4G routers can be an effective way to achieve reliable broadband speeds, particularly in areas where fixed-line connections are slow or unavailable. Models with external antennas often provide stronger signal reception and wider coverage, making them a sensible choice for improving stability and performance.
With a wide range of options available, offering different speeds, antenna configurations and features, this guide highlights some of the best 4G routers currently available. If you’re upgrading your home connectivity, you may also find our guide to the Best Outdoor TV Aerial for Freeview useful, particularly if reception is a wider concern in your area.
So, which 4G routers with external antennas are worth considering today?
Best Options At A Glance
Comparison of the best 4G routers with external antennas
If you’re comparing connection type, speed and overall capabilities, the table below highlights the key differences between these routers at a glance.
| 📡 Product | 🏷️ Brand | ⚖️ Weight | 🚀 Wireless Speed | ⭐ Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MERCUSYS MB115-4G 300 Mbps Router | MERCUSYS | 300 g | 300 Mbps | Plug and play SIM setup |
| TP-Link TL-MR6400 4G Router | TP-Link | 606 g | 300 Mbps | Stable LTE with parental controls |
| GL.iNet GL-BE9300 (Flint 3) WiFi 7 Router | GL.iNet | 850 g | 2800 Mbps | High-speed WiFi 7 + VPN support |
| GL.iNet GL-X3000 (Spitz AX) 5G Router | GL.iNet | 249 g | 2402 Mbps | Dual-SIM 5G mobile broadband |
Product Summaries
MERCUSYS MB115-4G 300 Mbps 4G Router
- Brand - MERCUSYS
- Dimensions - 22.2 x 14 x 3.2 cm
- Weight - 300 g
- Wireless Speed - 300 Mbps
- Special Feature - Plug and Play
Firstly we have the MERCUSYS MB115-4G 300 Mbps 4G Router, which is the most budget friendly router on our list. It’s currently selling for £50/$67 on Amazon.
This router uses a 4G SIM card to provide internet access, making it ideal for rural homes, temporary setups, or backup connectivity. Setup is straightforward – simply insert a SIM card and power it on, with no complex configuration required.
With download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and WiFi speeds of 300 Mbps, it’s well suited to everyday tasks such as browsing, streaming, and light work use. It can support up to 32 connected devices, making it a practical option for households or small offices.
The four external antennas help improve signal strength and stability, particularly in areas where mobile coverage may be weaker. There’s also a WAN/LAN port, allowing you to use it as a standard WiFi router if you have access to a wired connection.
Overall, it’s a simple, low-cost 4G router that offers reliable performance for basic internet use, especially where traditional broadband isn’t available.
Buy the MERCUSYS MB115-4G 300 Mbps 4G Router from Amazon for only £50/$67:
TP-Link TL-MR6400 4G Mobile Wi-Fi Router
- Brand - TP-Link
- Dimensions - 14.5 x 20.2 x 3.4 cm
- Weight - 606 g
- Wireless Speed - 300 Mbps
- Special Feature - Plug and Play
Next we have the TP-Link TL-MR6400 4G Mobile Wi-Fi Route. It’s currently selling for £100/$135 on Amazon.
TP-Link are the world’s number one provider of consumer networking devices, so it’s only right that we included one of their 4G routers on this list.
Similarly to the 4G06C from Tenda, the TL-MR6400 can provide internet access for up to 32 devices simultaneously. It’s also capable of network speeds up to 300Mbps on a 2.4Ghz connection.
The advanced LTE antennas are great for creating a stable network connection, but you also have the option to detach them if necessary. This is perfect if you have limited vertical space on a shelf or in a cupboard.
It has some other useful features as well including parental controls for cyber safety, QoS for prioritising key devices, and guest networks to ensure your privacy is secure from visitors.
This 4G LTE advanced router from TP-Link is an excellent choice for £100.
Buy the TP-Link TL-MR6400 4G Mobile Wi-Fi Router from Amazon for only £100/$135:
GL.iNet GL-BE9300 (Flint 3) WiFi 7 Router
- Brand - GL.iNet
- Dimensions - 15.7 x 7.4 x 24 cm
- Weight - 850 g
- Wireless Speed - 2800 Mbps
- Special Feature - High-speed VPN
Another impressive 4G router is the GL.iNet GL-BE9300 (Flint 3) WiFi 7 Router. It’s currently selling for £187/$252 on Amazon.
The Flint 3 is a powerful tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router designed for fast and reliable home networking. It provides strong wireless coverage for homes of up to around 2,000 square feet, helping maintain a stable signal across multiple rooms. The router can also support over 100 connected devices, making it well suited to busy households with phones, laptops, smart home devices and streaming equipment.
Another notable feature is the built-in VPN support, which allows users to create secure connections for privacy or remote access. The router also supports AdGuard Home, enabling network-wide ad blocking and helping reduce online tracking.
For wired connections, the Flint 3 includes five 2.5G Ethernet ports, providing high-speed connections for devices such as gaming PCs, media servers and home office setups.
The GL.iNet Flint 3 combines next-generation Wi-Fi performance, wide coverage and advanced networking features, making it a strong option for demanding home networks, gaming setups and high-bandwidth streaming.
Buy the GL.iNet GL-BE9300 (Flint 3) WiFi 7 Router from Amazon for £187/$252:
GL.iNet GL-X3000 (Spitz AX) 5G Router
- Brand - GL.iNet
- Dimensions - 14.2 x 9.4 x 5.5 cm
- Weight - 249 g
- Wireless Speed - 2402 Mbps
- Special Feature - Dual-SIM Standby
Last but definitely not least, we have the GL.iNet GL-X3000 (Spitz AX) 5G Router. It’s currently selling for £338/$456 on Amazon.
Unlike the other routers on this list, the GL-X3000 is designed primarily as a 5G mobile broadband router, meaning it can create a high-speed internet connection directly from a 5G SIM card. This makes it particularly useful in locations where traditional fibre or cable broadband isn’t available, such as rural homes, temporary workspaces or off-grid setups.
The router supports dual-SIM standby, allowing it to switch automatically between two mobile networks to maintain the strongest connection available. This can improve reliability in areas where signal strength varies between providers.
It can also handle up to 70 connected devices, making it capable of supporting larger households or small offices. Built-in load balancing helps distribute network traffic more evenly across connected devices, helping maintain a consistent connection when multiple users are online at the same time.
While traditional routers like the Flint 3 are designed to distribute an existing broadband connection, the GL-X3000 is built to replace it entirely using 5G mobile internet. That makes it a strong option for users who need high-speed connectivity without relying on fixed broadband infrastructure.
Buy the GL.iNet GL-X3000 (Spitz AX) 5G Router from Amazon for £338/$456:
4G Router External Antenna Types Explained
External antennas can significantly improve 4G router performance, but choosing the right type is key. Here’s how the main antenna types compare:
| 📡 Antenna Type | 📶 Signal Direction | ⚡ Performance | 🏠 Best Location | ✅ Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omni-directional | 360° | Moderate boost | Areas with multiple masts | General use |
| Directional (Yagi/Panel) | Focused | High boost | Rural / weak signal areas | Targeting one mast |
| MIMO Antenna | Dual signal paths | Improved speed + stability | Most environments | 4G/4G+ performance |
| Indoor Antenna | Varies | Low improvement | Near windows | Minor signal issues |
| Outdoor Antenna | Varies | Maximum improvement | Roof / external wall | Weak signal areas |
FAQs
In short yes, external antennas are worth it because they can improve the performance of your router.
External 4G antennas can help your router to locate and connect to a mobile network more easily than routers with internal antennas. This can help to give you a faster and more consistent network connection when you’re outside of Wi-Fi range. They can be particularly helpful if your router regularly loses it’s network connection, as they can help to improve consistency and increase the average uptime for your router.
The Zbtlink AX1800 4G LTE Router is one of our favourite 4G routers with external antennas. It’s an excellent all-rounder that is capable of network speeds up to 1800Mbps with up to 64 devices connected simultaneously. That’s a lot of devices! For just under £200 it’s difficult to find a 4G router better than the AX1800 from Zbtlink.
If you that’s a little bit more affordable, the Tenda 4G06C 4G Mobile Wi-Fi Router is a great choice. It’s capable of 300Mbps network speeds with up to 32 devices connected. That’s pretty impressive for just over £50!
The key benefit of external antennas is increased signal strength. The idea is that the stronger signal created by the antenna allows for faster internet speeds regardless of where you are in relation to your router. This is particularly useful for people with larger homes or thick supporting walls that may interfere with your signal.
Yes, in most cases external antennas will help to increase WiFi range. They play a role in both signal strength and network coverage, so not only can they improve the range of your WiFi, but also the strength and speed of your connection.
Yes, most 4G routers require a SIM card to connect to a mobile network and provide internet access. Ensure the SIM card is compatible with your router and has a data plan that’s suitable for your needs.
Thanks for reading our article on the best 4G routers with external antennas. If you want to learn more about their annual running costs take a look at our guide on Router Power Consumption. If you’re interested in improving your home network in general, you may want to check our article covering the Ultimate Home Networking Guide.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any thoughts or queries that you’d like us to take a look at – we’d be happy to help. Bye for now!
