Three eSIM Review: Best for USA Travel & Beyond

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An in-depth review of the Three Global eSIM from Sim Local – the best global eSIM for visiting multiple countries.

If there’s one thing I never travel without, it’s a decent eSIM. Fast, reliable internet access is so important for travel (especially as a solo female traveller), and an eSIM is by far the easiest way to get online abroad without incurring hefty roaming charges.

Which eSIM is best for visiting the USA? And which is best for visiting more than one destination? The Three Global eSIM from Sim Local could be the answer to both!

I’ve used Three on several trips to the USA in the past, as it’s usually the cheapest option with the most reliable coverage for travel to the States. Over the past week, I’ve been testing the Three Global eSIM a little more thoroughly in order to write a comprehensive review. If you’re looking for the best eSIM for international travel, here’s why Three could be a good fit…

Disclaimer: This review was written in collaboration with Sim Local, but I thoroughly tested the eSIM myself, and this is my honest opinion.

What is a Global eSIM and How Does It Work?

Unlike traditional plastic SIM cards, an eSIM (embedded SIM) is downloaded straight into your phone with no need for a physical card. You can install it alongside your existing SIM card, so your normal phone number stays active. Once you’re abroad, you simply activate the eSIM and turn off roaming on your normal SIM. Read more about what an eSIM is here.

What is the Best Global eSIM?

There are many global eSIM plans on the market, offering different packages of data at widely different price points. One of the best all-round global eSIMs in terms of price, coverage and included destinations is the Three Global Plan, which offers speedy roaming in over 70 destinations with just one eSIM.

It automatically connects to the local network when you get off the plane or cross a border, so you don’t have to keep swapping SIMs. It’s perfect for multi-country trips and layovers, and completely takes ALL the hassle out of data roaming abroad. Here’s what you need to know:

• One eSIM for 70+ destinations (check the full country list here)
• Plans are data-only and last 30 days
• Prices start from just £15 for 12GB
• 5G speeds where available.
  • Coverage in rural or remote areas isn’t always as strong/fast.
• Plans are data only: there’s no phone number and you can’t make calls or send regular texts. You can, however, make voice calls via WhatsApp, FaceTime, etc.
• These plans are prepaid, so the price you see is the only price you’ll pay. The eSIM will stop working when you run out of data or enter a country where it isn’t valid, so you’ll never get a surprise roaming bill after a trip.
• 24/7 support from real humans at Sim Local via WhatsApp, email or by submitting a ticket.
• No-quibble, 100% refund policy: if your eSIM doesn’t work properly or your travel plans change, you have 14 days from purchase to request a full refund, no questions asked.
• Right now, there’s 20% off for Black Friday (20 Nov – 4 Dec). You can activate your eSIM up to 24 months after purchase, so now is a great time to buy for any future trips!

Who is the Three Global eSIM Best For?

The main benefit of a global roaming eSIM is that it can be used in multiple destinations. If you’re visiting two or more destinations in the same month, this is by far the most convenient way to purchase data for that trip. This is the best international travel eSIM for:

• Travellers visiting the USA, Australia, Asia or Latin America: Get reliable 5G/4G data straight off the plane.
• Layovers: If you have a layover en route to your final destination, you can use the eSIM in both destinations without changing anything. The eSIM will automatically connect to the local network.
• Multi-Country Backpackers: If your trip includes multi-stop routes across Asia, Europe, or the Americas, this one eSIM keeps you connected across 70+ destinations, without buying separate regional SIMs.
• Digital Nomads & Frequent Flyers: A Global Plan is ideal for anyone who takes more than one trip a month, or for digital nomads travelling slowly through multiple destinations.
• First-Time eSIM Users: Sim Local’s digital setup is the simplest I’ve ever used, making it one of the easiest options if you’ve never used a travel eSIM before.

NOTE: The plan covers 70 destinations, including much of Europe, Asia, Latin America, the USA and Australia. However, not all destinations are included; for example, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Thailand are not covered by the Global plan. Make sure your destination is on the list before you purchase.

Hands-On Test: Purchasing & Activating via Sim Local

Sim Local makes shopping for eSIMs so much easier. Rather than selling one name-brand eSIM, as some competitors do, they stock eSIMs from a variety of local providers. You simply type in which destination you’re visiting, and a list of different options comes up, so you can compare the package options and prices.

Once I picked my eSIM, buying it took under a minute. About a minute later, I got an email with my eSIM. Installation was equally stress-free; the email included a QR code which I scanned, and the installation started automatically. You have to input a 4-digit activation code, which is included in the email with the QR code. The entire process took under three minutes from choosing my eSIM to having it installed on my phone. Read the activation guide here.

Your plan starts as soon as the eSIM connects to a network, so don’t activate it until you arrive at your destination. However, I always recommend installing it and setting everything up before you fly, as it means you’re ready to switch over as soon as you arrive!

Real-World Performance & Coverage Expectations

I used a Three Global eSIM for my last couple of trips to the USA, so I already have plenty of real-world experience. I’ve never been disappointed with the coverage, and it held up well during my solo California road trip a couple of years ago. But for this post, I wanted to test it more thoroughly, so I’ve been using the Three Global eSIM in the UK for the past week, running direct comparisons between the eSIM and my pay-monthly UK network.

Roaming speeds on the Three Global eSIM have been the same, and often markedly better, than my normal UK network. So much so that I’m seriously considering switching mobile providers to Three! On the Three eSIM, I’ve had mainly 5G signal and the upload/download speeds are fast enough for my typical usage (sending photos, streaming music, making WhatsApp calls, using maps, etc).

I also tested the eSIM on an 8-mile coastal hike in Dorset at the weekend. I had at least 4G most of the way, and was able to send photos and voice notes via WhatsApp with no issues. The signal dropped a couple of times (which is pretty common in rural Dorset), but overall, the coverage was better than my normal network.

Comparing with Past Experiences

I’ve tested out a lot of different eSIMs over the years. Recently, I’ve used Holafly in Canada, Airalo in Spain, Nomad in Jordan, and Orange in Italy. They all have pros and cons. Holafly’s coverage and speeds were amazing, and all their plans come with unlimited data, but they’re often the most expensive option. Airalo and Nomad are often very affordable, but coverage is less predictable. Three have definitely been one of the best in terms of coverage, internet speed, and pricing. And Sim Local have the easiest installation process I’ve ever experienced, so they’d be ideal for first time eSIM users.

Speed Tests

I’m no expert when it comes to internet speeds; I’ve mainly been testing the eSIM based on typical real-world usage. So to back it up, I ran a few speed tests – these were done in my local town centre:

For comparison, here’s a screenshot from a speed test I ran in the exact same spot using my normal UK network SIM:

I used a Three eSIM on my last few trips to the USA, most recently my California road trip. I didn’t take speed tests at the time, but I remember that the internet speed was noticeably fast in San Francisco and LA. In rural parts of the road trip, like Yosemite and Tuolumne County, it was lower, but still about as reliable as I would hope for!

NOTE: As shown on the hike I mentioned above, service may vary in rural or remote areas, but that’s the case amongst pretty much all networks. The 5G on Three’s Global eSIM has been pretty consistent whenever I’ve used it.

Are Sim Local’s Prices Good?

Using an eSIM is almost always cheaper than facing your own carrier’s roaming charges, which are often £5 or more per day (check your network provider’s roaming charges here). Because Sim Local sells multiple eSIMs from local providers, you’ll often have several options, so you can choose the most competitive price.

Sim Local’s global SIM plans are much cheaper than most other eSIM brands on the market, as the comparison table below shows. Their USA eSIMs are also very competitively priced, with a 30-day 18GB eSIM for £20 (many similar USA eSIMs cost over £30).

For smaller data packages, the price differences are less pronounced. But for longer trips and larger data packages, Sim Local often has the best price on the market. However, it all depends on how much data you need and how long you’re travelling. If price is your top priority, it’s always worth shopping around before you buy.

Global eSIM Price Comparisons

	Three (via Sim Local)	Nomad	Airalo
10-12GB	£15 12GB, 30 days	£46.55 10GB, 30 days	£44 10GB, 180 days
18-20GB	£20 18GB / 30 days	£77.33 20GB / 30 days	£51 20GB / 1 year
30GB	£35 30GB / 30 days	Not available	Not available

Quick Summary and Final Thoughts

In my experience, Three’s Global eSIMs have always been reliably good, with fast data speeds and solid coverage. The speeds were noticeably fast when I was in major US cities like San Francisco and LA on my last trip to California, and still held up pretty well in rural areas like Yosemite and Big Sur. And Sim Local’s competitive prices often make them the most affordable option, especially for USA and Global roaming eSIMs.

Getting connected instantly, as soon as I arrive at a new destination, gives me real peace of mind as a solo female traveller. And since I travel often, it’s really handy knowing I can use one eSIM for multiple countries – meaning I can stay connected and access WhatsApp, ride-hailing apps and maps at all times.

Here’s a quick summary of what I love about the Three Global eSIM from Sim Local:

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