eSIM vs pocket Wi-Fi: which is better for Japan, Korea and Taiwan?
Updated on November 5, 2026 · Mustapha Hamadi
If you travel alone or as a couple with eSIM-compatible, unlocked phones, an eSIM is simpler: nothing to pick up, nothing extra to charge, nothing to return. A pocket Wi-Fi (a rented portable router) still wins when a group wants to share one connection and stays together, or when someone's phone doesn't support eSIM.
Two very different ways to get online
An eSIM is a digital SIM card. You download a profile to your phone by scanning a QR code, and your phone then connects straight to the local mobile network. At esimtaxi, plans are data-only: no local number, but internet calling apps work.
A pocket Wi-Fi (also called a portable router, or a "Wi-Fi egg" in Korea) is a small box with its own SIM that broadcasts a Wi-Fi network your devices join. You rent it for the length of your trip. Japan's national tourism organization says rental kiosks are located at all major airports, or you can book online and have the device delivered to your hotel. Korea's tourism organization lists Wi-Fi egg rentals at carrier roaming centers in the major airports.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | eSIM | Pocket Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup and return | Nothing to collect or return: install the profile before you leave, on Wi-Fi | Collect at a counter or by delivery, return at the end of the trip, on the rental company's terms (opening hours, possible deposit) |
| Compatibility | Needs an eSIM-compatible, unlocked phone | Works with any device that can join Wi-Fi |
| Battery | No extra device; hotspot use drains your phone | One more battery to charge every day; runtime depends on the model |
| Sharing | Possible through hotspot, depending on the plan | Built for it: several devices on one box |
| Weight and bulk | Nothing to carry | A box, its cable, sometimes a power bank |
| Loss risk | Nothing to lose beyond your phone | A device to keep track of; loss or damage fees depend on the rental company |
The router's real strength: sharing in a group
A router is designed to connect several devices at once. A family or group of friends traveling together has one plan to manage, and phones without eSIM, tablets or laptops connect like they would to any Wi-Fi. The catch is obvious: the connection goes wherever the person carrying the box goes. If the group splits up for the day, whoever leaves without it is offline.
With an eSIM, everyone is independent. You can also share your connection with someone, but it isn't guaranteed everywhere: Apple notes that Personal Hotspot requires a carrier that supports it, and Google says some carriers limit tethering. For our plans, sharing depends on the plan, so check the plan page before buying if you intend to use it.
Battery, weight and loss day to day
A router is one more thing to charge every night and carry all day, cable included. Its battery life varies by model, so read the rental listing. If it dies late in the afternoon, every device relying on it drops offline at the same time.
An eSIM adds nothing to your bag. But if your phone acts as a hotspot for others, it drains faster: Google recommends plugging in your devices while tethering and turning tethering off when you're done. As for loss, leaving a router on a train usually means fees set out in the rental contract; with an eSIM there is nothing to hand back.
How to choose in 4 steps
- Check your phone: dial *#06#. If an "EID" number appears, it supports eSIM. Also make sure it's unlocked (not locked to your carrier).
- Count who needs data and whether you'll always be together. Solo, a couple, or a group that often splits up: eSIM. A tight group with incompatible devices: the router makes sense.
- If you go with an eSIM and want to share with someone, check on the plan page that hotspot is allowed.
- Install the eSIM profile before you leave, on Wi-Fi, then turn on the line and data roaming when you land. Don't delete the profile: a deleted profile can't be reinstalled.
You get a full refund as long as the eSIM profile hasn't been installed. So check compatibility before you install, not after: the list is on our /compatibility page.
Frequently asked questions
Can my whole family share one eSIM?
An eSIM profile installs on one phone. You can share its connection through a hotspot if the plan allows it (check the plan page), but your phone then becomes the group's router and drains faster. The simplest way for everyone to stay independent is one eSIM per person.
My phone doesn't support eSIM. What should I do?
If *#06# shows no EID number, or your phone is locked to your carrier, an eSIM won't work. A pocket Wi-Fi or a local physical SIM card is the right option in that case.
Do I keep my usual number with an eSIM?
Yes. Your usual SIM can stay active for calls and texts. Turn off its mobile data and roaming to avoid charges from your carrier, and let the eSIM handle internet.
Do I have to return the router where I picked it up?
It depends on the rental company: same counter, another airport or by mail, with set hours and sometimes a deposit. Read the terms before you book. With an eSIM there is nothing to return.
Does an eSIM work in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan?
Yes. There are local plans for each of these countries and Asia regional plans that cover several of them. Check the countries, duration and data allowance type on the plan page.