About RoamTested

RoamTested is run by Vesper D., a digital nomad currently based in China and focused on travel eSIMs. She buys and field-tests each one on her own phone, on location in cities like Chengdu and Shanghai — so you don't have to gamble on yours.

What you'll find here

• China eSIM comparison — all seven eSIMs I cover, ranked side by side, with my test results.
• Reviews — one for each eSIM: plans and prices, speed tests, which apps work without a VPN, the hotspot and refunds.
• Deals — promo codes I've tried at checkout myself, with the date I last checked each one.
• Guides — practical help, such as how much data you need and using an eSIM-only iPhone or a Google Pixel in China.
• FAQ — quick answers about VPNs, WhatsApp, setup and hotspots.

What I've tested so far

I've field-tested three China eSIMs:

• Trip.com eSIM — Chengdu and Shanghai, July to November 2026, three speed tests
• Yesim — Chengdu and Shanghai, July to November 2026, four speed tests
• Nomad eSIM — Shanghai, August to November 2026, two speed tests

My field tests of NXTL, Quibity, Saily and TooSim are in progress. Until my results are in, their reviews say “Field test in progress”, they're written from each provider's official information, and their scores are provisional.

How I test

Every eSIM I test is bought with my own money and tested inside China — not from a desk. Each one goes through the same steps:

1. Install before the trip, following only the provider's own instructions.
2. App check with no VPN running: Google, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Facebook and AI assistants — ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok and Microsoft Copilot.
3. Speed tests in real places — hotels, an airport, a shopping street — noting the city, the network and whether it's 4G or 5G.
4. Hotspot check: does a laptop or second phone connect, and is it usable?
5. Exit check: which country the data leaves through, which decides which apps open.
6. The fine print: daily full-speed limits on unlimited plans, what happens when the data runs out, and when refunds end.

How scores work

Each eSIM is scored 0–10 on five weighted criteria, and the overall score is the weighted average:

• App access without a VPN (30%) — Do Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and co. load out of the box? Tested app by app, on the ground.
• Real-world speed & data policy (25%) — Download, upload and latency measured on location in China. Includes daily high-speed cap, throttled speed after cap, whether the fair-use policy is published, hotspot support, and network coverage.
• Price (25%) — Cost per GB, plan and top-up flexibility, and refund policy.
• Activation & setup (10%) — How painless is install and activation — QR delivery, clear steps, time until first byte.
• Usability (10%) — Device compatibility, customer support quality, and how well the provider app works day-to-day.

Scores for eSIMs I haven't finished testing are provisional: I rate them from the provider's official information, against the eSIMs I've tested, and replace them with my own results.

Speed tests and evidence

Speed figures come from the Ookla Speedtest app on my iPhone 12 mini, with no VPN running, and I keep a screenshot of every result. Each test records the city, the exact spot, the network and the date, and every speed table on the site shows them; all my speed tests are on one page. Apps are checked one by one on the eSIM's mobile data, never on Wi-Fi. I re-test on later trips and update the reviews with the newest results.

How the site makes money

Some links on this site are affiliate links: if you buy through one, I may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Commissions never change my test results or scores, and providers can't pay for a better ranking. Read the affiliate disclosure.

Contact

Got a question, spotted an error, or want a specific eSIM tested? Drop me a line: hello@roamtested.com