Updated: 8:05 PM CST Jan 9, 2021 Brandon Carte Technology Editor Wi-Fi hot spots offer a convenient way to keep your laptop, tablet and all other connected devices online without draining your smartphone's battery and data plan. Even though we've listed the full price of the Wi-Fi hot spots on this list, you can buy most of them in low monthly installments with a qualifying data plan. Just note that this option isn't available for our unlocked and pay-as-you-go picks. A standalone Wi-Fi hot spot requires a data plan from the carrier of your choice, and plan prices vary depending on the amount of data that you choose. That is, unless you choose a pay-as-you-go hot spot.