Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A portable VPN router takes an internet connection from hotel Ethernet, compatible Wi-Fi, or a tethered phone and creates a private local Wi-Fi network for your devices. Configure a supported VPN client on the router, and devices connected through that tunnel can use it without installing a VPN app individually. For a compact Wi-Fi 6 option with published VPN figures, the GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) is a reasonable shortlist candidate; its manufacturer’s local-network results are not guaranteed travel speeds.
How a portable VPN router works
The router first needs an upstream internet connection. Depending on the model and configuration, that can be a wired Ethernet connection, an existing Wi-Fi network used in repeater mode, or a tethered phone. It then shares that connection over its own local network. When its VPN client is configured and active, traffic from devices routed through the tunnel is sent via the VPN connection.
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This can be useful for connecting several devices—including devices that do not support VPN apps—to one router-side VPN setup. It does not mean every device or every connection is automatically protected: the result depends on the router configuration, which traffic is routed through the tunnel, and whether the VPN connection is functioning. A router alone does not make an untrusted network safe or prevent every form of tracking or compromise.
The router is hardware, not a VPN subscription. You may need a separate VPN account, and you should confirm that your provider supplies configuration files or instructions compatible with the router.
#1 Best Overall
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
Portable VPN routers to consider
GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000)
Beryl AX is a compact Wi-Fi 6 travel router with OpenVPN and WireGuard support. GL.iNet lists wireless rates of up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz, a 2.5G WAN port, a 1G LAN port, USB-C power, and a USB 3.0 port. Those wireless rates are specification figures, not a promise of internet or VPN performance.
For VPN client mode, GL.iNet lists up to 150 Mbps with OpenVPN and up to 300 Mbps with WireGuard. The company says these figures come from local-network testing, that real-world speeds may differ with network configuration, and that server-mode rates may be slower. They are not guaranteed speeds or a comparable independent test against other models. See GL.iNet’s Beryl AX specifications and test qualification.
Rank #2
- 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝟔 𝐀𝐗𝟏𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 - Wi-Fi 6 Speeds up to 1,201 Mbps (5 GHz) and 300 Mbps (2.4 GHz) for up to 60 devices simultaneously. Actual Wi-Fi speeds vary based on source bandwidth, environment, distance to devices, and obstacles. ◇§
- 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 - Roam 6 AX1500 is a pocket-sized travel router compactly designed for trips and adventures, featuring a 1 Gbps WAN/LAN port and a 1 Gbps LAN port for reliable wired connectivity.
- 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗶-𝗙𝗶 𝗼𝗻-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗴𝗼 - Connects to public Wi-Fi and creates a private, secure network for all your devices. Supports multiple devices at once, ideal for hotels, Airbnbs, airports, and even home use. VPN connectivity enables secure remote work.
- 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 - (1) Router Mode: Connects to public Wi-Fi, ISP, or phone (USB tethering). (2) AP/RE/Client Mode: Adds WiFi to wired setups, extends WiFi, or connects wired devices wirelessly.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. Advanced security is integrated into the device’s design, development, and ongoing maintenance.
GL.iNet says OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed and describes support for more than 30 VPN services. Check the provider’s own router setup documentation before buying: protocol support on the router does not by itself confirm that your particular subscription or preferred configuration will work.
GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)
Slate AX is another documented Wi-Fi 6 travel-router option. Its official guide identifies an IPQ6000 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and OpenWrt 23.05, and describes initial setup as powering on the router and connecting a phone, computer, or other device by Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Available documentation makes it a candidate to compare, but does not establish that it is faster than Beryl AX in VPN use. Read the Slate AX user guide.
Rank #3
- 【DUAL BAND AX TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 574Mbps (2.4G)+2402Mbps (5G); 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port; USB 3.0 port; Wi-Fi 6 offers more than double the total Wi-Fi speed with the MT3000 VPN Router.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl AX automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 150 Mbps (OpenVPN); 300 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl AX is a portable wifi box and mini router that runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware. It supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. Simply browse, install, and manage packages with our no-code interface within Beryl AX's Admin Panel.
- 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
- 【VPN CASCADING AT EASE】Surpassing the mediocre performance of most VPN routers for home usage, the Beryl AX is capable of hosting a VPN server and VPN client at the same time within the same device, enabling users to remote access local network resources like Wi-Fi printers or local web servers, and accessing the public internet as a VPN client simultaneously.
Wi-Fi 7 travel models
GL.iNet’s current travel-router range also lists Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) and Beryl 7 (GL-MT3600BE). Their presence makes them options to investigate if you want a newer Wi-Fi generation, but the manufacturer’s range listing is not an independent performance ranking. TechRadar’s Slate 7 review, published February 25, 2026, reports that the reviewed model has no 6 GHz band and no Mesh implementation, and describes Amazon availability. Those findings apply to the reviewed Slate 7, not all portable routers. Read TechRadar’s Slate 7 review.
Check GL.iNet’s travel-router range for its current model listing. Prices, stock, and firmware can change, and availability may differ by country.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
How to choose for your trips
- Upstream access: Check whether you will usually have Ethernet, hotel or public Wi-Fi to repeat, or phone tethering. Verify that the model supports the method you need; support can differ by router and setup.
- VPN compatibility: Confirm the router supports a protocol and configuration provided by your VPN service. Look for the provider’s router-specific setup steps, not just a general claim that it supports VPNs.
- VPN throughput: Treat manufacturer speed figures as test-specific claims. Compare protocol, client or server mode, and test conditions; a high Wi-Fi rate does not prove high VPN throughput.
- Wi-Fi and connected devices: Compare Wi-Fi generation and supported bands with the devices you will connect. A newer Wi-Fi label alone does not tell you how fast the upstream connection or VPN tunnel will be.
- Ports and power: Check WAN and LAN port speeds and count, USB needs, power connector, and whether the power arrangement suits your travel kit.
- Setup and firmware: Read the setup guide and check that the available firmware and VPN instructions fit your comfort level. Make sure you know how to confirm that the tunnel is connected and what happens if it disconnects.
- Local price and availability: Compare current stock and price in your country. Availability reported for one retailer or region should not be assumed elsewhere.
What the published speed numbers can—and cannot—tell you
A router’s advertised Wi-Fi rate, its VPN throughput, and the speed of the internet connection it receives are different measures. A travel router cannot deliver more internet bandwidth than its upstream connection provides, and VPN encryption and the chosen server can affect the usable rate. The Beryl AX figures above are manufacturer-reported local-network results; no apples-to-apples VPN speed test across Beryl AX, Slate AX, Slate 7, and Beryl 7 is established here. Do not use those figures to declare a cross-model speed winner.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBasic setup checklist
- Power the router and connect to its local network. Use the device’s setup guide to join over Wi-Fi or Ethernet; the Slate AX guide, for example, begins with power and a client connection.
- Connect the upstream internet. Select the method your model supports—Ethernet, repeater Wi-Fi, or phone tethering—and verify that the router itself has internet access.
- Configure the VPN client. Follow your VPN provider’s router configuration instructions and the router manufacturer’s client guide. Use a supported protocol and the provider’s supplied settings.
- Verify the tunnel and traffic behavior. Confirm the router reports an active VPN connection and check that the devices and traffic you intend to protect are routed through it. Do not assume all traffic is tunneled by default.
- Test before relying on it away from home. Connect the devices you plan to travel with, check internet access through the router, and learn how to recover if the upstream link or VPN connection drops.
GL.iNet provides OpenVPN client instructions and WireGuard client instructions; its Beryl AX page also links provider configuration guidance. Follow the directions for your exact router firmware and VPN service.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port. Enjoy gaming and streaming across up to 120 devices.
- 【HIGH SPEED VPN CLIENT & SERVER】Max. VPN speed of 1100 Mbps (WireGuard); 1000 Mbps (OpenVPN-DCO). OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl 7 (GL-MT3600BE) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 21.02 (Kernel 5.4.281) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Beryl 7 is an ideal international wireless portable wifi travel router. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go. portable wi-fi for traveling, hotels or cruise ships.
- 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot devices for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
