Key takeaways
- Set up at home first. Name the network, set a strong password and save VPN profiles before you leave.
- Bring a charger or power bank. The Slate 7 needs a USB-C Power Delivery source of 18 W or more; the Beryl AX uses less power.
- Carry a short Ethernet cable. Hotels rarely supply one.
- Use a VPN for sensitive work. A router-level VPN covers every device on your network, though throughput drops below the line speed.
- Keep the firmware current. Update before your trip, not in the hotel.
- Follow hotel policy. Some properties limit the number of connected devices or the use of personal routers.
For most hotel travelers the GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) is the sensible travel router, the GL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) suits people who want Wi-Fi 7, a touchscreen and faster VPN, and a small, cheap router like the GL.iNet Mango works as a backup. Hotel Wi-Fi seldom exceeds 100 to 300 Mbps according to one roundup, so the fastest router matters less than one that handles captive portals, repeater mode and a VPN reliably.
Our top picks
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What a travel router does in a hotel
A travel router connects to the hotel network, by Ethernet cable in the wall or by Wi-Fi in repeater mode, and then creates your own private network. All your devices join that network, so you sign in to the hotel portal once instead of on every phone, tablet and laptop. It also lets you run a VPN for the whole group of devices and keeps streaming sticks and smart speakers working in places where they cannot show a login page.
Features that matter for hotels are captive portal support, a repeater or wireless client mode, an Ethernet WAN port, USB-C or power bank operation, a built-in VPN client and small size. The router should be configured with its own strong password and updated firmware. Respect hotel rules about networking equipment, and use only what the property allows.
At a glance: travel routers compared
| Model | Best for | Key stated specs | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) | Most travelers, mid-range budget | The maker lists AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 with a 2.5G port, pocket size, repeater mode, captive portal support, 2-year warranty; reviewers report WireGuard up to about 300 Mbps and low power draw | Wi-Fi 6 only; no screen |
| GL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) | Wi-Fi 7, faster VPN, screen, premium budget | Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 (688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 2882 Mbps on 5 GHz), two 2.5G Ethernet ports, USB 3.0, USB-C power, touchscreen, WireGuard up to 490 Mbps per GL.iNet, 295 g | Larger and heavier; needs more power than the Beryl AX |
| GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) | Wi-Fi 6 with higher VPN speed | Roundups describe Wi-Fi 6 and about 550 Mbps WireGuard throughput | Figures from roundups, not the maker page |
| GL.iNet Mango | Lowest budget, backup router | Roundups describe a very small, low-cost unit | Lower speeds; basic hardware |
| TP-Link TL-WR3602BE | Light Wi-Fi 7 option | A roundup lists it at about 135 g | Details from roundups only |
GL.iNet Beryl AX: the all-round choice
Several roundups name the Beryl AX the top overall pick. GL.iNet describes it as AX3000 with a 2.5G port, pocket sized, with a carrying pouch, repeater mode and captive portal handling. Reviewers cited in roundups say it supports WireGuard up to about 300 Mbps, which is well above what most hotels deliver. Another roundup notes it draws under 8 W, so a power bank can run it for a long time. For a traveler with a laptop, phone and tablet, it covers everything needed without carrying extra bulk.
GL.iNet Slate 7: the premium pick
RTINGS calls the Slate 7 the best travel router it has tested, according to a summary of its guide, noting strong speeds and a carry-on-friendly size. Reported specifications are dual-band Wi-Fi 7 with 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 2882 Mbps on 5 GHz, two 2.5G Ethernet ports (one WAN, one LAN), a USB 3.0 port and a USB-C power input that supports Power Delivery with a charger of 18 W or more. It has a three-line touchscreen, foldable external antennas, 1 GB of RAM and OpenWrt-based firmware. GL.iNet rates WireGuard at up to 490 Mbps and OpenVPN with DCO at up to 385 Mbps, and one reviewer measured 420 to 436 Mbps on average. Dong Knows Tech describes the touchscreen as more of a gimmick than a practical feature.
The unit measures about 130 by 91 by 34 mm and weighs 295 g. Pick it if you want Wi-Fi 7 for your own devices, a second 2.5G port or faster VPN performance. Gadget Wisdom suggests most travelers do better with the Beryl AX unless they want the screen or Wi-Fi 7.
Other options
The GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) is ranked first by two roundups, with Wi-Fi 6 and about 550 Mbps WireGuard throughput. The GL.iNet Opal is mentioned as a budget unit and the Mango as a roughly pocket-money backup. The TP-Link TL-WR3602BE is a light Wi-Fi 7 option at about 135 g, and the ASUS RT-BE58 Go is another listed alternative. The specifications for these come from roundups, so read each maker page for ports and power details.
Connecting at a hotel: three common scenarios
Wall Ethernet jack
If the room has a wired port, plug it into the router’s WAN port. This usually gives the most stable connection and avoids sharing Wi-Fi airtime with other guests. After connecting, open the hotel portal on a device joined to your router and sign in once.
Wi-Fi only (repeater mode)
If there is no cable, set the router to repeater or wireless client mode, pick the hotel network and finish the login in the router’s interface or in a browser tab. Some portals tie the login to a device address; the Beryl AX and Slate 7 families include address cloning options in their firmware, though the steps are in GL.iNet’s documentation.
Phone tethering or a hotspot
You can also connect the router to a phone hotspot as the upstream. This avoids hotel networks entirely but uses mobile data.
Size, weight and power: what to pack
Travel routers differ mainly in how much they add to a bag. The Slate 7 is listed at 295 g and about 130 by 91 by 34 mm with foldable antennas, which is small but noticeably larger than a pocket-sized unit such as the Beryl AX. A lighter option like the TP-Link TL-WR3602BE, listed at about 135 g in a roundup, suits someone traveling with carry-on only. Power matters too: a router that runs from a USB-C port can share the laptop charger or a power bank, so pack a cable that matches the port. If you plan to use the Ethernet WAN port, also bring a short patch cable, because rooms rarely supply one. Finally, think about how many devices you carry. Two phones and a laptop are easily handled by any model here, while a family with tablets, a streaming stick and a game console benefits from a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 unit with more headroom.
Practical tips
- Set up at home first. Name the network, set a strong password and save VPN profiles before you leave.
- Bring a charger or power bank. The Slate 7 needs a USB-C Power Delivery source of 18 W or more; the Beryl AX uses less power.
- Carry a short Ethernet cable. Hotels rarely supply one.
- Use a VPN for sensitive work. A router-level VPN covers every device on your network, though throughput drops below the line speed.
- Keep the firmware current. Update before your trip, not in the hotel.
- Follow hotel policy. Some properties limit the number of connected devices or the use of personal routers.
Pick X if you…
| If you… | Choose | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Travel often and want one dependable router | Beryl AX | Pocket size, low power draw, captive portal support |
| Want Wi-Fi 7 and a faster VPN | Slate 7 | Wi-Fi 7, two 2.5G ports, WireGuard up to 490 Mbps stated |
| Prefer Wi-Fi 6 with high VPN speed | Slate AX | Roundups list about 550 Mbps WireGuard |
| Want the smallest, cheapest backup | Mango | Low cost and tiny size |
| Care most about weight | TL-WR3602BE | Listed around 135 g |
Budget tiers
| Tier | Example | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | GL.iNet Mango or Opal | Lower throughput; adequate for phones and light browsing |
| Mid-range | Beryl AX | Wi-Fi 6 and a 2.5G port; no screen |
| Premium | Slate 7, Slate AX | Higher VPN speeds, bigger and heavier |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a travel router if the hotel has Wi-Fi?
Not strictly, but it saves repeated logins for each device, supports a VPN for all devices at once and lets streaming sticks work. It also gives you a private network instead of a shared one.
Will it work with hotel login pages?
Models like the Beryl AX list captive portal support. The login is completed once through the router, and some portals tie access to a device address, so you may need the address cloning options described in the maker documentation.
Is Wi-Fi 7 worth it for a hotel?
Usually not for hotel use alone, since hotel connections rarely pass 100 to 300 Mbps. It makes more sense if you want faster local transfers or already own Wi-Fi 7 devices.
How fast will the VPN be?
The maker rates the Slate 7 at up to 490 Mbps WireGuard, and reviewers list the Beryl AX around 300 Mbps. Actual speed will be capped by the hotel line, so most users see much lower numbers.
Can I power it from a power bank?
The Slate 7 uses USB-C Power Delivery of 18 W or more, and a roundup says the Beryl AX draws under 8 W, which suits a power bank better. Read the power section of each manual for exact requirements.
Is it safe to use hotel Wi-Fi with a travel router?
A router adds a private layer and a VPN helps protect traffic, but it does not make an untrusted network trustworthy. Use strong passwords, keep software updated and avoid sensitive transactions on networks you do not trust.
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