Taoglas TG.66 Series Review: The World’s Smallest 5G Antenna, Tested by 5Gstore

Taoglas TG.66

Summary: The Taoglas TG.66 is the world’s smallest 5G terminal mount antenna, covering the full 600 MHz to 6 GHz spectrum in a form factor barely larger than your thumb. We tested it at 5Gstore by replacing the larger stock antennas on several routers, and the TG.66 outperformed them. We also recommend swapping in the TG.66 on the upcoming Peplink 5G Dongle for a more portable setup and better signal performance.

Big Performance in a Tiny Package

When it comes to 5G connectivity, bigger does not always mean better. Taoglas has proven that with the TG.66 Series, an ultra-compact monopole antenna that packs full global 5G and 4G coverage into a form factor barely larger than your thumb. Whether you are upgrading a home gateway, outfitting an IoT deployment, or building out a fleet of industrial routers, the TG.66 deserves a spot at the top of your shortlist.

The TG.66 stands just 70.3 mm tall (about 2.77 inches) and measures only 10 mm in diameter, making it the world’s smallest 5G terminal mount antenna. Do not let the size fool you. This little antenna covers the entire 600 MHz to 6 GHz frequency range, which means it supports every major global 5G sub-6 GHz band along with all legacy 4G LTE bands. That is full wideband cellular coverage from a single antenna that weighs in at roughly 0.32 oz.

Taoglas engineered the TG.66 as an evolution of their popular TG.09 antenna, and the improvements are significant. The omnidirectional radiation pattern provides consistent signal coverage across the hemisphere, and the antenna maintains efficiencies above 45% across the full 5G/4G spectrum, even when mounted on a small ground plane as compact as 120 x 45 mm. For routers and gateways with limited real estate, that is a game-changing performance-to-size ratio.

Designed for Real-World Installation

One of the standout features of the TG.66 is its rotatable 90-degree hinged connector. This is not just a convenience. It is a practical engineering solution for anyone who has dealt with the headache of antenna placement on crowded router boards. The hinge mechanism lets you rotate the antenna into your preferred orientation, which helps avoid interference with neighboring antennas, cables, or enclosure walls.

This flexibility is especially valuable in MIMO configurations. When you are running multiple antennas on the same device, pointing them in different directions improves isolation between the antenna elements, which directly translates to better throughput and connection reliability. The TG.66’s compact footprint and adjustable positioning make it much easier to achieve optimal MIMO performance in tight spaces than traditional fixed-mount antennas.

The antenna is housed in a sleek, durable polycarbonate (PC) enclosure that is built to last. It is available in both black and white to match your hardware aesthetic, and the whole package is RoHS and REACH compliant, which are important considerations for commercial and industrial deployments.

Connector Options for Every Platform

Taoglas offers the TG.66 Series with three connector options right out of the box: SMA, TS9, and FAKRA. This means you can drop the antenna onto virtually any global router or gateway platform without needing custom adapters or modifications. The SMA variant (TG.66.A113) is the most common choice for enterprise and prosumer routers, while the TS9 option is perfect for consumer-grade hotspots and USB modems. The FAKRA connector targets automotive and industrial applications where a secure, vibration-resistant connection is critical.

5Gstore Tested: Smaller Antenna, Better Results

Our Verdict: We put the TG.66 head-to-head against the larger stock antennas that ship with many popular routers and gateways, and the TG.66 came out on top.

Here at 5Gstore, we do not just sell antennas. We test them. We replaced the stock antennas on several routers with the TG.66 and ran side-by-side comparisons. The results were clear: despite being significantly smaller than the factory antennas, the TG.66 delivered better performance. Signal strength was more consistent, throughput numbers improved, and the omnidirectional coverage pattern meant fewer dead spots around the device.

This should not come as a total surprise. Stock antennas that ship with routers are often generic, one-size-fits-all components chosen to keep manufacturing costs down. The TG.66, on the other hand, is purpose-built by Taoglas, one of the world’s leading antenna engineering firms, with a tuned design optimized specifically for the full 5G/4G spectrum. The rotatable hinge also helps you dial in the best orientation for your specific environment, something rigid stock antennas simply cannot do. The takeaway is simple: if you are running stock antennas on your 5G router, you are likely leaving performance on the table.

Our Pick for the Peplink 5G Dongle

5Gstore Recommends: Swap the stock antennas on your Peplink 5G Dongle for the TG.66 for easier portability and better performance.

The upcoming Peplink 5G Dongle is one of the most exciting portable 5G devices we have seen. It is a compact USB-C modem with a Qualcomm X62 chipset, dual nano-SIM and eSIM support, and four external antenna ports, all in a package that fits in the palm of your hand. It is designed to add instant 5G WAN connectivity to laptops, Peplink routers like the B One series or MAX BR2 Pro, and other USB-C hosts.

With four antenna ports and a design built around portability, the Peplink 5G Dongle pairs perfectly with the TG.66. The stock antennas that come with devices like this tend to be bulkier and add unnecessary length when you are trying to keep your setup compact for travel or mobile use. Swapping in a set of TG.66 antennas gives you a noticeably slimmer, more packable setup. And based on our testing, you will actually get better signal performance in the process. The TG.66’s hinged SMA connector lets you fold the antennas flat against the dongle body when you are throwing it in a bag, which is a huge quality-of-life improvement for road warriors and mobile professionals.

If you are planning to pick up the Peplink 5G Dongle, we strongly recommend grabbing a set of TG.66 antennas to go with it. It is one of those rare upgrades where you get both a more portable form factor and improved performance at the same time.

Use Cases: Where the TG.66 Shines

The TG.66’s combination of compact size, wide frequency coverage, and flexible mounting makes it a natural fit across a broad range of applications. Gateways and routers are the obvious primary use case. If you are running a 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) setup at home or in the office, the TG.66 provides the performance you need without the bulky external antennas. It sits discreetly on your device and delivers solid omnidirectional coverage.

Beyond gateways, the TG.66 is an excellent choice for IoT sensor deployments where space is at a premium. Think smart building automation systems, environmental monitoring stations, or industrial control panels. Anywhere you need reliable cellular connectivity but cannot spare the room for a full-size antenna, the TG.66 fits the bill. Point-of-sale terminals, digital signage systems, and kiosk installations also benefit from the TG.66’s low profile and robust performance.

Public safety and security systems represent another strong use case. Surveillance cameras, alarm panels, and emergency communication devices all need dependable connectivity in compact housings, and the TG.66 delivers exactly that. Taoglas also recommends the TG.66 for robotics and autonomous systems, as well as emerging Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) devices operating on Band 255 (Global), Band 256 (Europe), and Band 23 (North America), positioning this antenna for satellite-to-device communication use cases that are just starting to roll out.

Key Specifications at a Glance

Frequency Range600 MHz to 6000 MHz (Wideband 5G/4G)
Antenna TypeMonopole
Radiation PatternOmnidirectional
EfficiencyAbove 45% across 5G/4G spectrum
Dimensions70.3 mm height x 10 mm diameter (2.77″ x 0.38″)
WeightApproximately 0.32 oz
ConnectorsSMA, TS9, or FAKRA
EnclosurePolycarbonate (PC)
ColorsBlack or White
Minimum Ground Plane120 x 45 mm
ComplianceRoHS and REACH

Why It Matters for 5G Deployments

As 5G networks continue to expand and devices get smaller and more integrated, the demand for antennas that can keep up is only growing. The old approach of bolting on large external antennas is becoming less practical as router designs get more compact and aesthetics matter more in consumer and commercial spaces. The TG.66 represents the direction the industry is heading: high performance in a minimal footprint, with the flexibility to work across different platforms and use cases.

For anyone building or upgrading 5G-connected hardware, the TG.66 Series eliminates the traditional trade-off between antenna size and coverage capability. You no longer have to sacrifice performance for a clean, compact installation.

Get the TG.66 at 5Gstore

The Taoglas TG.66 Series is available now at 5Gstore. Whether you need the SMA, TS9, or FAKRA variant, we carry the full lineup and can help you choose the right configuration for your specific router or gateway. If you have questions about compatibility or want help optimizing your antenna setup, our team is here to help.

Shop the Taoglas TG.66 at 5Gstore

Frequently Asked Questions

What frequencies does the Taoglas TG.66 support?

The TG.66 covers the full 600 MHz to 6000 MHz range, which includes all global 5G sub-6 GHz bands as well as all 4G LTE bands. This makes it compatible with every major carrier worldwide.

Will the TG.66 work with my router?

The TG.66 is available with SMA, TS9, and FAKRA connectors, so it works with virtually any router or gateway that has external antenna ports. If your device uses SMA connectors (the most common type on enterprise and prosumer routers), the TG.66.A113 is the model you want.

Is the TG.66 better than the stock antennas that come with my router?

Based on our testing at 5Gstore, yes. We replaced the larger stock antennas on several routers with the TG.66 and saw better signal consistency and improved throughput. The TG.66 is purpose-built by Taoglas with an optimized design for 5G/4G performance, while stock antennas tend to be generic components.

Can I use the TG.66 with the Peplink 5G Dongle?

Absolutely. The Peplink 5G Dongle has four external antenna ports, and we recommend swapping in TG.66 antennas for a more portable setup and better performance. The hinged SMA connector lets you fold the antennas flat for easy transport.

How small is the TG.66 compared to typical router antennas?

The TG.66 is 70.3 mm tall (about 2.77 inches) and 10 mm in diameter. Most stock router antennas are 4 to 8 inches tall or more. The TG.66 is roughly half the size or smaller, yet delivers better performance in our testing.

Does the TG.66 support MIMO?

Yes. The TG.66’s rotatable hinge allows you to orient multiple antennas in different directions on the same device, which improves isolation between antenna elements. This is essential for achieving good MIMO throughput in 5G applications.

Where can I buy the Taoglas TG.66?

The TG.66 Series is available at 5Gstore.com. We carry all connector variants and can help you choose the right one for your setup.