In my experience, each option has its benefits and drawbacks, and understanding them can help you make the best choice.

International SIM cards are generally more affordable and convenient if your phone is unlocked. You can keep your phone's portability, and it's easy to manage just one device. However, these SIM cards might have limited data plans, and phone compatibility could be an issue. If you want to try comparing different SIM card prices, you can click this link for a handy comparison tool.

On the other hand, pocket Wi-Fi devices offer a strong internet connection that can be shared among multiple devices, great if you're traveling with friends or using multiple gadgets. But, they can be more expensive and require charging. 

Balancing these pros and cons will help you decide what's best for your travel needs. Remember, the decision ultimately depends on how you plan to use the internet during your trip.

For example, I ended up getting a pocket Wi-Fi modem for my travels. My main reason to get one was that using my phone as a hotspot for my laptop was draining my phone battery way too fast.