A good 5G router can provide fast home internet without relying on a traditional fixed broadband connection, making it particularly useful in areas with strong mobile coverage or where fibre options are limited. In this guide, we’ve compared the best 5G routers in the UK, focusing on connection speeds, WiFi performance, coverage and useful networking features. If you’re still deciding how a 5G router fits into your wider home network, our Home Networking Guide, explains routers, WiFi, Ethernet and other key components in more detail.
So, let’s get started.
Best Options At A Glance
Comparison Of The Best 5G Routers
The table below provides a quick comparison of the best 5G routers, making it easier to find the right model for your home, travel or backup internet needs.
| 📡 Model | 💷 Price Tier | ⚡ Max Wireless Speed | 🏠 Best For | ⭐ Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong WiFi 7 5G Router | £ | 2,882 Mbps (5 GHz) | Value & Home Internet | WiFi 7 & WAN Failover |
| TP-Link Deco X50-5G | £ | 2,402 Mbps (5 GHz) | Large Homes | Expandable Deco Mesh |
| TP-Link Archer NX210 | £ | 1,201 Mbps (5 GHz) | Everyday Home Use | EasyMesh Compatibility |
| GL.iNet Mudi 7 | ££ | 5,765 Mbps (6 GHz) | Travel & Remote Work | eSIM & WiFi 7 |
| NETGEAR Nighthawk M7 Pro | £££ | 5,800 Mbps | Premium Portable Use | WiFi 7 & 13-Hour Battery |
Product Summaries
Strong WiFi 7 5G Router with SIM Slot
- Brand - Strong
- Dimensions - 10L x 10W x 20.2 cm
- Weight - 738 g
- Wireless Speed - 2882 Mbps
- Special Feature - WiFi 7 & WAN Failover
Firstly we have the Strong WiFi 7 5G Router with SIM Slot, which is the most budget friendly router on our list. It’s currently selling for £250/$335 on Amazon.
Supporting 5G download speeds of up to 3.2Gbps, the Strong 5G Router combines mobile broadband with dual-band BE3600 WiFi 7. Wireless speeds reach up to 2,882Mbps on 5GHz and 688Mbps on 2.4GHz, making it suitable for streaming, gaming and busy connected households.
The SIM slot provides internet access without requiring a fixed broadband connection, while WAN failover allows an existing wired connection to act as an alternative network source. This makes it particularly useful for home broadband replacement or backup connectivity.
It also includes NFC tap-to-connect for compatible Android devices, alongside WPA3 security, parental controls and a web interface for managing connected devices and network settings.
Overall, it’s a well-equipped 5G router that combines fast mobile broadband with newer WiFi 7 technology, making it a strong option for users who want both performance and network flexibility.
Buy the Strong WiFi 7 5G Router with SIM Slot from Amazon for only £250/$335:
TP-Link Deco X50-5G Mesh WiFi 6
- Brand - TP-Link
- Dimensions - 21.1 x 13 x 12.3 cm
- Weight - 500 g
- Wireless Speed - 2402 Mbps
- Special Feature - 5G Mesh WiFi
Next we have the TP-Link Deco X50-5G Mesh WiFi 6. It’s currently selling for £280/$375 on Amazon.
Combining 5G mobile broadband with AX3000 WiFi 6, the TP-Link Deco X50-5G supports WiFi speeds of up to 2,402Mbps on 5GHz and 574Mbps on 2.4GHz. Simply inserting a compatible SIM provides 4G or 5G internet access without requiring a conventional fixed broadband connection.
It’s main advantage is TP-Link’s Deco Mesh technology, allowing additional Deco units to be added around your home to expand coverage and reduce WiFi dead zones. This makes it particularly suitable for larger homes where a single router may struggle to provide consistent coverage.
Connectivity includes a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port alongside two Gigabit ports, while TP-Link HomeShield adds network security, parental controls and other management features. Setup and everyday network management can also be handled through the Deco app.
Overall, it’s a versatile 5G router for larger homes, combining mobile broadband with WiFi 6, expandable mesh coverage and fast wired connectivity.
Buy the TP-Link Deco X50-5G Mesh WiFi 6 from Amazon for only £280/$375:
TP-Link Archer NX210 5G Router
- Brand - TP-Link
- Dimensions - 9.9 x 9.9 x 19 cm
- Weight - 610 g
- Download Speed - 4670 Mbps
- Special Feature - EasyMesh-compatible
Another great router is the TP-Link Archer NX210 5G Router. It’s currently selling for £288/$386 on Amazon.
Supporting theoretical 5G download speeds of up to 4.67Gbps, the TP-Link Archer NX210 combines mobile broadband with AX1800 WiFi 6. Wireless speeds reach up to 1,201Mbps on 5GHz and 574Mbps on 2.4GHz, providing plenty of capacity for streaming, gaming and everyday home internet use.
Setup is straightforward, with a Nano SIM slot allowing you to access a compatible 5G network without a fixed broadband connection. The TP-Link Tether app can also be used to configure the router and manage network settings from your phone.
EasyMesh compatibility allows the NX210 to work with compatible devices to create wider whole-home WiFi coverage under a single network name. It also includes two Gigabit LAN ports and a Gigabit LAN/WAN port for wired devices or use with a conventional broadband connection.
Overall, it’s a well-rounded 5G router that combines fast mobile broadband, WiFi 6 and expandable mesh coverage without adding too much complexity.
Buy the TP-Link Archer NX210 5G Router from Amazon for £288/$386:
GL.iNet GL-E5800 EU Mudi 7 5G Router
- Brand - GL.iNet
- Dimensions - 7.5 x 2.3 x 15.7 cm
- Weight - 300 g
- Wireless Speed - 4670 Mbps
- Special Feature - Multi-Link Operation (MLO)
Next we have the GL.iNet GL-E5800 EU Mudi 7 5G Router. It’s currently selling for £370/$495 on Amazon.
Combining 5G connectivity with tri-band WiFi 7, the GL.iNet Mudi 7 supports theoretical 5G speeds of up to 4.67Gbps alongside WiFi speeds of up to 5,765Mbps on the 6GHz band. It supports up to 64 connected devices, making it particularly capable for a portable travel router.
Built-in eSIM and dual Nano-SIM slots provide plenty of flexibility when travelling, allowing you to switch between different mobile networks without relying on a fixed broadband connection. A 2.8-inch touchscreen provides quick access to connection information and commonly used settings.
The built-in 5,380mAh battery provides up to 13.5 hours of use, while a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port and USB-C connectivity provide additional options for wired connections and tethering. It also includes extensive built-in VPN support for more secure remote connections.
Overall, it’s a premium portable 5G router that combines WiFi 7, eSIM support and battery-powered operation, making it particularly well suited to frequent travellers and remote workers.
Buy the GL.iNet GL-E5800 EU Mudi 7 5G Router from Amazon for £370/$495:
NETGEAR Nighthawk M7 Pro 5G Portable Router
- Brand - NETGEAR
- Dimensions - 10.5 × 10.5 × 2.15 cm
- Weight - 690 g
- Wireless Speed - 5800 Mbps
- Special Feature - Portable WiFi 7 & 13-Hour Battery
Finally we have the NETGEAR Nighthawk M7 Pro 5G Portable Router. It’s currently selling for £900/$1205 on Amazon.
Supporting WiFi 7 speeds of up to 5.8Gbps over a 5G connection, the NETGEAR Nighthawk M7 Pro provides high-speed portable internet for travel, remote work and backup connectivity. It can connect up to 64 devices, making it capable enough for both individual users and small teams.
It’s unlocked SIM compatibility supports use across more than 125 countries, while the 2.5Gbps Ethernet port and USB-C connectivity provide additional options for high-speed wired devices.
A removable battery provides up to 13 hours of portable use, while the router can also operate with the battery removed when connected to power. Built-in security and touchscreen controls add further convenience when managing the network away from home.
Overall, it’s a premium portable 5G router that combines WiFi 7, extensive global compatibility and strong wired connectivity for frequent travellers and remote workers.
Buy the NETGEAR Nighthawk M7 Pro 5G Portable Router from Amazon for £900/$1205:
What to Look for When Choosing a 5G Router
The table below highlights the key features to consider when choosing a 5G router, including mobile connectivity, WiFi performance, wired connections and coverage.
| 🔍 Feature | ✅ What to Look For | 💡 Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 5G Support | 5G SA/NSA with broad UK network compatibility | Provides faster mobile broadband and greater flexibility across different 5G networks |
| WiFi Standard | WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 | Newer standards provide better speeds, efficiency and performance with multiple devices |
| WiFi Speed | AX1800 or faster for most homes | Helps prevent the local WiFi connection from limiting a fast 5G connection |
| Ethernet Ports | Gigabit or 2.5Gbps Ethernet where possible | Provides faster and more stable wired connections for PCs, switches and other devices |
| SIM Support | Nano SIM, with dual SIM or eSIM useful for travel and backup | Makes it easier to change mobile networks or maintain a backup connection |
| Mesh Support | EasyMesh or compatible mesh technology | Allows you to expand WiFi coverage across larger homes and reduce dead zones |
| External Antennas | External antenna connections where available | Can improve 4G and 5G reception in weaker signal areas |
| Failover | WAN or multiple-SIM failover | Provides backup internet if your primary broadband or mobile connection becomes unavailable |
FAQs
A 5G router can be a good alternative to fixed broadband where strong 5G coverage is available, particularly if fibre broadband is unavailable or slow. However, performance depends heavily on local mobile coverage, network congestion and signal strength, so fixed fibre can still provide a more consistent connection.
Most 5G routers require a compatible SIM card and mobile data plan to connect directly to a 5G network. Some models also support eSIMs, dual SIMs or a separate WAN connection, giving you additional ways to access the internet.
Yes. A 5G router can provide internet access throughout your home in much the same way as a conventional broadband router. It receives internet access through the mobile network and then distributes the connection to your devices over WiFi or Ethernet.
Thanks for reading our article on the best 5G router.
If you’re looking for other ways to improve connectivity, our guide on How to Improve WiFi Signal in Your House covers router placement, interference, channel selection and other ways to maximise wireless performance.
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!
