We all need internet when we travel. It just makes things so much easier – grabbing an Uber, checking out maps, booking hotels and transportation on the go. It’s hard to believe my first trip to Europe 10 years ago had me popping into internet cafes still not understanding what WiFi even was or owning a smartphone. I actually had a Eurail book with all the train times I lugged around so I’d know what trains to catch and where to switch for connections! Wild.
These days, everyone and their mom have a smartphone and many people traveling with them choosing to either buy a local SIM in their destination, calling their provider to add the country which can be pricey, or using a WiFi hotspot which many people choose to do. I’ve tried many over the years.
Last year, I shared about a WiFi device I had been using in the USA, Mexico, and India to name a few places called Vision Global WiFi. It works in more than 130 countries and has over 5 million users. It stood out from other devices I reviewed as rates varied by country (as low as $2/day in Japan or $7 per day in Europe) rather than being a set $10/day like many are, it had no setup, and it doubled as a portable charger. The cost has recently been lowered from $15/day for Mexico to just $8.80/day which is such a slash, I wanted to reshare about this WiFi device with you.
I’m going to explain what a WiFi device is, what type of traveler it’s good for, how this particular device works, and the pricing for it. This Vision Global WiFi review will break down the basics so you can decide if it’s something you want to purchase. I can actually track links on Hippie in Heels and can see over the last year so many of you have used this device on your travels!
In this post is a link to Vision Global WiFi- this link will give you 10% off
What is a WiFi Device?
Think of this device as being the same thing as that box you have at home that magically gives you WiFi. Except this box is a small handheld device that doesn’t need to be plugged in. This will give off WiFi signals both 3G and 4G grabbing whatever the local signal is. It will have a name and password and you will simply log in to that from your phone or computer like you usually would anywhere else like Starbucks.
Bonus: it doubles as a portable charger.
Who is this WiFi Device good for?
- If your cell phone provider is going to charge you to use your phone abroad.
- If you don’t have time to get a SIM card in the destination, don’t know how, and don’t want that hassle.
- If you are traveling with friends and can split the cost (you can hotspot the device so up to 5 people can share it).
- If you are traveling on a short trip, as it won’t make sense to get a SIM card.
- If you’re worried about being connected right away – this will work the second you land and you can use it while you’re still deboarding the plane.
- If you are on a long trip and bouncing from country to country.
- If you have no tech knowledge, as this is as easy to use as you can imagine – turn it on and the name and password will come up so you can connect.
How Vision Global WiFi Works + Pricing:
There are three types of data plans to choose from once you select your destination and dates of travel on their website. You get unlimited data with all these plans which is awesome, it’s just that the speed allowed will change. The higher the plan means that you will get 4G speed at all times, but with cheaper plans, you can set it to 1 GB or 500 MB per day of 4G speed then it will slow down, but won’t stop giving you internet.
- UNLIMITED 4G MAX: True Unlimited data plan.
- UNLIMITED 4G ADVANCED: 1GB/day data usage at high-speed and the speed slows down. The daily allowable high-speed data resets on 12:00 am local time.
- UNLIMITED 4G BASIC: 500mb/day data usage at high-speed and the speed slows down. The daily allowable high-speed data reset on 12:00 am local UK time.
Some destinations only have certain plans on offer. For Mexico, they only offer plan number three meaning that once you use 500 MB that day at 4G speed, it will then slow down in speed. Mexico used to have a 300 MB limit and was $15 a day so they are better and cheaper now, hence why I’m doing this follow-up review. Previously, the 300 MB limit was the main con for Vision Global WiFi so I’m glad to see that it’s been increased.
All data is reset at midnight UK time, with the exception of the Japan device, which resets at midnight Japan time.
The Mexico plan starts at $8.80 now and caps off at $237.60 at the 27-day mark. For more pricing information and to check out prices for other countries, check out their website. Use this link so that you can get 10% off your booking.
So just visit their site, choose your destination and plan and order your device. It will be sent to your house or if you are leaving from LAX where they have an office, then you can pick it up there. The device will come with a return envelope. When the trip is over, you just use that envelope to send it back to them (stamps and such are already on it).
When you check out you choose your delivery method and you’ll see that they do charge for shipping, which is one con and I wish that they did not as many other companies build that into the cost. Delivery is $8 each way BUT if you use my link you’ll get the incoming shipping for free along with 10% off your order.
Is this device more expensive than a local SIM? It depends on the country. For Mexico, yes. But, then you don’t have to go figure out how to get a local SIM. Many people in the USA do not even know if their phone is unlocked to put a SIM in it, as it’s a new concept in America, while in Europe/Asia SIM cards have always been a thing. It’s a matter of convenience and if you’re looking at two weeks in Mexico, you can have WiFi for around $120 for that time. You’ll want to compare this with what your phone provider back home is going to charge you.
Looks cool. I’v seen those advertised pretty often. Do you connect your laptop to it too? I feel like the 500 MB data limit will be eaten up by a computer in no time. Great for phones though.
Hi Rachel, I’ve been looking at the devices as well. We recently went to a remote area of Finland and we were concerned about not having a connection. We ended up fine on our global plan and there was plenty of free Wi-Fi. Do you think the costs of these devices are worth the convenience they provide, or would you consider it a luxury? I go back and forth on if we should get one for just incases. Thanks Nikki
It depends on the country – in a place where the SIM card you would buy and data is more like $50+ a month then I’d say it’s a convienence which is well worth getting OR a place where it’s difficult to get a SIM card. For this device wheras it’s a luxury is when you’re in a country where a SIM is easy to get and $10 can last a year – like Panama!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful knowledge with us which tell us that ,the higher the plan means that you will get 4G speed at all times, but with cheaper plans, you can set it to 1 GB or 500 MB per day of 4G speed then it will slow down, but won’t stop giving you internet.