: 4G - TDD / FDD LTE 2600 MHz; 3G - UMTS 900/2100 MHz; 2G - GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz.

Data transfer rate in FDD LTE mode - maximum 100 Mbit / s (reception) and 50 Mbit / s (transmission); TDD LTE - a maximum of 68 Mbit / s (reception) and 17 Mbit / s (transmission).

Top 3G laptop modems

In this rating nomination, we will look at a selection of models that, in terms of supporting data transfer technology, are limited to a maximum of the 3G standard. It may seem strange to choose such a model, given that all LTE modems have full backward compatibility, but this is only at first glance. In certain cases, the previous generation modem may be needed - when and where LTE coverage is not and is not foreseen, and the connection is planned not only to the laptop, but also to the router, which is also outdated. Such cases are more than enough, and the very existence of demand for 3G modems clearly confirms this.

HUAWEI E1820

Rating: 4.9

First consider a miniature gadget, smaller in size than any of the above LTE-modems. Its dimensions are only 76x28x12mm, and its weight is less than 30 g. The form factor is a separate feature of the device — it is designed as a slider with a lock for extreme positions. The case is made of durable plastic that is resistant to the formation of scratches and chips, the coating is oleophobic enough to minimize the formation of fingerprints.

Designed device to work in networks of up to third generation (3G). The full range of standards support is GSM / GPRS / EDGE / WCDMA / HSDPA 850/900/1800/1900/2100 MHz. An external antenna can be connected to the modem to enhance the signal.

The modem data transfer capabilities are as follows: maximum reception speed is up to 21.6 Mbps, transmissions up to 5.76 Mbps, in UMTS mode reception is up to 384 kbps and transmission up to 384 kbps, in EDGE mode class 12 reception up to 236.8 kbps and transmission up to 118.4 kbps.

In the device’s own memory, all the necessary drivers and software are stitched for operation, and the installation is performed automatically on the fly.

HUAWEI E1550

Rating: 4.8

The second number in the selection of 3G-modem rating for laptops, we consider a good-quality "working" horse made by the same HUAWEI.In this model, there is nothing exclusive, but it is proven by time, and who needs reliability first of all, this is the best option.

Dimensions of the device - 26x11x87mm, weight - 40 g. The case is extremely minimalist in design, black in color, strong and solid. At the end are slots for a SIM card and a memory card.

The modem works, like the previous one, in the networks of mobile operators, supporting data transfer technologies up to 3G: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, 3G. In networks HSDPA / UMTS operates at a frequency of 2100, and in networks GSM / GPRS / EDGE - at frequencies 900/1800/1900.

The layout of the maximum speeds is as follows: via HSDPA protocol - up to 3.6 Mbit / s per input and 384 kbit / s per output; Class 12 EDGE - up to 384 kbps per input and 384 kbps per output; GPRS class 12 to 80kbit / s input, 40 kbit / s output.

Useful additional functions: support of group SMS-mailing, voice calls on WCDMA / GSM, support of the standard WCDMA.

ZTE MF627

Rating: 4.7

And the last in this selection of rating consider a very simple, but workable and fairly reliable modem from ZTE. In Russia, it will initially be “sharpened” under the MTS, but it also works in other networks, and for full unlocking you can use one of numerous special programs. This is not the newest model of the series, but it has been tested by time, has earned an excellent reputation, and today its price is just beyond competition.

Dimensions of the device - 69x26x12mm. The case is made of high-quality plastic, the assembly is of high-quality, it feels quite strong, made in an attractive white-red color. Inside there is a separate slot for a flash memory card, and a 2GB card is included (this is an option, you need to check with a specific vendor).

The modem supports GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA data transfer technologies. The maximum data transfer rate in third-generation networks is 3.6 Mbit / s for reception and 0.38 Mbit / s for transmission.

The best modems routers for laptops

Finally, in the ranking of the best laptop modems according to expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/, we will pay attention to devices that are more than just modems. Actually, our experts gave the palm to two models, which are remarkable in that they combine two functions - a modem and a router.

Huawei E8372

Rating: 4.9

This laptop modem doesn’t show its hidden features. This is the same "whistle", like almost all previous ones, but with features that make it exceptional against the background of the entire previous group.

The size of the modem is 30x14x94mm, weight is 40 g. The form factor, as already mentioned, is the most common with one difference — not one indicator is placed on the case, but a whole miniature display window with indicators, and it will become clear what it is for. Inside there are two slots - for the SIM card and for the flash memory card. To connect external antennas at the end there are two sockets protected by plugs.

The modem supports GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G and HSPA + data transfer technologies. The layout of the data reception / transmission speeds is as follows: reception - 2g (EDGE) up to 236.8 Kbps 3g (DC-HSPA) - up to 42.7 Mb / s 4g (LTE) -150 Mb / s; transfer - 3g (DC-HSPA) - 5.72mb / s 4g (LTE) - 50mb / s.

And now the most interesting and important. This modem has an integrated router. Connecting it to a laptop, you get the Internet not only directly to the laptop, but also you can distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi via a modem router to as many as 10 devices.

Connection states - incoming and outgoing - are displayed on a miniature LED display.

HUAWEI E8231w

Rating: 4.8

The second and final modem in this compilation and the whole review is a device with similar functions, like the modem router discussed above, but with some differences and a slightly different price. The form factor is exactly the same, they are very similar, but they are still different models.

An important note is a 3G modem, that is, it will not work in LTE networks, but “this is not a bug, but a feature” - experts of expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ deliberately included it in the review as a kind of addition to the 3G modem nomination discussed above.

The dimensions of the device are 27x7x88mm, weight is 22 g. It is made in exactly the same form factor as the previous model, the case is made of high-quality plastic, and there is even a completely similar miniature LED oblong display of status indicators on the case. The modem works in networks up to the third generation: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA +.

Like the previous model, this modem can distribute the Internet for as many as 10 clients. You can distribute Wi-Fi by connecting a modem to a laptop via a miniature power supply with a USB connector, since the modem does not have enough power from a laptop to distribute the Internet, especially for several clients.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.