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The Best Wireless Travel Routers of 2024

Pocket routers for Wi-Fi networking on the road

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• The Ultimate Router Buying Guide

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.

What to Look For in a Travel Router

Best overall, tp-link tl-wr902ac travel router.

 Amazon

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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12 Best Portable Wi-Fi Routers for Traveling in 2022

Keep you connected no matter where you are

It’s almost time to begin the holiday travels to visit family and friends, near and far. Even though internet service is more available than ever, some spots are still almost off the grid. You need a portable Wi-Fi router for your travels.

We present the best portable Wi-Fi routers for traveling to keep you connected through the holidays and 2022.

Why Would I Want a Portable Wi-Fi Router ?

There are many reasons you’d want to set up a mobile hotspot with your own portable Wi-Fi router.

• Security : Sometimes connecting to public Wi-Fi access points feels a little sketchy. Having your own mobile hotspot puts you on your Wi-Fi network, which will always be more secure. Several travel Wi-Fi routers also come with built-in VPN and firewall support.
• Savings : If you’ve got a Wi-Fi router capable of using cellular data, all the devices you have only need to have Wi-Fi capability to connect to that mobile hotspot. You don’t need to buy tablets with SIM cards and put them on any data plan. You could also give older smartphones to the kids to use in the car instead of buying them cellular plans. Plus, if the kids have older devices and something happens to them, it’s not as big a blow to the wallet.
• Speed : Ever been in a hotel, connected to their Wi-Fi network, and wondered if you just connected to 1990’s dial-up internet? That’s not a problem with your own portable Wi-Fi router. Also, if your portable Wi-Fi router is 5G compatible, you can connect your 4G LTE or older device and take advantage of 5G speeds.

1. Best High End Mobile Wi-Fi Router – Netgear Nighthawk M5

Price : $699

Cell Network : 5G

Wi-Fi : Wi-Fi Version 6

At around $700, the Netgear Nighthawk M5 mobile Wi-Fi unit should be able to do almost everything. And it does. If you’re a heavy traveler or use this as your primary Internet connection at home, it may be worth it. Note that it works best on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks in the US. The battery is easily removed, so consider getting a spare to keep charged for quick swaps. If you don’t have 5G cell service in your area, consider the Netgear M1 for 4G service.

• VPN , DMZ, and password support
• Connect up to 32 devices
• Up to 13-hour battery life
• Ethernet and USB C connectors
• Onboard touch-screen controls also tracks data usage
• 2 x TS-9 external antenna connectors to extend the range
• 1 Gbps Ethernet port
• Web and app-based management
• SMS Messaging capable

2. Runner Up High End Mobile Wi-Fi Router – NetGear Nighthawk M1  

Price : $400

Cell Network : 4G

Wi-Fi : 802.11 a/b/g/n Dual Band 2.4GHz and 5GHz

Yes, another NetGear Nighthawk. You’ve probably guessed that this is the NetGear Wi-Fi router that came before the M5. Yet, it’s still sought after. It’s also the ideal mobile Wi-Fi router if you only have access to 4G cell service.

• Connect up to 20 devices
• Up to 11-hour battery life
• Offload to regular Wi-Fi or Ethernet if available to reduce cellular data consumption
• Share data from an external hard drive
• JumpBoost to charge phones

3. Best Affordable Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot – NetGear 4G AC797

Price : $219

Wi-Fi : 802.11 a/c Dual Band 2.4GHz and 5GHz

NetGear is popular for a reason. If the higher priced NetGear devices are just out of reach, this is the mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for you. With many of the features available on the Nighthawks, you’ll get your money’s worth. Although its peak download speed is 400 Mbs, it’s enough for most people.

• Guest Wi-Fi sign in with timer
• Max speed 400 Mbps
• Color display shows network and battery info, plus more
• Manage with the NetGear mobile app

4. Runner Up Affordable Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot – GlocalMe U3 Mobile Hotspot

Price : $120

Wi-Fi : 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz

• Small, weighing 4.4 oz and about the size of 8 credit cards stacked together
• Max speed 150 Mbps
• USB Type-C port
• Connect up to 10 devices
• Manage and buy data packages with the GlocalMe app

5. Best Budget Portable Wi-Fi Router – Alcatel LINKZONE MW41NF

Price : $60

Wi-Fi : 802.11b, 2.4 GHz

If you need a mobile hotspot that’s lightweight, inexpensive, and versatile in several countries, the Alcatel Linkzone MW41NF might be for you. This mobile hotspot device does require a SIM card, so it won’t work on CDMA services like Sprint, Virgin, or Verizon. Alcatel also warns about leaving it charging for more than 10 hours, leading to overheating.

• Small, weighing 10 oz and about the thickness of a cell phone
• Up to 7-hour battery life, 300 hours on standby
• Data speed up to 150 Mbps download
• Micro USB 2.0 slot
• Micros SD slot supporting up to 32GB
• WPS button for easy mobile Wi-Fi connection
• Connect up to 15 devices
• Managed by app
• Basic LED display

6. Runner Up Budget Portable Wi-Fi Router – Yeacomm P21-2 4G LTE CPE Router

Price : $99

Wi-Fi : 802.11 n/bg, 2.4 GHz

If you need greater Wi-Fi range and have somewhere to plug it in, the Yeacomm P21-2 may be for you. It’s affordable, yet it’s larger than the other mobile Wi-Fi routers listed. The Ethernet and phone ports are ideal for the cottage or remote offices. Yes, you can plug in landline phones and make voice calls over cellular.

• Two external antennas for a greater range
• 4 Ethernet ports
• 2 RJ-11 phone ports to connect landline phones
• Built-in VPN client
• Requires external power

7. Best High End Travel Wi-Fi Hotspot – GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Beryl

Price : $90

Wi-Fi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Dual Band 2.4GHz and 5GHz

The GL.iNet Beryl may be the cutest portable Wi-Fi router, but it’s also a beast when it comes to setting up a solid mobile internet connection. This mobile access point is small enough to fit in a pocket yet built with security and versatility at its core. The Beryl can be used as a Wi-Fi router, repeater, or tether to your phone through its USB 3.0 port.

• Uses OpenWRT firmware, making it highly configurable
• Pre-installed OpenVPN and WireGuard to support over 30 VPN service providers
• Pre-installed Tor service
• Pre-installed Cloudflare for DNS security
• MicroSD support up to 512 GB
• USB 3.0 port
• 1 x WAN + 2 X LAN Gb Ethernet ports
• Max Wi-Fi speed 867 Mbps
• Must be plugged in

8. Runner Up High End Travel Wi-Fi Hotspo t – GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Slate

Price : $70

Slightly less cute and powerful, the GL.iNet Slate gives you most of the security features of the Beryl, support for sharing data from MicroSD cards, and respectable 433 Mbps Wi-Fi speeds. It can also be used as a range extender. Think of it as Beryl’s younger sibling that happens to be the same size.

• MicroSD support up to 128 GB
• USB 2.0 port
• Max Wi-Fi speed 433 Mbps

9. Best Affordable Travel Wi-Fi Router – TP-Link Wireless N Nano

Price : $35

Wi-Fi : ‎802.11a/b/g/n 2.4GHz

What’s with travel routers being cute? The TP-Link N300 is likely the most popular travel Wi-Fi router. The price, features, and 2-year warranty with unlimited technical support make it hard to beat, even if it was twice the price. Plus, it’s small enough to fit in a pocket, so it can travel in your laptop bag. Because it can be used as a repeater, access point (AP), or a mobile hotspot, you can use it even when you’re not traveling. Check out the Nano Router emulator page to see how it’s managed.

• Router, repeater, access point, and mobile hotspot modes
• Can be powered with an adapter, smartphone charger, or laptop USB port
• 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN/LAN port
• 300 Mbps wireless speed
• Built-in firewall and access control
• Built-in parental controls
• Managed by app or web interface
• Guest network capable

10. Runner Up Affordable Travel Wi-Fi Router – MikroTik – hAP Mini

Price : $22

Wi-Fi : ‎802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz

MikroTik’s hAP mini is roughly 4 inches in height and length and under 2 inches in width. That’s small, considering it also has three ethernet ports. It uses the MikroTik RouterOS that’s configured to run out of the box, or you can access its web-based configuration page to make it do what you want. If anything, the depth of configuration possible may be too much. Of course, there’s an app as well.

• Minimum 5 years of free updates
• Bridging and routing capability
• 3 x 10/100 Mbps WAN/LAN port
• Extensive control over configuration
• Supports VPN and other security standards

11. Best Budget Travel Wi-Fi Router – GL.iNet microuter-N300

Wi-Fi : 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz

Another entry from GL.iNet, the microrouter-N300 must be the smallest Wi-Fi router available. With such a small size comes fewer features and range. However, this wireless router is still very capable and energy efficient.

• Tiny at 2in x 2in x 0.72in and just over an ounce
• Router, repeater, and access point modes

12. Runner Up Budget Travel Wi-Fi Router – Kasda KW55293

Price : $16

It’s lower priced and has more ethernet ports than the GL.iNet microuter-N300, so why isn’t the Kasda the best in this class? It’s about the size of 6 microuter-N300s. But at that price, it’s just too good to pass up.

• Wireless speed up to 300Mbps
• 4 LAN and 1 WAN Ethernet ports
• WPS for one-button connection of devices
• VPN pass-through
• MAC Filtering
• Web-based configuration
• LED status indicators
• Supports Telnet connections

Happy Trails and Safe Travels

One of our featured portable Wi-Fi routers is going to keep you connected while connecting with family and friends for the holidays. You may even want to give them as gifts. Could there be a better, affordable tech stocking stuffer?

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7 Wireless Travel Routers That Will Keep You Connected On The Go

If you find yourself traveling often, you might want to buy a portable hotspot or a travel router — or both! A travel router is just like the Wi-Fi router you have at home, but it's smaller and easier to fit inside a suitcase or a backpack. Sometimes, a travel router might even be small enough to slip into a pocket.

There are many perks to investing in a travel router if you find yourself in lots of airports and hotels, but here's the biggest: You don't have to keep adding all your devices to new Wi-Fi networks. Typically, when you get to a new hotel or an airport, you have to connect to the public Wi-Fi network if you don't want to deplete your mobile data.

When you connect to some hotel and airport networks, you often have to provide information about yourself, like your name or the room you're staying in. With a travel router, you only need to connect the travel router to the new Wi-Fi network, and all your devices — smartphone, tablet, laptop, and so on — automatically connect to the travel router. If you travel often with your family members, they can all connect to the travel router as well, depending on how many total devices it supports.

Travel routers also make it appear as though there's only one device connected to the network, rather than the unique IP addresses of all your devices. This can come in handy if you ever need to pay for Wi-Fi by device, like you sometimes do on airplanes, because you'll only need to pay a single fee.

When you're done traveling, you can still utilize a travel router around the home. You can use it to extend the range of your existing home router or to increase speeds in a specific room.

What to look for in a wireless travel router

Doing a quick search for "wireless travel routers" populates a ton of results. Some are super affordable, while others seem ridiculously expensive. How can wireless travel routers differ so much in price? Well, it all comes down to what each travel router is offering in terms of its technical specifications and features.

When you're looking to buy a travel router, you'll want to pay attention to the Wi-Fi standard and frequency bands it supports, available ports, and overall battery power, if any. It's also important to see what the travel router offers in terms of security and privacy, as well as whether you can use it when you're at home and not traveling.

The latest, fastest Wi-Fi standard is Wi-Fi 6 (also referred to as 802.11ax), but you'll pay a pretty penny for a travel router that supports Wi-Fi 6. Stepping down to Wi-Fi 5 is perfectly fine, and even dropping to Wi-Fi 4 isn't too bad for basic internet needs. Then, many travel routers only offer a single 2.4 GHz band, but it's better to invest in one that has at least a single 5 GHz band or a dual-band setup, with one 2.4 GHz band and one 5 GHz band.

As far as ports go, just make sure there are enough ports to satisfy your specific needs. You'll often find Ethernet ports or USB ports on a travel router, but it's up to you to decide how many you need for your devices.

Then, many wireless travel routers don't run off battery power. Instead, you need to plug it in via a power adapter or through a USB port on your laptop. If you can afford a travel router that doubles as a portable power bank, it's the smarter option, especially when smartphones always seem to be close to running out of battery while traveling.

GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)

GL.iNet's Slate AX wireless travel router is a premium Wi-Fi 6 option that's rich in features and has a strong focus on user security. Also referred to as the GL-AXT1800 router, the Slate AX offers dual-band support. The 2.4 GHz band can reach speeds up to 600 megabits per second, while the 5 GHz can reach speeds up to 1,200 megabits per second. You can connect up to 120 devices simultaneously between the two bands.

On top of speedy wireless connections, the Slate AX travel router also comes equipped with one WAN Ethernet port and two LAN Ethernet ports — all three are Gigabit Ethernet ports. Then, there's one USB 3.0 port, one USB-C power port, and a microSD card slot that supports up to 512 gigabytes. You can use it as a secure router on the go in hotel rooms or airports, or you can take it home to act as a Wi-Fi extender.

Though it doesn't come with built-in battery power, the Slate AX from GL.iNet comes with many security protocols to help keep you and your data safe. It comes with multiple layers of security, including OpenWrt pre-installed, WPA3 protocol, AdGuard Home, IPv6, and support for over 30 different VPN services. Everything is powered by the IPQ6000 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, and it's wrapped up in a compact package slightly bigger than the size of your hand.

TP-Link TL-WR902AC

TP-Link is a well-trusted brand in the realm of wireless routers, and the TL-WR902AC is the world's first AC750 travel router. Speedy AC750 Wi-Fi 5 is made possible over dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The 2.4 GHz band offers speeds up to 300 megabits per second, while the 5 GHz band can reach speeds up to 433 megabits per second.

It's also incredibly compact and can easily fit inside your pocket, purse, or backpack. Despite its small size, the TL-WR902AC still offers essential ports. There's one 10/100 megabits-per-second Ethernet port and one USB 2.0 port. Through the USB port, you can charge a single device or connect a storage drive to share access to files, download movies, and backup photos.

The TL-WR902AC is equipped with IPv4 and IPv6 internet protocols, Wi-Fi encryption, an SPI Firewall, and guest networks on each band. Powered by a single-core CPU and priced at less than $50, this travel router can act as a router and a hotspot while you're traveling, and then as a Wi-Fi range extender and an access point when you get home.

GL.iNet Mango (GL-MT300N-V2)

The GL-MT300N-V2 router from GL.iNet , more aptly referred to as Mango, is small but mighty. It's incredibly compact and lightweight and stands out from the crowd with its bright yellow outer shell. Despite its tiny exterior, there's a lot going on inside the Mango router for only about $30.

Powered by its new chip — the MT7628NN from MTK — and 128 megabytes of RAM, the Mango is able to provide better Wi-Fi connections and faster OpenVPN encryption. The Mango also has a built-in firewall and supports WireGuard, DNS over TLS, and over 30 different VPN services in total. There's only one 2.4 GHz band, but it can reach speeds up to 300 megabits per second, which is perfect for internet browsing and occasional streaming.

For ports, there's one WAN Ethernet port, one LAN Ethernet port, one USB 2.0 port, and one micro-USB power port. You can use a laptop, power bank, or a standard 5V/2A DC adapter as a power supply for GL.iNet's Mango travel router. You can connect the Mango to the internet through an Ethernet cable, a repeater, a USB modem, or tethering via your smartphone.

NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 4G

The Nighthawk M1 from NETGEAR is the world's first gigabit-class LTE mobile router, offering Wi-Fi 5 speeds up to 150 megabits per second over dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, as well as 4G LTE mobile speeds with a compatible SIM card. Powered by Qualcomm's MDM9x50 chipset, NETGEAR's Nighthawk M1 has been certified with AT&T and T-Mobile, and is compatible with Google Fi and Verizon. You have to contact one of those cellular providers, choose a SIM card and a data plan that works for you, and then insert the SIM card into the Nighthawk M1 to activate it.

Up to 20 devices can be connected to the Nighthawk M1 router simultaneously, and your connections are secure and private. There's an Ethernet port capable of download speeds up to one gigabit per second, one USB-A port, and one USB-C port. A fully charged 5,040 mAh battery can last you up to 11 hours, and you can recharge it or swap it out with a second battery if you want to buy another battery.

Or, you can also use the AC adapter if you need constant power. This ensures you'll have a connection at all times, no matter where you are. Even if you're not traveling, a SIM-capable router like this is handy in homes that get poor signal, have unreliable (or even unavailable) cable internet, or just otherwise could benefit from a second Wi-Fi router . You can use 4G LTE to work, stream videos, play games, and browse the internet.

The Nighthawk M1 also has a neat 1.77-inch LCD display that makes it easy to manage Wi-Fi connections. You can set up a new connection, change settings, and monitor your data usage to make sure you don't go over your plan.

NewQ Filehub AC750

The NewQ Filehub AC750 can work as your own personal cloud storage device, wireless hard drive, SD card reader, and of course, a wireless travel router. On top of that, the Filehub AC750 functions as a power bank that can charge your other devices while you're traveling.

Despite featuring multiple uses, this travel router is small and portable, making it easy to carry in your hand, stick in a pocket, or pack inside a suitcase or backpack. Then, NewQ's Filehub supports dual Wi-Fi bands, one 2.4 GHz band and one 5 GHz band, and overall internet speed up to 1,300 megabits per second.

For wireless transfer with the Filehub AC750, you can connect any external storage device and then wirelessly browse and transfer files. There's an SD card reader slot, a USB-A port, a USB-C port, and an Ethernet port. With a convenient backup button, you can click it once to automatically backup photos and files from your SD card to an external storage drive or a USB flash drive.

TP-Link TL-WR802N

The TL-WR802N travel router from TP-Link is pocket-sized, so it can easily fit in your carry-on luggage on an airplane, a backpack, or even your jeans. Despite its small size, you can experience speeds up to 300 megabits per second via a single 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 band.

While you're traveling, you can use the TL-WR802N as a router to create a private wireless network for you and anyone else you're traveling with. You can also use its Hotspot Mode to take advantage of wireless internet by connecting to an outdoor WISP access point.

When you get home, there's no need to pack this tiny travel router away until your next work trip or vacation. You can use the TL-WR802N as a range extender to improve signal strength and extend coverage to your entire home, making any previous dead zones disappear. Or, you can create a wireless network for Wi-Fi devices, like a dedicated guest network.

For continuous power, you can use the included power adapter. Or, you can connect a smartphone or other USB charging device to the TL-WR802N via its built-in micro-USB port to give it power while you're on the go. There's also one LAN/WAN Ethernet port for faster internet access when you're at a hotel or at home.

GL.iNet Beryl (GL-MT1300)

The Beryl wireless travel router is Gl.iNet's pocket-sized option, and its technical name is the GL-MT1300 router. It's more affordable than some of GL.iNet's other offerings, but still packs quite the punch in terms of speed and security.

It has dual-band support, with the 2.4 GHz band reaching speeds up to 400 megabits per second and the 5 GHz band reaching speeds up to 867 megabits per second. If wireless speeds aren't your thing, you can connect your devices directly through one of the Ethernet ports. There's one WAN Ethernet port and two LAN ports, along with one USB 3.0 port, a microSD card slot (maximum size of 512 gigabytes), and a USB-C power port.

Powered by an MTK MT7621A processor, the Beryl travel router can support up to 40 connected wireless devices at the same time. For security, you'll find Tor pre-installed to encrypt your online identity and browsing data. Then, the Beryl router also supports Cloudflare DNS over TLS and is compatible with over 30 different VPN services.

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9 Best Wireless Travel Routers to Buy in 2021 — Stay Connected On The Go

Often, accessing the internet on the go can be a cumbersome process. Mobile data plans are not always cheap, especially while roaming internationally, and hotel Wi-Fi connections come with their own speed and access limitations. This is where a good wireless travel router can help. Wireless travel routers are basically range extenders or access points that enable connecting multiple devices to public Wi-Fi or Ethernet, such as hotels and universities, without much hassle.

A wireless travel router can perform multiple functions, the importance of which include —

• Range extension — Wireless travel routers can amplify weak signals via powerful antennas so that devices can easily connect.
• Security — Often, public hotspots are unsecured, which means anyone can eavesdrop on your communications while you are working at a cafe or in a public place. Most wireless travel routers come with built-in firewalls and authentication to secure an unsecured network.
• Multiple connections — Generally, most hotels, universities, and offices use a captive portal to authenticate guest logins, which means each of your devices needs to connect independently to the captive portal. A wireless travel router helps you log in once to the captive portal, and other devices can connect to the router in the normal way.
• Media hub — Most wireless travel routers come with some sort of media sharing ability. This enables you to connect storage devices either wirelessly or via USB ports to the router. Multiple connected clients can then share the media from the storage device at once.

Manufacturers also include a few other extra goodies such as a power bank, Wi-Fi bridge, and more. Modern wireless travel routers are not just for travelers and can easily replace your existing router setup at home as well.

While wireless travel routers can prove highly valuable, there are a few points to be kept in mind. Not all wireless travel routers have hotspot functionality, so you need to have some sort of internet connection in the first place before you can use such a router. Also, some routers are known not to play well with captive portals. More importantly, it is always recommended to avoid sharing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi as much as possible even though the router itself offers good security.

For this list, we have narrowed down some of the best travel routers available in the market today. Emphasis was given more on the compactness, speeds, and operation modes. Routers that offered media sharing and power bank features were considered as well.

With that information, here are the 9 best wireless travel routers available in 2021 .

1. TP-Link N300 Nano

The TP-Link N300 offers an easy way to create a compact wireless hotspot quickly. It offers flexibility for travelers as it can be powered using an external power adapter or just with a USB connection. The maximum throughput offered is 300 Mbps over the 802.11n band, which should be sufficient for most purposes while on the go. The device can also be used as a hotspot, router, or a Wi-Fi range extender.

While the software UI is not the most advanced, it is more than enough to get the job done for those who require a no-fuss solution for hooking up to hotel or university ethernet. It does take some time to latch on to a network, but once done, there's nothing the user would need to do to get online. If you are looking for the best travel router for hotels, the TP-Link N300 Nano should be high on your list. Fan of TP-Link routers? Check which TP-Link routers made it to our list .

• Pros : Works in multiple modes; Good speeds; Easy setup
• Cons : Not the most feature-rich UI

2. GL.iNet GL-AR300M

The GL.iNet dons many hats as a Wi-Fi hotspot, repeater, and a programmable gateway for DIY hobbyists. As a Wi-Fi hotspot and converter, it is one of the best travel routers available, offering a maximum throughput of up to 300 Mbps. With the included USB ports, you can simply plug in your existing 3G/4G internet dongle and create a Wi-Fi access point. Like other wireless travel routers, it can run off your laptop's USB port or the bundled 5V DC power adapter. The presence of UART and GPIO ports allows for acting as a portable gateway for IoT development.

The best part about this sub-$50 router is its OpenWRT firmware. The software allows you to use it as an OpenVPN router, Tor router, or even your personal firewall between a public Wi-Fi hotspot and your computer. If you are an advanced user, you can also perform load balancing between multiple internet sources, such as an internet dongle or a tethered device.

• Pros : Multiple configuration options; Great for IoT development on the go
• Cons : None as such

3. HooToo TripMate Nano

The HooToo TripMate Nano is a very popular wireless travel router. It makes for an excellent travel companion despite lacking some of the bells and whistles of slightly more expensive options. TripMate Nano can be used as a hotspot or to wirelessly share files with the connected clients. The included USB port is just USB 2.0 but supports all storage devices.

TripMate Nano is not without its share of quirks, though. For instance, the included USB port cannot power an external hard disk if you are already powering the device via USB. Also, the software can recognize only one drive at a time if you connect two drives in a bridge.

• Pros : Affordable; Good media sharing features
• Cons : USB port alone will not be able to power external drives; Software can recognize only one connected drive at a time

4. HooToo TripMate Titan

The HooToo TripMate Titan aims to be your all-in-one travel companion by combining a capable wireless travel router and a huge 10,400 mAh battery. So you can charge devices on the go and simultaneously use the device in the access point, bridge, or router modes for staying connected on the go. The standout feature of the TripMate Titan is the FileHub. FileHub makes the Titan into a full-fledged media sharing, streaming, and file management tool. You can share and stream media with up to 5 connected clients and use your Chromecast to stream videos to the big screen.

The HooToo TripMate Titan is not without its shortcomings, however. It cannot work as a wireless hotspot and does not support any OpenVPN clients. It also cannot bridge an iPhone hotspot or stream DRM-enabled media. While a great file server, the software has a few security issues and has been reported to be easily 'hackable'.

• Pros : Multiple wireless functions; Media sharing; Large capacity power bank
• Cons : No support for wireless hotspot and VPN; Bundled software does not focus on security

5. TRENDnet TEW-817DTR

The TRENDnet TEW-817DTR is a capable and fast wireless travel router. It is one of the few travel routers to offer wireless AC speeds up to 750 Mbps and can function as a router, WISP, access point, or a repeater. A neat addition is that power plugs for North America, European, and UK sockets come bundled with the package. Therefore, if you are a busy professional whose job involves a lot of international travel, this router is for you.

The TEW-817DTR offers an easy setup, and the Wi-Fi settings come pre-configured. However, this router suffers from a major disadvantage that it cannot be used with captive portals. Most hotels and universities require logging into a captive portal before getting internet access. This router is not compatible with such networks. We hope TRENDnet addresses this in a firmware update soon. The device, as such, performs flawlessly once configured properly.

• Pros : Designed for the international traveler; Easy setup; Wireless AC speeds
• Cons : Not compatible with a captive portal

6. GL.iNet GL-B1300

The GL.iNet GL-B1300 is one of the best travel routers you can get in 2021, and it offers nearly everything you'd get from a conventional wireless router at a very reasonable price. There is dual-band wireless AC support with speeds up to 1.3 Gbps — more than what most hotels, offices, or universities all over the world provide. The GL-B1300 comes with OpenWRT installed right off the bat, which means powerful customization options along with OpenVPN support for up to 20+ VPN clients. The quad-core 717 MHz ARM CPU ensures things move around without bottlenecks. The cool thing is that you can also swap the antennas for more powerful ones if you wish to.

GL.iNet says that the router has been tested for using storage devices up to 64 GB. But given the USB 3.0 port, using higher capacity drives shouldn't be a problem, but we'd suggest avoiding external hard drives as those are power-hungry. Also, some users have reported that GL.iNet is yet to update the firmware to more recent versions. You can use vanilla OpenWRT as well, but you might have to configure many options yourself.

• Pros : Good assortment of features; Good speeds and coverage; OpenWRT compatible
• Cons : Stock firmware needs upgrading; VPN speeds are reportedly slow

7. TP-Link TL-WR902AC

The TP-Link TL-WR902AC performs as well as it looks. It sports dual-band wireless AC with speeds up to 750 Mbps making it easily suitable for most hotel networks on the go. As a wireless device, it can work as a range extender, access point, and hotspot. The software UI is fairly easy to set up and offers advanced features such as DHCP reservation, port forwarding, DMZ, etc.

As such, the device performs well, but experienced users might find the software a bit lacking. For example, there is no provision to configure the same MAC address at once for both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Users have also reported that the microUSB port is further recessed, impeding a tight connection.

• 8 Best 802.11ac Routers in 2021
• Pros : Multiple wireless modes; Good speeds
• Cons : Software is not particularly pro-user friendly; Design flaw in microUSB port placement

8. TP-Link TL-MR3040

The TP-Link TL-MR3040 is a small wireless travel router that slips into any pocket and can operate on both battery power as well as mains. The 2,000 mAh battery is also removable, which is great as you can simply replace the battery instead of waiting for it to charge. The TL-MR3040 supports the wireless N protocol, so you can speed up to 150 Mbps, which should suffice for most purposes. The MR3040 features a USB 2.0 that you can use to connect 3G or 4G modems. However, you cannot use that to host a file server, so if you are looking to streaming media from USB storage, you're out of luck.

The performance of the MR3040 is fine as long as you are well within range and there are no obstructions. Even within range, the speeds tend to drop as you move farther away from the router. Also, there is no facility for activating guest networks. If you can work with those limitations, the TP-Link TL-MR3040 makes for a great portable router at an effective price.

• Pros : Multiple wireless modes; Highly portable
• Cons : No support for guest networks; Speed drops

9. GL.iNet GL-AR750S

The GL.iNet GL-AR750S is a new travel router that was nominated for the innovation award at CES 2019. The AR750S has a good range and even works as a conventional router for most homes. The best part about the AR750S is that it comes pre-installed with OpenWrt firmware that offers many more configuration options and flexibility than other firmware. The GL.iNet GL-AR750S offers a dual-band connection but supports only the wireless-N protocol. However, due to backward compatibility, connecting wireless-AC devices should not be a problem. This travel router also offers 128 MB of RAM and comes with three Ethernet ports, so you can also hook up your wired devices if needed. The firmware also supports OpenVPN that can connect to many VPN service providers out of the box.

Security-conscious users will appreciate the fact that it comes with Cloudflare DNS over TLS enabled. This provides an additional security layer by routing IP requests over Cloudflare's service instead of the ISP's DNS registry. Price-wise, the AR750S seems to be slightly on the higher side, but you are getting a lot of features in a compact body, making it one of the best travel routers to consider.

• Pros : Feature-rich, Supports OpenVPN and OpenWrt
• Cons : No support for wireless-AC

Dear readers, that would be all for our list of the best wireless travel routers to consider buying today. If you have additional questions, don't hesitate to post them in the comments below, and we will do our best to provide a timely response.

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How-To Geek

Get a travel router to upgrade your hotel wi-fi experience.

You can upgrade your hotel Wi-Fi experience easily.

Quick Links

What's a travel router, why use a travel router in a hotel, which travel router should you get.

You might not have "travel router" on your vacation packing list, but after reading this article, you just might. Here's why we always pack a router with us when we're headed to a hotel.

A travel router is a small network router designed with an emphasis on portability and use in-the-field. While you could, in theory, use a travel router as an internet router in your home, it's not intended for that.

Instead, travel routers are meant to link together a smaller number of devices all congregated fairly close together. Think, your laptop and phone, your kids' tablets, and maybe even a streaming stick in a hotel room---not all those things plus a pile of computers, smart devices, and such spread out across your whole home.

They typically have a very small form factor, the size of a portable battery pack or even smaller. Speaking of that, many of them are portable battery packs, so you can use them to charge your phone while you travel in addition to their router function.

Further, unlike the router you have at home, travel routers have UI elements and even physical toggles that make it easy to quickly switch them between functions like router mode, hotspot mode, repeater mode, and so on.

That last part is crucial. You want a travel router that can easily connect to the hotel's internet in different and reliable ways. In some hotels, you can plug the travel router directly into a courtesy Ethernet connection in your room, which is easy peasy.

In other hotels, there's no physical internet connection, and you have to connect the travel router to the hotel's Wi-Fi and use it in hotspot mode, where it captures the Wi-Fi connection, and then all your local devices connect to the travel router instead of the hotel's Wi-Fi system.

You might be thinking, "Well, that's all very fascinating, but I have no idea why I would go to the trouble?" And that's certainly a fair question to have on your mind if you've never considered packing a router (no matter how small it might be) along with your toiletries and phone charger .

Historically, one of the best reasons to pack a travel router was that many hotels didn't have Wi-Fi (they only had an Ethernet port in the room for business travelers to plug in their laptops).

Later, when hotels started to get Wi-Fi, they had frustrating policies like only one or two devices per guest/room were allowed on the network. Even today, some hotel Wi-Fi systems still have such rules.

When you use a travel router, you can "log in" just the travel router to the hotel's system so, as far as they are concerned, there is only one device in the room. All the traffic of the other devices passes through the travel router.

Speaking of device traffic, you can also leverage the travel router to increase your privacy. Most travel routers support basic VPN protocols like PPTP or L2TP, and the more advanced ones support OpenVPN and WireGuard .

That makes it simple to tunnel right from your room to a third-party VPN or right back to your corporate or home VPN server. It also makes it easy to transfer files securely between your devices as the file transfer is happening over the micro network you set up, and the files never pass through the hotel's infrastructure in any way.

It also makes it much easier to use your devices in the fashion you're accustomed to. You could set your travel router's Wi-Fi credentials to match your home network's Wi-Fi credentials, for example. Not only does that make it dead simple to log in when you get to your hotel (as your phone and laptop already know the way "home"), but you can even toss your Chromecast or favorite streaming stick into your bag and use it in your hotel room. Forget the stupid "smart" TV interface hotels have, enjoy your streaming services the way you want without the lag.

Above all else, when you're shopping for a travel router (whether you pick one of our suggestions or forge out on your own to do some research), you need this feature: captive portal connectivity.

You know how when you first connect to a hotel's Wi-Fi there is usually a pop-up page where you accept the terms and conditions and/or login with your name and room number? That's the portal. You need a router that "capture" that exchange and mimics your initial login device (like your iPhone).

All of our picks below support easy captive portal exchanges, which makes the setup when you first get to your hotel room a breeze. Without that feature, you're left manually cloning your original login device's MAC address which usually works but can be hit or miss.

One of the most popular options on the market is the TP-Link N300 Nano Router . It's a steal at around $30, but it's starting to show its age.

It only supports 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) on the 2.4 GHz band. But for only ten bucks more, you can jump from the N300 Nano Router to the TP-Link AC750 Nano Router .

TP-Link TL-WR902AC AC750

It's tiny, inexpensive, and our all-around top pick for best travel router. For most folks, it's the easiest solution.

The upgraded model features dual-band Wi-Fi, 802.11AC (Wi-Fi 5), and a really convenient switch on the side that makes it dead simple to change modes without logging into the router.

While we love the TP-Link Nano lineup, especially the newest models, and think they are the best fit for just about everyone, there are a few other options to consider.

If you want more advanced VPN solutions, you'll need to step beyond the TP-Link offerings and consider something like the GL.iNet GLMT300N ---it's roughly equivalent to the TP-Link N300 Nano Router but runs the popular OpenWRT router firmware and supports both OpenVPN and WireGuard.

And if you want a beefy upgrade over the TP-Link AC750 Nano Router consider the GL.iNet GL-A1300 .

GL-iNet GL-A1300

For power users that want passthrough connectivity for Ethernet devices and advanced VPN services like WireGuard, this travel router delivers.

It also runs OpenWRT firmware and robust VPN support like its smaller sibling, but includes two additional Ethernet ports, support for many more Wi-Fi devices, and more.

But whichever of our picks you go with, you'll become the master of your Wi-Fi destiny when you're on the road. Forget cruddy hotel Wi-Fi or frustrating Wi-Fi rules. Plug in your own router and go. And hey, if you're in the upgrade mood, here are some other travel gadget upgrades worth looking at.

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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.

Want to connect with me on social media? Find me on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , and Twitter. And for those of you who are dedicated to traveling more responsibly, sustainably, and ethically, join over 200 like-minded families on my Facebook group, Responsible Family Travel .

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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

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

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

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.

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

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

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

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

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.

Aiden Freeborn

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• {post.0.post_title} Questions (FAQ)

Learn More About Router

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.

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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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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• Holland America Line

Has anyone used a wireless router in your stateroom?

By Muechie , July 25, 2021 in Holland America Line

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Curious if anyone has been successful in using a wireless router inside stateroom in conjunction with your purchased wireless internet package? Or, is it even allowed?

We will have (on board Zuiderdam) the premier unlimited WiFi plan. Need reliable internet access for more than just emails.   

Also interested in using the USB and HDMI ports on the stateroom TV. Do they normally have any accessible ports for connecting a laptop or FireTV?

Very unfamiliar with the onboard setup so figured I throw out theses questions for the seasoned cruisers.  Thank you

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CruiserBruce

I doubt the wireless router would assure you of reliable internet, because the weak link is the pipe between the ship and the satellite. 

16 minutes ago, Muechie said: Curious if anyone has been successful in using a wireless router inside stateroom in conjunction with your purchased wireless internet package? Or, is it even allowed?     We will have (on board Zuiderdam) the premier unlimited WiFi plan. Need reliable internet access for more than just emails.    Also interested in using the USB and HDMI ports on the stateroom TV. Do they normally have any accessible ports for connecting a laptop or FireTV?   Very unfamiliar with the onboard setup so figured I throw out theses questions for the seasoned cruisers.  Thank you

Typically, the USB and HDMI ports on the TV are inactivated.  If you bring a universal remote, and want to scroll though all the TV codes, you could unlock the ports.

As for a router, each device using wifi needs to log in, so I'm not sure that a router has that function, to be able to log into the internet.

As cruiserbruce says, the real problem is limited bandwidth in the ship's system, and also the latency of the satellite communication.

Cocktail613

I have done it for a couple of cruises in the past and it worked well, though as mentioned ultimately the speed is determined by the available ship bandwidth. The reason we used it was so that we could connect multiple devices at the same time using one plan (ship only sees the travel router logged in).  If you do a search you will find some very helpful how-to posts on CC.  Now that multiple wifi plans are “thrown in” for most cruise packages I doubt we will bother again.

39 minutes ago, sleslie said: I have done it for a couple of cruises in the past and it worked well, though as mentioned ultimately the speed is determined by the available ship bandwidth. The reason we used it was so that we could connect multiple devices at the same time using one plan (ship only sees the travel router logged in).  If you do a search you will find some very helpful how-to posts on CC.  Now that multiple wifi plans are “thrown in” for most cruise packages I doubt we will bother again.

Thank you, this is valuable information. That was our original idea. ❤️

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said: Typically, the USB and HDMI ports on the TV are inactivated.  If you bring a universal remote, and want to scroll though all the TV codes, you could unlock the ports.   As for a router, each device using wifi needs to log in, so I'm not sure that a router has that function, to be able to log into the internet.   As cruiserbruce says, the real problem is limited bandwidth in the ship's system, and also the latency of the satellite communication.

Excellent tips. Love the idea of a universal remote 😊 . Thank you. 

2 hours ago, CruiserBruce said: I doubt the wireless router would assure you of reliable internet, because the weak link is the pipe between the ship and the satellite. 

Yes, you make a great point. We were looking to have both of us online simultaneously but that might not work as we envision. Thank you 🙏  

Is the internet stronger if you go into some of the public areas rather than using in your stateroom?

Caribbean Chris

7 hours ago, cruisegirl said: Is the internet stronger if you go into some of the public areas rather than using in your stateroom?

Yes, sometimes. Lisa  (Laffnvegas) has mentioned in her “Live From” thread (first Alaska cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam) the variance, going out to her hallway to send since it was stronger than in the stateroom. I think she’s getting the best signal from the Crows Nest lounge up top.

I think the time of day is the biggest factor. I travel with a service dog who awakens me at 5 a.m. at home and is used to being fed then. Sleeping late on vacation isn’t an option. So I get a great signal until the rest of the ship starts waking up!

Gail & Marty sailing away

Some folks have used a router and been very happy ..

Lido - Lanai

Just another example of people trying to game the system....SMH.... if you want to use multiple devices, buy a plan that allows it!

19 hours ago, Muechie said: Also interested in using the USB and HDMI ports on the stateroom TV. Do they normally have any accessible ports for connecting a laptop or FireTV?

Since they moved the TVs to wall mounts, the external ports have been essentially inaccessible. We travel with a set of wireless headphones for TV. The headphone transmitter is plugged into the headphone jack of the TV. On our last cruise I was able to snake my arm behind the TV and with the use of a 90 degree adapter could plug in to the TV, all by feel. The USB ports were in the back and they were too close to the wall to allow anything to be plugged into them.

4 hours ago, IPB4IGO said: Since they moved the TVs to wall mounts, the external ports have been essentially inaccessible. We travel with a set of wireless headphones for TV. The headphone transmitter is plugged into the headphone jack of the TV. On our last cruise I was able to snake my arm behind the TV and with the use of a 90 degree adapter could plug in to the TV, all by feel. The USB ports were in the back and they were too close to the wall to allow anything to be plugged into them.

Very good to know. That would mean they don’t have a 😯 Bluetooth option on the TVs 😔 that’s a bummer. Thank you @IPB4IGO I really appreciate your information. 

17 hours ago, cruisegirl said: Is the internet stronger if you go into some of the public areas rather than using in your stateroom?

Great question @cruisegirl

9 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said: Yes, sometimes. Lisa  (Laffnvegas) has mentioned in her “Live From” thread (first Alaska cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam) the variance, going out to her hallway to send since it was stronger than in the stateroom. I think she’s getting the best signal from the Crows Nest lounge up top.   I think the time of day is the biggest factor. I travel with a service dog who awakens me at 5 a.m. at home and is used to being fed then. Sleeping late on vacation isn’t an option. So I get a great signal until the rest of the ship starts waking up!    

Sounds like it pays to be an early riser @Caribbean Chris  I will remember this when I’m trying to send pics back home 😉

23 hours ago, CruiserBruce said: I doubt the wireless router would assure you of reliable internet, because the weak link is the pipe between the ship and the satellite. 

Thank you, I appreciate your information. It makes total sense. I’m leaning away from the expense of a wireless router. Thanks again ☺️

6 hours ago, Lido - Lanai said: Just another example of people trying to game the system....SMH.... if you want to use multiple devices, buy a plan that allows it!

Thank you for your suggestion and I appreciate your input. ☺️ I couldn’t agree more. ❤️

7 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said: Some folks have used a router and been very happy ..

Thank you @Gail & Marty sailing away  I think we’re learning more and deciding it would be best to just use what’s available on the ship. Seems like more of a hassle than is necessary. Especially while on vacation 😋

2 minutes ago, Muechie said: Thank you @Gail & Marty sailing away  I think we’re learning more and deciding it would be best to just use what’s available on the ship. Seems like more of a hassle than is necessary. Especially while on vacation 😋

No problem ..

The-Inside-Cabin

On 7/25/2021 at 12:37 PM, Muechie said: Curious if anyone has been successful in using a wireless router inside stateroom in conjunction with your purchased wireless internet package? Or, is it even allowed?     We will have (on board Zuiderdam) the premier unlimited WiFi plan. Need reliable internet access for more than just emails.    Also interested in using the USB and HDMI ports on the stateroom TV. Do they normally have any accessible ports for connecting a laptop or FireTV?   Very unfamiliar with the onboard setup so figured I throw out theses questions for the seasoned cruisers.  Thank you

Here is an excerpt from my blog FAQ section

https://www.theinsidecabin.com/2018-world-cruise-faq/

If you only have one internet plan – you will only be allowed to log into the internet with one device at a time.    If you attempt to log in to a second device, you will be asked if you want to log out of the other device first and then log in with your current device.

If you would like to share the same internet connection with someone else, you can do this in a couple of ways, as long as you are in close to the other person.

With your laptop – you can log into your account, and then use your laptop to create a mobile hotspot you can use to connect your phone or tablet to the same internet signal currently being used by your laptop

HERE   is a link to a good tutorial for how to create these hotspots on a MAC, iPhone or Android in addition to Windows.

Here is how you do this for Windows 10 devices

Go to your network settings – you can get there by typing in “Mobile Hotspot” into the search box on the lower left-hand corner of your screen.   A menu will pop up “Change Mobile Hotspot Settings”  – highlight that and press enter – you will then be directed to the mobile hotspot set up screen.   Turn on the Mobile Hot Spot by tapping on the toggle switch.   Then you can rename the hotspot and change the password to something easier to remember.    Now you will be able to log on to your Mobile Hot Spot from your other devices

If you are in a place that requires you to buy separate login for each device and you don’t have a laptop available to create a mobile hotspot you can use a TRAVEL ROUTER to create a mobile hotspot you can share.    It works like this.   You logon the router with your phone, and then you use the router to logon to the WIFI access your purchased.    Once you make this connection, the TRAVEL ROUTER will receive an rebroadcast the WIFI connection.    Once you have established your mobile hotspot, then all of your devices can logon to this new hotpost you created.

Here are a couple of websites that discuss the various options available for travel routers.  

Guide to the Best Portable Mini Travel WiFi Router in 2021 (nerdtechy.com)

The 7 Best Wireless Travel Routers of 2021 (lifewire.com)

5 Best Travel Routers – Apr. 2021 – BestReviews

22 hours ago, Muechie said: Excellent tips. Love the idea of a universal remote 😊 . Thank you. 

We never found the HDMI ports to be accesible on our HAL ships.    We travel with one of this which has helped on other ships that had available HDMI but were hard to reach.    Search for HDMI angle adapter.   They make them for USB as well.   

Sometimes  you can kluge up something using the DVD player if still available.....Thats why I always carry a few extra cables and adapters.  You never know what configuration you may run into.  

Good idea from @chengkp75 on the remote

24 minutes ago, Muechie said: Sounds like it pays to be an early riser @Caribbean Chris  I will remember this when I’m trying to send pics back home 😉

The bandwidth issue is due to the fact that everyone is on the same signal.  The ship is online 24/7 to the home office, with the POS registers, pax accounts, the maintenance and repair program, and even the waste management system is online realtime to the head office.  So, in the hours before most supervisors start work (before 6am), there will be more bandwidth.  Pax internet is basically whatever is left over of the bandwidth after ship's business is done.

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said: The bandwidth issue is due to the fact that everyone is on the same signal.  The ship is online 24/7 to the home office, with the POS registers, pax accounts, the maintenance and repair program, and even the waste management system is online realtime to the head office.  So, in the hours before most supervisors start work (before 6am), there will be more bandwidth.  Pax internet is basically whatever is left over of the bandwidth after ship's business is done.

Thank you, this is an important fact to know and I can use this on any cruise. 😊

1 hour ago, The-Inside-Cabin said: We never found the HDMI ports to be accesible on our HAL ships.    We travel with one of this which has helped on other ships that had available HDMI but were hard to reach.    Search for HDMI angle adapter.   They make them for USB as well.      Sometimes  you can kluge up something using the DVD player if still available.....Thats why I always carry a few extra cables and adapters.  You never know what configuration you may run into.       Good idea from @chengkp75 on the remote  

Wow great tip @The-Inside-Cabin   I can see how this would be very helpful. I’m definitely adding this to my list of tips and electronic items to bring. Thank you 🙏  

1 hour ago, The-Inside-Cabin said: Here is an excerpt from my blog FAQ section   https://www.theinsidecabin.com/2018-world-cruise-faq/   If you only have one internet plan – you will only be allowed to log into the internet with one device at a time.    If you attempt to log in to a second device, you will be asked if you want to log out of the other device first and then log in with your current device. If you would like to share the same internet connection with someone else, you can do this in a couple of ways, as long as you are in close to the other person. With your laptop – you can log into your account, and then use your laptop to create a mobile hotspot you can use to connect your phone or tablet to the same internet signal currently being used by your laptop HERE   is a link to a good tutorial for how to create these hotspots on a MAC, iPhone or Android in addition to Windows. Here is how you do this for Windows 10 devices Go to your network settings – you can get there by typing in “Mobile Hotspot” into the search box on the lower left-hand corner of your screen.   A menu will pop up “Change Mobile Hotspot Settings”  – highlight that and press enter – you will then be directed to the mobile hotspot set up screen.   Turn on the Mobile Hot Spot by tapping on the toggle switch.   Then you can rename the hotspot and change the password to something easier to remember.    Now you will be able to log on to your Mobile Hot Spot from your other devices If you are in a place that requires you to buy separate login for each device and you don’t have a laptop available to create a mobile hotspot you can use a TRAVEL ROUTER to create a mobile hotspot you can share.    It works like this.   You logon the router with your phone, and then you use the router to logon to the WIFI access your purchased.    Once you make this connection, the TRAVEL ROUTER will receive an rebroadcast the WIFI connection.    Once you have established your mobile hotspot, then all of your devices can logon to this new hotpost you created. Here are a couple of websites that discuss the various options available for travel routers.   Guide to the Best Portable Mini Travel WiFi Router in 2021 (nerdtechy.com) The 7 Best Wireless Travel Routers of 2021 (lifewire.com) 5 Best Travel Routers – Apr. 2021 – BestReviews

This information is travel gold. Thank you again @The-Inside-Cabin I really appreciate this. 

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Super-bundling: Report shows how smart households save on streaming

Bundling phone, internet and entertainment cuts costs and eases subscription fatigue..

Thanks to a growing number of streaming services competing for attention, consumers now have more options than ever before for entertainment. However, having all these choices, along with rising subscription costs, can make it difficult to manage. For example, a customer might sign up for a service to watch a specific show with the intention of canceling shortly after. But, as they juggle multiple subscriptions, costs can add up, especially if one forgets to cancel. It’s a situation that has become known as “subscription fatigue."

A new report from Techsponential, a consumer technology research and consulting firm, explores one potential solution: super-bundling. This trend ties together essential services, such as cellular service and home broadband, with streaming entertainment. It creates an easy, cost-effective way to get exactly what consumers want, all through a single provider. Verizon , as one solid option, has made it especially simple for customers to super-bundle and manage services.

“For the right household, super-bundling can make a lot of sense,” said Avi Greengart, author and lead analyst at Techsponential. “Bundling content along with broadband and wireless addresses significant consumer pain points. With some providers, bundling content is just about adding value, but at Verizon, it is not only less expensive, but also gives you more control, saving money and time. Customers can pick and choose exactly what they want, and it all comes on one bill, with one place to go if you want to make changes.”

Techsponential’s latest research report, “Super Bundles: The Next Big Opportunity Is Adding Streaming Content to Wireless and Broadband,” explains why super-bundling is becoming a trend. According to Greengart, these are the five main points consumers should know.

1. Super-bundling really saves

The cost of streaming services keeps going up. A typical three-person household in the U.S. currently spends $3,600 per year on communications and entertainment, according to technology research firms IDC and Omdia . With Verizon’s super bundle options, they could save about $1,000 each year.

2. Super bundles are easy to manage

Keeping up with subscriptions can be a pain, especially as costs rise and consumers get in a cycle of signing up, canceling or paying for services they don’t use. With super bundles like the options offered by Verizon, consumers can easily manage all their services, content and device payments through a single app and make changes at any time.

3. Not every provider offers super bundles

Two of the four major national wireless carriers don’t currently offer super-bundling, and bundles through cable companies often come with added fees for phones and equipment, such as routers. Greengart also pointed out that fewer than one-fifth of all digital subscriptions are bundled with telecom services. “Some carriers and cable providers don’t make it easy,” said Greengart. “But, Verizon has an app for that. You can set things up and leave them alone, or dial in costs as often as month by month.”

4. Super-bundling means more choice

True super-bundling allows families to create a package of services they want so they can avoid paying for things they don’t need. Verizon’s bundling plans feature more than 45 content options, including the Disney Bundle, Netflix and Max, among others, all starting at $10 per month. In fact, it’s the largest selection available nationally. Verizon also allows families to customize their content for each user. On top of that, customers can switch, suspend or cancel content services at any time, with no penalty or hassle, using a simple dashboard.

5. Super-bundling locks in long-term value

One of the drivers for what the industry calls “churn,” or when customers move in and out of various services, is the frequent price hikes from streaming services. Verizon’s super bundle options take care of that, with a simple promise: streaming rates won’t go up during the subscription period, even when content providers increase their prices.

So, what’s the bottom line? Greengart said, “When it comes to content,Verizon puts the ‘super’ in the super bundle trend.” The telecom leader offers the largest selection of streaming content and unparalleled flexibility. Choice, control and cost savings are the promises of super-bundling with the right provider.

Go to verizon.com/superbundle to view options and sign up.