This $30 smart router with a built-in VPN is the travel gadget I didn't know I needed

• 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.

• 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.

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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 ...