Travel routers can make hotel Wi-Fi less annoying, though carrying another gadget doesn't make sense for everyone. Its job is connecting to an available internet source and creating a familiar Wi-Fi network for all your devices. That can save messing around if you're bringing a laptop, tablet, streaming stick and a couple of phones. But if you're using just one laptop and a phone, it can feel like solving a problem you didn't have.

The biggest benefit is convenience: the router connects to hotel Wi-Fi, and your devices connect to it. You can reuse the same SSID and password each trip, which is great for streaming sticks that don't work well with captive portals. Some models also get internet from Ethernet, USB tethering, or a cellular modem. Privacy is another selling point, especially models with Open VPN or Wire Guard support, but the router doesn't automatically encrypt every byte. Most sites already use HTTPS; a VPN adds another layer.

A travel router can't create bandwidth. If the hotel's connection is slow, adding another router doesn't help. You also have another device to purchase, charge, and troubleshoot. Cellular tethering eliminates a lot of hassle: most Android phones can share mobile data, and Apple's Personal Hotspot does the same. It's not a universal replacement due to carrier limits or weak reception. Travel routers can also be used at home as a Wi-Fi extender or makeshift guest network.