Comparing the best 4G data-only SIM deals for tablets, iPads and dongles
We look through all the data only SIM plans for tablets or iPads available this month to compare pricing, deals and from every UK network. Last updated: 8th February 2017
On this page
✔ Deals with less than 1GB data
✔ 2GB, 5GB, 15GB and 20GB+ plans
✔ Compatible supported devices
✔ Differences with phone SIM tariffs
✔ Ranking networks on 4G speeds
✔ Comparing their 4G and 3G coverage
All these data SIMs come on flexible 1-month contracts
✔ 1-month contracts give you flexibility
It's very rare that networks offer 12-month deals on data only SIMs. That's why all the deals on this page come on shorter 1-month agreements.
These come with the useful advantage of letting you:
✔ Move between different tariffs each month based on your needs
✔ Cancel your deal with just 30 days' notice
✔ Switch to a better value plan if one comes along
So let's look at the SIM only deals out there for your tablet, iPad, dongle or mobile WiFi device.
How much data are you looking for each month?
500MB or less data SIMs
If you're only occassionally going to take your tablet or dongle out with you and connect to mobile broadband, these SIMs have enough data to let you browse, check emails and watch the odd video or two.
Because it's so little data, you'll notice not all the major networks offer deals with less than 500MB:
1GB data SIMs
These deals give you a little more data at 1GB, which should last light users for a month.
2GB data SIMs
More of the major networks offer 2GB data, at similar prices, as it's a much more realistic amount to use each month on a tablet:
5GB data SIMs
If you're planning to use your cellular tablet out and about daily, 5GB is a sensible amount of data that will let you watch videos and browse the web a few hours a day:
Compatible devices - tablets, iPad, dongles, MiFi devices
✔ Data SIMs work in mobile broadband enabled devices
All the SIM only plans on this page are specifically designed for use in a device that only needs mobile broadband data (i.e. not minutes and texts for phones).
Every network's SIM cards are designed to fit any make of tablet, iPad, dongles and MiFi devices, whether it takes a standard, micro or nano SIM.
But it's worth checking first that your device definitely has a SIM card slot. If you're not sure, SIM Sherpa recommends entering the model number into a site like GSM Arena, which has an exhaustive list of 'cellular' tablets and devices (ones that take a SIM).
Data only SIM deals work out better value than phone plans
✔ Networks do not allow phone SIMs to be put in tablets
Because you're only getting an allowance of 3G or 4G data on these deals, they'll always work out cheaper than the equivalent SIM only for a phone (with minutes and texts).
Some networks place restrictions on using a SIM card intended for a mobile phone into a tablet or mobile WiFI dongle to prevent excessive data use. Abuse can get you thrown off the network without a refund.
For this reason, SIM Sherpa does not recommend trying to use phone SIM only tariffs for your data-only device!