Dongle deals

What is a dongle?

A dongle is a small device that looks like a USB stick and plugs into the USB port on a computer. But rather than providing storage, this hooks onto mobile network signals so your laptop or desktop can get online.

Unlike a mobile Wi-Fi router, a dongle isn’t battery powered. Instead, it’s powered by the device you plug it into. So it still doesn’t need access to a socket, but nor will it run out of battery unless or until the connected device does.

Dongles are also a lot smaller than other mobile broadband devices, but they can only get one device online at a time, and for the most part they only work with Windows and Mac computers.

What else do I need with a dongle?

To use a dongle you’ll also need to insert a SIM card loaded up with a data allowance. If you buy a dongle from a mobile network, then this will typically come bundled with it.

Beyond that, you need mobile coverage – ideally 4G, or 5G if you have a 5G dongle. And you need a compatible device to use it with, the most common being a laptop.

How fast are dongles?

A dongle can be as fast as the mobile network it’s connected to. Most dongles are 4G, and average speeds on 4G are likely to be in the region of 25Mbps, though that can vary depending on the network you’re on and the location you’re in. Peak speeds will depend on the hardware as much as anything else, but for example O2 sells a 4G dongle that promises top speeds of 150Mbps.

If you have a 5G dongle, the average download speeds could potentially approach ten times those on 4G, again depending on your network among other factors.

Even with 4G though, an average of 25Mbps is enough to speedily load up desktop websites, stream music without noticeable buffering, and stream 1080p video. It’s even just about fast enough to stream video in 4K resolution.

Which networks offer dongles?

The selection of networks offering dongles will vary over time and you can see the current options above, but at the time of writing both O2 and Vodafone sell dongles.

What dongles are available?

At the time of writing you can get the Vodafone K5161z, or if you go with O2 you can get the Alcatel Dongle 4G.

These devices are both sold direct from those networks, and can be bought alongside a data-only SIM. However it’s also possible to buy dongles separately from other stores and then get a data-only plan to use with them.

Note that the selection of available dongles will change over time, so check the deals above for all the latest options.

Should I get a dongle or a mobile Wi-Fi router?

That depends on whether you want to get one device online or lots. A dongle can typically only connect one device to the internet at once, and it needs to be a device that you can plug the dongle into, and which supports dongles – which in most cases means a laptop or desktop.

A mobile Wi-Fi router is much more versatile in that it supports numerous simultaneous connections wirelessly, and doesn’t need plugging into anything. However, these devices are typically larger, often more expensive, and they’re battery powered, so will eventually need charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to plug a dongle in?

You need to plug a dongle into a laptop or whatever device you’re wanting to get online, but it doesn’t need plugging into a power socket.

Can I get unlimited data with a dongle?

Yes, it’s possible to get a dongle on a plan with unlimited data. You can also choose to get a lower data limit though and thereby pay less per month. It’s worth figuring out how much data you need.

Is a dongle easy to set up?

Yes, dongles are extremely easy to set up. Just plug one into a compatible device and you should get an instant internet connection.

Will I have to pay anything upfront for a dongle?

Dongles tend to be fairly cheap, so you don’t often have to pay anything upfront if you buy one on a contract. However, if you’d rather get a 30-day plan or have a lower monthly price then you can often achieve that by paying something upfront.