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Sometimes, tethering to your smartphone just isn't enough. You need a connection that's a bit broader, a bit more robust.
D-Link is trying to cater to that need with its new 5G Wi-Fi 6 mobile hotspots, which allows up to 32 different devices to share a portable hotspot.
The two devices, the F518 5G Wi‑Fi 6 AX1800 Mobile Hotspot and the DBR-330-G 5G AX3000 Wi‑Fi 6 Mobile Hotspot, are aimed at pretty different users, even if they solve the same basic problem.
Slot in a Nano SIM and you've got internet wherever you go.
The F518 is notable because it's not just a personal hotspot, but also a portable power bank. Its 8000 mAh cell is rated for up to 16 hours of use, and it doubles as a power bank thanks to reverse charging, so a flat phone on a long train trip isn't the emergency it used to be.
It supports up to 16 connected devices and delivers theoretical 5G speeds of up to 2.6Gbps, which is more than enough for streaming and video calls on the move.
The DBR-330-G is targeted at people who push their connection. It supports up to 32 devices at once and claims 5G download speeds of up to 4.67Gbps, alongside a built-in VPN client for anyone who wants privacy on shared networks.
There's also a microSD slot supporting up to 2TB of storage and a D-Link FALCON app for managing the whole thing from your phone.
Both hotspots use WPA3 encryption and come with a USB-C port. Where they differ most is battery: the DBR-330-G's 5260mAh pack is rated for up to 10 hours, a few hours shy of the F518, presumably a trade off for the extra grunt on offer.
Neither device needs much setup. Insert a Nano SIM, power on, and connect via the LED-guided signal on the F518 or the FALCON app on the DBR-330-G.
| Spec | F518 5G Wi‑Fi 6 AX1800 | DBR-330-G 5G AX3000 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G download speed | Up to 2.6Gbps | Up to 4.67Gbps |
| 5G upload speed | Not specified | Up to 1.25Gbps |
| Wi-Fi standard | Dual-band AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 | Dual-band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi speed (5GHz / 2.4GHz) | 1200Mbps / 574Mbps | 2402Mbps / 574Mbps |
| Connected devices | Up to 16 | Up to 32 |
| Battery | 8000mAh, up to 16 hours | 5260mAh, up to 10 hours |
| Charging | USB-C, rapid and reverse charging | USB-C |
| Storage | Nano SIM only | Nano SIM plus microSD up to 2TB |
| Security | WPA3, advanced firewall | WPA3, advanced firewall, built-in VPN client |
| Dimensions | Not specified | 116 x 81 x 23.5mm |
| Management | LED indicators | D-Link FALCON app |
Pricing and availability
The F518 5G Wi‑Fi 6 AX1800 Mobile Hotspot is priced at $449.95 and is available now through D-Link's website and participating retailers.
The DBR-330-G 5G AX3000 Wi‑Fi 6 Mobile Hotspot costs $699.95 and is also available now through the same channels.
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