Best Travel Routers for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers in 2026

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Hotel WiFi is a gamble. Sometimes it's fast and reliable. More often, it requires logging in on every device, drops connections randomly, and exposes your traffic to anyone else on the network. I've had banking sessions interrupted, video calls frozen, and—once in Barcelona—discovered someone on the same network attempting to intercept my traffic.

A travel router solves these problems elegantly. It connects to the hotel's WiFi once, then creates your own private, secure network. All your devices connect to your router instead of the public network. Add VPN capability, and your entire setup is encrypted automatically.

Travel routers are different from portable hotspots. Hotspots connect to cellular networks and create WiFi from mobile data. Travel routers connect to existing WiFi—hotel, cafe, Airbnb—and make it private and secure. Many digital nomads use both: a hotspot for cellular backup, a travel router for securing available WiFi.

This article is part of our digital nomad connectivity guide, covering everything you need to stay connected anywhere.

For a complete breakdown of connectivity options, see our connectivity comparison guide.

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Quick Picks - Best Travel Routers for 2026

| Category | Pick | Price | Best For | |----------|------|-------|----------| | Best Overall | GL.iNet Beryl AX | $89 | Most digital nomads | | Best Budget | GL.iNet Mango | $23 | Tight budgets, backup | | Best Performance | GL.iNet Slate AX | $119 | Speed-critical work | | Best Simplicity | TP-Link TL-WR902AC | $39 | Non-technical users |

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Why You Need a Travel Router

Security on Public WiFi

Public WiFi networks are inherently insecure. Anyone on the same network can potentially intercept your traffic. A travel router creates a private network between you and the public WiFi, adding a layer of protection. Combined with VPN, your connection becomes encrypted end-to-end.

For a deep dive on protecting yourself, see our guide to securing public WiFi.

Connect Multiple Devices with One Login

Captive portals are the bane of hotel WiFi. You know the drill: accept terms, enter room number, maybe provide an email—and repeat for every single device. Travel routers log in once, then share that connection with all your devices. Phone, laptop, tablet, e-reader—all connected through one authenticated session.

Extend Weak WiFi Signals

That beautiful Airbnb has one problem: the WiFi router is downstairs and the bedroom gets one bar. Travel routers can repeat and boost weak signals, creating stronger coverage in your immediate area. Not magic—they can't create bandwidth that doesn't exist—but they can make marginal signals usable.

VPN Protection for All Devices

Running VPN on each device is tedious. Some devices don't even support VPN apps. A travel router with built-in VPN client encrypts everything that passes through it—including smart devices, streaming sticks, and anything else that connects. One VPN connection protects your entire setup.

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What to Look For in a Travel Router

WiFi Standards

WiFi 5 devices are mature and affordable but limited to around 400-800 Mbps in real-world use. WiFi 6 brings speeds up to 1,200 Mbps and better performance in congested environments. For most hotel situations, WiFi 5 is sufficient. For demanding work or future-proofing, WiFi 6 is worth the premium.

VPN Client Support

Built-in VPN client capability is essential. Look for routers supporting OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. WireGuard is newer and faster; OpenVPN has broader compatibility. The best routers support both.

Size and Portability

Travel routers range from palm-sized to small paperback book. Weight ranges from 39 grams to over 200 grams. Consider how you travel—ultralight backpacker versus checked luggage traveler—and choose accordingly.

Ethernet Ports

At least one ethernet port lets you hardwire a laptop for maximum stability during critical work. Some routers offer multiple ports for connecting additional devices or using wired internet sources.

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The 4 Best Travel Routers for Digital Nomads

1. GL.iNet Beryl AX - Best Overall

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Why it wins: The Beryl AX delivers WiFi 6 performance, comprehensive VPN support, and the flexibility of OpenWrt firmware in a genuinely portable package. It's the router I recommend to most digital nomads.

GL.iNet has built a reputation for travel-focused routers, and the Beryl AX represents their best balance of features and portability. WiFi 6 provides fast, stable connections even in congested hotel environments. Built-in VPN clients for WireGuard and OpenVPN mean one-click protection for all devices.

Key specs:

• WiFi: WiFi 6, 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band
• Speed: Up to 1,200 Mbps on 5GHz
• Ports: 1 WAN, 2 LAN ethernet ports
• VPN: WireGuard, OpenVPN client and server
• Weight: 175g
• Firmware: OpenWrt-based

What I like:

Setup takes five minutes through the intuitive web interface. VPN performance is excellent—WireGuard barely impacts speeds. Three ethernet ports provide flexibility. The admin panel offers advanced features without overwhelming beginners. Regular firmware updates address security issues promptly.

What to watch out for:

At $89, it's pricier than basic options. The power adapter is chunky. May be overkill if you just need basic WiFi sharing.

For an in-depth look at setup, performance testing, and advanced features, see our full Beryl AX review.

Best for: Digital nomads who want comprehensive features without complexity.

Price: $89

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2. GL.iNet Mango - Best Budget

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Why it wins: At $23, the Mango delivers surprising capability in an absurdly small package. It won't match premium routers, but for the price, nothing else comes close.

The Mango is smaller than a deck of cards and weighs 39 grams. It runs the same OpenWrt-based firmware as its bigger siblings, meaning VPN support, advanced networking features, and regular updates. WiFi 4 speeds are adequate for basic use.

Key specs:

• WiFi: WiFi 4, 2.4GHz single-band
• Speed: Up to 300 Mbps
• Ports: 1 WAN, 1 LAN ethernet port
• VPN: WireGuard, OpenVPN client and server
• Weight: 39g
• Power: Micro-USB, 5V

What I like:

Impossibly compact—fits anywhere. Full VPN support despite the price. Can be powered by a USB battery pack. Perfect as a backup device. The same reliable GL.iNet firmware.

What to watch out for:

WiFi 4 only—no 5GHz band, slower speeds. Single-band means potential interference issues. Limited to basic routing needs. Not powerful enough for demanding work.

Best for: Budget travelers, backup connectivity, ultralight packers.

Price: $23

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3. GL.iNet Slate AX - Best Performance

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Why it wins: When you need maximum speed and range from a travel router, the Slate AX delivers. It's the most powerful portable router in GL.iNet's lineup.

The Slate AX upgrades everything: faster WiFi 6 with 160MHz channel width, more powerful antennas, faster processor for VPN throughput. If your work involves large file transfers, video editing in the cloud, or just demanding reliability, this is the router to choose.

Key specs:

• WiFi: WiFi 6, 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band with 160MHz
• Speed: Up to 1,800 Mbps on 5GHz
• Ports: 1 WAN, 2 LAN ethernet ports
• VPN: WireGuard, OpenVPN client and server
• Weight: 215g
• Storage: MicroSD slot for file sharing

What I like:

Noticeably faster than the Beryl AX in real-world use. Better range and wall penetration. MicroSD slot enables simple file sharing between devices. Handles VPN at full speed without bottlenecking. External antenna option for extreme situations.

What to watch out for:

Larger and heavier than other travel routers—pushing "travel" limits. At $119, significant investment. Power consumption higher; may drain battery packs faster.

Best for: Power users, speed-critical work, those willing to carry extra size for performance.

Price: $119

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4. TP-Link TL-WR902AC - Best for Simplicity

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Why it wins: Not everyone wants to tinker with OpenWrt. The TP-Link TL-WR902AC offers straightforward setup through a familiar interface, with enough features for most travelers.

TP-Link's travel router trades advanced customization for simplicity. The web interface is intuitive. Setup takes minutes. It just works. For travelers who want reliable WiFi sharing without diving into networking concepts, this delivers.

Key specs:

• WiFi: WiFi 5, 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band
• Speed: Up to 433 Mbps on 5GHz
• Ports: 1 WAN/LAN ethernet port
• VPN: PPTP and L2TP passthrough only
• Weight: 82g
• Power: Micro-USB, 5V

What I like:

Dead-simple setup—TP-Link's interface is polished. Dual-band WiFi 5 provides good speeds. Compact and light. Reliable performance. Recognizable brand with wide support resources.

What to watch out for:

Limited VPN support—no WireGuard or OpenVPN client. Can't run VPN at router level without workarounds. Single ethernet port limits flexibility. Firmware less frequently updated than GL.iNet.

Best for: Non-technical users who want simple WiFi sharing without VPN complexity.

Price: $39

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Comparison Table

| Feature | Beryl AX | Mango | Slate AX | TP-Link TL-WR902AC | |---------|----------|-------|----------|-------------------| | WiFi Standard | WiFi 6 | WiFi 4 | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | | Max Speed | 1,200 Mbps | 300 Mbps | 1,800 Mbps | 433 Mbps | | Bands | Dual | Single | Dual | Dual | | VPN Client | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | WireGuard | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | Ethernet Ports | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | | Weight | 175g | 39g | 215g | 82g | | Price | $89 | $23 | $119 | $39 |

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Travel Router vs Portable Hotspot

These solve different problems:

Travel routers connect to existing WiFi and make it private and secure. They don't provide internet on their own—they enhance and secure what's already available.

Portable hotspots connect to cellular networks and create WiFi from mobile data. They provide internet anywhere with cell coverage, independent of local WiFi.

When you need a travel router:

• Hotel or Airbnb with WiFi available
• Security is your primary concern
• Multiple devices, one captive portal
• You have a VPN subscription to route through

When you need a portable hotspot:

• No reliable WiFi available
• Need cellular backup
• Traveling to remote areas
• Group connectivity

The combo approach: Many nomads carry both. Travel router for securing available WiFi, portable hotspot for cellular backup. The router can even share the hotspot's connection with all devices.

For hotspot recommendations, see our guide to the best portable hotspots.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can a travel router speed up slow hotel WiFi?

No. Travel routers can't create bandwidth that doesn't exist. They can help with weak signals by acting as a repeater closer to your workspace, but if the underlying connection is slow, your router won't change that.

Do I need a VPN with a travel router?

A travel router without VPN adds a private network layer but doesn't encrypt your traffic to the internet. For full protection, run VPN through the router. GL.iNet routers make this easy; TP-Link requires running VPN on individual devices.

Will a travel router work with captive portals?

Yes, but initial setup requires connecting a device directly to the hotel WiFi to accept terms, then cloning that device's MAC address to your router. GL.iNet routers have built-in features for this; it takes about a minute once you learn the process.

How do I power a travel router while traveling?

Most travel routers use standard USB power—5V via Micro-USB or USB-C. They can run from laptop USB ports, USB wall adapters, or portable battery packs. Power consumption is minimal; even small battery packs provide hours of operation.

Can I use a travel router with airplane WiFi?

Generally yes, but airline WiFi systems sometimes detect and block routers. Results vary by airline. Worth trying, but don't count on it.

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Conclusion

For most digital nomads, the GL.iNet Beryl AX at $89 offers the best combination of performance, features, and portability. WiFi 6 speeds, comprehensive VPN support, and reliable build quality make it the easy recommendation.

On a tight budget, the GL.iNet Mango at $23 delivers impressive capability for its size and price—perfect as a primary router for light users or backup for anyone.

For maximum performance regardless of size, the GL.iNet Slate AX at $119 provides speeds and features that rival home routers.

For simplicity over customization, the TP-Link TL-WR902AC at $39 offers reliable WiFi sharing with minimal setup complexity.

A travel router is one of those gear upgrades that seems unnecessary until you use one—then becomes indispensable. For the complete picture of staying connected on the road, explore our complete connectivity guide.