The Huawei 4G Plus MiFi (Huawei E5783B) allows you to get high-speed 4G mobile broadband on up to 16 devices.
If you’re looking to use 4G broadband at home or when you’re on-the-go, Three currently offers the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi (Huawei E5783) from £12 per month. It allows you to use high-speed 4G broadband, with Wi-Fi on up to 16 devices at the same time.
When you’re using the Huawei 4G Plus hotspot, it will connect to Three’s 4G network with a maximum download speed of 300Mbps. It will use the 4G connection to produce a regular wi-fi network that you’re able to connect to from other devices. This includes your laptop, tablet, smartphone, smart TV and other smart home devices. You can use the mobile broadband service when you’re at home, or when you’re travelling to other locations.
In this article, we’ll review the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi, including the price plans available and the technical specifications of the device. We’ll also compare it to alternative devices like the 4G Hub and 5G Hub, both of which are also available from Three. Finally, we’ll look at the coverage and download speeds available when using the 4G Plus MiFi on Three.
| Prices From: | From £12 per month |
|---|---|
| Contract Length: | 1 month, 12 month or 24 month contract |
| Key Features: |
|
| Unlimited Data: | £22 per month |
| Model Number: | Huawei E5783B-230 |
| Coverage: | 99% population coverage (check your postcode) |
Contents
Huawei 4G Plus MiFi Plans
If you’re looking for high-speed 4G broadband that you can use at home and outside, Three currently offers the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi on plans from £12 per month (Huawei E5783B-230). This allows you to access 4G broadband on up to 16 devices at the same time, with a maximum download speed of 300Mbps.
When choosing a price plan for your Huawei 4G Plus MiFi, you’ll need to decide how much data you need:
- The cheapest plan gives you 10GB data for £12. This is the cheapest way of getting 4G broadband from Three. It should be fine for occasional usage (e.g. for the odd trip away from home) but it’s not recommended for regular usage or for things such as streaming.
- A good balanced option is 40GB data for £17. This will allow you to use the service fairly regularly, including for browsing the web and for streaming video when you’re at home and outside.
- For regular usage, get unlimited data for £22. You can use this plan as much as you like, without any hidden download limits. You can even use it as a replacement for home broadband if you like. In 2019, the average UK household consumed 315GB per month on their home broadband service. For this reason, you should definitely choose an unlimited data plan for regular usage at home.
The following table shows a list of price plans currently available on the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi:
| Data Allowance | Contract Length | Upfront Price | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 month contracts | |||
| Unlimited Data | 24 month contract | £0 | £22/month with 6 months half price |
| 40GB Data | 24 month contract | £0 | £17/month |
| 10GB Data | 24 month contract | £0 | £12/month |
| 12 month contracts | |||
| Unlimited Data | 12 month contract | £0 | £26/month with 6 months half price |
| 40GB Data | 12 month contract | £19 | £18/month |
| 10GB Data | 12 month contract | £19 | £13/month |
| 1 month contracts | |||
| Unlimited Data | 1 month contract | £29 | £27/month |
| 40GB Data | 1 month contract | £39 | £19/month |
| 10GB Data | 1 month contract | £39 | £14/month |
See all Huawei 4G Plus MiFi Deals →
You’ll get Go Roam included on all mobile broadband plans. This allows you to use your mobile broadband service at no extra cost in 71 destinations. This includes most European countries along with the USA, Australia, Brazil, Singapore and more.
Huawei E5783B Hotspot
The Huawei 4G Plus MiFi (also known as the Huawei E5783B or the Huawei E5783B-230) is Three’s latest mobile wi-fi hotspot. This is a battery-powered device that allows you to access 4G broadband on up to 16 devices at the same time. You can use it wherever a 3G or 4G connection is available, including when you’re at home and when you’re out and about.
Compared to Three’s older MiFi hotspots, a key advantage is you’ll be able to access faster 4G+ speeds. The Huawei E5783B 4G Plus MiFi supports Category 7 LTE speeds. This means you’re able to get a download speed of up to 300Mbps and an upload speed of up to 100Mbps (this is twice as fast as Three’s older Huawei E5573bs-322 mobile wi-fi hotspot).
How Does The 4G Plus MiFi Work?
In the background, the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi uses a 4G connection to Three’s mobile network. From that, it produces a secure Wi-Fi network for your other devices to connect to.
By default, the wi-fi network is preconfigured with a default network name and password but you can easily change this through the administration interface on your hotspot. You can also enable a guest wi-fi network if you’d like to share your mobile broadband connection with more security.
The device supports Wi-Fi 5 technology (802.11ac) with dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity. This can give you transfer speeds of up to 867Mbps when using 5GHz Wi-Fi and up to 300Mbps when using 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. According to Huawei, it’s possible for up to 16 devices to be connected to your Wi-Fi network at once (with a maximum of 8 devices connected to 5GHz Wi-Fi). However, Three normally advertises a limit of 10 devices as performance can start to degrade when you connect lots of devices at the same time.
Battery Life & Charging
The Huawei E5783B hotspot has a built-in 1,500mAh battery. This gives you up to 6 hours of usage on one charge. It also gives you up to 350 hours on standby.
The device is charged using a micro-USB cable, one of which is provided inside the box. You can also use the USB cable to connect the device directly to your laptop, where it can be used as a USB modem without the need to enable wi-fi functionality.
If you like, it’s possible to keep your Huawei 4G Plus MiFi plugged in at the wall if you’re mainly using it in one location (e.g. for broadband internet at home).
Design & Form Factor
The Huawei 4G Plus MiFi measures 10.8 x 6.2 x 1.6 cm and weighs 95g. This means you should be able to carry it around in a pocket if required.
The device is available in black. The front of the device has three LED indicator lights to show the status of your 4G connection, any unread text messages and the remaining battery life of your device. It’s a little heavier and larger than Three’s older MiFi hotspots like the Huawei E5573bs-322 but there shouldn’t be a significant or very noticeable difference.
For more information and specifications of the device, please see the Three website.
Alternatives
4G Plus MiFi vs Three 4G Hub
As an alternative to the 4G Plus MiFi, Three also offers the 4G Hub router in selected postcodes across the UK.
Unlike the 4G Plus MiFi, Three’s 4G Hub is only designed to be used for 4G broadband at home. As such, it’s available at a lower price of just £22 per month. It’s also a much more powerful device but you’ll need to have it plugged in to a wall socket at all times. This means you won’t get the portability of the battery-operated device like the 4G Plus MiFi.
| Service | Data Allowance | Contract Length | Upfront Price | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Three 4G Hub | Unlimited Data | 24 month contract | £0 | £22/month with 3 months free |
The following table explains some of the key differences between the 4G Plus MiFi and Three’s 4G Hub:
| Huawei 4G Plus MiFi | Three 4G Hub | |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
| Overview | ||
| What is it for? | Getting online in multiple places (e.g. at home, in the car, on holiday, etc). | Getting online at home (or in other places as well if you bring the router with you). |
| Price: | From £12 per month (£22 per month for unlimited data) |
From £22 per month (unlimited data) |
| Availability: | 99% UK population coverage & inclusive roaming in 71 destinations |
25% of UK homes (7.1 million households) |
| Mobile Connectivity | ||
| Portability: | Most portable. The 4G Plus MiFi is a pocket-sized device that can run on battery. You can use it wherever a 4G signal is available. | Less portable. The 4G Hub is heavier and around the size of a book. It always needs to be plugged in to a mains power supply. |
| Download Speeds: | Up to 300Mbps. However, speeds may be constrained by the size & power requirements of the device. | Up to 300Mbps. Will generally be faster than a MiFi as the 4G Hub has a larger antenna which picks up a stronger signal. |
| External Antenna: | Not supported. | Yes, an external antenna can added if required (optional). |
| Home Network Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi: | Up to 16 devices at the same time (around 10 metres Wi-Fi range). | Up to 64 devices at the same time (around 30 metres Wi-Fi range). |
| Ethernet: | Not supported. | 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports (e.g. for connecting wired devices, mesh wi-fi systems, etc). |
| More Information | ||
| Learn More: | Three 4G Plus MiFi Webpage | Three 4G Hub Webpage |
If you’re living in a 5G coverage area, you might be able to get Three’s 5G home broadband service. This starts from £22 per month for unlimited data and average download speeds of 100-200Mbps. It’s currently available in selected postcodes across 194 UK towns and cities.
| Service | Data Allowance | Contract Length | Upfront Price | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Three 5G Hub | Unlimited Data | 24 month contract | £0 | £22/month with 3 months free |
Three 5G Hub | Unlimited Data | 1 month contract | £0 | £25/month |
For more information, read our Three 4G home broadband review and our Three 5G broadband review.
Other Portable Wi-Fi hotspots
If you’re looking for a portable wi-fi hotspot, you can also consider the mobile wi-fi hotspots from EE and Vodafone.
The following table compares Three’s 4G Plus MiFi to alternative mobile wi-fi hotspots from EE and Vodafone:
| Three 4G Plus Mi-Fi (Huawei E5783B) | 4GEE WiFi Mini (EE 4GEE WiFi Mini (2018)) | Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi (Vodafone R219) | |
|---|---|---|---|
|  |  | |
| Mobile Broadband Plans | |||
| Price: | From £12/month | From £20/month | From £11/month |
| Data: | 10GB - Unlimited | 15GB - 50GB | 2GB - Unlimited |
| Unlimited Data: | £22/month | Not available | £28/month |
| Contract Length: | 1-24 months | 1-24 months | 1-12 months |
| Mobile Connectivity | |||
| 4G Connectivity: | Category 7 LTE | Category 7 LTE | Category 4 LTE |
| 4G Download Speed: | Up to 300 Mbps download | Up to 300 Mbps download | Up to 150 Mbps download |
| 4G Upload Speed: | Up to 100 Mbps upload | Up to 100 Mbps upload | Up to 50 Mbps upload |
| 4G Bands: | LTE bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38 & 40 | LTE bands 3, 7 & 20 | LTE bands 1, 3, 7, 8 & 20 |
| External Antenna: | No | No | No |
| Home Network Connectivity | |||
| Dual-Band Wi-Fi: | Yes | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity: | 802.11a/b/ | 802.11a/b/ | 802.11b/ |
| Wi-Fi Devices: | Up to 16 devices | Up to 20 devices | Up to 10 devices |
| Other | |||
| Battery: | 1,500mAh (6 hours usage, 350 hours standby) | 2,150mAh (8 hours usage) | 1,500mAh (6 hours usage, 350 hours standby) |
| Dimensions: | 10.8 x 6.2 x 1.6 cm | 6.3 x 9.2 x 1.33 cm | 10.0 x 5.8 x 1.37 cm |
| Weight: | 95g | 85g | 95g |
| Model: | Huawei E5783B | EE 4GEE WiFi Mini (2018) | Vodafone R219 |
| Colour: | Black | Black | White |
| Review: | Three 4G Plus Mi-Fi Review | 4GEE WiFi Mini Review | Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi Review |
For more information, you can read our in-depth reviews of EE mobile broadband and Vodafone mobile broadband.
Coverage & Download Speed
In the UK, Three offers 99.8% population coverage. This means you should be able to use the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi in most places.
Before you buy the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi, we’d strongly recommend checking the coverage in your area. You can do this by entering your postcode on Three’s online coverage map:
Check Three Coverage (three.co.uk) →
If you’re travelling abroad to another country, you can also use your mobile wi-fi hotspot through Three’s international roaming service. With the Go Roam offer, it’s possible to use your plan allowances at no extra cost in 71 destinations. This includes most of Europe, the USA, Australia and more.
The average download speed on Three’s 4G network is about 20Mbps. However, this can vary substantially depending on your location as well as other factors such as the weather and the time of day.
For more information, see our guide to Three’s UK network and coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
| What is the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi? | The Huawei 4G Plus MiFi (Huawei E5783B-230) is Three’s latest mobile wi-fi hotspot. It gives you access to 4G mobile broadband on up to 16 devices including your laptop, tablet, smartphone, smart TV and other wi-fi compatible devices. |
|---|---|
| How much does the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi cost? | The Huawei 4G Plus MiFi is available on a range of price plans from £12 per month. Some of the most popular plans include 40GB data for £17/month and unlimited data for £22/month. |
| Can I get unlimited data on the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi? | Yes. You can get an unlimited data plan for the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi. The cheapest plan with unlimited data costs £22/month on a 24 month contract. There’s also a shorter 12-month contract and 1-month contract available if you’re willing to pay a bit more. |
| What download speeds can I get on the 4G Plus MiFi hotspot? | The Huawei 4G Plus MiFi supports up to Category 7 LTE speeds. This means you can get download speeds of up to 300Mbps and upload speeds of up to 100Mbps. In practice, the speeds you’ll get will depend on the coverage and the network capacity in your area. Across the country, the average download speed on 4G is about 20Mbps. |
| How does the Huawei E5783B-230 compare to the Huawei E5573bs-322? | Compared to the older Huawei E5573bs-322 MiFi, the newer Huawei E5783B-230 4G Plus MiFi supports download speeds that are up to twice as fast (it supports download speeds of up to 300Mbps, versus just 150Mbps on the older E5573-bs322 MiFi). It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi technology with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity. |
| What coverage is available on the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi? | Three offers 99.8% population coverage on 4G and 98.3% population coverage on 3G. You can check the coverage in your area through Three’s website. |
More Information
For more information about the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi (Huawei E5783B-230), please see Three’s official website.
Becky said:
Can the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi on the three network allow a VPN connection I am hoping to use one as a Data Hub when away from home and travelling with work ??
Giorgos said:
Hi,
Would you reccomend, or is it even possible, to have 2 of these routers in a household since we are three students and we can have one router only for the laptops and the second one for the other devices?
Since the router is free anyway we will be paying £52 per month (for 12 months) for both, compared to EE’s 4GEE Home router 2 unlimited plan which is £55 (for 18 months).
Having in mind we only need it for 12 months and we can avoid the cancelation fee at Three as well.
Thank you.
Ken replied:
Hi Giorgos,
Yes, absolutely no reason why you can’t have two in one household 🙂 You can use it in the way you describe, or it also gives you the flexible (e.g. to leave one at home and to bring the other one out with you).
Hope this helps,
Ken
Fred said:
Hi I have an earllier version of Huawei router B5258626. It’s a relaible SIm based router BUT I have two gripes – connected in a way 1. You can set it up as a VPN router GOOD but only with a L2TP Protocol which most VPN do not support any more due to its poor security BAD. The second gripe related to the above is I have had this router for over two years and there has been NO UPDATE of software or firmware which maybe could have addressed issue number 1. Tech support is as good as non existent. So if you want a reliable router its OK (and I use it for a VOIP phone connection also) but if you want to venture further then don’t expect any advances in this model through updates and I suspect that will be the same for all models.
Rachel said:
Hi Ken
What is the range for the Huawei 4g?
We are thinking of using this as an alternative to WiFi in a flat due to poor provider options.
Will this reach into other rooms if located in a hall way for example?
Ken replied:
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for your comment. It will vary a little depending on where you place it, the building materials used, interference from other networks, etc. However, you can expect an approximate range of around 10m for the wi-fi hotspot from your MiFi.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Jamie Frankis said:
Hi Ken,
Wow, what a great website you have (add to bookmarks). I’m thinking of switching from broadband to mifi as I get much faster speeds (↓20 Mbps vs ↓110 Mbps, ↑0.9 vs ↑17) on my phone than broadband. This looks like a sweet deal on 3 but I’m concerned that it won’t allow all of my family’s devices to connect (5 Macs, 2 phones, 5 Echo dots, lightbulbs etc. etc. about 24 devices in total). Am I right to think that this will only work with 16 devices (and only 10 are recommended) – if so, are there any better mifi devices out there you’d recommend?
All bests, Jamie
Ken replied:
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, I suspect you wouldn’t be able to connect that many devices to the MiFi. There are probably two alternatives I’d recommend:
1. Are you within the coverage area for Three’s 4G Hub? If so, you’ll get a much more powerful router with the ability to connect up to 64 devices at one time. You can also get it for a lower price of just £17/month at the moment (albeit, without the same portability that a MiFi gives you). You can check the availability in your postcode here.
2. If not, I’d recommend getting an unlimited data SIM card from Three. You can currently get one for just £16/month. You can then buy an unlocked 4G router like the Huawei B311 from Amazon.co.uk. This will give you a much more powerful Wi-Fi signal and will allow you to connect more devices to your network at the same time.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Daniel said:
Hi Ken,
Thanks for these reviews. Will I be able to connect my Amazon Alexa dot to a Huawei E5783B-230?
Ken replied:
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your comment. I see no reason why you shouldn’t be able to connect to an Amazon Echo Dot to your Huawei E5783B-230 hotspot.
Ken
Sam Jewell said:
Hi Ken. Thanks so much for the info. Two questions:
– can the router be used in Modem mode- ie. to work with an existing mesh network I have at home?
– is there a 14 day cooling off period, during which I can return for a full refund (and cancel the contract) if it doesn’t meet my needs?
Thanks, your friend, Sam
Ken replied:
Hi Sam,
Thanks for your comment!
1) I don’t think the Huawei E5783B would work with a mesh wi-fi system as it doesn’t have an Ethernet port for you to connect that system (for that, you’ll need something like the Huawei B535 instead). I believe there is the ability to use it as a USB modem on your computer but I suspect that probably won’t work with your mesh system.
2) Yes, you’ll benefit from a 14-day cooling off period on this plan 🙂
Hope this helps,
Ken
Mark curtis said:
Hi Ken can this be left on permanently plugged in to the mains socket
Ken replied:
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, you can leave it permanently plugged in to the mains socket if you like 🙂
Ken
Andy said:
Thinking of purchasing the Huawei E5783B-230 super fast router for my motorhome, can I connect it up to my external antenna ?
Ken replied:
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your comment. Sadly, the Huawei E5783B-230 doesn’t support external antenna. You’ll need to choose a different device that does support an external 4G antenna (e.g. the Huawei B535).
Hope this helps,
Ken
Jen said:
Hi, I don’t know if you can help me. I have purchased the huawei 4g plus mifi router and have an unlimited data SIM from three. It has connected fine to my laptops but I can’t get my smart TV to work with it (we don’t have home broadband at the moment). It says it’s connected and the signal strength is excellent but will not load any data. Do you know if I need to complete some sort of installation process apart from entering the password (already done)
Stell replied:
I’m in the same position as you with connecting to both my smart tv and also my printer, although there is no problem connecting to my iPhone.
My previous 3 mifi had no problems connecting to anything – I’m just wondering if the new mifi is locked? Why is it connecting to my phone, though??
phillip said:
Hi Ken, Brilliant article. Im interested in getting the 4g home router with three but they have said it is not available in my area. Would it be possible to just get the mifi 4g router from three with the unlimited data sim and then buy the home router B535 separately and add the sim into it instead. As i have a bigger space than 10m (wifi lenght of the Mifi router) I like the bigger home router to be used all around the house rather than carrying the mifi about with me. So is this solution possible to do?
Many thanks
Ken replied:
Hi Philip,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, you can do this if you like – you can buy an unlocked Huawei B535 from retailers like Amazon.co.uk. Alternatively, you may find it to be even better value getting an unlimited data SIM card from Three for £16/month. This can be used inside an unlocked Huawei B535.
Hope this helps,
Ken
PHILLIP replied:
Thanks ken for the tips.
The link you sent me regarding the unlimited data sim is a phone sim. Does that work in the B535 router? I see they have home broadband sims but are more expensive at £24/month for unlimited data.
Thanks again
Ken replied:
Hi Phillip,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, that SIM card should work fine inside a B535.
Hope this helps,
Ken
David said:
Hi Ken
I live on a narrow boat
need unlimited mobile broadband, router and antenna
any suggestions please
many thanks
David
Ken replied:
Hi David,
Thanks for your comment. The Huawei 4G Plus MiFi could certainly work, though you might be better off with something like the Huawei B535 if you need external antenna support. You can read my full article on 4G broadband and 4G antennas for more information, and do let me know if you have any specific questions.
Ken
Ste Pilkington said:
Hi Ken
Great article I just recieved my three 4g plus mifi and hoped to use in work.. However I work inside a modded shipping container and it seems to be having a big impact on my signal any suggestions of a workaround to solve my dilemma…
Ken replied:
Hi Ste,
Thanks for your comment. Sadly, a shipping container is a pretty good Faraday Cage so blocks a lot of radiation including 4G signals. The best solution would be placing it close to a window or door if there is one. Alternatively, some 4G home broadband routers allow you to use an external antenna which you could place outside the container. Unfortunately, however, the 4G Plus MiFi doesn’t support this.
Ken
Julia said:
Hi,
I’ve just ordered a MiFi becuase Three’s website shows that home 4G broadband isn’t available for my postcode. However in some of your responses above you recommend a 4G home broadband router such as the B535, and this will take an antenna. Am I right in thinking this won’t be a solution for me if Three can’t offer 4G home broadband in my area. Will I just stick with the MiFi mobile solution for now and hopefully switch when coverage improves (in a rural area). Thanks!
Ken replied:
Hi Julia,
Thanks for your comment. I believe Three only accepts 4G home broadband orders from certain postcodes, based on the coverage available and the amount of capacity in the area. If you like, however, there’s nothing to stop you from trying it with your own router (e.g. you could always buy an unlocked Huawei B535 router from Amazon, which you can use the SIM card from your MiFi, or with another SIM-only deal from Three).
Ken
Cristin said:
Hi Ken, thank you for this article. Do you know if the device is locked to a Three SIM only?
I was thinking of using it while abroad with a foreign local SIM (the destination is not in the Go Roam list).
Even if the destination is in their Go Roam list, it sounds like tethering abroad is not allowed though I only understand that it apply to mobile phones, not sure about MiFi devices.
Ken replied:
Hi Cristin,
Thanks for your comment. My understanding is that Three no longer lock their devices, so I believe it should be unlocked. However, it might be worth double checking with them directly if you’d like to make sure 🙂
Ken
Cristin replied:
Many thanks Ken!
James McAlister said:
I have just bought a Huawei E5783b and the lights only work when t is plugged in is that right or is the much faulty thank you.
James Moulton said:
Hi Ken,
I am looking into Mifi for a 3 person house in a city center, do you think it is a feasible alternative to standard Wifi for streaming/gaming ect?
Cheers,
James
Ken replied:
Hi James,
Thanks for your comment. That’s a very good question – it really depends on your usage and how many devices & how much bandwidth you’re likely to require. It also depends on the speeds available where you live. In general, I’d normally advise against using a MiFi for this as it will have a relatively weak Wi-Fi signal (normally up to 10 meters) and will only be able to connect a couple of devices. You’ll get much better performance with a 4G home broadband router like Three’s Huawei B535 or 4G Hub instead. Saying that, if it’s just some basic browsing, a Mi-Fi could be serviceable for some short-term/stop gap usage.
Ken
Jane said:
Can you attach an antenna to this
Ken replied:
Hi Jane,
Thanks for your comment. Sadly, it isn’t possible to attach an antenna to the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi (Huawei E5783B). If you’d like to use an external antenna, I’d recommend getting the Huawei B535 router instead.
Ken
Steve Simpson said:
Hi, enjoyed your review.
I have just purchased a E5783B and intend to leave it switched on in my caravan when I am absent. Can I leave it on charge for long periods so that it gives a constant WiFi signalis that not a good idea?
Ken replied:
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment. I see no reason why you couldn’t do that!
Ken