I finally caved and bought a proper travel router for $75 and it's the best thing I've packed.

I mean, I always thought I could just use my phone's hotspot, but after three straight weeks of trying to get work done from cafes in Lisbon with terrible public wifi, this little box has saved my deadlines and my sanity, so has anyone else found a piece of gear that seemed silly but ended up being a total game changer?

3 comments

3 Comments

milesj701mo ago

It's that classic thing where you don't know you need a tool until you're stuck without it. The_zara has a point about cost for a family trip, but for solo work travel, reliable gear pays for itself in saved time and stress. My similar buy was a small power strip with international plugs, which stopped the cafe outlet scramble.

the_zara1mo ago

Seventy-five dollars for a router? That's a whole grocery run for me. I could never justify that kind of cash on something my phone already does, even if it's a bit slow. Maybe if I was traveling for work and getting paid for it, but for a family trip? No way.

barbara_baker571mo ago

Wait, your phone can do that? Mine cuts out if I even walk near the microwave...