Three MiFi E586 Pay As You Go mobile broadband adapter

Mobile broadband is no longer an exotic concept, with plenty of affordable ways to get online through 3G mobile phone networks, and Three's Mifi gadget has long been a favoured option in the Computeractive offices.

It works like any other 3G broadband adapter but transforms a single connection into a wireless network that can be shared between up to five users. The E586 is the latest model which promises download speeds of up to 22mbits/sec, which is very high by today's standards.

In fact, during our tests we never achieved a connection that came even close to this speed. We used the E586 regularly on train journeys between Norwich and London and car trips between London and Bristol and the best download rate it delivered was just over 5mbits/sec.

You might imagine that we'd be disappointed by such results but not a bit of it, because the E586 easily outperformed its forebears. At each turn, we tested the E586 alongside Three's original Mifi (model E5830) and the E586 typically delivered at least double the download and upload speeds - with a typical rate of around 3mbits/sec.

Interestingly, upload speeds were generally on a par with download speeds. Our review model came with an allowance of 3GB of data on a pay-as-you-go plan: ongoing data plans start at £7.50 a month for 1GB.

We did experience a few connection blackspots on our travels, but that's true of any mobile device. It's perhaps just a little more annoying when using an internet connection that comes and goes. In static situations in good signal areas, the connection was very reliable and internet activities were noticeably smoother than when using the older Mifi.

In short, you wouldn't guess the connection was over the mobile network. The kit also includes a dock-style charger, making the E586 ideal for use in an office.

Three has really streamlined the user experience. The E586 looked and felt much as it ever did: puck-shaped, this time in black, and it weights just 90g. But getting online is now a one-button process: switch it on, wait a few seconds for the ‘Connected' message, and that's it.

The small screen was very clear, if a little busy, and a second Key button can be pressed to reveal the Mifi network's name and password.

One downside is the battery life: Three reckons the E586 is good for nearly five hours' use but we didn't manage squeeze more than four out of it in continuous use.