Some years after the launch of LTE, there is already a wide range of mobile LTE routers with integrated battery. Especially the Chinese manufacturer Huawei, who is clearly the market leader in this segment, offered many models. But not every user requires the best and most expensive equipment, therefore the Huawei E5377 is now a very compact, lightweight mobile LTE hotspot available, which is still very good technical equipment.
Smaller and lighter 4G hotspot
Weighing approximately 80 grams, the Huawei E5377 is very light and is very good in the hand or transported in a pocket. With long time use, it becomes quite warm, but the operating temperature is always at an appropriate level. On the front of the Huawei E5377, between the Huawei logo and the power button, there is a square display, where a variety of information such as reception, network technology, the spent data volume are shown clearly. The display is not permanently lit to save energy, it only turns on when you press the power button or a wireless device is connected. Furthermore, you can find a menu button on the top edge, with which you can make a few settings in combination with the power button. Thus, for example the ability to display a QR code through which smartphones or tablets enter into the App Store by scanning the code. There Huawei HiLink app can be downloaded. With this app, further adjustments can be done to the E5377, such as change the wireless network name or password.
Special feature: wireless repeater
In addition to the controller via the Huawei HiLink app, an access to the Huawei E5377 via any browser is possible. The default IP is 192.168.8.1. The web interface responds quickly and provides the most important settings. A special feature is the wireless repeater function, with which you will be able to log the Huawei E5377 into an existing wireless network and this order can be used as an Internet access. The advantage of this solution is, for example, that you can save data volume in mobile network as soon as you use the repeater.
Fast LTE to 150 Mbit/s
The integrated modem in Huawei E5377 supports the three wireless standards GSM (2G), UMTS (3G) and LTE (4G). Depending on the wireless technology, different speeds are possible. So LTE category 4 up to 150 Mbit/s downstream and 50 Mbit/s upload speeds are possible. In the UMTS network, speeds are up to 42.2 Mbit/s accessible via DC-HSPA+. Good to know: The Huawei E5377 router is compatible with all major European LTE frequency bands and supports quad-band GSM and dual-band UMTS in many countries for worldwide use.
The reception is good both in the LTE network and the UMTS network. Even in weak regions, you can often surf more easily with the E5377. You’d better put the E5377 router close to the window or even outdoors, because there the reception is usually best. By the way, there are two connections for external antennas; you can amplify the reception with an external LTE antenna, thus increasing its speed. The important thing is that the antenna cable has plugs type CRC 9. These adapters are often called "pigtail" and are available in all good electronics stores.
WLAN at 2.4 and 5 GHz
A maximum of 10 devices can be connected with Huawei E5377 simultaneously via WLAN. Another device also can connect via USB. The wireless speed is up to 300 Mbit/s, on request, instead of the 2.4 GHz frequency band, WLAN in the region are running at 5 GHz. This is particularly appropriate when the 2.4 GHz band is overloaded or interference. The wireless frequency can be changed in the software of Huawei E5377. The WiFi range was very satisfactory in the test. The 2.4 GHz signal was still usable by two walls at a distance of about 8 meters. Unfortunately an external wireless LAN antenna cannot connect.
Up to 6 hours operating time with battery
The model battery of Huawei hotspot E5377 is easily replaceable by the user. It has a capacity of 1500 mAh and provides an operating time of about 6 hours. Unfortunately, no power adapter is included so that one is forced to connect the E5377 4G router to a USB port on the computer or on an existing USB power adapter. Compared to other devices, such as the Huawei E5786, the operating time is quite short - but it is possible to buy a second battery, thereby extending the duration.
Conclusion
The Huawei E5377 has consistently convinced with good performance in the test. The Internet connection is very fast, the receive and transmit performance is good and the WLAN transmits on request at 5 GHz. Also very pleasant are the compact size and very low weight. Only the battery could be considered a point of criticism, as compared to other mobile wireless hotspots with large battery such as Huawei E5770 and E5771. The Huawei E5377 is now available at www.4gltemall.com. The unlocked version could be used worldwide without any limit.