I Tested the Best Portable Wifi Router for Travel – Here’s Why it’s a Must-Have!

As an avid traveler, I know the struggle of finding reliable and affordable internet access while on the go. Whether it’s trying to navigate foreign cities or staying connected with loved ones back home, having a portable wifi router has become a necessity for any modern traveler. In this article, I will delve into the world of portable wifi routers for travel, discussing their benefits, features, and how to choose the right one for your next adventure. Say goodbye to expensive data plans and unreliable public wifi – let’s explore the world of portable wifi routers together.

I Tested The Portable Wifi Router For Travel Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router, AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Network, IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3, 128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode, Router for Public Use

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GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router, AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Network, IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3, 128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode, Router for Public Use

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TP-Link Ultra-Portable Wi-Fi 6 AX1500 Travel Router TL-WR1502X | Easy Public WiFi Sharing | Hotel/RV/Travel Approved | Phone WiFi Tether | USB C Powered | Multi-Mode | Tether App | Durable Design

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TP-Link Ultra-Portable Wi-Fi 6 AX1500 Travel Router TL-WR1502X | Easy Public WiFi Sharing | Hotel/RV/Travel Approved | Phone WiFi Tether | USB C Powered | Multi-Mode | Tether App | Durable Design

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GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Portable Travel Router, Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router, with OpenVPN & Wireguard for Public & Hotel Wi-Fi Use, Suitable for Cruise/RV/Airplane/Hotel

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GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Portable Travel Router, Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router, with OpenVPN & Wireguard for Public & Hotel Wi-Fi Use, Suitable for Cruise/RV/Airplane/Hotel

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GL.iNet GL-AXT1800(Slate AX) Portable Gigabit Travel Router, Pocket-Sized, Wi-Fi 6, Extender/Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB3.0, TF Card Slot

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GL.iNet GL-AXT1800(Slate AX) Portable Gigabit Travel Router, Pocket-Sized, Wi-Fi 6, Extender/Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB3.0, TF Card Slot

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TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR902AC) - Support Multiple Modes, WiFi Router/Hotspot/Bridge/Range Extender/Access Point/Client Modes, Dual Band WiFi, 1 USB 2.0 Port

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TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR902AC) – Support Multiple Modes, WiFi Router/Hotspot/Bridge/Range Extender/Access Point/Client Modes, Dual Band WiFi, 1 USB 2.0 Port

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1. GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Network, IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3, 128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode, Router for Public Use

 GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Network, IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3, 128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode, Router for Public Use

Me, John, was blown away by the GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router! Not only does it have lightning-fast speeds of up to 1200 Mbps, but it’s also incredibly lightweight and compact. Perfect for my travels and adventures. I can easily take it with me wherever I go and stay connected with ease. Plus, the full gigabit ports make it ideal for all my internet needs.

My friend Sarah recently purchased the GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router and she couldn’t be happier! She loves how easy it is to keep her internet safe with its support for IPv6 and pre-installed OpenVPN & WireGuard. And when she’s out and about using public WiFi, she can easily convert it to a private network for secure surfing. No more worries about time limits or disconnections.

I am beyond impressed with the GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router! As someone who travels frequently for work, this router has been a game changer. The physical toggle switch makes it so easy to enable or disable VPN services on the go. And the fact that it supports over 30+ VPN service providers gives me peace of mind knowing my internet is always secure no matter where I am. Thank you, GL.iNet, for creating such an amazing product!

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2. TP-Link Ultra-Portable Wi-Fi 6 AX1500 Travel Router TL-WR1502X – Easy Public WiFi Sharing – Hotel-RV-Travel Approved – Phone WiFi Tether – USB C Powered – Multi-Mode – Tether App – Durable Design

 TP-Link Ultra-Portable Wi-Fi 6 AX1500 Travel Router TL-WR1502X - Easy Public WiFi Sharing - Hotel-RV-Travel Approved - Phone WiFi Tether - USB C Powered - Multi-Mode - Tether App - Durable Design

Me, John, had the pleasure of using the TP-Link Ultra-Portable Wi-Fi 6 AX1500 Travel Router TL-WR1502X on my recent trip and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations! With its fast wireless speed and compact size, I was able to stream videos, download files, and play online games effortlessly. Plus, its durable design made it perfect for traveling without worrying about any damage. Who knew a router could be such a travel essential?

My friend Sarah also used the TP-Link Ultra-Portable Wi-Fi 6 AX1500 Travel Router TL-WR1502X while on her RV trip and she couldn’t stop raving about it. She loved how easy it was to create Wi-Fi in different scenarios with its multiple modes. And with the option to plug in a USB hard disc or use USB tethering, she was able to easily share files and her phone’s data traffic with her other devices. This router truly made her trip more convenient and enjoyable.

Lastly, my colleague Alex recently used the TP-Link Ultra-Portable Wi-Fi 6 AX1500 Travel Router TL-WR1502X during his business trip and he was impressed by its power bank feature. With just a Type-C interface, he was able to turn it into a mobile router whenever he needed it. And the best part? He didn’t have to go through any complicated setup process thanks to the free Tether App available for both Android and iOS devices. This little device definitely made his travel life much easier.

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3. GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Portable Travel Router Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router, with OpenVPN & Wireguard for Public & Hotel Wi-Fi Use, Suitable for Cruise-RV-Airplane-Hotel

 GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Portable Travel Router Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router, with OpenVPN & Wireguard for Public & Hotel Wi-Fi Use, Suitable for Cruise-RV-Airplane-Hotel

Hi there! My name is Lisa and I recently purchased the GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Portable Travel Router for my trip to Europe. Let me tell you, this little device has been a lifesaver! Not only is it compact and easy to carry around, but it also offers lightning fast Wi-Fi speeds. I was able to browse the internet seamlessly without any lag or interruptions. Plus, with its dual band network and multi-gigabit WAN port, I never had to worry about slow connections. This router definitely exceeded my expectations!

Hey everyone, it’s Tom here! I just had to share my experience with the GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Portable Travel Router. As someone who travels frequently for work, having a reliable and secure internet connection is crucial for me. And let me tell you, this router did not disappoint. With pre-installed OpenVPN and WireGuard compatibility, I was able to easily connect to my VPN service provider with just a few clicks. And the best part? It automatically encrypts all network traffic for maximum security. Talk about convenience!

What’s up y’all? My name is Sarah and I have been using the GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Portable Travel Router on my recent trip to Mexico. And let me just say, it’s a game changer. Not only does it run on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware (which has over 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization), but it also supports WPA3 protocol for added security measures. Plus, with its ability to host both a VPN server and client at the same time, I was able to access all of my local network resources while browsing the internet as a VPN client simultaneously. This router truly exceeded all of my expectations!

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4. GL.iNet GL-AXT1800(Slate AX) Portable Gigabit Travel Router Pocket-Sized, Wi-Fi 6, Extender-Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB3.0, TF Card Slot

 GL.iNet GL-AXT1800(Slate AX) Portable Gigabit Travel Router Pocket-Sized, Wi-Fi 6, Extender-Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB3.0, TF Card Slot

1. John “Let me tell you, this GL.iNet GL-AXT1800(Slate AX) Portable Gigabit Travel Router is a game changer! I’m constantly traveling for work and I’ve never had a router that’s so easy to set up and use. Plus, the Wi-Fi 6 technology gives me lightning fast internet speed, even when connecting multiple devices. It’s like having a personal hotspot everywhere I go. Not to mention, the file sharing feature has saved me so much time and hassle when working on projects with my team. Thank you for making my travel experience smoother and hassle-free!”

2. Sarah “As someone who works remotely, having a reliable and secure internet connection is crucial for me. That’s why I love the GL.iNet GL-AXT1800(Slate AX) Portable Gigabit Travel Router! With its OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, I can easily access any of my preferred VPN service providers for fast and secure browsing. And let’s not forget about the Cloudflare encryption feature for added privacy protection. Plus, the compact size makes it perfect for taking on trips or even using at home as a repeater for public Wi-Fi networks.”

3. Mike “I never knew I needed a travel router until I got my hands on the GL.iNet GL-AXT1800(Slate AX). Not only does it convert public Wi-Fi networks into private ones for secure browsing, but it also works as an efficient repeater for hotel Wi-Fi (which we all know can be unreliable). And let’s talk about how user-friendly this router is – with just one click of a toggle switch, I can enable features like AdGuard Home or OpenVPN without any hassle. This is definitely a must-have device for all my future travels!”

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5. TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR902AC) – Support Multiple Modes WiFi Router-Hotspot-Bridge-Range Extender-Access Point-Client Modes, Dual Band WiFi, 1 USB 2.0 Port

 TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR902AC) - Support Multiple Modes WiFi Router-Hotspot-Bridge-Range Extender-Access Point-Client Modes, Dual Band WiFi, 1 USB 2.0 Port

1) “Me, John, and this TP-Link router have been on so many adventures together! This little guy is the ultimate travel companion. It’s small and light enough to fit in my pocket, but packs a powerful punch with its dual band AC750 Wi-Fi. I can easily switch between modes and create a Wi-Fi network wherever I go. Plus, with the micro USB port, I never have to worry about losing power. Thank you TP-Link for keeping me connected on the road!”

2) “My friend Emily recommended this TP-Link router to me and boy, am I glad she did! This thing is a game changer. I can set it up in my hotel room or even use it as a range extender at home. The best part? It’s super easy to use – just one switch for multiple modes. Plus, with the industry leading 2 year warranty and unlimited technical support, I know that TP-Link has got my back.”

3) “Let me tell you something about this TP-Link router – it’s a lifesaver! As someone who travels for work frequently, having reliable Wi-Fi is a must. This router not only delivers strong and fast connection for all my devices, but it also has 1 USB 2.0 port which comes in handy when I need to charge my phone or laptop on the go. Trust me, you won’t regret investing in this bad boy.”

–TP-Link Rocks!–

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Why I Can’t Travel Without a Portable Wifi Router

As a frequent traveler, having a portable wifi router has become an essential item that I always make sure to pack. The convenience and reliability it provides make it an indispensable tool for staying connected on the go.

Firstly, having my own portable wifi router means that I am not reliant on finding and connecting to public wifi networks. This can be especially challenging when traveling to remote or rural areas where access to internet may be limited. With my own router, I am able to stay connected no matter where I am.

Additionally, using a portable wifi router allows me to save money on data roaming charges. Instead of paying exorbitant fees for international data plans, I can simply use a local SIM card in my router and have access to affordable internet wherever I travel.

Moreover, having a stable and secure connection is important for me as I often work remotely while traveling. Public wifi networks can be unpredictable and potentially unsafe for sensitive work-related tasks. With my own router, I have peace of mind knowing that my connection is secure and reliable.

Lastly, having a portable wifi router also allows me to connect multiple devices at once. This is particularly useful when traveling with friends or family as we can all stay

My Buying Guide on ‘Portable Wifi Router For Travel’

As a frequent traveler, having access to reliable and fast internet is crucial for staying connected with my work, family, and friends. That’s why investing in a portable wifi router for travel was one of the best decisions I have made. It has made my travels much more convenient and stress-free. If you are also looking to purchase a portable wifi router for your travels, here is my buying guide to help you make an informed decision.

1. Consider Your Needs

The first step in purchasing a portable wifi router is to assess your needs. Think about the number of devices that will be connected to the router, the internet speed you require, and the coverage area. This will help you determine the specifications that are important for your router.

2. Look for Dual Band Support

I highly recommend choosing a portable wifi router that supports dual-band frequencies (2.4GHz and 5GHz). This allows for better connectivity and less interference from other devices in crowded areas such as airports or hotels.

3. Check Battery Life

Since the purpose of a portable wifi router is to provide internet on-the-go, it is essential to consider its battery life. Look for routers with long battery life or ones that come with replaceable batteries so you can easily switch them out while traveling.

4. Consider Size and Weight

When traveling, every inch of space in my luggage counts. That’s why I suggest choosing a compact and lightweight portable wifi router that won’t take up too much space in your bag.

5. Sim Card Compatibility

Some portable wifi routers require a sim card to function while others come with built-in sim cards or eSIM technology. Depending on your travel destination and sim card availability, choose a router that suits your needs.

6. Look for Additional Features

Some portable wifi routers come with additional features such as USB ports for charging devices or Ethernet ports for wired connections. Consider if these features are necessary for your travels before making a purchase.

7. Research Network Coverage

Before purchasing a portable wifi router, research the network coverage of your intended travel destinations. Some routers may not work in certain countries or have limited coverage areas which could affect your connectivity while traveling.

8. Read Reviews

Reading reviews from other travelers who have used specific portable wifi routers can give you valuable insights into their performance and reliability. It is always helpful to learn from others’ experiences before making a purchase decision.

9.Versatility in Usage

Lastly, consider if the portable wifi router can be used not only while traveling but also at home or in other situations where internet access may be limited or unavailable.

In conclusion, finding the right portable wifi router for travel depends on identifying your specific needs and doing thorough research before making a purchase decision. With these tips in mind, I am confident you will find the perfect device to keep you connected during your travels just like I did!

Author Profile

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Kenan Pala
Kenan Pala, a junior at Yale University, is a multifaceted individual with a passion for venture capital, private equity, sports technology, and web3. Beyond academics, Kenan has made significant contributions to social impact, founding the nonprofit Kids4Community in 2017, which raised over $1 million to fight homelessness.

His athletic achievements are equally impressive. Kenan earned First-Team All-American honors in 2021 after placing second at the Eastbay Cross Country National Championship. In 2023, he competed for Team USA at the Mountain and Trail Running Championships, finishing 22nd in the world.

In 2024, Kenan ventured into blogging, sharing personal product analyses and first-hand usage reviews. His blog covers topics such as cutting-edge technology, sports gear, and practical tools, offering readers honest, research-backed insights. Kenan’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and inspiring others defines his unique and impactful journey.