The Pantech UML290 ($99.99-249.99) is the fastest mobile Internet device in the U.S. Period. If you're looking for a modem on Verizon Wireless, and you can't wait for the carrier's mobile hotspots to come to market, this is the one to get; unlike its competitor, the LG VL600 ($99.99, 3.5 stars), it's even Mac compatible with a new downloadable driver. That makes it our current Editors' Choice for cellular modems on Verizon Wireless.

Design, Software and Plans

Verizon's first-generation 4G LTE modems are both bulky, but at 3.5 by 1.4 by .6 inches (HWD) and 1.8 oz, the UML290 is a little shorter than its competitor, the LG VL600. It's also wittily designed; the front of the case swivels 90 degrees on a hinge to become the antenna, letting the USB port pop out from the bottom. There's a single LED near the top of the modem that shows connectivity status, but it isn't too helpful. On the back, there are two external antenna jacks (one for 3G, one for 4G) if you want to juice up your signal. No 4G external antenna is available yet, but at least there's potential here.

When it was first released the UML290 only worked with Windows PCs running Verizon's VZ Access Manager. But now drivers are available on Verizon's support page that make the modem Mac compatible as well. This is a big plus, because it marks the first time Mac users are getting official access to Verizon's 4G LTE network.

Verizon has 4G LTE service in 38 metro areas right now; outside those zones, the UML290 works on Verizon's 3G EVDO Rev A network. Plans cost $50/month for 5 GB or $80/month for 10 GB, plus $10/GB extra.

As a CDMA modem, the UML290 works in parts of Canada, Mexico, India, China and a few other countries, but not Europe, and roaming rates are intolerable: up to $20.48/MB. I wouldn't buy this modem for use outside the U.S.

Performance and Conclusions
We tested the UML290 in New York City head-to-head against the VL600, at 11 different locations over the course of a day. We transferred files over FTP, downloaded Web pages using curl, and ran the speed tester at speedtest.net.

Overall, the two modems had nearly identical average speeds. On speedtest.net, which simulates Internet streaming, we got just around 16Mbps down and about 5.75Mbps up with both modems, with less than a 5% variation between the modems in our Speedtest and FTP tests. That said, when one modem came out slightly ahead, it was the UML290 61% of the time.

We did two tests in 3G mode, and the UML290 came out ahead of the VL600 there, with speeds of 1.5Mbps down compared to the VL600's 1.2Mbps.

I've seen some complaints about both of Verizon's 4G modems having trouble in areas at the edge of 4G coverage. We didn't see any dropped connections in our tests.

Having seen and tested dozens of USB modems by now, I'd consider Verizon's two LTE modems roughly equal on performance. But I'd pick the UML290 because of its other factors - a better design that's less likely to break, the antenna ports and the Mac support.

If you have a Verizon 3G modem and you're in a place that isn't getting 4G any time soon, stick with what you have. But if you live in or travel to one of the cities covered by Verizon's 4G network, the Pantech UML290 is your best bet. It's the fastest, best-designed and most convenient modem Verizon has to offer right now.

If you don't spend much time in Verizon's 4G coverage area, consider other carriers as well, because Verizon's 3G network is slower than AT&T's and T-Mobile's, according to our fastest mobile networks test. Also, if you're patient, you may want to wait for the Verizon LTE MiFi devices, which are coming this Spring and can connect up to five computers and phones to an ad-hoc Wi-Fi hotspot.