Skyroam Solis X Review: The Ultimate Travel WiFi Hotspot

There are a few essential things international travelers and digital nomads cannot live without, but one will beat them all: A global WiFi connection!

But what if you are currently traveling and working out of a camper van, from a sailboat, while backpacking off the beaten path, where there are no cafés with Internet are to be found. Or the WiFi is still paid and expensive (I am looking at you, Australia, free WiFi is often ridiculous here!) or even worse, limited to 30 minutes use for every single cup of coffee you purchase.

Should you really brace yourself and scuff down a cup of caffeine every half hour or pay enormous sums of cash to actually stay connected to the Internet to get in touch with family overseas, book your next hotel or get some laptop work done?

Skyroam Solis Review

What Is Skyroam Global Wifi & How Does It Work?

I've been using three generations of the Skyroam WiFi hotspot over the years while traveling all over the world and truly never leave to the airport without the hotspot anymore.

Plus, those guys keep on improving their devices and so I recently received my brand new Skyroam Solix X, an updated version of the hotspot offering a fast 4G LTE hotspot with embedded power bank as well as a 720p HD camera and smart assistant.

Here is my little collection of Skyroam devices… at least they are all orange, so you can't loose them in the chaos of your luggage or handbag.

Lightweight, Yet It Serves As A Power Bank

Just like all the generations I had before, Skyroam hotspots literally fits into your pocket and it seems to get lighter and lighter. Even though, the Solis and Solis X also serve as a power bank, in case you run out of battery when you travel.

This is super crucial, as it has happened so many times to me as I used my phone to listen to a podcast or stream something on the plane and when I get to the destination the battery is dead. Connecting to your portable WiFi hotspot will be useless then!

Works In 130 Countries

Skyroam is said to work in over 130 countries worldwide and I have tried it in about 15 different countries so far and yes, it has always found a way to connect me!

You can check the Skyroam coverage in the country you are traveling to on this page.

I have personally used it on a road trip through Portugal, driving the Ring Road around Iceland, on a trip to Bali, while housesitting in Singapore, a spontaneous New Years trip to Paris, while in Hawaii and traveling through California and many other occasions. 

Sure, WiFi has gotten a bit slower sometimes and I have found that when mobile devices have no reception, like in the middle of nowhere in Iceland or in outback Australia, there is no way Skyroam can connect you either as it works on the same technology.

No Contracts, Just Pay As You Go

The Skyroam hotspot uses the same technology as cell phone carriers, however, there are no roaming charges or need for a local SIM card. You don't even need to sign a contract or get locked into paying something for months at a time. Your phone doesn't even need to be unlocked to use Skyroam and get online overseas.

You simply switch it on, pay a flat rate per day, use the unlimited monthly package or choose the Pay-Per-GB Go Data. Easy peasy!

Connects Up To 10 Devices

You can connect up to 10 devices at one time, which is good as I already have 3 devices that like to be hooked up to the WiFi: Smartphone, laptop, tablet. And you can share it with the person you are traveling with or help out other travelers in your group, if they are on the hunt for WiFi.

I have found that tethering on the other hand is not always possible with all SIM cards around the world and it drains smartphone batteries even faster. 

What's The Difference Between The Skyroam Solis Lite and Skyroam Solis X?

The new Skyroam Solis Lite and Solis X are both lighter than the original Solis, plus you can connect 10 instead of only 5 devices. They all function as a power bank, but the newer Solis Lite and Solis X work on an improved vSIM technology, which means you get better coverage and ultimately increased WiFi connection.

The original version of the Solis 4G hotspot can only be bought on Amazon now.

You can only buy the Skyroam Solis Lite and Solis X on their official website. 

Below is a comparison of the new Solis Lite and Solis X models.

Is Skyroam Safe?

One of the questions I often get asked is the following: Is Skyroam secure?

Yes, Skyroam has upped their game since the first version I owned and now offers fast and secure data through an encrypted network. This way, you get 4G LTE speeds which is secured, opposed to you logging into a WiFi network of a local cafe or the hotel where you are staying at, which can pose a risk to your personal data.

Skyroam VPN is a new service you can use to get military-grade encryption and protects you from hackers and malware, plus it lets you access restricted content around the world. Ever wanted to check Facebook in China? Stream American Netflix overseas? Download important business files?

By using a VPN you get to surf the web anonymously and you can use it directly with your Skyroam Solis.

Where To Buy & How Much Does Skyroam Cost?

Mobile WiFi Hotspot Vs. Local SIM Card

Think about it this way: If you buy a local SIM card, most of the time you get data packages which are limited to a few GB as well as a time limit, like 7 or 30 days. Additionally, many countries like I've seen it in Thailand, don't even allow you to hotspot another device as they simply limit it from the SIM card. Yep, if you are traveling with a friend or in a group, you will all have to get multiple SIM cards – or you fight over the WiFi all the time.

With Skyroam Solis X, you can simply hook up all your devices and share the cost while avoiding roaming costs and other hidden fees by your home phone provider. Many times, you might have a phone that is locked and therefore not enabled to be used overseas.

Lastly, it can be a challenge when you don't speak the local language, to get the best SIM card deal. I have also found that most SIM card deals at airports are more expensive than when you'd buy it in town. However, you may not want to go to the phone shop straight away. If you arrive to a new destination late in the evening, this might not even be possible at all.

Skyroam Alternatives: A Local Pre-Ordered SIM Card

I have recently found a great Skyroam alternative: If you are set on buying a local SIM card, I highly recommend you pre-order one through Klook, as they have a great service where you can pick up your SIM card right at the airport and their staff is actually waiting for you to set up and install your local SIM!

I just did exactly that in Bali and it was truly the best thing having someone wait upon my arrival and set me up right then and there. They offer this service in many countries around the world, including Southeast Asia, North America, Europe and the Middle East. 

Here is a link to the SIM card service by Klook. I can highly recommend it!

Is Skyroam Right For You?

I guess the biggest plus to get a global WiFi router is that you don't have to work on public WiFi networks and potentially get yourself into trouble security-wise. Because if you don't use a VPN but work with sensitive information, you're definitely prone to security threats. And that can happen as quickly as you only want to book that hotel room last minute from the airport WiFi network.

As a solo traveler, when friends or family don't come along, it is vital to have WiFi from the minute I land to order myself a safe Uber ride to the accommodation, and so I know where the next ATM is to get money and to let my family know I arrived well and they know where I am so nobody is worried.

Another plus for Skyroam: The device battery lasts about 14 hours, depending how many devices are connected and if you are using it non-stop, it might be a bit less. I also travel with two additional power banks, so it's basically impossible to have it run out.

It might be slightly more expensive than getting a local SIM card, but it's so much simpler, especially if you travel a lot and change countries often.

Right now here in Australia, I use it in cafes where there is no free WiFi, or that time a tree feel onto the power lines and I couldn't get online for a 3 whole hours… Yes, it happens!

I also use it when I go on short trips to countries where I don't get a local SIM card and know I'll be working away from cafes and coworking spaces.

To me, as a seasoned traveler and digital nomad, having a global WiFi hotspot like Skyroam at hand has been invaluable whenever I landed in a new destination and I didn't know my way around. 

Skyroam has also saved me in “emergencies” when I had a deadline with work or a client call on the go and there was simply no cafe with WiFi closeby.

Skyroam is so small and light, it easily fits into any bag and it is simple to get connected without having to commit to a contract or paying for roaming fees when using your home SIM card – if it finds a connection in the new country at all that is.

Have you thought about getting a mobile wifi router?