Ryoko Portable Wireless 4G Router
Verified299 reviews
AI reviews summary
The Ryoko Portable Wireless 4G Router receives polarised feedback, with users divided between high satisfaction for its portability and severe frustration regarding billing and data limits. While many travellers find it a reliable alternative to public Wi-Fi, a significant number of users report that the "unlimited" data claims are misleading and customer support is difficult to reach.
Pros
- Portability and Design: The device is frequently praised for its compact, pocket-sized form factor, making it highly convenient for commuters and international travellers.
- Ease of Setup: Most users find the initial configuration straightforward, noting that the device often connects to multiple gadgets quickly right out of the box.
- Travel Connectivity: It performs well as a secure hotspot for light tasks like emails, messaging, and navigation during cruises or trips to Europe and Asia.
- Reliable Rural Backup: Users in remote areas or RVs report it successfully captures signals in "dead zones" where standard mobile phones occasionally fail.
Cons
- Misleading Data Plans: Multiple reports highlight that "unlimited" plans are actually capped, leading to sudden service cut-offs and unexpected requirements to purchase expensive top-ups.
- Billing and Refund Disputes: A recurring issue involves unauthorised credit card deductions, double-billing, and a refusal to honour the money-back guarantee once the device has been opened.
- Poor Technical Support: Reviewers frequently describe customer service as unresponsive, relying on automated "wait" messages or failing to resolve connection issues in foreign countries.
- Hardware and Performance Issues: Frequent complaints include the device overheating significantly during use, poor battery life (sometimes lasting less than three hours), and frequent buffering when streaming.
Verdict
The Ryoko router is a functional tool for light internet users who need a portable, secure connection while travelling in areas with decent 4G coverage. However, prospective buyers should be wary of the "unlimited" marketing claims and potential difficulties with subscription cancellations and technical support.
Don't buy ryoko, it's scam, it doesn't cover areas stated. I ordered a special with a 6 month package and when it arrived it only had 15 days data. When I tried to get the issue resolved stone dead silence. I then paid for months data. When I got to New Zealand it did not work. Then I find out my credit card is being deducted $41 per month, which… Read more
I did not agree to. Go somewhere else this device is useless and over priced with no customer service and will not reply to your emails .
The Ryoko didn't get on line at all. New replacement was the same. Support was pretty much useless. Never offered a refund of any sort. $160 wasted on a product that ended up in the trash!
Hello, Adam! I understand how frustrating this can be, and… Read more
I've been paying to use this service for a good 12 months and I have yet to get a good signal good enough to even watch TV at my home in Maine and at my home in Mass and even in my two RVs that I have right now in Florida but have been trying to use the service to run the TVs in either or one of my homes reviews and I just can't get it to work in… Read more
the first time the first 6 months I paid a large sum of money for the service. It was actually expensive enough that when I called to set up my portable they told me I paid too much for the service and if I called the second time they would give me a good discount but yet I didn't get a discount at all ever and I have yet to been able to even use the service to watch TV never mind run the computer or use for my phone
Hello, Patti! I understand how frustrating this can be, and… Read more
Reviews with attachments
Well, when I first got the unit, it worked great I really love it as a DoorDash or I’m out in the public and I’m gonna get out in the area for the signal cannot be reached because the towers are far apart. I mean some areas for the homes are between mountain tops and a small valley. The signal cannot get down in that valley or there is no possible… Read more · 1
way to get signal so at that point anyway Roku work great I could pick up signals before I even use it at work cause our sketchy Internet that we have at work. sometime later, the DoorDash died on me. I placed it on charge. I waited for about an hour for it to charge up. It did not charge. It did not come on picked it up and it was so hot that they burnt my fingers I had to let it cool down and tried to turn it back on. It would not turn back on. I reported it to the company the next day that it has gotten hot to the point that it quit working, they told me that it’s normal for you to get hot. I asked for a replacement and offered to send this unit back. I have got no response. They said they were looking into it. I made a short video about it and they still have not sent a response then after about two weeks or three waiting for them to respond and talk to me about it or sent me a replacement nothing happened. I picked the unit up research how to reset it maybe I can reset it there was no reset button on it. I pulled the SIM card out. I didn’t placed it back in the little button on the side. It looks like the light button I passed and held it and turned the Roku on at the same time and that started working again. It has been working good ever since.
Magnificent product would recommend to all person looking for a great mobile wifi. Show details · 1
I haven't used the product much yet but it appears to work and be a legit product so that's something and it does appear to connect successfully 90% of the time. That's all I can say for now until I use it in the field more. Show details · 1
The device is good I really can’t complain it is very useful and valuable thank you Show reply
Availability of internet with the ryoko router when away from home is fantastic. Show details · 2
I want to use WiFi in rental house that can’t have a long term WiFi internet. Therefore this tiny Ryoko 4G Portable Router does help in this situation! I use it for security cameras connecting to this WiFi router so that I can know my rental house when none there most of time! To my best knowledge, this portable device can use in other countries too! I truly want to explore Ryoko cabability outside USA, ex China , or Europe… Thank you Ryoko! Show details · 1
I have been looking for a portable router for some time. Router Is small enough to fit in my pocket and a very good Wi-Fi. Show details · 1
Latest follow-ups
We are very happy our router! We use ours in our RV and and have stopped even trying to use campground WiFi. We just finished a 1200 mile trip and had no problems with coverage or connectivity. It is very stable, but we restart once a day to… Read more · 1
limit drop outs caused by IP address lease expirations. Speed has not be a problem. We connect 2 phones and 2 Firesticks at the same time. We do not notice any difference in speed between our cell phone data connection and the Ryoko. We do experience fewer dropouts with the Ryoko while we are streaming.
Set up is very easy, much easier than our home router. Managing devices and connecting new devices only takes a password once you select the network. Our network connection always has returned as "safe" when we check it. another reason to give up campground WiFi.
If you are on the road a lot you should definitely get a Ryoko.
Follow-up · The battery lasts all day or evening the way we use it. If the battery gets low it works while charging. We haven't needed support, however, they were very helpful while I was researching before purchasing. The only totally dead spot we found is Johnson Valley, Oregon. Nothing works there. We have had it in some really remote places and it has… Read more
Nice little unit for when I am on the go and the WiFi service available is spotty. Easy to use and seems to work almost anywhere. Connects well to my laptop and phone. Simple to setup and use. Show details · 2
Follow-up · So far works great! Really enjoy having it and using it.
Find out how Ryoko Portable Wireless 4G Router compares to other Mobile Broadband Devices
Know better, choose better.
Used it on my recent Caribbean cruise. Set up was easy and connecting to our phones was no problem. Once connected service was excellent, just like any wi-fi connection. Couldn’t always get a signal so there were times when we couldn’t connect at… Read more · 1
all, especially from our balcony but usually able to connect from the top deck in the open air. Because of cost I only had 5gb which meant only using the device for short periods every day and keeping a careful check on usage. All in all it worked well for us as we are quite light users - whatsapp, emails and a little bit of browsing - no downloading or gaming. Worked out considerably cheaper than paying for the ships wi-fi. Will definitely use it for my next trip to Europe. Battery life ok but not brilliant.
Follow-up · Indoor reception depends on area for signal strength. On the cruise ship I had to go outside to get a signal. Seems to be ok here at home. Setup very straightforward. Battery life not brilliant - I always turn it off when not using as battery runs down and data is gobbled up. Used it continuously on a 5 hour train journey and battery became low by the end but had almost used a whole fb of data - my monthly allowance.
Positive reviews
Was pleasantly surprised when travelling in Thailand recently how well the Ryoko portable WiFi router worked. I honestly thought this device may have been a scam but it worked perfectly well, fast WiFi, ideal for use when travelling. I would recommend this device to anyone travelling overseas. Show reply
The Ryoko portable router is a compact, travel-friendly hotspot that lets you connect multiple devices using a 4G cellular network. Setup is simple, and it works well as a backup internet option when you’re on the go. However, it’s often overhyped in ads. It does not provide free or unlimited internet. The device comes with limited starter data,… Read more · 1
and you’ll need to pay for additional data plans to keep using it. Performance also depends heavily on your local network signal, so speeds can vary. Overall, it’s a basic mobile hotspot. Useful in certain situations, but not a game-changer.
Ryoko WiFi is very easy to set up and rotate I have had no dropouts. There are issues where if you want to watch certain channels I.e Stvplayer it doesn’t give you access as it reports that your outside the uk. Note apart from the above concern it works as stated and is perfect reception at all times. I would advise this as a prime purchase and… Read more · 1
a very positive alternative to any other WiFi services also it would be even better if the issue affecting certain channels can be resolved.
Negative reviews
The Router does not work very well because it doesn̈'t even work in my house. I have called for help ,many times and nothing works so I am stuck with a useless item . I am asking for a refund which was promised BUT was refused. I think I should be able to return it an̈d have my money reimbursed back… Read more
on my master card . I am a Senior and on a fixed income it woʻùld help aĺot to have it returned to my Credit Card. THANK YOU. Please don't disappoint me. Contact me if you want more info.
Hello, Shannon! I understand how frustrating this can be,… Read more
Ryoko double-billed my Paypal account a few weeks ago. I still have not received a refund. This is not the worst part. THEN, I emailed them multiple times while I was in Japan because the Ryoko stopped working after 2 days. I topped it off before I left ($24.99) and when it ran out, I topped it off again for $9.99. Then, I am told that I have to… Read more
purchase a new sim card. I could not find the page on their website to purchase a sim card. I emailed multiple times asking how to access the page to make the purchase. I got the same answer EVERY TIME-go to the website. I finally gave up.
This was a VERY SERIOUS detriment to my travels in Japan. I could only access the internet in my hotel. I COULD NOT use it for navigation, or to search for information. I used it in Europe on two separate trips last year and it worked fine.
Steer clear of this company.
Hello! I'm really sorry to know about what happened. I… Read more
Unit works just fine but doesn’t work or have no WiFi connections in Melbourne and Sydney Australia as well as at the South Pacific( Fiji, Tahiti, Cook Island, etc) Show details
Hello, Rene! I understand how frustrating this can be, and… Read more
Recent reviews
I had some problems connecting. I learned unable to if I don't have mobile Hotspots or if lot of trees. I really love it. I only used it for one month in Jamaica. Show details · 1
I use it mostly in the USA in my older car while driving cell phone picks up the Ryoko WIFI, and This way I use less data especially on he map programs. I could not use it in Tahiti, but this was stated in the info before I purchased it anyway. Zoltan, Santa Cruz CA Show details · 1
Find out how Ryoko Portable Wireless 4G Router compares to other Mobile Broadband Devices
Know better, choose better.
This is a very good product, it works almost everywhere. The only place it doesn't is the reservation I tried there but couldn't get on any internet. Very easy to set up. Show details · 1
this portable router does what is says is does in my experience using it. i have had it about 5 months and where ever i'm at i just plug it into my laptop and away i go, it does not get much easier than that. Show details · 1
The Ryoko works fine in the living room, but does not have enough range to pick up in the bedrooms.if let in living room so you have to carry it room to room to get the best performance. I would recommend it for anyone who needs portable wi fi Show details · 1
This little device has been very useful to have. I use it daily for work and it always connects. Downfall is it is not 5G and sometimes loses connection and has to be reset. Show details · 1
I've used this in places where I have always had problems getting a good signal, yet the Router gave me the high speed I've become used to from this small tiny device I carry in my Pocket. If you need high speed might near any where you need this kind of speed. It works like a dream. Show reply
Setup was easy and te router seems to work fairly easily. I haven’t used it away from home, yet, so I’m not sure how connections will be in foreign countries, in particular. Looks to be well made. Show reply
This portable Ryoko pro WiFi has been a lifesaver for me as I have poor signal at work. I have had no significant issues at all, and customer service has patiently dealt with all my queries. I definitely recommend getting this gem. Show details · 1
It Works! I live in a rural area in East Texas where cell service is spotty and internet options are extremely limited, without Ryoko I get nothing, with it sitting in my window I have enough internet service to watch videos on my phone, and send this review ! Show details · 1
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Hello, Shane! I understand how frustrating this can be, and… Read more