NXTL China eSIM review: price & promo code (Nov 2026)

How NXTL works

NXTL sells one global eSIM instead of plans. It costs $11.99: $1.99 for the eSIM itself and $10.00 of balance. You then pay for data as you use it, at the rate of whichever network you’re connected to, billed in 1 KB steps. There’s no subscription, and NXTL says the balance never expires while your account is active, so whatever you don’t use carries over to your next trip.

The same eSIM works in more than 180 countries. When your balance runs low, you top it up on NXTL’s website or in its app, and every purchase earns 5% back as NXTL Tokens, which you can redeem to your balance or send to a friend.

Pricing in China

NXTL sells a pay-as-you-go China eSIM, not a fixed-data or unlimited travel package.

Which Nxtl plan fits your trip?

Choose your trip length and typical data use. We compare plans by total price.

Trip lengthdays

Data use

LightModerateHeavy

Estimated data need: 16.8GB(including 20% buffer)

Estimated minimum spendNXTL pay-as-you-go

$40.46+

Lower-bound estimate using the published FROM rate. Network rates, top-up increments and fees may raise the real cost.

Check plans

This is a lower-bound spending estimate using NXTL's published FROM rate, the $11.99 starter package and its included $10 balance. Actual network rates, top-up purchase increments and any fees can increase the final cost. The promotional code shown below was confirmed for the starter eSIM, but is not automatically deducted from estimated data spending.

NXTL promo code: roamm10 (10% off)

NXTL lists three networks in China, and its China guide quotes from $2.29 per GB on China Telecom 5G. At that rate, the included balance covers a little over 4 GB. NXTL’s own guide suggests 3–5 GB for a typical week in China, which works out to roughly $7 to $11.50. To estimate your own trip, see my guide to how much data you need in China, then multiply by the rate.

Per GB, that’s less than Nomad’s 1 GB plan ($5.00), but more than its 20 GB plan, which works out to $1.10 per GB (see my Nomad review).

You can also choose how NXTL picks a network: in the app, set the preference to the cheapest network or the best coverage, or pick a network manually in your phone’s settings. You always pay the rate of the network you’re connected to, so check the current China rates on NXTL’s website or in the app before you fly.

Hotspot and tethering

NXTL’s current FAQ permits personal hotspot or tethering where the device and network support it. Connected devices use the same prepaid balance. Actual hotspot performance depends on the device and local network.

Buying and activation

1. Open NXTL’s website and choose the global eSIM: $11.99, including $10.00 of balance.
2. At checkout, enter roamm10 (10% off), or use my coupon link, then pay by card, Apple Pay or Onelink.
3. NXTL emails you a QR code after payment. Scan it to install the eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi, before you fly.
4. When you land in China, turn on the NXTL line, set it as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming. In the NXTL app, choose whether you want the cheapest network or the best coverage.
5. When your balance runs low, top it up on NXTL’s website or in the app.

Refunds: NXTL treats eSIM purchases and top-ups as final once they’re delivered. If the eSIM won’t install or your phone isn’t compatible, contact support within 14 days for a refund of your unused balance, and NXTL’s Connectivity Guarantee refunds you if a supported destination still won’t connect after troubleshooting.

Who should buy it

Buy it if you:

• Visit China, or travel in general, a few times a year — the balance never expires, so nothing goes to waste between trips.
• Use data unevenly — you pay for what you use instead of a fixed bundle.
• Travel through several countries — one eSIM covers more than 180.

NXTL eSIM alternatives for China

For a fixed-price bundle, Unlimited data or another hotspot option, consider:

Get the NXTL eSIM ↗