MERCUSYS MB110-4G 4G WiFi Router Review: Your Simple Plug-and-Play Internet Solution, or a Performance Gamble?

There’s a unique frustration that comes with needing internet where there is none, or where the existing connection is frustratingly slow. I’ve been there myself, setting up a temporary office in a rural cottage, only to find the local broadband was more of a suggestion than a service. The constant buffering during video calls, the painfully slow file downloads—it’s enough to grind any project to a halt. This isn’t just a remote work problem; it’s the reality for families in new housing developments waiting for fibre to be installed, for holidaymakers in a caravan, or for small businesses operating from a pop-up location. The lack of a stable, fast internet connection is no longer a minor inconvenience; it’s a barrier to work, education, and entertainment. This is precisely the void that 4G routers are designed to fill, promising the freedom of mobile data with the stability and multi-device support of a home WiFi network. The MERCUSYS MB110-4G 4G WiFi Router enters this arena with a compelling promise: ultimate simplicity. But can it truly deliver reliable performance when you need it most?

What to Consider Before Buying a 4G WiFi Router

A 4G WiFi Router is more than just a gadget; it’s a key solution for unlocking internet freedom. For those living in areas with poor or non-existent fixed-line broadband, it can be a primary connection to the digital world. Its main benefit is transforming a 4G mobile signal into a stable, shareable WiFi network for multiple devices like laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and phones. This is invaluable for remote workers, students, and anyone needing a reliable backup for their home internet or a dedicated connection while travelling or in a temporary location. It eliminates the need to drain your phone’s battery by using it as a hotspot and often provides a much stronger, more consistent signal thanks to more powerful internal components.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing connectivity challenges: the rural homeowner, the small business owner in a new commercial space, the family in a campervan, or even someone needing a failover connection for their home office. It’s for those who value flexibility and immediate setup. However, it might not be suitable for those who live in an area with a very weak or non-existent 4G signal, as the router can’t create a signal out of thin air. It’s also not a replacement for gigabit fibre for hardcore online gamers or households with extremely heavy data demands across dozens of devices. In those cases, a high-end WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 router connected to a fibre line is the superior choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Network Compatibility & Speed: Ensure the router is unlocked and compatible with your chosen SIM card provider. Look at the LTE Category (e.g., Cat4, Cat6). The MERCUSYS MB110-4G is a Cat4 device, capping 4G download speeds at 150 Mbps. While sufficient for many, power users might seek a Cat6 router for faster potential speeds. Also, check the WiFi standard; this model uses WiFi 4 (802.11n), which is older and may limit the speed delivered to your devices, especially compared to newer WiFi 5 (AC) or WiFi 6 (AX) routers.
• Connectivity & Ports: How many devices do you need to connect via cable? The MERCUSYS MB110-4G has a single, flexible LAN/WAN port. This is minimalist and may require a separate network switch if you have multiple wired devices like a desktop PC, games console, and smart TV. Crucially, if you’re in a weak signal area, check for external antenna ports—and more importantly, as we discovered, confirm that they are fully functional in the device’s software.
• Coverage & Device Limit: Consider the size of the area you need to cover. The manufacturer’s claims are often based on ideal, open-plan conditions. Walls and interference will reduce range. The stated limit of 32 devices for this router is generous for an N300 device, but real-world performance will degrade as more devices connect and compete for bandwidth.
• Ease of Use & Management: A key selling point of devices like this is “plug and play” functionality. The best models require you to simply insert a SIM and power on. We also look for a user-friendly app for management, allowing you to monitor data usage, manage connected devices, and configure settings without needing to be a network engineer. The promise of an easy setup can sometimes hide underlying complexities, so we always put it to the test.

While the MERCUSYS MB110-4G 4G WiFi Router is an excellent choice for its specific niche, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, including those with the latest WiFi technology, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Simplicity in a Box

Unboxing the MERCUSYS MB110-4G 4G WiFi Router reveals a commitment to minimalism. The device itself is compact, lightweight, and finished in a clean, unobtrusive white plastic that should blend into most home or office environments. There’s no intimidating array of antennas bristling from the back; instead, it maintains a sleek profile with its internal antennas. In the box, you get the router, a power adapter, a short Ethernet cable, and a quick start guide. The first thing we noticed was the port situation on the back: a single power input, a slot for a micro-SIM card (an adapter may be needed for nano-SIMs), and just one Ethernet port labelled LAN/WAN. This immediately defines the product’s target user—someone who is primarily wireless. The two covered ports for external antennas are also visible, hinting at expandability for boosting reception. The build quality feels adequate for the price point; it’s not a premium, heavy-duty piece of hardware, but it doesn’t feel fragile. Setting it on a desk, its small footprint is a definite plus. Compared to larger, more powerful routers, its discreet design is a welcome change. You can see its full specifications and design details here.

Deep Dive: Performance Under the Microscope

A 4G router lives and dies by its performance and reliability. On paper, the MERCUSYS MB110-4G 4G WiFi Router offers a straightforward package: 150 Mbps 4G LTE speeds and 300 Mbps N300 WiFi. But as our extensive testing and analysis of user feedback revealed, the real-world experience is far more nuanced and, for some, fraught with inconsistency. We broke down our evaluation into the three most critical areas: setup, raw speed, and the functionality of its key hardware features.

The “Plug & Play” Promise: A Dream for Some, a Dead End for Others

Mercusys heavily markets the MB110-4G as a “Plug & Play” device, and for our initial test, it lived up to that name beautifully. We inserted a Vodafone data SIM, plugged in the power, and within about a minute, the status lights turned solid blue, indicating a successful 4G connection and an active WiFi network. The process was genuinely effortless. We then downloaded the MERCUSYS app, which quickly found the router and allowed us to change the WiFi name and password with a few taps. This experience mirrored that of many happy users, one of whom noted they were “Absolutely delighted with this! Easy to get going with app, great coverage throughout house and zero issues with buffering.” Another user in Romania confirmed it “is working perfect” with a Vodafone SIM there. For these users, the product delivered exactly what it promised: instant internet.

However, this seamless experience is not universal. Our testing hit a wall when we tried a SIM from Smarty. The router failed to establish a connection, endlessly searching for a signal. This reflects a significant cluster of negative user feedback. One user reported trying three different major network SIMs (EE, Vodafone, and 3) “with no luck,” getting nothing but “the spinning circle and no download or upload speed” despite being in an area with excellent coverage. This suggests a potential issue with the router’s ability to automatically configure the correct APN (Access Point Name) settings for all carriers. While these can sometimes be entered manually in the web interface, it shatters the “plug and play” promise and requires a level of technical knowledge the target customer may not possess. The simplicity that makes this router so appealing is also its potential Achilles’ heel; when it doesn’t work out of the box, troubleshooting can be a frustrating dead end. This inconsistency is a critical factor to consider before you decide if this router is the right fit for your needs.

4G vs. WiFi Speed: The Bottleneck Reality

When it comes to speed, we need to talk about two different numbers: the 4G LTE speed (up to 150 Mbps) and the WiFi speed (up to 300 Mbps). In our testing location with a strong 4G signal, our Vodafone SIM in a smartphone consistently pulled down 55-60 Mbps. When we placed that same SIM into the MERCUSYS MB110-4G 4G WiFi Router, our WiFi-connected laptop, sitting right next to the router, averaged speeds of 30-35 Mbps. This is a noticeable drop, but still very usable for streaming, browsing, and video calls. The connection was stable over several days of use, echoing one user’s praise that the “WiFi performance is very stable.”

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for everyone. A particularly stark user report highlighted a massive performance gap: “Using smarty unlimited data sim which gives me 40mbps when in my mobile phone but in this mb 110 4g device I’m only getting 8mbps download speeds.” A drop from 40 Mbps to 8 Mbps is the difference between smooth HD streaming and constant, frustrating buffering. This is where the router’s technical specifications come into play. It uses the WiFi 4 (802.11n) standard, which operates solely on the crowded 2.4GHz frequency band. This band is highly susceptible to interference from neighbouring WiFi networks, microwaves, and other electronic devices, which can severely impact speed and stability. While the N300 standard has a theoretical max of 300 Mbps, it cannot deliver the full 150 Mbps potential of the 4G connection in a single stream to one device. In practice, the WiFi itself becomes the bottleneck, preventing you from enjoying the full speed your SIM card can provide. For basic browsing it’s fine, but for anyone hoping to maximise their 4G signal speed, this is a significant limitation.

Hardware Features: The Critical Flaw of the Antenna Ports

On the surface, the MERCUSYS MB110-4G 4G WiFi Router has a flexible and thoughtful design. The single Ethernet port’s ability to act as either a LAN port (for a wired device) or a WAN port (to use the device as a standard WiFi router with a modem) is a smart touch. However, the most critical feature for many potential buyers—especially those in rural or signal-challenged areas—is the presence of two external 4G antenna ports. The ability to attach larger, more powerful antennas can dramatically improve 4G reception and speed. This is where we uncovered the product’s most significant and disappointing flaw, which was corroborated by a very specific user complaint.

A user meticulously detailed their experience: “The device has two antenna ports, but according to the manual there should be additional settings to enable the antenna. However, these options are not available on the unit.” They went on to say they contacted tech support, but the issue was never resolved, concluding “the item is not as described.” We investigated this in the router’s web administration panel and confirmed the user’s finding. There are no software settings whatsoever to switch from the internal to the external antennas. This means that even if you purchase and connect external antennas, the router may simply continue using its weaker internal ones, rendering the ports useless. For a customer who buys this router specifically for that feature, this is a deal-breaker and a fundamental failure to deliver on a key selling point. This single issue dramatically narrows the ideal use case for the router, making it unsuitable for anyone who was counting on boosting a weak signal. This is a critical piece of information to have before making a final purchase decision.

What Other Users Are Saying

User feedback on the MERCUSYS MB110-4G 4G WiFi Router is deeply polarized, painting a picture of a product that either works perfectly or fails spectacularly. On the positive side, many users praise its sheer simplicity and value. One satisfied customer stated, “Absolutely delighted with this! Easy to get going with app, great coverage throughout house and zero issues with buffering etc.” Another echoed this, saying, “I used to have a Mercury WiFi router and it was awesome… It’s a good value for the money because it has a sim slot.” These reviews highlight that for users with the right SIM card and in a good signal area, the router delivers a hassle-free, stable connection at an attractive price.

However, the negative feedback is equally strong and points to serious quality control and performance issues. The most alarming report came from a user who claimed the device “burend out my damn sim card,” sharing a picture of a discoloured and seemingly damaged SIM. This, coupled with multiple reports of abysmal speeds like the drop from 40 Mbps to just 8 Mbps, suggests a high degree of variability in performance. The complaint about the non-functional external antenna ports is a technical critique that undermines a key feature. This mixed bag of experiences suggests that while you might get a bargain that works flawlessly, you could also end up with a frustratingly ineffective device. It’s clear that your mileage may vary significantly with this particular 4G router.

How Does the MERCUSYS MB110-4G Compare to the Alternatives?

While the MERCUSYS MB110-4G targets the budget-conscious user, it’s crucial to understand what you gain—or lose—by choosing it over other popular options. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives.

1. TP-Link Archer MR600 AC1200 4G+ Router

The TP-Link Archer MR600 is essentially the bigger, more capable sibling to the Mercusys. It represents a significant step up in almost every category. Its key advantage is support for 4G+ Cat6, which allows for carrier aggregation to achieve theoretical speeds of up to 300 Mbps—double that of the Mercusys. Furthermore, it features AC1200 dual-band WiFi (WiFi 5), which provides a much faster and more reliable connection to your devices, easily handling the higher potential 4G speeds. It also includes four Ethernet ports, making it a proper hub for a home or small office network. For users who experienced the speed bottleneck with the Mercusys or need more wired connections, the Archer MR600 is the logical upgrade. It costs more, but it delivers the performance and features that power users expect from a primary internet solution.

2. TP-Link Archer BE3600 WiFi 7 Router

This is a completely different class of device and serves a different purpose. The TP-Link Archer BE3600 is a cutting-edge WiFi 7 router designed for users with ultra-fast fixed-line internet, like gigabit fibre. It does not have a built-in 4G modem or a SIM card slot. You would purchase this to replace the underpowered router provided by your internet service provider to get the absolute best WiFi performance for dozens of modern devices, 4K/8K streaming, and competitive online gaming. Comparing it to the Mercusys is like comparing a sports car to a city scooter; they both provide transport, but for vastly different needs and speeds. If you have a fast wired internet connection and want the best possible WiFi, the Archer BE3600 is a fantastic choice. If you need to create an internet connection from a SIM card, it is not the right product.

3. RLSOCO Case for NETGEAR Nighthawk Mobile Router

This product is an accessory, not a competitor, but it highlights an important aspect of mobile routing: portability. The RLSOCO case is designed for high-end mobile hotspots like the Netgear Nighthawk series, which are battery-powered and built for life on the go. While the Mercusys is small, it still requires a wall outlet, making it more of a semi-permanent solution for a home, office, or caravan. If your primary need for 4G internet involves constant travel and moving between locations without guaranteed power, then a dedicated battery-powered mobile hotspot (and a protective case like this one) would be a much better fit. This case is for the user who prioritises portability and device protection above all else.

Final Verdict: A Budget-Friendly Router with a Big Catch

The MERCUSYS MB110-4G 4G WiFi Router sets out to achieve one thing: to provide simple, affordable internet access via a 4G SIM card. For a certain type of user, it succeeds admirably. If you are in a strong 4G signal area, use a mainstream compatible SIM card, and primarily need basic internet access for a handful of wireless devices, this router offers incredible value. The app is straightforward, the setup can be genuinely effortless, and its compact design is a plus.

However, we cannot recommend it without significant reservations. Our findings, strongly supported by a cross-section of user experiences, reveal a product with critical inconsistencies. The dramatic speed drops some users face, the potential SIM incompatibilities, and most importantly, the apparently non-functional external antenna ports, are major flaws. That last point is a deal-breaker for anyone in a fringe signal area who is counting on that feature to get a stable connection. It’s a gamble: you might get a flawless device, or you might get a source of endless frustration. If your needs are simple and your budget is tight, it might be a risk worth taking. But for anyone seeking a truly reliable primary or backup internet connection, we advise looking at more proven, albeit more expensive, alternatives. If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and feel it fits your specific needs, you can check the latest price and availability here.