Best Travel Routers 2026
By Alex Carter
Published: March 2026 · Last updated: March 2026 · 8 min read
Introduction
Travel routers turn a single hotel or café Wi-Fi connection into a private network for all your devices, often with VPN support and better security. In 2026, the best models are compact, support dual bands, and some include a built-in VPN client.
We tested five travel routers in real travel and remote-work scenarios. Here’s how they compare for speed, ease of use, and security.
Why This Category Matters in 2026
Public Wi-Fi is convenient but risky. A travel router creates your own network and can route traffic through a VPN so every device is protected without installing VPN on each one. For remote workers and frequent travellers, that’s a big win.
Top Product List
- GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 – Best value travel router
- GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) – Best for Wi-Fi 6 and VPN
- TP-Link TL-WR902AC – Best budget pocket router
- RAVPower RP-WD009 – Best with power bank
- Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) – Best compact Wi-Fi 6
Individual Product Reviews
GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2
Small, cheap, and OpenWrt-based with easy VPN setup. Ideal for light use and tight budgets. See GL.iNet.
GL.iNet Slate AX
Wi-Fi 6 and strong VPN performance. Good for power users who want speed and security. Check Slate AX.
TP-Link TL-WR902AC
Pocket-sized and affordable. No built-in VPN but reliable for basic travel Wi-Fi. Get TP-Link travel router.
RAVPower RP-WD009
Router plus power bank in one. Handy when outlets are scarce. View RAVPower.
Beryl AX (GL-MT3000)
Compact Wi-Fi 6 and VPN; easy to pack. Try Beryl AX.
Pros and Cons
| Model | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| MT300N-V2 | Cheap, VPN, OpenWrt | Slower, single band |
| Slate AX | Wi-Fi 6, VPN | Larger, pricier |
| TL-WR902AC | Tiny, budget | No VPN |
| RP-WD009 | Power bank included | Heavier |
| Beryl AX | Compact Wi-Fi 6, VPN | Fewer ports |
Comparison Table
| Feature | MT300N-V2 | Slate AX | TL-WR902AC | RP-WD009 | Beryl AX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 6 | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| VPN client | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
How We Evaluated
We used each router on hotel and café networks, tested VPN throughput, and noted setup time and portability. We favoured reliability and security over raw speed where relevant.
Buying Guide
Need VPN and small size? GL-MT300N-V2 or Beryl AX. Want Wi-Fi 6 and VPN? Slate AX. On a tight budget without VPN? TL-WR902AC. Want a power bank too? RAVPower RP-WD009.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a travel router if I have phone hotspot?
Hotspot works, but a router gives one login for all devices and optional VPN for the whole connection. Useful when you have several gadgets.
Will hotel Wi-Fi block a router?
Most don’t. You connect the router to the hotel network once (sometimes via captive portal), then all your devices use the router. If in doubt, check the hotel’s policy.
Final Verdict
Best value with VPN: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2. Best overall for speed and VPN: Slate AX. Best compact Wi-Fi 6: Beryl AX. Budget without VPN: TP-Link TL-WR902AC. Router plus power bank: RAVPower RP-WD009.