Getting a strong cell reception on the road can be quite tricky at times. This issue makes calling and texting loved ones a challenge. Thus, finding the best cell phone booster for RV should be a top priority.
These devices will ensure things like drop calls will not be a frequent event onboard your RV. But finding this perfect cell phone booster isn’t the easy task that you might have expected. You see, there are many options to choose from on today’s market, and all the options can cause a person stress.
Due to this, we thought a buying guide discussing all the relevant topics about these devices could be a helpful tool. And this article stands to fill this role by providing you with every answer that you might be looking for during this process.
We’ll cover topics ranging from trusted brands to different types. In fact, we’ll even provide you with the reviews of RV cell phone boosters. And all this information will ensure that you have everything needed to make the right decision about these devices.
So, let’s get started and find the perfect product for you. I promise it’ll be well worth your time.
Best Overall | Budget Friendly | Easy to Install | |
Preview | Cel-Fi RS-GOX-1P | Amazboost A1 | weBoost OTR |
Amplifier Gain | 100 dB | 60 dB (up to 100x) | 50 dB |
Signal Types | 5G, 4G, 3G, LTE, DSS | 5G, 4G, LTE, 2G | 5G, 4G, LTE |
Internal Coverage | Up to 8,000 sq ft | 2,500 sq ft | – |
Carries Compatibility | AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular |
Details | Details | Details |
Table of Contents
6 Best RV Cell Phone Booster Reviews
This section will hold those 6 reviews I mentioned above. These discussions should offer an insight into what a top tier RV cell phone booster looks like and features. This knowledge will be vital to understanding the more complex topics we cover in the next sections.
We’ve also included one review of an additional product that we think could help achieve better cell reception.
1. Cel-Fi 4G/5G Cell Phone Signal Booster
Our next option, Cel-Fi’s 4G/5G Cell Phone Signal Booster, is one of the more well-equipped choices for RV owners. It earns this distinction by being the only 100dB cell phone signal booster in today’s market. Basically, it provides faster data rates, a better signal, and a larger coverage area than any other model.
In particular, the coverage area truly caught my attention. It offers 8,000 sq. ft. coverage within an open space and 3,000 sq. ft. inside a home. So I’m relatively confident these measurements should be more than enough for any RV owner.
I was also thrilled with its ability to work with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Therefore, it has a much broader customer base than many options. It certainly does a much better job than any usable DIY RV cell phone booster.
Plus, this device can work in several situations. It’s perfectly suited to boost signals in offices, homes, campers, warehouses, and many additional settings. It ends up being a rather convenient and effective piece of technology.
Cel-Fi offers customers a choice regarding the product’s using process, as well. It’ll come down to a buyer’s preferences, but we can use a single dome or a panel antenna. In my case, I’ve always been more comfortable with a single dome as it suits my rig’s decor.
As for the installation, I didn’t have any issues with it. Cel-Fi made the process simple enough with its detailed user guide to ensure I didn’t need a second hand. Honestly, I can’t imagine even someone unfamiliar with cell phone boosters having difficulty with the setup.
Sadly, I have to inform users that this cell phone signal booster for camping can only boost one cell carrier at a time. It wasn’t a problem for my needs because everyone in my family uses Verizon. But it’s something that buyers will need to consider before using it for van life or RVs.
Sadly, I have to inform users that this cell phone signal booster for camping can only boost one cell carrier at a time. It wasn’t a problem for my needs because everyone in my family uses Verizon. But it’s something that buyers will need to consider before using it for van life or RVs.
2. Amazboost A1 Cell Phone Booster
Amazboost’s A1 Cell Phone Booster stands out from other off-grid cell phone booster options in more ways than one. Its staggering versatility is what first drew me to consider buying it. I mean, it’s hard to complain about a booster that’s compatible with all US carriers and networks. It’s one of the more adaptable choices for RV owners.
But this versatility wouldn’t be so impressive without remarkable performance. Thankfully, this cell signal booster RV model manages to outpace many of its competitors. I couldn’t believe how much better its 2,500 sq. ft coverage area and strengthened signal were than my last booster.
It provided excellent service even in locations where I always had trouble. As a result, I haven’t had any issues with using devices or phones whenever they’re needed. This cellular signal booster for RV has been nothing but a godsend since being set up inside my rig.
Meanwhile, I’d be doing everyone a disservice if I didn’t discuss its easy installation process. I had the entire job done in about 30 minutes, which wasn’t something I expected. I often fail at these tasks dramatically, but Amazboost managed to make it effortless.
I was also pleased with the simultaneous connection feature. It allows me to link multiple devices to this booster whenever required. Therefore, I don’t have to referee fights in my family about who gets to use the booster.
Buyers can expect this product to work in several situations, as well. I’ve found many customers who’ve praised its use in small homes, offices, warehouses, and apartments. It’s just another way that this 5G cell booster for RV manages to be very user-friendly.
However, this booster for camper use isn’t a perfect product. I encountered a few customers who complained about the product’s packaging being slightly subpar. Luckily, my purchase and most other people’s arrived with all its parts in pristine condition.
3. weBoost Drive 4G-X OTR 470210 Cell Phone Signal Booster
The weBoost Drive 4G-X OTR 470210 Cell Phone Signal Booster is a device that remains effective whether you’re on the move or parked. This feature makes it a fantastic option for anyone planning to spend long hours on the road during their trips.
I also love that this device features a simple and easy install process. It comes with everything that you need, and the whole install shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. And this best news is many customer reviews back up this claim given their praise for this aspect.
This weBoost RV 4G cellular signal booster comes with a 3-way mount as well, which makes setting up the antenna much easier. As a result, placing it on your RV’s surface won’t be the hassle that you might have imagined.
And like the other boosters we’ve reviewed, this model works with all US carriers. It also can support multiple devices at the same time. Both these features are qualities that any cell phone booster worth your attention should offer.
This device can extend your coverage range up to 32 times like the other weBoost products as well. Due to this, you should expect a higher quality signal that’ll make using your phone on the road a breeze.
The warranty of two years is another nice touch and should give you enough protection against an accident taking place with this device. Plus, their customer service was routinely praised in the customer reviews, which is always a good sign.
Given all these features, it’s quite apparent weBoost hit it out of the park with another product. This judgment doesn’t mean there weren’t any issues though. Some customers did report durability issues stating that this model broke after a few months of use.
4. SureCall Fusion2Go 3.0 RV Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit
The SureCall Fusion2Go 3.0 RV Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit is one of the more versatile products on the market. You see, this device features a design that’s able to fit inside all motorhomes and RVs without issue. It also works with all carriers and 3G/4G LTE.
Given these two qualities, it’s quite apparent this model leads the pack when it comes to versatility. And it doesn’t hurt that this product allows multiple devices to use it at once. These features alone make it one of the top-rated cell phone boosters out there.
But versatility isn’t the only area where this device excels. It also boosts the signals of both voice and text to ensure you never have dropped or missed calls. As a result, you’ll never have to worry about missing important calls from your family or friends.
I found this product’s high-gain Omni antenna to be an appealing feature as well. The antenna can capture a signal from several directions thanks to its design. This action makes it easier to find a signal that you can use onboard your RV.
You should also take comfort in this device’s ability to provide great reception no matter the area. If there’s a signal to be found, this product will find it regardless of how remote your location.
And this quality was confirmed by the customer reviews as people were shocked by the usefulness of this product in remote locations. Plus, this device is another that’s easy to install and extends your phone’s battery life.
All in all, this cell phone booster will make your life much easier for the person who’s lucky enough to buy it. It’ll make sure that your cell reception is strong and stable whenever you take your RV on a trip.
5. weBoost Wilson Electronics Wideband Directional Antenna
The weBoost Wilson Electronics Wideband Directional Antenna will provide your RV with the strongest signal possible. It offers this quality with its N-Female connector, which allows your phone to receive large amounts of data quickly.
It also helps that this antenna has a wide range that includes 3G and 4G LTE areas. This feature allows you to send texts or make calls in almost any location. It doesn’t matter how remote the area might be; this device will ensure you have cell reception.
And like the other weBoost products, this antenna will boost your signal up to 32 times. It can also support multiple devices without issue as well. In terms of performance, this model stands up to its competition rather well.
But its performance isn’t the only quality where this model excels. For instance, the N-Female connector features a weatherproof design, which will ensure no damage occurs during even the harsh conditions.
The antenna itself also features a waterproof design that will provide the same protection. With these two qualities, you shouldn’t have to worry about this product having any issues for many years.
I found the tilt and swivel mast bracket feature to be intriguing as well. This bracket will make attaching the device onto your RV much easier. In fact, the whole install process shouldn’t take up much of your time.
If you think your antenna on a weBoost booster product is lousy, you should take a long look at this one to replace it. It’ll only cost a little bit of extra money, and it’ll provide you with a better signal.
I’d suggest calling customer service before buying it to ensure it’ll work with the weBoost booster that you have or plan on getting.
6. weBoost Connect RV 65 471203 Cell Phone Signal Booster
Another model from weBoost is the weBoost Connect RV 65 471203 Cell Phone Signal Booster, which further proves this brand’s greatness. I mean, this device has a ton of features that any RV owner would benefit from having in their lives.
For instance, this device will provide top tier cell reception even in areas with weak signals. This quality is crucial for my trips because I like RVing in remote locations that feature a lot of hills and mountains.
And with this cell phone booster, I won’t have an issue making calls when I need to in these areas. I also love that this phone can work with all US carriers, which is helpful and crosses off another possible issue.
This model can boost a signal up to 32 times as well that’ll result in clearer calls, faster downloads, and better uploads. In other words, it provides everything that you’re looking for in a cell phone booster.
We should also mention this model can support various devices at once and doesn’t suffer in performance. This feature is pivotal for me as I don’t travel alone and the other people on my rig are very phone dependent as well.
The fact that this model preserves your phone’s battery like the previous weBoost product is another useful trait. It also doesn’t hurt that this device comes with a 2-year warranty. This feature will provide you with protection against an accident happening with the product.
Overall, this model seems to cover all the bases and would offer any RV owner what they’re looking for in a cell phone booster. But there’s one issue I do have with this device that could be an issue for you as well.
SolidRF Cell Phone Booster (Outdated)
The SolidRF Cell Phone Booster is one of the top-rated cell phone boosters for camping on the market. This model offers great signals even when you’re far away from the source, which lends itself very useful during camping trips.
It also does a great job of maintaining your connection and reducing the number of drop calls. This quality will make sure you can get a clear call into your loved ones when it’s needed or being homesick starts becoming an issue.
We should mention that this product is one of the fastest at data transmission as well. This feature will ensure uploads and downloads happen quickly and without issue. As a result, you can feel great about never having to deal with a download stopping halfway ever again due to connection droppage.
It being able to provide 8,000 square feet of coverage area is another winning aspect that this model features. I mean, this amount of space is more than enough for an RV, motorhome, travel trailer, or any other vehicle.
This model also supports all US carriers like many of the other devices on this list, which is always a plus. It’ll come in handy when you have guests over who aren’t on the same phone plan as you.
The fact that this booster conserves your phone’s battery life isn’t too shabby either. In fact, this brand claims its product will save you up to two hours of talking time by improving your phone’s battery life when its on standby mode. It features an easy install process as well.
PROUTONE Cell Phone Signal Booster (Outdated)
Our next product is the PROUTONE Cell Phone Signal Booster, and it’s one of the least expensive items on this entire list. If you’re a bargain buyer, it’s time to pay attention because it doesn’t get much better than this device.
The PROUTONE Cell Phone Signal Booster can work with all carriers, which have a 700MHz on 4G LTE. This aspect means people who have Verizon, T-mobile, AT&T, and many others as their carrier can expect a better signal when using this device.
It also can detect an incoming signal’s level and adjust itself to ensure the best performance possible. In other words, it has automatic gain control and will adapt to achieve the best signal it can within those conditions.
This outcome will result in faster downloads, clearer calls, and the reduction of missed or dropped calls. There’s no reason why this booster won’t improve your phone’s performance with its use.
You should also take comfort in the install process being simple and requiring little effort. In fact, you don’t need any technical skills to get this job done. And this feature is something I’m truly thankful for given my abilities.
I found the inactive mode feature to be appealing as well. It’ll make sure the product turns itself off when nobody onboard your RV is using their phone or other connected devices. This aspect will reduce the device’s power usage and temperature.
And I have to mention again that all these features come in a device available for a bargain price. It seems almost too good to be true. But there wasn’t any large issue about this product that made me second guess putting it on this list.
A ANNTLENT Cell Phone Signal Booster (Outdated)
If you’re looking for either an AT&T cell signal booster or a Verizon cell phone booster, this product would be worth looking at closely. This model is capable of working with all US carriers, which includes both AT&T and Verizon.
It also offers great performance qualities such as automatic gain control, which allows this product to adjust itself based on the outside signal. For instance, if it’s too strong, this device will reduce the gain and offer the best connection.
This product has LED indicators as well. These indicators will make it much easier to keep track of how well the device is working. It’s a nice touch and gives you a better sense of exactly how this model is affecting your cell reception.
It will also support multiple devices at once and provide them with top tier performance. After all, its ability to manage internet inside an RV was praised in this product’s customer reviews.
The install process was another aspect that was discussed and frequently praised as well. You see, this device comes with everything included and a manual, which will make this task rather simple.
You shouldn’t overlook the five year warranty either. This more extended period is rare in this market and goes to show this brand cares about their customers. I mean, this company even offers a 30 day money back guarantee
It also helps that the customer service seemed useful and would honor the warranty when it’s needed. Overall, it’s another great product that’ll ensure your cell reception becomes strong and stable.
weBoost Drive RV 470410 Cell Phone Signal Booster (Outdated)
Our first product is the weBoost Drive RV 470410 Cell Phone Signal Booster. This brand will be seen many times on our list, and this product is a good representation of why? You see, this device has several features that make it a fantastic option for any RV owner.
For instance, this cell phone booster works with all US carriers and allows multiple devices to connect to it. These two features show that it offers a high level of convenience, which other models on the market might not provide.
I also love that this device offers a great signal no matter whether you’re moving or parked. This quality is something any top tier cell phone booster should provide. It’s another feature which shows that this product was made with convenience inmind.
We should mention that this model can extend and boost a signal at the same time as well. This quality isn’t an ability many other cell phone boosters can offer. It’s one of the main reasons this device separates itself from its rivals.
It also helps that this product can boost the signal up to 32 times, which results in faster downloads, better audio quality, and less dropped calls. This model features an easy install process as well, which is always something I’m looking for in these devices.
This device even includes all the necessary parts for the install, which will make your life much easier. I’m confident I could do it without issue, and I’m not exactly an expert when it comes to doing these tasks.
The product also offers 60% more range than its competitors and extends your battery with its use. In the end, it’s quite clear weBoost had their customers’ needs in mind when creating this product as it checks off almost every box anyone could want.
weBoost Drive 4G-M 470121 Cell Phone Signal Booster (Outdated)
The weBoost Drive 4G-M 470121 Cell Phone Signal Booster has become a favorite purchase among RV owners. This status comes from its versatility as well as the performance quality it provides.
You see, this model will boost the signal of any phone using a US carrier such as Sprint, Verizon, At&T, T-Mobile, etc. This device can also support various phones at once, which is vital for anyone traveling with their family.
Plus, this product can work in many vehicles like cars, trucks, RVs, motorhomes, campers, and others. This quality further shows the product’s overall versatility and usefulness.
And it offers anyone who has those US carriers a top tier performance that ensures you get fewer dropped calls. This device’s improved antenna helps in this regard as well by making it much easier to pick up signals.
The antenna was also designed to make the install process simpler than it was with the weBoost Drive 4G-M 470108, which is a nice touch. This install process wasn’t tricky, to begin with as the directions received a lot of praise in this RV cell phone booster’s reviews. But anything that makes these tasks less complex is a win in my book.
We should mention that this product comes with a 2-year warranty as well. This policy will give you some coverage and shouldn’t be too hard to enforce as the customer service for weBoost has always been amazing.
Honestly, this device is another product from weBoost, which shows that this company deserves to be a force in this market. It’s not hard to grasp why so many of their boosters ended up on the list given their designs and features.
Phonetone Cell Phone Signal Booster (Outdated)
One of the least costly models on this list is the Phonetone Cell Phone Signal Booster. This device is another product that should receive a bargain buyer’s full attention. But this lower cost doesn’t mean it lacks in great features.
It’s quite the opposite as this device adjusts itself to ensure the best signal possible. This feature means that a person using this product never has to worry about readjusting it.
I also love that this model has proven effective at boosting voice and data signals, as many customers have reported clearer calls and video streaming. And given my habit of streaming Netflix on my phone, you can bet that this quality is something I value.
This device comes with a longer warranty than the other boosters above as well. It has a five year warranty, which gives you an extended period of coverage. This brand even offers a three month free replacement policy.
Aside from these qualities, this booster offers most of the features the other ones provided. For instance, it can support multiple devices at once, works with any carrier that has 700MHz on 4G LTE, and has an easy install process.
The device even comes with all the required tools for the install. It seems Phonetone covered their bases with this product and should be a nice option in the right situation. But you do need to be aware that this product is another, which doesn’t work too well in a moving vehicle.
This issue isn’t something that I can have in my cell phone booster as I tend to travel on long road trips. In other words, my family would go crazy without a stable cell reception during those six to eight hour drives.
weBoost Drive 4G-X RV Cell Phone Signal Booster (Outdated)
Our last weBoost product is the weBoost Drive 4G-X RV Cell Phone Signal Booster, and it has a unique quality that makes it different than the others. You see, this model can quickly transfer from your RV to a truck.
This attribute means that this product comes with a 4G mini magnet antenna, a DC/DC power adapter 6v, and a slim antenna. These three features make transferring this device from your RV to a passenger car possible.
Its ability to transfer between two vehicles should be an appealing feature for any travel trailer or fifth wheel owners. After all, when you want to unhook and take a trip in your truck, you can transfer this device over without issue.
This action will result in you having the same cell reception that you’d have in your RV. And since this device is useful both when parked and in motion, it becomes the perfect model for this situation.
Besides it being able to transfer, this device is also the most powerful booster that weBoost has to offer. As a result, you can expect a great cell reception in almost every area you intend on taking your RV.
And it features all the aspects that you’ve become used to seeing with this brand’s products. It has an easy install process, a two year warranty, works with all US carriers, and can support multiple devices.
Honestly, if I had the money, this device would be near the top of my list. It does everything that I could ever want out of an RV cell phone booster. And this weBoost RV booster’s reviews confirm all the claims made in its product’s ad.
SureCall N-Range Vehicle Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit (Outdated)
Our next product is the SureCall N-Range Vehicle Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit, which offers great features at a bargain price. This device is a convenient product that’ll make sure you end up happy with your purchase.
I mean, it comes with a hands-free cradle that’ll deliver the boosted signal right into your phone. All you have to do is place your phone into the cradle, and its signal will be more potent than ever regardless of your location.
The product can provide this performance thanks to its use of Extended Range Technology. This feature makes the phone receive signals from even the hardest to reach cell towers. Due to this, you shouldn’t have any issues getting cell reception in any area.
I also found this product’s versatility to be rather intriguing as it can work inside a car, SUV, truck, or RV. And it has an easy install process that only consists of 3 steps, which doesn’t take much effort or time.
You can transfer this device to any vehicle quickly as well. This feature further shows how versatile this model when you compare to the other models on the market. Given this feature, this device could easily benefit your everyday life, not just when you’re in your RV.
And it’s all available for a low cost that nobody will feel bad about paying. If you’re looking for a single cell booster, this model should be near the top of your list. It would provide a person in this situation with top tier results.
HiBoost Travel 4G Cell Phone Signal Booster (Outdated)
The last product on our list is the HiBoost Travel 4G Cell Phone Signal Booster. This model isn’t one you should overlook as it offers reliability and top results to anyone who ends up buying it. Honestly, there isn’t much to complain about with this device.
For example, it works in many different vehicles and places such as trucks, campers, RVs, buildings, etc. It even has proven to be useful within homes in remote areas and provide a strong signal that’ll make drop calls a thing of the past.
I also found this product’s ability to work with all types of phone appealing. In fact, every device using a cellular network in your RV will receive a boost from this product. This feature means items like tablets and laptops should start working better when this booster is in use.
Plus, it works with all US carriers, which means any phone that enters your RV should receive a better signal. And you don’t have to worry about it only working on a single phone either as it can easily support multiple phones or devices.
This feature means you could have three people using Netflix at the same time, and you still shouldn’t see a reduction in performance. Honestly, this product is something that everyone should seriously consider given its features.
It seems some customers received the product arrived damaged, which isn’t something any top brand would let happen. We should mention that this issue wasn’t in the bulk of the reviews, but it was enough where it was worth discussing.
ANYCALL A Cell Phone Signal Booster (Outdated)
This next product has a set of features any RV owner would love their RV cell phone booster to possess. For instance, it offers the essential automatic gain control, which will ensure you get the best signal possible.
I also love this product’s LED indicators as this feature will be able to tell you what’s wrong with the product through changing colors. It’s a great method of giving the owner a heads up about an issue within the device.
The inactive mode is a nice feature to have, as well. This feature will ensure that the device stays in standby when nobody is using their phone. It’ll result in the product using less power and stop it from overheating.
Its yagi outdoor antenna has proven to be useful at finding signals and offers a coverage range of 8,000 square feet. You should also love that the indoor antenna can be easily mounted on your RV’s wall.
As a result, it makes the install process much easier and only takes 10 minutes when the directions are followed correctly. This aspect was something a lot of customer reviews were overjoyed about as it seems to be as easy as advertised.
And like any of the right RV cell phone boosters, this product works with all US carriers while also being able to support multiple devices. It’s another device that’ll shock you with how much it improves the quality of everything on your phone.
Given these features, this issue is something that I’m betting you can live with as a customer. I know I could.
Best RV Cell Phone Booster Buyer’s Guide
If you plan on buying an RV cell phone booster, there’s background knowledge that’ll you need to make an informed decision. This section will cover it all and guide you through various topics that are essential to the process.
Things to know before buying an RV cell phone booster
Finding the best cell phone booster for RV will come down to knowing a few crucial factors. And this section will cover these factors to ensure that you have everything needed for making the right decision.
Quality
The first thing to consider with any product is its overall quality. This factor means judging the usefulness of every cell phone booster that you feel is worth considering. As a result, you must know all about the product’s signal boosting abilities.
In most cases, every cell phone booster that you come across will have around a 50 dB gain. Most of these devices have around the same gain as a way to prevent an overly boosted cell phone signal from causing issues.
With this in mind, it’s a good idea to ensure that the one you choose has this amount of gain. This action will help make sure you end up with a useful and productive device. You should also consider whether you want a portable cell phone booster or one installed permanently.
You shouldn’t overlook the frequency band range either. Every model worth looking at will cover five bands and support 4G. It’s essential that you look at the customer reviews as well when judging quality.
These reviews will be a vital resource and paint a better picture of whether the device is useful. After all, there will be a vast majority of bad reviews when a product has proven to be lackluster.
Ease of Install
Most of the time, these devices will have an easy install process. It’s the main selling point for these brands as customers tend to hate needlessly tricky products. But you still must make sure your cell phone booster has a simple process.
The first thing to research is the cable wire’s length. As you might imagine, you’re going to want a longer cable as it’ll give you a bit more flexibility. It’ll also make sure that you don’t end up installing the cell phone booster in an inconvenient place.
Another easy way to accomplish this task is by reading customer reviews. If there’s an issue with the install process, there’s no doubt that these reviews will let you know. And It’ll give you a direct answer about whether the directions were overly complicated or difficult.
Type
Like we discussed earlier, picking a type of cell phone booster is an essential part of this process. This decision should revolve around what kind of functions and features that you’re looking for in these products.
For instance, if you’re looking for a portable device that you can bring wherever, a cradle booster would be a logical choice. But people looking to install a cell booster permanently would do much better with a 4G and LTE booster.
It’s little decisions like this one which will help determine the right type. Once you do decide, it’ll make the number of choices more manageable. You’ll no longer be drowning in a bunch of options and frustration.
Antenna
You’ll also want a cell phone booster with top tier antennae. You see, these products come with both an interior and outdoor antenna. The interior antenna works by sending and receiving signals from the cell tower.
And the outdoor antenna sends the boosted signal to your cell phone. As a result, you’re going to want ones that are effective for your purposes. The right way to ensure this quality is by evaluating their gain.
If you want a cell phone booster with longer range, high-gain antennae would be the correct choice. These options tend to be most effective in rural areas where there aren’t many potential obstructions.
But people who want to travel to places with a lot of hills and mountains should look for antennae with low gain. They deal better with the obstructions and still give you clear reception in these areas.
Price
The costs of these devices will vary from product to product. As a result, it’d be wise to construct a budget based around the features and functions that you want from an RV cell phone booster.
This budget will help you navigate through the insane number of choices to choose from as a customer. In other words, it’ll lessen the options to make this whole process feel a lot less overwhelming.
What are the different types of RV cell phone boosters?
This section will discuss every kind of RV cell phone boosters that you might come across during your search. These types are the smart booster, analog booster, cradle booster, consumer signal booster, 3G booster, and 4G and LTE booster.
Each discussion should give you a better idea of what you’re looking for in an RV cell phone booster. You’ll start to understand which type fits your situation and help you dwindle the number of options.
Smart Booster
The smart booster separates itself by working as a digital booster. This quality means that it’ll make sure the signal is clean and boost it before rebroadcasting. As a result, you end up with a much clearer and stronger reception for your phone.
We should also mention that this product doesn’t have an install process. These devices will instead have the outer antenna as a part of the design already. You should be aware that smart boosters boost at a higher gain than an analog model as well.
These devices usually have a gain around 100dB, which is more than enough to ensure that you get a clear signal. It’s also essential to know these types will only boost only specific frequencies for certain carriers such as AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon and their networks.
In other words, you’ll need to know your carrier’s network and frequencies before using a smart booster.
Analog Booster
The most basic type on the cell phone booster market is the analog booster. These models are also referred to as both a broadband amplifier and bidirectional amplifier. Analog boosters often come in a kit, which means that there’s an install process. It also will feature a separate outer antenna.
But there’s some good news with these devices as they work on all carriers and frequencies. This area is the only one where it excels past a smart booster. The gain will be much lower though as it ranges between 63 dB and 70 dB.
Cradle Booster
This type is one RV owners tend to love with its easy using process. You see, all you have to do is place your phone inside this device, and your reception will become much stronger and clearer. Sounds simple enough, right?
And it offers this simple process by operating off a mounted antenna that you place on top or outside your RV. This antenna will boost the signal and make sure your phone’s capable of doing all the things you need.
It also helps that these devices are rather small and portable, which means moving them around from place to place isn’t an issue. This factor is another one that makes the cradle booster a favorite among RV owners.
Consumer Signal Booster
The good part about a consumer signal booster is their easy install process. These models often come with clear and straightforward directions that’ll take you through the installation. It mainly consists of plugging the device in and letting it do its job.
As a result, people who lack skill dealing with these devices shouldn’t have issues getting this type up and running. This feature is something that I love given my skills in this department.
Honestly, these devices are perfect for RVs and cars with their plugin and ready install processes. It makes things a whole lot easier than might’ve expected from an RV cell phone booster.
3G Booster Kit
If you’re using a 3G network or an older phone, these cell phone boosters could help you get better reception. 3G booster kits are products that are mounted within your RV and become a constant fixture in its decor.
We should also note that these devices tend to be more useful in smaller rigs. In these situations, the 3G booster kit could provide great cell reception throughout the entire RV without any issues.
4G and LTE Booster
This type is the most advanced on today’s market as it can boost 4G and LTE network signals. And since most phone carriers offer these networks almost exclusively, these boosters have become a more popular fixture.
It also helps that you can permanently install these devices inside your RV. This feature offers a bit of convenience which most of the other types don’t provide. If you intend on getting a 4G and LTE booster, It’s a feature worth thinking about seriously.
But there’s one drawback with this type that the others don’t offer. You see, 4G and LTE boosters often cost more than the other kinds due to the amount of demand.
RV vs. Regular Cell Phone Booster: What is the Difference?
The main difference between an RV cell phone booster and a regular one comes down to its design. Cell phone boosters for RVs have the dimensions of an RV in mind when they’re being created, and the regular ones don’t.
The regular cell phone boosters are made with the intent of using them in an office, warehouse, home, or other buildings. But we should mention that many RV boosters are capable of working in these areas as well and vice versa.
How to install a cell phone booster for RV?
The install process will be different from booster to booster. This issue is why it’s essential that you read the directions on the packaging or in manual before you try anything. If you don’t, it could result in a disaster that ends with a broken product and you wasting more money.
The good news here is that the install process for these devices tends to be rather simple. All you have to do is follow the directions, and it shouldn’t take much time. And if you find yourself having trouble, there are other ways to get some help during this process as well.
For instance, I’m willing to bet there’s a video depicting the entire install on YouTube right now regardless of the product you end up buying. Sometimes, the companies themselves make their own videos to ensure their customers have a guide during the setup process.
In the end, this project isn’t one that should bring much frustration or take up a lot of time. It should be done rather quickly and require little previous technical skills.
RV Cell Phone Booster FAQs
What is the best RV cell phone booster?
An RV cell phone booster is a device that’s used to improve the cell phone reception inside and around your location. These products are also known as amplifiers or repeaters and can drastically affect your ability to use your phone during your RV trips.
We should mention that these devices often include a donor antenna as well. This feature sends and receives signals from nearby cell towers. You can also expect these products to come with an exterior antenna, an internal antenna, and an amplifier.
All of these parts are put together to create a wireless system that’ll boost the reception to a usable level. In most cases, these systems will be repeater systems, which means it provides gain or amp adding power to the reception from various directions.
The before mentioned exterior antenna has a purpose of catching and sending a signal into a cell tower with a higher power and sensitivity. The dB gain due to this action shouldn’t be higher than 10dB or lower than 7dB.
You’ll also notice that these devices have something called a coaxial cable. This cable has a direct impact on the loss of transmission and plays an active role in the main functions of these products.
One of these roles is taking your phone signal and boosting it to an acceptable level. From there, the increased signal will then be rebroadcast to the spots with weak receptions. These devices sometimes also feature indoor antennas and an amp as well.
The purpose of these two parts is helping the phone signal inside your RV. As a result, these products become indoor signal boosters as well. In the end, it’s quite clear that a top tier RV cell phone booster should make calling your loved ones much easier during your RV trips.
Due to this, there’s no reason that you should pass up on getting one. It’s just a vital part of the RVing life, which most people tend to overlook. Plus, it’ll also be much easier to keep track of what’s going on back home than traveling without one.
How does it work?
These devices will start working the moment when you enter an area with weak cell reception. The problem locations are often places with things like trees, mountains, hills, plants, and certain construction materials found in buildings.
All of these things harm your cell phone’s reception. As a result, it’ll be difficult to get a call out in these areas without an RV cell phone booster. The first thing that you need to understand is cell phone signals are determined by their strength, which is computed in dBm.
This signal is sent from a cell network to your phone, which captures it using an external antenna. After this, your booster will boost it and rebroadcast this signal inside your RV using its indoor antenna.
In doing so, it provides your phone with an amplified reception, which results in more bars and better reception regardless of the location. Therefore, you’ll be able to make and receive clearer calls than you would without one of these products.
Of course, this clearer reception will also help with downloads, file transfers, and receiving text messages. In other words, everything that you plan on doing with your phone becomes much easier with a top tier cell phone booster.
Can I use a TV antenna to boost cell phone signal?
It would be excellent if you could use a TV antenna to boost your cell phone’s signal. After all, it would certainly help save money by not making us buy expensive cell phone boosters. But it doesn’t work this way.
TV antennas aren’t constructed for this purpose, making them ineffective. So it is much safer and practical to use a cell phone signal booster like weBoost’s Drive RV 470410 Cell Phone Signal Booster.
Plus, most areas have made using TV antennas for boosting cell phone signals illegal. So you might find yourself paying a fine while not getting better reception. It would be a lose/lose situation for everyone involved.
Cell phone booster and repeater: What is the difference?
RV cell phone boosters and RV repeaters are often considered interchangeable terms. Both products help rig owners use their cell phones more effectively during trips.
In detail, an RV cellular booster or repeater will find a weak signal and make it stronger. This device often has two antennas (one indoor and one outdoor), plus an amplifier.
How long does a cell phone booster last?
A high-quality RV cell phone signal booster should provide many years of use without many issues. In fact, I’ve seen campers using the same model for seven-plus years. But this longevity can be a little bit of an outlier as there are various subpar options on the market.
As a result, it’s imperative to choose a durable and effective RV cellular signal booster. All of the options mentioned in our article should offer this longevity. I can’t imagine any of them breaking down if the user keeps up with proper care and maintenance.
What are the most trusted RV cell phone booster brands?
The top cell phone booster for RV brands are the ones that provide top tier products and customer service. And every brand discussed in our product review section offers both these qualities, which has made them popular among RV owners.
But two brands excel a bit more in these areas than the other companies: SureCall and weBoost. Both of them have become forces in this market by creating products, which meet their customers’ needs and wants.
And we thought diving into their background could give you a better idea of how they’ve risen to the top. This knowledge will provide you with a better idea of what a top tier brand looks like and offers.
SureCall
The last two decades have seen SureCall become a brand that every RV owner can trust. It’s gained this status thanks to its innovative designs. These designs have pushed their devices toward the forefront of this market.
It also doesn’t hurt that SureCall offers lifetime support with warranties on all their products. This type of service isn’t common and should be something that you take advantage of as a customer.
These two aspects make it much easier to trust that buying from this brand would be a wise move.
weBoost
This brand is featured the most times in this article for a great reason. You see, weBoost has made it their mission to ensure nobody is left with weak cell reception. And their products see to this goal rather well with their top tier quality.
You should also love this brand’s ability to stay on top of all the new technological advances made in this field. It’s one of the many reasons that weBoost products always dominate this market and often only compete against themselves.
How many phones can a cell phone booster support at one time?
This answer will differ from product to product. It’ll end up depending on the model and brand that you buy. But the best ones on today’s market are capable of multiple connections at once, and the carrier doesn’t even matter.
The to-rated cell phone signal boosters for RVs also don’t put a limit on how many connections it can support either. Of course, the outside signal strength before it gets boosted will affect this number.
For instance, stronger outside signals can support more connections at the same time. But weaker outside signals can lessen this number and make it rather annoying to use phones at the same time onboard your RV.
Can cell phone boosters be used to boost WiFi for laptops, tablets use?
These products can boost WiFi for your tablets and laptops. You see, these devices have the sole purpose of amplifying all the existing 3G and 4G signals. These signals then get rebroadcasted into your RV after being boosted multiple times.
These boosters can help people that have WiFi onboard, which uses 3G and 4G as well. In fact, these devices will improve the signal and offer a better connection. This action will make streaming and downloads happen at a faster pace.
And if you’re like me, anything that stops buffering on Netflix is a win for you. A top tier cell phone booster will remove this issue provided your laptop or tablet are connected to a cellular network.
Where to buy?
There are several places where a person could buy a top tier RV cell booster. But the most trusted place would be Amazon as this site will have the largest selection and lowest prices than anywhere else.
Amazon will also feature a broader range of customer reviews that’ll provide you with essential insight into each product. These reviews will be pivotal in this process and end up making your decision much easier.
Of course, this information doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t check out other sites and stores as well. Camping World is another website I’d recommend checking out before making a final choice. This site offers a decent selection and reasonable costs on various camping items such as RV cell phone boosters.
But the real reason to look at Camping World is that this site will sometimes have sales. And when these sales happen, their prices often drop below what you’d see on Amazon. It’d be a wise move to ensure they aren’t having one of these deals before buying your product elsewhere.
If you’re looking to buy one offline, should have some options available. Their prices will be a bit higher than you’d see online, but the customer service is something a website can’t offer and could be a huge help.
I’d recommend checking out your local RV supplies store as well. These places should have multiple top tier models to choose from and employees that know a lot about the RVing lifestyle. But again, their prices will be higher than you’d see anywhere online.
In the end, there are many places to buy a top tier RV cell phone booster. All you have to do is choose the one that fits your shopping preferences. In my case, I’m always going to pick Amazon as I value the feedback they offer from other customers greatly.
Conclusion
Choosing the best cell phone booster for RV involves a bit more thought than you probably imagine. But the knowledge in this article should make this process much easier and provide you with a guide to help navigate this complex topic.
It should give you everything needed to make the right decision about these products. And once you find the perfect one, weak reception won’t be apart of your RVing lifestyle anymore. As a result, drop calls will no longer haunt your RV trips.
Honestly, this cell phone booster will make your life on the road more manageable. It’ll ensure that you can stay in touch with everything going back home. You won’t feel disconnected with friends and family, which will make it less likely you’ll feel homesick.
But if you have any trouble finding this perfect cell phone booster, please feel free to let us know in the comment section. We’ll do our best to answer any questions or concerns that might pop up during your search.
Hi, I am Dane Heldt, a full-time RVer since 2016. I am always passionate about building and joining an RV community where people share their love for RV lives. This blog is a dream of mine, as I can finally share my experiences to help people who want to start living differently. So, feel free to reach out to me!