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The Best Wireless Travel Routers of 2024

Pocket routers for Wi-Fi networking on the road

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

In This Article

What to Look For in a Travel Router

• Frequently Asked Questions

Frequent travelers battling poor cell service, dubious security, and excessive hotel and airport Wi-Fi fees can benefit from a good travel router when working away from home.

The best wireless travel routers avoid these hassles by letting you set up a private bubble of Wi-Fi anywhere you happen to land, whether in a conference center, hotel room, or airport lounge. 

Most people should buy the TP-Link TL-WR902AC  - it's small enough to chuck in a backpack and can even double as a Wi-Fi range extender. If you also want a cellular connection as backup, the Netgear Nighthawk M1 is for you, as it doubles as a mobile hotspot for your hotel room or car.

Best Overall

Tp-link tl-wr902ac travel router.

Compact size is ideal for frequent travelers

Doubles as a Wi-Fi extender

Included cables are short

TP-Link's TL-WR902AC is one of the fastest travel routers we've seen, which is especially impressive at this size and price. Measuring 2.64 x 2.91 x 0.9 inches and weighing in at only 8 ounces, it's small enough to carry in a pocket, briefcase, or backpack, so you'll be ready to set up your own Wi-Fi bubble anywhere.

For such a small device, the TL-WR902AC offers impressive dual-band Wi-Fi performance. It's also really versatile since it can be not only be used as a router or access point to create a wireless network but also as a range extender, private Wi-Fi hotspot, or even as a bridge to connect a wired device to a Wi-Fi network by using its built-in Ethernet port in the opposite direction. 

A built-in USB port lets you share files and media from a removable USB storage device, and it can also provide up to 2A of passthrough power to charge your smartphone or tablet. The only real downside is that the port layout can be awkward since the USB and micro USB power ports are on the opposite side of the Ethernet port. 

Wireless Spec: 802.11ac | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC750 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: No | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: 1

Best Splurge

Netgear nighthawk m1.

Great choice for heavy internet users

Supports up to 20 Wi-Fi devices at once

Long battery life

Doubles as a mobile hotspot

Very expensive

Can occasionally overheat

While it's not the most affordable option on our list, it's well worth the splurge if you need to get several devices onto the internet anywhere at blazing-fast speeds.

With support for up to 20 simultaneous devices, Netgear's Nighthawk MR1100 can quickly handle your whole family or project team, and unlike most travel routers on this list, the one works as a 4G LTE mobile hotspot too. This means you'll be able to connect to its Wi-Fi network and get online even when there's no other Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. It's also the first mobile hotspot to support Gigabit LTE , with 4X4 MIMO and four-band Carrier Aggregation. Hence, it can provide internet speeds rivaling your home broadband connection.

It's not just about LTE, though—the MR1100 also works as a traditional portable router. Just plug a standard internet connection into the Ethernet port to share access to your Wi-Fi devices. A large 2.4-inch color LCD screen also ensures that you can keep track of the router's status and how much data you're using. The rechargeable battery can keep you going for up to 24 hours before you need to charge it, and in a pinch, you can also use some of that capacity to charge your smartphone or other mobile devices. 

Wireless Spec: 802.11ac / 4G LTE | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC750 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: No | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: 1 

TP-Link TL-WR802N N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router

Fast single-band Wi-Fi performance

No USB port

Not the fastest internet speeds when connected to multiple devices

TP-Link’s TL-WR802N is an older single-band router that offers a surprisingly great range in its small package. While the single-band N300 rating won’t break any speed records, it still provides enough performance for lag-free 4K Netflix streaming and uninterrupted video conferences on Zoom. 

Like most travel routers, the TL-WR802N is designed for use by one or two users when you’re on the go, and the 300Mbps 802.11n speeds will likely be faster than the internet connection at most hotels and conference centers you find yourself in. This little pocket-sized router offers exceptional coverage, so you won’t need to worry about staying connected while roaming the boardroom. 

The N300 draws its power via a micro USB port that can connect directly to a wall charger or laptop, so you won’t have to worry about how to power it. It can also function as a repeater, Wi-Fi client, or extender for a public WISP hotspot. The only downside is that, unlike its dual-band sibling, the TL-WR902AC, it lacks a USB port, so you won’t be able to use it for sharing files. 

Wireless Spec: 802.11n | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: N300 | Bands: Single-band | MU-MIMO: No | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: 1

Best for Road Warriors

Gl.inet mudi gl-e750.

Works as a 4G LTE mobile hotspot

Open source

Excellent VPN support

No external antenna

The GL.iNet GL-E750 router is an excellent choice for road warriors who must stay connected securely and reliably anywhere they land.

With WireGuard encryption, support for multiple Open Source VPN protocols, and even Tor anonymous network routing, this router ensures that you can always have a secure and private connection to the internet if you're a relatively advanced user. Whether that's over your hotel's shared network or your carrier's LTE network, all your traffic will be encrypted, and you can even have an always-on tunnel back into your home or office network. 

It's not just for mobile LTE access, however; it's also a capable Wi-Fi access point, with dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz support with 733Mbps throughput across both bands, along with a built-in battery that offers up to eight hours of use and a USB port and microSD card slots that can be used for sharing files with your connected devices. Since it's designed to be used from anywhere, it also features a built-in rechargeable battery that promises up to eight hours of use on a single charge. 

Lifewire / Andy Zahn

Most of the routers on the market are big and bulky devices. If you're parking them in a corner at home, this is a manageable problem, but they're not suited for taking the road with you.

This has given rise to a whole new category of travel routers: devices that are specifically designed to be highly portable—often small enough to be carried in a pocket—and run from internal batteries or a simple USB-powered connection that lets you plug them into a laptop or portable battery pack to create your own personal Wi-Fi network. 

Most importantly, since public Wi-Fi hotspots are usually insecure, a good travel router can also offer additional peace of mind by providing a private, encrypted Wi-Fi network for your traffic, securing the connections not only between your devices and the router but also making sure the traffic leaving the router is also encrypted. 

This means that you can take them just about anywhere you happen to land, whether it's between your home and the office, to a coffee shop where you might want to have more secure Wi-Fi, or on the road with you to use in hotels, conference centers, and airport lounges.

Bandwidth and Performance

When shopping for a router for your home, you're looking for enough range to blanket your home with the strong Wi-Fi signal you need to support streaming and gaming from multiple devices. 

Travel routers are different. You may find that even an entry level router—one that offers 802.11n support at 150Mbps speeds—is more than enough.

Wireless Frequencies: Single-Band vs Dual-Band

Like other wireless routers, travel routers come in single or multi-band versions, which refers to their frequencies. A single-band router works only on the 2.4GHz frequency, while a dual-band router offers both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies on two separate bands. 

Security and Privacy

As a bare minimum, every modern wireless travel router should include support for the Wireless Protected Access 2 (WPA2) encryption standard. This is even more important in a travel router you'll use in more public spaces.

While this probably isn't such a big deal if all you want to do is stream movies from Netflix, if confidentiality is essential, we strongly recommend using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting through a travel router. While you can do this directly from your devices, you'll probably find it even simpler to pick up a travel router with built-in VPN support so that your connection is automatically encrypted as soon as you plug it in.

Connectivity

Almost all travel routers offer the same connectivity as your home router—turning a wired connection into a Wi-Fi network. However, as more hotels offer guest Wi-Fi networks instead of Ethernet jacks, you'll probably find getting a travel router that can also connect to a public Wi-Fi network is more beneficial.

There's also a category of travel routers that can act as mobile hotspots to offer internet access for your mobile devices over an LTE cellular network.

Even though most hotels already offer free Wi-Fi, it’s often struggling under the load of many people using it, so having a travel router can provide better performance, especially if you can plug it into a wired connection in your room. Plus, most public Wi-Fi hotspots are completely insecure, allowing your traffic to be easily intercepted by anybody else on the same Wi-Fi network. Using a router plugged into ethernet will also often save you money as you won't have to pay for the usable 'premium' internet package.

The best travel routers offer industry-standard WPA2 encryption—the same type of security used by your home router—which means that all of your wireless traffic is safe from prying eyes. Public Wi-Fi hotspots are open networks that use no encryption at all but keep in mind that if you’re using a travel router as a wireless extender for a public Wi-Fi hotspot, your traffic will still be unencrypted between your travel router and the hotspot. For the best security, use a wired connection or a VPN wherever possible.

Even if you use your travel router in your hotel room, internet traffic still travels over the hotel’s network. While most sensitive sites and services like email and online banking use SSL encryption, this won’t prevent the hotel or other public hotspot provider from seeing where you’re going; they just won’t be able to know what you’re doing. If you want to ensure your connection is as private and secure as possible, we recommend using a travel router with built-in VPN support.

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• Travel Products
• Tech Essentials

The 6 Best Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots of 2024

These handy devices keep you connected with ease.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan

We're fortunate to live in an era where cell coverage reaches 95 percent of the population, according to the International Telecommunications Union. And that makes staying connected while traveling to most on-the-grid destinations a breeze. Many cell phone carriers offer some level of international data plans, which allows you to use your devices abroad — for a fee, of course.

But if you're working on the go, traveling in a group, or attempting to preserve your phone's battery, you might want to look into getting a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, which often provides more data to more devices. "Portable hotspots will use data just like cell phones do, and coverage will really depend on the carrier and the coverage they offer in the area," Best Buy mobile supervisor Thomas Walker told Travel + Leisure. "Since hotspots require data, they also require a plan, something to remember as you consider buying a portable hotspot."

Best Overall

Skyroam solis lite.

The device comes with a free lifetime global data plan.

1GB of monthly data will go by very quickly; you'll have to pay up for more.

There are many things the Simo Solis Lite does well, but the real showstopper here is the company's lifetime global data plan that gives you 1GB of data each month for as long as your device functions. And this plan truly is global, as the device works in 135+ different countries . That said, 1GB isn't much data at all. Depending on your usage, you might need to upgrade to a more robust data package, which typically costs anywhere from $6 to $109, or potentially more, per month. On the plus side, you don't need to change SIM cards in this hotspot — you can add those plans via an app.

As for the other stats with this device, the 16-hour battery life is well above average. We love that you can charge other devices with this hotspot — although that will reduce its battery life, of course. Up to 10 devices can be connected to the Solis Lite, which is likely suitable for most users, but it's an unremarkable number compared to other products on the market. Similarly, 4G connectivity is serviceable but doesn't earn any special accolades. If you're traveling with a large group of people, you may want to consider other options depending on how connected you need to be.

One other standout feature of this Wi-Fi hotspot is true 24/7 customer support — this is especially valuable for travelers who need internet access at all hours across various time zones. 

The Details: 16-hour battery life | 10 devices | 4G connectivity | 5.98 x 4.69 x 1.73 inches | 10.2 ounces

Best for SIM Cards

Netgear nighthawk m6 pro.

It has Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.

13 hours of battery life is good, but not great.

If you need a fast and reliable internet connection just about anywhere, Netgear's Nighthawk M6 Pro might be the solution. It's compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon in the U.S., and it works in more than 125 countries when swapping in a new SIM card, supporting both 5G and Wi-Fi 6E. You can connect up to 32 devices simultaneously, allowing an entire team of remote workers to stay connected. And if you're on the move, you'll enjoy a more secure connection with the Nighthawk than public Wi-Fi. 

Beyond its uses for remote work around the world, the Nighthawk M6 Pro could even replace a standard internet connection at your home or office. Because it can function with both a wired and wireless connection, you won't lose connectivity due to internet or electricity outages. And with 13 hours of battery life, you'll have time to wait for the outage to end. That said, increased battery life would be ideal, especially for remote workers and travelers. But whether you're in a home office or off the grid, it's hard to beat this product's speed.

The Details: 13-hour battery life | 32 devices | Wi-Fi 6E connectivity | 4.1 x 4.14 x 0.85 inches | 0.56 pounds

Most Versatile

Glocalme numen air 5g.

There's no SIM card required.

The battery life and number of devices could be better, but are likely fine for most users.

The GlocalMe Numer Air 5G works in more than 140 countries on more than 100 operator networks — that means you'll be covered just about anywhere. It doesn't need a SIM card to work, thanks to its CloudSIM technology. Upon purchase, you'll automatically receive 1GB of global data for a 90-day period, and additional data can be added easily via the mobile app. There are thousands of flexible data plans from which to choose, including pay-as-you-go options with no contract. In other words, this is a convenient mobile hotspot to take with you while you travel, since it's designed to be useful in a wide variety of cellular settings and situations.  

Stat-wise, we consider the 12-hour battery life to be good, but not especially impressive. That said, it may be plenty of time depending on how you intend to use the device. You can connect up to 16 devices, which is probably plenty for most users but may not be ideal for an office setup. 

The Details: 12-hour battery life | 16 devices | 5G connectivity | 6.1 x 2.8 x 0.6 inches | 6.8 ounces

RoamWiFi Portable WiFi Device

It's not just the device that's a good value — some data plans are fairly low-price.

Only five devices can connect to the hotspot at a time.

This 4G LTE mobile hotspot router delivers a surprising amount of power and flexibility inside an affordable package. The device itself is priced under $200, and a variety of data plans are available at all price points, ranging from a $3 day pass to a $299 90-day pass. No SIM card is needed, and the device works in more than 160 countries (there's a complete list about halfway down the Amazon product page). The whopping 18 hours of battery life outperforms every other battery-powered hotspot on our list. 

That said, there are some limitations that come with the lower cost. The device does not connect to 5G networks, so internet speeds won't necessarily be the fastest. Also, you can only connect five devices to this hotspot which is plenty for the average solo user, but may not be suitable for groups or families. 

The Details: 18-hour battery life | 5 devices | 4G connectivity | ‎4.96 x 2.68 x 0.57 inches | 6.3 ounces

Best Unlocked

Netgear nighthawk m1.

It works on all major domestic carriers, including GoogleFi.

Netgear doesn't publish battery life.

Able to connect and share data with 20 devices at once, the Netgear Nighthawk M1 Mobile Hotspot can handle multiple tasks at once without sacrificing power or speed. It's an unlocked device that uses GSM SIM cards, compatible with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and GoogleFi in the United States, and can serve as a backup internet connection while not traveling. It's equipped with fast 4G LTE broadband and offers up to one gigabit per second (Gbps) of download speed. Worried about how much data you've used? Its LCD screen clearly displays how much data is remaining, calculates when it will run out, and keeps count of the devices connected.

While Netgear doesn't publish the battery life of the Nighthawk M1, it claims it can last "all day" — and you can even buy a battery booster pack for more juice. There is an upgraded version of this hotspot that is 5G-compatible, but it's nearly double the price. 5G connectivity may not be necessary for most travelers.

The Details: "All day" battery life | 20 devices | 4G connectivity | 4.15 x 4.15 x 0.8 inches | 8.5 ounces

Best Router

Gl.inet gl-mt3000 wireless travel router.

It creates a more secure internet connection for your devices.

Routers like this one are not capable of providing internet on their own.

Technically, a Wi-Fi router is not a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. But what it does do is allow you to take one internet connection with a tricky login situation — say, hotel Wi-Fi that asks you to input your room number every time you connect — and streamlines the process for connecting additional devices. In a nutshell, you connect to Wi-Fi via the router, which then creates a more secure network for you to connect to from other devices. This router can also boost Wi-Fi signals throughout a space, so if you're in a vacation rental where the Wi-Fi is strong in one room but not another, a router can help.

This portable router is compatible with more than 30 VPN service providers and can accommodate up to 70 different devices, making it one of the best devices for securely accessing high-speed internet while traveling or on the move. The AdGuard feature helps to protect your devices from malware, phishing, ads, and online trackers. This is an especially important safety feature for using unfamiliar WiFi connections.

The Details: 70 devices | Wi-Fi 6 connectivity | 4.53 x 3.15 x 1.18 inches | 6.9 ounces

Tips for Buying a Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

Consider where and when you'll use it.

Not all portable Wi-Fi hotspots can be used everywhere. If yours is tied to a U.S.–based carrier (like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon), and you're planning on going abroad, you need to make sure you've paid for a data plan that includes international use. If you're only traveling for a short period of time, this might be the most convenient option. 

But if you're planning on traveling internationally for an extended period of time, you might want to opt for an unlocked portable Wi-Fi hotspot — that is, one that isn't tied to a specific carrier. You can then buy a data plan from a company based in your destination, which usually is a more economical decision. "SIM cards are cheap and easy to get in lots of countries worldwide, and going this route ensures you get the strongest signal possible for the lowest price," Peter Holslin, senior staff writer at internet comparison site HighSpeedInternet.com, told T+L.

The duration of your trip should also inform whether you want to purchase an as-you-go data plan (better for shorter tips) or a monthly one (better for longer trips).

Check with your phone carrier

"When you use a portable hotspot, you can choose the carrier it's connected to. So if you want to maximize your coverage, you can use one carrier for your phone and a different carrier for the hotspot," Walker said. It's often cheaper to buy a Wi-Fi hotspot to hook up to a local network while traveling versus paying for an international phone plan with your current carrier as well.

Think about voltage and battery life

For the most part, portable Wi-Fi hotspots use a relatively low amounts of power (about five to seven volts, depending on the size and strength of the device). However, you should still utilize a power converter when plugging your hotspot in during international travels. Not all outlets around the world support the same power output, so using an adapter can prevent blowing a fuse or sparking your devices. If you want a more portable Wi-Fi hotspot that doesn't need to be plugged in, be sure to check its expected battery life to know exactly how long you can use it on the go.

How do portable Wi-Fi hotspots work?

"Wi-Fi hotspots work similar to phones, tapping into your cellular network to provide high-speed data for use with laptops, tablets, gaming systems, etc.," Verizon spokesperson George Koroneos told T+L. "What's more? You can give access to your travel companions, so they can use your dedicated hotspot, similar to a Wi-Fi network."

Does a portable Wi-Fi hotspot use data?

Yes, it does. "Mobile hotspots connect to cellular networks to provide internet connection allowing customers to connect anywhere," Jeff Howard, AT&T's vice president of hardware and partner solutions, told T+L.

How do I connect a portable Wi-Fi hotspot in a different country?

It depends on what type of portable hotspot you have and what type of plan you have. If your hotspot plan is locked to a specific carrier, you'll need to make sure your carrier has an international plan. (Spoiler alert: most do.) It might be as simple as turning your device on and letting it automatically connect to a local cell network. But if your portable hotspot requires a local SIM card to work, you'll have to pick one up at the airport or at a store and insert it into your hotspot to connect to a local cell network.

Why should I use a portable Wi-Fi hotspot instead of my cell phone data plan?

Many cell phone providers have international plan options for travelers, and you can turn most smartphones into a mobile hotspot under that plan. Then you can connect devices to your cell phone for internet services. But that's not always the best solution. "One thing to consider is carriers may limit the hotspot data amount on your phone, so you may see slower speeds at a certain point," Walker said. "You also don't have to run your cell phone battery when you use a standalone hotspot." On the other hand, portable Wi-Fi hotspots require their own data plans, which costs additional money.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance travel writer who has tested cell coverage on all seven continents. (Antarctica is by far the worst.) For this article, she poured over cell service coverage maps and read dozens of customer reviews.

In compiling this list, she also interviewed telecommunications experts to discuss what to look for in a mobile hotspot. Experts she spoke to included:

• Thomas Walker , Best Buy mobile supervisor
• Peter Holslin , senior staff writer at internet comparison site HighSpeedInternet.com
• George Koroneos , Verizon spokesperson
• Jeff Howard , AT&T's vice president of hardware and partner solutions

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Savvy Travel Advice

Best Travel Routers for Internet while Traveling

Last updated: June 1, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 229 Comments

These days most travelers want to be able to get online regularly while traveling to check email, get directions, check hotel and restaurant reviews, upload photos, update social media, and stay in touch with those back home. Travel routers can help with this.

It is definitely easier to stay connected as wireless Internet is now widely available in most parts of the world but there are still a number of situations when it can be tricky (or expensive) to connect.

As travel bloggers who regularly have to manage our business on the go, it is often really important for us to be able to get online on a regular basis while traveling and it can be very frustrating when we are in a hotel with weak Wi-Fi, we are being restricted from using multiple devices on one Internet connection, or we would like more security when using an unsecured public hotspot.

A travel router is a compact little device which solves these common Internet issues and offers a number of features to the on-the-go traveler who wants to stay connected. In this post we’re going to go through some of the best travel router options available on the market today based on real-world testing and personal experiences, so you can pick the right option for you.

Table of Contents:

Basic Information on what a Travel Router Does

If you are new to travel routers, also known as portable WIFI routers, this section will help you understand what they do and whether they might be a good fit for your travels or not.

We understand that a lot of the terminology can be somewhat opaque, so Laurence has put his years of experience as a software engineer to use to help explain everything you need to know.

What is a Travel Router?

A travel router is a wireless range extender designed for people who are on the go and need to connect to the Internet when they are away from home. It also performs the functions of a wireless access point.

Just like you would use a home WiFi router to connect your devices to the Internet at home, you may also want to consider having a portable router to use when traveling.

What does a Travel Router do?

Different wireless travel routers have different features, but the main feature is that they increase the range of existing wireless Internet networks. So for example, if you are in a hotel with a weak wireless signal that you are having difficulty connecting to with your laptop or phone, the travel router will amplify the signal so you can connect more easily.

Here is an overview of the main features of a travel router:

• A travel router can extend the range of wireless networks , meaning you can connect to a network somewhere that you might not have been able to connect to with your device because the signal is too weak. The powerful antenna of a travel router can pick up this weak signal and amplify it so your devices can connect to it.
• The travel router also creates a secure wireless network at a public hotspot to better protect your devices . Often when traveling the networks we connect to are unsecured and unencrypted, which means anyone could in theory grab hold of passwords or other data that we send to and from the internet. Travel routers feature a firewall which protects your personal devices from known DoS attacks and port scans from the Internet, giving you a more secure internet connection. However, it is still not recommended that you share sensitive information over a public connection. 
• A travel router allows you to connect multiple devices to a network , even with a single login. The travel router is seen by networks as a single device, so if you are only given one login, you can still use multiple devices. You just login once from the travel router via a web browser (or in some cases a provided smartphone app), and then all your devices can be connected to the network created by the travel router.
• Some travel routers can also be used as a WiFi bridge . These have Ethernet ports so you can connect Ethernet-enabled devices wirelessly to an existing WiFi network. These can include Internet-ready TVs, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles.
• Other features of travel routers may include the ability to connect to a wired network and turn that into a wireless network, to provide USB charging power to devices such as phones. to work without power, and even to act as an SD Card reader or media hub.
• Some travel routers (including one on our list) can also act as mobile hotspots, but this is not common. See our guide to mobile hotspots for more options in this area.

How much do travel routers cost?

Travel routers range in price from about $20 to $130, although more expensive models with more features are available. We’d recommend that most people look at ones in the $30 to $70 range, as these will work for most users.

If you have a small budget, you can get a decent travel router for around $30. See our recommended travel router list later in the article; they are listed in order by retail price. But beware of ones that are really cheap as they may not work well as advertised.

If you need a travel router that also acts as a mobile hotspot or has other specialized features, then you will pay extra. Some of these can be upwards of $200.

The Best Travel Routers 2024

There are a number of travel routers on the market today, which range in price and features. All the below models would make for a good choice, and the model you choose will depend on your budget and required features.

We currently use a GL.iNet GL-MT1300 which replaces our previous and now discontinued Netgear Trek N300 (PR2000).

We also use the Netgear Nighthawk M1 on some trips when we need access to the Internet as this functions primarily as a mobile hotspot, but it can also be used as a travel router.

Below are our current favorite recommendations:

1. GL.iNET GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) Mini Travel Router

This is the first of a few GL.iNet routers that we recommend in this post. We like them for a number of reasons. First, they’re based on the OpenWRT software, which is a Linux based operating system that receives regular updates. GL.iNet keep on top of regular firmware updates, so the routers stay secure and get new features. This is unfortunately not as common as you might think, but it is super important to keep your devices safe.

As an example, the GL.iNet routers we list have all been upgraded to include support for WPA3, the latest wireless security standard. Regular updates and support for new features is definitely a benefit when it comes to a travel router, and means it will likely be more future proof.

Whilst this may all sound quite technical, the good news is that you don’t need to really worry about it if you’re not an advanced user. The devices have a simple interface and are easy to setup, and upgrades are just a single click option. If you want to dive into more advanced options you can, but the device works great out of the box, with setup via a simple web interface.

All the GL.iNet routers in our list also all support VPN credentials (see why you need a VPN for travel here ). This means that if you have a VPN account for more secure browsing like NordVPN , all your devices will connect through that when using this device.

The MT300N-V2 model, also known as Mango, is one of the more entry level options in terms of price and features, but if you’re looking for a small device that will do pretty much everything you are likely to need from a travel router, it’s a great option.

You get 300Mbps 2.4Ghz WiFi support, WPA2 and WPA3 support, and two 100 Mbps Ethernet ports for sharing a wired network. It’s also very privacy-focused. As well as the aforementioned VPN support, it also comes with built-in support for Cloudflare’s DNS over TLS. This basically means your internet connection is going to be pretty secure and hard for anyone to snoop on.

Another great feature is that if you have a smartphone with tethering support, or a 3G/4G data dongle, you can plug this smartphone into the USB 2 port on this router, and share the phone’s data over the router’s WiFi network.

The device is powered by USB, so any USB power source can power it, including a power bank or smartphone charger.

The reviews are positive and it’s available at a great price for a travel router that supports 300Mbps and only weighs 1.41oz. It is not as fully featured as some of the other options, in particular it only operates on the 2.4GHz band and the ethernet ports are 100Mbit rather than gigabit. However for most users this likely won’t make a significant difference.

If you are after a lightweight great value travel router with VPN support, this is a solid option.

Price: Check latest price on Amazon here

2. TP-Link TL-WR1502X Router

Released in 2024, the TP-Link TL-WR1502X wireless travel router offers impressive specifications in a small and relatively affordable package.

This weighs just 5.4oz, is powered by USB and supports up to the Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax standard. On the 2.4GHz channel you get up to 300Mbps, whilst the 5Ghz channel offers speeds up to 1200 Mbps.

These network speeds are more than enough for your travel needs as most networks you connect to when traveling are going to be slower than this.

It also has a USB port that you can connect a smartphone too for tethering purposes. So you can share the internet connection from your smartphone across the network your travel router creates. However this USB port can’t be used to connect a hard drive for file sharing.

There’s also a 1000Mbps ethernet port. It doesn’t have a built-in battery, so it does need to be powered from either a USB battery pack or a wall adaptor.

You also get VPN support, so if you have a subscription to a supported VPN service then you can put the details into the router and it will route all traffic through the VPN.

We think this travel router is an excellent option, as you get more future proof WiFi 6 support and gigabit LAN, as well as VPN credential support, in a well-priced package. It doesn’t have all the features of pricier models, but it’s certainly a compelling option.

Note, TP-Link also makes an older travel router, the TL-WR902AC Router . We wouldn’t recommend that one as it’s now quite an old model, but it is certainly a low cost option.

Price: Check the latest price on Amazon here

3. NewQ Filehub AC 750

If you’re after a travel router with a few more features and great functionality, then the NeqQ Filehub AC750 is a good choice. It may also allow you to replace some of the other devices you typically travel with to pack less.

As well as offering a fast 433Mbps network with support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, this device features a 6700mah battery so it works without needing power, and can also be used to charge your devices.

It also features an SD Card reader and a USB port, so you can transfer files from memory cards to your hard drives or computer. It also has DLNA compatible media serving capabilities, although it is missing built in VPN support.

The latter means you can plug in a hard drive or memory card with your movies on, and stream them directly to your TV, laptop, or mobile phone. There’s a lot of functionality for the price and it weighs under 7 ounces!

Price: Check the latest price on Amazon here .

4. GL.iNet GL-A1300 (Slate Plus) Travel Router

The GL-A1300 from Gl.iNet is the latest version of the travel router we currently use. The GL-A1300 supports 400Mbps on the 2.4Ghz channel, and up to 867Mbps on the 5Ghz channel. It also supports up to 40 devices simultaneously, thanks to a relatively fast processor and lots of RAM.

Like the other GL.iNet routers it also gets regular updates and includes support for features like IPv6 and WPA3, as well as lots of other advanced features that make this perfect for both travel and at home use.

Now, to be honest, most WiFi networks you connect to aren’t going to offer internet speeds which this router can take advantage of. However, if you happen to connect to one that is that fast, this device will let you take full advantage of it! It also means when you’re not travelling you can use it at home as a fast network option to extend an existing network.

You also get three gigabit ethernet ports, a faster USB 3.0 port with media server capabilities, a micro SD slot for storage, and a USB-C port for power. As with the other GL.iNet devices in this list, If you have a smartphone that supports tethering, you can plug it into the USB port and share your smartphone data as well. Or, if you have a USB 3G/4G modem, you can plug that into the USB slot and share that data.

This router is also specifically designed to provide good support for a wide range of VPN services as well as support for IPv6, making this one of the most future proof travel routers we’re aware of on the market. It weighs 6.3oz, so it’s not the smallest option, but it’s still very compact and offers a lot of functionality for the price.

5. GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX)

Launched in December 2022, at the time of its launch this travel router took the speed crown from our previous fastest travel router, the GL.iNet GL-MT1300 (Beryl) . As the name suggests, it is an upgrade over the 1300 Beryl model.

If you want one of the fastest and most future proof travel routers on the market, this is the model to go for. With WiFi 6 support, you can get speeds of up to 574Mbps on the 2.4GHz channel and a blazing fast 2402Mbps on the 5Ghz channel.

It also has an incredibly fast dual-core CPU and double the RAM of the previous Beryl model, meaning it can support up to 70 connected devices simultaneously.

You also get a USB 3 port for tethering support and 2 LAN ports. One of those LAN ports offers gigabit speeds whilst the other is 2.5 gigabits, which is about as fast as you can get, and ideal if you also want to use this at home with a fibre connection.

It otherwise has the same features as the other GL.iNet products, so you get regular updates and support for VPN connectivity if you have a VPN account. If you do have a VPN, this router offers WireGuard speeds of up to 300Mbps, which is incredibly fast compared to other travel routers on the market.

To be honest, this router is probably a bit much for most general travel needs. However, If you have a lot of devices to connect, or just want the fastest option with all the features, and support for USB 3, this is the one to go for. At 7oz, it’s not the lightest option out there but you do get incredible performance.

Price : Check latest price on Amazon here .

6. Asus RT-AX57 Go

Launched in early 2024, the Asus RT-AX57 Go is another high end travel router offering very fast WiFi 6 speeds, up to 574Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 2402Mbps on the 5Ghz channel. That puts it on par with the GT-3000.

In terms of features, this travel router is packed. You get USB-C charging, a USB 3 port which supports tethering as well as file sharing from a portable drive, and 2 gigabit ethernet ports.

It also supports inputing your VPN credentials so you can secure your whole network, rather than having to run VPN software on each client device seperately.

It comes with a fast CPU and plenty of RAM so you will be able to connect multiple devices with no problem.  It’s not the smallest device out there, weighing in at 7.1oz (200g), but it’s still compact enough for travel.

In our opinion, this travel router makes the most sense for those of you who already have a home network WiFi router made by Asus. That’s because this little travel router has the same AiMesh features as its larger siblings, meaning you can use it when not traveling to extend and improve your home WiFi easily.

7. Netgear Nighthawk Range

If you are looking for a product that is both a mobile hotspot and a travel router, the Netgear Nighthawk range of devices, including the Netgear Nighthawk M1 (MR1100) which we discuss below, are an option to consider.

These are specifically for people who know they are going to be traveling in places without WiFi internet access.

As well as offering travel router capabilities like extending an ethernet or wireless network, the Netgear Nighthawk M1 also lets you put a 4G LTE SIM card into it, and use it as a mobile hotspot when you are away from wireless or ethernet.

It has a 5040mAH built in battery which you can use to charge your phone, media streaming support, can connect up to 20 devices, and supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11ac wireless networks.

Note that this can work on multiple bands around the world, but it doesn’t support all bands around the world. Check to make sure it will work where you need it to work before purchasing. The device should come unlocked and be able to work with any compatible SIM card.

This is definitely a more premium product, but may be a good option for more frequent travelers, those who work remotely, and those who need to get online in more remote locations like RVs or rural settings. For more convenient travel, there are cases you can purchase for it to keep the router and cords, such as this one .

If you are looking for an even faster mobile hotspot that also doubles as a travel router, then you might consider the newer versions which support 5G, including the Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200) and the Nighthawk M6 (MR6150 & MR6500).

These offer 5G compatibility, a touchscreen interface, and can support up to 32 devices. They are significantly more expensive than the M1, but worth considering if you have a larger budget and want a more future-proof router that supports 5G. The M6 series additionally supports WiFi 6.

Note that there is also a M2 version of the router available in certain markets like the United Kingdom and Europe. This one also offers more features like a touchscreen interface but it doesn’t include 5G support.

Price: Check latest price here

You can see and compare most of the travel routers above in one place on Amazon here .

What We Like about Travel Routers

Our primary use for our travel router has been to extend existing Wi-Fi connections. We have often encountered the situation when we are happy to learn that a wireless Internet connection exists in a hotel, bus, cafe, or airport but are then disappointed that the connection is too weak to connect to or is very slow.

Our travel router can then be pulled out to help strengthen the signal so that we can get online using our phone, tablet, and/or laptops. Although not always possible, it is also great in those situations where you can extend a Wi-Fi range from a hotel lobby to your room or from an indoor space to a patio.

The device also partially helps with the security issue of using public Wi-Fi hotspots by providing a firewall and some protection from common Internet threats; however, you should still be cautious about providing sensitive personal information over a public connection.

Travel Routers are also great in other traveling situations beyond just extending an existing wireless connection. There are situations where you might only be given a password to connect one device at a time on a wireless network or may have to pay for additional devices. Obviously, since we are traveling as a couple with two cell phones, two laptops, and two Wi-Fi enabled cameras between us, one Internet connection is not enough and we hate to pay for Internet!

So by whipping out this device, it will allow you to connect multiple devices to a wireless network using a single login. You just login once from the travel router via a web browser or the provided smartphone app, and then all your devices can be connected to the travel routers network, where they should all work simultaneously.

Also, if you are in a hotel or other location that only offers wired Internet access in your room, you can plug the Ethernet cable into the travel router and create a wireless connection that can be used for all of your WiFi-enabled devices.     

Interestingly we have ended up using our travel router as much, if not more, at our apartment verses while traveling.  When we lived in California, we had a good wireless Internet connection in our apartment but it became weaker when trying to use a laptop or phone outside on the deck.

We’ve set up the travel router to extend the range of our home wireless network to be able to blog more efficiently on the deck which was one of my favorite spots to blog . We have also used the USB ports on our router to charge cell phones and other devices and to plug in our USB hard drive for use as a network attached storage device to be shared on our home network.

We also like that most of these travel routers are powered through a micro-USB port, so you can actually power them from a laptop or USB power bank if you don’t have easy access to a power point.

Limitations of Travel Routers

Most travel routers are not a mobile hotspot, so they cannot create an Internet connection if one does not already exist.

So if you are wanting to actually use the Internet in place where there is no or very poor WiFi internet, you’ll probably want to consider something like a mobile hotspot rather than a router or range extender product. However, some travel routers allow you to connect your smartphone via USB and share your mobile data over WiFi, which is a good option. 

The Netgear Nighthawk M1 is a combo router and mobile hotspot, and so this could be an option as well if you need a hotspot.

For those wondering how to get online or how to find an Internet connection while traveling, see our travel guide to getting online when traveling . It also covers things like mobile hotspots, SIM cards, international data plans, VPNs, etc.

Sometimes despite the power of a travel router’s antenna, the signal will still be too weak to connect. In a few situations we have spent too much time trying to get a connection to work when the signal is simply just too weak.  Some routers can also take a few minutes to connect to a network which can leave you wondering if it is just taking awhile or if it isn’t working. 

Be sure to check before you buy to make sure the travel router is compatible with your devices! This should not be an issue for most newer devices but some may not work as well with older devices or those using older operating systems.

Do you Need a Travel Router?

Overall, we have found travel routers to be a benefit to our travels. They are generally easy to use once configured, and are compact and easy to travel with.

Given that many hotels only allow you to join a network using one device at a time (or charge extra for multiple devices), having a travel router makes it possible for us to use all our WiFi enabled devices at once without extra fees.

We currently use ours both at home to extend the range of our own home Internet and while traveling to extend wireless Internet connections, to login multiple devices using one password, and to add a little security while using public WiFi hotspots.

What issues do you have related to using the Internet while traveling? Have you used or would you consider using a travel router? As always, we’d love to hear any advice, tips, or questions you may have!

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Andrew Scott Post author

April 13, 2024 at 6:37 am

I’m so overloaded with reviews and information that I decided I’m going to get something you use or recommend. Best review is one where someone recommends something they actually use. Now, you use the GL.iNet GL-MT1300 but Amazon says it’s no longer available. I think it said “try this instead” but I’m wondering if you’d recommend its apparent replace, whose model I can’t remember, or if you’d switch up/to one of the others you recommend/reviewed. Thanks in advance.

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

April 14, 2024 at 1:44 am

Yes, it looks like our Beryl router (MT1300) is showing as unavailable, so it looks like it is either out of stock or has been recently discontinued. GL.iNet has been updating and making new routers pretty regularly over the past several years. So based on that one, we would recommned the GL.iNet GL-A1300 (Slate Plus) router . It’s offers pretty much the same feature set as the MT1300, but with improved VPN support. It’s also at roughly the same price point as the one we bought.

If you want support for more recent network technology, then the MT3000 (Beryl AX) would be the option to go for. The Beryl AX (MT3000) is the same model as we have with more advanced technology but at a higher price point. For most travel needs though, the A1300 should work fine.

Either of the above models should work fine for you. We have had good luck with our GL.iNet travel routers and they offer free customer support as well as free returns on Amazon. I would say they are the most reliable brand out on the market right now for regular travel routers. You can, of course, also ask us any questions you may have about routers and we are happy to try to help.

Hope this helps and wishing you happy travels!

Best, Jessica

April 28, 2024 at 7:15 am

Thank you for the full and helpful reply!! Had missed your reply before now.

Regarding “This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links it means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.” can you clarify if it’s any links you include in your webpages (e.g. the links in your blog text and those in comment replies)? I’m ready to purchase a router based on your blog and comment replies and I’d like you to profit from the help and guidance you provide so I want to follow the correct Amazon link. 🙂

Laurence Post author

May 2, 2024 at 4:56 am

You’re very welcome!

Most of our Amazon links included in our post are affiliate links. So if you click on one of those links and purchase the same day, then we get a small commission from that purchase as members of their affiliate program. I definitely appreciate you wanting to help support us!

Hope you enjoy your new travel router!

March 24, 2024 at 1:16 pm

This is a follow-up to my first comment but unable to reply to unapproved comments hence this one.

Just realised that since they are invariably powered via USB, rather than buying one with a built-in battery, you could just use a power bank to power them. The trick would be knowing what size of power bank you’d need for a given travel router.

March 25, 2024 at 4:25 am

Yes, Internet on cruises can be challenging. I think it will depend on the Wifi signal (if it is only available in the cruise cabins) if it will reach to other public areas or not.

The majority of the travel routers we recommend accept a USB input for power so many can be charged/powered by battery. The main thing is to check that the battery bank puts out an output that matches the input of the travel router. Most travel routers accept a 5V 2amp, 3amp or 4amp input, which should work with most battery banks. However, some higher powered routers require a higher voltage, so just check the specifications to be sure.

In terms of size, a 15,000 to 25,000 mah battery bank such as this one by INIU should provide many hours of operation.

Hope that helps and hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Best, Jessica & Laurence

May 5, 2024 at 8:50 am

Ended up purchasing the recommended one by INIU. Thought I’d come back to leave the comment that the GL.iNet Beryl AX router, which I also purchased, required 5V 3A power input. Looking at routers reviewed by Which? magazine, who also recommended the INIU router, it was the only that could provide the necessary power. “All” others were 2A and I didn’t want to risk wasting my time (sending it back) with an underpowered one. Anyway, sitting here quite happily connected to router powered by the powerbank. 😊

May 7, 2024 at 8:58 am

Great to hear your found a solution and that our advice was helpful. Just to clarify, I assume you mean that you got the GL.iNet Beryl AX travel router and a INJU powerbank (not a router from INIU?)? Glad to hear that the recommended INUI powerbank put out the correct amperage for the Gl.Inet travel router.

Yes, we have INIU powerbanks ourselves and have purchased them as gifts for friends so definitely recommend them!

May 7, 2024 at 11:17 am

Yes, gl.inet router and iniu powerbank.

March 24, 2024 at 1:06 pm

We’re looking at one for use on cruises since we learned we can’t hot-spot the WiFi each of phones will have access to. Thought we’d only be able to use it in our room until I read about the one that is battery powered. That would allow us to use it beside the pool or in some other public area. THAT would be extroflexible.

March 25, 2024 at 4:16 am

See our response to both of your comments above to your second comment.

Kelly Post author

December 28, 2023 at 9:24 am

Hi – we sure appreciate the great info!

I was hoping to learn if you thought a travel router would be a good choice to replace our router in Mexico so that we are able to access US streaming through our VPN? It would become our new permanent router there. And/or would we able to use 2 routers with the same VPN, one for other travel and one for our Mexico residence?

December 28, 2023 at 1:54 pm

Happy to try to help with your travel router and VPN questions. So it sounds like a permanent router would be best for your Mexico home and most home routers by GLiNet, Netgear, and many other brands will support a VPN. So for example, this one by GL.iNet should work find as a home router with a VPN service. A home router is going to be larger (so not ideal for travel) but is going to generally perform better overall than a small travel router and have more features, so best to stick to that for home use.

It sounds like you also want a more portable travel router for when you travel internationally to other locations outside of Mexico and the USA? And in that case, most of the midrange and above travel routers support VPN services. You just want to avoid the really cheap ones. Any of the GLiNet travel router options we recommend above such as the Slate or Beryl models should work fine with most VPN services and they are really good travel routers as well. Just see our recommended list above.

And yes, you should be able to use the same VPN service across your home and travel routers. If you stick to the same brand across your routers, it might be a bit easier with configuration but it probably doesn’t make too much difference.

It sounds like you probably already have a VPN service for traveling, but if not, Laurence made a guide and a list of VPNs for traveling here that might be useful.

Hope that helps but just let us know if you have any further questions!

December 28, 2023 at 4:49 pm

Big thanks, Jessica – all VERY helpful information to make my learning curve more bearable.

I will look further into supporting your sites.

Much appreciation,

December 29, 2023 at 6:32 pm

You’re very welcome, and just let us know if you have further questions as you do any further research on routers and VPNs!

Patricia Post author

September 18, 2023 at 9:00 am

Do I need any cabling to use these travel routers with an iPad Pro. Looking at the photos they seem to have Lan connectors and usb sockets , but at the moment at least iPads don’t have either of these. Please advise. I need the router to connect to Wi-Fi when the signal is weak but I would also like it to be as secure as possible thank you. Great reviews

September 18, 2023 at 9:55 pm

Hi Patricia,

No, you don’t need any cables to be able to use any of the recommended travel routers with your iPad Pro, they all can be used with WiFi with your devices. However, most also allow for LAN Ethernet connectivity if you need a wired connection and many also have USB ports. But most people just use their devices over WiFi so you would be fine with any travel router if you are just needing to mainly connect your devices for security, easier connectivity, and extending existing WiFi.

Bob Simmons Post author

July 2, 2023 at 10:05 am

Thanks for the great article. My issue is with WiFi that requires payment after entering password. Also each device requires payment. On a cell phone, after logging in, it pops up a window (browser?) where you enter the credit card info. Do any of these travel routers have that capability, to enter payment information? Reading the user manuals it appears the answer is no. In your travels maybe you have encountered this issue.

July 4, 2023 at 9:34 am

It’s our pleasure, and we will do our best to try to help you.

So the window that pops up to take payment is called a captive portal, and it’s the same thing you often encounter even with free Wifi where it might ask you to enter your name or e-mail address to access the internet. All the travel routers on our list support this, so you can log in and pay if necessary for internet access. A window will pop up on the first device you connect with where you can pay. A pop-up blocker or ad blocker might stop it from happening but in our experience a browser window normally just appears to log in with.

Let us know if you have any more questions!

Laurence & Jessica

Luke Post author

May 25, 2023 at 5:08 am

Just want to say thanks for the sharing informative article, very helpful in choosing the best travel router for our next trip!

June 2, 2023 at 4:39 am

You’re very welcome and glad to hear you found the best travel router for your upcoming travels! And thanks for taking the time to comment.

B.Balakrishnan Post author

May 19, 2023 at 4:04 am

This blog post on the best travel routers for the internet while traveling in 2023 is a lifesaver! Staying connected on the go is crucial, and these router recommendations are just what I needed. Thank you for the helpful insights!

May 21, 2023 at 9:50 am

Hi there, So glad you found our travel router review helpful. Just let us know if you have any questions!

Arnold Machel Post author

April 23, 2023 at 9:08 am

Thanks for the great article. I’ve used a travel router for years and found them super helpful, especially in situations where I want to use a portable Chromecast, but the hotel WiFi security settings won’t it allow to connect directly to the hotel WiFi.

I am now using a laptop that needs a high wattage charger (ideally 65 watts) and would love to finde a travel router with that kind of charging capability, but I can’t seem to find the technical stats on most of them. Any thoughts?

April 24, 2023 at 1:28 am

Glad to hear you have found a travel router useful on your travels. So it sounds like you are looking for a travel router that doubles up as a powerbank that you can use to charge your laptop? Unfortunately, we aren’t aware of any travel routers on the market which offer that level of output, most travel routers which have the facility to charge devices have fairly small batteries and don’t offer high wattage outputs. The ones that offer the ability to charge a device, are more designed to top up a smartphone rather than to power a laptop.

So if you want a portable device to help charge your laptop on the go, I would look at powerbanks like this one that are speciically designed to charge laptops.

Hope that helps! Jessica

April 24, 2023 at 6:34 am

Thanks Jessica. Too bad. Was just hoping to get one device to do both. Good luck with the blog.

April 26, 2023 at 2:19 am

You’re very welcome. Yes, unfortunately I don’t think there is a device that would be able to do both those things well. Feel free to come back and let us know what travel router and charging device you decide to use on your next trip as it may be helpul to furture readers wanting to do the same thing.

Sherry Duvall Post author

March 6, 2023 at 6:46 am

Thanks for this great article! I have just discovered travel routers and am intrigued as to whether this would be something that would work for my family. I would like to know if any of these would work on a cruise ship? We have to pay for each device, or log off and login on them which is such a pain. Cruise ships are huge so will it work when you are far away from your room, and if so, which one would you recommend? Thank you for any help!

March 6, 2023 at 8:44 am

Our pleasure! So to the first part of your question, yes, this should work to allow you to use multiple devices with a single login. The travel router will appear as one device to the cruise ship network, and then you would be able to connect your devices to the travel router’s network without needing to keep logging in and out.

For the second part of the question, travel routers have a variable range but it won’t cover a whole cruise ship unfortunately. It would work in your room and then nearby, but all the walls etc would reduce the range. So it wouldn’t cover the whole ship sadly. But any of the travel routers on the list work in a very similar way in terms of login and would cover your room.

Hope this helps!

March 6, 2023 at 9:41 am

Thank you very much…guess I will save my money!

QBM Post author

March 1, 2023 at 9:21 pm

This article from Independent Travel Cats’ blog is a comparison and review of the top portable WiFi routers for travellers. This post does a good job of researching and comparing the features, benefits, and cons of each router. Personal anecdotes and experiences from the bloggers’ travels are also included in the article. In sum, if you are a frequent traveller in need of a dependable and transportable router, you will find this article to be a gold mine of information.

March 2, 2023 at 4:14 am

Thanks so much for the very kind summary and recommendation of our travel router review article!! If you have any questions about portable routers, feel free to ask!

Daniel W Post author

February 24, 2023 at 8:33 pm

I appreciate what you did with this blog post, especially the way you keep it updated. It is the best online resource for people looking for information on travel routers, thanks!

February 27, 2023 at 7:12 am

Thanks for the kind words and glad you found our travel routers review article useful! If you have any questions about choosing the best travel router for you, just let us know. Happy to try to help!

Karen Arnauld-Bakelaar Post author

January 20, 2023 at 10:21 pm

This i8s so incredibly useful – thank you! Can you help me sort out which might be the best option for me? I mainly work in South Africa, which means we have long spells without power, so anything that runs on battery would be nice to have. I’m in a rural area, so even while working from home I often have trouble getting a wifi signal, especially in bad weather.

I need the signal to be strong enough for Zoom meetings, etc – and often it’s not.

I also need a portable option for when I travel, but I don’t know if I need something to boost a signal or to hotspot – can you help me with this?

All internet here is wifi – I have a home plug-in router with a SIM card in it, and a small portable router as well, but they don’t always do the job!

January 23, 2023 at 7:22 am

It’s our pleasure. So it sounds like you need a mobile hotspot rather than a travel router. A travel router can only extend an existing WiFi signal.

A mobile hotspot works over cellular networks (like a mobile phone). However this can be affected by bad weather, so would basically be the same situation as you are in as your plug-in router likely works the same way. The only difference is that a mobile hotspot has a built-in battery.

So in bad weather situations, there may not be anything more you can do as strong weather can affect the overall signal which could affect the signal for any kind of devices using WiFi or mobile signals. But you might try a hotspot to see if that helps as it works with a different type of signal (cellular signal versus WiFi).

Monte Post author

December 23, 2022 at 3:10 pm

Is there a travel router best suited for offline multiplayer gaming? My wife and I often wind up in areas with no internet. A normal home router constantly nags us with the “you aren’t connected” screen. We know! That’s why we’re playing Minecraft!

December 24, 2022 at 6:48 am

Happy to try to help. So I am guessing the home routers you are referring to are ones that are not your own but ones you stay in while traveling?

So none of the travel router models we recommend are specifically designed for offline gaming. However, we think any of the Gl.iNet routers on the list would work in this scenario, allowing you to create a local WiFi network that your devices can connect to without needing to connect to another WiFi network. However, we have not tried this specific scenario so it is hard to say if one or another router on this list would be better suited to the task. But the more advanced ones offer more features and more future proofing.

Another option to try might be to see if one of your computers (or smartphones if playing on them) allows you to set up a WiFi hotspot. Some Windows 10 and Windows 11 laptops for example have the option to allow you to set up a local WiFi network, which you could then connect your other device too. This may be another possible solutation you could check out.

Anyway, hope that helps and we’d love to know what solution you come up with that solves your issue as it may be useful to future readers.

Virag Post author

November 28, 2022 at 8:22 am

Hi, Thank you for this amazing article. I travel quite a lot and work at the same time and I would need something that I can use to boost the available public wifi (like in hotels or coffee shops). Which one would you recommend in this case?

Thank you in advance, Virag

November 28, 2022 at 9:38 am

Glad you found our travel routers guide useful. So any of the routers listed in our guide would work for that purpose but the GL.iNet routers with the antennas, such as the Slate, Beryl, or the Slate AX models, would have the best performance. We personally use the Beryl model . So I’d recommend any of those three models or a similar travel router to those.

I believe Amazon has been offering discounts on most of the routers for the past week so I would definitely compare prices as you can sometimes get one of the newer models for a good price when they are running discounts.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have further questions.

Steve Brown Post author

October 31, 2022 at 11:45 pm

Thank you for sharing the list. I really needed one. I have dead wifi zones with which the travel routers could help.

November 1, 2022 at 9:19 am

It’s our pleasure, glad you found our list useful. So whilst a travel router can work to resolve dead zones, you might prefer to purchase a WiFi extender instead, especially if you plan to use this at home. They tend to be a little bit cheaper because they don’t need as much functionality.

Another option to solve dead zones would be to upgrade to a mesh WiFi network – see our guide to the best home WiFi routers for ideas in that area. The mesh system can help make it so that the WiFi is able to extend throughout your home.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any questions!

AJ Post author

October 21, 2022 at 5:01 pm

I purchased two of these items ( #1 and #3) but since I am not tech savvy at all, they were impossible to use. I tried reading and rereading the instructions. I tried the company websites. I tried many youtube videos. I sat between Carls Jr and Walmart, who both have free wifi. I was able to scan each one with a success response. BUT NO WIFI.

This sucks. When someone in an actual store can hook me up and show me how to use it, and provide an actual phone number I can call when I am on the road (which I always am), then I’ll buy one. But reading reviews and going to amazon, and returning said items to amazon, is not my cup of tea.

October 21, 2022 at 5:09 pm

Sorry to hear that you are having issues with using your travel router while traveling. So most travel routers require a little bit of setup.

Have you tried using them inside where you know the WiFi was a good strength and working properly? If you were sitting outside the stores, the public signal might not have been strong enough for instance to really work.

If you have already gotten the manufacturer’s instructions (GL.iNet has some really detailed ones online you can get), you can also try contacting their customer support. If you want in-person support, you could also try going to a local tech store near you (or a chain like Best Buy) that sells travel routers and might be able to troubleshoot with you and help you.

Hope you are able to get it to work!

David Post author

October 1, 2022 at 10:31 pm

For travelers who need access to the internet while traveling, this device sounds very useful. In our everyday life we cannot think of going a day without internet. Thanks for sharing for your valueable information.

October 3, 2022 at 6:55 am

Yes, travel routers can be very useful for those who need to be connected while traveling. If you have any questions about travel routers, just ask!

Chris Post author

September 7, 2022 at 1:54 am

I’m having trouble backup my extender settings, it takes saying that backup is done but can’t find the file??!!

September 7, 2022 at 5:08 am

Many travel routers do allow you to back up their settings, and save the settings to a file. But you will want to check the manual for your specific travel router model to see if it has that functionality and how to do that.

When you backup something as you did, it should give you the option to choose the file location when you do so. So if you check your browser downloads folder it should be there where you set it to save. Or check your manual for the default location.

Hope that helps, Jessica

Jason Post author

August 1, 2022 at 7:32 pm

Hello. Thanks for all the great info. I have been researching travel router setup, but am not sure if it’s possible to do what I’m attempting. I hope you can help me out.

I have an “older” ASUS Dual-Band router that was replaced when we upgraded our home to Eero Mesh router. What I’d like to do is set up the old ASUS router with the same SSID & password as my current home router (the Eero), so that I can take the ASUS on family vacations, connect it to the hotel/condo/house/etc. WiFi, and then all of our devices will automatically connect to it (since they have the same SSID/pswd already saved from our Eero router), without having to sign in all of our devices to the hotel/condo/house/etc. WiFi.

I’ve found some articles that explain how to set up 2 routers with the same SSID & pswd, but they all require connecting the router to a laptop for the initial setup/configuration. So, the real question/problem is: I don’t want to take my laptop on vacation, just to connect my old ASUS router to the vacation home’s WiFi. So, is it possible to set up my old ASUS router at home, and then plug it directly into the vacation hotel/condo/home router via ethernet cable, or will I need to bring my laptop to open a web browser and complete the setup?

August 2, 2022 at 12:10 am

It’s hard to really give specifics without knowing the type of router and equipment. But if the main step that is required is to connect to the Asus router via a web browser over the WiFi connection, then you shouldn’t need a laptop specifically to do that as you can just use the web browser on your smartphone to achieve the same thing. So that part of it should work.

I would definitely test this setup at home first to see if you can extend your existing network with your old Asus router to see if it works as you intend. If you can’t get it to work at home, I would not recommend taking it on vacation. If you can’t get it to work, I would just recommend getting a new travel router that will do what you need it to do for your trip.

Best, Laurence

David Paker Post author

July 4, 2022 at 1:34 pm

Wow! You guys are doing an amazing job. Following your tutorials, I learned so much !!

July 5, 2022 at 2:38 am

So glad you found our articles helpful. If you have any questions about travel routers, just ask!

May 12, 2022 at 10:42 pm

Thanks for the review. I’ll definitely look into it. It really is frustrating if the signal is slow. . I’ll be willing to carry extra weight if it would boost connection,.

May 13, 2022 at 2:07 am

Yes, a travel router may definitely be able to help with that. It does require packing something extra but travel routers are designed for travel and many of the models are pretty small and lightweight these days so won’t add a lot of extra weight! But I would recommend keeping the dimensions and weights of each model in mind when choosing the best travel router for you.

Ryan J Post author

May 11, 2022 at 6:19 am

Thank you for such a thorough and informative writeup! I also read your Best Mobile Hotpots review and was inspired to purchase the Nighthawk M1100, especially considering it’s added ability to be a travel router and boost a current wifi signal. Will be travelling to Europe and staying at many AirBnb’s. Just in case any of them have a weak wifi signal, I’ll be prepared! Now that I have the device, I can’t seem to find instructions on how to use it as a travel router specifically. I’ve searched everywhere online, and there seems to be different wording out there “turn the m1100 into a modem, use it with a modem, etc. Saw one video on how to use the nighthawk with another router (boosting that router’s signal), but it requires connecting an ethernet cable from the router to the Nighthawk. Is that the process of using it as a travel router? Ideally, I’d like to be able to avoid using the ethernet cable, especially if on a public network (i.e. train) that I need to connect to but is weak. Or staying somwhere that I don’t have access to the broadcasting router. Any specific instructions on using the Nighthawk M1100 as a travel router without using an ethernet cable? Thanks in advance.

May 11, 2022 at 9:28 am

So yes, the Nighthawk M1100 is mainly used as a mobile hotspot, but it can also be used as a travel router. So it is definitely possible to set up the MR1100 as a travel router to share a WiFi network, but the manual is not super helpful. We remember this ourselves when we set it up.

The section you are looking for calls it called WiFi data offloading. If you load the MR1100 manual on this page ( https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/MR1100/MR1100_UM_EN.pdf ) – you are looking for the instructions on page 30, titled “offload your mobile internet connection”. There are sections here on setting this up for either Wifi offloading or ethernet offloading. You are looking for the instructions on Wifi offloading.

Hope that helps, but just let us know if you have any further questions. We have used both the Nighthawk M1 and M2 and have set them up to work as a travel router ourselves so happy to help!

May 12, 2022 at 6:34 pm

Amazing. Would have never found that out on my own. Thank you! Will let you know how it goes. My wife and I are being “digital nomads” for the first time having worked remote in the States for the past 20 years. Will be travelling to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Croatia, Switzerland, Germany, UK, and Ireland over the course of 5 1/2 months. Leaving next week and super excited!

May 13, 2022 at 2:06 am

Glad that helped and you should be able to test it out before you leave. Having the ability to use it both as both a travel router and a mobile hotspot (when you don’t have WiFi) is nice for a long trip like that.

Enjoy your time working as digital nomads in Europe!

Paul Post author

April 30, 2022 at 2:16 pm

Hi, we’re staying at a place that requires us to re-log in every 24 hours. Are there travel routers that will automatically take care of that for you?

May 1, 2022 at 5:33 am

So we aren’t aware of any travel routers that would be able to automatically do this out of the box. With a travel router there is the advantage that you only have to do this once, rather than once for each device you connect to the travel router. So you should be able to just do the necessary daily login once and then all the devices connected to your router should not have to do the log-in.

Depending on how technically minded you are, it is worth pointing out that the GL.iNet routers are based on the OpenWRT software, which allows technically-savvy users to install extra packages if they want and run custom code. However, this is beyond the scope of most users (and not necessary or recommended in most cases). However, if that does describe you though, then that’s an option as you may be able to write code (or find code written by someone else) that would be able to do the auto log-in each day.

Pasu Post author

April 28, 2022 at 9:24 pm

“A travel router allows you to connect multiple devices to a network, even with a single login. The travel router is seen by networks as a single device, so if you are only given one login, you can still use multiple devices. You just login once from the travel router via a web browser (or in some cases a provided smartphone app), and then all your devices can be connected to the network created by the travel router.”.

That’s exactly what I need. Connecting to a WiFi and giving the signal to other devices.

But sorry, which if the mentioned models can do this?

Thank you for your help

April 29, 2022 at 3:51 am

All of the travel routers we mention in our article can do this as this is one of the main features of most travel routers. The one we are personally currently using is the GL.iNet Beryl model above, but as noted, any of the above models can do this.

For instance, we often use it with the WiFi in a hotel to connect all our devices at once without having to log in each one. It can also help get around device limits imposed by some hotels as you just need to connect the travel router.

Travel routers can also make your connection more private and secure, and you can also use most of them in conjunction with most VPNs.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any further questions.

April 20, 2022 at 8:43 am

Thanks for this article, but it wasn’t clear to me if any of these support what I want to do: I want to be able to connect a baby monitor to a hotel network (for instance, so a babysitter can keep an eye on the kids from a living room), but my baby cams don’t support connections to captive networks. I’ve gathered that this is where the travel router comes in, allowing me to create my own network after connecting to the hotel’s wifi. What I am hoping to find though, is a travel router that does NOT require an Ethernet connection to make that initial connection to the hotel’s wifi, as not all hotel rooms come with Ethernet ports. It looks like the HooToo TM-02 does this, but I also note that that model is getting a bit long in the tooth at this point. Do any of your recommendations support what I am trying to do? Thanks!

April 20, 2022 at 10:03 am

So none of the travel routers on our list require an ethernet connection to make the first connection, they all work over WiFi (although some can work via ethernet as some have ethernet ports as we note). The way it works is that you turn on the travel router and connect your phone or laptop to the travel router’s WiFi network. Then you use a web browser to configure the travel router to connect to the hotel WiFi network, and if necessary login through the captive portal.

In our experience, the GL.iNet products are the currently the more reliable and most regularly updated options. So those would be our top recommendations, but any of these should work. But newer models are more future proof.

Just a note that setting up cameras or using surveillance devices in hotel rooms is illegal in many countries if any person filmed is unaware of their presence (so if the babysitter or other hotel staff were filmed without their knowledge). So just something to be aware of.

Shannon Post author

February 1, 2022 at 12:02 pm

Hello, I’m currently at a campground with about 4mbps Wi-Fi. I need 200 mbps to do my job and i need help finding the right option. I need something that works with any internet provider and will give me a minimum of 200mbps. Can you help?

February 2, 2022 at 2:39 am

Hi Shannon,

So 200 mbps is very very high and you are unlikely to get that unless you are able to access a 5G mobile network AND a very good cellular signal. The average download speed for 4G is 8-10 mbps. Do you possibly mean 20 mbps that you need for work?

A travel router can help increase a connection but it is not going to make it much faster in most cases. The connection speed at the campsite may be 4mbps at its max and if so, there is nothing you can do to increase that. Especially not 5X or 50X!

If the campsite does have a very fast connection but you are too far from the signal then a travel router can help, but it will likely not make a very big difference, it will generally just make the connection more reliable and secure. But if you travel a lot for work then a travel router like the Beryl one we list above is probably one you would want to have. But you still need to be in places that have a decent connection.

So your best option would be to look into mobile hotspots. These connect over a mobile network and can give you either 4G or 5G speeds depending on the type, and you would need a SIM card to go in them as they are similar to phones in that regard. Of course, you still would need a good cellular network reception for them to work. You can see our guide to mobile hotspots here .

So the best advice is to make sure to do some research before you head to a new place to see what its WiFi connection speed and mobile signal is so that you can see if it a place that you would be able to work from or not. If so, then if you have a travel router and/or mobile hotspot, it should help you work remotely when needed.

Looking to the future, a better option might be something like the Starlink satellite internet which can provide fast internet via low orbit satellites anywhere in the world.

Sage Post author

June 19, 2022 at 11:36 am

Hello! To follow up on this reply (and I am not a techie 🙂 ) I was planning on working from France through a hotel’s WiFi but maybe I should use my cellphone, which is verizon 4G LTE and can be a hotspot? In general, are cellular networks faster than a hotel wifi? I guess it depend on their carrier?

Also, do you recommend a VPN whichever way we access the internet – via cellphone hotspot or hotel wifi?

June 20, 2022 at 4:07 am

So the answer as to whether the hotel WiFi is faster than your cellphone 4G is a difficult one to answer. WiFi is definitely capable of being faster than 4G, but this depends on a number of factors, including the speed of the internet connection the hotel has, how far from the router your device is, and how many other people are using it. 4G also has similar issues, depending on factors like how far away the nearest mast is, if your room is near to a window (walls can weaken a signal), and so on.

In most cases, I’d say that hotel wifi is likely to be faster, but this is definitely not always going to be the case. In general, in your situation, I’d probably say to go with the less expensive option. This is likely to be to get a travel router and use the hotel WiFi (the travel router can then be used on future trips as well). But it depends on the cost of your international data plan.

If you decide to get a travel router (and use hotel WiFi), just be sure to read the instructions and test it out locally before your trip so you know how to set it up and use it before you get to France. Any of the routers we list should work for your situation, our favorites are the ones by GL.iNet.

When it comes to a VPN, VPNs can definitely provide more protection. However, if you are going to use a travel router or cellphone hotspot to connect, it is probably not necessary. Cellphone hotspots or a travel router are going to be more secure because it’s just you connecting to your connection, and mobile networks are a lot harder to hack.

The security concerns over public WiFi networks are not as great as they used to be now that the majority of the web has moved to https. That means the data that is sent from your device to the web and back again is encrypted end to end, so it’s a lot harder for people to snoop on it. In the old days of unencrypted websites and public hotspots, it was fairly easy for someone to hack into someone’s connection, but this is much harder today, especially if you stick to secured websites.

There are still advantages to using a VPN though. Obviously, there is the additional peace of mind, but also some websites block users from specific countries and some countries may block access to certain websites. So a VPN can usually get around that for travelers who need to access websites from their home country. One of the advantages to surfing the web with a VPN in France we’ve found is that it keeps all the websites from constantly redirecting you to the French versions.

Note that some jobs require employees doing remote work to use a VPN or only sign into accounts using some sort of secure connection. This is especially the case if you deal with client data or other sensitive information. So be sure to check your job’s remote work policy regarding security.

We have a post that reviews VPNs for travel here , if you decide you want to use a VPN.

Hope that helps, and feel free to follow-up if you have further questions. Wishing you a great trip to France.

Will Pearce Post author

December 17, 2021 at 8:28 am

I’ve had a HooToo HT-TM05 for about 5 years, and was initially very happy with it. Increasingly, though, I’m encountering web logins on hotel wifi–a situation that I’ve not been able to handle with the HooToo.

I’m aware that some travel routers can be configured with the web login credentials so that they’re able to establish the wifi connection, but it’s not clear from your review which of your recommended devices can do that.

Could you clarify that, please. Also, if you know of some way to get the HooToo to handle this situation, I’d be glad to hear it.

December 17, 2021 at 1:15 pm

Sorry you are having issues with your travel router. Hotel log-ins can be tricky. So the HooToo HT-TM05 should be able to handle the situation you describe (and HooToo noted this in their old FAQ section), as that’s a common scenario for using a travel router. You would normally connect to the Hootoo network with your smartphone or laptop, login to the Hootoo and select the hotel network, and then open up a new browser page from your phone or laptop and try to use the web. This should launch the hotel login page.

Sometimes though this might not work, and it’s possibly because the Hootoo is an older device as that model is now several years old. There are various reasons that it could fail, including a custom DNS setup on your device, use of a VPN, or trying to navigate to some https pages. It’s hard to troubleshoot without seeing the error message you are getting. How far into the process are you getting? Are you getting any error messages?

If this occurs in more than one hotel, and you can’t get it working, I’d recommend contacting HooToo for support. They list the following info on their website: Tel: 1-888-456-8468 (Monday-Friday: 9:00 – 17:00 PST) and email [email protected]

It looks like the company has not updated information on HooToo HT-TMO5 for a couple of years now and it may be that the company is no longer supporting the device. We also just saw that it has been removed from Amazon.

If nothing is working, it is probably that you just need to upgrade the device. I’d recommend upgrading to one of the newer GL.inet, TP-Link, or Netgear travel router models. We’ve used both the GL.inet Beryl and Netgear M1 in hotels recently without incident.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any further questions!

Pipps Post author

November 18, 2021 at 2:45 am

Thanks for the great guide and clear recommendations👍

November 18, 2021 at 2:13 pm

Thanks Pipps for taking the time to leave a comment. Glad our travel router guide was helpful and just let us know if you have any questions!

November 19, 2021 at 2:18 am

My pleasure, you definitely got the Amazon referral 👍

Nikki Mag Post author

October 14, 2021 at 10:12 pm

Thank you for this wealth of information, greatly appreciate it. I am not tech savvy whatsoever and was hoping you had some information to share.

My employer requires an ethernet connection from a modem/router to the company laptop. We are unable to directly connect to wifi. As of today, is there a recommended travel router that I can connect via ethernet cable? I apologize if youve answered this already and I missed it.

October 15, 2021 at 6:35 am

No problem, and happy to try to help!

All the GL inet travel routers we recommend come with at least two ethernet ports. For instance, the Slate router has three Ethernet ports and a lot of other features. So you can connect to the router via an ethernet cable, and then configure the router to connect to either a WiFi network, or to another network with the other ethernet port on the router. This is fairly plug and play so shouldn’t be too tricky, and the instructions that come with the devices are quite easy to follow as well.

You may also want to talk to your company’s IT department as well about the issue since it sounds like they require a certain level of security to be in place for use. If you, for instance, need to use a VPN to connect to your work data, the Slate router is compatible with over 30+ VPNs but may not be compatible with all VPNs.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have any other questions!

jack Post author

October 9, 2021 at 7:48 pm

thanks for the awesome article I am looking for a mobile hotspot and a travel router, I need it very much. I found your article. Very beautiful and will come in handy for me.

October 10, 2021 at 4:53 am

Glad it was helpful and hope you found a travel router that works for you. If you are looking for a device that can be both a travel router or wireless hotspot, then the Netgear Nighthawk router is probably your best bet. If you are looking for two separate devices, then you can also check out this article about choosing a mobile hotspot .

But do let us know if you have any questions about travel routers or mobile hotspots.

Joao Post author

October 6, 2021 at 7:41 am

Thank you for this great article.

I’m looking for a travel router, just with the intention of better capturing public networks.

Which of these routers do you think provides a better increase in signal strength on public wireless networks?

October 7, 2021 at 1:31 am

So we’d recommend either the Gl.iNet AR750S ( https://amzn.to/2Quyhsb ) or the GL.iNet MT1300 would be our suggestions. These both have little external aerials which mean they are able to get improved range compared to other options in the round up.

October 7, 2021 at 3:10 am

Hi Jessica,

Thank you for the reply.

Do you think the gain in signal strength is worth it for the price difference for the GL.iNet GL-AR300M16 for example?

October 8, 2021 at 1:44 pm

The more powerful travel routers should be able to provide a stronger signal, but I think you would also be paying more for extra features (not just signal strength specs) as well on the more expensive routers. Whether it would improve the signal strength over some of the lower priced GL.iNet routers is probably going to depend on the particular situation and place in which you use it. You might consider buying the lower priced and test it out to see if it works as you need it to. If not, you could return it and purchase the more expensive router with the better signal strength.

For more technical questions about signal strength and the differences between models, you might want to reach out to the GL.iNet customer service and let them know how you specifically plan to use it and they can probably give you a more technical answer since we have not tested the two routers at the same time.

Alice Post author

August 9, 2021 at 7:50 am

Great information here on travel routers. Which of the Glinet routers would you recommend for a first time user? Interested in using it for working on laptop at coffee shops and for travel (domestic and international). Not super tech savvy so something that is pretty easy to use and will last.

August 9, 2021 at 8:35 am

Thanks very much! I appreciate we go into a bit of detail with the GL.iNet routers and their advanced features, but the good news is that you don’t need to be technical to use them, they work well out of the box with a simple web interface to set them up. Any of the ones listed should actually meet your needs.

So the MT300N-v2 (Mango) is a good option if size and budget are the key constraints. It is small, lightweight, and the least expensive. Its small size and weight make it perfect for travel.

For a more future-proof solution, then the two higher-priced GL.iNet models (Slate and Beryl) offer a faster WiFi network with support for the 5Ghz band, which tends to be less congested and therefore faster in public situations. The Beryl model (which we have), is the most powerful with the fastest processor inside, but it’s honestly not going to make a huge difference between that and the AR750 (Slate) unless you have a need for the USB 3 port or want to connect to very fast networks (which most public wifi networks in our experience are not!).

Hope that helps, and let us know if you have any further questions!

August 4, 2021 at 1:25 pm

First off, I say thank you for this information. I will say that I used to use the Netgear Trek N300 before I left it in a hotel (doh). So when I saw that you used to use it as well and saw the information on Juplink EC3-750, I was sold.

I haven’t been able to connect to hotels with it since most hotels have a login screen. I can’t seem to get the setup right on the Juplink to actually be able to pull up the screen to login. How do you set yours up to use in hotels so I can get my setup right. Thank you in advance.

August 5, 2021 at 4:59 am

Yes, the Netgear Treks were great and I wish they would have continued to make and update those. The Netgear Nighthawk M1 is good, but expensive if you are not using it for a mobile hotspot as well as a router.

So the interface for the Juplink can be a bit confusing as it has the different modes and functions. You should be able to get it set up as follows.

First, put the router in repeater mode, then plug it in (if you’ve set it up previously, hold down the reset button on the side for five seconds to start over).

Once the router is on, you should be able to connect your device to the Juplink WiFi network, which doesn’t have a password. You will then be able to login to the router via the url router.juplink.com, the default username and password is admin for both.

From the admin page, press the “repeater wizard” option. This should bring up a list of all the WiFi hotspots, and you would choose the hotel network option. Here you can also specify the network name, this will be your network name. If there is a security password on the network, the network you create will start off with the same password.

The router will restart, and when it comes back it should present you with the new wireless network to connect to. If you connect to this and then try to use the internet, you should be presented with the network login screen.

For added security, I’d recommend changing the password of the created network to a password of your own choosing. You can do this by going to router.juplink.com, logging in again with the username and password, and then going to the WiFi settings. Here you can change the name and password on the WiFi settings.

Hopefully that will work for you, but if not feel free to let us know!

August 6, 2021 at 3:15 pm

It doesn’t work. The hotel sign in page never comes up to sign in.

August 7, 2021 at 9:01 am

I am sorry to hear that isn’t working. I would reach out to Juplink’s customer service to see if they can help as that is the process that we have followed in the past.

If you can’t get it to work after reaching out to Juplink, I’d recommend returning it for one of the recommended GL.iNet or TP-Link travel routers. We have found that GL.inet keeps their software the most updated in recent years so can be the best for the kind of issues you are having.

Let us know what happens as it may be that it doesn’t work well (or is difficult to configure) at certain hotels and we will consider removing it from our list if that is the case.

August 9, 2021 at 6:37 am

We have done more testing with our Juplink and we were able to replicate the issue you are having with a network sign-in page. So for now, we are removing this router from our list and have reached out to Juplink’s customer service to see if Juplink has a solution to fix this issue. It is still working fine as an extender/router but it seems to have issues with log-in screens. Laurence is not sure if this is a hardware or software issue.

In the meantime, we would recommend returning the Juplink and getting a GL.iNET travel router or similar – we have not had the log-in page issues with the GL.iNet router (we have the Beryl one specifically) and are showing it able to load log-in pages when the Juplink one cannot when using them both at the same time. Sorry for the inconvenience as we have had the Juplink for over a year but our travels have been pretty limited due to Covid so we were not able to test it as much as we normally would and it worked fine in our initial uses.

Tiara Post author

May 3, 2021 at 6:42 am

Great, informative article! And it’s awesome that you guys are still making responses after two years.

I’m looking for a travel router that can help me for my remote contact center work. I’m interested in traveling to national parks or otherwise and am looking for routers to secure a good connection on the days I have to work. I know hotels and whatnot near parks can still be somewhat slow, and this is also for general travel. What would you recommend?

May 3, 2021 at 10:33 am

Yes, we aim to try to reply to all comments and email questions related to travel and photography – and have been trying to do so for 10 years now 😉

So a travel router can certainly help improve a connection by making it more consistent and secure. However, it can’t turn a really slow connection into a fast one. Any of the travel routers on this list can help with extending Wifi, making your connection more secure, and allowing you to use it with more devices more easily. So it just depends on if there are any features you’d need (e.g., Ethernet ports) and buying one that works with faster speeds will make it more future-proof.

However, the reality is that in and around many national parks and state parks, the WiFi speed is not great. This is especially the case in the Western and rural parts of the USA.

Now if you have a poor Wifi connection but good mobile phone signal strength, then a mobile hotspot will work. This will do the same things as the travel router but it will also help you extend the mobile signal to connect your other devices (e.g., laptop, tablet, etc.) that you need to use. So you might check out the Netgear Nighthawk M1 device we recommend above in the article which can act as both a travel router and a mobile hotspot – we have this one and have used it on places like boats and rural areas where we have phone signal but there was no Wifi access.

For those who work in remote areas with both poor Wifi access and poor mobile phone signals, they often need to rely on satellite access but these devices are not currently travel-friendly or budget-friendly. A mobile hotspot can only help where there is some mobile signal.

So I would investigate the places you are thinking of spending time and need a faster connection and see what the Wifi access and mobile signals (for your specific carrier) are in those areas. That can help you assess what type of device might be best for you and also if you should plan to work in certain places or just visit them when you don’t need to work.

Hope that helps, and let us know if you have any further questions! Jessica

Patti Hackney Post author

April 14, 2021 at 9:40 am

We are looking for a travel router that we can plug into a strong antenna that we wired outside our boat. Our paid for wifi is pretty far away, but the antenna works great to connect; however only on one device (our laptop) if the antenna is plugged into it. Do you know of any travel routers that have the ability to connect an external antenna to pick up the wifi signal? Thank you for any information you can give us. Patti

April 15, 2021 at 7:18 am

The Netgear M1 / M2 can support an external antenna but it’s only for improving a 4G LTE signal rather than a WiFi signal. So I don’t think that would work for you given your situation.

There are some travel routers that support external antennas. Some versions of the GL.iNET GL-AR300M , for example, have an external antenna which you can connect your own antenna to them. But you would want to check if it is the same connector type as your existing antenna so that they are compatible.

But a travel router may not be the best fit for you, given your situation, so you may want to ask a networking/router specialist at a Best Buy or similar to ask about options that would work with your boat Wifi signal/external antenna situation. An access point, standard router, or bridge may be a better option.

YL Hu Post author

March 30, 2021 at 10:14 am

Very practical and interesting topic. I am currently looking at a mobile router, Ryoko. Would hope to hear from anyone who has been using it. Thanks. YL

March 30, 2021 at 10:24 am

This more of a hotspot than an actual travel router which is what my post is about. The is a 4g router and requires a SIM card to use.

I have not heard of or used the Muama-Ryoko mobile routers before. They only have a 3.1/5.0 rating on TrustPilot and a lot of mixed and bad recent customer reviews. So I would really read the reviews there before making a decision.

If you are just looking for a travel router (not a mobile hotspot), I would consider one of the other ones we list above as they are actual travel routers. If you need something that also functions as a mobile hotspot, the Netgear Nighthawk M1 functions as a router and extender but you can also add a SIM card and use it as a mobile hotspot as well.

Jum Post author

April 8, 2021 at 5:37 am

It’s very difficult to find genuine reviews. Apart from Trust Pilot, the rest of the review websites on Google are extremely suspicious. They all 100% recommend and offer a link direct to Muama-Ryoko. The company seems to have a complete stranglehold on any info. I would avoid.

Melissa Post author

January 27, 2021 at 9:16 pm

I am not the most tech savvy person but I am looking for a way to use Chromecast in hotels when I travel overseas. The Wifi is usually horrible in these hotels so I’m not sure that Chromecast would work without some help. Can you recommend something easy to use that could help in this situation? Also, do I need a sim card or anything for these mobile routers or am I thinking of a hotspot?

Thanks so much!

January 30, 2021 at 5:13 am

Hi Melissa,

A travel router could definitely help in this situation, and it would also make setting it up each time easier. As you know the Chromecast needs a WiFi network to connect to, and if you use a travel router then you can setup the Chromecast to connect to the WiFi network that the travel router creates. This means you won’t need to reconfigure the Chromecast every time.

In addition, the travel router should be able to deal with spotty hotel wifi more reliably than the Chromecast. Being stuck behind the TV means it will get worse reception in general, whereas you can place the travel router in a better location.

You don’t need a sim card for these travel routers as they just extend an existing network – you are indeed thinking of a mobile hotspot. That is also an option, but for streaming it would work out quite expensive as streaming uses a lot of data. So a travel router that improves the WiFi reception is your best option. Any of the options we list should work well for your purposes.

Sparkles Post author

June 2, 2021 at 8:43 pm

The problem with chromecast on hotel wifi is the login access page since it doesn’t have a built in browser without a travel router logging in requires spoofing the mac address of a different device to match the mac address of the chromecast.

Pondorosa Post author

January 21, 2021 at 1:52 pm

Great insight on travel routers, VPN’s and other stuff I did not know of. Thank you!!!

January 23, 2021 at 8:34 am

You’re very welcome Pondorosa – if you have any further questions about travel routers just let us know!!

Thomas Bash Post author

December 21, 2020 at 3:46 am

Thanks for sharing this informative blog, I think the Tp-Link travel routers are best.

December 22, 2020 at 11:02 am

You’re very welcome, and thanks for taking the time to share your views on travel routers with us!

Julie Post author

December 3, 2020 at 11:21 am

Wow! This was exactly the article I needed. Thank you. I’m trying to convince my employer to let me take my remote, on-line job on the permanent road (RV). Their concern is that I occasionally need to take credit card information for orders. I also do video calls with customers, so speed is important. I go through a VPN at home with a wired, ethernet connection. I could easily create a mobile hotspot where needed with my phone, so is the GL-iNetGL-AR750S all I really need? Or is it necessary to go up to the NetGear Nighthawk?

December 4, 2020 at 4:56 am

Glad you found our article on travel routers helpful.

So if you are confident of phone reception, usually you would set up the VPN connection on your phone and then set it up as a mobile hotspot. The only reason you’d need a travel router in this case is to extend the range of the WiFi network that your phone creates. So a regular travel router (like the GL.iNet one ) is probably good to have for this purpose and it can also provide extra strength and extra security when you do use public WiFi networks. Since you need VPN, that is probably a good one for you.

Something like the NetGear Nighthawk (which is a router + mobile hotspot) is only necessary if you’re going to be connecting multiple devices at higher speeds than your phone can handle since you already are able to create a mobile hotspot with VPN on your phone. So you can test that out in advance to see if you would need a mobile hotspot or not, or if your phone connection is enough.

However, my main concern would be around cell reception, which will obviously depend on where you plan to be traveling. Remote and rural parts of the USA might not always have great cell reception and if you are an avid RV traveler, you’ll know there are some big dead zones for networks here and there. The only solution to this is to investigate satellite options – for example the Starlink system is coming online in the USA at the moment, which offers fast speeds at a reasonable price (compared the other offerings at least!). So it may take your subscribing to something like this to convince your boss if they are worried about you always being able to be online, or making sure you only travel to places with good phone signals. A mobile hotspot won’t work in places where there is no signal of some kind.

Anyway, hope that helps and just let us know if you have further questions!

Matt Post author

October 29, 2020 at 5:54 pm

Hi Jessica, your article was great. It was very helpful and much needed information. Your article was clear, consistent, and well-researched. Thanks.

October 30, 2020 at 5:01 am

Hi Matt, Glad you found it helpful. We have tried to keep it updated over the years as technology and manufacturers have changed for travel routers! Just let us know if you have any questions. Best, Jessica

Dwayne Post author

July 25, 2020 at 3:01 pm

I’m at a hotel and would like a secure connection the room does not have a ethernet port, I connect to the internet on a log in screen and most of the times the screen doesn’t come up and connects itself. I have theTP-LINK TL-WR902AC AC750 WI-FI TRAVEL ROUTER set at hotspot mode and plugged to my laptop. The power and wireless lights are lit, but the internet light blinks, the hardware is version 3. I have tried the range extender mode and could connect to internet at all. Is there something I’m not doing in the router setup page. I have not had any answers yet with the tplink support staff. This is a really good site. Thanks

July 26, 2020 at 4:05 am

Sorry to hear you are having issues logging into your router at the hotel.

So could you clarify, you are in a hotel and you are connecting to the TP-Link WiFi network, but the internet is not working? Normally what should happen is the first time you want to connect to a new network you have to visit http://tplinkwifi.net , login with the username and password (the default is admin for both), and then follow the quick setup instructions which will allow you to choose a network. Then, if you try to browser to another website, the hotel login page (if there is one) should come up.

The router should be in hotspot mode as you say, but it doesn’t need to be plugged into your laptop. Normally the internet light only blinks in access point or router mode so you might want to check the mode switch is in “share hotspot” mode.

Let us know if you were able to get it fixed or if not, happy to try to help further. But hopefully you got through to the Tp-Link staff as well.

July 27, 2020 at 12:43 pm

Hello Jessica, I got connected to internet with my router on saturday, I just kept playing around with the tplink setup page and got it work. I am also using the hotspot shield free vpn, I did a speed test my upload and download mbps is under 1 at 0.56mbps. and sometimes the download gets to 1.07 Is there something I can do to get the speed faster? Thanks

July 28, 2020 at 4:31 am

Glad you got connected. So if the Internet speed is just slow where you are, there is nothing really you can do to make it faster, unfortunately. But the travel router should not slow it down. Travel routers can help strengthen a signal but they don’t really affect speed.

However, VPNs can slow down speeds (particularly free services) so you might want to test the speed without the VPN to see if that is the case. If you do find it is the VPN, you might want to consider trying a different VPN or connecting without it. You can see our list of the recommended VPNs for travelers .

If you find that the Wifi speed where you are is just too slow to perform what you need, then your only other real choice might be to consider a mobile hotspot as these create an Internet connection. However, these are more expensive and rely on a mobile network, so best to see if you can get things to work with the travel router if you can since there is an existing connection where you are.

Evan Bell Post author

May 8, 2020 at 4:08 pm

I had a Netgear travel router but it recently broke and need a new one to connect to the internet when away. This is a great resource on travel routers, I appreciate!

May 8, 2020 at 4:28 pm

Great to hear you found our travel router review article helpful. We’ve had good experience with Netgear devices, it is too bad they never made an update to the Netgear Trek, but there are several good options out there by TP-Link, GL.iNet, and RavPower. Just let us know if you have any questions.

Tim Post author

April 27, 2020 at 7:45 am

Great info about the internet during travelling and using travel routers. Is there other things I should do to keep info and passwords secure while travelling and avoid hacking attacks? Thanks.

April 27, 2020 at 9:15 am

Yes, there are lots of other things you can do to further protect your data:

-Make sure all your devices (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) are secure and protected with passwords and identify verification -Make sure your operating systems on your devices are updated with most recent updates and patches – you should also have firewall/virus protection -Use a VPN when traveling. For more info you can see our guide to choosing a VPN . You’ll want to make sure your travel router is compatible with a VPN -Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or data while on public Wifi – you should try to access important accounts (e.g., banking) as little as possible when traveling to avoid identify theft and people getting your password details. -Make sure you have backup copies of important data and info stored at home before your trip -Never give out your account passwords to anyone while traveling -Avoid providing any information on unsecured websites -Be cautious about downloading files, especially if you are not absolutely sure of their source

Hope that helps, and do let us know if you have any questions about choosing a travel router!

Sam Johnson Post author

March 24, 2020 at 6:16 am

I have Linksys WTR54GS Wireless-G Travel Router . This comes with a built-in access point and an Ethernet port used to connect to a wired network or to other computers. For a secured connection, this device has an encryption capability. This has its own power supply and an antenna. Included in the package is a case for easy safekeeping.

March 24, 2020 at 6:29 am

Thanks for sharing which travel router you use and glad that one has worked well for you. That is an older model which is why its not included on our list as it doesn’t support the latest WiFi standards, but should still work for most people!

Jeff Post author

February 12, 2020 at 6:15 pm

I have a tp-link nano travel router today. But the problem with it is that it does not play well with the captive portal system that hotels use. Every time I try to set up the router in a new hotel it takes multiple efforts to get the travel router to recognize the hotels wireless network. And then even after it does, it quite often will not show me the captive portal login page. It is very frustrating. What is your experience with these travel routers you recommend and their ability to play well with hotels captive portal?

February 13, 2020 at 6:50 am

Usually when we have this problem the issue is because the wifi network signal is so weak that even the travel router struggles to connect. However, normally we don’t have any problems with the captive portal – the routers are designed to be able to handle them, and should pass it through to your device so you can login. When you say it won’t show you the captive portal screen, do you mean after you have connected your travel router to the network, and connected your device to the travel router, that it’s just not loading the screen? Does it load anything at all?

If you are consistently having these problems, you might want to reach out to TP-Link for support as it’s possible the router has a fault, or it might need a firmware update.

Hope that helps! Laurence

February 13, 2020 at 10:12 am

>”When you say it won’t show you the captive portal screen, do you mean after you have connected your travel router to the network, and connected your device to the travel router, that it’s just not loading the screen?”

Correct. Most times (not always) the captive portal screen will never display. I repeat the setup process over and over to have the router scan for the hotel’s wifi signal and about half the time after several tries the captive portal login screen might appear.

>”Does it load anything at all?”

When it doesn’t show a screen, usually what happens is a message pops up stating something like “The network you are using may require you to visit it’s login page.” And that’s it. No login page appears.

I am done with this travel router. I’m tossing it. But I don’t want to purchase a different travel router only to have this same problem persist.

February 13, 2020 at 12:03 pm

It sounds like you know what you are doing and have tried a lot of things. Although it can take a little time to get to the captive login screen, you should be able to get there if the signal is strong enough and it is set up, so it is likely a hardware or firmware issue, so our only recommendation would be to ask TP-LInk about the issue and see if they have specific guidance on your model. We have not encountered this issue with the routers we have used.

Tlynnk Post author

July 15, 2020 at 11:06 am

I absolutely HATE my TP Link nano. Thank goodness it was cheap. It’s going straight to the trash. After two years of problems, I give up.

James Post author

January 8, 2020 at 2:45 am

I am using a travel router from one of the top-notch brands but its speed is far below the committed numbers. Which other routers do you suggest which can deliver at par speeds that we get at our homes/ offices? Thanks in advance.

January 8, 2020 at 10:13 am

So we usually find when we travel that the speed of the internet is often slower than at work or home (depending on your home connection speed). When I talk about the speed of the internet, I mean the connection speed that the hotel or guesthouse network offers. If there connection is slow, then the travel router won’t be able to improve upon that.

Most travel routers offer speeds in the region of 300Mbps, which is more than fast enough for streaming even very high definition content, and faster than most networks. So I think that no travel router will really improve that speed so any of them will pretty much give you the same speed. The only option would be to invest in a mobile hotspot, which bypasses the wifi entirely and connects over a 4G network which could deliver faster speeds. If these are available in the country you are traveling in, they can be faster than WiFi in some cases.

If you decide you’d prefer a mobile hotspot, you can read about them more in this article and it includes some of our suggestions if you decide you want to rent or buy a hotspot.

Tony Post author

January 16, 2020 at 11:18 am

My entire career has been designing digital networks all over the world, so I think I can help explain why what you’re asking for is currently impossible. First, don’t confuse network “speed” with network bandwidth. Public WiFi utilizes Broadband technology, which can be best visualized by comparing it to a regular pipe. No available technology can increase the size of a pipe in order to increase the rate of flow. Rather, a bigger pipe must be installed!

Likewise, no current technology can take a Public WiFi with a bandwidth (pipe) of 150mpbs and increase the bandwidth to 300mbps. What the best Travel Routers do is boost and extend a weak network signal into a much stronger network signal, which in turn decreases network latency, which improves the overall quality AND quantity of the flow of digital information to your laptop or tablet.

Steve Post author

January 5, 2020 at 11:37 pm

Everyone should choose a strong router at an affordable price especially while traveling. Many on this list of routers that will be a great choice. I use a TP-link router that is quite good while traveling.

January 6, 2020 at 1:16 pm

Hi Steve, Yes, the TP-Link ones are a great choice and well-priced. They also seem to keep updating the technology in them every couple of years which is good! Best, Jessica

O.G. Post author

September 23, 2019 at 2:33 pm

This was a great informative post about usig the internet during travelling and using travel routers. If you want to use the internet while travelling then you must buy a wireless mobile router because its signal range are large with the secure password nd also send a message to the user if someone try to hack a password, otherwise you feel trouble during travelling! I use them mostly because of the added security as I don’t feel safe using the internet in public places for private things and banking while traveling without having extra security. Thanks.

September 26, 2019 at 12:41 pm

Yes, travel routers are probably primarily used to increase signal strength, but yes, the extra level of security is definitely an additional featured added by travel routers. They can help make public WiFi networks a bit more secure.

Glad our article was helpful to you! Jessica

Brad Post author

September 16, 2019 at 2:34 am

Thanks for bringing our eye on this great device as we all know many hotels out their provides free internet service but the speed is ridiculously slow, show it could be of great use ( but the pricing can be a little lower in my opinion)

September 16, 2019 at 9:35 am

Hi Brad, Yes, a travel router can definitely help if you have a slow (or unsecured) connection at a hotel. If you are looking for the most budget-friendly option, the RAVPower Filehub Tripmate Nano is one to take a look at. Best, Jessica

Kimi Post author

September 11, 2019 at 1:34 am

Routers are great, as you can connect to the internet whenever you want. I mostly use it while I’m out on the beach, to listen to music or to watch some cool videos. But I’m still concerned about the safety and certain restrictions in certain countries, so I also use Nord VPN, so that my holiday would as comfortable as it can be. So, your own router and NordVPN are my best travel buds!

September 11, 2019 at 10:10 am

Hi Kimi, Yes, a VPN can be great, especially if you are traveling in lots of places with unsecure Internet (although a travel router can help secure your connection) and countries with lots of online restrictions. A VPN doesn’t work so great with some travel routers, but it sounds like you have found a good system for you! Best, Jessica

Sam Post author

August 27, 2019 at 9:03 pm

thanks @travelcats for the article. However, I am still a bit on the fence with these devices because I don’t find many hotels that use the Ethernet cable anymore in each room, so if I want to set up my own “room network”, I would need a device that acts as a Hotspot and the models mentioned in the article are Not that. Is this correct? If so, can you recommend some or have you already covered that subject in another article that you can post a link to?

August 28, 2019 at 7:25 am

Yes, so travel router devices can either extend an ethernet network into a WiFi network, or extend a weak WiFi signal into something your devices can connect to. Of course this only works if there is a wifi connection to extend.

If you want to connect when there is no WiFi connection, you would need a mobile hotspot, you can see some options here . Or you can get a device like this Netgear Nighthawk device that can function as both a travel router and mobile hotspot.

For more about mobile hotspots and getting online when traveling, this article may be useful: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/how-to-get-online-when-travelling-away/

Hope that helps, and let us know if you have further questions!

Bob J Post author

July 8, 2019 at 8:17 pm

Can any of these routers act as a wireless Ethernet bridge? I want to connect net gear router to our resort WiFi and was wondering if a travel router would be reasonably priced way to do that

July 11, 2019 at 2:30 pm

That is a good question. Some of these routers may be able to do that but that is not really what they were designed to do. I would check the specs of the devices and contact the specific manufacturer of the one(s) you are interested in and ask them specifically if they can do this and how you would do this. If not, I would look for a device designed more to do this, I am sure Netgear could recommend one. Best, Jessica

Tex Post author

July 4, 2019 at 12:01 pm

It sounds like you can use either an app or a browser on a laptop to configure the Trek in case it needs a password to connect to the hotel’s wifi, am I understanding that correctly? Because if that is the case, then $35 for a way to boost the WiFi signal is a bargain. So many hotels advertise free WiFi but deliver very slow connections

July 6, 2019 at 2:30 pm

Hi Tex, Yes, that is correct, you can usually use them to get around hotel minimum device issues as well as to boost exisiting WiFi signals. They also add a bit more security. Netgear is not making the Trek any longer so they are hard to find, but you might be able to find one on Amazon or ebay or secondhand. But other routers work in a similar way and they pretty much all do the same thing so you can also check out the other devices. Best, Jessica

Jimmy Chang Post author

July 1, 2019 at 5:42 am

Ravpower Filehub Plus slow down internet speed more than 50% makes it unusable in most case. Although the device’s small size and has it’s own battery is a huge plus. I bought one, really like it, but I return the product due to the internet performance disappointment.

July 1, 2019 at 5:58 pm

Hi Jimmy, Yes there are pros and cons to all of the travel routers. Sorry to hear the Ravpower Filehub Plus was not a good fit for you, but there are several other options out there that you can try. Best, Jessica

Adam Post author

June 9, 2019 at 2:32 am

Alright so this list needs updated badly. No WiFi AC options = bad. Which there are enough of to warrant an update.

June 9, 2019 at 2:08 pm

Thanks for your input! We do keep this list as up to date as we can, and there are not that many travel routers on the market that support this speed.

Some of our recommendations support the 300Mbps speed, and AC is only 433Mps, so the difference is not that great. In addition, in our experience most networks when we travel don’t offer speeds anywhere near close to maxing out even a 150mbps travel router. So there are very few places where you would encounter public Wifi AC at this time, therefore, there is not much of a compelling reason for most people to need this feature.

However, we’ll certainly review the post and update this list to ensure the best options are still represented ????

Beri Post author

May 28, 2019 at 3:46 am

I found a list of some more routers suitable for a VPN setup, have you had any experience with setting it up? I’m subscribed to this VPN but I’m a little uneasy about the technical part of configuring a router.

May 28, 2019 at 11:50 am

Hi Beri, Yes, as you know, not all routers will work with a VPN. But if you have a travel router that does, you will just need to follow the directions of that router to use it. It should work the same as without a VPN unless otherwise indicated. Best, Jessica

Tobias Claren Post author

May 21, 2019 at 4:09 am

Is it possible to use such Wireless Travel Router with a Wifi with voucher code (entry in web browser)?

May 21, 2019 at 5:23 am

Hi Tobias, Yes, it is. Once you have connected the travel router to the network, you should be able to access the voucher page from your device as you normally would. Best, Laurence

John Stafford Post author

May 16, 2019 at 6:43 am

Could you advise how these travel routers deal with the invariable web page sign in that most Hotels require you to fill in before allowing you on their WiFi network?

May 16, 2019 at 7:01 am

Hello John,

All the routers we recommend support the sign-in page that some networks require – they usually just forward it to the device you first access the network from. So say you are using a smartphone, you first connect the travel router to the hotel network using the configuration tool on your smartphone, and then when you try to access the internet, you will be redirected to the web page to sign in.

The advantage of using a travel router is that you should only need to sign in once, then any other devices you connect to your travel router will not need to sign in again. It also carries the advantage that if the hotel restricts access to one device, you can circumvent that as the hotel sees the router as the one device, and you can connect as many of your devices to the router as it supports.

Hope that helps! Jessica & Laurence

Stanley Post author

May 17, 2019 at 8:59 am

I have purchased TP Link Nano and configured to hotel WiFi. Unfortunately, it is not opening up the sign in page automatically. Hence I am not able to use the internet for my devices. What could be the possible reason?

May 17, 2019 at 10:57 am

Hi Stanley,

This can happen sometimes if your device is configured in a certain way, for example if you have a VPN running. If you connect the same device to the hotel wifi directly (without the router), does the login page come up?

Do you have another device you can try? If so, I’d logout and disconnect and try a different device.

The TP Link definitely does support this when you connect a device to it, but specific configurations can cause issues with your client devices. It’s hard to troubleshoot though as there are different possible causes.

Mark Post author

May 12, 2019 at 10:38 pm

Thanks for writing a great article about travel routers! I wish more routers/extenders would include software to function in this way.

Question: I have a particular use-case and I was wondering if any router that you’ve come across has the necessary functionality. Do any of these or any >$100 devices save the credentials of the wireless networks that you have to before and auto connect when they are available?

My wife and I travel to the same places often for work. We used the Airport Express for this for a while but we’re looking for a new solution and Apple has sadly dropped the product(one of the best smart routers out there for a long time).

Also when the local WiFi is slow we use the hotspots on our iPhones/iPad. We even have different mobile providers for different areas so one of us always has signal.

If we always had a common WiFi for all our devices that used the best signal or just auto-joined the hotspot when it was turned on we would be ecstatic!

May 13, 2019 at 8:58 am

Thanks very much!

So in our experience the travel routers we have used for this purpose (originally the Netgear Trek, although this is sadly no longer on sale) did remember the networks it had previously connected to, and would automatically reconnect to these. So we would think this would be standard for most of these. However we aren’t 100% sure as we mostly use the Trek still – the best thing might be to either contact the manufacturer of the one that sounds the best. Or just try the router that has the features you need, and then see if it works. If not, you should be able to return it for a refund.

Sorry we couldn’t be of more help. If you find out more about this in researching these routers, please let us know and we can add that to our article.

Alan Smith Post author

May 9, 2019 at 2:19 am

Thanks for sharing.

May 12, 2019 at 11:44 am

Hi Alan, glad you enjoyed the post. Just let us know if you have any questions about travel routers. Best, Jessica

Emani Post author

April 23, 2019 at 7:07 pm

Since there is no “like” button, I just wanted to quickly leave a comment to say thank you for writing this article because it was extremely helpful to a computer layman like myself. I greatly appreciate it 🙂

April 24, 2019 at 6:55 am

Hi Emani, Glad you found our article helpful, and just let us know if you have any questions about travel routers or what they do. Best, Jessica

Jacqueline Post author

April 21, 2019 at 3:54 pm

Hello I have a quick question I’m just looking for something I can get for my teenaged girls to watch Netflix and play games while on the road we do a lot of traveling and they want to watch movies and play games on there tablet and laptops do u know which router fits my family best thanks for this article by the way

April 22, 2019 at 3:08 am

Hi Jacqueline,

So the main question would be whether or not you need internet access while out and about, or just looking to extend coverage and use multiple devices at hotels etc. A travel router like these in this post can only extend an existing wireless network, so won’t help if you are in a car for example that does not have WiFi access.

If the device is primarily for use in hotels or near existing wireless networks, then any of the devices on this list would be a good fit. I’d recommend looking at the TPlink N300 or the GL iNet AR300.

If you are also looking for WiFi, then in that sort of situation you would want a wireless hotspot type device like the TEP wireless or Glocalme hotspot . You can read more about Internet access solutions while traveling in this article .

Alternatively, if you are traveling domestically, your phone may also allow you to create a wireless hotspot and share the connection with the other devices around you.

The only thing about these options is that it will depend on your daughters usage – streaming movies for example uses quite a lot of data, and most wireless hotspot services tend to restrict speeds after around 1GB of data, which is less than your average film.

Hope that helps, but do let us know if you have further questions! Laurence

Todd Post author

March 23, 2019 at 9:13 am

I just returned my new TP-Link N300 Nano after a couple of very frustrating days trying to connect it to my iPhone 6. Their helpdesk agent was friendly but couldn’t find a solution. I found a resolution in their community forum and flashed new firmware onto the device to solve the issue. Sadly, the router would lock up after a few minutes of use. I let it hang twice before declaring it useless and boxed it back up to send to Amazon.

It’s such a shame because it probably could be a good router. But who can afford to be upgrading software while on the road 🙁

March 23, 2019 at 11:39 am

Hi Todd, Thanks for taking the time to comment. Sorry to hear that this did not work out well for you, although glad you had good customer service experience. I hope you are able to find something that works for you. Best, Jessica

March 2, 2019 at 7:39 pm

Thanks for a great article. I wish I could find a device that does everything the RAVPower FileHub does, along with VPN. I need a router that does wired, wireless bridge, USB port for external HDD, Video streaming, and hopefully VPN. Any suggestions?

March 3, 2019 at 5:37 am

Hi Chris – that would be a great device indeed! We’ve taken a look around though, and we can’t find one that does everything you need – either they have VPN and don’t have file sharing, or vice versa. The best solution we can offer is something like the RAVPower FileHub, with setting up a VPN on your laptop or mobile phone. We know this is an extra step for each device, but right now we don’t know of a product that has all 5 of those features. Hopefully one will be available soon! Best, Jessica

January 31, 2019 at 6:01 am

My company has production plants all over the world. As such, there has been and will continue to be the opportunity for me to spend extended time abroad. This past year alone, I spent four weeks in Italy which is the reason I’m now searching for some sort of wifi booster. The hotels in Italy had wifi that would operate a laptop, iPhone, et cetera, but the signal was not strong/reliable enough to use my Chromecast. This meant I spent a lot of evenings looking at my iPhone 7 to watch Netflix. Not optimal!

What I need to know is will a product like this allow me to stream Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, whatever, to my Chromecast in such an instance? There is a very good chance that I might be spending weeks-on-end abroad again very soon. I would like to be able to address this issue before I leave. Any thoughts on this?

January 31, 2019 at 10:32 am

So this is not a question we can 100% answer. A travel router can boost signal and provide more secure Internet browsing, but it depends ultimately on the speed of the hotel’s connection.

First, the Internet speed in general in the location you are visiting will need to be fast enough to support streaming. It sounds like this has generally been the case in hotels you’ve stayed in, as you were able to stream to your iPhone. In that case, if your iPhone is able to stream across the WiFi, then a travel router should strengthen the signal sufficiently for the Chromecast to also work. However, we can’t guarantee it will work in every instance, so this might not be a guaranteed fix.

If you are able to download any films or TV shows we’d recommend doing this. I know Netflix lets you download some shows to supported devices. You might then be able to stream these more easily.

Alternatively, with something like the RAVPower router we mention, that acts as a streaming hub that your Chromecast should be able to stream from, if you have a hard drive or memory card with some shows on.

We think a travel router should help, but we can’t guarantee it in every situation!

Sajjad Ahmad Post author

January 23, 2019 at 1:17 am

Thanks for sharing this is such a very nice post and review of available travel routers. thanks for spending time on it. i found it very useful.

January 23, 2019 at 2:46 am

Hi Sajjad, You are very welcome and just let us know if you have any questions as you check out the different travel routers. Best, Jessica

Business Traveler Post author

December 13, 2018 at 6:49 am

great article, very helpful as a business traveler!

December 13, 2018 at 7:34 am

Thanks, glad you found it helpful! Just let us know if you have any questions about choosing a travel router. Best, Jessica

Gary Post author

December 2, 2018 at 10:39 pm

This is a very good article and comparison of different travel routers, as so far I’ve read several articles. Thank you!

December 3, 2018 at 6:00 am

Hi Gary, Thanks for taking the time to comment and glad to hear you found our travel route article helpful. Do let us know if you have any questions. Best, Jessica

Shah Post author

September 28, 2018 at 2:03 pm

This was a great informative post you have shared on this page about the internet during travelling and using travel routers. If you want to use the internet while travelling then you must buy a wireless mobile router because its signal range are large with the secure password nd also send a message to the user if someone try to hack a password, otherwise you feel trouble during travelling! Thanks.

September 29, 2018 at 8:05 pm

Hi Shah, Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, and hope you choose the best travel router for you. Wireless routers can definitely help you get online while traveling and also help keep you more secure when away from home! Best, Jessica

Bella Johsan Post author

September 28, 2018 at 2:05 am

Many wireless routers available in the market which is helpful during the travel like np15 and so many. We always want a good speed router during our travels, regarding best router I found this post really helpful.

September 29, 2018 at 7:01 am

Hi Bella, Glad you found this helpful in choosing a travel router and wishing you the best on your future travels! Best, Jessica

Sam Billings Post author

September 6, 2018 at 12:00 am

Netgear Trek is a small router for those travel a lot or whose work is to travel. This device is easy to handle and it does not need a lot of space. I really like it!

September 6, 2018 at 12:13 pm

Hi Sam, Yes, we like the Netgear Trek as well and it is a great size for travel. It is just a shame that Netgear stopped making them now. I am hoping that will come out with an updated or new travel router product that is similar to that one. Best, Jessica

pamela Post author

September 4, 2018 at 10:02 pm

TP-Link Nano travel routers N150 and N300 are so aesthetically pleasing. I have N150 and don’t have anything bad to say about it, except the price could be lower. Btw, I use Nordvpn with it, and I’d say it’s a perfect match.

September 5, 2018 at 4:06 am

Hi Pamela, Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and for your experience with the N150 travel router. Glad that you have had a good experience with it. We recommend NordVPN as well for those that need a VPN service. Best, Jessica

Jean Post author

August 11, 2018 at 3:07 pm

Hi. I’m looking into purchasing the TP-Link N300 Nano Travel Router to use at a lakeside resort. The lodge at the resort has free wi-fi but the nearby cottages do not. They last time we were there, we were able to pick up in our cottage a weak signal from the lodge. Would the TP-Link N300 Nano server to strengthen that signal. We use Mac laptops, if that matters. Obviously, we don’t know much about travel routers. Any information you can provide will be very helpful. THANKS!

August 13, 2018 at 12:53 am

Hi Jean, Yes, that is the sort of situation that the router is designed for and it should strengthen your signal and make it stronger than what it would be with only your laptops. It may not be a “strong” connection, but it should certainly be stronger. As long as you have relatively recent model laptop (last several years) most routers will work fine with most modern laptops, tablets, and phones. Wishing you a wonderful vacation at the lake! Best, Jessica

Stive Smith Post author

July 27, 2018 at 4:42 am

What a helpful technical post on travel routers! I think Wireless Router is the best one to achieve uninterrupted WiFi while blogging. I had some issues with my router which I was unable to fix on my own. Then, I got Netgear Support which was truly helpful in fixing all my router issues.

July 27, 2018 at 4:44 am

Hi Stive, So glad you found our travel routers post helpful. And yes, if you need help with a Netgear product, Netgear Support is a great place to get help with your travel router! Best, Jessica

Christina Post author

January 19, 2017 at 11:13 am

It’s nice to have WiFI while traveling and I appreciate the design and functional features of the device. The Netgear Trek’s initial function, increasing the range of existing wireless networks, sounds great.

January 20, 2017 at 3:19 am

Hi Christina, Yes, we still take the Netgear Trek travel router with us on most of our travels as it often comes in handy when we need to connect while on the road. Just let us know if you have any specific questions about the device that are not answered in the review. Best, Jessica

January 13, 2017 at 9:47 am

It’s nice that the included antenna can amplify the weak signal. Many people would find this product useful.

Harry Post author

January 3, 2017 at 2:57 pm

Thanks for the response. I”m back at home now but will try this at the next hotel. Great review. If this pans out, this truly is something that has been needed for quite a while and it will become my “go-to” solution when traveling.

travelcats Post author

January 3, 2017 at 3:18 pm

Hi Harry, We find that sometimes it does take a bit of patience and fiddling but we have been successful in using it as we described. Best of luck and please let us know how it works on your next trip! Best, Jessica & Laurence

December 30, 2016 at 9:34 am

I was led to understand the netgear N300 would allow you to use the hotel “captive portal” wifi with multiple devices. It doesn’t look like that is the case as your commenter above states. I see no option in the http://www.routerlogin.net netgear page for this to happen. It requires you to put in an ssid for the hotel network and a password. The problem is, with “captive portal” pages, there is no “password”. They ask for your room number and you to accept the user agreement.

What is needed is to be able to sign in to the netgear n300 and then open a browser and try to get on the internet and then the hotel page pops up and you enter your room number and any other required info and you are on the web.

I don’t see that capability in the netgear N300

Also, I think you may need the ability to “clone” the mac address of your laptop so your mac address isn’t always telling the hotel that you are probably using a “router” type device to get around their “one or two device” rules. If the mac address says “I’m a netgear router”, it would be easy for the hotel to not allow such mac addresses.

December 31, 2016 at 3:07 am

Hi Harry, In our experience the N300 router has allowed us to do this. You can enter the hotel SSID without a password, and then the router will forward your browser to the hotel page to log in, after which point you can browse with multiple devices. We’ve definitely used it in this situation and not had any problems at several hotels.

For the MAC address spoofing, we’ve never encountered a hotel set up intelligent enough to do this, and we suspect we never will – the effort to do so isn’t really worth the rewards we suspect.

Hope this helps, and I would message or call Netgear Support if you are having further difficulties. Best, Jessica

John-Paul Post author

October 12, 2016 at 3:24 pm

NetGear has been horrible in trying to answer my question.

I was told that I can connect in places like Starbucks that require me to click on ACCEPT their terms or a location like a hotel that might require me to enter other information on a log in screen.

I have not been able to make that happen. I select the network (such as Starbucks) and the system spins for a couple minutes and then says it can’t connect. It doesn’t take me to the needed screen to accept terms.

Is the function I want available and, if so, how is it supposed to work.

October 12, 2016 at 5:46 pm

Hi John-Paul, I am sorry to hear you have not had a great response to your question from Netgear. Um, have you gotten the Netgear to first work at your home? We were normally able to connect in public places, and have used it in hotels and coffee shops. It should first connect to the Netgear and then you should be able to then sign into the store or public screen wi-fi. Are you able to sign into the public wifi screen once you turn of the Netgear Trek? ~ Jessica

October 12, 2016 at 8:10 pm

No trouble logging on to NetGear at home and retransmitting my home network.

I was at a hospital with a public network. I was able to log on to their network (after accepting their terms on a pop up page) on both my computer and my iphone. However, when I selected the hospital network in the NetGear menu it tried to connect a couple of times but said they could not connect. It never gave me the sign on screen from the hospital.

So. The normal process should be

1) Connect my laptop to the NetGear network created by my device. 2) Go through the netgear menu and select the desired network from the available list. 3) Hit the Go/Enter/Next button (don’t remember which it’s called) 4) Any signon screen from the network should automatically come up??

It’s step 4 that isn’t happening

October 12, 2016 at 8:45 pm

Hi John-Paul, Yes, it sounds like you are doing it correctly. I don’t know what may be happening – it could be something to do with the hospital network in combo with the Netgear. But if you have had this problem at other places, it is probably the Netgear. Have you had it working in any public places you have tried? If contacting Netgear support isn’t working the best, you might try contacting them via social media such as sending them a Tweet (@Netgear) and feel free to tag me on it (@TravelCatsBlog) and I can monitor to make sure you get a reply. Sorry I can’t be more helpful but I hope Netgear can help you out. Best, Jessica

October 13, 2016 at 12:11 pm

Good news. I finally got it to work.

I’m very happy as now that we are retired this is going to be extremely useful in all the timeshares we stay in.

October 13, 2016 at 1:25 pm

Great, glad you got the Netgear Trek working! ~ Jessica

Mary Tarris Post author

February 22, 2016 at 4:38 pm

I use it to bring wifi to my laptop in various parts of the house from my desk, where it sits cabled to a broadband modem that itself is cabled to the internet. The big problem is that very often it shows up as not connected to the internet, although I can usually get it to function OK after turning various bits of kit off and then on again. Has anyone else had this hassle?.

February 24, 2016 at 4:34 am

Hi Mary, We have generally not used the device on a daily basis, but we have had issues where it disconnects itself and we have to reconnect the connection to get it rebooted. Another issues may be that since you may be in areas of the desk where there is a weak connection, it may be losing the wifi signal at times. I am not sure if there is anything you can do other than what you are doing. Anyone else have advice? ~ Jessica

Gary Jackson Post author

February 4, 2016 at 3:24 am

I am also using NETGEAR TREK since December 14. It helps me to connect multiple devices and let me do my work on the fourth flour. Its an excellent device!

February 6, 2016 at 11:04 am

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Netgear Trek. I am glad that you have found it helpful!

Gil Hale Post author

October 21, 2015 at 1:02 am

We have begun to use a DropCam camera (now a Nest product) as in some hotels we have had some items taken from our room (not Marriott). But, I found the DropCam would not connect directly to the Marriott provided WiFi in our room. I tried to use our iPad as a hotspot, but the connection was not reliable. I ended up investing in a Netgear Trek N300 WiFi router and was able to log that unit onto the Marriott WiFi with no problems, then connect our devices to the N300. Perfect…

October 24, 2015 at 6:58 am

Hi Gil, Sorry to hear about the taken items, but I am glad that you have found the Netgear Wifi router helpful during your travels! We are actually using it right now in Rome!! ~Jessica

Tom Post author

August 8, 2015 at 12:30 pm

I’ve had spotty results with the Netgear Trek. The Internet connection is flaky and it resets itself a few times each day, even when it seems to pick up a strong signal from a hotel or RV park. Did you run into that problem, too?

August 11, 2015 at 11:59 am

Hi Tom, We have not experienced the flakiness so much but we have had it reset when we have it on for a long time, but not quite that often. Maybe contact Netgear and see if they have any tips? ~Jessica

July 13, 2015 at 2:08 pm

Great review! I, too, am in the market for a travel router. Thus, I have a question: Can this be powered via a USB-powered port on my laptop or by A/C only?

July 13, 2015 at 8:27 pm

Hi Todd, thanks! Yes, you can power this via a plugged in USB cable or via the AC cord. If you use the Netgear Trek, please feel free to share your experience!

Adelina Post author

February 26, 2015 at 12:08 pm

Interesting. I’ve thought of maybe getting one of these for my own home! There are corners that just have such weak connections. It does seem a bit bulky though to be carrying it when traveling. How heavy is it?

March 4, 2015 at 3:23 pm

Hi Adelina, yes we use it both at home to extend our wifi to our patio and also sometimes while traveling. Here are the size and weight specs from the Netgear website:

Dimensions: 3.39 in x 3.31 in x 1.30 in (86.5 mm x 86.2 mm x 32 mm) Net Weight: 0.355 lb (161 g).

So it is fairly compact and not that heavy but if you are like me, every little bit can matter when trying to squeeze more things into one’s luggage so we generally just travel with it when we know we’ll be experiencing bad wi-fi. Hope that helps and feel free to ask more questions if you are deciding to buy.

Marisol@TravelingSolemates Post author

February 23, 2015 at 1:35 pm

Thanks for the review. I’ll definitely look into it. It really is frustrating if the signal is slow. . I’ll be willing to carry extra weight if it would boost connection,.

March 9, 2015 at 12:29 pm

Yes, just let me know if you have any questions about the Netgear trek Marisol!

Em... Post author

February 23, 2015 at 11:35 am

Gone are the days of combing an area for a dodgy internet cafe in order to e-mail friends and family about travels. Now you can use gadgets like this and blog away… Big innovations in just even a decade!

March 9, 2015 at 12:25 pm

Isn’t it amazing how fast Internet availability and speeds have changed in just the past 5-7 years!

Jess Post author

February 22, 2015 at 5:52 pm

My greatest frustration when traveling is places that advertise wifi when it’s too slow or unreliable to be usable – I’m fine when they just don’t have it, but I hate spending so much time trying to make it work. I think I could use one of these.

March 9, 2015 at 12:21 pm

Hi Jess, yes I agree. Better to not advertise Internet than to have Internet that is impossible to use:) This can help when there are weak signals.

Corinne Post author

February 22, 2015 at 3:38 am

Great review…as we all know living without good Internet is a killer!

March 9, 2015 at 12:13 pm

Indeed Corinne:)

Lyn (aka) The Travelling Lindfields Post author

February 22, 2015 at 1:47 am

This sounds like a very useful device for people who need the internet when they travel.

March 9, 2015 at 12:12 pm

Indeed, we find it both useful for home and for traveling!

Paula McInerney Post author

February 22, 2015 at 1:21 am

Interesting, We use netgear at home and love it. Gordon will look into this.

March 9, 2015 at 12:10 pm

Great, and just let me know if you or Gordon have any questions!

Leah | KidBucketList Post author

February 21, 2015 at 11:32 pm

I love the idea of SECURE access to public hotspots when travelling. My only concern is it’s size. It seems so big!

March 9, 2015 at 12:06 pm

Yes, it is also a pro and con when adding something extra to one’s luggage. Here are the size and weight specs from the Netgear website:

AwesomelyOZ Post author

February 19, 2015 at 9:11 pm

That’s very cool – I haven’t used this but it’s good to know it’s a reliable product. My mobile phone is a hotspot so if anything, we can connect multiple devices to it as well. It’s REALLY handy to have that functionality because it also doesn’t require any extra gear, just my phone. 🙂 Have a great one Jessica! -Iva 🙂

February 20, 2015 at 8:44 am

That sounds great and I wish I could use my cell phone as a hotspot, but it is quite expensive. Mobile hotspots are definitely very cool. The great thing about the Trek is that it is a very low cost option ($35 one time cost) for locations that have WiFi (or Ethernet) and you’d just like to make a stronger, safer, and more reliable connection.

Anda Post author

February 19, 2015 at 2:03 pm

Looks like an excellent device, I’ll be glad to look into it. The only downside is that you still need to carry a router from what I understand, which is an extra weight in the luggage…

February 20, 2015 at 8:42 am

Hi Anda, yes the Netgear Trek is a very neat device. It is pretty compact, but you do need to have the device with you to connect and increase the wifi range so it is going to take up some precious luggage space unfortunately.

SUZAN FAWCETT Post author

February 19, 2015 at 5:39 am

i was very interested in your take on this product. However I use an android tab when i travel and there was no mention made of that possibility in the specs. I research further and found that is does work with android and ios operating systems too. I am seriously looking at purchase. Thanks for bringing this device to our attention!

February 19, 2015 at 9:14 am

Yes, for some reason Netgear does not list it under the written system requirements, but the Netgear Trek works well with our Android phones and devices. Let us know if you have any other questions! ~ Jessica

February 18, 2015 at 7:52 pm

It sounds like you can use either an app or a browser on a laptop to configure the Trek in case it needs a password to connect to the hotel’s wifi, am I understanding that correctly? Because if that is the case, then $35 for a way to boost the WiFi signal is a bargain. So many hotels advertise free WiFi but deliver very slow connections.

Thanks for a great review!

February 19, 2015 at 9:09 am

Yes, that is correct. Similar to going to a coffee shop, it will bring up the Netgear page and you will choose the network you want and then connect to it as needed (if there is a password or something to click). Yes, we think the $35 is a very good value which is why Laurence bought his own so we now own two of the devices:)

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Specifications

/ 4 Download

AC750 Wireless Travel Router

• Transforms any internet connection into a private AC750 dual-band Wi-Fi network*
• Incredibly compact router fits easily in your pocket, purse or bag, perfect for traveling
• Works with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz devices, including Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV Stick
• USB port lets you share files or conveniently charge any device with up to 5V/1A of power
• Flexible powering options let you connect to an external adapter or USB port

How to install and configure your portable router(TL-WR902AC)

Fast Wi-Fi Travels with You!

Portable and compact.

The incredibly compact TL-WR902AC is the world’s first AC750 travel router. Take it with you to create a personal Wi-Fi spot anywhere internet is available. It fits easily in your pocket, purse or bag and is perfect for use while traveling. Watch movies over private dual-band Wi-Fi at a hotel.

Dual-Band AC for Fast Wi-Fi Speeds

The travel router creates fast AC750 Wi-Fi over dual 2.4 GHz (300 Mbps) and 5 GHz (433 Mbps) bands. Dual bands allow for more devices to be connected to your personal network and provide reliable Wi-Fi access so you can enjoy what you love without interruptions.

802.11n 2.4G 300Mbps

802.11ac 5G 433Mbps

 Multiple Wi-Fi Modes for Any Situation

Whether you need a private Wi-Fi network while away or something to boost your Wi-Fi at home, the TL-WR902AC has a mode for you.

During Travel

1. router mode.

Plug the travel router in to your hotel room's Ethernet port to create a private Wi-Fi network for internet access without needing to compete with other guests.

2. Hotspot Mode

Connect to an outdoor WISP Access Point, enjoy a private Wi-Fi hotspot for your devices in public areas.

3. Range Extender Mode

Extend your existing Wi-Fi network to maximize coverage and eliminate dead zones.

4. Client Mode

Allow devices that require a wired connection to access an existing Wi-Fi network.

Desktop or Game Console

5. Access Point Mode

Create a wireless network for Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Multifunctional USB Port for File Sharing and Charging

A The travel router comes with a built-in USB 2.0 sharing port. Connect a USB storage drive to share access to files, download movies and back up recent photos. Connect your smartphone cable and the router doubles as a 5V/1A charging station for one device.

*Maximum wireless transmission rates are the physical rates derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Range and coverage specifications along with the number of connected devices were defined according to test results under normal usage conditions. Actual wireless transmission rate, wireless coverage, and number of connected devices are not guaranteed, and will vary as a result of 1) environmental factors, including building materials, physical objects and obstacles, 2) network conditions, including local interference, volume and density of traffic, product location, network complexity, and network overhead and 3) client limitations, including rated performance, location, connection quality, and client condition.

Actual network speed may be limited by the rate of the product's Ethernet WAN or LAN port, the rate supported by the network cable, Internet service provider factors and other environmental conditions.

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Best Travel Router in 2023 (Portable WiFi On The Go)

Travel routers are designed to be light and portable and convert a Wifi or ethernet connection into your own Wifi. You’ll be able to connect all your devices and your friends and families too, to a private and secure connection no matter what is available in the airport or hotel.

In this review, we have chosen some of the best travel routers around, and there are a lot to choose from. We compared these portable wifi routers against each other and have highlighted their features, pros, and cons so you can make an informed decision and find the best travel router for you.

At A Glance: Our Top Travel Routers

• The Best Overall NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 Jump To Review
• Lightest GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) Portable Travel Router Jump To Review
• Best Travel Router for Hotels TP Link AC750 Travel Wifi Router Jump To Review
• Best On A Budget GL.iNET GL-AR150 Mini Travel Wireless Router Jump To Review

Top Product Overview

Best travel router, netgear nighthawk m1.

If you’re into Wifi then you’ll have heard of Netgear. They make some of the best wireless travel routers on the market and have added a load of features to the NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 travel router. It is the largest and most expensive router in the review but it does do everything.

The M1 will turn an ethernet connection, modem, wireless network, and your SIM card into a super-fast personal Wifi network anywhere in the world. This is the first router in the review that can create a Wifi internet connection from a 3G or 4G SIM Card.

This means that no matter where in the world you are, you can slot in a local SIM card have Wifi where ever you are. From the beach to the jungle, if there is a 3/4G network available, you’ll be online.

The speed this travel router can deliver is also impressive and it will compete with your home broadband. They have put a four-band Carrier Aggregation and LTE in this router which is what helps it get speeds of up to 1Gbps.

Built into this travel router is a battery that holds up to 20 devices for 24 hours before you need to charge it.

That’s some incredible battery life and it does make the M1 very portable. There is a handy LCD display that shows you the number of devices connected, and internet connection strength, and keeps you up to date with how much data you’re using.

It’s not just a router, however, and it shouldn’t be at $690. It’s also a power bank, provides data sharing and media streaming. It’s also highly configurable to give you exactly the Wifi set up you want where ever you are in the world.

Overall it’s an amazing portable router, it just very expensive and a little bigger than most, but well worth it if it’s in your budget.

• Provides power
• Fast connection
• Data sharing
• Media streaming
• Dual-Band Wi-Fi
• Highly configurable
• Color display
• Long battery life
• Connect through a SIM card
• Very expensive

Product Information

• Size: 4.15 x 4.15 x 0.8"
• Weight: 8.5 oz
• Devices: Up to 20

GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Travel Router

The GlocalMe G4 is a different type of travel router. It’s an international 4G LTE mobile hotspot that works in 144 countries . You don’t even need a SIM card for this travel router. It does support SIM cards and you can insert one if you want, but the device doesn’t need one to work.

The best thing about this travel router is that the WiFi plans are flexible . You can choose from different international and local data plans, and pay as you go. Also, when you first start using the GlocalMe G4 mobile hotspot, you get 1GB of global data and 8GB of US data for free.

This travel router lets you share your wireless connection with up to 10 devices, so not only can you connect all your devices to the Internet, but you can also share it with your friends and family without needing to disconnect anything.

This mobile hotspot boasts a touchscreen that’s easy to use, as well as an intuitive user interface. It also doubles as a power bank (3,900 mAh), so you can use it to power other devices. The battery has enough power for some 12 hours of continuous use, but it won’t do much to charge your smartphone.

• SIM card supported but not required
• Works in 140+ countries
• Free global and US data included
• Touchscreen interface
• Battery capacity is quite small
• Customer support is not very helpful
• Big and heavy
• Size: 6.69“ x 4.37“ x 1.73“
• Weight: 13.7 ounces
• Devices: Up to 10

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) Portable Travel Router

The GL.iNet GL-MT300N is one of the lightest devices you can get your hands on. At 1.41 ounces, this is the lightest travel router available at the moment, so it’s certainly the best option if you need something ultra-portable. Also, it’s so small that you can easily carry it in your pocket.

The Mango router supports both WiFi and Ethernet, with two dedicated ethernet ports. It also has a USB 2.0 port for tethering and compatible 3G and 4G modems, as well as a micro USB port for charging. You can use any adapter to charge the Mango, and you can charge it with your laptop for ultimate convenience.

Additionally, this travel router boasts download speeds of up to 300 Mbp s! It also allows for advanced security encryption, and it comes with a pre-installed OpenVPN client. Don’t worry if that’s not your preferred virtual private network service because this little router is compatible with 30+ other VPN services.

Finally, you can use this portable router in four different ways. It can work as a standard network router if you plug it into an existing Ethernet network, and it also functions as a WiFi repeater when you connect it to an existing WiFi network.

The other two modes are hotspot and AP – the former requires you to connect the Mango to an existing access point in order to create a private hotspot, and the AP mode transforms a wired into a wireless signal, which is perfect for devices that only support wireless connections.

• Most compact device
• Extremely affordable
• Supports download speeds up to 300Mbps
• Works as a WiFi repeater, router, and hotspot
• Can transform the wired signal into a wireless one
• Two Ethernet ports (WAN and LAN)
• It does not detect 5Ghz networks
• No internal battery
• Size: 2.28” x 2.28” x 0.98”
• Weight: 1.41 ounces
• Devices: Not specified

TP Link AC750 Travel Wifi Router

The TP Link AC750 Wireless Travel Router gives you the highest speed for your money out of any of the travel routers in the review. It can give up to 733Mbps depending on the wired network and it does it for $40.

This TP-Link wireless router is not only fast but it’s also very versatile in terms of Wifi connectivity. It does everything you’d expect like creating a secure Wifi network from a direct ethernet connection, Wifi connection, modem connection, and a WISP hotspot.

The special bit is that it also works as a range extender and you can connect a device to the router using a wired connection. So if your TV, for example, needs a hardline ethernet cable to connect to the internet, you can run one from the Ac750 directly to it.

As well as being great at Wifi, you can also use it as a power bank and for file sharing. It’s pretty light and compact too making it a great all-rounder. The only downside is that the port layouts are quite annoying and the instructions aren’t clear and could get frustrating.

Overall, this is a fast, versatile travel router from TP Link that’s not going to break the bank. Plus it comes with a 2-year warranty. And given its versatility, it would make the perfect wifi travel router for hotels or cruiseships.

• Fast, light & compact
• File sharing
• 2-year warranty
• Bad instructions
• Annoying port layout
• Size: 2.64 x 2.91 x 0.87"
• Weight: 8 oz
• Devices: Quite a few (number not specified)

TP-Link N300 Wireless Travel Router

The TP-Link N300 Wireless Travel Router is the simplest travel router in the review. Simply put, it is just a travel router and doesn’t have any extra’s like file-sharing or being able to be used as a power bank.

Removing the extras makes it light, portable, and capable of getting a speed of up to 300Mbps .

The band connection also provides lag-free streaming. The travel router can be connected to a cable to create a wireless network, to a modem as an AP, used as a repeater, a booster, and as a hotspot.

It’s also compatible with Chromecast or Amazon FireStick so you can watch all your favorite movies on the go too. Being so light, it doesn’t have an inbuilt battery and you’ll need to connect it to a power source through the micro USB port.

This means you can charge it from the wall, your lightweight laptop , or a power bank, giving you Wifi internet connection where ever you are.

The setup for this travel router is incredibly easy and takes under a minute. Once set up it can be connected to by as many devices as you like but its performance does decrease noticeably with multiple devices.

Overall a simple, fast, portable, and easy-to-use router that also comes with 24/7 support and a 2-year warranty.

• A few wireless modes
• Simple to use
• No USB ports
• Struggles with multiple devices
• Size: 2.2 x 2.2 x 0.7"
• Weight: 7.2oz
• Devices: As many as you like

GL.iNET GL-AR150 Mini Travel Wireless Router

The GL.iNET GL-AR150 Travel Router is a great choice for anyone who wants a router that’s super-portable, simple, and just a router.

This little guy weighs just over 1 oz and is compact enough to slip into your pocket or purse with ease. It can create a Wifi network from just about anything except a SIM card. You can connect it to a modem, ethernet cable, or existing Wifi internet connection, or tether it to your phone or dongle via USB.

One of the best features of this travel router is its security. Traveling around the world means unsecured networks, but once you plug this baby in, you’re getting a Wifi network with a firewall, instantly.

It comes with Open VPN pre-installed and is compatible with over 20 providers, so where ever you connect, you’ll know you’re secure.

It comes without an internal battery but you can charge it from your laptop’s USB or from a wall socket. It comes with 2 ethernet ports, 64MB of RAM, and 16MB of flash. You can also increase this via USB. It’s also Open Source and programmable so you can have full control over everything.

This is an awesome travel router and for just $27, you can’t go wrong.

• 2x Ethernet port
• Tethers to your mobile phone
• Programmable
• Light & compact
• Tricky to set up
• Only supports 2.4GHz
• Size: 2.28 x 2.28 x 0.98"
• Weight: 1.59 oz

Huawei E5576-320 4G LTE Travel Router

The Huawei E5576-320 Travel Router is a good option if you need a compact but reliable device. It needs a SIM card to work, and then it turns into a mobile hotspot that can be used by up to 16 devices at the same time. With a battery of 1500 mAh, you can use this device for up to six hours at a time, before it needs to be recharged.

The battery life could certainly be improved, but at least you can use this device while it’s charging, so you can just keep it plugged into a power bank. Also, the Huawei router boasts a removable battery. Carrying an additional battery is always an option since it means you can just replace the original one when it runs out of juice, without needing to disconnect from the WiFi.

This travel router supports 3G and 4G mobile bands – it’s compatible with 4G LTE in Europe, Asia, and Africa, but only the 3G will work in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. You get download speeds up to 150Mbps on 4G, and up to 43.2Mbps on the 3G networks. Upload speeds are not that bad either – it’s up to 40Mbps on the 4G network, and up to 5.76Mbps on 3G.

In case you need something for travel in North and South America, you should check out Huawei E5576-508 mobile hotspot, which was made specifically for that market and has better compatibility with mobile phone carriers in the Americas.

• Compact and lightweight
• Great upload and download speeds on 4G LTE
• Not expensive
• Works while charging
• Supports connections to up to 16 devices simultaneously
• Small battery capacity
• Only 3G LTE works in the USA, Mexico, and Canada
• Does not double as a power bank
• Size: 3.94“ x 0.28“ x 2.28“
• Weight: 3.53 ounces
• Devices: Up to 16

GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Gigabit Travel AC Router

If you’re a technical wiz and looking for a travel router that’s versatile and offers you a lot of programmabilities, then the GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Gigabit Travel AC Router is a great choice.

This wireless router will create a highly secure Wifi network from a modem, ethernet connection, wifi connection, dongle, and from your phone. It works over a dual-band and it’s pretty fast offering speeds up to 733Mbps.

It comes with 3 ethernet ports to give wired devices internet access. It has a USB port to open up local fire sharing. There is also an SD card slot to provide you with built-in storage space.

It’s programmable and comes pre-installed with OpenVPN and WireGuard to act as a VPN client and server out of the box.

This means your connection will be very secure no matter where you are. It also arrives configured to use Cloudflare’s encrypted DNS servers for additional security. You will have to update it to the latest firmware when you get it though.

Overall a fast, secure, and technical, wireless travel router that’s got a lot of bang for its buck.

• 3 Gigabit Ethernet Ports
• Great VPN support
• Awesome security
• Programable
• SD card slot
• Can be tricky to set up
• Size: 3.90 x 2.70 x 0.90"
• Weight: 3.03 oz

What To Look For In A Travel Router

Here are some key factors to consider when buying a great travel router.

Size & Weight

When it comes to portability both the size and weight of a router are important considerations. You’ll want it to slip easily into your carry-on luggage and not take any valuable weight or space. All the travel routers in this review are light and portable but some are much lighter and compact than others.

Another thing to consider is your travel router power source. Some travel routers come without an inbuilt battery making them very light but they will need to be plugged in to use them.

This means having a power bank ready or plugging them into your laptop’s USB port. Wifi travel routers with an inbuilt battery will be easy to carry around but you’ll need to make sure to pack the right charging cables and plug for your trip.

Travel Router Connection Options

Every router in the review will turn an ethernet, modem, or Wifi connection into your own Wifi connection but not all of them connect to a dongle, phone, or SIM card. There are a few in the review that do connect to all of these, like the ETGEAR Nighthawk M1 or the GL.iNET GL-AR150 Mini Travel Router , so if you’re wanting to use your phone or a Sim card to give you Wifi anywhere, be sure to pick s router that can do it.

Security and Encryption

In order to keep your connection secure, you want a wireless router that offers WPA2 encryption or has a built-in VPN. All the portable routers in the review provide some security but if you want the maximum, go for one of the ones with a built-in VPN.

Overall Speed & Range

Faster portable routers usually mean spending a little more. Think about the speed and the range you’re likely to need on your travels. If you’re going to need to stream HD across 5 devices or have multiple conference calls across multiple devices, you’ll need a wireless router with some solid bandwidth.

If it’s just for you to do some work on, watch a movie, and call home, then you’ll be fine with a lower speed.

Consider Extra’s

Some of the routers in the review are plain routers while others are more multi-tools. Some can also be used as a power source, for file sharing, can have in-built storage, and connect to media streaming. If you want these added benefits, be sure to choose one with them.

Our Favourite Wifi Travel Routers

Here are our top choices from the review.

The lightest travel router of them all is the GL.iNet Mango at just 1.4 ounces. It’s so small and compact that you can carry it in your pocket, but it still does everything a good router should. With download speeds of up to 300Mbps and a price of just some $30, it’s hard to find flaws in this travel router!

• 【WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER】 Convert a public network (wired or wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Tethering. Powered by any laptop USB, power banks or 5V/2A DC adapters (sold separately). 39g (1.41 Oz) only, portable and pocket friendly. 2.4GHz ONLY
• 【OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE】 OpenWrt pre-installed, USB disk extendable.

The best travel router is the NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 . This is one of the fastest and best multi-use travel routers on the market. It can turn anything into a fast, secure network, even a SIM card. It’s also a power bank, data sharer, and media streamer. You can have up to 20 devices all working from the same router, sharing data, anywhere, even at the beach.

• Share WiFi internet access with up to 20 devices
• Connect to your existing home router using the Gigabit Ethernet port for fast, reliable primary or backup Internet connection. Ideal for homes with poor internet service or coverage

The best travel router on a budget is the GL.iNET GL-AR150 Travel Router . This router is tiny, light, compact, and very secure. It can turn anything into a secured VPN, even your phone’s 4G signal and it’s just $27.

• 【WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER】 Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Create a secure Wi-Fi hotspot quickly. Tethering, 3G/4G USB Modem Compatible. Powered by any laptop USB, power banks or 5V DC adapters (sold separately). 39g (1.41 Oz) only, portable and pocket friendly.
• 【OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE】 OpenWrt/LEDE pre-installed, backed by software repository. DDWrt supported. USB disk extendable.
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TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router - WiFi Bridge/Range Extender/Access Point/Client Modes, Mobile in Pocket(TL-WR902AC) (Renewed)

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Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• Travel-Sized Design – Conveniently small and light to pack and take on the road, creating Wi-Fi network via Ethernet
• Dual Band AC750 Wi-Fi – Strong, fast connection for HD streaming on all your devices
• One Switch for Multiple Modes – Perfect for Wi-Fi at home, your hotel room or on the road
• Flexible Power – Micro USB port to an adapter, portable charger or laptop

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The 7 Best Travel Routers

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• Brand Netgear
• Wi-Fi Bands 2.4GHz, 5GHz
• Ethernet Ports 1
• Brand TP-Link
• Brand ‎TP-Link
• Wi-Fi Bands 2.4GHz
• Brand GL.iNet
• Brand RoamFi
• 9.40 /10 1. Premium pick: Netgear Nighthawk MR1100-100NAS
• 9.20 /10 2. Editors choice: TP-Link TL-WR902AC
• 9.00 /10 3. Best value: TP-Link N300 TL-WR802N
• 8.80 /10 4. GL.iNet GL-E750 Router
• 8.60 /10 5. RoamWiFi Router
• 8.40 /10 6. MIGHTYWIFI Router
• 8.20 /10 7. GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Router

In this modern world, staying connected to the internet, even when you are on the go is an essential part of life.

The best travel routers can enable you to connect several devices while providing you with a secure, fast, and reliable internet connection anytime you’re on the move. Pair it with a Cat 8 Ethernet cable , and you have one fast travel setup.

They perform like other home Wi-Fi routers, only that they are compact for portability. However, buying a travel router can be a daunting task since there are many distinct features to consider such as wireless frequencies, size, bandwidth, speed, and security protocols.

Here are the best travel routers available today.

1. Netgear Nighthawk MR1100-100NAS

Reliable and aesthetically pleasing, the Netgear Nighthawk MR1100-100NAS is an excellent pick if you’re always on the move. It achieves a blazing-fast download speed of up to 1Gbps, enabling you to hold uninterrupted video calls and play games without experiencing buffering. Speed isn’t the only standout feature in this router, so something else you’ll love is its long battery life.

The 5,040mAh battery can power you for a whopping 24 hours when browsing from one device, so you don’t need to carry charging cables when traveling for a quick business meeting. The router delivers a safe and speedy internet connection to 20 devices, so family members on vacation can browse and chat online effortlessly.

Instead of featuring the typical rectangular shape in most routers, Netgear Nighthawk MR1100-100NAS goes for a cube-like look with rounded edges. It blends well with the surrounding, plus there’s a 2.4-inch screen for viewing essential information. You can check the total amount of data used, signal levels, and more.

• Qualcomm MDM9x50 chipset
• Requires a nano SIM card
• Comes with one Gigabyte ethernet port
• 2.4-inch LCD screen
• Brand: Netgear
• Wi-Fi Bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz
• Ethernet Ports: 1
• USB Ports: 2
• MU-MIMO: No
• Mesh Network Compatible: No
• Excellent battery life
• Nice-looking design
• LCD screen displays valuable information
• Enables 20 people to connect their devices simultaneously
• Relatively bulky

2. TP-Link TL-WR902AC

Compact and versatile, the TP-Link TL-WR902AC is an exceptional solution for anyone who needs a secure and ultra-fast network connection when traveling. The router supports dual-band Wi-Fi, allowing you to enjoy fast connections on both demanding and less demanding devices.

The 5GHz band achieves a wireless speed of up to 433Mbps and 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz, so you can stream and download movies seamlessly. Measuring ‎2.64 x 2.91 x 0.87 inches, the TP-Link TL-WR902AC is designed with traveling in mind. You can position it on your lap when commuting without feeling uncomfortable.

Setting up the TP-Link TL-WR902AC is quick and easy, requiring you to follow the prompts in five steps. You can also access the advanced settings to set up device connectivity, connection schedules, and more. There’s a multi-functional USB port that lets you charge your smartphone or share files via the internet browser to other devices.

• Pocket-sized design
• Multi-functional USB
• Brand: TP-Link
• USB Ports: 1
• Mesh Network Compatible: Yes
• Sturdy body
• Quick setup process
• Useful USB port
• Fast wireless connection
• Included cables could be longer

3. TP-Link N300 TL-WR802N

Despite its compact design, the TP-Link N300 TL-WR802N delivers excellent wireless performance to cater to your frequent streaming needs. The router provides you with a consistent speed of up to 300Mbps when on the 2.5GHz frequency band. There are minimal chances of encountering network interruption, so you can play online games, video call clients, and stream videos seamlessly.

Security is top-tier since the router includes the WPA2-PSK, WEP, and WPA-PSK protocols. They add more robust encryption and authentication to your network, protecting your most critical information from intruders. The Repeater, Bridge, Access Point, Client, and Router modes have different network functionalities, enabling you to pick one that matches your needs.

This router occupies less space when tossed in a slim clutch bag as it only measures 2.2 x 2.2 x 0.7 inches. Parents who frequently travel with their kids will appreciate the parental control mode. It lets them block access to inappropriate websites for their kids’ safety.

• Compatible with 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi routers
• Works with 2.4GHz devices
• Advanced security protocols
• Brand: ‎TP-Link
• Wi-Fi Bands: 2.4GHz
• Easy to carry
• Parental control feature
• Delivers seamless internet connection
• Limited range

4. GL.iNet GL-E750 Router

If you want a travel router that delivers top-notch speed without compromising security, consider the GL.iNet GL-E750 Router. This travel router ensures travelers have a safe internet connection as it supports multiple open-source VPN protocols, which come in handy when handling sensitive data.

Its WireGuard encryption also utilizes the latest encryption protocols, like Curve25519 and SipHash24, ensuring fewer security vulnerabilities. The dual-band Wi-Fi frequencies with 733Mbps throughput enable you to enjoy a lag-free internet connection on various devices. Battery life is impressive as the GL.iNet GL-E750 Router comes with a 7,000mAh battery. It powers you for up to eight hours when on the move.

You can also turn on the standby mode to put the screen into sleep to extend the battery life. The Mudi app features a highly responsive and user-friendly web control interface. It lets you enter your credentials when connecting to different VPN services and access other valuable settings.

• DDR2 128MB RAM
• Combined Wi-Fi Speed networking
• Eight hours battery life
• Supports over 30 VPN service providers
• Brand: GL.iNet
• USB Ports: No
• WireGuard encryption
• 4G LTE support
• Ideal for frequent travelers in need of a highly secured network
• Delivers speedy performance
• Small display easily attracts smudges

5. RoamWiFi Router

The RoamWiFi Router easily outperforms its counterparts with its incredible battery life and speedy internet connection. Speed-wise, the travel router has a download speed of up to 150Mbps and 50Mbps upload to cover your unique needs. Business colleagues and family members traveling together will love the convenience this router offers. It allows five people to connect their computer or smartphone simultaneously for maximum productivity.

Besides featuring an elegant design, the RoamWiFi Router is highly portable. It measures 2.68 x 0.57 x 4.96 inches, so you can comfortably tag it along with your other traveling essentials. You get around 18 hours of continuous internet surfing, thanks to the 5,000mAh built-in battery.

Such power makes it easy to watch live broadcasts, attend zoom meetings, and watch shows without worrying about low battery. The RoamWiFi Router provides reliable network speed and protection in over 160 regions. As such, you won’t have a problem communicating with family members back at home when you travel.

• Connects up to five devices
• 5,000mAh in-built battery
• Covers over 160 regions
• Supports the RomaWiFi App
• Brand: RoamFi
• High-speed performance
• Allows you to pay as you go
• Only connects to five devices

6. MIGHTYWIFI Router

The MIGHTYWIFI Router performs incredibly well, making it a great pick. Onboard is a Qualcomm processor which enables the router to pick signals from a local network, resulting in fast network performance. The dual-band frequency support is an invaluable feature that saves you from interference seen in a single band.

You get up to 150Mbps download and 50Mbps upload speeds for a seamless experience when surfing the web. With the MightyWifi app, you can manage data usage and access other helpful settings. There’s an in-built 5,000mAh battery that powers you for around 12 to 14 hours on a single charge. It saves you from the inconvenience of looking for a power outlet when relaxing in open fields.

10 of your friends or family members can connect to this router and enjoy an uninterrupted wireless connection. Compact and slim, this travel router fits well in your pockets, or you can toss it in your clutch bag.

• Works in over 150 countries
• Versatile Qualcomm processor
• 5,000mAh battery
• Brand: MIGHTYWIFI
• Great battery life
• Easily portable
• Easy to use

7. GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Router

The GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Router addresses the eavesdropping network layers and pay-by-device Wi-Fi annoyances experienced in hotel rooms. With its compact design, only measuring 3.9 x 2.7 x 0.9 inches, this router fits nicely in your pockets. It also delivers incredible Wi-Fi speeds.

The available 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals provide a rate of up to 300Mbps and 433Mbps, respectively, allowing you to enjoy seamless connection in various devices. The GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext router comes with two foldable routers, which increase the router’s capacity to receive and transmit data. It operates on the OpenWRT operating system, ensuring you access better security features and configuration options.

The 16MB of NOR flash and an added 128MB NAND flash for OpenWRT enable you to install torrenting clients, ad blockers, and other packages. The custom web interface makes it easy to see new features after a firmware update.

• 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals
• 16MB of NOR flash
• Three customizable LEDs
• DDRII 128MB memory
• Ethernet Ports: 3
• Simple setup
• Incredible VPN support
• Useful OpenWRT operating system
• Total bandwidth is pretty low

Q: How Do I Fix Common Problems in Travel Routers?

Resetting your router is one of the first steps you should take after experiencing connection issues. You’ll only need to press and hold the reset button for around 15 seconds to allow the router to restore its default settings.

Most travel routers cover small ranges, so the Wi-Fi network may only reach the corners of your room. Such routers struggle to deliver reliable connections because of physical distractions like metal and electric devices. Always place the router in a central location free from such gadgets and walls to avoid signal dropouts.

Like most electronic devices, travel routers overheat after continuous use, causing instability. If the router gets extremely hot, power it off to let it cool down for some minutes. Additionally, check whether the Ethernet cable is damaged or loosely connected before visiting a technician.

Q: How Do Travel Routers Work?

Although travel routers have distinct features, their primary role is to increase the range of existing wireless networks. Travel routers allow you to connect to a network you had difficulties connecting to, like in a hotel. They pick weak signals and amplify them, allowing you to enjoy fast internet connections.

Unlike Wi-Fi networks in hotels which limit you to connect only one device, travel routers let you use multiple gadgets, even with a single login. You only need to log in once through the provided smartphone app or web browser, and then all your devices will connect to the created network.

Q: Are Travel Routers Worth It?

Yes, they are. Well, most airports, hotels, Airbnb’s, and coffee shops give you access to Wi-Fi connections that require no password. However, such networks are insecure since they don’t have encryption protocols, making your crucial data and information vulnerable to hackers. The best travel routers feature top-tier security encryptions like WPA2 and WEP, which are similar to what your home router offers.

They also have built-in VPNs which secure and isolate your communication, so you can confidently handle sensitive tasks. Besides offering you a secure network, most travel routers are pocket-sized, making it easy to carry them when on the go.

The 3 best travel routers on Amazon

We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

If you travel frequently, a portable router is a worthwhile investment — and the best travel routers allow you to stay connected to reliable wireless internet wherever you are and without compromising on security. When shopping for a travel router, you’ll want to choose a model that’s small enough to pack in your bag. They will also come in a range of prices to suit your budget.

What criteria to consider when shopping for the best travel routers

Speed & connectivity.

When selecting a travel router, speed and ease of connecting to the internet are important, and there are several factors that will affect its performance.

• First, choose one that supports current Wi-Fi standards , such as 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) or 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), that have been established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). If you’re shopping on Amazon, you’ll find that most travel routers that have been widely rated and reviewed support the latter.
• You’ll also want to pay attention to the router’s data transfer rate , which is usually listed in megabits per second (Mbps) . A router that operates anywhere from 50 or 100 Mbps is sufficient for streaming videos in 4K or online gaming; however, if you’ll be using the internet heavily for work and leisure, you might want to opt for one with a Mbps of at least 100 Mbps.
• You’ll also want to shop for a router that supports 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) and 5 GHz bands . This will offer a faster speed and increased bandwidth to support multiple devices while minimizing lag.
• The option of being able to connect to the internet via an Ethernet cable can also come in handy when a wireless connection won’t cut it — you might want to look for a router that has at least one Ethernet port to plug directly into your devices.

When you’re traveling, you might use a public network to connect to the internet, and if you want to keep your sensitive information private, a router with WPA3 or WPA2 encryption is a good option . As an alternative, you can also opt for a router that supports VPN services. (Another option is to use a mobile hotspot device instead of a router so you can access the internet using your cell service instead of a public network.)

Portability and compatibility

Finally, you probably want to opt for a router that has small enough dimensions to comfortably stow in your luggage. These picks are also powered by a USB-A or USB-C port, so you can plug them into your device or a travel-friendly adapter to keep them running while you’re traveling, whether out of state or overseas.

Shop for the best travel routers

In a hurry? These are the best travel routers you can find on Amazon:

• The overall best travel router: GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Wireless Router
• The runner-up : GL.iNet GL-AR750 Travel AC VPN Router
• The budget-friendly option : TP-Link Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router
• Also great: A mobile hotspot for travel: NETGEAR Nighthawk 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot

With all this in mind, you’ll find four of the best routers for taking with you wherever you might head.

1. The overall best travel router

With a 4.5-star overall rating after more than 1,700 reviews, this travel-friendly router is a well-tested option. It can support up to 40 wireless devices at once, plus runs at speeds of up to 400 Mbps on a 2.4 GHz connection and up to 867 Mbps on a 5 GHz connection. It comes with three Ethernet ports so you can directly connect multiple devices to the unit. It offers WPA3 encryption , plus it’s compatible with more than 30 VPN providers to help keep your information private. Just keep in mind that using a VPN service may come at an additional cost. The router comes with a USB-C-compatible power adapter and an Ethernet cable.

Positive Amazon review: “This product was purchased to serve as a travel router for my RV. I shopped around extensively, reading multiple reviews and specifications. In short, I am extremely pleased with the product, especially with the OpenWRT-based software. Easy plug ‘n’ play, but also highly configurable. The USB2.0 port is a bit weak for powering an external hard drive, but that is to be expected (no issues with flash or NAND drives). The compact size, configurability, and price point make this a great choice.”

Wi-Fi standard: 802.11ac | Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | Data transfer rate : Up to 867 Mbps | Ethernet connection: Yes (1 WAN and 2 LAN ports) | Security: WPA3 | Size: 4.6 x 3.3 x 1.2 inches (length x width x height)

Also available on: Walmart , $72

2. The runner-up

Like the previous option, this travel router has three Ethernet ports to connect your devices, in addition to a USB-A port to keep it powered up. It supports WPA2 encryption and has pre-installed OpenVPN, and it supports over 30 other VPN service providers. The main contrast to the above option is that it has a lower data transfer rate, which maxes out at 300 Mbps at 2.5 GHz and 433 Mbps at 5 GHz. But on the plus side, the router comes with a USB cable and power adapter, plus an Ethernet cable, so you can use it straight out of the box.

Positive Amazon review: “I travel all over the world and at the majority of accommodations I’m forced to use the room computer cable for internet. I need Wi-Fi for my phone, tablet & laptop… and this travel router worked great. Easy setup and has yet to fail me. Great product.”

Wi-Fi standard: 802.11ac | Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | Data transfer rate: Up to 433 Mbps | Ethernet connection: Yes (1 WAN and 2 LAN) | Security: WPA2 | Size: 3.5 x 2.7 x 0.9 inches (length x width x height)

Also available on: Walmart , $45

3. The budget-friendly option

Those looking for a budget-friendly but quality option might appreciate this wireless travel router . The dual-band unit supports speeds of up to 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 433 Mbps on 5 GHz bands. It is WPA2 encrypted, so you can securely surf the web on a public Wi-Fi network. Like the previous option, it is powered via a micro-USB source and includes a power adapter to plug into a power outlet — but it only has one Ethernet connection, so you can only connect one device at a time using the included Ethernet cable.

Positive Amazon review: “This worked perfectly for me while traveling and staying in hotels. I followed the very simple instructions they provide and I was connected within minutes. I used this to secure my connection to the public Wi-Fi within a hotel. It also extended my coverage for my phone which was needed because I could not connect to T-mobile within the hotel room.”

Wi-Fi standard: 802.11ac | Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | Data transfer rate: Up to 433 Mbps | Ethernet connection: Yes (1 WAN/LAN port) | Security: WPA2 | Size: 2.6 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches (length x width x height)

Also available on: Walmart , $42

Also great: A mobile hotspot for travel

If you want a mobile hotspot , this is a prime choice. It’s compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and can provide up to 13 hours of use before it needs to be charged. The device has one Ethernet port, so you can connect your device directly to it, plus a USB-C port for charging it between uses (a USB-C cable and AC adapter are included) — as well as other compatible devices that might be in need of some juice. Whether operating on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, it runs at up to 150 Mbps, which is lower than other options on this list, but it should still be sufficient for surfing the internet and streaming videos in 4K. Keep in mind that it is a splurge, but several Amazon reviewers who travel frequently have reported that it’s well worth the cost.

Positive Amazon review: “I travel with the family from the US to our home in Croatia every other year. Instead of tethering my iPhone this time, I opted to get a dedicated hotspot. This thing is amazing. Works with both A1 and Hrvatski Telekom SIM cards without issue. (You do have to make a phone call to activate these cards from a secondary phone, then insert the sim into the hotspot, however this may be with only these providers). I can stream both from my FireTv in HD as well as Google Music while surfing the internet. This all on multiple devices at the same time. All this whilst in a stone home over 100 years old. Also took this thing on a sailboat while traveling from Split to Hvar and Brać. No issues. Must have for travelers who travel for extended periods AND do not want to set up year long internet service.”

Wi-Fi standard: 802.11ac | Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | Data transfer rate: Up to 150 Mbps | Ethernet connection: Yes (LAN port) | Security: N/A (uses cell network) | Size: ‎4.15 x 4.15 x 0.8 inches (length x width x height)

Also available on: Office Depot , $430, and Staples , $430

About the recommender

Danielle Calma is a commerce writer who researches and recommends products for shoppers, and she has covered topics related to tech and gadgets for publications including Inverse , Bustle , and Elite Daily .

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Best Travel WiFi Router (And 7 Tips for How To Use A Portable Router)

As a digital nomad family, one of the most useful tools for staying connected is a travel WiFi router. In this guest post, my husband, Clint Bush (who works full time as a software engineer), shares his reasons why you need a portable router for travel.

We’ve been working remotely since 2018. As a remote worker, it’s important to have consistent internet connection. Nothing is worse than being on a Zoom call (or leading a meeting, for that matter) and dropping out because of an unstable connection.

Even though we always get a local data SIM card, so we can use a WiFi mobile hotspot from our phone if the internet goes down, our travel WiFi router is by far one of the key tools in our digital nomad toolbox. Read this post to learn which travel WiFi router brands we prefer, and why you’ll want to travel with a portable WiFi router.

This post was written by Clint Bush and originally published on November 18, 2018.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase something. But don't worry, this will not result in any extra costs to you.

Table of Contents

Our top picks for a travel WiFi router

Want some quick tips for which travel WiFi router to choose? Here’s our top pick for a portable WiFi router, along with our pick for a mesh network and WiFi extender.

• Travel wifi router: GL. iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)
• Mesh network: Amazon eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi system (up to 4,500 sq. ft.)
• WiFi extender: TP-Link WiFi Extender (up to 1,200 sq. ft.)

What is a travel WiFi router?

For those who might not know the function of a travel WiFi router, here's a quick IT lesson. Internet connection gets sent in analog form through a cable from the cable company into your hotel or home. The cable connects to a modem that converts it from an analog signal to a digital signal.

A router then connects to the modem (or is built into the modem) via a cable. That router turns the internet signal into radio frequencies that are broadcast out. This is WiFi (short for wireless fidelity) - the radio broadcasting of internet signals.

Since the WiFi signal is a radio frequency, it is subject to interference that can be caused by other radio signals in the air, microwaves, concrete walls, etc. The point is if you only have a single router outputting a signal on one end of the house or hotel, and you are on the other end, how strong is the signal going to be?

For travelers, and especially digital nomads who rely on reliable internet for work, one quick fix is to carry a portable wireless router.

Travel WiFi router brands to buy

In terms of a good travel WiFi router, as well as a WiFi extender or a mesh network, there are several major brands out there. If you’re planning on using a virtual private network (VPN) such as ExpressVPN , they have a list of routers (such as the Netgear Nighthawk ) they directly work with, but I find them too bulky and expensive especially for travel. 

I prefer a more compact travel router that can run OpenVPN directly. While this involves additional setup and requires some network knowledge (Express VPN has a good walkthrough ), the small size of the travel WiFi router makes it convenient for travel.

If you want to try out Express VPN, snag my referral code to get 30 days free !

One major advantage of the bulkier Express VPN-approved travel WiFi routers compared to a mini wireless router for travel is speed. This is especially important when using a VPN. Our small travel WiFi router does a great job, but if we need to stream video the travel router WiFi can’t always handle that. VPN speeds can throttle quite a bit. Getting one of the bigger approved routers can increase your connection speeds and handle larger bandwidth loads better.

Ready for a change? Take the first step to living a life of full time travel.

However, if you’re traveling, you’ll want to focus on compactness, rather than bulk. Besides a travel WiFi router, you can also consider traveling with a mesh network (multiple travel routers that connect to the original router to act as a single network) or a WiFi range extender (that extends your WiFi signal). Here are the top brands of wireless travel routers that we recommend.

We like GL.iNet because their products perform consistently well. We traveled with the GL.iNet GL-AR750 (Creta) travel WiFi router in the past, as well as an older version of the GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl) wireless travel router. However, there are plenty of other travel WiFi routers from GL.iNet that you can bring for your travels.

The GL.iNet travel routers we recommend have a USB port and an ethernet port (or multiple ports) so you can plug into the device directly. Click the buttons below to look at these travel WiFi routers from GL.iNet.

Amazon eero

If you’re planning on staying somewhere that will give you direct access to the original router, then bringing along a mesh network might be more useful than a single travel WiFi router. Essentially, a mesh network is a set of routers that link to the main router to create a blanket network throughout the space, sending consistent wireless signals. This is ideal if you’re planning on housesitting or staying at someone’s house, as you’ll likely be able to directly connect with the main internet router.

One drawback of traveling with a mesh network is that you’re bringing multiple devices instead of just one item (the mesh network usually comes in sets of 3). Additionally, mesh networks tend to have a higher price point (because they’re multiple devices), so you’ll need to be careful when traveling with these expensive devices.

Check out these mesh networks from Amazon eero.

We have not personally used TP Link, but have read positive reviews of their devices. Like GL.iNet, they offer a travel WiFi router that travelers can use. And like the Amazon eero, they also have a mesh network option. 

TP Link also offers a dual band WiFi extender, which can help extend the range of WiFi signals from your Airbnb or hotel WiFi router, using both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. This extender requires a United States outlet for its power supply, but you can carry a power adapter if you’re traveling overseas. 

One thing to note about using a WiFi extender, the strength of the signal will be weak at its farthest point of the extender range. 

Learn more about the amazing family travel resources we use for worldschooling!

Benefits and tips for how to use a portable router

There are many benefits to carrying a travel WiFi router with you whenever you travel. Primarily, a travel WiFi router helps repeat the WiFi signal and minimizes the instances of spotty WiFi. Additionally a travel WiFi router allows for multiple devices to connect to the WiFi network, and allows for use of a VPN.

Once you know the benefits of having a travel WiFi router, it’s also helpful to know how to use a portable router. Here are some details of why a travel WiFi router is beneficial for travel, and how to use a portable router (and VPN) for travel.

1. WiFi repeating

This is the first benefit of your own travel wifi router: repeating the signal. Many routers these days have the ability to pick up an existing WiFi signal and extend or repeat that signal.

By placing an additional portable router closer to the WiFi signal, you can extend the distance of that WiFi signal. This increases your coverage across the house or hotel room. You will lose a bit of speed when you do this. Keep that in mind if you are trying to stream a video or play a game online.

2. Optional hard-wiring to skip spotty public WiFi

This tip will only help you if you are in a hotel that has an ethernet cable available to you. This is usually the case in business hotels, or if the home or AirBnB you are staying at has the router directly in the unit.

If either of these are the case, and you have the option to plugin an ethernet cable, then having a portable router can allow you to create your own WiFi network off of that wired connection. That means all of your devices can connect to a single WiFi source. This is way more reliable than the public WiFi available to you.

3. Easy connecting for multiple devices

One of my favorite reasons to use a portable router is the ease of connection setup when I get to a new location for all of our devices. Between our family we have multiple laptops, tablets, phones, and a Roku. Setting up each of these with new WiFi would be a pain in the neck.

My solution is to connect them to the WiFi network I created on the portable router. That way, I just set up the portable router at the new connection. Voilà one device setup and all devices are connected.

We’ve done this while we were slow traveling in cities like Jakarta , Indonesia and Guanajuato , Mexico.

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4. Running VPN directly through a router

If you are using a VPN (and you absolutely should be using a VPN when you're connecting to WiFi outside your home!), you usually run it through each device through an application or VPN configuration. This works perfectly fine for my wife and me, since we remember to turn it on before using the public WiFi.

My kids, on the other hand, they never remember. So if they jump on a device, they are accessing the internet without protection. Of course, they are not logging into bank accounts or sharing sensitive information so it’s not that big of a deal. However, for ease of mind, I still want to make sure they are keeping our information secure.

Read up on the other useful travel gear and tools we travel with around the world.

5. Using a VPN Connection with your travel WiFi router

When it comes to choosing between using VPN vs travel router, there actually isn’t a choice. You should be doing both to ensure that your personal and confidential information remains secure.

Having a travel WiFi router that allows for VPN connection directly through the router is the way to go. 

By running the VPN directly through the router, I now know that my kids are automatically connected to the VPN as soon as they start using their device.

6. Advantages of running a VPN through a router

There are several other advantages of running VPN this way too:

• ExpressVPN and other VPN services usually limit your devices you can connect to the VPN at a single moment. ExpressVPN for example limits you to three devices at a time. Have two phone and two laptops between my wife and I alone, we already exceed that. By running the VPN through the router, it only counts as one device rather than four.
• My work laptop can’t run a VPN application on it for a number of reasons, so using it through the router is the only option I have.
• Roku and other similar devices usually don’t have a way to connect to VPN, so running them through the router that has VPN is the only way to go.

Get prepared for any emergency with the insurance made for digital nomads!

7. Setting up your travel WiFi router

The actual steps on setting up a portable router will vary from router to router, but here are some tips that helped me:

• Find a spot that is centrally located if possible and sit the router mid-level or higher for best broadcasting.
• Plug the router directly into the modem or existing router if possible using an ethernet cable. This will give you the best signal strength.
• When repeating the existing WiFi signal, do some speed tests on the existing network to find the fasted available network to connect to. Sometimes that is only 1 network, so you won’t have any options there. If there are 5GHz vs 2.4GHz options, experiment with both to see which of the connections your router works best with. There’s a whole side discussion about 5GHz and 2.4GHz that I am going to skip for now, but hit me up if you have any questions regarding that.
• Plug the router into a surge protector if possible. Since it will always be plugged in, there is a high risk of power surge. Protect your investment by unplugging at night or plugging into a surge protector.
• Use a WPA-2 password key when creating your WiFi network on the router. This will give you the best protection.
• Remember when using your portable router, your data is not encrypted unless you are using a VPN. Sometimes there’s a false sense of security because you are using your own router and not the existing Public WiFi. Always use a VPN.

Learn about our digital nomad worldschooling lifestyle .

Travel WiFi router: a must have for digital nomads

For those of you living a nomadic lifestyle, and even if you aren't, having a reliable internet connection while you travel is important. There’s no need to be standing by a window all day hoping that your cell phone gets a strong enough signal to hotspot! Those days are over!

With a travel WiFi router (or a mesh network or WiFi extender), you can ensure that you stay connected to the internet. And that’s an important tool to have to help you live the digital nomad travel life of your dreams!

Do you have recommendations for your favorite travel WiFi router? Send me a message and let me know which travel WiFi router you prefer.

Are you wondering what other tools you need to lead a full-time travel lifestyle with your kids? Get a copy of my ebook, Hey Kids, Let’s Go Travel! to get started on planning a family gap year.

Need help thinking through how to budget for a family trip? My  Travel Budget Worksheet  is just the tool you need! Click  here  to receive your free copy by signing up for my newsletter.

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Best Portable WiFi Options for Travelers 2024

NETGEAR Team

In the past, people travelling with laptops and tablets relied on public WiFi hotspots and smartphones for internet access, but there is a better way. A portable WiFi hotspot, such as the NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 or M6 Pro, can deliver unsurpassed travel router speeds, adaptability, and security for all your WiFi-enabled devices.

IN THIS ARTICLE

What makes a Portable WiFi Hotspot the Right Option?

Use cases for portable wifi routers for travel, how do portable wifi hotspot devices work, benefits of 5g mmwave technology, reasons to choose a nighthawk mobile hotspot, nighthawk m6 and m6 pro for travelers.

Although a portable WiFi hotspot can be suitable for home internet connections, most people use them when away from home. Portable WiFi hotspots provide on-the-go mobile WiFi flexibility with unlimited or prepaid plans, making them ideal for local and international travel for business or leisure. All you need is access to an cellular internet service provider (ISP) for a WiFi connection that can provide complete peace of mind wherever your travels take you. The best NETGEAR portable WiFi systems of today are as capable as their contemporary wired networks and WiFi router.

• • Portable WiFi for Work Travel: Stay connected and boost productivity with portable WiFi on business trips, ensuring seamless access to cloud services, video conferencing, and secure file sharing anywhere you go. Even share your WiFi connection with travel companions, or even a conference room.

• • WiFi for Camping and Outdoors: Keep your devices connected to the internet even in the heart of nature, allowing for GPS navigation, weather updates, and emergency access while enjoying the great outdoors.
• • Portable WiFi for Field Reps & Job Site access: Enable instant data reporting, access to construction plans, or customer information for field representatives and construction sites, ensuring efficient workflow and client communication.
• • Portable WiFi for Family Hotels: Make travel with family smoother and secure with a portable WiFi router, offering entertainment on the go and easy planning for your next adventure, from booking to navigation.
• • Portable WiFi Airbnb & Vacation Rentals: Enhance your vacation rental experience with your own secure WiFi network, guaranteeing high-speed internet access for streaming, remote work, or online gaming, and avoiding the pitfalls of shared connections.

The most advanced NETGEAR portable WiFi hotspot devices connect to the 5G network. These dedicated mobile hotspot routers provide a secure WiFi network on par with the best home WiFi systems. They avoid the risk of security breaches associated with public WiFi hotspots in libraries, airports, and other locations where people gather in large numbers. NETGEAR Nighthawk M6, M6 Pro, and earlier Nighthawk M1 4G LTE hotspot routers are powerful enough to stream your favorite shows and stay in touch with family and friends from the comfort of your Airbnb or hotel accommodations.

• • Mobile WiFi router data plans – Unlimited data would be best
• • Service or wireless network availability in your expected travel area
• • The number of connected devices
• • 4G and 5G network capabilities
• • Battery life of the WiFi hotspot device – do you need an extra battery?
• • Additional features needed such as Ethernet ports and USB ports
• • Wireless carrier limitations

Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro mobile hotspots offer multi-gigabit speeds and low latency even in crowded WiFi areas. Nighthawk hotspots are the ideal companion while on the road. Here are 11 good reasons to choose a Nighthawk 5G mobile hotspot for your next journey.

• 1. WiFi 6/6E 24/7 mobile connectivity at the resort, Airbnb, or while on the road.
• 2. International roaming for streaming, conferencing, working, or posting on social media.
• 3. mmWave cellular technology and Ultra-fast WiFi in over 125 countries. (M6 Pro)
• 4. 5G mobile security to protect sensitive data and files.
• 5. Adaptable performance modes with seamless connectivity at home and while away.
• 6. Extended WiFi range and coverage with the optional omnidirectional 5G MIMO external antenna.
• 7. More options for wireless or wired connections with high-speed USB and 2.5gb Ethernet ports.
• 8. Unlocked Flexibility that gives you the freedom to select the carrier of your choice.
• 9. Suit your specific needs with a prepaid SIM card or mobile hotspot data plan.
• 10. Choose a preferred carrier such as AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.
• 11. Highest Performance Capabilities to deliver powerful and secure WiFi every time.

Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G mmWave WiFi 6E Mobile Hotspot 5G Router

Nighthawk M6 5G WiFi 6 Mobile Hotspot 5G Router

NETGEAR portable WiFi for travelers is as fast and powerful as most home router systems. With the M6 and M6 Pro, you can connect to dozens of WiFi devices simultaneously on the 4G LTE, 5Ghz, and 6GHz wireless networks. NETGEAR hotspot routers are for people who enjoy ultimate comfort and network connectivity wherever, whenever.

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Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Routers Compared

Give the Gift of Unstoppable Mobile WiFi Performance With NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro and M6

5G mmWave: Delivers Low Latency for Enhanced Performance

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10 Best Travel Routers

Table of Contents

We found 75% of tech reviews are untrustworthy and decided to make a correction with our new True Score system , but the guide below is pending. Please support our mission by using our affiliate links.

What are the features that make the best travel router? For starters, these devices are portable and incredibly easy to carry with you in your pocket or bags while you travel. They provide you with plenty of internet speed, range, and security, making them the best routers for on-the-go internet connection.

If you frequently travel for work or vacation, but you don’t want to lose access to safe internet, a travel router can be a huge benefit. Many models even include VPN functionality to keep your data the most secure it can be away from your home network.

With all of these features and recommendations in mind, we chose the TP-Link TL-WR802N as the best travel router . Keep reading to learn more about this powerful device and the other best routers for travel we included in this buying guide.

Top 10 Best Travel Routers

 #1  tp-link n300 tl-wr802n travel router.

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: Ultra-lightweight, fast, and easy to use, this travel router easily earns our top pick spot. It also features five different wireless modes for greater usage flexibility in a variety of different scenarios.

• Router, AP, client, repeater, WISP modes
• Easy setup process
• Weighs just 7.2 ounces
• Lower performance with multiple devices
• Doesn’t include a USB port

The TP-Link TL-WR802N travel router takes the top pick spot for a wide variety of reasons, but the first and foremost reason is that it packs a powerful punch in such a compact size. Measuring in at just 2.2 x 2.2 x 0.7 inches, this travel is compact and extra portable. It also weighs just 7.2 ounces, making it one of the lightest options available on the market today. With this kind of portability, the TL-WR802N is perfect for use on the go. It’s also really easy to set up and get running, which is even better for travelers. Make sure your modem can keep up with your router using the best WiFi modem/router .

When it comes to performance, you can expect the TP-Link travel router to give you upwards of 300 Mbps, when available from the modem to which you’re connected. It also has great range, although you likely won’t need it in a hotel room or airport where you’ll always be close to the router. We were really impressed by the TP-Link’s five different wireless modes, which include Client, Router, Bridge, Repeater, and Access Point functionalities. This gives you more flexibility in the way you use the router while traveling. Keep in mind that this travel router is only a single band option with just a 2.4GHz channel.

 #2  GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Travel Router

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you are looking for a travel router that you can configure from top to bottle, then look no further than this handy device. With OpenWRT software pre-installed out of the box, this router allows you to customize nearly any setting for your on-the-go internet connection and provides reliable internet across both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

• Dual-band functionality
• Pre-installed with latest OpenWRT 21.02 OS
• Easy-to-use interface
• Non-removable antennas
• Weighs 1.19lbs

The GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 is a unique travel router in the sense that it provides dual-band functionality for a more comprehensive solution for connecting to multiple devices and allows you to greatly customize network settings. You’ll get both a 2.4GHz band and a 5GHz band with either 600 Mbps or 1200 Mbps of speed, respectively. The router’s two adjustable antennas also produce a good amount of range and signal strength, so you can always stay connected. Unfortunately, the antennas are not removable, although they do fold down for portability.

On top of performance, this GL.iNet travel router provides extensive customizability via the device’s pre-installed OpenWRT latest 21.02 OS software. This is open-source software that gives you greater control over router configuration. It can get a little complicated to get up and running, especially if you’ve never used it before, but the options are well worth the learning curve. The GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 is also designed really well, with both a MicroSD card slot and three Ethernet ports for even more connectivity options while you’re on the go. The travel router even includes a USB 3.0 port for more storage options and playback options. It’s a great option if you’re looking for the best OpenWRT router for travel.

 #3  TP-Link AC750 TL-WR902AC Travel Router

Award: BEST LONG DISTANCE

WHY WE LIKE IT: This travel router produces a strong signal and high bandwidth speeds at a much longer range than other similar portable routers. It’s also incredibly easy to use and features a few different modes for different use cases.

• User-friendly, durable design
• Multiple modes for different scenarios
• Speeds upwards of 433 Mbps
• Not battery powered
• Only one Ethernet port

The TP-Link TL-WR902AC travel router is compact and extra-portable with its 2.64 x 2.91 x 0.87-inch size, making it perfect to store in your travel luggage or even directly on your person while on the road. Plus, it only weighs eight ounces, so you won’t even notice while you’re out and about. We were also impressed by the durability of the TP-Link travel router. It doesn’t have any moving parts like antennas that can be damaged during transit, but it still produces excellent signal strength at long ranges. In fact, you’ll be able to stay connected to this wireless router from up to 100 feet away without experiencing loss in quality.

You’ll also get dual-band functionality with the TP-Link TL-WR902AC Wi-Fi router, which gives you an added level of flexibility in how many devices you can simultaneously connect and how to prioritize more important devices on the faster 5GHz band. The travel router also includes five different wireless modes like range extender, secure wireless access point, and connect wired devices directly to an internet connection. We were also pleased with the overall speeds that the TL-WR902AC router can provide. On the 2.4GHz band, you can get up to 300 Mbps, while on the 5GHz band, you can get up to 433 Mbps of internet speeds, as long as the source provides similar speed ratings.

 #4  Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 Travel Router

Award: BEST FOR ENTERTAINMENT

WHY WE LIKE IT: With blazing-fast speeds, a long-lasting battery, and a user-friendly interface, this travel router is perfect for anyone who likes to stream movies or play games during their trips. It can also handle connections from up to 20 devices simultaneously so the entire family can get it on the fun.

• Blazing fast wireless speeds
• Long-lasting battery
• User-friendly settings and interface
• Doesn’t include a touchscreen
• Heavier than other options

The Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 is both a travel wireless router and a mobile hotspot that you can use with your cell phone’s internet connection. With this dual functionality, you’ll get a ton of flexibility out of this handy device, especially when traveling with your family or coworkers. It can provide speeds up to 1Gbps, depending on the source from which the internet is coming. This makes the MR1100 perfect for on-the-go entertainment like streaming movies or even playing video games online. You’ll also get solid performance for up to 20 connected devices, which is an excellent addition.

This Nighthawk router doesn’t need to be connected to an external power source. Instead, it comes with a 5040 mAH battery, which gives you all-day power so you don’t have to worry about your internet going out in the middle of an important presentation, movie, or other projects. The device is also incredibly easy to use. It features a bright, colorful LCD display so you can always tell what’s going on with your network. You can access network settings via the Nighthawk smartphone app, which is a handy tool that makes things incredibly user-friendly.

 #5  GL.iNet Mudi GL-E750 Travel Router

Award: BEST MOBILE HOTSPOT

WHY WE LIKE IT: This handy travel router acts as a mobile hotspot to give you an internet connection wherever you get cell service through your provider. It’s also user-friendly with OpenWRT software and extra-secure with support for TOR and VPN services.

• Support for mobile tethering
• Support for TOR and VPN
• Larger than other routers
• Heavier than other routers

The GL.iNet Mudi GL-E750 is one of the most mobile travel routers your money can buy today. It doesn’t require a hardwired connection to provide a wireless signal for your other devices. Instead, you can insert a SIM card and receive a 4G LTE signal that you can then broadcast to other portable devices. This makes it perfect for travelers who need connection no matter where they are. Fortunately, you’ll also get dual-band functionality here, with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

This OpenWRT travel router is also built extremely well. Yes, it’s a little heavier and bulkier than other options on the market, but that’s because it packs a powerful 7,000 mAh battery and handy display so you can check on the status of your network. The battery will last you a long time, as well, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of juice. Like other GL.iNet products, you’ll get an extra-secure and user-friendly experience with the Mudi, too. With support for TOR network routing and VPN functionality, you can protect all of your more sensitive data with ease.

 #6  GL.iNet GL-AR300M Travel Router

Award: BEST FOR TETHERING

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re on the road with just your cell phone as a source for the internet, then this travel router is the best option for you. It can connect directly to your phone and emit that cellular network out to your other devices with fast speeds and added VPN security.

• Compatible with external antennas
• Up to 300 Mbps speeds
• 128MB of internal storage
• Installation can be a little complicated
• Only single-band functionality

The GL.iNet GL-AR300M is a powerful little wireless router for traveling that gives you a more flexible approach to internet connectivity. While it can always connect directly to a modem or other central internet source, it performs better when tethered to your mobile phone. This is incredibly helpful when you are traveling in your car and don’t have access to a stationary internet source. It also features two Ethernet ports and a USB port for extended connection capabilities.

The GL-AR300M is a simple single-band router with just a 2.4GHz channel to which you connect, but it offers upwards of 300 Mbps of speed, which is impressive. This way, you’ll always be getting the quickest speeds from your phone’s LTE or 5G network. We were also impressed that this GL.iNet router provided advanced functionality like VPN options and OpenWRT software for extensive customizability. It’s also designed well, and while it doesn’t come with external antennas, the router can be installed with them for greater range and signal strength.

 #7  TRENDnet TEW-714TRU Travel Router

Award: BEST ON A BUDGET

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on the flashiest travel router available, then this option is a good choice for you. It’s incredibly versatile with interchangeable plug adapters, multiple wireless modes, and overall reliable signal strength.

• Interchangeable plug adapters
• Three different wireless modes
• Device charging capabilities
• Only 150 Mbps of speed
• Disappointing range

The TRENDnet TEW-714TRU travel router isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing option around, but it gets the job done well. Its design is also incredibly functional. The router plugs directly into the wall and even includes interchangeable power adapters so you can use it internationally, which is a huge plus. On top of all that, the design is durable while remaining portable, so it can easily be stored in your carry-on luggage.

The TRENDnet’s affordability really comes into play when you start looking at performance. You’ll only get a single band to which you can connect your mobile devices, and you’ll get maximum speeds of up to 150 Mbps. Fortunately, this is typically more than you’ll ever need while traveling, so we didn’t knock too many points off here. We were really impressed by the TRENDnet’s ability to charge your devices at the same time as providing a wireless network. And you’ll also get three different wireless modes, including a WISP mode, for even more connectivity and reliability in different scenarios.

 #8  Vonets VAR11N-300 Travel Router

Award: BEST PLUG AND PLAY

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re looking to get connected immediately or need to enable non-wireless devices to receive internet signal, then this is the best travel router for you. All you need to do is plug this router in and you’re good to go, making it simple and streamlined for most users.

• Extra-compact form factor
• 300 Mbps of speed
• Durable cables included
• Doesn’t include a power adapter

The Vonets VAR11N-300 travel router is one of the more unique options in our buying guide, simply because it doesn’t look like the other options. It features two large cables that are not removable, which connect to a modem and power source (unfortunately the power adapter isn’t included) to provide Wi-Fi for your devices. The connected cables can get in the way at times, but they’re surprisingly durable for such an affordable product.

The VAR11N-300 can enable non-wireless devices to receive a wireless signal, which is helpful for network printers or older gaming consoles. However, it of course can still operate as a travel router, producing upwards of 300 Mbps of bandwidth. We were also impressed by the Vonets router’s ultra-compact size. This device can easily fit into your pocket with room to spare, making it perfect for minimalist travelers.

 #9  NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router

Award: BEST FOR FILE STORAGE

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you need a reliable network storage device for backing up photos or sharing files, then you can’t go wrong with this travel wireless router. The NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router is a portable device that functions as a wireless data transfer hub, allowing users to transfer data between various storage devices like SD cards and hard drives.

• Wireless data transfer
• Emergency Power Bank
• Supports up to three devices
• App setup is confusing
• SD slot has numerous issues

The NewQ Filehub AC750 travel router is one of the more unique offerings we researched and reviewed in this buying guide. While its core functionality remains that of a travel router that you can use to broadcast the internet from hotel or airport networks, it performs best as a portable network storage device and charger. This compact device effortlessly transfers data between storage devices like hard drives and SD cards. Plus, it acts as a WiFi range extender for reliable connectivity on your travels. It’s easy to simplify your life with this versatile travel tech companion.

Its compact design ensures it’s always ready to hop into your backpack, and the added convenience of being a WiFi range extender ensures a stable connection wherever your adventures take you. Whether you’re a traveler, photographer, or content creator, this versatile tool promises to simplify your digital life on-the-go.

 #10  GL.iNet GL-AR150 Travel Router

Award: BEST CUSTOMIZATION

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you like to customize your network settings for a more fine-tuned and secure connection, then you can’t go wrong with this travel router, which provides extensive VPN capabilities, pre-installed OpenWRT software, and different modes of use. It’s also easy to use and extra portable with its removable antenna.

• Simple, streamlined installation process
• Antenna is removable
• Extensive VPN options
• Only features 2.4GHz band
• Ethernet ports are just 100 Mbps

The GL.iNet AR150 is one of the most capable and affordable travel routers available on today’s market. On top of that, it’s also one of the most configurable options you can buy today. For starters, the mini router comes pre-installed with OpenWRT software, so you can start customizing every aspect of your wireless connection from the get-go. This GL.iNet travel router is also incredibly user-friendly when it comes to installation and overall daily use. It’s essentially a plug-and-play router for quicker internet access while you’re on the road.

When it comes to performance, the GL.iNet AR150 wireless router offers a robust feature set. While it may not be the fastest travel router available, it still gives you more than enough speed at up to 150 Mbps of bandwidth, when available. It is just a single-band router with a 2.4GHz, but you’ll also get tons of VPN options for added security, which is a huge plus. You’ll also get a USB port and two Ethernet ports for greater connectivity options. This travel router with VPN is perfect for security-conscious travelers.

Best Travel Routers Buyer’s Guide

What are travel routers.

A travel router is a networking device that allows you to connect other devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets, to the internet. These portable types of routers connect to a wired internet connection to create a wireless internet signal that your wireless devices can use.

Travel Routers vs. Traditional Routers

When it comes to core functionality and operation, travel routers don’t differ too much from traditional Wi-Fi routers. Both devices connect to a modem via an Ethernet cable and create wireless signals to which your home devices can connect. They also create an additional security layer for your connected devices, although home routers typically offer much more security than travel routers.

The main differences between the best portable router and a standard home router come into play when considering their portability and advanced functionality. For starters, travel routers are virtually always smaller than their home counterparts. The best options can fit easily into your pocket, backpack, or purse without taking up too much room. They’re also much more lightweight, which only increases their overall portability.

This compact size is excellent for portability, but it can also limit travel routers in terms of functionality and extra features compared to traditional alternatives. For example, even the best portable Wi-Fi router only has so much room for Ethernet ports and USB ports. Where a home router may house four Ethernet ports, a travel router typically only houses one.

The size limitation also comes into play when looking at a travel router’s speed and performance. With more room to house bigger and better components, home routers typically offer more speed and bands. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean travel routers are sub-par. These portable devices usually provide more than enough speed for your on-the-go internet needs.

How Travel Routers Work

As its name implies, a travel router’s core purpose is to route internet traffic and data between connected devices. To do so, the router first must connect to a modem, although some options include both devices in one. The router must also connect to a power source. Once connected to these things, the router will emit a wireless signal, which your devices can see and use to connect to the internet.

Once your home devices are connected to the internet through the router, it interprets all internet traffic and maximizes the data’s speed and efficiency. Home routers can handle more devices and traffic, while travel routers are typically made to handle traffic for one or two devices.

Do You Really Need a Travel Router?

While you’re traveling, there’s no guarantee that a wireless network will be available. Many times, the only network available requires a wired connection. Even if there is a wireless network available, there’s no guarantee that it’s safe for you to use. If you travel a lot and commonly find yourself in these types of situations, then a secure router for travel is an excellent choice for you.

Is a Travel Router Worth Buying?

• You Travel Often: If you are constantly on the road – whether for business or pleasure – a travel router is an excellent tool to add to your packing list. These portable devices allow you to connect to both wired and wireless networks at hotels, coffee shops, and event venues. They also add an additional level of security to keep you and your personal data more protected than they would be if you had simply connected without a router.
• You Use Public Networks Regularly: If you like to get out of the house and take your laptop to coffee shops or other places with public Wi-Fi networks, then a travel router is an excellent choice for you. Portable routers often allow you to bypass those annoying login pages that businesses often require you to fill out before getting connected. Plus, the additional layer of security can help protect your data from other people connected to the same network.
• You Need a Wireless Connection from a Wired Network: If all you have available is a wired network connection, and your devices only work with Wi-Fi, a travel router can help you out. Instead of connecting your smart devices to the network, you’ll connect your travel router. Then, you can connect your devices to the wireless signal your router produces.

Why a Travel Router May Not Be For You

• You Don’t Travel Often: If you don’t travel much and use your home and office networks for internet connectivity, then a travel router isn’t useful. More likely than not, you’ll get more speed and reliable signal strength from the wireless router in those environments over a travel router.
• You Only Use Your Home or Cellular Internet: If you don’t need to connect to a public network and instead prefer to use your home or cellular internet connection, then a travel router won’t do you much good.
• You Don’t Have An External Power Source On Hand: Unless your travel router uses batteries or power banks as a power source, you may find yourself limited when it comes to powering the device. If you’re driving in a car or waiting in an airport with no outlets available, then a travel router may become a hindrance instead of a helpful tool.

How Long Will a Travel Router Last?

Wireless routers don’t have nearly any moving parts, meaning they could technically last forever, as long as you take good care of them. However, this doesn’t necessarily translate to decades of lifespan in the real world.

According to experts, like those at Network World , you should expect to get between four and five years out of your router. While routers can certainly wear down over time thanks to dust and mishandling, this lifespan is based on how quickly the router’s internal components and performance become outdated in terms of improving network technology.

In other words, after four or five years, your router won’t be able to keep up with the faster internet speeds, new network protocols, and updated security needs. As technology changes, the demand for upgrades to your network hardware will also increase.

For travel routers, you’ll also need to consider durability. Since you’ll be traveling with these devices, you may experience more problems due to drops or bumps. Some options include an adjustable antenna, but we recommend avoiding these since they are more likely to break.

How to Choose the Best Travel Router

When the time comes to purchase a new travel router, you’ll want to consider a few key features first. Ultimately, you’ll need to find a router that meets your needs in terms of performance, range, security, and connectivity. Take some time to read through the following points to learn more about these features.

Travel Router Key Factors to Consider

1. what kind of performance do you need from your travel router.

You’ll want to make sure you purchase a router that performs well for all of your browsing purposes. First, ask yourself how you plan on using the router while you’re away. If you want to stream TV shows or play online video games, you’ll need to consider an option with more performance.

When it comes to performance, consider these points:

• Bandwidth: This is also often called internet speed, and it refers to how fast your internet service provider can transfer data across the connection. Home wireless routers typically give you much faster speed than travel routers. Most portable travel routers can handle speeds upwards of 300 Mbps, which is more than enough.
• Single Band vs. Dual Band: Router bands are simply the types of wireless signals the device can output. A single-band router only emits a 2.4 GHz signal, while a dual-band router emits a 2.4 GHz signal and a 5 GHz signal. Dual-band routers give you more speed overall and the option to connect to more devices simultaneously.

2. What kind of security options do you want your travel router to have?

While travel routers give you some level of security on public networks, thanks to device isolation, some options provide additional security features. At a minimum, the router you purchase should offer WPA2 encryption support, especially if you’re connecting to public networks.

If you want your data to stay even more protected from unwanted eyes, then you’ll want to consider a router with VPN support. VPN stands for virtual private network, and the software can encrypt your data so no one can see it. While your personal devices can create VPN connections, it’s much easier to use a router with built-in VPN support.

3. How much signal strength and range do you need from your travel router?

When it comes to signal strength and range, you typically don’t need as much with a travel router as you would with a home router. Since you’ll likely be using the router within the small space of a hotel room or right next to you at a coffee shop, you only need 10-20 feet of range.

4. What kind of connectivity options does your travel router provide?

The different types of connectivity your travel router offers is another important consideration to make, especially if you travel with other people or with multiple devices. Most portable routers offer the standard wireless network connectivity you get with home routers. However, you may want to consider a router that can use wireless connections.

If you need to hardwire your devices to your router, you’ll need to consider how many Ethernet port options it provides. Most travel routers offer one or two Ethernet ports, but some models have three or more.

You may also want to consider a router with a USB port or a micro USB port so you can connect media devices. This way, you can securely access content and documents from your portable devices.

5. Can your travel router double as a mobile hotspot?

A standard wireless router cannot create an internet signal by itself. It needs to first connect to an available network before broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal. However, if you frequently travel to areas where there is no available wireless access, you may want to consider a mobile hotspot travel router. These devices use a cellular internet connection to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal to your other devices. There’s a key difference between a router and a hotspot , so make sure you know about this before buying the wrong device.

10 Best Travel Routers Questions (FAQ)

Are travel routers worth it.

Travel routers are definitely worth it if you’re constantly on the road, whether it be traveling for business or for pleasure. They provide you with an easy, accessible way to safely access the internet in hotels, at the airport, or in unfamiliar office settings.

What is the best travel Wi-Fi?

The best travel Wi-Fi combines three key features for a comprehensive traveling solution: performance, portability, and security. Your travel Wi-Fi should give you enough performance to do your work on the road, but it should also be secure enough for safe use and small enough to pack in your bags.

Are travel routers secure?

For the most part, travel routers are secure enough for the average consumer’s needs. However, if you need something more secure for business or personal use, then look for a router that offers VPN functionality or additional security features like integrated firewall settings and malware protection.

How does a travel router work?

A travel router works much like a standard home wireless router in the fact that it creates a wireless internal signal by connecting directly to an internet source. However, when you’re traveling, it can get annoying constantly trying to connect to different hotel internet signals. A travel router simplifies this process by providing the same SSID and password for your devices to automatically connect, regardless of where the internet is coming from.

Do travel routers have a secure wireless network?

Connecting to public Wi-Fi networks can be a risk to you and your personal data. Wireless travel routers add an additional level of security for your mobile devices through a concept called device isolation. If you connect to a public network without a travel router, you’re sharing that connection with anyone else connected to the same network. This means everyone else can see your devices and potentially access them. When you use your travel router, you separate your personal devices from others.

Can you use a travel router without the internet?

You can only use a travel router without a wired internet connection if it also features hotspot functionality. The best hotspot router receives an internet signal from a cellular signal and then emits the Wi-Fi signal.

Do travel routers work on cruise ships?

Travel routers do work on cruise ships, but it’s important to remember that they will count as one device connected to the network. Since multiple devices can then connect to the router’s Wi-Fi signal, you can bypass the device limit that many cruise lines impose per guest.

Is it possible for hotels to see the websites you are browsing?

Yes, the network owner will always be able to see the websites you are browsing, even if you connect through a travel router. This is why you should consider using a VPN service, which encrypts your data so no one can see what sites you are visiting.

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Home » Gear » The Best Travel Routers – Stay Connected in 2024

The Best Travel Routers – Stay Connected in 2024

I arrived in India a week ago, and immediately upon exiting Delhi airport, realized that my phone was having some serious trouble connecting to the internet. After trying and trying to get it to work, I gave up hope and stumbled up to the taxi booth.

I told the driver to take to me to “an area of the city where there are a lot of cheap guesthouses.” He told me we should go to “Paharganj,” so and to Paharganj we went.

Well, I quickly realized that there were a lot of cheap guesthouses in Paharganj, but they were a bit… too cheap, if you catch my drift. Rats tumbled through garbage, suspicious men stared at me, and the neon lights illuminated a neighborhood of overall chaos — and oh yeah, it was 1:00 am. I ended up staying the night, but it was far from ideal.

It goes without saying that if I only had an internet connection at the airport, I could have avoided this whole mess in the first place! Lesson learnt … the hard way!

That’s why in this article, I’m going to help you stay connected wherever you go, by giving you an in-depth look at the best travel Wi-Fi routers of 2024.

It’s my hope that, armed with this knowledge, you won’t end up confusedly wandering the back alleys of a shady neighborhood in Delhi in the middle of the night!

TP-Link TL-WR902AC Router

• Internet Access > Ethernet and WISP
• Wi-Fi Standard(s) > Wi-Fi 5: IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz and IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz
• Wi-Fi Speed(s) > 5 GHz: 433 Mbps (802.11ac) and 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps (802.11n)
• Wi-Fi Range > 2 Bedroom Houses: 2× Fixed Antennas (Internal)
• Network Security > SPI Firewall, Access Control, IP & MAC Binding, Application Layer Gateway
• Ethernet Port(s) > 1× 10/100 Mbps WAN/LAN Port
• Power Source > 5V/2A

GL.iNet “Mango” GL-MT300N-V2 Mini Travel Router

• Internet Access > Ethernet, Repeater, USB Modem, and Tethering
• Wi-Fi Standard(s) > IEEE 802.11b/g/n
• Wi-Fi Speed(s) > 300 Mbps (2.4GHz)
• Network Security > Built-in firewall, OpenVPN and WireGuard capability, DNS server
• Ethernet Port(s) > 1 x WAN Ethernet port, 1 x LAN Ethernet port
• Power Source > Micro USB, 5V/2A
• Price > $29.90

NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router

• Internet Access > Ethernet cable
• Wi-Fi Standard(s) > 5.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz
• Wi-Fi Speed(s) > 1,300 Mbps
• Ethernet Port(s) > 1 x Ethernet port
• Power Source > Chargeable battery
• Price > $84.90

RoamWiFi 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot Router

• Internet Access > Built-in 4G LTE data plans
• Wi-Fi Standard(s) > 802.11n, 802.11b and 802.11ac
• Wi-Fi Speed(s) > 150 Mbps
• Ethernet Port(s) > None (because none needed!)
• Power Source > High-capacity 5000mAh lithium battery
• Price > $159.99

GL.iNet Mudi GL-E750 4G LTE Privacy Travel Router

• Internet Access > SIM Card
• Wi-Fi Standard(s) > 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Wi-Fi Speed(s) > 2.4GHz: 300 Mbps and 5GHz: 433Mbps
• Network Security > OpenVPN and WireGuard capability, and Encrypted DNS with Cloudflare DNS over TLS, or DNS via HTTPS proxy
• Ethernet Port(s) > 1 x FE Port
• Power Source > 7000mAh battery

What is a Travel Router and What Does It Do?

How much does a travel router cost, the 5 best travel routers of 2024 – tried and tested, alternatives to using a travel router, final thoughts – best travel routers in 2024.

A travel router does the same thing as your Wi-Fi router at home: it sends out a wireless internet signal that your computer and phone can connect to. But if you’ve ever really looked at the big jumbled mess of antennas and cables that make up your home internet, you might be wondering how it could possibly be convenient to travel with one of these puppies.

This is where travel routers (keyword: travel ) really shine. They’re tiny, often very light, and instead of being connected to a big ol’ clunky modem, they get their internet connection the same way your phone does: via cell signal.

But if that’s true, you might now be wondering why you’d ever need a travel router when you have a phone. The reason? Travel routers come with a huge amount of connection benefits that your phone, even with a trusty personal hotspot, can’t touch.

Before we get to that though, it’s important to note that not all travel routers acquire their cell signals the same way. Some require a SIM card, others require a USB modem, and some actually need a standard Ethernet input (which can be hard to find while traveling).

Before you purchase a router on this list, check out the “Internet Access” line to see which method it uses before adding it to your digital nomad packing list .

Benefits of Travel Routers

• Better connection: Most travel routers simply provide a much stronger and faster internet connection than mobile hotspots. I mean, these things are optimized to provide Wi-Fi connection on the go, whereas your phone’s hotspot feature is more of an afterthought — an added bonus. Some travel routers have antennas for signal-boosting, and all of the ones on our list use advanced Wi-Fi technology. This means a stronger connection and extended range.
• Multiple devices: Travel routers allow you to connect more than one device at a time. Now, most hotspots also allow you to do this, but it’s often at the expense of internet speed. So if you’re traveling with a group, or if you’re just a Digital Nomad with more complex needs, a travel router will serve your purposes wonderfully.
• Increased security: If you’re concerned about data theft, using a travel router is usually a much better choice than using a mobile hotspot. Travel routers typically support advanced encryption protocols like WPA/WPA2, ensuring a secure wireless connection between your devices and the router. They also make use of advanced safety technology like firewalls, MAC filtering, and blacklisting/whitelisting.
• Longer battery life: Since travel routers are literally designed to provide a mobile internet connection, their batteries are built to last for a long time. Just try streaming a YouTube video via your hotspot and you’ll see your battery start to plummet (not to mention your phone will start to heat up like you’ve put it in the microwave). The difference in battery power between a travel router and your mobile hotspot becomes especially clear when you have multiple devices connected.

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Drawbacks of Travel Routers

• Constantly connecting: If you’re planning on skipping out on a SIM card for your phone, and connecting to the internet only with a travel router, you might want to rethink that. One huge benefit of a mobile phone is that it’s always connected (or at least, always trying to connect). If you’re relying solely on a travel router, you’ll definitely end up a bit frustrated at the hassle of constantly connecting, disconnecting, shutting the router off, turning it back on, etc.
• Money: Travel routers tend to be a bit on the pricey side. We’ll get more into this below, but if you already spent hundreds on a mobile smartphone, you might think twice about throwing away still more cash for a device that’s incredibly convenient, but not strictly necessary.
• Cumbersome: This is ironic, given that the major draw of travel routers is their compact size — but it bears mentioning that, when living the Broke Backpacker life, every extra pound and every extra potential pocket in your backpack really counts. Again, a travel router can be immensely helpful, but it’s not totally essential for your travel packing list — so think about whether the extra weight and the loss of pack space is really 100% worth it for you.

I’m going to be real with you here.

You should expect to pay anywhere between $20 and $130 for a travel router.

However …

You should expect to pay anywhere between $70 and $130 for a travel router that works !

Slightly kidding, but also not. Trust me when I say that a travel router is not an area where you want to save as much money as possible.

You wouldn’t book a helicopter tour after seeing a sign that said “Cheapest in Town!” would you? In the same way, when you’re traveling (and especially when you’re solo backpacking), an internet connection can be a lifesaver. My advice is to save up, spend the extra dough, and get yourself a reliable travel router with a long lifespan, otherwise it’s just a complete false economy !

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• Internet Access: Ethernet and WISP
• Wi-Fi Standard(s): Wi-Fi 5: IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz and IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz
• Wi-Fi Speed(s): 5 GHz: 433 Mbps (802.11ac) and 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps (802.11n)
• Wi-Fi Range: 2 Bedroom Houses: 2× Fixed Antennas (Internal)
• Network Security: SPI Firewall, Access Control, IP & MAC Binding, Application Layer Gateway
• Ethernet Port(s): 1× 10/100 Mbps WAN/LAN Port
• Power Source: 5V/2A

As we go down this list, you’ll find that one common thread between all of these routers is their utterly unpronounceable names.

To start, the TL-WR902AC comes in a beautiful, minimalistic white design. This thing is so tiny it can easily fit in your pocket, and it comes with multiple modes: Router, Hotspot, Range Extender, Client, and Access Point.

If you’re a tech geek and you want lots of options, the TL-WR902AC is an excellent place to start. The main drawback with the TL-WR902AC is its lack of a battery; you can only use this router when it’s plugged into a power source… so blogging at the beach might be a stretch!

The setup for the TL-WR902AC is relatively straightforward. It basically involves switching your router on, setting it to your desired mode, connecting your device to the network, creating a TP-Link account, and then surfing the internet to your heart’s content!

The TL-WR902AC is shaped like a tiny square with rounded corners. It’s super small and lightweight, measuring only 2.91 × 2.64 × 0.87 inches and weighing a measly 57 grams. So perfect for packing light.

GL.iNet “Mango” GL-MT300N-V2 Mini Travel Router

• Internet Access: Ethernet, Repeater, USB Modem, and Tethering
• Wi-Fi Standard(s): IEEE 802.11b/g/n
• Wi-Fi Speed(s): 300 Mbps (2.4GHz)
• Network Security: Built-in firewall, OpenVPN and WireGuard capability, DNS server
• Ethernet Port(s): 1 x WAN Ethernet port, 1 x LAN Ethernet port
• Power Source: Micro USB, 5V/2A
• Price: $29.90

The GL-MT300N-V2 is a new and improved version of GL.iNet’s original travel router. It’s a sexy little thing that comes in a striking yellow color scheme. V2 features doubled the RAM capacity (128 MB, up from 64), as well as adding an MTK driver for optimizing connection and lightning-fast OpenVPN encryption.

Like the TL-WR902AC, a main drawback for the GL-MT300N-V2 is that it doesn’t have a battery, which means you need an external power source to use it.

Setting up the GL-MT300N-V2 for the first time should take no more than 15-30 minutes. Simply turn on the router, connect your device via Wi-Fi, wait until you’re redirected to the web admin page, create an account, adjust your Wi-Fi settings, and bam! You’re good to go.

The GL-MT300N-V2 has a beautiful, opaque yellow finish. It’s really, really, really tiny, measuring only 2.28 x 2.28 x 0.98 inches and weighing only 40 grams. Minimalist travellers rejoice!

• Internet Access: Ethernet cable
• Wi-Fi Standard(s): 5.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz
• Wi-Fi Speed(s): 1,300 Mbps
• Ethernet Port(s): 1 x Ethernet port
• Power Source: Chargeable battery
• Price: $84.90

Generally speaking, when you see the little “Amazon’s Choice” badge underneath a product, you know it’s going to be quality. The NewQ Filehub AC750 is no exception. Compared to the first two routers on this list, this one is a bit more cumbersome and heavy, but it packs way more of a punch.

The Filehub feature makes this router an excellent choice for photographers: you can connect an external hard drive or SD card directly to the router, and then access the files on the hard drive from your phone or computer 100% remotely. The NewQ Filehub AC750 is a great buy if you don’t care so much about portability and you need a true powerhouse of a router.

The setup process for the Filehub AC750 is straightforward, but pretty dang detailed. Rather than half-heartedly going into it here, I recommend you check out the official user manual for setup information.

As I mentioned earlier, this router is a bit more on the hefty side, but for good reason: it also functions as a power bank for when your phone needs an emergency charge! It measures 5.08 x 3.23 x 1.93 inches and weighs 258 grams. It’s a great product for slower-travelling digital nomads that need the extra power.

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

• Internet Access: Built-in 4G LTE data plans
• Wi-Fi Standard(s): 802.11n, 802.11b and 802.11ac
• Wi-Fi Speed(s): 150 Mbps
• Ethernet Port(s): None (because none needed!)
• Power Source: High-capacity 5000mAh lithium battery
• Price: $159.99

This is the router for the fast traveler. If you’re not planning on staying in the same spot for more than a few days at a time, go with this RoamWiFi router. Why? Unlike the other routers on this list, it actually comes with three different data package choices, without any SIM card, USB modem, or Ethernet cable necessary.

The packages offer data coverage on every continent (except Antarctica — what a bummer!) This thing is tiny and light, it looks super dope, and the battery lasts more than 18 hours — which means you’re unlikely to get caught in a tight spot with no internet.

If ultra-fast download speeds aren’t a necessity and you want to maximize convenience, this is the router for you.

The RoamWifi travel router is trivially easy to set up: make sure you’ve purchased a RoamWifi data plan for your router, then turn it on and connect! Yup, that’s literally it.

This travel router is a striking bright orange, and shaped kind of like a mini smartphone. It measures 4.96 x 2.68 x 0.57 inches and weighs about 175 grams.

• Internet Access: SIM Card
• Wi-Fi Standard(s): 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Wi-Fi Speed(s): 2.4GHz: 300 Mbps and 5GHz: 433Mbps
• Network Security: OpenVPN and WireGuard capability, and Encrypted DNS with Cloudflare DNS over TLS, or DNS via HTTPS proxy
• Ethernet Port(s): 1 x FE Port
• Power Source: 7000mAh battery

The Mudi GL-E750 is a bit on the pricey side, but it’s absolutely packed full of features. This puppy makes connecting to the internet super easy: the router is powered by a SIM card, which means getting it up and running is just as easy as it is with a phone.

It’s heavier than the above RoamWifi router, but it’s got more than double the download speed and a more powerful battery. As long as you don’t mind using a SIM card like you would with a phone, this router is essentially a bigger, beefier version of the RoamWifi.

The Mudi GL-E750 also comes with a plethora of security features, making it a great choice for those dealing with confidential data.

Setup involves popping in a SIM, powering on the router, connecting with your phone, adjusting some settings on the admin page, and then sitting back and enjoying a lightning-fast internet connection!

The Mudi GL-E750 measures 5.71 x 3.05 x 0.93 inches, and weighs 285 grams. It’s sleek, black, and has a small LCD screen, which makes settings adjustments super easy.

As clever and nifty as all of these travel routers are, it’s just a fact that not everyone needs the kind of heavy-duty utility that they provide. Most of us just want to book a hostel online, check Google Maps, and maybe stream a little Netflix.

If you feel like a travel router is slightly overkill for the kinds of things you use the internet for, check out the below alternatives.

If you’re not a veteran traveler (yet!) you may be surprised to learn that Wi-Fi is usually provided at nearly every hostel or hotel you could dream of — even some of the really off-the-beaten-path ones! You can also usually find internet cafes with relative ease in most reasonably developed towns and cities.

Using a provided WiFi network has the disadvantage of inconvenience, but it’s got some serious benefits as well:

• You won’t have to spend money on data plans or worry about your data running out;
• Because most provided Wi-Fi connections get their internet from a wired source, you won’t have any trouble with random “spotty” connections;
• Even the worst provided Wi-Fi networks are usually pretty fast, which is everything if you’re a Digital Nomad.

If you’re going to go this route, then for convenience’s sake I recommend booking your accommodation online as often as you can. This way you can verify beforehand whether or not Wi-Fi is provided. And again, you’d be surprised how many small unassuming cafes offer free internet too — so grab a coffee and take advantage of these places as much as possible!

To be honest with you, this is what most of us at the Broke Backpacker tend to do. Here’s why:

• Mobile hotspots have made many improvements over the last few years, so if your phone has 4G or 5G coverage, you’ll be pretty speedy on the ol’ worldwide web.
• There are tons of cheap, unlimited data plans these days, especially in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand or Sri Lanka. This means you’ll have complete peace of mind while streaming The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions from your hostel.
• Finally, travel eSIMs are a thing now, which means you hardly ever need to go through the hassle of buying a physical SIM card.

Regarding that last point, we hear at the Broke Backpacker loves the HolaFly eSIM . They’ve got a huge range of packages at different price points, with coverage in pretty much any country you could imagine. Buy an unlimited data plan with HolaFly, plug in your phone, connect to the hotspot, and you’re good to go!

If you want to know a bit more then check out our rundown of the best eSims for travel and backpacking before making your mind up.

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To conclude, it bears repeating that an internet connection is really dang important when you’re traveling these days. Everyone relies on it now, which means that if you want to know where to go, when to be there, and how to get there, chances are you’ll need a solid internet connection.

How you get this connection is totally up to you. The 5 best travel routers that I covered in this article are all excellent choices, each with its own specific pros and cons. To be totally honest, it would be hard to go wrong with any of them.

It all depends on what you’re going to use the internet for. If you’re a serious Digital Nomad, a photographer, or a videographer, you’re likely going to be dealing with huge amounts of data, and you’ll need a very dependable connection to do what you do best. If this is you, buy yourself a good travel router and rest easy.

For the rest of us, however, a good ol’ personal hotspot connection will do the trick just fine, especially if you’ve pre-purchased an eSIM from our good friends over at HolaFly.

Made it this far? You get 15% OFF to book a place to stay ! Offer valid exclusively for Broke Backpackers 😉

Aiden Freeborn

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Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Travel Essentials & Accessories

10 Best Travel Routers for Frequent Travelers

Published: August 2, 2022

Modified: December 27, 2023

by Angela Magsajo

• Hotel Reviews
• Tech & Gear
• Travel Tips
• Travel Accessories

Frequent travelers know the importance of bringing a reliable travel router with them during a trip. As the name suggests, travel routers let you stay connected while on vacation or business trips. They work the same way as the internet router you have at home. The main difference is the fact that they are more lightweight and compact compared to a regular home router. There are even models that you can easily fit inside your weekender bag or even your pants’ pockets!

How does a travel router work? It acts as an access point and connects your devices to the Internet, either by using an Ethernet cable or wireless signals from an already existing internet network. May this be the Wi-Fi in your hotel room, at the airport lounge, or even the 4G or 5G network of your phone. But, the best travel router does more than just allow for Wi-Fi on the go . Newer models are now equipped with Virtual Private Network (VPN) that protect your personal data when connecting to public networks. Additionally, you can find ones that double as a power bank or portable hard drive.

Here’s the rundown of the top 10 best portable Wi-Fi routes for travel! 

1. Best Overall: TP-Link TL-WR902AC AC750 Travel Router

Read More Reviews Photo from Amazon

The TP-Link TL-WR902AC is a versatile travel router . It boasts five different modes that cater to the type of connection you need. But, the two main modes that you’ll most likely be using when on the go are Router and Hotspot Mode. When in Router Mode, you can create your very own private wireless network by plugging it into your hotel’s Ethernet jack. Hotspot Mode, on the other hand, allows you to connect to any public Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) Access Point. Moreover, thanks to its dual-band capability, you get a better range and signal strength.

On top of that, this TP-Link travel router is incredibly easy to set up and use. You can switch between the different modes with just one press of a button. Another highlight of this dual-band router is its portable design that fits in the palm of your hand or the pocket of your travel purse . However, the TL-WR902AC doesn’t have a built-in battery. You will need to connect it to a power source, such as an electrical outlet, power bank, or laptop via the mic ro-USB port. The USB port can also be used for file sharing or charging devices. 

• Extremely portable
• Three-in-one device 
• Dual-band router
• No built-in battery

Get the TP-Link TL-WR902AC AC750 Travel Router on Amazon now.

2. Best for Remote Areas: Netgear Nighthawk M1 

Traveling to far-flung areas? When traversing through the remote paths of the Appalachian Mountains with only a cellular connection to stay connected , you will need a reliable wireless router . The Netgear Nighthawk M1 is exactly that and more. As a premium travel router , it utilizes 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) connections to provide maximum download speeds of up to one gigabit per second (Gbps). What’s more, you get upload speeds of up to 150 megabits per second (Mbps). It’s important to note, though, that it performs better with SIM cards from AT&T and T-Mobile than other carriers.

This travel router provides a steady connection to up to 20 devices at the same time, which you can track on its LCD screen. You can likewise monitor your data usage, signal strength, and battery life on the display. Besides being a portable Wi-Fi router , the Netgear Nighthawk M1 is also a power bank with a 5,040 milliampere-hour (mAH) rechargeable battery. You can use it to store files thanks to the SD card reader and USB port, as well. When you connect your device to the router’s network, you can easily access and manage all of your files.

• LED screen for tracking data consumption 
• Connect up to 20 devices
• Three-in-one device
• Works best with specific networks only

Get the Netgear Nighthawk M1 on Amazon now.

3. Best for Overseas Travel: GlocalMe U3 Mobile Hotspot

Planning to visit the best places to travel without a passport for your next overseas adventure? Then the GlocalMe U3 Mobile Hotspot is a companion you will want with you. While most wireless hotspot-type devices rely on SIM cards to establish a connection, the GlocalMe U3 eliminates this by utilizing its own secure full frequency network. By doing so, you get a faster and more stable connection. It supports 4G LTE with maximum download speeds of 150 Mbps and upload speeds of 50 Mbps.

The best part? It can provide portable internet service in over 140 countries across the globe, so you don’t have to worry about losing connection with your loved ones at home. It can also connect to 10 different devices simultaneously! And while you don’t need a separate SIM card to connect to the internet, it does feature a SIM card slot that allows you to use your own if needed. However, the notable downside to this handheld router is its weight. It may boast a slim and compact design, but it is fairly heavy compared to other options in the market. This is because of its 3,000 mAh battery which powers the device for roughly 13 hours.

• Works in 140+ countries
• Flexible data plans 
• No SIM card required

Get the GlocalMe U3 Mobile Hotspot on Amazon now.

4. Best for Traveling in Europe : TP-LINK M7350

Planning a holiday to the best Southern Europe destinations ? You may want to bring the TP-Link M7350 with you. This portable Wi-Fi hotspot provides users with great connectivity using 4G LTE networks while traveling in European cities. With download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps, you won’t have trouble streaming videos, downloading files, and uploading all your vacation photos online with this in your arsenal. Share the connection with up to 10 devices. It features an LCD screen which is a major bonus since you can see all information such as data usage, battery life, signal strength, and connected devices. 

You can also manage and set limits to the data usage and connections using the dedicated smartphone companion app. It has a rechargeable battery with a 2,000 mAh capacity. This should keep you going for around eight hours, depending on usage. It isn’t the longest battery life out there, but it should be enough for a quick day trip. Furthermore, this mobile router features a micro SD card slot, so you can easily share files with other devices and users connected to the same network. 

• Useful LCD screen
• Supports up to 10 devices
• Smartphone companion app
• Lackluster battery life
• Works only in European countries

Get the TP-LINK M7350 on Amazon now.

5. Best for Hotels: D-Link Wi-Fi AC750 DAP-1520

High-speed internet is among the top hotel amenities to look out for when booking your accommodation. If you’re on the hunt for the best travel router for hotels , look no further than the D-Link Wi-Fi AC750. This travel router for hotel Wi-Fi connections acts as a range extender , boosting the signal of your room’s already existing wireless network. As such, you don’t have to worry about any dead zones. 

It can support Wireless AC speeds up to 750 Mbps. And due to its dual-band capabilities, you can connect more devices to it without sacrificing speed. Furthermore, this wireless Wi-Fi router is incredibly simple to set up. All you need to do is plug the D-Link travel router into a power outlet, establish a connection to your hotel’s Wi-Fi, and then you’re good to go. Note that it has no ports for either Ethernet or USB cables, which limits connection to wireless signals only. But for the affordable price, we’re willing to overlook this slight hitch.

• Budget-friendly
• Dual-band capabilities
• No Ethernet or USB port
• Bulky design

Get the D-Link Wi-Fi AC750 DAP-1520 on Amazon now.

6. Best Mobile Hotspot : Verizon Orbic Speed Mobile Hotspot

The Verizon Orbic Speed is a small but powerful mobile hotspot . Boasting dual-band 802.11 AC technology and 4G LTE networks, you get a fast, reliable connection with a wider range. It can handle up to 10 different devices simultaneously. It’s also equipped with a 3,000 mAh removable battery that lasts up to 12 hours of continuous use. You can check everything from its battery life, data consumption, and signal strength with just a glance thanks to its easy-to-read LCD screen. 

The most notable downside to the Verizon travel router, however, is that you will be limited to Verizon data plans. Another drawback is its lack of ports for Ethernet cables, antennae, flash, or hard drives.

• Easy-to-read LCD screen
• Dual-band technology
• Only works with Verizon SIM cards
• No external ports

Get the Verizon Orbic Speed Mobile Hotspot on Amazon now.

7. Best Budget: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2

Finding the best travel router doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Valued at less than $30, the GL-MT300N-V2 is an affordable portable router from GL.iNet . Equipped with a powerful chipset, it has a wireless data transfer speed of 300 Mbps. Meanwhile, you get 100 Mbps when you connect your device using the USB or Ethernet port . 

It has both a built-in firewall and open-source VPN capabilities to ensure your online security. However, configuring the VPN client of this router can be difficult for novice users. This travel router also doesn’t have a built-in battery, which is a bit inconvenient. You will need to connect it to a power source, like a laptop or power bank , for it to function. 

• VPN capabilities 
• Affordable price tag
• Hard to set up

Get the GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 on Amazon now.

8. Best Security: GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext

The GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext is a travel router that not only amplifies public internet connections but also has its own VPN server that actively protects your personal data from falling into the wrong hands. Featuring multiple open sources and programmable VPN protocols, it protects all of your data with ease when browsing the net. 

In addition, it comes with a built-in firewall, which ensures an even more secure internet connection when in public spaces like hotel lobbies, airports, coffee shops, etc. It has three-gigabit ports, so you can connect up to three different wired devices. On top of that, you can also connect to a network wirelessly, allowing for more flexibility.

Admittedly, though, it’s not the easiest thing to set up. You will need to configure and tweak it to achieve optimal performance. This VPN router also doubles as a storage device because of its built-in MicroSD card reader. Access and manage files when your laptop or other smart devices are connected to the same network.

• Built-in VPN server and firewall
• Can be used wired or wirelessly
• MicroSD card slot for file storage

Get the GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext on Amazon now.

9. Best Wireless Access Point : GL.iNet GL-AR300M16-Ext

The GL.iNet GL-AR300M16-Ext is another unassuming travel router that’s rich in features. It can be used as Wireless Access Point (WAP), a Wi-FI booster, or as an independent router when connected to a mobile hotspot . It even features two detachable external Wi-Fi antennae that help improve the signal of your device’s connection even while hiking through remote areas like the mountains in New Zealand . However, it runs on a single 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) band frequency, so it may be noticeably slower than routers using double-band channels.

That said, it boasts advanced security protocols and encryption technology, including VPN capabilities. It comes pre-installed with both OpenVPN and WireGuard services, allowing you to connect to over 30 VPN service providers. All things considered, you get an extra layer of cybersecurity wherever you go. 

• Multiple configuration options
• Two detachable antennae
• VPN capabilities
• Single-band router

10. Best Multi-Purpose: NewQ Filehub AC750

The NewQ Filehub AC750 is an all-in-one device you’ll want with you when traveling. As a portable wireless Wi-Fi router , it has three network modes: Access Point (AP) Mode, Router Mode, and Bridge Mode. The NewQ Filehub AC750 is a dual-band router and can support internet speeds up to 1300 Mbps. However, expect slower internet speeds when it’s in Bridge Mode since it cannot support 5 GHz frequencies.

On top of it being a travel router , you can also use it for wireless data transfer. It has an SD slot and a USB port for plugging in a storage device. Transfer and manage photos, videos, music, and other documents from them using your phone, tablet, laptop, or other devices when you connect them to the same network. This wireless travel router also works as a power bank, so you don’t have to worry about your gadgets dying when out and about.

• Multiple connection modes
• Not all modes support 5 GHz channels

Get the NewQ Filehub AC750 on Amazon now.

What to Look For in the Best Travel Router

Wireless frequencies .

Photo by tonktiti on Adobe Stock

Most travel routers utilize either single or dual-band technology, which refers to the frequencies they support. A single-band router hosts a 2.4 GHz signal, while a dual-band router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals . The main difference between the two frequencies boils down to speed and range. Wireless portable routes using 2.4 GHz frequencies have a larger range but slower speed, while 5 GHz travel routers are faster, but the coverage area is a bit more limited. A dual-band router can connect to the two bands at the same time, thus providing you with a more stable wireless internet connection . However, the catch is that dual-band travel routers tend to be pricier. 

Keep these differences in mind when choosing a mini router to provide you with internet for travel . A single-band router is a great option for people on a budget whose primary concern is simply surfing the web and sending emails. Meanwhile, if you plan on gaming and streaming high-resolution videos while on vacation, invest in a double-band router .

Ports and Connectivity 

Photo by Vadym on Adobe Stock

Enhanced wireless connectivity is probably one of the main reasons you’re buying a wireless Wi-Fi router . However, you should also consider physical ports when choosing the best travel router for you. While most smartphones and tablets support wireless connections, there are still devices that require a wired connection to a router . And even if your laptop or console does have Wi-Fi capabilities, the internet connection from a wired connection is generally faster, more stable, and more reliable .

If you have a device that needs to be connected via cables, also consider the number of ports you need in a router. Most portable Wi-Fi routers come with one or two Ethernet ports , but you can find others with even more. Additionally, a built-in USB port comes in handy for storing, sharing, and managing files and media over the same network.

Security And Privacy

Photo by Prostock-studio on Adobe Stock

Modern wireless Wi-Fi routers have some security protocols and encryption support to protect users from hackers and other cybercriminals . The bare minimum for most models includes basic firewall protection and a Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) protocol. A firewall scans all the data sent or received over your network, while WPA2 encrypts them. If you want additional protection from other prying eyes on the web, opt for a travel router with a built-in VPN server. Investing in a travel router with VPN support means you are adding an extra layer of protection when online .

Battery and Power

Photo by M-Production on Adobe Stock

If you truly want Wi-Fi for traveling, we recommend investing in a travel router with a rechargeable battery . Unfortunately, some of even the best routers need to be plugged into an outlet. For the few models that do run on battery power, also consider their capacity. The higher the indicated milliampere-hour (mAh), the longer it will last. 

Can’t find a suitable model for you with a rechargeable battery? Look for one with at least a USB port that can be hooked up to a portable battery pack or laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Routers

Is a travel router worth it.

Absolutely! It’s worth investing in a travel router, especially if you’re constantly traveling and staying in different hotels or other vacation rentals . Whether you’re on a business trip or a relaxing vacation, a travel router simplifies the process of connecting your gadgets to internet networks. In addition, they also allow for faster and more secure connections. Some models even function as power banks or storage drives.

Is a Travel Router a Hotspot?

Technically speaking, a traditional travel router is different from a hotspot . A travel router relies on an already existing network to provide an internet connection to your devices, while a mobile hotspot uses a cellular network to connect to the internet. But nowadays, you can find travel router models that also act as hotspots, giving you the option to get online either with wireless networks or mobile networks.

Can You Use a Travel Router Without an Internet Connection?

Generally, you cannot use a travel router without an existing network , may this be via a wireless connection or an Ethernet jack. There are a few models in the market that have SIM card slots, however, which gives you the ability to connect to the internet using cellular data.

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Best Travel Routers. What Is A Travel Router?

A travel router is a device that allows you to get Internet access in a remote location, where you would not have a connection to the Internet otherwise. The devices do that by amplifying existing wireless networks and allowing your computer to connect to an otherwise weak network. How to choose the best travel router? Read our guide!

Some routers have other interesting abilities like the possibility of connecting to a mobile network and creating a mobile hotspot.

What does Travel Router do?

A travel router catches weak wireless signals and amplifies them, translating them to your computer. This grants you access to a wireless network that you would not be able to see without the router. The router also amplifies all the signals from your computer, extending the reach of your wireless radio.

All the signals the router sends out are encrypted, so it will never compromise your safety or anonymity.

Routers may also connect to a wired network and act as a converter, allowing you to use the wired connection as a wireless one.

Do you need a Travel Router?

This depends on the purpose of your trip and the probability of encountering places without regular internet access. If you are a blogger and are going to travel to a place with bad internet service, you will be in need of a router, because you are probably required to post content frequently.

However, a bad internet connection will make it hard or impossible to connect and work, so you will need a router to amplify the signal. Meanwhile, most regular routers are heavy and unwieldy devices, and while they do amplify signals, they are hard to travel with. And that is why you need a travel router, which offers you a powerful connection, even though it weighs very little and easy to travel with.

Why is a Wi-Fi portable router better than a hotspot?

Because it allows you to have access to free public Wi-Fi. This lets you use the internet without paying for it. Also, a router allows you to connect a wired Ethernet network, and make it wireless. Therefore, you can share a wired connection over Wi-Fi among a number of devices.

Will I be able to access the Internet from everywhere?

No, because a router only amplifies an existing signal and makes it more available. The signal has to be present somewhere nearby. If you do not have an access point in the range, the router will not help.

However, some routers have 3G and 4G support, and that will allow you to connect to satellites. This will allow you to have the Internet in remote places.

Nonetheless, you will not be able to have access absolutely everywhere.

How big is a travel router?

This varies widely, and travel routers can be of virtually any size. However, the ideal model should fit in a pocket and be easy to carry. Some models are larger than pocket-size, but they usually have other great features, such as many ports, integrated batteries, or long-range antennas.

Choosing a portable mini travel wifi router

Here you will have to consider many things, and even though your budget will decide most of them, many properties and abilities are your choices. Let’s review what qualifiers a good router should have.

Networking Capabilities

The router should be able to connect to all bandwidths of Wi-Fi and amplify the signal to reach your computer. Ideally, it will also be able to give you good internet speed, so you can download and upload quickly. It would also be good to have a wired connection port, so you can connect to a USB or Ethernet connection. Some even have 3G and 4G capabilities, but there are not many of those.

Portability

This is another important quality in a travel router – it should be small, easy to set up, and connect. You should also be able to store it away quickly.

Versatility

One router should be able to do many different things, and therefore, it is best to select models with many capabilities. For example, a router that is able to connect to both wireless and wired connections is preferable.

You also should consider the number of devices that can connect to the router at one time. While some only support 2 or 3, there are models to which you can connect 8 or more computers.

Size and Weight of a Router

A router that is small and light, is more portable, and therefore, easier to travel with. So, when selecting a router, find one with a small weight and volume.

Security Encryption

Most routers can encrypt what you send through them, but some do not have security. A router without security can give your information to criminals, who may be receiving it. To make sure nobody is listening, select a router with encryption.

VPN Support

This is an additional layer of security that many people would like to have. A VPN masks your real IP address, allowing you to remain mostly anonymous on the Internet. It also allows you to go to sites that are blocked in your current country.

Some routers can access VPNs and others actually have VPN software pre-installed, so you have access to private networks from the moment you buy the router.

Speed and Range

A high connection speed allows you to quickly download and upload content, making you able to work quicker. A good range lets you connect to all nearby networks, giving you better internet access. Also, a large range will let you share your wired connection over a larger area.

Limitations

Travel routers are limited by their range, connection speed, and connection type. These are the first three parameters you should look at when buying a router.

Now that we have covered the concepts that make a good router, let us see the best models on the market.

Best Travel Router

1. tp-link ac750 – best choice.

The router works well for any purpose, so it can be used both during travel and at home. The router is powered through a USB cable that connects to an adapter or charger.

As the entire model is 2.6 by 3 inches, it can fit in a pocket easily. The 0.5-pound weight also makes it more portable.

The router arrives with a 2-year guarantee from the manufacturer.

Price $ 34.49

2. RAVPower FileHub – Best Battery Life

The device has Ethernet capability, and it can convert a wired network into a wireless one. The wireless network has a speed of up to 433 Mbps.

It is possible to use the FileHub for backing up information. It can transfer any stored music or videos to your hard drive or computer.

The device weighs 7 ounces and measures 4.5 by 3 inches. It is equipped with a powerful battery that gives it cordless capability. The battery lasts up to 8 hours, depending on usage.

Currently unavailable

3. HooToo Filehub – Best connectivity

The router can connect to a wired network and transform it into a wireless one. Also, it is possible to connect to any wireless network and extend its range. This will allow you to share encrypted wireless internet with all connected users.

The device can recognize storage drives in any attached PC or smartphone. This allows you to transfer videos and other files quickly.

Weighing only 0.55 pounds, this model is one of the lightest on the market.

There is an external battery pack shipped with the device that not only allows you to use the device cordlessly but also lets you charge other devices from it.

Price $ 39.99 

4. TP-Link N300 – Smallest dimensions

This tiny router has all the capabilities of a full-sized device and is able to achieve 300 Mb per second speeds. This allows the user to work without lags, and will even let you play online video games.

The device measures two by two inches, making it one of the smallest in existence. It is powered through a USB port. Also, a Micro USB port is available for recharging.

It is possible to use the router as an AP or a Wi-Fi repeater. The encryption lets you use the device securely, and nobody will be able to eavesdrop on your wireless connection. The model uses password protection to prevent information theft.

The manufacturer ships the model with a 2-year warranty.

Price $ 26.99

5. GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Gigabit Travel – Best security

This device is interesting for people concerned about security because it has many pre-installed encryption protocols. Among other things, it has OpenVPN for anonymity and WireGuard for security. The model is compatible with 25 different VPN providers.

The encryption works even if you connect to a public network without a password.

The router excels at everything else too. It has a high 300 Mbps speed at 2.4G and can go as fast as 433 with 5G.

The router has 128 megabytes of RAM and can be equipped with an SD card up to 128 GB in volume. There is also a USB port and three Ethernet ports.

The router ships with Ethernet and USB cables, a one-year warranty, and a power adapter.

Price $ 69.99

6. GL.iNET GL-AR300M – The lightest

With a weight of only 1.4 ounces, this router is the lightest in this list. It can be powered from any laptop or computer. Any 5-volt power adapter also works for this. The model is compatible with 3G and 4G modems.

The router arrives with good preinstalled security, such as OpenVPN and Open Wrt. The model has immediate access to 20 different VPN servers.

The model has 128 megabytes of RAM and two Ethernet ports. It arrives with a 1-year warranty, a manual, and a USB cable.

Price $ 40.00

7. RAVPower Filehub N300 – Most affordable

This one is able to work not just as a router, but as a file-sharing hub. This allows it to save space on all your devices, such as connected smartphones and computers. You can manually move files between your smartphone and the FileHub’s storage.

The networks this device connects to, immediately become encrypted and private, so only you can see what’s being transmitted.

The device transmits at a good speed and is able to convert a wired network into a wireless one. A maximum of 5 devices can be connected to the router.

Price $ 19.99

A travel router will help you a lot if you are going to travel to places with bad internet access. They are also good for making one connection widely available over wireless. A travel router can be just as useful at home because it can make one wired connection available over your whole home.

A travel router is usually an inexpensive and versatile device that will be useful just about everywhere – both in travel and at home. It is usually worth buying one if you intend on traveling.

Since 2013 I live in different countries, such as: China, the Philippines, the US and Vietnam. The last few years I live in Nha Trang (the most popular resort of Vietnam).

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4 Best Wireless Travel Routers (Updated Guide for 2023)

Disclosure: When you buy something through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

When you go on the road, you may get stuck relying on a public network. This can expose you to all kinds of risks you don’t have to worry about at home.

For one thing, you have no idea who else is using the network. Hackers routinely connect to public networks and try to infiltrate people’s computers.

One minute you’re checking your email on the airport WiFi network. The next minute, a hacker is making unauthorized charges on your credit record.

You can solve this problem by using your own router. This puts an extra layer of protection between you and the other people on the network.

Having your own travel router could be useful in other situations, too.

You can use one in a hotel or a coffee shop. They can also come in handy for connecting other devices that require a WiFi connection. For example, a portable WiFi printer.

Today, we’re going to review four of the best wireless travel routers we could get our hands on. All of these are great for connecting your computer when you’re on the go. But which one has the features that you need?

To answer that question, we’ll have to look a lot closer at the details. After we’ve scrutinized all four of these options, we’ll have enough information to deliver our verdict. Let’s begin!

Best Overall: GL.iNet (Slate AX) WiFi 6 Travel Router

Key features:

• 1,800Mbps total bandwidth
• Two LAN ports
• Pre-installed VPN services and Cloudflare encryption
• Works as a WiFi repeater for captive networks
• Pre-installed AdGuard Home

The GL.iNet (Slate AX) WiFi 6 Travel Router is a pocket-sized WiFi router with a matte black plastic housing. It measures 4.92 inches wide, 3.22 inches deep, and 1.41 inches thick. And at 8.64 ounces, it’s lightweight enough that you’ll barely notice you’re carrying it.

The sides of the housing are vented, and a cooling fan draws air through them to maintain temperature. The fan is reasonably quiet, and it doesn’t run constantly. It only kicks in when the internal temperature reaches 167 degrees Fahrenheit.

In the left side, you’ll notice a Micro SD slot. This can be used to add network storage directly to the router. It’s like having an external hard drive and a router all in one.

Meanwhile, there’s a pair of antennas attached near the backs of both sides. They’re broad and flat, and can be swiveled up and down. When they’re down, they neatly cover the side vents, which is ideal for storage and transport.

The ports are located across the front of the housing. At the left is a USB Type-C port, which is used to deliver power. Next is a USB Type-A port with a blue internal tab that makes plug orientation simple.

This port can be used to connect a thumb drive or external USB hard drive. Next there are three Ethernet ports with grey frames. The two on the left are LAN ports for connecting your computer or other devices. The one on the right is a WAN port for connecting to your router.

Along with the router, you get a semi-rigid carrying case. It’s made from heavy-duty nylon, and is form-fitted to hug the router’s profile. The material provides a reasonable degree of scratch-resistance. And a black zipper makes it easy to access.

GL.iNet provides a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty. If it fails, you’ll be fully protected from any defects.

Networking Capabilities and Extras

The Slate AX is a WiFi 6 router, which means it supports the latest version of WiFi. Of course, it’s still compatible with older versions of WiFi like 802.11c/g/ac. With a WiFi 6 connection, you can take advantage of MU-MIMO support.

Without going too far into the weeds, this allows you to connect up to 120 devices at the same time. That’s more than you’d ever need on a travel router, but it beats running out of capacity.

In addition, this router offers impressive speeds. You get 600Mbps of bandwidth on the 2.4GHz channel and 1,200Mbps on the 5GHz channel. Combined, this amounts to 1,800Mbps of bandwidth. That’s pretty run of the mill as full-sized routers. But for a compact travel router, it’s insanely fast. The LAN ports, meanwhile, provide a standard 10/100/1000 rating.

The hardware isn’t all you’re getting. The Slate AX comes with OpenVPN and WireGuard already installed. These are popular VPN services that keep your personal information safe while you’re browsing. The OpenVPN speed is limited to 120Mbps, and WireGuard can support 550Mbps.

Alternatively, the router supports more than 30 other VPN services. Even better, all your connections are Cloudflare-encrypted. This gives them the same level of security as an “https” website.

In addition to using the Slate AX as a standalone router, it can also be used as a secure repeater. Connect it to a public WiFi network, then connect to the router behind your VPN. The router will even work with captive portals. These are the paid connections you use in hotels and other locations that charge for internet.

Finally, the router comes with AdGuard Home already installed. It will automatically remove ads and keep sites from secretly tracking you. And since it’s happening at the router level, it won’t hog your computer’s resources.

What we liked:

• Fast connection speeds
• Plenty of VPN support
• Built-in ad blocking
• Can support a large number of devices

What we didn’t like:

• A bit large

Best Runner-Up: GL.iNet (Beryl) VPN Wireless Little Travel Router

• 1,267Mbps total bandwidth
• Built-in VPN and TOR capability
• Can work as a WiFi repeater

The GL.iNet (Beryl) VPN Wireless Little Travel Router is similar in many ways to the Slate AX. It has a rectangular housing with antennas at the back corners that fold down to form solid sides. The sides are vented, with a Micro SD card slot in the right. On the left is a button to switch between different modes, including VPN and Tor modes.

Besides the mode button, there are a few other differences worth pointing out. To begin with, the ports across the front are reversed. The WAN port is on the left, and the USB power port is all the way to the right.

The housing is blue grey instead of black, although it has the same easy-to-clean matte finish. It’s also a tad smaller, at 4.64 inches wide, 3.34 inches deep, and 1.18 inches thick. The weight is correspondingly lower, at just 6.49 ounces.

There’s nothing smaller about the warranty, though. The Beryl is backed by the same 12-month warranty from GL.iNet.

The Beryl has somewhat more modest capabilities than the Slate AX. The total bandwidth works out to 1,267Mbps. That’s 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz channel, and 867Mbps on the 5GHz channel. The Ethernet ports are of the normal 10/100/1000 variety.

This router comes with some of the same features as the last one. OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed. Keep in mind that you’re subject to speed caps with the VPNs, but that’s a necessary tradeoff.

The Beryl doesn’t come with AdGuard installed, which we admit was a bit disappointing. It also won’t work on captive portals. But it works fine as a repeater on other captive networks. And for the security conscious, you even get a pre-installed Tor app.

• VPN and TOR for secure browsing
• Dual LAN ports
• WiFi repeater function
• Repeater function won’t work with captive portals

Best Alternative: NewQ Filehub AC750 Wireless Travel Router

• 733Mbps total bandwidth
• 6,500mAh internal battery
• Access point, router, and bridge modes

The NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router has a more straightforward design, with no external antennas. It’s just a glossy black rectangle, with an ultra-smooth finish and rounded corners. The overall size is 4.44 inches wide, 3 inches deep, and 0.88-inch thick. At 9.6 ounces, it’s a hair heavier than the others. But even so, it’s light enough to carry with you anywhere you go.

On top, there’s a white NewQ logo, along with a series of LED indicators. The indicators let you know when you’re connected to the web, when the WiFi is active, and other important data.

On the front is a Micro SD slot for network storage. The ports are located on the left side of the housing. At the back is a USB Type-A port for storage, followed by a USB Type-C power port. Towards the front is a WAN port.

The AC750 has 300Mbps of bandwidth on the 2.4GHz channel, and 433Mbps on the 5GHz channel. That’s a total of 733Mbps, which is a bit slow but still fast enough to be useful. It can be used as an access point, router or bridge.

The NewQ Filehub also doubles as a power bank. The 6,500mAh internal battery can charge the average smartphone and still have juice to spare. It will also run your router for around four to eight hours without needing to be plugged in.

• Doubles as a power bank
• Works as a router, access point, or bridge
• Does not require a power supply
• Slow maximum bandwidth
• No LAN connection

Best Budget: TP-Link Nano Wireless Travel Router

• One dual-function Ethernet port
• Very affordable

The TP-Link Nano Travel Router has a compact white and grey housing. It measures just 2.64 x 2.91 x 0.87 inches, and tips the scales at a modest 8 ounces. On the front is a USB Type-A port at the right, with a USB Type-C port at the left for power. On the left side is a mode switch, along with a dual-function LAN/WAN port.

Be aware that this travel router is slightly outdated. Then again, it’s very affordable, and it’s hard to beat for the price. If you’re someone who only needs basic WiFi with acceptable speeds, this may be the ideal choice.

The Nano Travel Router has the same bandwidth as the AC750. However, it also supports an Ethernet connection. Keep in mind that there’s a trade-off here. If you plug your computer into the Ethernet port, you’ll have to connect the router to your network via WiFi. If you plug the router into a modem or wall socket, you can only connect your computer via WiFi.

• Versatile design
• Dual-function Ethernet port

What’s the Best Wireless Travel Router to Pick?

These are all good quality travel routers . But which one should be your next travel companion?

Here’s what we’ve learned about all of them, starting with the GL.iNet (Slate AX) WiFi 6 Travel Router . This was our top choice, and it isn’t even close. There are so many extra features, beginning with not one, but two built-in VPN services.

Pre-loaded AdBlock Home keeps advertisers from tracking you, and removes most ads from websites. The 1,800Mbps of bandwidth is very impressive for a travel router. And with support for captive portals, you can use the Slate AX just about anywhere.

The GL.iNet (Beryl) VPN Wireless Little Travel Router was our next favorite choice. This router is even smaller than the last, which is good news if you’re looking for the tiniest router possible.

It doesn’t come with AdGuard or captive portal support. But it makes up for that with a nifty Tor app. And while the maximum bandwidth isn’t mind-blowing, it’s still faster than the average travel router.

The NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router isn’t as fast as the other two. With 733Mbps of bandwidth, it will be noticeably slower than your home network. That said, it’s battery-powered, so you can use it without needing to find a power outlet. And the battery even doubles as a power bank.

The TP-Link Nano Travel Router is also a bit slower, but it’s very affordable. While it’s inexpensive, it would still make a great option for those who don’t need to absolute fastest speeds. And unlike the NewQ, you can connect to it via an Ethernet cord.

Meet Derek, “TechGuru,” a 34-year-old technology enthusiast with a deep passion for tech innovations. With extensive experience, he specializes in gaming hardware and software, and has expertise in gadgets, custom PCs, and audio.

Besides writing about tech and reviewing new products, Derek enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. Committed to keeping up with the latest industry trends, he aims to guide readers in making informed tech decisions.

17 thoughts on “4 Best Wireless Travel Routers (Updated Guide for 2023)”

I found the WAP2102 travel device, and it shows it has a switch for 1) access point, 2) gateway router, and 3) client mode (wds : bridge/repeater)

nice list and big help.

Do you know if these require you to access the main router at a location to activate the wifi? Or can this be done without accessing the main router?

I’m hoping. I’m looking for a portable router that works by itself and gives wifi no matter where I am at, even the car. Hope they exist.

I hate to sound dumb but I do not understand the full picture here. Ok, I get the router and I travel; I logically connect my router and my laptop so I can get wifi at an airport or even in remote hotels that have crappy or no wifi.

But, where does the router get the signal from? I reckon you have to pay someone for that servie – who and where does that come from? Richard

Richard McCormick.

I have been researching buying one of these. They basically do two things.

1. If you are in a room with a wired internet connection you connect the router to it with a lan cable and it becomes a secure wireless hot spot that you can connect all your devices to This will be faster and more secure than the crappy hotel wifi. If the hotel charges for wi fi you avoid that cost as well.

2. If you are in a hotel with no wired connection and crappy wifi, you can use it as a repeater or extender to pick up the wifi signal and amplify it. This improves the wifi connection and also allows you to turn a public wifi into a secure one. If the hotel charges for every device that is connected to the wifi you can connect additional devices without additional charge. The extent to which this might make the hotel wifi faster is something I am unsure of.

So basically you do need an existing wifi signal or wired internet connection to use one of these. I am looking for one that can be used as a wifi extender/repeater at home and a travel router when on the road.

I use the D’link 510L, it’s supports hotel Wi-Fi’s where you first have to login via splash webpage.

Can I tether one of these to my iPhone, and then use it to connect other devices wirelessly?

Can I tether one of these to my iPhone, and then allow a wired-only device access to the internet?

Be careful when your intent is to use one of these mini routers with a phone. For example, my TP-Link WR-802n will NOT work with an iPhone 6S running iOS 11.2.1. What DOES work is the GL-iNet MT-300-V2 Mango.

Can these be used overseas? Europe, scandinivia?

I’m looking for a travel router that I can use to bridge the Type 3 NAT from my hotspot to a Type 2 or Type 1 NAT. Do any of these serve that purpose?

I am going to Central America soon and want to be able to use my laptop and phone. I know the home I will be in does not have internet. What do I need to purchase to receive service? I was thinking of buying a travel wifi device, can you suggest something. And how does it work once I get there. I am so “NOT” tech savvy. Any help will be appreciated.

If theirs no existing internet none of these will work you will need some sort of mobile wifi hotspot instead

Hi everybody..

I need som help, but i’m not sure if this is the right place – i’ll try 😉

I’m looking for a very small router like TP-link TL-MR3020 or TL-WR902AC or similar to built inside my POS and creditcard payment machine, but i need to find a router with DHCP lan, sim card built in, 1x RJ45 lan output for my POS, the POS does not work with wifi – only lan..

I’m aware that it’s possible to buy 1x TL-MR3020 or similar and 1x Huawei USB 4G modem or similar, put them together and everything is nice – but i don’t have that space inside my POS machine..

Does it make any sense?

Hit me with some hardware suggestions and have a nice day 😉

Similiar to Morton (Feb 16, 2018) I need dual WAN/LAN ports at Gigabit speeds, the ability to handle the hotel room spash/login pages, and optionally (i.e. where I can disable it) dualband wireless 2.4/5G. Over on NewEgg, I found “GL.iNet GL-B1300 Home AC Gigabit Router”, but it doesn’t have the best’est of reviews, yet seems to be the only player in the field I need to operate in.

I am looking for a wifi router, which is possible to run via USB battery and via USB power supply, which also has RJ45 / ethernet sockets were one could hook up a laptop or two laptops to also be able to connect to the internet on the laptop(s) via cable.

Does it exist?

Hi! I want to know which one is better for data transfer from a USB hard drive. Which one is faster? I’m looking for the better to share files from a hard drive to my oculus go.

Can anyone tell me if my wifi repeater can be used as a travel router? My goal is to use a chromecast from my Mac using hotel wifi. Thanks, Jim

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Best Portable WiFi Travel Routers in 2024 [Buying Guide]

A travel router is a compact device that provides high-speed internet where ever you go. Travel routers offer a reliable and secure internet connection while traveling. Most of us need to get online to check our important emails and messages while we’re traveling and need to get online, that’s where portable travel routers come in handy to provide us safe and secure internet connections.

Travel routers offer firewall security, which protects you from different virus attacks. If you’re staying somewhere else or in a hotel, and you feel insecure connecting to their network, simply connect to your travel router for secure and high-speed connectivity. You can connect several devices to your travel router just like an ordinary router at your home. Some travel routers also offer wired connectivity.

A travel router also acts as a Wi-Fi extender to extend the range of your Wi-Fi. If you’re staying somewhere and the network is weak and difficult to connect with, that’s where a travel router comes to help by extending the range of your existing network so you can connect seamlessly. It also acts as a Wi-Fi bridge, providing Ethernet ports to let you connect your nearby wired Ethernet-enabled devices to an existing network.

Best Portable Travel Routers List

So if you’re interested in travel routers and want to purchase a decent travel router for yourself, we have got you covered. We have a list of some of the best travel routers to help you get connected from every corner of the world with a safe and high-speed connection.

1. GL.iNet GL-AR150 Mini Travel Router

• Tethering, and 3G/4G USB Modem Compatible
• OpenWrt pre-installed, DDWrt supported
• 64MB RAM, 16MB Flash ROM
• OpenVPN client pre-installed
• Compatible with 20+ VPN service providers
• Dual Ethernet ports

GL-AR150 is a compact travel router for your devices that provides high-speed internet connection with transfer rates of up to 150Mbps. The GL-AR150 features two Ethernet ports, one UART, and four GPIOs for hardware DIY. This is a perfect programmable gateway for DIY hobbyists. The router also features 64MB of RAM and 16M flash, which may be extended using USB sticks.

You don’t need to connect to public Wi-Fi networks anymore; this travel router converts a public Wi-Fi to your Wi-Fi with security protocols for a safe and secure connection. It is better to connect to your network than risking your data connecting to public networks. The GL-AR150 is also capable of converting wired networks and 3G/4G modems into your private Wi-Fi.

The GL-AR150 comes with pre-installed OpenWRT and a storehouse of more than 4000 software packages. It also comes with a pre-installed OpenVPN client that is compatible with up to 20 VPN service providers. The GL-AR150 is exceptionally portable and easy to carry. It is plugged into power-banks, laptops, or 5V DC adapters for power supply.

2. HooToo File hub, Wireless Travel Router

• Portable SSD Hard Drive Reader
• Photo Backup Device
• 10400mAh External Battery Pack Travel Charger
• New USB reader technology
• Chromecast Support
• Simultaneous Media Sharing

The HooToo TripMate Titan is a compact travel router to convert any wired network to a wireless network instantly. The AP Mode turns any wired connection into a wireless network for your devices. The built-in router-modem enables it acts as an ordinary wireless router when connected to a DSL or Modem. The Bridge mode lets you connect and share a network with no extra charges for multiple connected devices.

The HooToo TripMate Titan offers connectivity to your laptop, tablets, smartphones, and other drivers to seamlessly transfer and backup files using the TripMate app. It connects up to five devices at the same time for seamless access to any connected storage for simultaneous media sharing and streaming. The HooToo TripMate supports Chromecast connectivity for streaming videos from connected storage onto a big screen.

3. GL.iNet GL-AR300M Mini Travel Router

• Mini VPN Wireless Travel Router
• Convert public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi
• Tethering, 3G/4G USB Modem Compatible
• OpenWrt pre-installed
• OpenVPN and WireGuard pre-installed
• 128MB RAM, 16MB NOR Flash

The GL-AR300M is a compact travel router for your devices that provides high-speed internet connection with transfer rates of up to 300Mbps. The GL-300M features two Ethernet ports, one UART, and one GPIOs for hardware DIY. This is a perfect programmable gateway for DIY hobbyists. It is also ideal for loT development. The router also features 128MB of RAM and 128M flash, which may be extended using USB sticks.

You don’t need to connect to public Wi-Fi networks anymore; this travel router converts a public Wi-Fi to your Wi-Fi with security protocols for a safe and secure connection. It is better to connect to your network than risking your data connecting to public networks. The GL-AR300M is also capable of converting wired networks and 3G/4G modems into your private Wi-Fi.

The GL-AR300M comes with pre-installed OpenWRT and a storehouse of more than 4000 software packages. It also comes with a pre-installed OpenVPN client that is compatible with up to 20 VPN service providers. The GL-AR300M is exceptionally portable and easy to carry. It is plugged into power-banks, laptops, or 5V DC adapters for power supply.

4. RAVPower FileHub, Travel Router AC750

• Wireless SD Card Reader
• Wireless Data Transfer and Backup Anywhere
• AC750 Wireless Travel Router
• 300Mbps Wi-Fi speed on 2.4GHz
• 433 Mbps on 5GHz
• Support up to 3TB hard drive
• Transmission speed: 12-18 MB/s

The RAVPower is a dual-band Wi-Fi travel router providing speeds up to 750Mbps Wi-Fi speeds on a private network for your multiple devices. The dual-bands offer better performance with up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 433Mbps on the 5GHz band. The AC750 can act as a router when connected to a Modem or DSL to work as an ordinary router. In addition to that, the bridge mode connects you to an existing network with a more robust connection. The AP mode converts your wired connection into a wireless connection for your multiple devices.

It supports up to five devices simultaneously for streaming and transferring data simultaneously. You can free up space by automatically backing up your data through the RAVPower FileHub. It offers wireless data transfers and backup from anywhere; you simply need to connect a storage device and connect the Wi-Fi of FileHub. It provides transmission speeds of up to 18MB/s. it also supports Chromecast, Samba 2.0, and other DLNA devices.

5. TP-Link N300 Portable Nano Travel Router

• Pocket-sized Wireless N travel router
• 300Mbps Wi-Fi speed on 2.4G hertz band
• Compatible with Chrome cast
• Micro USB port for Powering
• Supports Router, AP, Client, Repeater, and WISP
• 802.11 b/g/n Compatible

The TP-Link TL-WR802N is an extremely portable travel router providing speeds up to 300Mbps on its single 2.4GHz band. The fast travel router provides enough speed so that you can enjoy HD streaming and lag-free gaming experience. Easily share a fast and secure Wi-Fi connection with your family or friends while you’re on the go. The 300Mbps fast Wi-Fi speed lets you enjoy a seamless and reliable connection for you and your family.

The TL-WR802N features advanced security encryptions to provide you with a safe and secure connection. If you’re worried about confidential data on your device and don’t want to connect to an unreliable connection, simply connect to your travel router for a safe connection. It acts as a router, access point, Wi-Fi bridge, and client mode to provide you with a reliable connection in every given circumstance.

Moreover, it features a Micro-USB port to offer connectivity via an external adaptor or USB cable. The fast Ethernet port ensures to provide high-speed internet connection from any wired connection nearby.

6. GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Gigabit Travel AC Router

• OpenWrt/LEDE pre-installed
• OpenVPN and WireGuard® pre-installed
• Three gigabit ports, 1WAN, 2LANs
• Micro USB 5V/2A power supply
• Pre-Configured Cloudflare DNS Over TLS
• Frequency Band: 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz

The GL-AR750S is a compact travel router for your devices that provides high-speed internet connection with wireless speeds of up to 750Mbps. The 2.4GHz band and 5GHz band offers high-speed internet connection for multiple devices simultaneously. The AR750S features three-gigabit ports, one USB 2.0, and one Micro-USB port. The router also features 128MB of RAM and 128M flash, which may be extended using USB sticks.

You don’t need to connect to public Wi-Fi networks anymore; this travel router converts a public Wi-Fi to your Wi-Fi with security protocols for a safe and secure connection. It is better to connect to your network than risking your data connecting to public networks. The GL-AR750S is also capable of converting wired networks and 3G/4G modems into your private Wi-Fi. The three fast Ethernet ports ensure to provide high-speed internet connection from any wired connection nearby.

The GL-AR750S comes with the pre-installed VPN server and client functions in WireGuard and OpenVPN. The pre-Configured Cloudflare uses a TLS security protocol for encrypting DNS queries to increase privacy. The Slate is extraordinarily portable and easy to carry wherever you go.

Travel Routers Buying Guide

If you’re looking for a travel router, but you’re confused by what features to look for in these kinds of gadgets. Make sure to check the following things so that it suits your needs.

Speed and Range

Speed and range are one of the most vital features to consider before a travel router. You need a router that should be fast enough to provide you with seamless streaming and conferencing while you’re on the go. In addition to that, also look for its range; make sure that it sends strong Wi-Fi signals to every corner of your room with no dead zones.

Another essential feature to consider before buying a travel router is security. If you have confidential data on your tablet or laptop and you’re worried about its safety, make sure to look for a router that features built-in security protocols. You can also look for a router that offers VPN options so that you’re extra safe on the network.

Portability

The third and last feature to keep in mind is the portability of your travel router. You don’t want your traveling router to weigh half a kilo that is difficult to carry. Make sure to look for a router that is lightweight and compact as possible so you can carry it everywhere without any hassles.

Travel Router (FAQ’s)

Why do you need a travel router?

You’ll realize the importance of a travel router when you’re staying in a hotel that charges for its Wi-Fi, or when you’re connecting to a network that is not reliable. A travel router is an essential thing to carry when you’re traveling. It allows you to connect to a network providing high-speeds and security protocols to keep your data confidential.

Are travel routers secure?

Yes, travel routers offer security options to keep your devices protected when connected to a network. Travel routers offer firewall security to provide you with a safe and secure internet connection. Some routers offer VPN options to make sure your connection is as secure as possible. It protects you from DoS attacks and scans all the ports from the internet for any vulnerability to provide you with a secure connection.

Do I need a SIM Card for Travel Routers?

No, you don’t need any SIM Card for your travel router. Travel routers do not function as LTE devices. You simply need an internet connection nearby, and it will boost its wireless signals to provide you with a high-speed connection. It works like a Wi-Fi extender that sends strong Wi-Fi signals to every corner of your house by extending its range. Just like that, a travel router broadens the range of an already existing network nearby to provide you with a safe and high-speed connection.

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Nick Miller

It's Nick Miller a 25 year old tech enthusiast and senior editor at Flexgate, i try to make tech simple for the everyday person. You will find review about tech, tools and Computer hardware here.

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