It's terrifying to go out in the beyond and watch the network bars disappear one by one. When you're far away from the network towers, you're going to get painfully weak network signals.
However, due to the blessing of technology, there's something that can help you in such off-range situations, and that is a booster. If you can get the best cell phone booster for RV, then you won't have a reason to worry.
Signal boosters pull the weak signals of the existing network and boost up their strength so that you are able to make calls and receive texts wherever you go.
Let's talk about some of these useful cell phone boosters in more detail below.
Our Best RV Cell Phone Booster Reviews
As with everything else, there are many options for cell phone boosters in the market. But since you shouldn't trust these products blindly, let's talk about some of the best ones available in the market right now.
1. ANYCALL A Cell Phone Signal Booster for RV
With this signal booster in your car, you can go to the far corners of the country without the fear of going off-range.
AT & T, US Cellular, Verizon, Cricket Wireless, Straight Talk, and all such American network carriers will have connectivity when you use Anycall booster.
A big range of frequencies can be picked up by this signal boosting device so that you have wide reachability over a total of 5 bands - 12/17, 13, 5, 2, and 4, with frequency coverage of 700, 850, 1700 and 1900 MHz. Once you set this up, you won't be getting many dropped calls.
Everything from 4G, 3G and 2G signals will get a power boost so that the quality of your calls and the speed of your texts can never frustrate you, which actually makes this the best cell phone booster for camping because no one wants to get annoyed in a camp.
2. weBoost Drive 4G-X RV (470410) Cell Phone Signal Booster for Your RV or Motorhome
This is another reliable signal booster that will work with all major US carriers. But if you are using Sprint, you may face some problems with it because of governmental restrictions.
That has nothing to do with the performance of this device per se. You shouldn't face any such problems if you are using AT&T, Straight Talk, Verizon, T-Mobile, and such other carriers.
This is hands down the best cell phone booster for RV. You will get a boost of 32X if you are on 4G LTE and 3G signals.
The maximum boost in decibels can exceed 50 dB sometimes so that you never have to deal with the frustration of dropped calls anymore. On top of this, you'll also get faster speeds with your uploads and downloads on the go.
And not only will it improve the network connections of your phone, but it will also add about 2 hours to your talk time capacity.
The required power source should be either a DC 12V fused hardwire connection, or an AC supply of 110 to 240 volts, and 8 watts.
It only uses a very tiny bit of your device battery, so there won't be any adverse effects on the battery either.
3. weBoost Drive X RV (471410) Cell Phone Signal Booster | FCC Approved, RV & Motorhome Moving + Stationary
All the major US carriers like Verizon, AT & T, T-Mobile, and so on are compatible with this device.
The modular antenna system can be propped up outside the vehicle with a few mounting layouts that can be varied by making height adjustments. This will help you to properly optimize the position of the booster antenna to ensure that you always remain within reachability.
One thing that makes this signal booster stand out is its future-proof 5G ready functionality. You won't have to think about getting a replacement any time soon.
Unlike many other signal boosters, this one won't drain out your cell phone's batteries, so you will end up getting 2 hours of extra talk time.
This is a multiuser connectivity system that will help all your passengers get stronger cell signals as well. And such high connectivity also makes this the best cell phone signal booster for camping, so remote destinations won't require you to venture into the darkness of zero communication anymore.
4. P PROUTONE Cell Phone Signal Booster for Car, Truck and RV
Unlike other RV cell phone booster reviews, we are going to tell you right away that GSM calls and texts will get no major signal boosts from this device.
But if you have a carrier that has a band of 12, 13, or 17 over 700 MHz, then this device will be compatible with it.
So, when you are going to remote areas with your RV or SUV, you very often go off-range, and then you can't take calls. But what this device will do is that it will detect the available incoming signals and then boost it up so that you hear and can convey messages with clear reception.
This will give you a maximum signal gain of 45dB. With such enhanced signals, you will also be able to upload and download files with 4G speed, and this makes it the best RV cell phone booster you can get.
Installation is very simple as well. It doesn't require you to have any prior experience. So you will be able to set it up all by yourself and go about your journeys right away.
5. P PROUTONE Cell Phone Signal Booster for RV, Motorhome, Truck, Bus, Boat or Small House
This one from P Proutone will give you a higher signal boost than the one we just discussed in our RV cell phone booster reviews. So if you are often going to take your RV far into the deep fields of the country, then this device will give you the boost you need.
As long as you're connected with carriers that are on 700MHz of band 12/13/17, you're good to go. This booster will raise the connectivity signals of your 4G LTE service and help you get clear calls in the middle of nowhere.
More importantly, you are not going to get missed calls or dropped calls because the control system of the device will automatically detect signals and then gain control of them so that you're never unreachable.
Like the previous P Proutone signal booster, this one also doesn't connect with GSM calls, but it does enhance upload and download speeds. It's very easy to install this device on your vehicle. The package includes an outdoor antenna, an indoor antenna, two chargers, the booster itself, and a manual guide with clear instructions leading to the complete DIY set up of the device.
How Can I Boost My Cell Phone Signal in My RV?
There are no guarantees here, but the only way to travel with the strong connectivity of network signals is to install a good signal booster in your RV.
This is a system that detects the network in the area and then gives it a boost so that calls reach your cell phone even if you are out in the far beyond.
The device operates by the use of antennae. There are two - one in the outside of the car to detect the signals, and then there's one inside, which strengthens the reception of your phone. Between the external and internal antenna is an amplifier that boosts the signal, and this boosted signal is then easier for the cell phone to catch than the existing unboosted network in the area.
There will be cables connecting the amplifier and the antennae, but these are lossless cables that won't let the strength of the signals get hampered.
But it's important to note that if there is absolutely no existing signal in the area, then no signal boosters can help.
Now, you could get a cell phone signal booster from the stores, or you could make one by yourself if you're feeling crafty. Both will work just fine as long as they are made properly, and there are signals in your area to be picked, tweaked, and amplified.
DIY RV Cell Phone Booster
To make the simplest DIY cell phone signal booster from scratch, you'll need only two items. The most important thing here is the antenna. So, you will need to arrange that.
Go to the store and get two high-quality J-pole antennas that support the frequency of your mobile carrier service, and a coaxial cable of adequate length (this is the length between the external mounting point to the docking station inside the car).
Then connect the two antennas using the cable. One antenna should be propped up on top of the vehicle in a secure position, and the other one will lay inside the RV.
When the vehicle starts to move, these antennas will pick up the network signal, and the cable will create a path for the signal to repeat itself between the two antennas so that the set up works as a signal repeater.
This repeating signal will have a stronger frequency; in other words, it will be a boost to the existing signals in the area. And your cell phone will easily be able to catch this boosted signal and get better reception for calls and texts.
What to Look for Before Buying?
This is a simple guide that will give the basic information required to go out on your own and choose a cell phone booster for yourself. Keep reading to learn more.
Types of Signal Boosters
There are two distinct types that you need to be aware of.
One is called the cradle, and the other is simply called a wireless booster.
This device needs to be connected to the cell phone directly so that it can boost the reception of the phone.
The advantage is that there is a guarantee of stronger amplification with this booster, but the disadvantage is that it's a one-device unit only - it won't be able to boost the signal for multiple cell phones at once.
This device doesn't need to be connected to a single unit. Rather, it stays independent of direct cell phone connections and stands on its own.
It is connected to a separate amplifier and to antennas that broadcast the amplified signals wirelessly within the bounds of a target area.
The advantage with this is that it can help multiple cell phones to get a signal boost all at once, and the disadvantage is that this doesn't guarantee strong amplification.
Amplifying Ability
This is the first thing you should check before you pay for the booster - the main performance, in other words, the signal boosting capability of the device.
The boosters that are particularly made for moving vehicles can usually give a maximum gain of 50 dB. But there are some that do lower than this as well.
You will also need to check the band range of frequencies that the booster can support. If this range is not compatible with your particular network carrier, then you won't be able to get good service from it. To be on the safe side with this, get a booster that supports 4G, and has a 5-band coverage.
Good Antennae
The main body of the booster is the antennae. Antennas are what pick up the existing signals, carry it through the system, and make it amplifiable. If you want a booster that can cover for a longer range of network connectivity, then get high-gain antennas that are capable of working signals above 5dBi.
Regular Signal Strength
The reason you are buying a booster is that you want to boost the existing signals in the area. But the best cell phone signal booster for RV will vary for different people based on several factors. This is one such factor.
So, if you are generally getting a pretty good signal strength from your carrier service without a booster, then you can buy a low-gain signal booster, and that will be enough to give you the little boost required for you to get even better reception.
However, if your regular carrier service generally has low signals all the time, then you need to invest more to get a top-notch signal booster. That way, it'll be powerful enough to give you a pretty strong signal boost, even when there's a very weak existing signal in the area.
So, you need to observe the regular signal strength of your cell phone carrier before you decide which signal booster will be worth your investment.
Space Inside the RV
You probably are going to have people inside your RV, and they all will need the same network boost from the signal booster. So, make sure that you know the internal dimensions and the space inside the vehicle precisely before you choose the booster you want to buy.
Stronger boosters will be required for big RVs, but if you have a small RV, then a regular booster will give you enough of a boost for everyone inside the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of signals do such signal booster help with?
Cell signal boosters are used to boost the 3G and 4G LTE signals that you're currently getting from your carrier.
2. How will my cell phone experience improve with a signal booster?
You will be able to better connect with the network signals while you're on the road traveling to distant locations.
You'll get better quality calls so that voices sound clearer, texts will reach you in real-time, you'll be able to upload and download files faster.
3. Is there any limitation as to the number of cell phones that can be connected via a wireless signal booster?
No, there's no such limitation with wireless connections. But remember that when more phones are connected at once, the boost will be relatively low in all the phones than when fewer phones are connected to it.
4. Can this device boost all WiFi signals?
If your WiFi uses a 3G or 4G service, then yes, of course, it can.
5. Will the boost also improve hotspot connections?
Yes, it will.
Final WordsSignal boosters help to keep you safe out on the road, and they also help you to stay on the grid.
This is the solution to your network problems. So, get the best RV cell phone booster you can find, and set out to your destination fearlessly. Best of luck!