GL.iNet Mango GL-MT300N-V2 4 / 5 Very good pros and cons Pros Compact and can be powered with USB
Offers several ways to get an internet connection when traveling
Built-in VPN support is a great way to create a secure network when out and about. Cons Uses microUSB for power rather than USB-C
The "getting started" guide only skims the surface of what this device can do
User interface can be a bit slow at times. $29.99 at Amazon
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I thought that having a mobile hotspot built into my smartphone would put an end to needing a travel router. After all, it works great when I'm in the UK. I get fast internet speeds, and it's a super reliable way to connect my devices when I'm away from home or the office.
But that's not the case everywhere. Here in the UK, the rules for telecommunications providers are set by Ofcom (the Office of Communications), and they're pretty simple -- your hotspot should work like your phone. No limitations, no nonsense. But when I'm not in the UK, things get… more complicated. Even in Europe, which has "Roam Like at Home" rules, there are usually hurdles such as speed caps and "fair use policies" to contend with.
And it only gets worse outside of the EU.
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