Sprint Tri-Fi Hotspot

Sprint sells the Tri-Fi, which can connect to 3G, LTE and WiMax, for $100 after a $50 mail-in rebate and with a two-year service agreement. Data plans start at $35 for 3GB of 3G/4G data and climb to an $80 option. In keeping with Sprint’s “green” initiatives, it comes in a box that’s made of 30 percent recycled paper, is printed in soy ink and has a glue-less construction.

The battery, which lasts eight hours, by Sprint’s count, adds a bit of heft when connected, but it is really no hassle to throw into a computer bag or suitcase.

Sprint also offers the Overdrive, another Sierra Wireless–made device, though this one connects up to eight devices to 3G or 4G WiMax. It sells for $50, with a two-year agreement and after a mail-in rebate. Data plans to go with it start at $35.

AT&T’s Elevate can connect up to five devices to AT&T’s 4G LTE network, with 3G as a backup. With no commitment, it’s priced at $270. With a two-year contract and an online discount, you can pick it up for $70.

The global-ready Verizon Jetpack can get you onto Verizon’s 4G network—the largest LTE network around. While $250 at retail, an online discount and two-year contract can knock down the price to $20. Verizon’s 4G plan pricing will apply.

Here, another view of the Jetpack, which measures 3.5 by 3.5 by 0.71 inches, weighs less than 5 ounces and offers up to five hours of battery life.

T-Mobile’s Sonic lets a user connect up to five WiFi-capable devices to its 4G and 3G networks. After an instant online discount and a mail-in rebate card, the price drops to $100. T-Mobile’s overage-fee-free broadband plans start at $40 a month for 2GB of data at 4G speeds.

Virgin Mobile calls this “4G on the fly.” No contract, no activation fees, just connectivity to Sprint’s 4G network (WiMax for now) for $150. Virgin’s contract-free monthly plans start at $35 a month for unlimited 4G data where it’s available.

The Virgin Mobile MiFi 2200 is arguably the sleekest-looking of all—but there’s no little window with 1998-era font telling you how much data you’ve used, or what state the battery is in, like there is on the Tri-Fi. It’s also all 3G, all the time. Still, there’s no contract, it can connect up to five devices and it sells for $100.