Canadian router manufacturer MoFi has been on our radar for a while, and we became especially intrigued when MoFi launched the MoFi 4500 line in August of 2015, with an optional integrated cellular radio.
MoFi routers provide a local Wi-Fi and ethernet LAN network, and support tethering to a cellular hotspot or USB modem to share your cellular connection.
MoFi also supports direct USB tethering to Android phones, and was the first router to support direct iOS smartphone tethering (a feature now matched by WiFiRanger).
With an integrated cellular radio included with many MoFi verizons, the tiny MoFi box can do away with the need for a separate cellular hotspot entirely.
This packs a ton of capability into a small metal shell for the price point.
But while MoFi looks great on paper - the actual hands-on experience is, at best, challenging.
Specifications
- Wi-Fi Router: Yes
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n - 300Mbps Max, 21dBm Transmit Power (125mW)
- 5GHz Wi-Fi: N/A
- Wi-Fi Antenna: 2x RP-SMA/Female Antenna Port, 5dBi Antennas Included
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes (see review)
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Cellular Tethering via USB: 1x USB Port
- Integrated Cellular Modem: Yes
- Carriers: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint
- LTE Bands:
- B2 (1900MHz) - Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile LTE
- B4 (1700/2100MHz) - Verizon (XLTE), AT&T, and T-Mobile LTE
- B5 (850MHz) - Verizon & AT&T Future LTE Expansion
- B12 (700MHz) - T-Mobile's "Extended Range LTE"
- B13 (700MHz) - Verizon's Primary LTE
- B17 (700MHz) - AT&T's Primary LTE
- B25 (1900MHz) - Sprint's Mid-Range LTE
- B26 (850Mhz) - Sprint's Long-Range LTE
- B29 (700MHz) - AT&T's Future "Download Only" LTE Expansion
- B30 (2300MHz) - AT&T's Newer LTE Band
- B41 (2500MHz) - Sprint's Short-Range LTE
- 4G/3G: HSPA+ 850/1900/2100MHz
Global roaming supported. - 2G: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes - 2x 20MHz Channels
- LTE Performance Category: 6
(Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up) - Cellular Antennas: 2x SMA/Female Antenna Ports, Basic 5dBi Indoor Antennas Included
- SIM Slots: Mini-SIM (2FF)
- Ethernet Ports: 5x 100Mbps Fast Ethernet (1x WAN / 4x LAN)
- Special Features: Data Usage Tracking, Band Locking, Extreme Customization
- Power Source: 110v AC Adapter Included (Optional 12V vehicle power supply)
- Dimensions: 4.3" x 3.3" x 1.2"
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Retail Price: $299.99
Review & Testing Status
MoFi has provided us with both a basic MoFi 4500 and the universal cellular SIM4 model, and we have tested them in a range of locations and situations.
We've shared our in depth testing notes with our members in more detail below, and in our testing notes:
March 2019 Update: After hearing multiple recent reports of improvements in the MoFi stability and firmware, we put our SIM4 unit back into testing for re-analysis. Our review below remains unchanged.
Related News Center Articles
Potential Alternatives to Consider:
For other popular mobile routers on the market we are tracking - here are our featured options:
Learn More About Selecting Mobile Routers
This Review Contains Additional Member Exclusive Content
We are honored to be able to present the above overview for free without 3rd party advertising or sponsorships. We are not paid by the manufacturer of this product to provide this listing or review, and nor are we selling this equipment or plan (purchasing links are provided below as a courtesy and some may be affiliates).
Our members have funded this resource center and any extensive hands on time
we have spent with the product to review it.
The in-depth portions of this review are made available to them which might contain: hands on testing notes, field testing data, user interface tour, product analysis, comparison to alternatives, setup tips, video tutorial, insider tips, vendor discounts and fellow member experiences.
If you're a member, please log in to continue with this review.
If you're not a member.. please consider joining us!
Purchasing Options
The guides below have been hand-picked to help further your education about selecting & using mobile routers.
The Mobile Internet Resource Center is brought to you by Two Steps Beyond LLC, and hosted by the technomads of