Stay Connected: The Top 3 RV Cell Boosters for Digital Nomads in 2023
As more people hit the road in their RVs and live as digital nomads, staying connected is a major concern, and figuring out which signal boosting device will work best for your needs can be a daunting task.
After 4 years of being on the road, trying out different cell boosters, we’ve found the ones that truly deliver when it comes to boosting our signals. In this blog post, we’ll be sharing our personal experiences with the best cell boosters for digital nomads, highlighting their features, and why they’ve become our go-to options. From versatility and affordability to signal strength and ease of use, I’ll cover everything you need to know to choose the best cell booster for your needs.
If you’re a digital nomad looking for reliable Cell Booster options for your RV while boondocking, these top 3 best Cell boosters will do just what they promise—amplify your signal so there’s always reliable service wherever you go!
The market for cell phone boosters is vast and filled with many different options, which can make finding the right one for your RV a daunting task. With so many brands and features to choose from, it can be challenging to determine which one will work best for your needs. To make your search easier, this guide will help you navigate the world of cell phone boosters by highlighting some of the best options on the market.
Each booster option has unique features and benefits, and it’s important to understand what they are before making a purchase. This guide will provide in-depth explanations of each of the featured boosters’ features, so you can make an informed decision about which one will be best for you. Whether you need a powerful booster for a long trip, or a compact one for daily use, you’ll find the information you need to start your search in the right direction.
How does a Cell Booster work?
A cell booster is a device that amplifies weak cellular signals to improve the quality and strength of your cell phone signal. The device works by capturing the weak cellular signal from outside your home, office, or vehicle, amplifying it, and then rebroadcasting it inside your location. This rebroadcasted signal provides improved voice and data coverage, making it easier for you to make calls, send texts, and use the internet.
Cell boosters are available in a variety of forms, including desktop models for home and office use, portable models for travel and outdoor activities, and in-vehicle models for cars, trucks, and RVs. Some boosters are designed to work with all major carriers, while others are designed to work with a specific carrier’s network.
A cell booster consists of three main components: an exterior antenna, an amplifier, and an interior antenna. The exterior antenna captures the weak signal and sends it to the amplifier, which amplifies the signal. The interior antenna then rebroadcasts the stronger signal inside your location. Some cell boosters also include additional components, such as a power supply and coaxial cable, to ensure proper installation and performance.
The Best RV Cell Phone Booster Options
1. Best Overall: Cel-Fi GO RV Smart Signal Booster
Cel-Fi GO X RV is a revolutionary cell booster that offers unmatched performance and coverage. It’s directional antenna system maximizes cellular signal strength better than any other cell booster on the market.
The Cel-Fi GO RV Smart Signal Booster is a high-performance, carrier-specific cellular signal booster designed specifically for use in RVs, boats, and other mobile applications. It is designed to enhance cellular signals for a single carrier and supports all of the major US carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint.
The Cel-Fi GO RV Smart Signal Booster uses a smart technology that constantly monitors the signal strength and adjusts itself to deliver the strongest possible signal, ensuring a stable and reliable connection even in remote areas with weak signals. It also features a user-friendly interface and can be easily installed without the need for technical expertise.
The Cel-Fi GO RV Smart Signal Booster comes with a compact outdoor antenna that can be mounted on the roof of the RV, and an indoor antenna that distributes the boosted signal inside the vehicle. It also has built-in automatic gain control that ensures that the booster never exceeds the maximum permissible power levels, making it safe to use and compliant with FCC regulations.
Pros:
This model features an upgraded integrated amplifier providing up to 40dB more power than previous versions. It’s the only 100dB cell signal booster on the market.
It’s designed for maximum compatibility. Meaning, it works seamlessly across all carriers providing a connection no matter what type of smartphone you have.
Cons:
- This device only amplifies the signal of one carrier, something that can be frustrating if you use multiple carriers. That said, it also happens to be this booster’s biggest benefit- focusing on a single carrier allows for better connection.
- It isn’t cheap, but when you need reliable cell service in remote areas, it’s worth the high price tag.
- You must download the Cel-Fi Wave app to use the cell booster.
2. Best Value: weBoost Drive X RV
weBoost was among the first to provide quality cell boosters for telecommuting individuals making full-time RV travel possible for thousands. WeBoost makes a lot of cell boosters for RVers, but the weBoost Drive X RV is their best and latest RV- specific model available today.
The WeBoost Drive X RV is a powerful and efficient cellular signal booster designed specifically for use in RVs, boats, and other mobile applications. It enhances signals from all major US carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, making it a versatile solution for RV enthusiasts and road warriors.
The WeBoost Drive X RV features a compact and durable design that can be easily installed in your RV. It comes with an exterior antenna that can be mounted on the roof of the RV, and an interior antenna that distributes the boosted signal inside the vehicle. The booster amplifies the weak outside signals, providing you with a stronger, more reliable signal inside the RV, even in remote areas with weak signals.
One of the key benefits of the WeBoost Drive X RV is its ability to enhance both voice and data signals, providing you with better call quality, faster data speeds, and a more consistent internet connection. Additionally, the booster is equipped with automatic gain control that ensures that the booster never exceeds the maximum permissible power levels, making it safe to use and compliant with FCC regulations.
Drive X RV has the power to amplify 3G and 4G LTE signals up 50 dBm, as well as 5G. It’s also compatible with multiple users in one place. It has an easy installation process that doesn’t require tools or expertise.
Pros:
- The system boosts both 3G and 4G LTE cellular signals up to 50 dBm with this powerful antenna.
- Carrier compatibility of this booster ensures that it will work with every carrier in the U.S., Canada, and abroad – including Verizon Wireless, AT&T , T-Mobile and Sprint.
- All weBoost products are now equipped with the latest in 5G technology, ensuring they continue to work seamlessly within a 5G network.
- It can support numerous users at once
Cons:
- It is important to note that “5G ready” doesn’t actually mean 5GHz or millimeter waves are compatible, it just means the product can work with a few different frequency bands.
- The inside antennas had a very limited range of signal boost.
3. Best Budget Option: AnyCall Cell Phone Signal Booster
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the AnyCall Cell Phone Signal Booster is just what you need! The Anycall Cell phone booster was the first booster we purchased when we started RVing full time.
The AnyCall Cell Phone Signal Booster is a compact and affordable cellular signal booster designed to enhance cell phone signals for all major US carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint. It is designed to be used in small to medium-sized vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and SUVs, as well as in RVs and boats.
The AnyCall Cell Phone Signal Booster works by amplifying weak cellular signals that are picked up outside the vehicle and distributing them inside. It comes with an exterior antenna that can be mounted on the roof of the vehicle, and an interior antenna that rebroadcasts the boosted signal inside the vehicle.
One of the key benefits of the AnyCall Cell Phone Signal Booster is its affordability, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to improve their cellular signal without breaking the bank. Additionally, the booster is easy to install and does not require any technical expertise, making it a convenient solution for anyone who wants to stay connected on the go.
Pros:
- This signal boosting device has the ability to pick up signals from 5 bands, allowing you easy access everywhere.
- This cell booster has the capability to function at high speeds on multiple devices.
Cons:
- The Sprint network is inconsistent with their service, so you may experience less than advertised coverage in certain areas or even lose connectivity altogether
- The manual is not that user-friendly and often the instructions are unclear.
What’s the difference between Cell boosters and Wifi Boosters?
Did you know that cell phone boosters are different from wifi boosters? If you plan to be a digital nomad, then it is important to learn the difference between these two types of boosters.
Now that you know our top 3 choices, let’s cover some basics about RV cell boosters and Wifi boosters and how each one works.
What is an RV Cell Booster?
A cell phone signal booster is a device that takes an existing cellular signal and boosts it. The exterior antenna captures the initial, weak reception of signals from nearby cell towers and amplifies it. This amplified version can then be broadcast inside your RV via its interior antenna.
Purpose of an RV Wifi Booster
A wifi signal booster on the other hand is a bit more similar to your home’s wireless router than it is to a cell phone signal booster. A Wifi Booster strengthens an existing internet connection by amplifying its signal and creates a more powerful wifi connection.
For example, if you are at an RV park that offers wifi, but your internet connection is slow in your RV, a Wifi booster will amplify that signal, giving you faster browsing and streaming.
Do I Need a Cell Booster or Wifi Booster for my RV?
So you’re wanting to be a digital nomad and need to stay connected. You might be wondering what’s the best way to do this when traveling? Do you need a cell booster or wifi booster for your RV?
A Cell Booster is a must if you camp in the woods often. It’s more reliable than a Wifi Booster because it doesn’t depend on outside signals as wifi does; instead, it amplifies cell tower signal from any carrier with a signal within 1 mile of your location. It will boost not just 3G but also 4G LTE signals too- so you can be sure that as long as there are mobile phone towers around, you’ll have access to the internet.
However, if you’re just looking to move from one RV park to another, then a WiFi booster may be your best option.
Do RV Cell Boosters Actually Work?
One way to tell if your booster is working properly or not is by using the free Network Cell Info Lite app on Android device. Or LTE Discovery for iOS users.
Both of these user-friendly apps are able to gather data from the network by finding the frequencies of LTE signals that are within range, analyzes them and displays what frequency it detects, and how strong they are in dBm (decibel-milliwatts).
Phone Bar Signal Strength of -120 dBm = very weak signal. -50 dBm = very strong signal.
How Much Do RV Cell Boosters Cost?
RV cell boosters cost anywhere from $300 to $1000, but the most dependable ones are in that higher price range. The lower-priced units may work well but won’t outperform their more expensive counterparts under certain circumstances.
Things To Look For In An RV Cell Phone Booster
Max Gain: The first thing you should look at when deciding on a booster is the max gain rating. The range of these ratings can vary anywhere from 20dB to 100dB, with higher numbers meaning stronger signal strength and better performance overall.
Frequency: Cell phones have a number of frequencies that they transmit and receive signals at, but the frequency your phone uses depends on which carrier you are using. You can see this information listed as “bands” in specific products.
Most Cell boosters support all major cell carriers, but if you’re looking at cheaper alternatives, make sure to look up which specific frequency your cell carrier uses before buying a new booster because they don’t always support all carrier bands. Most cell boosters operate on frequency bands 12, 13, 5, 4, or 2. You can use the LTE Dsicovery app to see what band your phone operates on.
Omnidirectional: Omnidirectional antennas can offer a better cell signal than directional or panel antennas. While these types of boosters need you to point them directly at the tower, omnidirectional boosters are more flexible and allow for signals from any direction, and can even provide coverage where there is no service!
Number of Users: Keep in mind that your cell signal booster may not be able to provide the same quality of service for multiple users. It’s important to choose a cell signal booster that can handle several users simultaneously.
RV Cell Phone Boosters Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different RV booster types?
RV boosters come in two main types.
Broadband Signal Boosters: most of today’s cell boosters are analog signal repeaters that amplify signals from a number of providers at once.
Provider-Specific Booster: is a new improvement in cell boosters. Unlike traditional broadband boosters, these can amplify signals by 100 dB instead of just 65dB because it only amplifies one carrier’s signal. This helps to create a stronger and more stable connection, however, they are more expensive devices.
How Many Cell Phones Can A Booster Support?
So how many wireless devices can my booster support at once? This answer is dependent on the model and brand, but most are able to boost signals for more than two devices simultaneously. If you are using a provider-specific Booster, it will only be able to boost call signals of phones with the same carrier. For example, if you have one cell phone with Verizon, and one with AT&T, it will only be able to boost one signal at a time.
How do you install an RV Cell Booster?
If you want to install a cell booster, it isn’t hard but there is some work involved. First of all, the antenna will have to be mounted on top of your RV with no obstructions in order for this device to function properly.
Tips for making the best use of signal on the road
- You might want to consider using a different carrier. After being on the road for over 2 years, we have found that Verizon has one of the most reliable coverages in the US.
- One of the first things to do before heading to a campsite is be sure that you have cell coverage. We always do some research before heading out into nature. We use Campendium, which provides the latest information on campgrounds with valuable feedback about their attributes like cell signal strength from other users who have experienced them firsthand.
- Download movies or TV shows ahead of time on your phone or laptop. This can be done by either connecting to WiFi at a coffee shop or using your data on your device.
Final Thoughts: Best RV Cell Boosters of 2021
If you want to stay connected while traveling in an RV, the best way is with a cell phone booster. Whether it’s for work or personal use, poor service can hold us back from doing the things we love.
With our cell phone booster, we have been able to go on camp in the middle of nowhere and still stream entire movies from Netflix!
Do you have a favorite cell booster? What do you like about it? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Our blog is full of tips and tricks to make RV ownership easier. From finding the best boondocking locations throughout the US to choosing a cell booster for your RV. Be sure to check our RV Resources for more helpful guides related to RV living.
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Thanks for your great review. I ultimately chose to spend a bit more and go with the Waveform GO X … and I couldn’t be happier with that decision.