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If you are adding cellular data to a Raspberry Pi, a laptop, or a custom IoT build, the real question is never raw speed — it is whether the module will actually work with your board and your carrier. The three Waveshare modules here span the whole journey, from a light 4G Cat-4 card to a full 5G Sub-6G monster, and the differences in weight, size, and connector type decide which one belongs in your project.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You are looking for a module that balances carrier support, host compatibility, and antenna needs, and the 5g/4g lte modules below are the three most practical starting points for makers and tinkerers.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 5G/4G LTE Modules
Picking a cellular module starts with your host board, not the modem chip. A module built for an M.2 slot will not physically fit a Mini-PCIe header, and the reverse is true too, so check your device’s connector before you even look at speeds.
Match the standard to your use case
4G LTE Cat-4 modules top out at a data rate of 150 megabits per second, which is plenty for browsing, telemetry, and most IoT tasks. A 5G Sub-6G module is a different beast entirely, built for high-throughput applications like video streaming or large file transfers, so do not pay for 5G unless your project actually needs that bandwidth.
Read the antenna fine print
Antenna connectors come in several physical sizes, and the data is full of stories about modules that will not work because the wrong cable was used. Before you order, confirm which connector your module uses and whether your existing antennas match, because this is the single most common reason a perfectly good module fails.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Network Standard | Connector | Peak Speed | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waveshare SIM7600G-H-PCIE★ Best Overall | Desktop and laptop upgrades | 4G LTE Cat-4 / 3G / 2G | Mini-PCIe | 150 Mbps | Amazon |
| Waveshare SIM7600G-H 4G HAT (B) | Raspberry Pi projects | 4G LTE Cat-4 / 3G / 2G | USB / Pogo pin | 150 Mbps | Amazon |
| Waveshare Quectel RM520N-GL | High-speed 5G builds | 5G Sub-6G / 4G / 3G | M.2 | 5G (Sub-6G) | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Waveshare SIM7600G-H-PCIE
Our pick — 4.5★ from 20+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The lightest path to global 4G for desktops and laptops that already have a Mini-PCIe slot.
This card’s defining trait is the Mini-PCIe connector, which slots directly into the same kind of port found inside many desktop and laptop computers. At just 0.01 kg, it is the lightest module here and a clean choice when you want cellular without a bulky external board.
The modem supports LTE-TDD, LTE-FDD, HSPA+, GSM, GPRS, and Edge, so it covers the major network standards with global reach, and it adds multi-constellation GNSS for positioning. It tops out at a data transfer rate of 150 megabits per second, which is the Cat-4 ceiling and plenty for everyday browsing and data links.
Buyers report it works well paired with a 4G hat on an Orange Pi 5, and they call the setup relatively easy for someone who knows their way around Linux. The AT command set is compatible with the SIM7500 and SIM7600 series, which makes migrating an existing project less painful.
Why it fits a desktop build
- Mini-PCIe connector matches internal laptop and desktop slots
- Global band support across LTE, UMTS, and GSM networks
- Multi-constellation GNSS for positioning without extra hardware
Where it falls short
- No 5G, so it is capped at 4G Cat-4 speeds
- Setup assumes you already know AT commands and Linux
Reach for this if: you have a Mini-PCIe slot open and want a simple, global 4G connection with GPS built in.
Think twice if: your project needs 5G bandwidth or you are building on a Raspberry Pi, where the HAT version below fits better.
2. Waveshare SIM7600G-H 4G HAT (B)
A Raspberry Pi shield that turns a tiny board into a connected phone, complete with voice and SMS.
This HAT is built specifically for the Raspberry Pi line, connecting through a dedicated pogo pin for the Pi Zero and Zero W, or through a MicroUSB connector for other Pi boards and PCs. It packs the SIM7600G-H global band module, so it works on 2G, 3G, and 4G networks worldwide, and it includes an onboard audio jack and decoder for making telephone calls.
Beyond basic data, it supports dial-up, SMS, TCP, UDP, DTMF, HTTP, and FTP, plus GPS, BeiDou, Glonass, and LBS base station positioning. Two LED indicators let you monitor operating status at a glance, and it is controlled through AT commands following the 3GPP TS 27.007, 27.005, and V.25TER command sets.
The experience is genuinely split. Owners mention it works from the start and is fast for light browsing, and one called it great for building your own 4G phone with voice and SMS on Verizon and Mint. The same owners flag that the audio output is quiet even at max gain, and the earlier review noted it worked well at first before a flaky GPS signal appeared later.
What wins people over
- Pogo pin connection designed for Raspberry Pi Zero / Zero W
- Voice, SMS, and internet all functional on major US carriers
- GNSS coverage includes GPS, BeiDou, and Glonass
The honest trade-offs
- Audio output is quiet, even at maximum gain
- Uses IPEX-4 antenna connectors, not the common IPEX-1
- GPS reliability can degrade over time for some owners
Best for: Raspberry Pi tinkerers who want a single board that handles data, calls, and location.
Look elsewhere if: you need reliable GPS long-term or loud audio; this one is a connectivity tool, not a polished phone.
3. Waveshare Quectel RM520N-GL
The heavyweight 5G module that replaces an operator box with a single M.2 card.
This is the serious hardware of the trio, built for IoT and eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband) applications with an M.2 form factor that fits into modern laptops and single-board computers. It weighs 0.02 kg, double the 0.01 kg of the 4G cards, and that extra heft comes with true 5G Sub-6G capability alongside 4G and 3G fallback.
The modem supports both NSA and SA modes and meets the 3GPP Release 16 specification, which is the latest standard for 5G networks. It also carries a multi-constellation GNSS receiver for fast positioning and supports DFOTA and VoLTE as optional functions, so you can keep firmware updated over the air.
Customers note it works fine from the start with OpenWrt and that speeds beat the operator’s own box, which is a strong endorsement for a maker build.
Straight talk on condition: the biggest risk here is receiving a unit that is not new, with a few owners reporting missing antenna ports on arrival. That is a quality-control issue at shipping, not a design flaw, but it is worth inspecting the board the moment it lands.
Setup reality: it is not plug-and-play for everyone, with some buyers needing a firmware update before OpenWrt works, so expect a bit of tinkering.
Grab this if: your project demands real 5G throughput and you have an M.2 slot ready for it.
skip it if: you want a cheap, simple 4G connection — the lighter Cat-4 cards above do that job for a fraction of the complexity.
Understanding the Specs
Form Factor: M.2 vs Mini-PCIe
The physical slot on your board decides everything. M.2 is the modern standard found on newer laptops and single-board computers, while Mini-PCIe is the older, wider connector on some desktops and industrial boards. A module built for one will not fit the other, so match the connector to your host before comparing speeds.
Network Standard: Cat-4 and 5G Sub-6G
Cat-4 is a 4G LTE category capped at a data transfer rate of 150 megabits per second, which suits browsing and IoT data. 5G Sub-6G is the higher-frequency 5G band that delivers much faster throughput, but it only matters if your carrier offers 5G in your area and your project actually needs that bandwidth.
Antenna Connectors
Antenna cables come in different sizes, notably IPEX-1 and IPEX-4, and they are not cross-compatible. The data shows that a wrong connector can make a module useless, so check the module’s connector type and buy matching antennas or adapters before you build.
GNSS Positioning
GNSS is the umbrella term for satellite positioning systems like GPS, BeiDou, and Glonass. A multi-constellation receiver locks onto several systems at once, which speeds up location fixes and improves accuracy, especially in cities where buildings block a single satellite network.
FAQ
Will an M.2 module fit a Mini-PCIe slot?
What is the difference between 4G Cat-4 and 5G Sub-6G?
Can I use these modules with a Raspberry Pi?
Do these modules work with any carrier?
Why are antenna connectors IPEX-1 and IPEX-4 important?
Can I make phone calls with these modules?
Do these modules work with OpenWrt?
Does GNSS positioning work indoors?
Which module is the lightest?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For the majority of shoppers, the 5g/4g lte modules winner is the Waveshare SIM7600G-H-PCIE because it is the lightest and most straightforward way to add global 4G to a desktop or laptop with a Mini-PCIe slot. If you are building on a Raspberry Pi and want voice and SMS, grab the SIM7600G-H 4G HAT (B). And for projects that genuinely need 5G throughput, the Quectel RM520N-GL is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gadgets Feed earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.