Pre loaded data sim advice + mobile routers

If it's just for intermittent use or on the go, then you may just be better off using your smartphone. That TP Link model in particular isn't great with only single band WiFi for example and you phone will probably do a better job if it's a half decent, recent model.

The other benefit of using your phone is that you can take advantage of promotional offers and buy a super cheap eSIM from Lyca for example and tether away with that. Buy and activate instantly when you need it. Then delete and get another promotion afterwards if/when you need it again.

They do a 100GB for £10 Offer for up to a year ongoing if that was necessary. Otherwise shorter offers with unlimited data for the same £10 offer but for just a few months. They piggyback on the EE Network.

If you want to compete with your Virgin connection then you would be better off with a Three SIM in a 5G Desktop router. That's the only option that will give you super high speeds, ethernet ports, and not being stuck behind CGNAT to give you the true home broadbad experience.

Basically, it depends on your needs, priorities and budget.

I’m happy to pay the money for a half decent mobile router if it will give even a small improvement over our iPhones (6,7 & 8 )

What mobile routers are the best for under £100

What mobile routers are best for circa £100  (edited)

Do you have dual SIM phone or spare phone lying around?
Get a SIM and stick in it.

Depends on where you are living, here are SIM you may want to look at.
Smarty/ Superdrug (Three)
Lebara/ Asda (Vodafone)
1pmobile/ RWGmobile (EE)
Lycamobile (O2)

Get 1 month bundle (turn off auto renew!!).

If you after cheap mifi, unlocked generic 300Mbps mifi are £35 at CEX.

and just to remind you to contact virgin CS to report the fault, you should get auto compensation.