GL.iNet GL-AXT1800(Slate AX) Portable Gigabit Travel Router, Pocket-Sized, Wi-Fi 6, Extender/Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB3.0, TF Card Slot

I bought this primarily to use as a 24/7 VPN server on my home network (500mbps ↓=↑). It works pretty well, I get up to 200mbps down when connected to the WireGuard server from my phone on 5G.But to my surprise this little travel router actually outperforms my full-size Netgear Nighthawk R6700 and my Fios Quantum Gateway as a WiFi access point. All three routers are located in the same general area, but the GL.Net provides better speeds at any given location. In my bedroom, I get ~350 on the Nighthawk, 400 on the Quantum Gateway, and 480 on the GL.iNet. At the far end of my back yard, I get about 5mbps from the Nighthawk, the Quantum Gateway is unusable, and I get 200 from the GL.iNet. For additional context, all three routers are in the same room along the front wall of the house.In addition to running a WireGuard VPN server, it can also run a VPN client. You can import WireGuard/OpenVPN configs or directly connect to a number of integrated providers including NordVPN. It also natively integrates NextDNS and ControlD for encrypted DNS, which is fantastic. I use a custom ControlD (Full Control) resolver which blocks ads and malware across all connected devices and uses smart location redirects to let me stream BBC iPlayer and RTÉ Player without a VPN. If you're traveling abroad and want to watch US Netflix from your hotel room, this travel router combined with ControlD is perfect. Or better yet, get two of these and set one up as a WireGuard VPN server at home and use the other as a travel router. You can watch Netflix abroad and it will appear as if you're on your home WiFi.My only gripe after five months is that USB tethering from my iPhone is much slower than native tethering. In a given location where my iPhone 12's hotspot delivers 120mbps, USB tethering to the GL.iNet only delivers 30mbps. I'm not sure if it's an issue with the cable or the router. USB tethering directly to my MacBook delivers 100mbps+ with a Lightning-to-USB-C cable, but for the GL.iNet I have to use an older Lighting-to-USB-A cable. I really wish it had a USB-C data port since I haven't bought a USB-A cable in 5 years.

Five Stars! A Game-Changer for Our Little League Livestreams!As a small family team dedicated to capturing and sharing our kids' sporting adventures, finding reliable and versatile internet connectivity has always been a major hurdle. Enter the GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) – this little powerhouse has been an absolute game-changer for our streaming setup, and we couldn't be happier!For years, we've wrestled with spotty phone tethering, unreliable campground Wi-Fi, and the dream (now reality!) of using our Starlink Mini on the go. The Slate AX handles it all with such incredible ease and stability. Whether we're tethering to our phones for a quick game recap stream from the sidelines, plugging into a borrowed WAN connection at a tournament, or finally utilizing our Starlink Mini for those more remote locations, the connection has been consistently solid and dependable.What we appreciate most as a busy mom and pop operation is the simplicity and portability. The Slate AX is compact and lightweight, making it a breeze to throw in our gear bag. Setting it up with each different connection type has been surprisingly straightforward, even for us non-techy folks. The interface is intuitive, and we were up and running in minutes each time.The difference in our stream quality has been night and day. No more dropped connections mid-game or pixelated messes! Our family and friends watching from afar can now enjoy clear, uninterrupted streams of every exciting play, every goal, and every victory (and maybe a few learning moments too!). This has truly enhanced the experience for everyone involved.Beyond the reliable connectivity, we also appreciate the security features offered by GL.iNet. Knowing our data is protected, especially when using public Wi-Fi or tethering, gives us real peace of mind.Here's what we absolutely love:* Versatile Connectivity: Seamlessly switches between phone tethering, WAN, and our beloved Starlink Mini.* Rock-Solid Stability: No more dropped streams or frustrating interruptions.* Portability: Small, lightweight, and easy to transport.* Ease of Use: Simple setup and intuitive interface.* Enhanced Stream Quality: Clear and consistent video for our viewers.* Security Features: Added peace of mind knowing our connection is secure.The GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 has truly been an invaluable addition to our little sports streaming endeavor. It has eliminated the connectivity headaches and allowed us to focus on what truly matters – capturing and sharing our kids' passion for their sports. If you're looking for a reliable, portable, and versatile router for your on-the-go connectivity needs, especially for streaming, look no further! Highly recommended!

I've only had this thing for a few weeks, but I really am loving it. I've never had a travel router before so it's hard to compare it to much, but it's intuitive and just works. The web interface is nice and it has a lot of features. I'm using Tailscale with it and it connects to my devices without major issues so far. Power draw is fairly low as well. I've tried it out at Starbucks, plugged it into a small Anker power bank and was able to power it for 2 hours with more than half of my charge left.The only POTENTIAL issue... it apparently takes 5V/4A power delivery and isn't strictly 'USB PD.' I was a bit worried because I'd like to use my USB-C power brick to travel with it rather than bring it's dedicated adapter, but most power bricks only support 5V/3A. However, I've been using it exclusively with 5V/3A-supported bricks and Anker power banks for a few weeks and I've had no issues. When I check the amperage with a USB-C meter, I have never seen it go above even 2A. So only a POTENTIAL issue at this point.Overall I'm very happy and if something changes, I'll update.