is a "stick" modem that draws power directly from a USB port, making it a favorite for long-term deployments where downtime is not an option. Technical Specifications and Performance Huawei E3372

When you buy this modem, you are actually buying two different pieces of firmware disguised as the same product.

The E3372 is a staple in the OpenWrt community. In HiLink mode, it requires no special drivers; the router simply treats it as a WAN interface. In Stick mode, it requires USB serial drivers and connection scripts (like usb-modeswitch ), which allows for more granular control over the connection, such as monitoring signal strength via signal scripts on the router interface.

This little 4G USB dongle isn't flashy. It doesn't have a touchscreen or a battery that swells after a year. But if you run a home backup network, build a Raspberry Pi router, or need rugged internet for a boat or caravan, this stick is still the gold standard.

If you buy an E3372 today, it likely comes with firmware 22.333 (HiLink). If you try to use this with a Raspberry Pi or a travel router (like GL.iNet), it will fight you. The Pi will see it as a CD-ROM or an Ethernet adapter, but not a proper modem.