5 Best Signal Boosters for RVs That RV Enthusiasts Trust

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Jodie Chiffey

Travel Lover at RV Pioneers

Jodie Chiffey enjoys the outdoors. She goes mountain biking and loves spending time in nature and what better way to get there than to go in an RV? She shares her information here on RV Pioneers.

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This guide will give you a detailed overview of the 5 best cellular signal boosters for RVs and help you decide which one you should buy.

An RV cell phone booster has become a necessity. It allows you to stay connected and makes your life easier on the road. There are many types of signal boosters available on the market and we are going to cover the most common ones used by RVers.

So let’s have a quick look at the 5 best signal boosters for RVs available today. We will go through some of the reasons why you should have a signal booster and what things should be considered when buying one.

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Signs You Need A Signal Booster Installed In Your RV

On the road, you will come across many places where network coverage may be an issue. High-rise buildings, distance from cell towers, and increased network traffic can all interfere with cell signals. An RV cell phone booster can be handy in situations where the network is not reliable.

There’s also a very real possibility that your RV may break down, you have an emergency, or you get stuck in the middle of nowhere because you lost your GPS signal. An RV cell phone booster will keep you connected so that you can get the help you need.

A good cell booster amplifies weak signals in your area and increases them to give you a strong and reliable connection. This is important when you have to make proactive decisions if the weather conditions suddenly change. A stable connection will help make your RV experience a whole lot better, so it’s wise to get a good signal booster.

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Things to Consider When Buying A Signal booster for Your RV

You should consider the following factors before buying a cell booster for your RV.

Decibel Gain

A decibel is a unit of measurement of radio signals. Each signal booster comes with a specific decibel gain measurement. It denotes the increase in alerts provided by the signal booster.

To make it a little easier for you to understand:

• -50 dB means that you have fully amplified signals and will denote full signal bars on your cell phone.
• -80 dB to -90 dB means that your signal strength is medium, and it would enable you to send and receive voice calls. That said, you might experience occasional distortion in calls and might even experience calls dropping in some cases.
• -110 dB means that virtually no signal is reaching the phone, a dead zone, basically. It might show no signal or even a bar at times but will not connect a call.

The signal boosters are available on the market offer anywhere from 5 to 64 dB gain in signals. In some areas of different states, the local government may limit cell boosters for security reasons.

You must be wondering that the gain of some decibels won’t make a difference in your cell signal strength, but you’d be surprised. Just to give you an idea, an increase of 3 decibels means the signal strength has doubled. If the gain goes up by 10 decibels, that means the signal strength has improved by 10x.

Many signal boosters feature only multiplication levels (x10, x20, etc) to make it easier for the user to understand signal boosting strengths.

Durability

Durability is an essential factor for just about everything, including signal boosters. Nobody wants to be in a situation in the middle of nowhere with a broken signal booster.

The durability of signal boosters depends on the quality of the material used in the device. The material of the case, conductors, and wires, all add to the durability of the device.

Many manufacturers sell their signal boosters with 3 years warranty, and in many cases, the warranty can be extended. Always opt for a reliable manufacturer, and remember, the most expensive option is not always the most durable.

Installation

Installation of signal boosters is mainly done the same way. They come in 3 parts: the device, the second being antenna, and the third being the receiver. Depending on which signal booster you buy, the installation may slightly vary

Newer and compact models come with built-in batteries which can directly be attached to the roof of your RV for hassle-free connection. You will not need to drill holes into your RV. But these types of boosters are only recommended if you’re parked and near a cellphone tower.

Network Compatibility

Network compatibility is pretty much the most crucial aspect of a signal booster. It can be classified into two:

• carrier compatibility and
• network compatibility.

Carrier compatibility means the number of carriers the signal booster supports. Good signal boosters are compatible with almost all networks, including Verizon, AT&T, Virgin, and more.

Next comes the type of networks, as in 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G. Most signal boosters are designed only for boosting signals for basic connections, such as calls and texts, in cellular devices. But technology has made it possible to get improved signals that support internet coverage.

Cost

Signal boosters are usually not expensive as compared to other accessories for an RV. That said, you must have a budget you want to work with, so it makes sense to have a good idea of the average prices of signal boosters available today.

Signal boosters vary from anywhere between $300 to $1,500, depending on the usage and specifications.

Coverage Area

Different signal boosters use different materials and hardware which can impact the signal strength.

Signal boosters usually have a range of signals, but sometimes, depending on the situation, the range needs to be increased to cater to a large area. Also, some signal boosters are specifically designed to cater to a said number of devices, which can be upgraded depending on your needs.

The coverage area mostly depends on the internal antenna (also known as an interior antenna) of the device. For example, if the indoor antenna is small, it will have a smaller coverage as compared to a larger indoor antenna. That said, the material used in the antennas differs from brand to brand, hence creating a difference in the coverage area.

Make sure to know how much coverage you require and then make your choice accordingly. Most signal boosters can operate well in a 6 feet range. If you want to increase the coverage area, refer to the instructions on the signal booster manual.

External antennas or exterior antennas are placed outside the RV, usually bolted or placed on the roof. They are responsible for communicating with the nearest cell tower and enhancing its signals.

Directional antennas have become quite popular recently as they are able to improve transmission and reduce interference much more efficiently than standard ones.

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5 Best Signal Boosters for RVs

Now that we’ve covered the reasons for getting a signal booster and what to look for in one let’s have a thorough look at the 5 best signal boosters for RVs.

AnyCall RV Mobile Booster

AnyCall is a well-reputed company that specializes in making signal boosters for cell phones and wifi routers. The AnyCall RV Mobile Booster is a simple but effective device that is a little easier on your pocket.

It is affordable and also works with all network providers. It is a lot cheaper than the other options available on the market but it does nearly all the things a good signal booster does.

AnyCall RV Mobile Booster is a great model because of its ‘inactivity mode’ which reduces the power consumption and can be used in motion or parked.

It works with all carriers including Verizon, AT&T, Spirit, and more. Make sure you have at least one or two bars on your cell phone or it will not work, as I mentioned earlier about the dead zone.

The AnyCall booster enhances data, text, and voice signals to ensure maximum connectivity. It also ensures improved voice quality and faster uploads and downloads on the go. It can be used in other moving objects such as a boat. The best thing is, it can also be plugged in a remote home if you want to go somewhere in the woods. It works smoothly when your RV is in motion and or parked.

The AnyCall booster supports multiple users and different cellular devices simultaneously. It has a built-in intelligent AGC function to detect the available incoming signals and automatically adjust for the best performance.

This broadband model also has an inactivity mode which reduces power consumption. One drawback I’ve noticed compared to other boosters is that the AnyCall booster does not do a great job in boosting data signals.

Pros

• Works with all cellular networks
• Can have many users and different cellular network simultaneously
• Works well in both stationary and motion
• It has an inactivity mode for less power usage
• Has LED lights showing the signals boosting

Cons

• It does not work very well with data signals
• Build materials could be better

HiBoost Cell Phone Signal Booster

Next in line, we have the HiBoost Signal Booster, which comes from a very well-reputed brand.

This is one of the best RV cellular boosters because it has many great features, starting with its dedicated app.

HiBoost Signal Booster has both WiFi and Bluetooth modules that give you the freedom to monitor the signal via the mobile app called ‘Signal Supervisor’. The great thing about this application is that it shows you the real-time signal reading and demonstrates how effectively the device is performing.

One more great thing about the app is that it gives you access to the signal meter tool for you to place the antenna at the best position for maximum outdoor signals.

The HiBoost Signal Booster works with all major carriers and boosts signals of any available signals coming to the device. It can be used to connect all devices having a cellular connection, be it your cell phones, tablets, or even laptops that have an internet sim.

HiBoost Signal Booster can support multiple users at the same time, making everyone in the vicinity get stronger signals. It can also work with a portable battery charger for user accessibility.

One drawback of the device is the network coverage. It does not cater or amplify signals to the users outside the RV that effectively, which means any obstructions would cause the signals to go weak.

Pros

• Mobile app to monitor the signals incoming and signals amplified
• It can be used by multiple users at once
• Supports all network carriers

Cons

• Has an issue with simultaneously catering to more than one network operators
• Network coverage is not that wide.

Anntlent Signal Booster

Anntlent Signal Booster is one of the most powerful boosters in this list, providing up to a 24 dB gain. If you are looking for something comparatively easy to set up in your RV that gives great results, the Anntlent Signal Booster is a great choice.

The Annlent Signal Booster supports all major cellular networks and signal boosting for voice, text, and data. For it to work well, you need to have at least one or two bars of signal on your cell phone.

It gives a signal boost of up to 32x and is great for use in any remote location with low signals. It has an LED indicator showing the signals received and amplified to help you understand what boosted signals are.

It offers a hassle-free connection and one notable upside to the antenna is that it features a strong magnet. It can easily be stuck to any metallic surface without the need to put holes in it.

There are a couple of down sides to the signal booster, some notably being that it does not work well with more than 4 users at once and the network coverage is not very wide. For example, the networks will be boosted well if the cell phone or the network device has to be in the vicinity of less than a foot for best results.

Pros

• Supports all major cellular networks
• Easy to install
• Has a great battery life for extended use

Cons

• Data signals are not amplified very well
• More than 4 users have faced difficulty in using it simultaneously

Proutone Cell Phone Signal Booster

Proutone Cell Phone Signal Booster is another budget-friendly yet good-quality signal booster for RVs. The signal booster is made with keeping signal strength and range in mind. It is easy to set up and requires no prior experience of using an antenna or booster.

The booster is well equipped to boost cell reception. You can enjoy an impressive gain of up to 45 dB, which is better than many options available on the market at this price.

The Proutone booster features an automatic control gain system that adjusts itself to gain the best reception without any manual interventions or extra settings.

The signal booster works well with all major carriers, though some issues can be faced when multiple carriers are being used. That said, it reduces missed calls and improves internet speed by acting like a 4G LTE signal booster.

It delivers on its advertised promise and with this unit, you will get good value for the money. It is recommended for people who actively use their device while on the move as it boosts data signals better than its competitors.

One of the downsides of this booster is that it has some difficulty working with LTE networks and some cellular networks. That said, it is an excellent investment and offers great value for your money.

Pros

• Value for money
• Great for data mongers on the road
• Easy installation
• Can support multiple users

Cons

• Does not work well with all cellular networks

weBoost Drive X

One of the best cell phone signal boosters available on the market is the weBoost Drive X. weBoost is a pioneer in the RV cellular booster market. They were amongst the first to create these devices and are still going strong to this day.

The weBoost drive X is the best mobile signal booster for RVers who work remotely or use data regularly. The Drive X is the latest signal booster and is an RV-specific model. It is a broadband device meaning that it works for all cellular signals.

The Drive X is capable of catching signals from towers at distances up to 33% farther than its competitors. This results in fewer dropped calls, better voice quality, faster mobile internet, and improved internet video and audio calling.

It is compatible with all cellular networks and offers multi-user functionality. The device is designed to be rugged and durable. The outside antenna is built with polycarbonate and can be installed using several mounting configurations. It can be adjusted to different height levels, optimizing the performance of the booster.

This device has features that include 5G capabilities. The weBoost antenna operates even when moving and can be used with any cellular provider.

The device has a great battery life and the installation is simpler than most of the devices available. The best part, you don’t need any tools to install the device or its antenna.

Related read: weBoost vs HiBoost comparison.

Pros

• Compatible with all cellular networks
• Great for remote workers
• Great battery life
• Easy installation
• Rugged and durable design
• Supports 5G network

Cons

• Expensive

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best RV Signal Booster?

Ensuring a stable network connection while on the move has become one of the prerequisites while planning a trip. For that, you need to ensure that you have a good signal booster.

All the signal boosters I’ve listed offer great features at different price points. But in my view, the weBoost Drive X signal booster is the best of the lot. Yes, it is a little pricey, but it is a great one-time investment that will give you peace of mind on your travels and will last you long with its durable build.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option and are using a major cellular carrier, then you can go for the Proutone Cell Phone Signal Booster. It offers great value for money and is especially useful if you use data frequently.

In the end, it all comes down to your personal preferences and budget. Hope this guide helped you find the best signal booster for your needs.