Canadian router manufacturer MoFi produces routers that 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 supported direct USB tethering to Android phones and was the first router to support direct iOS smartphone tethering (a feature matched by WiFiRanger, GL.iNet, and a handful of others).
With an integrated cellular radio included with many MoFi versions, 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.
While MoFi looks great on paper - the actual hands-on experience is, at best, challenging.
Product Variations
MoFi offers a range of models on its website, with often confusing product names. And MOFI currently offers three core router generations, each with different modem options:
- 4500 Series - The Original MOFI, first launched in 2015. We consider this model obsolete, but it is still available, including more modern modem options.
- 5500 Series - A much more advanced router platform compared to the 4500, the 5500 launched in 2021.
- 6500 Series - Similar to the 5500, but with faster internals and Wi-Fi 6, the 6500 launched in early 2024.
The available modem options differ for each model and are listed in the tabs below. Note that Mofi changes modem options frequently, and various options go in and out of stock, so check the MOFI website for what is currently available.
6500 Series
6500 Series
In 2024, MoFi introduced the 6500 series, an upgraded version of the 5500 series with faster internals and Wi-Fi 6.
MoFi currently lists the following models in the 6500 series:
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE: (no cellular modem)
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE-RM520: 5G/LTE Cat-20 X62 Modem
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE-EM7411-DUAL: Dual Modem Cat-7 Cellular
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE-FN990A40 - Cat 20 Cellular (4x4 MIMO) and Sub-6GHz 5G (Telit FN990A40 X65 Modem)
Specifications
- Model: MoFi 6500 Series
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: 4x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- FN990A40 has 5x Wi-Fi antennas
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: 192.168.1.1
- Password: admin / admin
- USB Tethering Support: Yes (including iOS and Android)
- Ethernet Ports: 5x Gigabit Ethernet (1x WAN / 4x LAN)
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE-RM520:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 (Quectel RM520)
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- 5G Sub-6 Bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 External
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: 4.5 Gbps Down / 660 Mbps Up
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: 2x download and upload - low and mid-band can be combined
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-20 (Max Theoretical Speed: 2Gbps Down / 211Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Yes, at least 5x Download, 3x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 4x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- SIM Slot: 2x Nano
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE-EM7411-DUAL:
- Cellular Modem: Dual 4G/LTE
- Modem Module or Chipset:Qualcomm MDM9250 (Sierra Wireless EM7411)
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 External
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-7 (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down / 150Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 2x Download, 2x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 4x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- SIM Slot: 2x Nano
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE-FN990A40:
- Cellular Modem: 5G
- Modem Module or Chipset: X65 - Telit FN990A40
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- 5G Bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 External
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: 4.1 Gbps Down / 900 Mbps Up
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: 3x 5G Carrier Aggregations - Mid-and & Low-and 5G can be combined.
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-20 (Max Theoretical Speed: 2 Gbps Down / 316 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: At least 5x Download, 3x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 4x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- SIM Slot: 2x Nano
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE-RM520:
- Dimensions: 10 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
- Other Ports: 1 USB 3.0 and 1 USB 2.0
- Power Source: 12v DC Jack (AC Power Supply Included - 12V, 2.5A)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Load Balancing, Auto-Failover, Band locking, Tower locking, Bandwidth Management, VPN
- Retail Price:
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE: $249.99
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE-RM520: $549.99
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE-EM7411-DUAL: $549.99
- MOFI6500-5GXeLTE-FN990A40: $599.99 (out of stock)
5500 Series
5500 Series
The MOFI 5500 series routers are bigger and more powerful than the first-generation MOFI 4500 series. They support a range of more capable cellular modem options, including 5G modems.
MoFi currently lists the following models in the 5500 series:
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE: (No cellular modem)
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7411: Cat-7 Cellular Modem
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7455: Cat-6 Cellular Modem
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7411-DUAL: Dual Modem Cat-7 Cellular
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7690: Cat 20 Cellular (4x4 MIMO)
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM9191: Cat 20 Cellular (4x4 MIMO) and Sub-6GHz 5G (Sierra Wireless X55 modem)
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-RM520: Cat 20 Cellular (4x4 MIMO) and Sub-6GHz 5G (Quectel X62 modem)
Specifications
- Model: MoFi 5500 Series
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: 4x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: 192.168.1.1
- Password: admin / admin
- USB Tethering Support: Yes (including iOS and Android)
- Ethernet Ports: 5x Gigabit Ethernet (1x WAN / 4x LAN)
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7411 & MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7411-DUAL:
- Cellular Modem: Single or Dual 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm MDM9250 (Sierra Wireless EM7411)
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2x2 External
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-7 (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down / 150Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 2x Download, 2x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA ports (4x on Dual model), paddle antennas included
- SIM Slot: 1 Standard per modem
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7455:
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm MDM9230 (Sierra Wireless EM7455)
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2x2 External
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-6 (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 2x Download
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- SIM Slot: 1 Standard
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-7690:
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm SDX55 (Sierra Wireless EM7690)
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 External
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-20 (Max Theoretical Speed: 2Gbps Down / 211Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 5x Download, 3x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 4x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- SIM Slot: 1 Standard
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM9191:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 (Sierra Wireless EM9190)
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- 5G Bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 External
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: 4.5 Gbps Down / 660 Mbps Up
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: 2x - Mid-Band & Low-Band 5G can NOT be combined
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-20 (Max Theoretical Speed: 2Gbps Down / 211Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Yes, at least 5x Download, 3x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 4x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- SIM Slot: 1 Standard
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-RM520:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 (Quectel RM520)
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- 5G Sub-6 Bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 External
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: 4.5 Gbps Down / 660 Mbps Up
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: 2x download and upload - low and mid-band can be combined
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-20 (Max Theoretical Speed: 2Gbps Down / 211Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Yes, at least 5x Download, 3x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2 2x2 MIMO external antennas
- SIM Slot: 2x Nano
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7411 & MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7411-DUAL:
- Dimensions: 10 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
- Other Ports: 1 USB 3.0 and 1 USB 2.0
- Power Source: 12v DC Jack (AC Power Supply Included - 12V, 2.5A)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Load Balancing, Auto-Failover, Band locking, Tower locking, Bandwidth Management, VPN
- Retail Price:
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE: $199.99
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7411: $349.99
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7455: $369.99
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7411-DUAL: $549.99 (not available)
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM7690: $449.99
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-EM9191: $449.99 (clearance)
- MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-RM520: $499.99
4500 Series
4500 Series
MoFi launched the MoFi 4500 line in 2015, as one of the earliest consumer-accessible cellular routers. The basic MoFi 4500 router has remained essentially the same since 2015, and we now consider it obsolete, but MoFi has continuously updated available modems.
The MOFI 4500 is based on the ZBT WE826 Router.
MoFi currently lists the following models in the 4500 series:
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE V3 (No cellular modem)
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE SIM7-COMBO V3
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE SIM8-COMBO V3
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE SIM4-COMBO V3
Specifications
- Model: MoFi4500 Series
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) - 2.4 GHz
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: 2x RP-SMA/Female Antenna Port, 5dBi Antennas Included
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: 192.168.1.1
- Password: admin / admin
- USB Tethering Support: 1x USB Port, hotspots and smartphones
- Ethernet Ports: 5x Fast Ethernet (1x WAN / 4x LAN)
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE SIM7-COMBO V3:
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2x2 External
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-4 (Max Theoretical Speed: 150Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: No
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- SIM Slot: 1 Standard
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE SIM8-COMBO V3:
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm MDM9250 (Sierra Wireless EM7411)
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 41, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2x2 External
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-7 (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down / 150Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 2x Download, 2x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- SIM Slot: 1 Standard
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE SIM4-COMBO V3:
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2x2 External
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-6 (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Yes, 2x Download
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA ports, paddle antennas included
- SIM Slot: 1 Standard
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE SIM7-COMBO V3:
- Dimensions: 4.3 x 3.3 x 1.2 inches
- Other Ports: USB
- Power Source: 110v AC Adapter Included (Optional 12v vehicle power supply)
- Outdoor Rated: No - Optional external housings available
- Special Features: Data Usage Tracking, Band Locking, Customization
- Retail Price:
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE V3: $149.99
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE SIM7-COMBO V3: $309.99
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE SIM8-COMBO V3: $329.99
- MoFi4500-4GXeLTE SIM4-COMBO V3: $349.99
News, Videos, & Status
In 2016, MoFi provided us with both a basic MoFi 4500 and SIM4 model, which we tested in a range of locations and situations in 2016/2017. We have not tested any newer 4500 series models with newer modems. We consider the 4500 series platform to be obsolete at this point.
We received our first 5500 series model from MoFi in early 2021, a pre-release version of the MOFI5500-5GxLTE-7411-DUAL (Dual Cat-7), which we spent some time evaluating and returned.
In late 2021, we received a Sierra Wireless (X55) 5G model (MOFI5500-5GXeLTE-9191-COMBO) for evaluation. This router is still in our long-term testing program, where we continue to do periodic testing against other 5G routers for comparative analysis and evaluations of the Mofi firmware as updates are released.
Our MIAs can follow along with future testing in the In Progress forums, and summaries will be incorporated into the review below.
We've shared our in-depth testing notes with our members in more detail below, and in our testing notes:
Related News Center Articles:
Alternatives to Consider
For other popular mobile routers on the market we are tracking - here are our featured options:
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