Mobile dongles provide you with broadband on the go, so you can get online, whenever and wherever. Read on to find out more and get all the help you need to get a really good dongle deal.
What is a mobile dongle and how do dongles work?
A dongle is a little portable gadget that plugs into your computer and gives you internet access via mobile broadband. That's the same technology that allows you to get online with your smartphone.
Most dongles require a SIM card to work, as they use your mobile network to deliver internet. However, many come bundled with a SIM card and data deal, so you won’t need to get one separately.
You simply plug a dongle into your laptop’s USB port, and you're good to go.
The downside of dongles is that you can only connect a single device at a time. If you need a mobile broadband that you can share between multiple internet-enabled gadgets, you'll require a MiFi.
What to consider when buying a dongle?
There are a few things to bear in mind when choosing a dongle deal:
Cost
Price is an important consideration when picking a dongle contract. Our table shows you the total cost of your dongle, as well as price per month and the upfront cost (if any).
4G or 5G
When it comes to dongles, you can get the same broadband connection options as your mobile phone.
4G dongles will likely be cheaper and if you don’t need a fast connection, it may be a cost-effective way to get online on the go.
5G will offer much faster browsing, less buffering on videos, more responsive gaming performance and an all-round better experience. They may cost more, though.
You can compare 4G and 5G dongle deals above. Just use the filters to track down a dongle that meets your needs.
Contract length
Like a mobile phone, you can buy a dongle outright and go pay-as-you-go, or take out a contract.
One-month contracts are the most common, and offer plenty of flexibility. However, longer contracts tend to have lower monthly costs.
They’re mostly 30-day contracts, but longer ones – 12 months or 24 months – can work out cheaper if you plan to use it a lot.
Data allowance
Dongle deals offer a wide range of data allowances, from a few gigabytes per month all the way up to unlimited data.
If you stream HD movies, spend hours gaming, download big files and the like, you may want to pay more for a bigger allowance.
And of course, going unlimited means you need not worry about paying any extra charges for extra data – it’ll feel like having a home broadband connection.
To decide on the best data allowance for you, consider your internet usage and needs.
Which networks offer mobile dongle deals?
Dongles are usually available from major mobile networks, including:
What are the pros and cons of dongles?
Not sure if a dongle is really what you need? Read on as we weigh up everything that's good and bad about dongles to help you make up your mind.
Pros
- Internet on the go: You can get online wherever you are, whenever you like
- Simple: Very easy to use – just plug in and go
- Portable: Dongles are small and easy to carry around anywhere you go, which makes them great for accessing the internet if travelling in the UK.
- Can use them overseas: Great for travelling abroad, if your dongle deal includes roaming
- Flexible: Great for temporary broadband, with short-term contracts and pay-as-you-go plans widely available
- No charging required: They're powered by your computer, so no need to charge it – and no need to worry about battery life running out while you’re using it
- Great backup: Useful to have in case you encounter a broadband emergency
Cons
Requires a USB port: Your device needs to have a USB port, so a dongle can only really connect to a laptop – you won’t be able to use it with a tablet, eBook reader, or mobile
- Can be pricier than fixed line broadband: A dongle deal can sometimes have a higher monthly charge than a home broadband plan, for slower speeds
- Can only connect one device to the internet: If you want to use internet on multiple devices at the same time, you’ll be better off with a MiFi or broadband deal
- Restrictive: Download limits can be quite tight. So ensure you get one that meets your usage needs
- Potential inconsistent connection: Your internet connection will depend on the mobile broadband network in the area you are in
- Can be easy to hit data cap: Unless you choose an unlimited data dongle, you will need to keep an eye on your data usage – you could be charged if you go over
Alternatives to dongles
Dongles aren't the only way to get online when you're on the go. Other options include:
Public Wi-Fi hotspots
There are a huge number of public Wi-Fi spots in the UK, and they’re often free to use (particularly if your mobile or broadband deal offers its own Wi-Fi hotspots as a customer perk). This makes it easy to get online when you’re out and about.
Speeds and connection can be a bit on the slow side though, and you can’t be sure there will be a spot nearby. Plus, it’s not the safest or most secure option – cyber security experts recommend not using public Wi-Fi to do online banking, for example.
Tethering with your smartphone
Almost all phones can be turned into Wi-Fi hotspots, so your computer can ‘tether’ to it and use its data allowance.
But make sure the deal you choose includes the option to tether, as some have restrictions on how many devices can be tethered/how much data can be used up.
It’s also important to ensure your mobile data allowance is large enough, especially if you’re going to use it to stream video or online game on your computer.
MiFi
If you’re looking at getting a dongle for temporary broadband, you could consider a MiFi.
These work in a similar way as dongles, and are a portable and flexible option. MiFis allow you to share your mobile internet connection with multiple devices simultaneously. However, they require charging.
Can you get unlimited internet on a dongle?
Yes, most providers offer dongle deals with unlimited usage. As you'd expect, these will be more expensive than capped plans but offer you peace of mind that you won't run out.
Is a dongle better than broadband?
This really depends on your usage. If you live alone and are often out and about wanting to connect to the internet, a dongle could be a good option for you. It could be cheaper, and you can take it anywhere.
A family of four however, would be better off with fixed-line, home broadband as they can all connect at the same time and the connection is more robust and more reliable. And almost certainly faster too.
Can you get pay-as-you-go dongles?
Yes you can find a range of pay-as-you-go dongle deals in our table above. These are often best if you don’t think you will use your dongle very regularly.
